Marandi to file nomination as independent candidate

Ranchi, Oct 9 (UNI) Jharkhand's former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi today said he would file his nomination as an independent candidate on October 12 for the Koderma bypolls.

Addressing the newsmen here Mr Marandi said,'' I would first file the nominaton papers as an independent candidate and then decide whether to fight as an independent candidate.'' Mr Marandi said he had secretly formed 'Bharat Vikas Morcha' on May 18 this year after he decided to leave BJP in 2003 following the rebellious attitude of a few NDA ministers forcing him to quit the post of Chief Minister.

''All these party are trying to defeat me in the bypolls but my fight is against the state's backwardness and poverty,'' he said.

Asked about the fate Jharkhand Vikash Manch and his associate and Stephen Marandi, who joined the UPA-backed Koda cabinet yesterday, Mr Marandi said Mr Stephen was free to take decision as an independent candidate as was not a political party and no membership drive was initiated for the party.

UNI AM PP RN1715