In a bold move, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has fielded 21 candidates in the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections, opting to go solo after failing to secure a seat share under the INDIA bloc.
SP's Jharkhand state in-charge, Vyasji Gond, voiced his frustration, alleging that the alliance failed to accord the party due respect. “A situation similar to what transpired in Madhya Pradesh might unfold in Jharkhand as well,” he said.
The INDIA Bloc has not allotted any seats to SP in states like Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, and now Jharkhand. While SP refrained from contesting in Haryana, it has fielded candidates in both Maharashtra and Jharkhand after being sidelined by its allies.
Gond had been negotiating with Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) over seat distribution in Jharkhand. He stated that at the last moment, the alliance denied SP any seats.
Initially, JMM suggested that SP could take seats from Congress’s share. However, when approached, Congress explained that it had to reserve seats for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) from its quota. This back-and-forth led to unfulfilled assurances, ultimately leaving SP out of the seat-sharing arrangement.
In response, SP has announced candidates for the first phase across 11 constituencies, including Garhwa, Barhi, Manika, Hussainabad, Bhawanathpur, Chhatarpur, Vishrampur, Jamshedpur, Barkatha, Barkagaon, and Kanke. For the second phase, SP has named candidates for 10 additional seats: Pakur, Maheshpur, Jarmundi, Rajmahal, Borio, Sarath, Jamua, Nirsa, Tundi, and Baghmara. According to Gond, SP is particularly confident about five constituencies in Jharkhand and is optimistic about its chances.
In Maharashtra, SP has already fielded candidates on 10 seats, including Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, Bhiwandi East, Malegaon Central, Dhule City, Bhiwandi West, Tuljapur, Paranda, Aurangabad East, and Byculla. Initially, the party sought 12 seats within the alliance. When negotiations stalled, SP proceeded independently.
This move signifies SP's determination to expand its presence in states outside its traditional strongholds, even if it means contesting without the support of the INDIA alliance.
