Sibu Soren re-elected JMM supremo

Soren, who had taken over after Nirmal Mahto was gunned down in August 1987 in Jamshedpur, called upon the party rank and file to remain united and resolve differences.

Observing that government officials were whimsical and did not discharge their responsibility sincerely, Soren regretted that the people of mineral-rich Jharkhand were poor and the state was lagging behind in absence of allround development.

Advocating for panchayat election in the state, he said though Jharkhand was rich, its people were poor due to lack of development.

However, several other states procured minerals including coal from Jharkhand and "have prospered", he said.

Senior party leader and former minister of state Hemlal Murmu later said JMM decided to field its candidate in 85 seats in the forthcoming assembly election in Bihar.

Besides, the party has also decided to intensify the demand of 'Greater Jharkhand' comprising tribal-dominated parts of West Bengal, Orissa and Bihar, apart from Jharkhand, he told reporters.

JMM also pledged to ensure that no starvation death would take place in the face of famine-like situation due to scanty rainfall this year and promise a corruption-free government.

Murmu said an apex body of the party 'Sarvoch Sangathan Sanchalan-sah-Salakar Parishad', to run the organization-cum-advisory council, was formed after bringing about amendment in the party constitution.

Hemant Soren, the Deputy Chief Minister of Jharkhand, will be the Chairman of the new body, which consisted of members-cum-senior party leaders Champai Soren, Sudhir Mahto, Nalin Soren, Haji Hussain Ansari, Mathura Prasad Mahto, Suprio Bhattacharjee, Phago Besra and Shashank Shekhar Bhogta, he said.