Operation Lotus Fails: The political landscape in Jharkhand recently saw intense speculation surrounding former Chief Minister Champai Soren and his rumored defection to the BJP. On August 18, 2024, news of Soren’s sudden trip to Delhi fueled discussions about his potential meetings with BJP leaders. Despite denying the rumors, Soren expressed dissatisfaction with his treatment within the JMM, hinting at three options: retirement, forming a new organization, or joining a new ally.
On August 20, the situation intensified as MLAs rumored to support Soren met Chief Minister Hemant Soren, affirming their loyalty. This proactive move by Hemant Soren seemingly averted the feared “Operation Lotus” aimed at destabilizing the Jharkhand government. Champai Soren’s return and cryptic statements suggest that while the immediate crisis has passed, uncertainty lingers over his future actions.
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Scene 1
Date 16 August 2024. There were talks about former Jharkhand CM Champai Soren along with JMM MLAs Samir Mohanty, Dashrath Gagrai, Niral Purti, Chamra Linda, Ramdas Soren, Sanjeev Sardar and Mangal Kalindi joining BJP. When he was asked the question, he dismissed it as a rumour.Scene 2Date 18 August 2024. Suddenly news of Champai Soren going to Delhi from Dum Dum Airport in Kolkata comes to the fore. He lands at Delhi Airport at 1 pm. Here the discussion of his meeting with top BJP leaders started. When he was asked whether he is going to join BJP, Champai made it clear that “I will stay where I am”.Shortly after this, he wrote a long post on social media and said that ‘he has been humiliated by being removed from the chair in JMM. Now he is left with only three options – take sanyaas, form a new organization or go with someone…’Scene-320 August 2024. There is a sudden commotion in CM House, Ranchi. The MLAs who were said to be with Champai Soren, suddenly reached CM House one by one. Here they met CM Hemant Soren for about 3 hours. After this the MLAs said that ‘We were with CM Hemant Soren, are with him and will remain strong. We are not going anywhere leaving JMM.’On the other hand, Champai Soren also reached Saraikela from Delhi via Kolkata. He refused to say anything on the question of joining BJP. He said that ‘he has no intention of harming the party.’On reaching Jharkhand, Champai Soren said, “I am firm on that… I have three options – to retire, form a new organization or if I find a good friend, work with him… My new chapter will begin… I was thinking about retirement, but I am getting a lot of love from people. I have not spoken to anyone (from JMM)…”That is, Operation Lotus and destabilization of the government in Jharkhand, which was being talked about for the last 4 days, is once again being averted due to the activism of CM Hemant Soren.
First understand the whole matter
If BJP sources are to be believed, Champai Soren had struck a deal with the party. Under this, he was to join the BJP along with some JMM MLAs. Under this deal, the MLAs who joined him were to get tickets in the 2024 assembly elections. Along with them, there was also talk of setting up Champai Soren and his son. Champai Soren’s son was said to have a big role in this deal.
If sources are to be believed, Champai’s son was dealing with the senior BJP leaders in Delhi and Champai Soren himself was doing the work of convincing the MLAs in Jharkhand. However, the leaders of any party are avoiding saying anything on this.
The plan got leaked due to the activism of CM House
This deal was kept completely secret. To ensure that no one gets a clue, Champai Soren was dealing with senior BJP leaders in Kolkata. After the meeting in Jharkhand, he had to go to Delhi. But before going to Delhi, the entire secret went viral.
When did Champai Soren go to Kolkata, in which hotel did the meeting take place, at what time is he going to Delhi by which flight. Everything came out. From here onwards the entire script changed.
Champai was going to Kolkata, Hemant was busy in the program
Hemant Soren remained calm despite knowing the whole matter. While Champai was going to Delhi to deal with BJP, Hemant was busy in the grand opening of Mainiyaan Yojana in Pakur. He did not panic and easily averted the crisis.
For damage control, he himself called the MLAs of Kolhan and called them to Ranchi. He listened to the problems of all the MLAs and sent them back after assuring them of a solution.
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