Wednesday, March 2 2005 13:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranchi: JMM (Jharkand Mukti Morcha) rebel Stephen Marandi today (Mar 2, 2005) reiterated his support for the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) to form the Government in Jharkhand but remained non-committal on the Chief Ministerial candidate.

Marandi alongwith another independent MLA, Bandhu Tirkey, met Governor Syed Sibtey Razi this morning and reiterated his support to the UPA.

"We support the UPA claim to form the Government," Marandi, who fought the election as an independent after he was denied a ticket by the JMM, told newsmen.

When asked whether he would support Sibu Soren as Chief Minister, he said, "My support to UPA has nothing to do with who will be the next CM."

He also parried questions on whether he was also one of the candidates for the top post saying, "I am just a lone MLA."