Top BJP leaders reach out to Jharkhand rebels

New Delhi: Several leaders have rebelled since the BJP named 66 of the 68 Jharkhand candidates just two days ago. BJP general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh, who is in the state, has ordered senior leaders to meet with unhappy leaders to encourage them to support party candidates.

Several BJP leaders, including Jamua MLA Kedar Hazra, Louis Marandi, Laxman Tudu and Ganesh Mahli, have joined the JMM.

Apart from them, former BJP MLAs Satyanand Jha Batul, Mistry Soren, and Ramesh Oraon are planning to contest as independents.


The JMM announced the candidature of Kedar Hazra from Jamua.

BJP's action has paid off in some cases, like that of former BJP state president Ravindra Ray, who was convinced by atate BJP election in-charge Shivraj Singh Chouhan to work for the party after the meeting. After BJP announced tickets for Meera Munda, former CM Arjun Munda's wife from Potka, former MLA Menka Sardar was also unhappy. However, Arjun Munda reached out to her and she was persuaded to support Meera Munda.