Banna Gupta labels Champai Soren ‘Vibhishan’, accuses him of betraying JMM

Champai Soren accused of betraying Hemant Soren Government

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, August 19: Jharkhand’s Health and Food Supply Minister, Banna Gupta, launched a scathing attack on Champai Soren, likening him to ‘Vibhishan,’ a figure known for betrayal in Indian mythology. Gupta accused Soren of attempting to destabilize the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led government under Chief Minister Hemant Soren. He claimed that when the history of Jharkhand is written, Champai Soren’s name will be etched as a traitor who tried to mortgage his self-respect by rejecting the party and the soil that gave him everything. Gupta asserted that Champai Soren’s efforts to undermine the government were thwarted when his true intentions came to light, forcing him to resort to social media to explain himself. Now, according to Gupta, Soren is hiding in regret, aware that his actions have been exposed.

Banna Gupta highlighted the long-standing support and respect that JMM has extended to Champai Soren. He pointed out that Dishom Guru Shibu Soren, a revered figure in Jharkhand politics, took Champai Soren from the streets of Jamshedpur and elevated him to a position of prominence. Soren was consistently made a minister whenever the JMM formed a government, and he was even granted an MP ticket. Gupta emphasized that every decision made by the party leadership was in Soren’s favor, yet in return, Soren sought to drag the state into the quagmire of opportunism.

The minister also accused Champai Soren of betraying the leadership when Hemant Soren faced the threat of imprisonment. According to Gupta, the party considered making Champai Soren the Chief Minister during this difficult time, and all ruling party MLAs agreed to the decision. However, when it came time to take up the mantle, Champai Soren distanced himself from the responsibility, raising questions about his commitment to the party. Gupta questioned why Soren did not see his actions as a breach of protocol or a display of dictatorial tendencies when he took decisions alone in cabinet meetings while Hemant Soren was behind bars. Instead of showing solidarity, Champai Soren, according to Gupta, was more focused on consolidating power.

Banna Gupta further accused Champai Soren of working behind the scenes to align himself with BJP leaders during a time when the JMM alliance was facing internal challenges. He criticized Soren for publishing government policy changes with his photograph, despite the fact that the INDIA alliance was opposing these changes nationwide. Gupta alleged that Soren was more interested in enhancing his public relations with the BJP than in upholding the principles of the JMM alliance.

The minister did not hold back in accusing Champai Soren of being greedy for power. Gupta argued that the 2019 elections were won on the strength of Hemant Soren’s leadership, yet Champai Soren began to view the position he received as his right. Gupta stated that Soren should have resigned on moral grounds when Hemant Soren was released from jail, but instead, he clung to his position and continued to push for more power. In contrast, Gupta praised Basant Soren for his selflessness, noting that Champai Soren should have stepped aside for more senior leaders within the party.

As Champai Soren’s plans with the BJP appeared to falter, Banna Gupta accused him of playing the emotional card in a desperate attempt to garner sympathy. He alleged that Soren removed the JMM flag from his house and village, provoked others to make false statements, and attempted to manipulate the media to suggest that JMM MLAs were aligned with him. Gupta warned that this issue goes beyond internal party politics; it is a matter of the government, the alliance, and the people of Jharkhand. He concluded by stating that the people of Jharkhand are fully aware of Champai Soren’s true nature, and that neither he nor the BJP will succeed in breaking the unity of the JMM or the government under Hemant Soren’s leadership.