Former Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Khunti parliamentary seat, Arjun Munda on Thursday kick started his election campaign from Khunti by offering worship in a temple and seeking blessing of eight times BJP MP Kariya Munda. Munda, the senior BJP leader and tribal face in State, started his election campaign by offering Puja at famous Aamreshwar Dham Temple of Lord Shiva in Khunti. Along with Arjun Munda, his wife Meera Munda also visited Aamreshwar Dham temple.
After offering worship at Aamreshwar Dham temple, Arjun Munda along with his wife visited sitting BJP MP and octogenarian Kariya Munda’s residence at Annigarha village in Khunti. The couple touched the feet of Kariya Munda seeking his blessing for parliamentary election. The former Chief Minister also had lunch at Kariya Munda’s house.
On the visit of Arjun Munda to his house, Kariya Munda said, “My blessing is with Arjun Munda. The BJP’s mission is to bring back Narendra Modi government in centre and so we have to ensure that all party candidates win election.”
Kariya Munda the recipient of this year’s Padma Bhushan award said, “I am neither disappointed nor had any hard feelings after BJP denied me the ticket from Khunti. As an able worker I am ready to accept any responsibility BJP gives me.” The former Lok Sabha deputy speaker and eight time member from Jharkhand had said that he will return to farming. Kariya Munda was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1977 and became deputy speaker in 2009. The leader, who is widely respected in Jharkhand was being considered for the Chief Minister's post when Jharkhand was carved out from Bihar in 2000. Despite being from Saffron camp, Kariya Munda is considered as respected leader in even opposition camp.
Arjun Munda, after visiting Aamreshwar Dham temple and Kariya Munda’s house, later took part in padyatra from Durga Mandir to Subhash Chowk in Khunti. After covering a distance of around 1 km, Arjun Munda later addressed party workers at Subhash Chowk. Addressing party workers at Khunti, Munda said, “Khunti is birth place of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and it is proud moment for me to serve the holy land.” Munda also said that if he is elected from the seat he will try to meet the expectations of people of the area. Munda in the evening also participated at the Khunti BJP core committee meeting where he issued necessary directives to party leaders. On Friday, Arjun Munda will visit Torpa where he will participate at the workers meet.