The BJP has geared up for the formal merger of former Jharkhand chief minister Babulal Marandi's Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) or JVM-P with the saffron party on February 17. The event will be attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party president J P Nadda, Jharkhand BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said here on Thursday.

He said a meeting chaired by BJP general secretary (organisation) Dharampal Singh was held at the party office here.

Singh asked the senior party leaders to make the 'Milan Samaroh' (merger ceremony) successful and reviewed the preparations for the event, Shahdeo said.

"The event will be made historic and memorable," Shahdeo said quoting Singh's address to the BJP leaders.

Shahdeo said thousands of BJP workers from across the state will welcome former chief minister Babulal Marandi at Jagannathpur Maidan in Ranchi on February 17.

JVM-P principal general secretary Abhay Singh said that more than 20,000 of its party workers will attend the event.

The party's merger with the BJP will be historic in Jharkhand politics, a release quoting Singh said.

Marandi had on February 11 announced JVM-P's merger with the BJP, 14 years after he had quit the saffron party and floated his outfit.

First Published:Feb 14, 2020 8:38 AM IST