JVM-P chief rejects BJP’s 2nd merger offer

Ranchi: Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) chief Babulal Marandi once again turned down a merger offer from BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday.
The BJP had proposed a similar deal to Marandi before the assembly election, but then too, the tribal leader had refused to merge JVM(P) with his erstwhile party.
JVM(P) legislature party leader Pradeep Yadav said on invite from Amit Shah, Marandi had gone to Delhi to hold talks with him.“He requested him (Marandi) to dissolve the party and join BJP. Marandi rejected the offer.”
“They (BJP) want us to dissolve the party into BJP, which is not acceptable to JVM(P). For us, the party comes first,” Yadav, who won from Porayiahat assembly segment, said.
BJP had entered into a pre-poll alliance with Ajsu Party, which with five MLAs, helped the saffron party cross the half way mark (42) in the 81-member assembly. For a stronger position, BJP requires eight JVM(P) MLAs.
A JVM(P) source said on Sunday BJP offered two cabinet berths to JVM(P) and a Rajya Sabha seat to Marandi on Saturday. Negotiations are on with the BJP, the source added.
Marandi suffered a humiliating defeat in Giridih and Dhanwar assembly segments.
JVM(P) has emerged a key player winning more seats than Congress and Ajsu Party as RJD was wiped out. It won eight seats as against six seats of the Congress and five seats of Ajsu Party. In the 2009 assembly election, JVM(P) had 11 seats and Congress 13.
One of the tallest tribal leaders Marandi has RSS roots and the Sangh Parivar wants him back.
“Seven years of hard work has brought the party this far. Now our workers are spread all across the state. Marandi has nurtured the party with his sweat and blood. How can we dissolve the party,” said JVM(P) central vice president Sava Ahmad.
At new CM Raghubar Das swearing-in ceremony, Babulal Marandi said: “We are not going to dissolve the party.” Yadav, however said, “We will consider offers to join the government,” said Ahmad.
BJP spokesperson Ajay Maroo said: “Sooner or later, Marandi would come into BJP fold taking our tally to 50. We will together work for the state's development.” Maroo said talks are still on at the highest level.
The saffron brigade however does not seem to be in hurry because no other party has the numbers to to challenge its government other than its ally, AJSU-Party.