In yet another blow to the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), its Central Committee member and former district president Binod Tiwari joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in presence of BJP’s Garhwa candidate Satyendranath Tiwari on Friday. His hundreds of supporters were also inducted into the BJP.

BJP’s District President Om Praksh Keshari and Vice President Brajesh Upadhyay were also present on the occasion.

Addressing a press conference, Keshari said, “I welcome Binod Tiwari in the BJP. It’s a great achievement for the party. They will be treated well in the BJP.”

“The kind of historic decisions Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Raghubar Das have taken in the past five years has inspired every citizen to support the BJP for better Governance,” he said, adding that the JMM leader joined the party as he was influenced by the ideology and policies of the BJP.

“Thousands of workers and leaders in JMM are now frustrated with its leadership and are deviating to other parties,” said Binod Tiwari.

Earlier this year, JMM’s Bahragora Legislator Kunal Sarangi joined the BJP along with his thousands of supporters. Besides, former Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee (JPCC) President Sukhdeo Bhagat too has joined the BJP and is contesting elections with a BJP ticket.

JMM’s General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya, however, has said that his party was relieved that the “weaklings” were moving to the BJP fold. Congress’ State President Rameshwar Oraon had a similar reaction to the exodus of leaders.

Garhwa Assembly Constituency is going to polls in the first phase of elections in Jharkhand on November 30. JMM, Congress party and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have joined hands to stop the BJP juggernaut in Jharkhand. On the other hand, the BJP and its old ally AJSU Party have severed their ties.