Ex-Odisha DGP Marik files papers for J’khand by-poll

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Apr 29:

Former Odisha DGP Sanjeev Marik today filed his nomination papers for contesting elections from the Godda assembly constituency of Jharkhand on a Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) ticket.

The former top cop who had joined the JMM recently filed his nomination papers in the presence of former Jharkhand ministers Stephan Marandi and Haji Hussain Ansari at Godda.

Addressing a public meeting at Godda Mela Maidan Marik criticized the BJP government in Jharkhand.

Marik appealed to the voters of Godda to vote for him.

“I stand for Godda’s development. I feel now the time has come that we unmask the real face of those who have been fooling the people of Jharkhand by deceit and the people of Godda in particular,” said Marik speaking to reporters at Godda.

The decision to field Marik as the candidate from Godda for the May 16 by-polls was announced by JMM leader and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in Ranchi on April 22.

Godda seat had fallen vacant after BJP’s Raghunandan Mandal died of a heart attack.

Notably, Marik had informed to the media on April 18 that he has joined the JMM and was likely to be a candidate from Godda, which is his ancestral place.

The top cop attained superannuation in December last as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC).

His father was into politics and was elected to the Bihar Assembly in 1957 from Godda constituency.

The former state police chief’s professional life was embroiled in several controversies. Even after his retirement also, the controversy did not spare him.

Former IGP Anadi Charan Sahu had levelled allegations against Marik for his links with notorious gangster siblings Sushant and Sushil Dhalasamanta. Following this, Marik had filed defamation cases against Sahu.