Ranchi — The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) faces an uneasy moment in its political journey after being ignored in Bihar’s seat-sharing talks by its INDIA bloc allies, the RJD and Congress. The development has triggered speculation about the party’s next steps in Jharkhand, where it heads the state government.
Seeking 16 seats in Bihar as part of the Grand Alliance, the JMM was reportedly sidelined until the very end, leading to its formal exit from the alliance on Diwali. The move has raised doubts about the future of its cooperation with its partners back home.
Senior JMM leader Sudivya Kumar Sonu lashed out at the RJD and Congress, calling their actions “political betrayal.” He said, “We gave them their due in Jharkhand, even offered a cabinet post to an RJD MLA. Yet, in Bihar, they treated us with disdain. Their arrogance and deceit cannot be tolerated.”
JMM spokesperson Manoj Kumar Pandey echoed this frustration, describing the situation as “bewildering and disheartening,” adding that “broken trust” could harm the INDIA bloc’s credibility.
Congress leader Rakesh Sinha maintained that JMM should have been given seats in Bihar but distanced his party from any blame. “Congress has always made sacrifices to preserve alliance unity. The decisions in Bihar were beyond our control,” he said.
Political experts note that while JMM’s leadership is angered, Chief Minister Hemant Soren is known for his calculated decision-making. Analysts believe he may limit his reaction to symbolic measures — such as removing the RJD minister from the cabinet — while avoiding steps that could destabilize the ruling coalition.
Given JMM’s current numbers, it cannot govern Jharkhand alone. Any breakaway attempt would require gaining support from Congress or persuading legislators from within the alliance. Observers say Soren is likely to wait until after the Bihar election results before making a final move.
With inputs from IANS