JMM to Contest Bihar Elections Independently: Reviewing Alliance with Congress and RJD After Polls

Elections to 243 seats of the Bihar assembly will be held on November 6 and November 11

Ranchi:

The JMM announced on Saturday its decision to contest the Bihar assembly elections independently and indicated it would "review" its alliance with the Congress and RJD in Jharkhand after the neighboring state's elections conclude.

During a press conference, JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya revealed that the party plans to field candidates in six Bihar constituencies.

The Bihar assembly elections are scheduled for November 6 and November 11, with vote counting set for November 14.

"Our party has decided to contest the Bihar polls independently. We will field candidates in six assembly seats - Chakai, Dhamdaha, Katoria (ST), Manihari (ST), Jamui and Pirpainti (SC)," Bhattacharya stated.

These constituencies will participate in the second phase of voting on November 11.

When questioned about potentially contesting additional seats in Bihar, Bhattacharya responded: "We are discussing the matter... The number of seats may increase to 10." The JMM had previously informed INDIA bloc leaders on October 11 that the party would make its own electoral decisions regarding Bihar if "a respectful number of seats" was not allocated by October 14. As a coalition ally, the JMM had requested 12 seats for the elections.

"We had urged INDIA bloc constituents including Congress, Left parties and the RJD, which is one of Bihar's largest parties, to provide our requested seats. During the 2019 Jharkhand election, we supported Congress and RJD. Our party not only allocated seven seats to RJD but also appointed its Chatra MLA as a minister," Bhattacharya explained.

He noted that even in the 2024 Jharkhand elections, JMM provided six seats to the RJD and "accommodated an MLA as minister."

Bhattacharya characterized the Bihar contest as a multi-corner battle where "infighting exists in both the NDA and the INDIA bloc."

"We will contest, win and ensure that no government forms in Bihar without JMM's involvement," he asserted.

"And after the Bihar polls, the JMM will reassess the coalition in Jharkhand," Bhattacharya added.

The party also unveiled a list of 20 "star campaigners" for the elections, led by JMM president and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

Other prominent campaigners include the CM's wife and Gandey MLA Kalpana Soren, Dumka legislator Basant Soren, and senior party leaders Stephen Marandi and Sarfaraj Ahmed.