Former Chief Minister Arjun Munda said on Monday that Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) (JVM) will merge with BJP on August 20, a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Ranchi.
“A proposal in this regard has come from JVM, which will formally merge with BJP. I think it is a crucial development as this will pave way for united and strong Government in the State,” Munda said at a function here after another party Jharkhand Disom Party (JDP) merged with BJP.
Munda, however, refused to divulge details of the merger when asked whether JVM supremo-cum-former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi would return to BJP. It may be mentioned here that JVM senior leader Dulal Bhuiyan joined the BJP at a function in Ranchi on August 10. Four JVM MlAs, including Samresh Singh, Jai Prakash Bhokta, Chandrika Mahtha and Nirbhay Kumar Shahabadi have already joined the BJP.
Meanwhile, the two-time MP from Mayurbhanj, Odisha and the president of Jharkhand Disom Party (JDP), Salkhan Murmu merged his tribal outfit with the BJP and joined the saffron party at a function organised at Sakchi.