<p>JVM(P) of former Jharkhand chief minister Babulal Marandi merged with the BJP on Monday.</p>.<p>Union Home Minister Amit Shah welcomed Marandi, the first chief minister of Jharkhand, and his supporters into the saffron party at a rally here.</p>.<p>Shah also assured the tribal leader that he will get due respect and responsibility in the BJP.</p>.<p>"I am delighted that Babulal Marandi has returned to BJP. I was working for his return since 2014 when I became the party president," Shah told the well attended rally.</p>.<p>He also raised the Ayodhya issue and withdrawal of special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.</p>.<p>"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured Kashmir becomes an integral part of India forever by scrapping articles 370 and 35(A) of the Constitution," he said.</p>.<p>Marandi was the chief minister of Jharkhand from November 2000 to March 2003.</p>.<p>A four-time former MP, he gradually drifted away from the BJP and launched his own outfit-- Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) in 2006</p>
<p>JVM(P) of former Jharkhand chief minister Babulal Marandi merged with the BJP on Monday.</p>.<p>Union Home Minister Amit Shah welcomed Marandi, the first chief minister of Jharkhand, and his supporters into the saffron party at a rally here.</p>.<p>Shah also assured the tribal leader that he will get due respect and responsibility in the BJP.</p>.<p>"I am delighted that Babulal Marandi has returned to BJP. I was working for his return since 2014 when I became the party president," Shah told the well attended rally.</p>.<p>He also raised the Ayodhya issue and withdrawal of special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.</p>.<p>"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured Kashmir becomes an integral part of India forever by scrapping articles 370 and 35(A) of the Constitution," he said.</p>.<p>Marandi was the chief minister of Jharkhand from November 2000 to March 2003.</p>.<p>A four-time former MP, he gradually drifted away from the BJP and launched his own outfit-- Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) in 2006</p>