A firm leader in place, BJP now talks to former leader Babulal Marandi

NEW DELHI: The BJP has initiated talks with its former leader and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) chief Babulal Marandi as part of the efforts led by its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to tap potential partners ahead of the 2014 general elections.


“We are keen to attract people who have left the party since there is an ideological ease in such cases,” said a senior leader involved in the negotiations. A direct line of communication has been established between Modi and Marandi, added the leader, who did not wish to be named.

Just as the BJP is wooing former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, it is keen to have back in its fold Marandi, Jharkhand’s first chief minister who left his parent party seven years ago. However, in Marandi’s case, the party wants to strengthen the JVM (P) in the next general elections, the leader explained.

“Jharkhand is one state where we have done well in the past, but we are likely to lose seats here this time around. We are in talks to make sure there is a transfer of anti-Congress votes to the JVM (P) and not any other formation.

We want to help the JVM (P) win at least four-five of the 14 seats from the state,” said the leader.

The JVM (P) is represented by two members in the Lok Sabha and has 11 members in the 81-seat state assembly.

Besides BJP leaders, Akali Dal’s Naresh Gujral has also been in touch with Marandi to bring him back into the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. A meeting sought to be arranged with BJP leaders last month had to be cancelled after it emerged that Marandi was in similar talks with the Congress as well.

“Marandi made it clear that he would not go to the party office in Delhi or to Gujarat Bhavan for any meeting, so a neutral venue in south Delhi was suggested,” the leader said, adding, “Marandi will be an important player in the next elections and his can be one of the parties which could be attracted to the NDA.”