JVM to merge with BJP on August 20

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) (JVM) will merge with BJP on August 20 at Ranchi, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda on Monday said.

"A proposal in this regard has come from JVM, which will formally merge with BJP," Munda said at a function here after another party Jharkhand Disom Party (JDP) on Monday merged with BJP. The merger will take place on August 20, a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jharkhand.

Munda however, refused to divulge details of the merger when asked whether JVM supremo-cum-former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi would return to BJP. Four JVM MLAs joined BJP at a function held in Ranchi recently.