A JVM leader on Friday said there was no decision “so far” to merge the party in the BJP.

Babulal Marandi’s party has three MLAs in the new Assembly: Marandi (Dhanwar), Pradeep Yadav (Poreyahat) Bandhu Tirkey (Mandar).

In the new executive committee announced on Friday, Marandi has been appointed central president. There are nine central vice-presidents, one principal general secretary, six general secretaries, nine secretaries and one treasurer. There are also 122 central executive members, 13 presidents of different wings of the party, five central spokespersons and 24 district presidents. “The list was prepared after a meeting on January 5,” said Tauhid Alam, a central secretary of the party.

Asked about the buzz in political circles that the JVM is going to merge in the BJP in the near future, Alam denied the speculation. “There is no such decision so far regarding this. Nothing was discussed today while declaring the new executive committee of the party,” Alam said.

Tirkey and Yadav have been made central executive committee members. Tirkey was earlier general secretary and Yadav was principal general secretary.

Asked why the MLAs’ responsibilities have been reduced, Alam said: “Yadav had resigned after the Lok Sabha polls following an allegation of sexual assault, while Tirkey was not found very active in party activities.”