BJP's effort to pacify Marandi in vain

Ranchi, May 18 (UNI) The BJP's efforts in rushing three senior leaders from New Delhi to pacify Mr Babulal Marandi, who announced his resignation from the party and the Lok Sabha this morning, yielded no result and ended with his decision to float a new regional political party soon.

Three Rajya Sabha members -- Mr Yashwant Sinha, Mr Devdas Apte and Mr Ajay Maru -- reached the state capital to bring Mr Marandi back into the party fold, but the news of the BJP vice-president and former Jharkhand chief minister's announcement at Sewatand in Giridih to launch new party dampened their mission, an informed source told UNI here.

If any meeting between the rebel and the emissaries takes place, it would be deemed a personal affair, said the source.

However, the three leaders are expected to call on Chief Minister Arjun Munda to discuss the political situation in the wake of the development.

Earlier, reacting to Mr Marandi's resignation from the BJP's preliminary membership and Lok Sabha on grounds of corruption, extremism and under-development in Jharkhand, the Chief Minister had said '' constant efforts'' were on to bring him back to the party.

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