In a significant political development ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has decided to part ways with the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) and contest independently on six constituencies — Chakai, Dhamdaha, Katoria, Pirpainti, Manihari, and Jamui.
According to party sources, an official announcement is expected soon. All six constituencies fall under the second phase of the Bihar Assembly polls. JMM reportedly took this decision after the nomination process for the first phase concluded on Friday.
Initially, JMM had demanded 16 seats from the Grand Alliance, later scaling it down to 12. In pursuit of a seat-sharing agreement, JMM general secretary Vinod Kumar Pandey and Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu visited Patna recently and met with RJD leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav, Jharkhand in-charge Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav, Bhola Yadav, and other senior leaders.
Despite a prolonged meeting, no consensus was reached, and the JMM delegation returned to Ranchi.
Subsequently, JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya had warned that if the party was not allotted 12 seats by October 15, it would go solo in Bihar. After waiting two more days, JMM officially decided on October 18 to contest independently on six seats.
Political experts believe that the perceived injustice meted out to JMM within the Mahagathbandhan may have repercussions in Jharkhand as well, straining relations between JMM and RJD.
However, sources indicate that the stability of the Hemant Soren-led government in Jharkhand will remain unaffected for now.
Analysts also point out that the six seats chosen by JMM are areas where the party enjoys a moderate presence. Therefore, JMM’s independent contest is expected to impact the vote share of Mahagathbandhan candidates on those seats.
Notably, seat-sharing disputes have already led to friction among the RJD, Congress, VIP, and CPI in about eight to nine constituencies across Bihar.
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