Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Champai Soren will become the new chief minister after Hemant Soren resigned from the top post.

Hemant’s resignation came as he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the land scam case. A federal inquiry questioned him Wednesday.

Champay, a senior cabinet minister in the JMM-led government, was elected leader of the JMM legislative party at an evening meeting of the ruling alliance’s provincial councilors.

JMM MP Mahua Maji said the chief minister contacted Raj Bhavan and submitted his resignation to the governor along with the ED team. The ruling alliance MLAs also visited Raj Bhavan.

Jharkhand minister and JMM leader Mithilesh Thakur said: “We have chosen our leader… Our chief minister will be Champai Soren…”

Jharkhand Congress president Rajesh Thakur said: “Chief Minister Hemant Soren has decided to resign. Champai Soren has been elected as the new leader of the legislative party… All MLAs are with us Together…”

Jharkhand Minister Banner Gupta said the ruling alliance has asked the Governor to hold an oath-taking ceremony

“We chose Champai Soren as the leader of the legislative party. We came to Raj Bhawan to request the governor to perform the oath-taking ceremony,” he said.

Who is Champai Soren, the new chief minister of Jharkhand?

Champai Soren is currently serving as Cabinet Minister for Transport, Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes Welfare in the Hemant Soren cabinet.

Currently, JMM Vice President Champai Soren has held various portfolios including Science and Technology, Labor and Housing, Food and Civil Supplies, Transport, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes Welfare.

Champai was a five-time MLA and a cabinet minister in Arjun Munda’s government.