Ranchi: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has officially withdrawn from the Bihar Assembly elections, citing betrayal and “political deceit” by its alliance partners — the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress. The move has also raised questions about the stability of the ruling coalition government in Jharkhand led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
At a press conference on Monday, Jharkhand minister Sudivya Sonu announced that the JMM, which had earlier planned to contest six seats in Bihar, has decided to pull out after being sidelined by its allies. “JMM has been a victim of a political conspiracy in Bihar. Both RJD and Congress are equally responsible for this deceit,” Sonu declared.
He said that despite the JMM’s consistent support to RJD in previous Bihar elections — and even accommodating Congress in the Jharkhand cabinet — the party was betrayed in seat-sharing talks. “JMM stood by RJD in Bihar for years and gave space to Congress in Jharkhand. Yet, both parties humiliated us this time,” he said.
Sonu accused the Congress of adopting a “mute policy,” saying, “As a key constituent of the INDIA alliance, Congress should have intervened to secure a few seats for JMM in Bihar. Instead, it remained silent, which is unacceptable.”
Referring to his meeting with Tejashwi Yadav in Patna on October 7, Sonu said, “We were assured that discussions would be held, but in the last 13 days no concrete step was taken. Meanwhile, alliances were being stitched with other smaller parties. JMM has a significant vote base in at least 28 Bihar constituencies that could influence outcomes, but we were ignored despite earlier assurances.”
He also criticised the Left parties, recalling JMM’s earlier contributions in constituencies such as Nirsa and Sindri during the 2024 Assembly elections.
On the question of the coalition’s future in Jharkhand, Sonu said, “The party will review the alliance in the interest of Jharkhand and its people. The decision will be taken at the appropriate forum after due discussion.”
The development comes just two days after JMM’s central general secretary and spokesperson claimed the party would contest six Bihar seats — a plan now officially scrapped, setting off fresh political tremors in the state.