The stage is set for the return of Jharkhand’s first chief minister Babulal Marandi back to the BJP after a gap of 14 years.

Highly placed sources in the JVM, which Marandi formed after leaving the BJP in 2006, said that their leader would join the BJP on February 17 in a “mega event in Ranchi where JVM will formally merge in the BJP”.

Though the JVM has only one MLA left, Marandi himself, after the recent expulsions of MLAs Bandhu Tirkey and Pradeep Yadav who were opposed to the merger, the party has 8 lakh members across the state.

A JVM office bearer said it was likely that Union home minister Amit Shah, BJP national president J.P. Nadda and national vice-president Om Prakash Mathur would grace the event where

Marandi would formally join the BJP.

The leader said a massive programme will be held in Ranchi. “We are looking into possible venue options, Morabadi, Harmu or Prabhat Tara grounds,” he said. “Let’s see. A trade fair is on at the Morabadi ground whereas the Harmu ground is not so big.”

A highly placed source said the BJP had been sending feelers to Marandi, who had been associated with the RSS, to come back to the fold since 2014. However, Marandi had not relented. After the BJP poached six of his MLAs in 2015, Marandi had been bitterly critical of the BJP. Even now, Marandi has kept his cards close to his chest, letting his actions speak instead.

On Tuesday, Marandi will convene a meeting of the central working committee of the JVM where the merger proposal is expected to be placed and debated.

Marandi who on Sunday met Nadda in Delhi remained evasive. “This will be the first meeting of the working committee after it was formed recently. I don’t have any personal opinion or wish. You will come to know about the meeting and its outcome tomorrow (Tuesday),” Marandi, back in Ranchi, told a TV channel on Monday.

Back to back meetings are on in the BJP and the JVM.

On Sunday, senior minority leader and former JVM vice president Saba Ahmed accused Marandi of betraying the trust of the minorities.