JMM Abandons Bihar Election Plans, Cites Congress and RJD "Betrayal" After Announcing Independent Campaign.

In a significant blow to the Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has announced its withdrawal from the upcoming state assembly elections, scheduled for November 6 and 11, with counting slated for November 14. The JMM, a key ruling ally in Jharkhand, has accused the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress of "political conspiracy" and betrayal, alleging that they were deprived of seats as part of the Mahagathbandhan.

The announcement came just days after the JMM initially declared it would contest the elections independently on six seats, namely Jamui, Chakai, Dhamdaha, Manihari, Pirpainti and Katoria, due to unsuccessful seat-sharing negotiations. However, the party failed to release its list of candidates before the nomination deadline ended on October 20. This marks the first time in recent years that the Jharkhand-based regional party will have no presence in the Bihar polls. The party has also announced it will not support any other party in the polls.

Senior JMM leader Sudivya Kumar, also Jharkhand's tourism minister, has strongly criticized the RJD for "political cunningness" during seat-sharing talks, stating that the RJD sidelined his party. Kumar stated that during a meeting in Patna on October 7, discussions were cordial, and there was no indication that the INDIA bloc intended to exclude JMM from the Bihar polls. He further added that from October 7 to 20, the RJD provided neither a clear "yes" nor any clarity, which he deemed inappropriate in politics. He also added that Congress should have fought for the interests of JMM in Bihar, but it did not.

Kumar also recalled that the JMM had supported the RJD in 2015 and had accommodated the Congress, RJD and Left parties in Jharkhand in 2024. He said that the JMM had been promised three seats in 2020, but those assurances were changed at the last minute, an experience that he said has repeated in 2025.

The JMM has also stated it will review its alliance with the Congress and RJD in Jharkhand and give a befitting reply to the "snub". Kumar warned that the forces that hurt the JMM will also have to bear the consequences. He said that the JMM's exclusion from the Bihar Assembly elections could also impact Jharkhand politics as the party had earlier said that it would review the alliance in the home state.

The decision by JMM highlights the ongoing friction within the Mahagathbandhan. The RJD's release of its list of 144 candidates has set the stage for direct contests between the RJD and Congress in five seats. Both the RJD and the Congress have fielded candidates in Narkatiaganj, Lalganj, Vaishali, Sultanganj and Kagalgaon. Similarly, the Congress and the CPI have fielded candidates in Bachhwara, Kargahar, Biharsharif and Rajapakar.

Despite internal conflicts and the JMM's exit, leaders hope for clarity by October 23, the last date for withdrawal of candidatures for the second phase. With the nomination process for the second and final phase complete, campaigning across Bihar is set to begin from October 21. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will launch his campaign from Muzaffarpur, addressing rallies in Kanti and Minapur.


Written By
Rohan Reddy is an emerging journalist with a strong commitment to nuanced reporting, propelled by his passion for sports. He possesses a foundational understanding of journalistic principles and is keen to develop his skills in a dynamic media environment. Rohan is eager to explore compelling human interest stories and complex societal issues, aiming to contribute impactful and well-researched content to the field of journalism, always finding inspiration in the competitive spirit of sports.
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