Jharkhand mahagathbandhan faces heat over seat sharing

Within days of the Congress firming up a ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in Jharkhand, the cohesiveness of the coalition is being tested with two constituent parties expressing dissatisfaction over the arrangement. According to sources, Congress’ junior alliance partners Babulal Marandi-led Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) and RJD have expressed unhappiness not only over the number of Lok Sabha seats in their kitty but also over the constituencies they have got in the seat-sharing arrangement.

On February 7, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) working president Hemant Soren had met Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi and sealed the seat-sharing arrangement for Jharkhand. It was decided that Congress would contest seven of 14 parliamentary seats, JMM four, JVMP two and RJD one constituency. According to sources, JVMP has strong reservations over seat allocation and is of the view that it should have been given one more seat. Adding to the woes, JVMP’s firebrand Godda MLA Pradeep Yadav has openly revolted and insisted that he will contest the Godda seat. JVMP has got Koderma and Palamau. RJD has got Chatra parliamentary segment.

On the matter of seats, Jharkhand Congress chief Ajoy Kumar said: “This has come as a surprise to us as we thought that all partners are agreed on this formula. JVMP’s insistence on a certain seat is also being noted. Our state in-charge, RPN Singh, will hold talks with Marandi and Soren this week and everything will be sorted out.” Kumar said the opposition is united and will fight the Lok Sabha and assembly elections as one. According to the sources, Soren has met Marandi to discuss the alliance troubles. Koderma is Marandi’s home turf and now JVMP is considering vacating Palamau to clinch Godda for Yadav. RJD has already indicated that it wants Palamau instead of Chatra. Though Marandi could easily give Palamau to RJD, Congress seems adamant over the Godda parliamentary seat.