JVM chief Babulal Marandi, who returned to Ranchi after a foreign trip, said he will start the process of formation of the working committee soon but remained tight-lipped on the merger of his party with the BJP.

Marandi said such speculations are not new, as the BJP always wanted him back.

“I can’t speculate what is going to be the shape of the new committee and what it is expected to propose. After winning the Assembly elections from Dhanwar, I couldn’t meet voters and workers there. I will visit Dhanwar in a couple of days. Those talking about the merger would be able to speak better on the issue. People have elected me and the JVM has lakhs of workers, so I can’t take any decision that could hurt them. The BJP always wished that I rejoin them,” Marandi said.

Though Marandi left the media, party workers and political pundits confused, sources in the JVM said the merger plan is not a speculation.

“Marandiji speaks less but he will certainly reveal his strategy. In the past too we had encountered such speculations and you must remember that Marandiji had sternly rejected such speculations before saying he would prefer to die than join the BJP. But there are technical issues he is facing now. Two MLAs Pradeep Yadav and Bandhu Tirkey are opposed to the merger. Marandiji needs time to make them understand,” said a senior JVM leader.

Including Marandi, the JVM has three MLAs, and for the merger at least two MLAs should give their consent. In that case, Marandi will have to wait for them to walkout of the party or expel them.

“But there has to be a ground for expulsion else it could backfire. He is waiting for an opportune moment,” said the leader.

Marandi is expected to visit Dhanwar and stay there for the next two days.

He would start the committee-formation process after returning.