CPI(ML) accuses NDA, UPA of supporting Babulal in Koderma bypoll

Ranchi, Oct 16 (UNI) The CPI(M-L), Jharkhand, today alleged that the UPA and NDA were indirectly supporting former state Chief Minister Babulal Marandi in the bypoll to the Koderma parliament seat by fielding a candidate without a 'mass base' in the area.

The party's lone MLA in Jharkhand Assembly Vinod Kumar Singh talking to mediapersons here said that both the UPA and NDA were faces of the same coin and their only aim was to defeat the CPI(ML) which was emerging as an alternative to both the parties.

Yesterday, the UPA announced the name of Manoj Kumar Yadav as its candidate and BJP was to field Pranav Verma from the Koderma parliament seat, whereas Mr Yadav is an MLA from Barhi Assembly seat and Mr Verma is the son of late Reetlal Verma who represented Koderma seat for five times.

Mr Singh said when the UPA backed Koda government in Jharkhand won with a wafer thin majority in the Assembly in such condition Congress had fielded its MLA as its candidate for the Koderma Parliamentry seat.

Coming down heavily on JVM president Babulal Marandi, Mr Singh said earlier Mr Marandi asserted to maintain equal distance from UPA and NDA but recently he met the UPA leaders to seek their support.

Mr Singh said the pact between UPA and NDA to support Mr Marandi was evident as one part of JVM was associated with Stephen Marandi, the Deputy Chief Minister in the UPA-backed Madhu Koda government, and the other part was getting the support of few BJP legislators.

Mr Singh stressed that CPI(ML) was in the fray to expose this nexus of UPA and NDA adding winning or loosing the election was not a matter for them as their fight was against the issues of corruption and criminalisation and feudal forces.

UNI AM KK SY GC1717