State Bureau, Ranchi: Simon Marandi, who contested against Hemant Soren in the Barhait Assembly constituency of Sahibganj district in 2019, has left the BJP and joined the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). Disappointed over not receiving a ticket from the BJP in Barhait this time, Simon had resigned from the party just four days ago. Instead of Simon, the BJP has fielded young social worker Gamaliel Hembram, a volunteer of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) who recently rejoined the BJP.
Louis Marandi Also Changes Sides It should be noted that two candidates who contested against Hemant Soren in Dumka and Barhait have now switched sides and joined Hemant’s party. Former minister Louis Marandi is also among them and is contesting from Jama on a JMM ticket this time. In the 2019 elections, Hemant Soren defeated BJP’s Simon Marandi in Barhait by 25,740 votes. Hemant Soren had received 73,725 votes, while Simon Marandi got 47,985 votes.
Hemant Soren Welcomes Simon to JMM On Wednesday, at the Chief Minister’s residence on Kanke Road in Ranchi, Chief Minister Hemant Soren welcomed Simon Marandi and more than a dozen of his supporters into the JMM. The CM shared this on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating, “BJP leader Simon Marandi, along with his supporters, has embraced the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha family from Barhait in Santal Pargana. A warm welcome to all of you in the JMM family. Johar.”
Simon’s Allegations of Tribal Neglect in BJP Four days ago, Simon Marandi resigned from the BJP, sending his resignation to state BJP President Babulal Marandi. He claimed that the party had not given any candidate representation to the Paharia tribe, an indigenous community he belongs to. He stated that the Paharia community has traditionally supported the BJP after the Congress, strengthening the party, yet it has been neglected, causing resentment among the community.
