Unease in Congress over JMM’s decistion to go solo in Assam polls

The Congress expressed unease over the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s (JMM) decision to contest the upcoming Assam Assembly elections on its own, fielding 21 candidates after alliance talks between the two parties failed to reach a consensus.

Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh said the party had made a serious and positive effort to forge an alliance with the JMM, offering it 5 to 7 seats along with full organisational support in constituencies it contested. He said the Congress intended to ensure JMM’s representation in the Assam Assembly, but noted that the decision to contest 21 seats could lead to a division of tribal votes.

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JMM central general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said the party decided to go solo as discussions with the Congress did not materialise. He said JMM candidates would be contesting against both the Congress and the BJP, and expressed confidence that the move would benefit the party. He added that all 21 candidates have already filed their nominations.

The divergence between the two parties comes at a time when opposition unity remains a key political theme, with such decisions likely to influence electoral dynamics, particularly in constituencies with significant tribal populations.

However, the JMM clarified that its pre-poll alliance with the Congress in Jharkhand remains intact and the Assam decision will have no bearing on the state’s political arrangement.