BJP behind him, CM focuses on bypoll

Today, the BJP’s state executives in a meeting headed by national vice-president Kailash Pati Mishra and attended by Marandi decided to relaunch campaign for the Poraiyahat Assembly bypoll slated for March 24. Marandi’s Bokaro visit is part of the campaign. ‘‘We have decided to raise funds for carrying out the campaign. We are inviting donations of Rs 100 to Rs 10,000,’’ Marandi told mediapersons, insisting that there was no threat to his government.

‘‘There is no threat. There are always disputes and bickering in families. I am sure we all can sit together and resolve it,’’ he said at the helipad.

Less than a km away at the airport, a group of 500-odd Samata Party and the JD-U workers, some carrying their party flags, greeted the dissident ministers with slogans. Asked to spell out their strategy, Energy Minister Lalchand Mahato, Excise Minister Ramesh Singh Munda, Revenue Minister Madhu Singh and PHED Minister Jaleshwar Mahato had the same response: ‘‘We have conveyed our demand to the central leaders. We will wait for a couple of days for their response.’’ As to what transpired in their meeting with Fernandes, Singh said: ‘‘Fernandesji told us last night that he will talk to the PM and the Deputy PM about our demand seeking Marandi’s replacement.’’

Asked if they will topple Marandi’s government in case the BJP high command decides to stick to its decision not to replace him, Munda said mysteriously: ‘‘Look out for what happens next.’’

Meanwhile, the grapewine has it that the fifth rebel, Minister of Urban Development Baccha Singh, who arrived here ahead of the others, was no longer critical of the Chief Minister. The reason being that Singh’s demand for the transfer of Urban development Ministry secretary Bimal Kriti Singh to Industry ministry has been fulfilled and Bimal has been giving the marching orders.