Arjun Munda: Welcome awaits

Ranchi, Oct. 1: Amid speculation of a vertical split in the party organisation, Ranchi Mahanagar unit of the BJP is gearing up to greet former chief minister Arjun Munda tomorrow, when he shifts to his new house on Circular Road in the state capital. This house was earlier occupied by former home minister Sudesh Mahto.

Though this house was allotted to Munda about a fortnight ago, after he quit as the chief minister, he will be formally shifting here tomorrow. “After all, Vijaya Dashami is considered an auspicious day in Hindu mythology,” said a BJP functionary.

While beginning his second innings as the chief minister, Munda had performed grand rituals of Vaastu Shastra. But, his stay was short lived. Now that the BJP faces a vertical split following an open revolt by Babulal Marandi loyalists, the party is busy displaying solidarity with Munda. “Several hundred BJP workers will assemble at Circular Road by 11 am before Munda arrives. The Mahila Morcha will be greeting him in a traditional way,” said BJP Ranchi unit chief Sanjay Seth.

Munda will perform the rituals of “griha pravesh (house-warming)” tomorrow, but it is said that he would actually utilise the occasion to unite his supporters.

The BJP dissidents on the other hand are undeterred by the suspension of Pravin Singh from the party. They are busy making preparations for a state-level convention on October 7, to list achievements and discuss aspirations for Jharkhand. Dhanwar legislator Ravindra Kumar Rai, too, has openly started spewing venom against the party leadership.

“Those who want to leave the party cannot be stopped by any means. But we ought to go ahead with our preparations to fight new challenges,” said BJP state secretary Ganesh Mishra.

After Vijaya Dashami, the BJP has decided to open a front against the UPA government. It might approach the judiciary for the delay in cabinet expansion and also take steps to stall Bhanu Pratap Sahi’s induction in Madhu Koda’s council of ministers.