Effort on to convince Marandi, Arjun Munda

Ranchi, May 18 (UNI) Reacting to Mr Babulal Marandi's resignation from BJP's preliminary membership and Lok Sabha on grounds of corruption, extremism and development in Jharkhand, Chief Minister Arjun Munda today said constant effort was being made to bring him back to the party fold.

Mr Munda, who had been severely criticised over the three-point agenda by Mr Marandi, also the first Chief Minister of Jharkhand, told UNI over phone here that the process of patch up and to pacify his predecessor was on and hoped that positive results would emerge.

However, regarding allegation of poor development during his tenure as alleged by Mr Marandi, the chief minister did not agree to it and claimed that Jharkhand was progressing at right pace.

He hoped to get cooperation from all political parties in his government's effort to make the state a developed one.

Earlier, state BJP chief Jadunath Pandey said though Mr Marandi had submitted his resignation to the party high command the letter was yet to be accepted.

Mr Pandey told UNI that the party was constantly trying to bring him back to the party.

He is senior leader and respected by all, he said adding " I have sent an emissary today to meet him where he is sitting on fast. I will also personally meet him when he returns to Ranchi and all efforts would be made to convince him to withdraw his resignation." UNI PRS KK DB1636