While the Grand alliance in the State is yet to take a final shape, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Executive president and former Chief Minister, Hemant Soren today said that the shape of the alliance will come out in a day or two and the party will contest on not less than 42 constituencies out of total 81 seats.
Addressing a press meet after JMM Executive Committee meeting at party chief Shibu Soren’s residence Soren said that the party Supremo, Shibu Soren will announce first list of candidates on June 8. With objective to defeat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the election there should be alliance of likeminded parties and the elections should be contested under a leadership, he added.Speaking on the issue of alliance with parties such as Indian National Congress, RJD and Left Parties the party Executive president said, “We have also said earlier that the party will contest elections above the figures of majority.” He said that this evening or by tomorrow the nature of the alliance will also be in front of everyone. Soren said that the Congress and the RJD are constantly in talks. On the question of inclusion of JVM in the alliance, he said that Babulal Marandi did not give him time to meet him.
During the press meet Soren inducted Samir Mohanty, who contested 2014 State Assembly elections as JVM candidate from Bahragora and got defeated by then JMM candidate, Kunal Sarangi. However, Sarangi joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) some days earlier. It may be mentioned here that JMM, Congress, and former Chief Minister, Babulal Marandi led JVM and RJD contested the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections under ‘Grand Alliance’. At the time of formation of the alliance before Lok Sabha elections, it was decided among member partners of the alliance that the State Assembly Election will also be contested under the same banner.
However, Marandi on Tuesday announced breaking away from the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) and said that the party will contest all the 81 Assembly seats on its own in year-end Assembly election.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on last Friday announced elections in five phases in Jharkhand. Elections for the 81 assembly segments here will be held from November 30 to December 20, and the votes will be counted on December 23, the ECI said. Jharkhand has a total of 2.26 crore electorates, the ECI added. On the other hand BJP and AJSU Party alliance also struggling get final shape as both the parties are demanding more seats.