Fighting graft is secondary for JMM: Mandal

JAMSHEDPUR, July 20: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) vice-president Suraj Mandal today expressed confidence that the resolution regarding form...

JAMSHEDPUR, July 20: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) vice-president Suraj Mandal today expressed confidence that the resolution regarding formation of a separate Jharkhand state would be passed in the monsoon session of Bihar Assembly.

Mandal told newspersons here that passing the resolution would be a great achievement for the JMM, particularly since it comes from a Chief Minister, who has been known for his anti-Jharkhand stance. He said the resolution would be passed before July 27.

He said the JMM with their 16 MLAs had saved the minority Laloo Prasad Yadav Government during the trust vote on the condition that the resolution of a separate Jharkhand state should be passed and send to the Centre for recommendation.

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Stating that the issue of a separate Jharkhand state was more important for his party than fighting corruption, Mandal said, “We should exploit every opportunity to achieve a separate Jharkand state and welfare of the Jharkhand region.”

Asked whether his party had decided to join the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Government in the State, Mandal said the JMM was not interested in joining the Government.