The ruling alliance in Jharkhand elected transports minister Champai Soren as JMM legislative party leader, Congress’s state unit chief Rajesh Thakur said on Wednesday, paving the way for him to take up the chief minister’s role in the state.

The development came amid speculations that the incumbent chief minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, could be arrested by the ED in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam.

Soren was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case in his official residence for more than six hours amid heavy security cover and hectic political activities.

Who is Champai Soren?

Champai Soren is a prominent tribal leader and politician from the state of Jharkhand. The 67-year-old leader currently serves in the Jharkhand government as minister of transport.

Born into a family rooted in agricultural farming, Champai Soren, son of Simal Soren, received his early education in the government school and studied till 10th grade. His entry into politics coincided with the burgeoning demands for a separate Jharkhand state, where he swiftly aligned himself with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).

His political ascent saw notable milestones, including his participation in the Jharkhand movement, where he earned the moniker ‘Jharkhand Tiger’ for his fervent advocacy. Champai first won as an independent candidate in a crucial by-election from the Saraikela constituency.

Objection over Kalpana Soren’s name

Amid the political turmoil in Jharkhand, a PTI report suggested that the name of Hemant Soren’s wife, Kalpana, as the next CM was objected to by JMM MLA Sita Soren, his sister-in-law. Kalpana Soren was present at the meeting of alliance legislators at the CM’s residence on Tuesday.

Sita Soren, the widow of former chief minister Shibu Soren’s elder son Durga, told PTI: “I would like to ask why only Kalpana Soren, who is not even an MLA and has no political experience. Under what circumstances her (Kalpana’s) name is being touted as the next chief minister when there are so many senior leaders in the party.”