Jharkhand News : In a major setback for the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has announced its decision to break ties and contest the Bihar Assembly elections independently. The ruling party in Jharkhand declared on Saturday that it will field candidates on six seats in the second phase of the Bihar elections.
The six seats include Chakai, Dhamdaha, Katoria, Pirpainti, Manihari, and Jamui. Notably, Katoria and Manihari are reserved for Scheduled Tribes, while Pirpainti is reserved for Scheduled Castes.
JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya addressed a press conference at the party’s camp office and stated that the party would review its alliance with RJD and Congress in Jharkhand after the Bihar elections. He termed the actions of the Mahagathbandhan a “betrayal” of JMM workers.
“Guruji (Shibu Soren) taught us how to fight. We fought and achieved a separate Jharkhand from Bihar. The Dalit and marginalized communities of Bihar stand with Guruji’s ideology,” Bhattacharya said. He affirmed that the party will contest under the leadership of Hemant Soren, and pledged that no government in Bihar will be formed without JMM’s support.
JMM had initially demanded 16 seats in the alliance, later settling for 12, but negotiations with RJD leaders including Tejashwi Yadav failed, prompting the party’s independent move.
20 Star Campaigners Announced
JMM also released a list of 20 star campaigners for Bihar, led by party president and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Other prominent names include Prof. Stephen Marandi, Sarfaraz Ahmad, Kalpana Murmu Soren, Basant Soren, Vinod Kumar Pandey, and Mithilesh Thakur, among others. The list has been submitted to the Election Commission.
