BJP to retain Koderma Lok Sabha seat : Munda

Jamshedpur, Aug 27 (UNI) Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda today exuded confidence that the BJP would retain the Koderma Lok Sabha seat, which a bypoll will be held on September 16.

Sitting MP and former Chsief Minister Babulal Marandi vacated the seat after resigning from the party to float the Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM).

The coming byelection had been tipped as the most prestigious one by the Arjun Munda government and the outcome of the bypoll might have a significant impact on the political scenario in the state.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Munda said the party was serious about the bypoll but refused to divulge the name of the possible candidate for the election. '' The party high command will take the decision about the name of the candidate, '' he said.

When pointed out the JVM president and the former Chief Minister's remarks that the crucial bypoll would decide the political fate of the BJP-led NDA government in the state, Mr Munda sarcastically said, '' Mr Marandi should think about his own fate and keep his own house intact. '' UNI BDG SJC VD KN1834