Champai Soren is an Indian politician, who was selected to become the 7th Chief Minister of Jharkhand in 2024, following the arrest of the previous Chief Minister, Hemant Soren, by the Enforcement Directorate. He belongs to the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha party and represents the Seraikella area in Jharkhand’s assembly.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Champai Soren was born on Thursday, 1 November 1956 (age 67 years; as of 2023) in Jilinggora village, Seraikela, Jharkhand. His zodiac sign is Scorpio. He studied till class 10 at Ramakrishna Mission English School, Bistupur, Jamshedpur, B.S.E.B. Patna in 1974. [1]The Print When he was young, he used to work on farms alongside his father.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
Hair Colour: Grey
Eye Colour: Black
Family & Caste
Champai belongs to the Scheduled Tribe (ST).
Parents & Siblings
Champai’s father’s name is Simal Soren, who is a farmer. His mother’s name is Madho Soren, who is a homemaker.
Champai Soren’s parents
He has two brothers and three sisters.
Wife & Children
Champai is married to Manko Soren. He has seven children including four sons and three daughters.
Champat Soren with his wife
His son’s names are Akash Soren, who is the chairman of Steel Construction Pvt Ltd, Simal Soren, and Babulal Soren, who is the Central General Secretary of JMM.
Champai Soren’s son
In 2019, his son, Babulal, clashed with the police during a car check. He became angry when asked to have his car inspected. While travelling from Jamshedpur to Ghatshila-Musabani with his supporters, Babulal warned the police officer of his influence and threatened suspension. However, the officer proceeded to inspect Babulal’s car.
Champai Soren’s son being questioned by the police
Religion
He follows Hinduism.
Address
H.NO.-24 A, Village Jilinggora, P.O- Dudra, P.S-Gamharia, DIST- Seraikella-Kharsawan, Jharkhand, PIN-831002
Signature
Champai Soren signature
Political Career
For more than 30 years since 1991, he has served as the legislator for the Serikela Assembly area and is recognized for his deep loyalty to JMM’s leader, Shibu Soren.
Champai Soren (centre) campaigning for Jharkhand Mukti Morcha party
In 1991, he ran as an independent candidate in the by-elections and won, beating the wife of the influential JMM MP, Krishna Mardi. In 1995, he won the assembly election on the JMM ticket. In 2000, he lost the assembly election to BJP’s Anantram Tudu. From 2005 to 2009, he was elected as the Member of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly from the Seraikella constituency In 2009, he was elected to the 3rd Jharkhand Assembly and served till 2014. During his term, on 11 September 2010, he served as the Cabinet Minister of Science and Technology, Labour and Housing till 18 January 2013. He was also elected as the Cabinet Minister of Food and Civil Supplies, Transport on 13 July 2013 and served till 28 December 2014. From 2014 to 2019, he was elected to the 4th Jharkhand Assembly. Between 29 December 2019 to 31 January 2024, he served as the Cabinet Minister for Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Caste & Backward Class Welfare, Government of Jharkhand.
Chief Minister of Jharkhand
In 2024, he was elected as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand (designate) after the resignation of ex-chief minister Hemant Soren. Hemant resigned as Jharkhand’s Chief Minister on 31 January 2024, following a visit from Enforcement Directorate officials who questioned him at his Ranchi home regarding a land fraud case. That evening, around 8:30, Soren visited the Raj Bhavan, met Governor CP Radhakrishnan and the ED officials, and submitted his resignation. Hemant got arrested for ignoring the ED’s summons for questioning about a suspected money laundering investigation. His first interrogation was in November 2021, concerning illegal mining. Then, he was questioned again on January 20 and 31, 2023, regarding funds from unlawful land transactions in Ranchi.
Hemant Soren being arrested by the police
Champai was selected as the 7th designated Chief Minister of Jharkhand on 31 January 2024. He took oath as the chief minister on 2 February 2024.
2 February 2024: Champai Soren while taking oath as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand
JMM leader and MP Mahua Maji claimed Hemant was taken into ED custody and in a statement released by her, she said,
The CM is in ED custody. The CM has gone to the Governor with the ED team to submit his resignation… Champai Soren will be the new Chief Minister… We have enough numbers.”
People were guessing that Hemant Soren would pick his wife for the position. However, after his party and Congress leaders talked it over, they agreed to choose Champai as the leader instead.
Controversies
- Charges related to Causing the disappearance of evidence of the offence, or giving false information to screen offenders (IPC Section-201)
Salary
His salary as a CM is Rs. 80,000. [3]Aaj Tak
Assets/Properties
Movable Assets
- Cash: Rs. 75,000
- Bank Deposits: Rs. 4,290,176
- Motor Vehicles: Rs. 3,251,054
- Jewellery: Rs. 1,57,200
- Other Assets: Rs. 2,54,000
Immovable Assets
- Agricultural Land: Rs. 39,52,000
- Residential Buildings: Rs. 9,42,500
Note: The given estimates of movable and immovable assets are according to the year 2019. It excludes the assets owned by his wife. [4]My Neta
Net Worth
Champai’s net worth is Rs. 1 Crore.
Note: The given estimates of movable and immovable assets are according to the year 2019. It excludes the assets owned by his wife. [5]My Neta
Facts/Trivia
- Champai is also known by the names Jharkhand Tiger [6]NDTV and Kolhan Tiger [7]India Today.
- He played an important role in the division of Bihar and Jharkhand and had a significant hand in outlining the new borders.
- In January 2023, he was airlifted in a special aircraft from Sonari Aerodrome to a Chennai hospital. He was admitted to Tata Main Hospital on 14 January due to a rise in his blood sugar levels. When his condition showed no signs of improvement, the doctors at Tata Main Hospital decided to transfer him to DMS in Chennai for further treatment.
Champai Soren being taken to the hospital
