Marandi chooses holy place of Jains to launch his crusade

Ranchi, May 4 (UNI) Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi today chose Parasnath Pahari, a holy its for the Jain community and symbolising 'ahimsa,' to unleash his new political campaign with a demonstration on May 14.

Having left the BJP and floated a new political outfit last year with a mission to purge Jharkhand of corruption. Mr Marandi, president of Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM) and MP from Koderma, had been addressing series of public gatherings launching attacks on the state government on the issues of 'bhukh, bhoi and bhrashtachar' (hunger, fear and corruption). He said that he sought to bring public attention to 'himsa mukt, aparadh mukt and bhrastachar mukt' society (society free of violence and other ailments).

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Marandi said besides his programme at the Parasnath Pahari in Giridih district, the next move would be to stop functioning in offices on June 4.

His party would hold a 24-hour demonstration on May 14 highlighting the ''misdeed'' of the present Madhu Koda-led UPA government, he added.

Asked about his choice of venue, the JVM president said Parasnath is a holy place for Jain community which symbolises ahimsa (non-violence).

''My andolan (agitation) will be based on non-violence and that is why I have chosen Parasnath Pahari to begin by mission,'' he said.

''Besides, the adivasis believe that their 'kul devata' (clan deity) live at Parasnath so I will like to offer my prayer to ancestors too,'' Mr Marandi said.

Regarding the June 4 office picketing in the state, he said rail communication and other essential services would be exempted from the purview of the agitation keeping in mind the interest of the common people.

His party would fight both by-election to Daltonganj Assembly seat and Jamshedpur Parliamentary seat, he said.

In the last by-elections to Palamu Parliamentary seat, the JVM candidate had lost to UPA candidate.

UNI