A day after BJP State president Tala Marandi (in file photo), facing charges of solemnising his son’s wedding with a minor girl, dared his detractors, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Sudarshan Bhagat said that the episode has maligned the party’s image.
Bhagat was replying to questions asked by media persons after he inaugurated the newly built Gram Panchayat Secretariat building at Roshanatunda village under Dumri block of Giridih.
Notably, Marandi on Sunday asserted that his daughter in-law was a major and demanded the Government to set up a medical board to set things right. Godda MP Nishikant Dubey has wholeheartedly come in his support.
“Although, it is a personal matter of Marandi which has nothing to do with the party, but the image of the party has definitely been maligned through this episode,” said Bhagat. The party as well as the Government needs to clear the issue as soon as possible, he added.
Bhagat further said that he did not intend to ask his resignation, but he wanted that the investigations must be expedited and action must be taken in this regard.
Ex-BJP president Ravindra Rai, on the other hand, also demanded action in the case if any irregularity was found after the investigations. “People generally do not give importance to age of marriage in rural areas..... Action must be taken in this regard if any abnormality was found during investigations into the case,” he said.
The Boarijore BDO has lodged a complaint in the Godda Civil Court against Marandi, his son Munna and ‘samadhi’ Bhagan Baski under Sections 9, 10 and 11 of Child Marriage Prohibition Act. The marriage was solemnised on June 27.
“There is no point in continuing his office in such circumstances… if I have been at his place I would have taken a decision long back. No individual is above the party… Image of the party gets tarnished through such episodes,” said Urban Development Minister CP Singh. According to Singh, if there is any controversy over the age of the girl, is must be sorted out immediately by setting up a medical board, he added.
BJP leader Suryamani Singh also maintained that the controversy must be put to an end immediately as the image of the party has been maligned though such incidents. “Since the matter is under litigation….being President of the party, he must honour the law of the land,” said Singh. One cannot get away in the name of solemnizing the marriage through tribal culture, he added.
Meanwhile, Munna Marandi apprehending his arrest has reportedly gone underground while the police have expedited the investigation in this regard.
“Investigation is going on and we are looking for the evidences. Nothing more could be said I this regard” said Godda SP.