Marandi throws challenge against BJP high command

Jamshedpur, May 14 (UNI) BJP National vice-president and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi today threw a challenge before the party's central leadership after launching a tirade agasint the BJP-led state government from Jharkhand Vikash Manch (JVM) platform.

Turning down the party high command's order to attend the BJP office bearer's meeting in New Delhi yesterday, Mr Marandi preferred to address a huge gathering of JVM activists from Kolhan region at Miachel John auditorium here to vent out his feeling against the Arjun Munda government's failure to tackle the Naxalite problem, 'neck-deep corruption' and stalling all development works.

Mr Marandi, along with the UPA state convenor Stephen Marandi, MLA, floated JVM, a non-political body, comprising dissident and expelled leaders, cutting across party lines in Santhal Parganas few months back.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Marandi came down heavily on the NDA government in the state and said a fear psychosis has gripped the minds of the people as the criminals and the extremists were ruling the roost, while the government failed to weed out corruption.

He said development took a back seat as the ministers and bureaucrats failed to discharge their duties.

Echoing the same view, Mr Stephen Marandi said the government became 'defunct' and a change of guard was necessary. He urged the BJP leader to come out from the party fold to consolidate the Morcha.

Later, talking to media, Mr Marandi said, '' Come, what may, I'll not backtrack and will continue to raise my voice against the injustice meted out to the people of Jharkhand.'' He said he would chalk out his next course of action in Ranchi soon.

With the success of today's meeting, the JVM spread its wing in the Singhbhum-Kolhan region as several political leaders, including AJSU founder and JPP president Surya Singh Besra, Samajwadi Party leader Banna Gupta, Congrss leader Devendra Champia extended their unflinching support towards the Marandi duo.

UNI BDG SP ARB BST2214