Arjun Munda and Shibu Soren in Charhi on Thursday. Picture by Vishvendu Jaipuriar

Mandu/Ranchi, Nov. 24: Chief minister Arjun Munda today joined the campaign trail with Shibu Soren, rooting for JMM candidate Jaiprakash Bhai Patel for the Mandu by-election next week amid resentment among BJP workers who had been rallying for fielding a party nominee.

Both Munda and the JMM chief urged voters to reject Opposition parties, especially the JVM, which had dealt the coalition partners a blow in the Jamshedpur Lok Sabha bypoll earlier this year.

Munda, who began his campaign in Kujju before joining Soren, said the BJP’s support and the popularity of Teklal Mahto, whose death in September vacated the seat, would work in favour of Patel.

He also asked BJP cadres to throw their weight behind Patel, arguing that his father, the late Teklal Mahto, was a committed social worker who had made great sacrifices during the Jharkhand movement.

“The BJP high command has honoured the former MLA by supporting his son to carry forward his legacy,” he said.

“Patel is a strong candidate with a clean image candidate. The people of Mandu will reject the coal mafia and other affluent individuals trying their luck in the bypoll,” he said in Charhi, taking a dig at Opposition candidates.

Munda lashed out at Babulal Marandi, arguing that the JVM chief was trying to mislead people by opposing development projects and shielding corrupt individuals.

Soren asked the people to elect Patel and help him “complete the unfinished projects of Teklal”.

BJP state president Dineshanand Goswami criticised the Congress rule at the Centre for failing to check corruption and price rise. “Since all of us have come forward in JMM’s support, it is set to get the votes of all sections of society. There is a sympathy wave in our favour.”

However, sources said the BJP came round to rally behind JMM after deputy chief minister Hemant Soren, while campaigning in Mandu, warned of adverse effects on the ruling coalition in case Patel suffered defeat.

State Congress chief Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu said “the secular vote bank is with us”. He told The Telegraph: “Our aim is to give a fitting reply to BJP. The Centre had recently notified OBC status to several sections of the Vaishyas, who have often played a decisive role in Mandu.”

VBU chief guest

Governor Syed Ahmed will replace coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal as the chief guest of the fifth convocation of Vinoba Bhave University on Saturday following objections from Election Commission. With model code of conduct in force due to the Mandu bypoll, the panel opposed the invitation of a political leader.