Dumka/Ranchi: Trouble has begun brewing for Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in Santhal Pargana as Dinesh William Marandi, the outgoing MLA from Littipara (ST) seat in Pakur, on Monday threatened to contest against the party’s official nominee after being benched by the party.
On Tuesday night, JMM benched Marandi, the son of late JMM stalwart Simon Marandi and fielded Hemlal Murmu in the seat.Courtesy Simon, Littipara has emerged as a JMM bastion for nearly four decades. This is the second time when someone from outside the Marandi family has been fielded from the seat. In 2014, JMM had fielded Anil Murmu after Simon switched to the BJP.
Simon Marandi won Littipara first in 1977 and then held the seat four more times (1980, 1985, 2009 and 2017). His wife Sushila Hasda represented the seat four times (1990,1995, 2000 and 2005). A miffed Dinesh announced to contest the seat against JMM’s official nominee. He accused CM Hemant Soren of betraying him and his family legacy. “It was my father who brought Shibu Soren in Santhal Pargana. I considered Hemant to be my elder brother,” he said.
JMM leaders in Ranchi did not comment on Marandi’s statements. “The party is talking to all disgruntled leaders and bringing them on the same page,” a senior JMM leader here told TOI, requesting anonymity.
Marandi slammed Hemant and his family. “Four members from their family have contested the election. But now, they have benched me to field a man who had once betrayed the party,” Dinesh said. Stating the JMM would become insignificant in Santhal Pargana in the next decade, Marandi announced that he will fix his next course of action after deliberating with his followers, supporters and local cadre. “I have already purchased nomination papers,” Dinesh said in Ranchi. Littipara goes to vote in the second phase on November 20.