Ranchi: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has faced yet another political setback following the defection of former MLA Lobin Hembrom to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Hembrom’s move comes shortly after former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren also joined the BJP, further weakening the ruling party’s position in the state.
Hembrom, who was disqualified from the Jharkhand Assembly on 26th July under the anti-defection law, officially joined the BJP on Saturday. The induction ceremony was overseen by Jharkhand BJP state president Babulal Marandi, with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also in attendance. The decision to join the BJP had been anticipated, with speculation rife that Hembrom was aligned with Champai Soren.
Upon joining the BJP, Hembrom expressed his disillusionment with the JMM, stating, “What existed during Guruji’s (JMM chief Shibu Soren) time is no longer there. The party no longer respects its senior leaders. Therefore, I have decided to join the BJP for the development of Jharkhand and the upliftment of tribals.”
Hembrom has been a vocal critic of his former party, even contesting as an independent candidate from the Rajmahal Lok Sabha seat, where he challenged JMM candidate Vijay Hansdak. Despite his efforts, Hembrom was unsuccessful in the election.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the co-incharge of Jharkhand BJP’s election campaign, commented on the ongoing shifts within the state’s political landscape. “All the big leaders of JMM are now joining BJP. Those who were part of the separate Jharkhand movement are now leaving JMM. BJP aims for the overall development of the state and to free Jharkhand from Bangladeshi infiltrators,” Sarma stated.
This latest defection underscores the growing challenges facing the JMM as it struggles to retain its leadership and influence in Jharkhand amidst a series of high-profile departures to the BJP.
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