Babulal Marandi leaves for New Delhi

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 ago, today left for New Delhi to meet Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee.

Before boarding his flight this afternoon, Mr Marandi told UNI that he would seek appointment with Mr Chatterjee to formally resign from his Lok Sabha seat.

Asked about his programmes in New Delhi, he said he had no plans to meet any BJP leaders. Mr Marandi said he was also planning for a pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi temple.

After completing all official formalities 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 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 the whole of Jharkhand to create mass awareness.

Prior to his 24-hour hunger strike, Mr Marandi had told reporters here that his fast was symbolic. ''We keep fasts before any pious occasion,'' he said.

He broke his fast on May 18 and announced his resignation from the BJP.

UNI