Former Deputy Chief Minister and official candidate of JVM from Dumka Stephen Marandi snubbed Babulal Marandi and joined the JMM in the presence of party patriarch Shibu Soren on Tuesday. Another JVM ticket holder from littipara Anil Murmu also followed him into the party.
The Pioneer had on November 4 reported about Stephen Marandi quitting the JVM which has come as a big embarrassment for the Babulal Marandi-led party. The party is already living in a precarious situation after unending defections taking place. Barring two sitting MlAs out of total 11 elected on party ticket in 2009 all have left the party along with number of senior party functionaries.
Earlier, the Congress ticket holder from Bhawanathpur, Anant Pratap Deo, had joined the BJP, leaving the Grand Old Party of India red-faced..
Speaking on the occasion, Stephen Marandi said, “I have reunited with the JMM in the larger interest of secularism in the State. It would further strengthen the organisation.” Chief Minister Hemant Soren also welcomed him into the party and termed him an old timer into JMM.
“JMM is an old home for Stephen Marandi and several others. We need old companions to make the organisation stronger. It is good that old friends are reuniting again and it is a happier situation for the JMM,” said the Chief Minister. Though as against chances of Stephen Marandi being from Maheshpur seat, the party named Suphal Marandi in the 4th list released. Anil Murmu has been fielded against former party leader Simon Marandi who is contesting Assembly polls from littipara on BJP’s ticket.
Nevertheless, the JVM has blamed Stephen for bargaining. “He was demanding a huge amount to contest election. We have our limitations and support candidates with Rs 5-10 lakh as per the resources available. However, we had not expected about Anil Murmu quitting the party,” said party general secretary Praveen Singh reacting to the development. The JVM would decide on fresh names in some time.