The 67-year-old former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren, who was once the most trusted aide of JMM patriarch Shibu Soren and had earned the sobriquet of Jharkhand's Tiger for his contribution to statehood fight, is on his way out of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) after alleging insult and humiliation by the party. Champai Soren is adamant that he would not retire from politics and is ready to chart a new path, either by forming an organisation or by joining hands with any “good friend (ally)” who comes along the way. According to sources, he may float a new party and would later talk to the BJP for alliance for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. The buzz is that the BJP would want to use Champai to counter Hemant Soren, but Champai does not have a huge mass following in the state. However, he is a seven-time MLA representing the Saraikela constituency in assembly and a very popular leader in the region. (IPA Service)
