"I am not helpless," Babulal Marandi

Ranchi, May 15 (UNI) Taking a much softer stand on his ongoing tirade against the Arjun Munda-led government in Jharkhand, BJP's national vice-president and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi today said the change of leadership in the state's governance was not his political agenda.

Mr Marandi announced to go on 24-hour fasting at Sewatand in Giridih district from May 17 to make his grievances heard.

Asked if he was feeling marginalised in the party, he said he felt so at times but put up a brave face saying, ''Mein bibas nehin hun (I am not helpless).'' Yesterday, in Jamshedpur Mr Marandi threw a challenge to the party's central leadership after launching a tirade against the BJP-led state government from the Jharkhand Vikash Manch (JVM) platform.

Talking to newspersons here this evening, the former Chief Minister said he had made his grievances clear regarding rampant ''corruption, non-development and unabated naxalite activities'' in the state to the central leadership several times and was still awaiting a patient hearing from them.

''My fight is not against any individual and I am fighting to bring to the nation's attention the poor scenario in my state,'' Mr Marandi said.

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