After Champai Soren, ex-JMM MLA Lobin Hembrom joins BJP

Ranchi, August 31

A day after former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren joined BJP, ex-JMM legislator Lobin Hembrom on Saturday crossed over to the saffron camp.

Hembrom was given membership of BJP by the party’s state chief Babulal Marandi in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

“The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has changed from what was it in Guruji’s (Shibu Soren) time. Now, there is no respect for senior leaders in JMM. So, I decided to join BJP for development of Jharkhand and uplift of tribals,” the former Borio legislator said at the saffron camp’s state headquarters here.

Speaking on the occasion, Sarma said, “All big leaders, who were part of separate Jharkhand movement, are now joining BJP. The party wants overall development of the state and make it free from Bangladeshi infiltrators.”

He also added, “JMM and Hemant Soren should also join the BJP’s movement against infiltrators and leave the politics of appeasement.”

Champai Soren joined BJP on Friday, two days after he quit JMM citing dissatisfaction with the party’s current style of functioning and “bitter humiliation”.

Jharkhand BJP chief Babulal Marandi alleged, “The leaders, who nurtured JMM with their blood and sweat, are leaving the party. There is something wrong with the party. MM has nothing to do with tribals and indigenous people of the state. Its leaders are surrounded by middlemen and making money.”

Hembrom was disqualified from the Jharkhand assembly under the anti-defection law with effect from July 26.

The former legislator, who had been vocal against his own party, contested as an independent candidate from the Rajmahal Lok Sabha seat, challenging JMM’s nominee Vijay Hansdak. Hembrom tasted defeat in the parliamentary elections.

JMM had initiated proceedings under the anti-defection law against Hembrom in the Speaker’s tribunal.