Expelled BJP MLAs would not join JVM now: Babulal Marandi

Ranchi, Jan 23 (UNI) Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) (JVM) president Babulal Marandi today asserted that expelled BJP MLAs supporting him would not be made members of his party due to present equation of the State Assembly.

Mr Marandi, after officially joining and initiating the membership drive, told mediaperssons here that any decision in this regard would be taken later as UPA-backed Madhu Koda government, enjoying thin majority, would get a sigh of relief if all the five expelled BJP members joined JVM(P).

Five BJP MLAs--Vishnu Bhaiya, Ravindra Rai, Kunti Singh, Manohar Tekriwal and Pradeep Yadav-- were expelled by the party after they came in support of Babulal Marandi.

JVM(P)-led by Babulal Marandi recently recognised as a political party, was formed after Mr Marandi quit the BJP.

Speaking about his campaigns against the state government, Mr Marandi said the party would organise ''Janta March'' in state capital on April 10.

A target of making two lakh members by the end of February had been set up and the drive would be launched in the district, block and panchayat levels to strengthen the party he added.

Replying to a query, the JVM president said during the process of seeking recognition as a political party his name, along with the other two hundred party supporters, was sent to the Election Commission.

On the issue of Delimitaion Commission's proposal regarding reduction of ST Assembly seats of Jharkhand, Mr Marandi said that the tribals should be patronised by making a separate act questioning if acts could be made to preserve the wildlife then why not to preserve the tribals.

Speaking about the Palamu Parliament seat, which was left vacant after the membership of RJD MP, along with the 11 other MPs, was cancelled by the Supreme Court, Mr Marandi said his party would fight the elections independently.

The JVM(P) would also participate in the local bodies election, he added.

UNI