SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, February 2: Governor CP Radhakrishnan administered oath of office to JMM MLA Champai Soren as chief minister of Jharkhand today.
This is the first time a JMM MLA outside Shibu Soren’s family has been crowned as chief minister when the party is in power.
Congress MLA Alamgir Alam and RJD legislator Satyanand Bhokta were also administered the oath of office.
Who is Champai Soren?
Champai Soren was Transport and Tribal Welfare Minister in the government of Hemant Soren, who resigned on January 31 after the ED arrested him in the land scam.
68-year-old Champai Soren is the MLA from Seraikela seat and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha vice president.
He has been associated with JMM boss Shibu Soren since the Jharkhand movement. He is not only counted as a trusted leader of the Soren family but is also said to be a completely dedicated worker.
Earlier, Champai Soren served as a minister in the government of BJP leader Arjun Munda in 2010. He held the responsibilities of important ministries and served as a minister from September 11 2010, to January 18 2013.
He was also a chief ministerial candidate in 2009 after JMM chief Shibu Soren’s resignation, but he kept the card close to his chest.
Personal life
Champai is the eldest son of Simal Soren, a tribal resident of Jillinggora village located in Seraikela-Kharsawan district, who used to do farming. Champai studied in a government school till 10th class. He has four sons and three daughters.
Champai Soren’s political journey
Champai Soren, known as Kolhan Tiger, is the Hanuman of Rajya Sabha MP Shibu Soren. Along with Shibu Soren, Champai was also active in the movement in Jharkhand. After this, Champai Soren started his political career by becoming an independent MLA in the by-election from Seraikela seat. Later, he joined Jharkhand Mukti Morcha.
Champai has won the assembly elections from Seraikela six times. Between 1991 and 2019, he lost the election only once in 2000. Since 2005, he has continuously won the assembly elections from Seraikela. When Hemant Soren became the Chief Minister for the first time in 2014, he was made the Minister of Food Supplies and Science and Technology.
-Won the elections for the first time in 1991 as an independent candidate.
-Won on JMM ticket in 1995.
-MLA from Seraikela continuously since 2005
-Was a cabinet minister in the BJP government from September 11 2010 to January 18 2013.
-From July 13 2013, to December 28 2014, Minister of Food Supply and Transport Department in the Hemant Soren cabinet.
-Became the Minister of Transport, SC-ST, and Backward Class Welfare in 2019.
