Ranchi, October 20:
In a dramatic political twist, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) — a key ally in the Opposition’s Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) and the ruling party in Jharkhand — has announced its withdrawal from the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, alleging betrayal and political manipulation by its partners, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Indian National Congress (Congress).
The decision, announced on Monday, came barely two days after the JMM had declared its intention to go solo and contest six constituencies in Bihar following the breakdown of seat-sharing talks with the alliance partners.
Allegations of a “Political Conspiracy”
Addressing a press conference, Sudivya Kumar, senior JMM leader and Jharkhand Minister, said the party’s withdrawal was compelled by what he termed a “political conspiracy” hatched by the RJD and Congress. He alleged that the JMM was deliberately deprived of a fair share of seats within the Mahagathbandhan despite earlier assurances.
“The RJD and Congress displayed political cunningness. Despite our willingness to cooperate, they kept us in the dark and sidelined us until the nomination deadline ended. This is nothing short of betrayal,” Kumar said.
The JMM leadership accused the RJD of acting unilaterally during the seat-sharing discussions and ensuring that no meaningful space was left for its Jharkhand-based ally.
Betrayal Despite Past Cooperation
Party leaders recalled that in the Jharkhand Assembly elections, the JMM had gone out of its way to accommodate both the RJD and Congress, even offering an RJD MLA a ministerial berth in the Jharkhand cabinet. They expressed disappointment that the same courtesy was not extended in Bihar.
“We stood by them when they needed us in Jharkhand. Now, when it was our turn, we were deceived. This is not alliance politics; it is betrayal,” a senior JMM functionary said.
JMM to “Review” Alliance in Jharkhand
In a strong response, the JMM announced that it would review its alliance with the RJD and Congress in Jharkhand, warning that it would give a “befitting reply” to its partners for the perceived slight.
This declaration has raised concerns about the stability of the ruling coalition in Jharkhand, where the three parties jointly govern. Political observers note that the growing rift could lead to serious strains within the government, especially ahead of the next state elections.
From Contesting Six Seats to Full Withdrawal
Earlier, the JMM had announced plans to contest six Bihar constituencies — Chakai, Dhamdaha, Katoria, Manihari, Jamui, and Pirpainti — after seat-sharing talks collapsed. However, by the close of nominations for the second phase of the polls on Monday, the party officially declared a complete withdrawal from the Bihar electoral battle.
The decision underscores the deepening cracks within the Opposition bloc in Bihar, already struggling with internal friction and “friendly contests” between the RJD and Congress across several seats.
Political Implications
Analysts believe the JMM’s withdrawal could weaken the perception of Opposition unity ahead of the Bihar polls and might have a ripple effect in Jharkhand’s political landscape. The episode highlights the persistent tensions within the Mahagathbandhan, despite its public display of unity against the BJP-led NDA.
For now, the JMM’s exit adds yet another layer of uncertainty to the Opposition’s election strategy in Bihar — a state where every alliance and every seat carries high political stakes.
