The deadlock over seat sharing formula between Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) constituents continued on Thursday, despite senior leadership from JMM and Congress had a closed door meeting at JMM executive president Hemant Soren’s residence.
The meeting was called for having a final discussion over the Mahagathbandhan partners Congress, JMM and RJD, which had no representation in the meeting. Sources said that Soren, State Congress in-charge RPN Singh, who will reach State Capital on Friday morning and Bihar former deputy chief minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav will announce the seat sharing formula on Friday.
Soren coming out from residence talking to media person said, “All things will be cleared by Friday. We have agreed to have an alliance with Congress.”
Echoing the views of Soren, Congress legislative party leader, Alamgir Alam said, “Very soon within 24 hours we will declare the names of the parties which will be part of the alliance. Also, we will declare the seat sharing formula and number of seats the alliance partners will contest.” Alam, however said that their main aim is to throw the BJP government out of State and for this the alliance partners are ready to many any sacrifices.
The meeting at Soren’s residence which started at 4.30 pm continued till 7.30 pm. The meeting apart from Soren was attended by State Congress president Rameshwar Oroan, Congress legislative party leader Alamgir Alam and others.
Sources said that though the senior leaders from alliance refused to divulge details about the number of seats the alliance parties will contest, but in principle the alliance partners have agreed that JMM will contest 44 seats, Congress 30 while seven seats will be left for RJD.
Sources said that the Congress and JMM leadership have decided to keep away Babulal Marandi’s JVM (P) and Left parties from the alliance. Sources said that the Marandi’s party JVM (P) has been kept away from the alliance as the former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi has refused to accept the leadership of Hemant Soren in the alliance.
Also, on Wednesday the JVM (P) announced to put its candidates in all 81 Assembly segments. The Left parties which was earlier said to part of alliance partners too have been shown the door as Left parties have demanded 12 to 15 seats while the JMM/Congress were not ready to give more than five seats to Left parties. The Left unity in State includes CPI (ML), MCC and CPI (M) and CPI.