Hemant Soren-led JMM backs out from Bihar election, blames 'political conspiracy' by Congress-RJD for decision

Jharkhand's ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), led by Hemant Soren on Monday announced that it would not contest the Bihar assembly elections, claiming that the decision was taken in the wake of a "political conspiracy" by its allies Congress and RJD, which deprived it of seats as part of the Mahagathbandhan.

Senior JMM leader Sudivya Kumar told reporters that the party will review the alliance in Jharkhand with the Congress and RJD, and give a befitting reply to the "snub".

The walk off announcement came barely two days after the Hemant Soren-led party said that it would stand solo in Bihar. JMM announced that it will contest the elections in six assembly segments of Bihar as the seat-sharing talks failed.


"The RJD and the Congress are responsible for depriving JMM from contesting the election as part of a political conspiracy. JMM will give a befitting reply to this, and review its alliance with RJD and Congress," Kumar, the state tourism minister, said.

On Saturday, JMM had announced that it will contest Chakai, Dhamdaha, Katoria, Manihari, Jamui and Pirpainti seats. These constituences are slated to go to polls in the second phase on November 11.

As per the Election Commission of India, the deadline for submission of nomination papers in these seats was Monday.

Elections to 243 seats of the Bihar assembly will be held on November 6 and November 11, and the vote counting will be held on November 14.