Jamshedpur, June 30: Peeved over allegation of violating model code of conduct by Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) (JVM), Chief Minister Arjun Munda left his ancestral house here for Ranchi this morning.
Munda, campaigning for his party candidate-cum-state unit President Dineshanand Goswami for last one week, had shifted to his house in Ghorabandha from a hotel yesterday, ahead of campaigning coming to end for the July one by-poll. Before leaving for Ranchi, Munda told newsmen that he was a permanent resident of Jamshedpur and had been living in his ancestral house for decades.
“There is no violation of code of conduct if one stays in his own house,” he claimed adding that he did not have any objection with Marandi's staying here if he was a permanent resident and owned a house in Jamshedpur.
JVM supreme Babulal Marandi, who was also staying about a fortnight in Dimna chowk in Mango, was adamant not to leave the constituency till Munda did the same. In a counter-charge Munda retorted that Marandi had violated the code of conduct and stayed in the steel city even after the campaigning came to an end yesterday. Marandi held a meeting at the place he was staying last night, he alleged.
The chief minister further alleged that JVM was contesting the Jamshedpur parliamentary by-election in connivance with the CPI (Maoists) and cited how a recommendation was made by JVM leaders to release three Maoists recently arrested.
JVM central committee member Abhay Singh said Marandi had left the constituency immediately after Munda did. Around 20 candidates including former IPS officer Dr.Ajay Kumar of JVM were left in the fray for the by-poll to be held tomoorow. PTI
