Jharkhand minister Simon Marandi sacked

Marandi, according to party sources, has appealed to his supporters to ensure the defeat of JMM chief Shibu Soren from the Dumka Lok Sabha constituency and of Vijay Hansda from the Rajmahal constituency.

Marandi wanted the JMM to field his son for the Rajmahal Lok Sabha constituency. But as his son was denied the ticket, Marandi revolted against the party.

Earlier, reacting to the move to sack him, Marandi told reporters here: "I am one of the founder members of the JMM. If the party is behaving like this with me, then imagine what will happen to the party. Let it first dismiss me, and then I will announce my next course of action."