Ranchi, Sept. 22: Former chief minister Babulal Marandi today disclosed that he had made up his mind to quit the BJP in January and had asked his younger brother to launch a political party so that he could avoid contesting elections as an Independent.

The former chief minister said Bharat Vikas Morcha (BVM), floated by his younger brother Radheshayam Marandi, acted as a shield.

“I was mentally prepared to quit the BJP in January. In February, I had asked my brother to form a party and get it registered,” Marandi told The Telegraph.

“Now, I am preparing to get Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (D) registered. In case it gets registered by the time election dates are declared, I will contest the Koderma bypoll on a JVM ticket. Else, I will go for BVM. We will take a decision in this regard at a meeting in Hazaribagh tomorrow,” Marandi said.

Asked to comment on Stephen Marandi, the former stalwart of BJP said: “He himself has to decide whether he wants to remain an Independent and join the Koda government or join a political party.”

Marandi said: “As the Madhu Koda government was not going to serve the state the JVM is not supporting it. We should not expect anything from this government, which has its roots in corruption,” he said.

“Koda, like Munda, will be spending most of his time in keeping the leaders in Delhi and his colleagues in good humour,” he said, expecting mid-term Assembly polls in the state soon.