Former Jharkhand minister Harinarain Rai, who is facing graft charge, today joined the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha here.
Chief Minister leader Hemant Soren welcomed Rai an Independent MLA saying his joining in JMM would further strengthen the party.
Rai, a two time MLA, who represents the state assembly from Jarmundi, held Forest and Environment among other portfolios in the erstwhile Madhu Koda government.
He was in judicial custody for more than three years in connection with disproportionate assets case and is on bail now.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the JMM would contest in all the 81 seats in the five-phase elections beginning on November 25.
"We will contest all the 81 seats on our own and form a majority government," Soren said while rejecting the BJP's claim that Jharkhand's results would also see a repeat of Maharashtra and Haryana.
