JVM will go it alone in Koderma: Marandi

Jamshedpur, Sep 3 (UNI) Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) president Babulal Marandi today asserted the Morcha will contest the Koderma by-poll on its own if the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) did not extend its support.

Mr Marandi, who left the BJP recently, addressing newspersons here after a public rally, appealed to the opposition to remain united against the ''corrupt'' Arjun Munda government in the state.

Stressing the need for a united opposition, Mr Marandi said if 'anti-BJP' votes divide, it will only help the saffron party.

Asking all parties to support the JVM, he said the Morcha should be an ''automatic choice'' as he represented the seat.

He asserted that the tentative by-elections would be the ''turning point'' to decide the political fate of the NDA government in the state.

When pointed out that the JMM supremo Sibu Soren had decided not to support him, Mr Marandi said Mr Soren should reconsider his view if he wanted to defeat the BJP.

However, he said no talks had yet been held between them.

Mr Marandi said the JVM would soon get the status of a political party.

Regarding the Vande Mataram controversy, Mr Marandi said the national song should not be imposed on anyone and the goverment is making unnecessary ''hue and cry'' over the issue.

He said, ''I opposed the conversion issue even while I was in BJP and such issues should not be brought to the Assembly.'' UNI BDG PP BA YA RS1840