Hope Marandi will become the voice of people: Congress

Soon after the former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi unanimously elected as leader of the BJP Legislative Party, Congress said that there is no such threat to the grand old party and asserted that the newly appointed leader will work for the people of the state.

New Delhi: After the former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi was on Monday unanimously elected as leader of the BJP Legislative Party, state Congress reacted politely over the issue and said that this is the rule of every political party and we don't take this as a challenge.

Marandi had on February 17 merged his Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) (JVM-P) party with the BJP at a formal merger ceremony in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Ranchi.

Marandi headed the first BJP government in the state in 2000.

He, however, quit the party following differences with the party leadership and floated JVM-P in 2006.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Congress leader Alamgir Alam said that Marandi is a good leader. He has been in politics for the last 14 years. He knows the necessities of a common man. Hope he will address their views and work for the betterment of common man."

The grand old party leader also asserted that their party is safe under the leadership of the Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi.

When asked about his meeting with Gandhi, the leader said, "Although this is an unofficial meeting with Gandhi, we will also discuss about the expansion of the party in the state.