Babulal Marandi consoles dissenting JMM leader Simon Marandi

Ranchi: Jharkhand Vikas Morcha president and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi today met state minister and senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Simon Marandi at the latter�s paternal house in Hiranpur in Pakur district. It was a closed-door meeting between the two leaders. Dr Anil Murmu, JVM candidate from Rajmahal Parliamentary constituency was also present during the meeting.

Speaking to scribes after the meeting, Simon Marandi said the JVM leader had come to see him on account of his bad health. He said the meeting should not be seen as a political one. �We have very old association. We know each other since a long time,� he said.

The JMM leader said he was presently in the party and that he will be revealing his political future plans after holding a meeting with party activists and supporters on 21st April.

Babulal Marandi, speaking after the meeting, said the JMM had neglected Simon Marandi. He said the JMM leader could not hide his hurt sentiments after being neglected by the party. �The very objective with which the JMM was formed was fulfilled on 15th November 2000 and now the people of Jharkhand do not need it anymore. The people here need development which can only be ensured by the JVM,� the former CM said.

Although Simon Marandi did not speak clearly on the result of his meeting with the JVM president, party insiders said he could take a major political decision in the next few days. Recently, Simon Marandi had said publicly that JMM candidates were going to lose from the two Lok Sabha constituencies of Santhal Paragana, Rajmahal and Dumka.

Simon Marandi had refused to meet JMM leader and Chief Minister Hemant Soren recently as he was disappointed with party�s refusal to give Lok Sabha ticket to his son Dinesh William Marandi from the Rajmahal seat. He was not at his residence when the CM went to meet him. His family members were also not there. Later, the JMM veteran announced that he will not support the JMM candidate.

JMM has given the Lok Sabha ticket to Vijay Hansda, a former Congress leader, from the Rajmahal seat. JMM president and former CM Sibu Soren is contesting the election from Dumka.