‘Phone call with Sonia likely led Hemant to change mind’

Ranchi: A courtesy call to former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on June 30, two days after coming out of jail, likely led Hemant Soren to change his mind and return as the chief minister. Highly placed sources in Congress, who were privy to the change of guard, said that Sonia’s prodding and positive signal during his conversation with her during the courtesy call made him rethink on his earlier decision.
In his maiden public address after walking out of jail, Hemant had hinted that he would focus on strengthening the party as only less than four months are left for the assembly polls.
Talking to TOI, a senior Congress leader said, “He (Hemant) was making courtesy calls to senior leaders across the country after coming out of jail. On July 2, Hemant spoke to Soniaji from Bhognadih during Hul Diwas celebration. It was during this conversation that Soniaji prodded him to take back charge as it would help maintain clarity among the alliance partners and prevent dual power centres.”
Between June 30 and July 2, through various channels, mood of all MLAs were evaluated post which a meeting was convened for formal election of Hemant as a leader. “Both Congress and RJD were already on board for leadership change,” he added.
While meeting Champai on July 2, Hemant informed the former about the wish of the MLAs and alliance partners. Sources claimed that while Champai didn’t expect the change to happen this early, he agreed thereafter.
Talking to TOI, state Congress president Rajesh Thakur, on the other hand, reiterated that all alliance partners had in January agreed to the temporary change of leadership due to sudden political turmoil. “Now that Hemantji is out on bail, we all wanted him to return as the CM as he was the leader of the coalition block here in 2019 and will continue in 2024 too. So, everyone wanted that the leadership change shouldn’t be delayed any further so that poll preparations can be done unitedly without any confusion among alliance partners or public,” he said.