Marandi's resignation changes political situation

Ranchi, May 18 (UNI) BJP national vice-president Babulal Marandi today resigned from the party and Lok Sabha and announced to float a new regional political party.

However, Chief Minister Arjun Munda dismissed any threat to his 11-month old Government.

During the last Assembly election campaign, Mr Munda had described Mr Marandi as Rama and himself as Lakshman but now it appears that they are separated.

Senior state party leaders met here after Mr Marandi announced his resignation and discussed ways to chalk out a strategy to prevent any damage to the party.

On the other hand, former Deputy Chief Minister and Independent MLA Stephen Marandi had also resigned from the post of convenor of the state unit of United Progressive Alliance.

Talking to newsmen, Mr Stephen Marandi said he had resigned from the supremo's post in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha as Coal minister Sibu Soren and opposition leader in the assembly Shudir Mahato did not extend cooperation on any issue.

However, Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee(JMM) general secretary Sailesh Sinha said Mr Stephen Marandi's resignation would not affect the UPA.

Political observers expressing their views on the prevailing political situation in the state has stated that Mr Babulal Marandi's resignation would certainly affect the Arjun Munda-led NDA government, which is functioning with a thin majority in the Assembly. The situation might change at any time though not immediately, they said.

They said Mr Stephen Marandi who has already addressed public meeting jointly with Mr Babulal under the banner of Jharkhand Vikas Manch, a non-political organisation, might join hands together.

Mr Stephen has also been contemplating forming a regional party.

Earlier, he was one of the important leaders in JMM. But he had resigned before the last assembly election after the party denied ticket to him and fought the election as an independent candidate.

He had been elected from Dumka constituency.

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