Marandi goes to Vaishno Devi before unleashing next move

Ranchi, May 20 : Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP national vice president Babulal Marandi, who resigned from the party's preliminary membership and Lok Sabha two days back, today left for New Delhi with two missions--to meet LS speaker Somnath Chatterjee and to seek blessings from the Vaishno Devi temple.

Before catching his flight this afternoon Mr Marandi told UNI that he would seek appointment with Mr Chatterjee to put in his papers formally to give up his Lok Sabha seat.

Known for his strict religious inclination, Mr Marandi said, ''I am going to the Vaishno Devi temple. I need a bit solace too.'' Asked about his programmes in New Delhi, he said he had no plans to meet any BJP leaders.

After completing all formalities (to resign from Lok Sabha) he would return to Ranchi tentatively by May 23 or 24, Mr Marandi said.

When his attention was drawn to his proposed new party, he said he would not launch it immediately and added he would initially try to reach to the people through the Jharkhand Vikash Morcha, a non political organisation.

He said he would meet like-minded leaders in the state and tour whole of Jharkhand to create mass awareness.

Prior to his 24-hour hunger strike Mr Marandi told reporters here that his fast was symbolic.

UNI