Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Executive President and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s proposer in the 2024 Assembly polls, Mandal Murmu, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday night.
Murmu’s switch comes as a surprise move, given his role as a proposer for Soren's Barhait Assembly seat candidacy.
Murmu was welcomed into the BJP fold at BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s residence in Deoghar, in the presence of senior party leaders, including election in-charge Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Jharkhand BJP in-charge Laxmikant Vajpayee.
Addressing the media, Murmu cited alignment with BJP’s policies as his reason for joining the party, stating he felt uneasy within the JMM despite his role as Soren's proposer.
A descendant of the revered freedom fighters Sido and Kanhu, Murmu expressed his commitment to advancing BJP’s principles in Jharkhand.
Himanta Biswa Sarma noted that while the BJP had initially considered fielding Murmu against Soren in the Barhait constituency, Murmu opted out due to his proposer role.
Sarma added that Murmu’s addition to the party would bolster BJP’s efforts in the Santhal Pargana region, particularly in addressing Bangladeshi infiltration.
Murmu had previously made headlines when detained by State police en route to Ranchi to meet with BJP officials, a matter the JMM protested to senior police and electoral authorities.
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