RANCHI: The BJP’s state unit on Monday unanimously elected former chief minister Babulal Marandi as its legislative party leader at a meeting convened in the presence of BJP’s central observer Muralidhar Rao , less than a week after Babulal merged his party, JVM-P, with the BJP.With this, Marandi, MLA from Dhanwar, will now become the leader of opposition in the state assembly. “I thank the party for the responsibility and warmth accorded to me,” Marandi said after his election.Arun Singh, BJP national general secretary, said soon after the meeting: “Rajmahal MLA Anant Ojha moved a proposal to appoint Marandi for the post and the proposal was backed by all our 25 MLAs through a voice vote as well as a written undertaking. As per protocol, the party will formally apprise the assembly speaker about the appointment.”Singh added that given his experience, Marandi fits the role of the leader of opposition and would rejuvenate the BJP by taking on the Mahagathbandhan government, the JMM-led coalition which includes the Congress and the RJD.“He (Babulal) has years of political and administrative experience. The entire party leadership acknowledges his capabilities,” Singh said.BJP hopes Marandi, one of the tallest tribal leaders in the state, will counter the Mahagathbandhan government during the month-long budget session scheduled to begin on February 28.Two former chief ministers — Raghubar Das and Arjun Munda (now Union minister for tribal affairs) — congratulated Marandi. Das said, “Marandi’s return to BJP and taking on the mantle of the leader of opposition will go a long way in reviving the party in the state. He has always been vocal on public issues.”Arjun Munda later met Marandi at the party office and presented a bouquet to him.Chief minister Hemant Soren also congratulated Marandi on his appointment as leader of opposition. In a tweet, he said, “Babulal ji, I congratulate you on your appointment as leader of opposition in Jharkhand assembly. I have full faith that under your leadership, the opposition will play a meaningful and constructive role.”Om Mathur, BJP national vice-president, who played a crucial role in convincing Marandi to return to the saffron fold, said Marandi’s appointment was the correct decision taken at the right time by all stakeholders.“Even though he left the party in 2006, his politics revolved around BJP’s ideology. We may have lost the election last year, but we won over a dedicated party worker who will help strengthen the party and bring it back into focus,” Mathur said.