In a dramatic political development, Jharkhand’s ruling party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), on Monday announced that it will not contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, accusing its allies — the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress — of engaging in a “political conspiracy” that denied the party its rightful share of seats within the Mahagathbandhan (INDIA bloc) alliance.
Addressing reporters, senior JMM leader and Jharkhand Tourism Minister Sudivya Kumar said the party was deeply disappointed by the treatment meted out to it during seat-sharing negotiations.
“The RJD and the Congress are responsible for depriving JMM from contesting the election as part of a political conspiracy. JMM will give a befitting reply to this and review its alliance with RJD and Congress,” Kumar stated.
The announcement marks a sharp escalation in tensions within the opposition alliance, just days after the Hemant Soren-led JMM had declared that it would go solo in Bihar and contest six assembly seats due to the failure of seat-sharing talks.
JMM leaders felt sidelined by the larger allies, despite the party’s consistent support to the Mahagathbandhan in both Jharkhand and at the national level.
