Feb 2, 2024
Champai Soren, leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand on February 2 at the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at Darbal Hall and was administered by Governor CP Radhakrishnan. Alongside Champai Soren, two other ministers, Alamgir Alam from Congress and Satyanand Bhokta from RJD, also took the oath.
Soren, a 67-year-old tribal leader, earned the nickname "Jharkhand's Tiger" for his significant role in the 1990s struggle for the creation of a separate state. He succeeded Hemant Soren after his resignation as the Chief Minister due to an ED money laundering case.
Champai Soren, a loyalist of JMM president Shibu Soren, began his political career in 1991 as an independent MLA. He has won multiple elections, becoming the seventh person and third from JMM to hold the position of Jharkhand's Chief Minister.
Originating from a remote village in Seraikela-Kharsawan district, Champai Soren worked in fields with his father. He is a matriculate from a government school and started his political journey with a by-election from Saraikela seat in undivided Bihar.
Champai Soren faced both victories and defeats in elections. He lost in the 2000 assembly elections but regained the seat in 2005. He continued to win subsequent elections in 2009, 2014, and 2019.
Champai Soren served as a cabinet minister in the BJP government from September 2010 to January 2013. In 2019, when Hemant Soren formed his second government, Champai Soren became the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies and Transport.