Jharkhand assembly results: No post-poll alliance with BJP, says Babulal Marandi

RANCHI: JVM-P chief Babulal Marandi on Sunday ruled out any post-poll alliance with BJP. He also added that he has had no discussion with mahagathbandhan constituents over a probable tie-up in the run up to the counting day.
On the eve of counting, the 63-year-old former chief minister stayed put in Ranchi and met party functionaries throughout the day at JVM-P’s headquarters in Dibdih.There, he exuded confidence of forming the government with majority.
“Har EVM se JVM(P) niklega (JVM-P will emerge victorious when the counting starts),” Marandi told reporters in between sipping tea. “Just a few more hours. The amount of love and confidence the people of Jharkhand have showered on us will be for everyone to see tomorrow (Monday),” he added.
While JVM-P fielded 81 candidates after walking out of opposition alliance, exit poll predictions released after the final phase of polling showed the party bagging in between three and five seats. If things turn out that way, the party’s 2019 performance will be sloppier than 2009 and 2014, where it won 11 and eight seats respectively.
But in case of a fractured mandate, Marandi is likely to play a king-maker along with Ajsu Party chief Sudesh Mahto. But Marandi, a former BJP functionary, ruled out an alliance with the saffron outfit. Reminiscing how six MLAs defected to BJP weeks after 2014 polls, Marandi said: “After the way BJP tried to finish me and my party, there is no question of joining hands with them.”
On stitching up a postpoll alliance with mahagathbandhan, he said: “To be honest, I have spoken to no one and neither did they speak with me. Let the results come and things will be clear then.”