Marandi's close aides still ignorant about resignation

Ranchi, May 17 (UNI) With reports pouring in about BJP's national vice president Babulal Marandi's resignation from the party, his close political aides till late tonight here chose to stick to their earlier stand saying nothing could be conirmed as yet till now.

Mr Marandi, currently on 24-hour fast protesting against the Arjun Munda-led government's failure to contain naxalite movement in Jharkhand had been saying he would officially announce about his next move only after his hunger strike ends at 1000 hrs tomorrow.

A political aide close to the former chief minister tonight told UNI maintaining that all reports (eminating from Delhi) about his (Mr Marandi's) resignation would be confirmed tomorrow.

However, attepts to contact the BJP stalwart, who was at setwand sitting on fast did not trigger any response to substantiate the claim.

Meanwhile, reports from the national capital suggested that Mr Marandi had put in his paper through central emnissary Sanjay Joshi who was here on a one-day visit to pacify tne agitating leader.

Mr Joshi returned back to New Delhi last evening after gathering required feedback from party functionaries the state.

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