JMM demands 12-13 seats in Bihar but is upset with RJD and Congress's disregard. The party is now signaling to contest elections alone after being kept away from INDIA alliance meetings.
Bihar Election: Jharkhand's politics has heated up these days due to the Bihar elections. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and Chief Minister Hemant Soren now wants to play a 'main role' instead of a 'supporting role' in the Bihar assembly elections. This is the reason why he has staked claim on 12 to 13 seats in Bihar, but so far, there has been no assurance or invitation for talks from the INDIA bloc. This shows clear displeasure in the Soren camp.
JMM's Claim on Seats
JMM has staked its claim on seats like Tarapur, Chakai, Katihar, Jamui, and Purnia in Bihar. The party says that it has a b support base in these areas and can contest influential elections on these seats. The party also alleges that the RJD and Congress, which are part of the INDIA bloc, have not held any concrete talks with JMM so far. This has greatly displeased the JMM leadership, especially Hemant Soren, Lalu Yadav, and Tejashwi Yadav.
Distance from INDIA Bloc Meetings
Another reason for JMM's displeasure is that they haven't even been invited to the INDIA bloc's meetings so far. This is significant because Congress and RJD are both allies in the JMM-led government in Jharkhand. Yet, they are being sidelined in Bihar.
JMM is also upset with Congress
JMM's displeasure is not only with RJD, but also with the Congress. In recent times, the Congress has intensified its padayatras (foot marches) and public relations campaigns in tribal areas like Santhal Pargana and Kolhan of Jharkhand. JMM feels that this grassroots activism of the Congress could become a strategy to exert pressure on seats in Jharkhand as well. JMM considers these areas its bholds and is concerned about Congress's activity there.
Performance in 2024 Lok Sabha and Current Demands
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the INDIA bloc won 17 out of 18 seats in Santhal. JMM feels that considering this performance, it should get a share in Bihar as well. But there has been neither any dialogue nor any indication.
JMM Spokesperson's Statement
JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey has clearly stated that the party is not dependent on anyone. If the INDIA bloc doesn't consider them worthy, they are ready to contest the elections alone in Bihar. According to him, JMM has a b organization, popular leaders, and a ground-level support base.
RJD's Reaction
RJD is not silent on JMM's displeasure either. The party's Jharkhand General Secretary Kailash Yadav said that JMM should voice its concerns on the platform, and putting pressure through the media is not right. He also said that Tejashwi Yadav's popularity is very high in Bihar, and no one should make the mistake of underestimating him.
Congress's Diplomatic Reaction
Congress has given a restrained reaction to this controversy. Jharkhand Congress leader Keshav Mahto Kamlesh said that just as decisions were made by sitting together in Jharkhand, the allied parties would also make decisions in Bihar through mutual consent. However, internal sources say that the seat-sharing formula has almost been decided.
RJD's Possible Seat Formula
According to sources, based on the Lok Sabha election formula, RJD can get 138, Congress 54, the Left parties 30, and VIP 18 seats in the Bihar Assembly. There is no place for JMM in this calculation. Additionally, if RLJP is included in the alliance, it will be given the remaining three seats.
Will JMM Contest the Bihar Elections Alone?
In view of the growing displeasure, the question has arisen whether JMM will contest the Bihar elections alone? If this happens, a triangular contest could arise on many seats, which could harm RJD and Congress.
JMM's Performance Record in Bihar
JMM's performance in Bihar has been limited so far. In 2020, the party contested elections on 5 seats and received 25,213 votes. In 2015, it contested 32 seats and secured 1,03,940 votes. In 2010, it contested 41 seats and got 1,76,400 votes, and in 2005, it secured 76,671 votes after contesting 18 seats. In 2000, JMM contested elections on 85 seats and received over 13 lakh votes. JMM has also rarely fielded candidates in Lok Sabha elections in Bihar.
