Greed for a larger share in the seat sharing exercise by the political parties ahead of the Assembly Polls in Jharkhand is likely to pour cold water on the plans to form a grand coalition against the BJP in the state. Each of the parties eying to become partner in the alliance-- JMM, JDU or Congress, has its own reason for claiming on larger share of seats ahead of the crucial polls.
“It is but natural that being the largest political party in the Assembly, we have claims over the maximum number of seats in the sharing formula. The final decision however, will be taken only after a meeting is held between the political heads,” said JMM Spokesperson Suprio Bhattahcarya.
According to the party insiders, JMM wants at least half of the total of 81 Assembly seats in the state. “Though the final decision on the matter will be taken by Guruji (Shibu Soren) and we are making preparations for all 81 seats, but in case coalition is formed, party is of the view that we must be given at least 42 out of 81 seats in the state,” said a senior party leader requesting anonymity.
The recent claims made by Chief Minister Heamant Soren that having largest number of legislators in the Assembly, makes the party eligible for the largest share in the seat sharing seems to have sparked a fresh debate among its coalition partners. Moreover, the Congress, rejecting the idea of alliance in the state on the lines of Bihar, has also decided to go it alone during the coming Assembly polls on all the 81 seats in the state.
“The final decision on such issues like coalition is taken by the party high command but as of now, we have started strengthening the district organisations in the state ahead of the elections,” said party President Sukhdeo Bhagat. RJD on the other hand, is of the view that the political parties in the coalition should avoid giving such statements in the media as it sparks a sense of confusion among its voters.
“Giving separate statement by the political parties is not good for the coalition; such issues are a matter of discussion which is generally decided by party presidents after several rounds of discussion,” said RJD leader Rajesh Yadav. Yadav however, said that RJD has strong political base in the state and is capable of contesting on all the 81 seats in the state but in case coalition is formed it will claim on at least 25 seats in the states.
“We have already won 5 seats and remained on second position at 11 seats besides having a strong base over 9 seats in Palamu, 2 in Chatra as well as Koderma, Jama, Sarath, Nala and Jarmundi etc,” said Yadav. Yadav however, said that none of the parties including RJD have positive feelings regarding the induction of JVM in the grand coalition in view of his stand on the issue of domicile which may create a sense of confusion among the voters.
The JMM remained the only party winning two seats from the state in the recent lok Sabha Elections. Rest of the 12 seats was bagged by BJP candidates. Over the past few weeks, a spate of changeover of several political bigwigs to the saffron brigade from almost all political parties has rendered other political formations quite vulnerable in the state.
The Congress wants JVM and the AJSU in the wider alliance, but the JMM and RJD, are reluctant to include them as it might have a negative effect on their vote bank.