In a stunning twist that has shaken the foundations of Bihar’s Mahagathbandhan Alliance, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has broken ranks with the INDIA bloc, walking away from its RJD and Congress allies. The party’s bold announcement to fight six key border constituencies alone has sent ripples across the political landscape, threatening to derail Mahagathbandhan’s game plan and potentially tilt the scales in favour of the NDA.
Seat-Sharing Talks Collapse
Addressing a press conference, JMM General Secretary and Spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said the party had held several rounds of discussions with alliance partners, particularly the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress. JMM had staked its claim on seats where its workers have been active for years and have consistently worked against the JDU-BJP alliance. However, despite multiple discussions, no consensus was achieved.
#WATCH | Ranchi | JMM General Secretary and Spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya says, "...The party has decided to contest on six seats alone in the Bihar elections. We approached all the constituent parties of the Mahagathbandhan - RJD, Congress, and especially the RJD, as it is… pic.twitter.com/KdGcw5Vn42 — ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2025
Past Sacrifices, Little Respect
He further added that during the 2019 Jharkhand Assembly elections, JMM had left several seats for RJD and Congress but had not received due respect in return. “We have always worked in the spirit of alliance, but when our partners avoid dialogue, we must chart our own path,” Bhattacharya said.
Six Key Constituencies Identified
The JMM will field candidates from Dhamdaha, Chakai, Katoria, Manihari, Jamui, and Pirpainti constituencies, regions close to the Jharkhand border with a significant tribal population. The party considers these areas part of its traditional voter base and believes its organization there is strong enough to perform independently.
Talks With Tejashwi Failed To Yield Results
According to sources, JMM minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu revealed that the party had earlier discussed seat proposals with Tejashwi Yadav but received no concrete response, prompting this decision.
Setback For Mahagathbandhan, Advantage For NDA
Political analysts believe JMM’s move could hurt the Mahagathbandhan Alliance, particularly in border and tribal-dominated regions, potentially leading to a split in votes that may benefit the NDA.
Election Schedule
The Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with counting scheduled for November 14. JMM’s decision is expected to significantly impact the alliance’s strategy and seat equations in the coming days.
