Meet ‘Jharkhand Tiger’ Champai Soren, who would be sworn in new CM of state
Champai, aged 68, is a six-term MLA representing Seraikela (ST reserve) constituency in Seraikela-Kharsawan district. He entered the Bihar assembly for the first time as an independent legislator in 1991 and has since retained the seat, except for a loss in 2000 to Anantram Tudu of BJP.Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar on Nov 15, 2000.
Jharkhand Breaking: Hemant Soren resigns as CM, Champai Soren to be the new chief minister
Champai joined JMM and won the seat in the 1995 assembly polls. After his defeat in 2000, he has clinched victory in all subsequent polls held in 2005, 2009, 2014, and 2019. Notably, Champai unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha elections from Singhbhum in 1999 and Jamshedpur in 2019.
He served as a cabinet minister in the Arjun Munda government starting from 2010. He continued his ministerial roles in Hemant Soren’s cabinets in 2013 and 2019, respectively.
Champai from Jilinggora village in Rajnagar block of Seraikela began his political journey by actively participating in the statehood movement in the early eighties alongside JMM patriarch Shibu Soren. Known as the “Kolhan Tiger” for his warrior-like skills during the statehood agitation, he is respected by politicians and entrepreneurs alike.
Champai, the eldest of four siblings, is married to Manko and is a father of seven children. His father Simal was a farmer and mother Mado was a homemaker. Though educated only up to matriculation, he has been a fervent advocate for tribal rights and a notable trade union leader, spearheading successful movements in Jamshedpur and Adityapur.
Suresh Sonthalia, former president of Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), said he anticipates significant progress under Champai’s leadership, given Kolhan’s industrial landscape.
