In Patna on October 18, the Janata Dal (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, or JMM) said it would run its own candidates in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, stirring tension in the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan).
The JMM, frustrated that it received no seats during the alliance’s seat‑sharing talks, announced that it will contest six constituencies: Chakai, Dhamdha, Katoria (Scheduled Tribe), Manihari (ST), Jamui, and Pirpainti. All of these seats are in the second phase of the November 11 voting and lie on the Bihar‑Jharkhand border.
Speaking at a press conference in Ranchi, JMM secretary‑general Supriyo Bhattacharya said the party had asked for seven seats but received none. “We have finished our preparations for the Bihar elections and will contest on six seats. We still hope that the Grand Alliance leaders will make a decision soon,” he told reporters.
He added that the JMM had not formally split from the alliance, but the party cannot wait indefinitely as nominations are already underway. Bhattacharya reminded allies that the JMM had been generous in past seat‑sharing deals, pointing out its support of the Congress, RJD, and CPI(ML) in Jharkhand’s 2019 assembly elections. He noted that the RJD, despite winning only one seat (Chatra), still saw its sole MLA named a minister.
The JMM also warned that a split could hurt the Grand Alliance’s chances against the BJP. “We don’t want confusion in the alliance, but if our leaders do not campaign in Bihar, the Grand Alliance may suffer huge losses,” Bhattacharya warned.
In its campaign rollout, the JMM revealed a list of 20 star campaigners for Bihar, with Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren leading the push. Most of the campaign team comes from the Soren cabinet.
As the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections approach, the JMM’s decision to stand alone may change the dynamics of the Grand Alliance and the battle for votes in key border constituencies.
Source: ianslive
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