JMM's Plan To Retain Power In Jharkhand Hits Roadblock As RJD, Left Parties Threaten To Go Solo

After the RJD, the Left parties are not happy with the seat-sharing arrangement announced by the JMM-Congress for the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly polls.

The CPI-ML is eyeing eight seats and is currently engaged in talks with the JMM and Congress. "We are not happy with the seat allocated to CPI-ML in the seat-sharing announced by the INDIA bloc. We have a winning chance in at least eight seats and talks are being held with chief minister Hemant Soren. Depending on the outcome of the talks we might decide if we have to contest separately in the eight seats or with the coalition," Telegraph India quoted CPI-ML state secretary Manoj Bhakat as saying.

It's important to note that CPI-ML, which recently merged with the MCC, won just one seat in the last assembly elections. However, the party reportedly has a strong vote base in coal belt regions like Jharia, Sindri, Dhanwar, and Nirsa.

Meanwhile, the CPI is seeking 15 seats and is prepared to contest independently if its demands are not met. CPI president Mahendra Pathak remarked, "Our main goal is to defeat the BJP, and we prefer to contest with the INDIA bloc. However, we have a winning chance in nearly 15 seats, and if our demands are not addressed, we may contest separately." He added that while they are open to compromise, they will not accept fewer than five seats.

Earlier, the RJD had also accused Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren of unilaterally announcing the seat-sharing agreement. RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha criticized the deal, stating, "Less than 12-13 seats are unacceptable, as we have a strong presence in 18-20 seats. We won't make sacrifices to contest just three or four seats."

According to the seat-sharing agreement, the Congress and JMM will contest 70 seats, leaving 11 seats for the RJD and Left parties. The elections for Jharkhand's 81-seat assembly will be held in two phases, on November 13 and 20.