Former MP Suraj Mandal rejoins JMM

Former MP Suraj Mandal rejoined Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) today, nearly nine years after being expelled from the party.

Former MP Suraj Mandal rejoined Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) today, nearly nine years after being expelled from the party.

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Mandal, who formed Jharkhand Vikas Dal (JVD) after his expulsion from JMM on December 6, 1999, said JVD in its executive meeting has decided to merge with JMM.

"I was associated in Jharkhand movement with Shibu Soren and now feel elated to return to JMM," Mandal said as JMM president Shibu Soren welcomed his return before the media in Ranchi.

Embracing him, Soren said, "We are old friends. Differences do occur in every family. Now the situation in Jharkhand warrants us to join hands and renew the movement which the JMM had begun in the run up to the formation of state."

Mandal, who lost elections after his ouster from JMM, claimed that the merger of JVD with JMM, would give JMM "ten-fold strength" to face the upcoming assembly elections.

Mandal had been the vice-chairman of Jharkhand Area Autonomous Council when soren was its Chairman in 1995.