Jamshedpur, Nov 4 (UNI) The Jharkhand Vikash Morcha (JVM), jointly founded by Babulal Marandi and Stephen Marandi, was split with the latter distancing himself from the JVM after joining the post of Deputy Chief Minister in the Madhu Koda-led UPA government in Jharkhand.

The followers of Stephen Marandi, led by Prabhakar Tirkey and Surya Singh Besra, floated JVM (Secular) in Ranchi yesterday.

Mr Tirkey has been declared as the president while Mr Besra became chief general secretary of the new party.

Talking to newspersons here today, Mr Besra said the founder of the new party Stephen Marandi, however, could not hold any post owing to technical reasons but he would lead the JVM(S).

He said the membership issue of Mr Stephen Marandi was pending with the previous NDA government.

Mr Besra said the new party would be a constituent of the UPA and it would support UPA candidate Manoj Yadav in the November six Koderma Loksabha bypoll.

He said the JVM(S), which had 15-member executive body now, would apply to the Election Commission for its registration.

Mr Besra alleged that Babulal Marandi was deviating from the secular stand of the JVM and even formed Bharat Vikash Morcha(BVM) secretly with his brother.

He said Babulal Marandi failed to convince the supporters of the JVM and the secular-minded members were forced to leave the party.

He said the JVM(S) would keep its proposals in the Common Minimum Programme of the UPA which included holding of panchayat elections in the state.

Mr Besra said the deputy chief minister would be felicitated here on November 26.

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