Patna/Ranchi, October 8: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has stepped up its efforts to expand its political footprint beyond Jharkhand, reportedly staking claim to 12 assembly seats in Bihar for the upcoming elections.
Sources said a consensus on seat sharing between the JMM and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) was reached during a crucial meeting held in Patna on Monday.
As per sources, the JMM has identified constituencies along the Jharkhand-Bihar border where it enjoys a strong organisational presence and voter base. The RJD leadership has reportedly given a positive response to the JMM’s proposal, though the final allocation is expected to be formalised in the next INDIA bloc meeting.
Representing the JMM at Monday’s discussions in Patna were Minister Sudibya Kumar Soren and Central General Secretary Vinod Pandey. Party leaders said a formal announcement regarding seat distribution is likely within a day or two.
JMM central spokesperson Manoj Pandey has confirmed that the party is fully prepared to contest 12 seats in Bihar. He said that the JMM has a strong presence in the border areas of Jharkhand and enjoys wide public support. Pandey added that his party will contest the elections with full strength and confidence.
Meanwhile, senior JMM leader and former Jharkhand minister Mithilesh Kumar Thakur also reiterated the party’s intent to play an active role in Bihar election. He said the JMM will field candidates wherever the alliance has good coordination and winning prospects.
Speaking at a government school inauguration in Farthia village, Garhwa district on Monday, Thakur also took a dig at the opposition saying: “There will be internal turmoil in Bihar in the coming days.”
However, BJP leader Pradeep Sinha has dismissed the INDIA bloc’s coordination claims, alleging internal rifts over seat sharing persist. “The people of Bihar are with the NDA. Development is clearly visible under the leadership of Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Modi, and the NDA will form the government again,” Sinha said.
Notably, Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, while counting will take place on November 14. The last date for nominations is October 17 for the first phase and October 20 for the second. The term of the 243-member Bihar Assembly is ending on November 22.
