The worst fears of beleaguered JVM boss Babulal Marandi came to the fore on Monday when six of the party's eight MlAs went underground, dropping enough hints that they were ready to join the BJP bandwagon in a day or two and pave the way for the long-awaited expansion of the Cabinet. Following the development, the party working committee meeting called to discuss political scenario in Jharkhand turned into a war room at the party office. Barring leader of the legislative body Pradeep Yadav and its latehar MlA Prakash Ram none other MlA turned up at the meet setting cat among the pigeons.
A source also confirmed that the six JVM MlAs are set to join the BJP. Rattled JVM, in a swift action, suspended four of its legislators from the party for their "anti party activities" in a bid to pre-empt the move of the six likely deserters to merge the party with the BJP. The MlAs included Naveen Jaiswal (Hatia), Amar Kumar Bauri(Chandankiyari), Alok Chaurasia (Daltonganj) and Ganesh Ganjhu (Simaria).
Apart from the suspended legislators, Sarath MlA Randhir Singh and Janki Prasad Yadav (Barkatha) are also likely to join the BJP. Naveen Jaiswal and Ganesh Ganjhu are reportedly camping in Delhi. The JVM rushed the letter to suspend the MlAs to Speaker Dinesh Oraon at his residence who has reportedly assured to examine it.
A furious Marandi castigated the BJP for its 'nefarious design'. "The BJP has left all its morality and trying to break our party. The party has left politics of mulyon (values) and has resorted to politics of mudra (money). They feel that everything can be purchased. They tried this earlier with us. They have come to the level of hooliganism," said Marandi.
The leader reading out the text of the letter said that the four MlAs have been suspended from the JVM for their involvement in activities detrimental to party interest and an explanation may also be asked from them. Nevertheless the step of the party has kept a vent open for the faction as by dismissing them would have set them free to go their own way and join any party. Also, to safeguard themselves from anti-defection law at least six of the eight members of the JVM are required. When asked about two other MlAs- Randhir Singh and Janki Prasad Yadav, Marandi expressed confidence that the party was in touch with them.
Meanwhile, to take the fight forward a party delegation would meet the Governor on Tuesday and sought amendments to the anti-defection law. "We would demand from the Governor to set up an enquiry committee headed by a High Court judge that would investigate the deeds of the BJP and horse trading. Also, we would demand from the President to direct the Centre to formulate a law stopping any elected representative from joining any party other than the elected one. The practice is sheer disrespect of the mandate," said Marandi.
This apart, the party would also observe a 'black day' on February 11 throughout the State against the act of the BJP which, Marandi termed has gone "berserk after coming into power and resorted to murder of democracy. We will oppose this and take it below and uproot the BJP from the State."