Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren has announced his decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on August 30, citing concerns over Bangladeshi infiltration in the state as a significant factor. Soren, who has been a prominent political figure in Jharkhand, expressed his reasons in a detailed statement, highlighting the growing problem of illegal immigration in the Santhal Pargana region.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Soren explained his decision, referencing a letter he shared with the people of Jharkhand on August 18. In the letter, he discussed the lack of a platform within his previous party to voice his concerns, particularly regarding the infiltration issue, which he claims is threatening the very existence of the tribal population in Jharkhand.
Soren emphasized that the illegal immigrants are occupying lands that belong to the descendants of tribal heroes who fought against British colonial rule. He warned that the presence of these infiltrators poses a severe threat to the dignity of women in the region and endangers the cultural and social fabric of the Santhal Pargana.
“What can be more unfortunate than the fact that these infiltrators are occupying the lands of the descendants of those heroes who never accepted slavery of the foreign British in the fight for water, forest, and land,” Soren stated. He also accused other political parties of ignoring this pressing issue for the sake of securing votes, leaving the tribals and natives vulnerable.
Champai Soren expressed his belief that only the BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, is serious about addressing this issue. He described his decision to join the BJP as a necessary step in the struggle to save the identity and existence of Jharkhand’s tribal communities.
The 67-year-old leader, who briefly served as Jharkhand’s chief minister after Hemant Soren’s resignation in January, accused Hemant Soren of failing to address the infiltration problem. Champai Soren stepped down after serving as CM for just over four months, allowing Hemant Soren to be sworn in again as the chief minister.
Champai Soren is not the first political leader to raise concerns about the tribal population’s decline in Jharkhand. In July, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also alleged that illegal immigrants are marrying tribal women, obtaining certificates, and purchasing land, which he claimed would further reduce the tribal population in the state.
Shah promised that if the BJP is voted to power in Jharkhand, the party would bring a white paper to secure tribal lands, population, and reservations. Champai Soren’s decision to join the BJP reflects a broader concern within Jharkhand’s political landscape about the future of the state’s indigenous communities.
Soren’s move to the BJP is expected to bolster the party’s efforts to address the issue of illegal immigration in Jharkhand, as well as to secure the support of the tribal population in the upcoming elections.
Sources By Agencies
