Jharkhand Elections: Ex-BJP leaders Lois Marandi, Kunal Sarangi join CM Hemant Soren’s JMM, ‘Gave so much to BJP, but…’

Prior to the state assembly elections, Dr. Lois Marandi, Kunal Sarangi, and Ganesh Mahali, all former BJP members, made the decision to switch their allegiance to the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha party. Dr. Marandi voiced her discontent over the BJP’s refusal to grant her a Dumka ticket, whereas Sarangi raised concerns regarding the party’s criteria for promotions.

Before the impending state assembly elections in Jharkhand, Dr. Lois Marandi, Kunal Sarangi, and Ganesh Mahali, who were once part of the BJP, made a significant move by joining the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday. They had a meeting with the Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife Kalpana Soren to mark their new political allegiance.

Dr. Loise Marandi, who previously held the position of Vice President in the BJP in her state, made a move to Hemant Soren’s party after being refused a ticket to run from her hometown of Dumka and instead being proposed to contest from Bahrai. In a parallel development, Kunal Sarangi pointed to his challenges in securing a promotion as a factor prompting his departure from the saffron party.

Dr. Lois Marandi expressed her dilemma in contesting the election from Barhait after dedicating 24 years to Dumka. Despite her unfamiliarity with Barhait, she declined the opportunity as her allegiance and knowledge lie with Dumka. However, her party disregarded her concerns and nominated another candidate from Dumka. Seeking a platform to continue serving the people, she sought the advice of CM Hemant Soren, who welcomed her with open arms, as reported by ANI.

Dr. Lois Marandi expressed her disappointment with the saffron party for refusing her the Dumka constituency. She stated, “I dedicated countless hours to the party (BJP), tirelessly working day and night for the people. I followed every party directive diligently, but when the elections arrived, I was asked to run from Barhait instead.

Possibility of advancement within the BJP, according to Sarangi, rests on possessing qualifications in corruption.

Kunal Sarangi, a former BJP member, made a transition to the JMM party citing a lack of growth and performance opportunities within the BJP. Expressing his disillusionment with the BJP due to issues of ‘corruption and sycophancy’, Sarangi shared with ANI his decision to rejoin the JMM.

ANI quoted Sarangi as saying that his return to his family in Jharkhand was not a reunion but a homecoming facilitated by CM Hemant Soren. Sarangi expressed that while he initially joined BJP with hopes of serving more people on a national scale, he found that the party’s sole focus was on promoting individuals based on factors like the number of ‘Ganesh parikramas’ conducted daily and unwavering sycophancy. He also criticized the apparent requirement of having corrupt practices to advance within the party.

During my four and a half years with the party, I have gained valuable insights. I am thrilled to have returned to the place where my political journey began,” he remarked.