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The tug of war between the principal ruling parties in Jharkhand persists over seat allocation within the INDI Alliance, with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Congress both vying for significant representation in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The JMM is advocating for a minimum of seven seats, paralleled by the Congress, also aiming for seven seats out of the State's total of 14.

In addition to the JMM and Congress, the RJD, JDU, and left parties, constituting the INDI Alliance, are each seeking at least one seat.

With the BJP nominating Geeta Koda as its candidate from the Singhbhum constituency, a seat previously within the Congress quota, the JMM is now asserting its claim over this seat. Similarly, the JMM is staking its claim on the Jamshedpur and Lohardaga constituencies.

Conversely, the Congress, which previously held only one MP seat in the State, is reluctant to cede more than five seats to the JMM. Sources indicate that two of the remaining seats will be allotted to the RJD and the Left, in line with their prior agreement.

Speculations suggest that considering the forthcoming Assembly elections scheduled for November-December, the JMM might settle for a 7-5-1-1 formula, wherein the Congress contests on seven seats, the JMM on five, and one seat each is allocated to the RJD and the Left.

An important meeting of the Congress Election Committee was convened today, attended by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and General Secretary KC Venugopal. Senior Congress leaders from Jharkhand, Telangana, Goa, and Uttar Pradesh were also present.

During the meeting, candidate nominations were deliberated upon. Representing Jharkhand were Ghulam Ahmed Mir, Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee President Rajesh Thakur, and Jharkhand Congress Legislature Party leader and minister Alamgir Alam.

Jharkhand Congress President Rajesh Thakur stated that all pertinent issues concerning Jharkhand were articulated during the meeting. He mentioned that candidate names will be announced from Delhi within one to two days, expressing positivity regarding the discussions held.