BJP MLA ready to resign for Munda if made Jharkhand CM

Jamshedpur, Dec 24: Newly elected BJP MLA from Ichagarh constituency in adjoining Seraikela-Kharswan district, Sadhu Charan Mahato on Wednesday offered to vacate his seat if the central leadership would consider former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda for the chief ministerial post.

"Mundaji had performed well even when the party formed the government in coalition. As the party has mustered absolute majority, I appeal to the the central leadership of the party to consider Munda as chief minister," Mahato, who is currently recuperating in a hospital here under police custody, told reporters.

"In such a condition, I am ready to vacate my seat to pave way for Munda, who has lost to JMM's Dasrath Gagrai by a margin of about 12,000 votes from his tradition Kharswan seat, to get elected to the state Assembly," Mahato said.

Mahato has defeated JMM's Sabita Mahato, widow of former Deputy Chief Minister-cum-senior JMM leader Sudhir Mahato, by over 42,000 votes from Ichagarh.

Mahato is undergoing treatment in a hospital under police custody. He suffered injuries on December 9 in a clash with the supporters of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik).

PTI