JMM Says It Will Chart Own Course if INDI Alliance Seat Deal For Bihar Polls Not Finalised Before Centre Committee Meet

JMM has warned that it will chart its own course in the Bihar Assembly polls if the INDI Alliance fails to offer a “respectable” seat share by 14 October, news agency PTI reported, citing a senior party leader.

The Hemant Soren-led party is willing to contest at least 12 assembly seats in the Bihar polls as an ally of the INDI Alliance, the leader reportedly said.

"We are with the Mahagathbandhan and will contest the polls in alliance. We urge the leaders of Mahagathbandhan in Bihar to announce JMM's share in the alliance at the earliest, as the nomination process has already begun," JMM central general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya was quoted as saying by PTI.

Bhattacharya confirmed that JMM’s poll preparations in Bihar are complete.

Citing past alliances, he noted that JMM had offered a "respectable" share of seats to partners like Congress, RJD, and CPI (ML) in Jharkhand.

"So, we also expect respectable seats for JMM in the Bihar elections," Bhattacharya said.

Bhattacharya recalled that in 2019, RJD was given seven Jharkhand seats and won only one, yet its MLA served as a minister for five years.

In 2024, he said, JMM again allocated six seats to RJD, four of which were won, with one of the victors also securing a ministerial role as part of the alliance dharma.

The JMM’s central committee will convene on 15 October, Bhattacharya said, cautioning that if seat-sharing isn’t finalised by then, the party will be "free to make our decision" in the meeting.

“We are an independent political party and will not stand with folded hands,” he asserted.

Bhattacharya emphasised that JMM is capable of mounting a strong fight, especially against the BJP.

He urged clarity within the alliance to avoid internal confusion, warning that delays on seat-sharing decision could weaken the Mahagathbandhan’s position in several Bihar constituencies.

"There are several seats in Bihar where if we do not help them and our leaders do not campaign, it will cause a huge loss to the Mahagathbandhan," he said.

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