Tuesday, May 17 2005 08:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranchi: Softening his stance on the threat to quit the party over the nomination of Jharkhand unit president, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) national vice president Babulal Marandi yesterday (May 16, 2005) said there were some ''loopholes'' in the party, which he would 'correct' remaining in party.

''There are some loopholes in the party and as a party worker it is my duty to correct them,'' the former Chief Minister told reporters in Ranchi, two days after he had threatened to quit if the leadership did not reconsider its decision on the nomination of Vadunath Pandey as the party unit chief.

Asked whether he was softening from his threat to quit the party if the leadership ignored his demand, Marandi said, ''Where is the question of softening or hardening stands. I have been saying that I am against the process adopted in the nomination of the State unit president and that too not against any individual.''

Backtracking on his threat, Marandi said he began his political career in the BJP ''so as a party worker I have the responsibility to take care of its health''.

Marandi, who called on senior party leader and former Gujarat Governor Kailashpati Mishra in Ranchi, said senior party leaders Sanjay Joshi had called him to Delhi for discussion. ''But I said I can not go as there is a discussion with party workers.''