Monday, February 7 2005 15:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranchi: With JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha) rebel Stephen Marandi poised to challenge Sibu Soren's 'fiefdom', the party supremo today (Feb 7, 2005) said that he had kept his door open.

"There is no lock and key on my doors," Soren told sources in Ranchi after being asked whether the door was still open for Marandi.

"I felt very bad when he accused me of playing dynastic politics. There is no question of family fiefdom. I was the first person to ask my son (Hemant) not to contest. But if the party decides, what can I do?" he asked.

"I still wonder how a man whom I desired to make a national figure and sent to the Rajya Sabha can give up such a prestigious membership," Soren said over phone, narrating how he had groomed Marandi, his erstwhile number two.

The divide appeared when Marandi demanded that Soren allow him to contest the Dumka Assembly seat, which he had held before being elevated to the Rajya Sabha.

Marandi subsequently filed his papers for Dumka against the official JMM nominee, Soren's son Hemant.

Soon after senior BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leaders welcomed his 'courage' and some small parties volunteering help to him.