Samresh, Munda row unites Opp in Jharkhand

They were always divided along partylines. But charges levelled by former minister Samresh Singh against CM Arjun Munda seem to have brought the Opposition together.

A clear indication was visible on Wednesday night at a meeting held at the official residence of Leader of the Opposition, Stephen Marandi. The meeting was attended among others by Marandi, Congress’s state chief Thomas Hansda, CPI MLA Bhuneshwar Mehta and RJD state legislature party leader Girinath Singh. They discussed Samresh’s allegations against Munda and decided to demand Munda’s resignation and for a judicial probe into Samresh’s charges.

They have also resolved to contest the Lok Sabha polls together and enforce a state-wide bandh on January 29. However, Munda who arrived from Delhi today refuted the charges against him. Asked if Samresh’s allegations were correct, the CM said: ‘‘What’s wrong if anybody gets a contract. I never misused my authority.’’

Asked if he was in favour of simultaneous LS and Assembly polls, Munda said the party will take a decision in this regard in consultation with the NDA leaders.