The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has called a legislature party and working committee meeting to introspect the party’s humiliating defeat in Lok Sabha elections. The JMM was part four parties’ Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) set up against BJP led NDA. But when the results were out, it was shocking and humiliating for entire Mahagathbandhan especially JMM.
JMM had contested four seats—Dumka, Rajmahal, Jamshedpur and Giridih, but the party won only Rajmahal seat, the JMM was not even able to save its bastion in Santhal as JMM patriarch Shibu Soren lost to BJP Sunil Soren from Dumka.
JMM general secretary, Vinod Pandey said, “The party had called JMM legislature party meet on June 2, while on next day (June 3) the working committee meet is scheduled.” Pandey further said, “The party will introspect and go through details what went wrong in election.” However, the JMM leader claimed that JMM performance in Lok Sabha election was not much distributing, the party gain 2.5 per cent more votes than previous time.
Pandey said, “The BJP won the election not due to contribution and hard work of its State leaders. A wave was blowing in favour on Modi across the Country.”
Sources said that the June 2 and 3 meeting of JMM is seen as party preparations for year-end assembly election. The party had already stated that they will revenge the defeat of their party chief and patriarch Shibu Soren in Dumka by winning all 18 assembly seats in Santhal Pargana.
Sources in JMM said that the party will collect feedback from its lawmakers and leaders finding out the reasons behind party’s drubbing in Lok Sabha election. Based on feedback from its party leaders, the JMM leadership will decide on strategy and preparations for assembly elections.
The JMM leadership knew that Saffron party robust performance in Lok Sabha election was mainly due to Modi factor. However, the BJP leadership and Chief Minister Raghubar Das glad with party’s performance has set a target to win 60 to 65 seats in Assembly election. Pandey said, “We don’t care of what Chief Minister is saying. BJP aim to win 60 to 65 seats in assembly election will never become true. The Assembly election is fought with local issue and in Raghubar Das cabinet there are several loopholes. The people especially tribals are upset with State Government interference with Chottanagpur/ Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act (CNT/SPT) Act.”
The JMM is first regional party calling for introspection meeting after drubbing in Lok Sabha election. The JVM and RJD are struggling with infighting within the party, while the Congress party stands divided in two camps.