JVM, Congress alliance on the rocks in Jharkhand?

JAMSHEDPUR: The alliance between the Congress and the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha seems to have run into rough weather with JVM chief Babulal Marandi today saying that his party would contest all the 81 assembly seats in the next elections.

"I have asked my party leaders and workers to prepare to contest elections in the state on its own. JVM will contest the forthcoming Jamshedpur parliamentary by-election as well as the assembly seat alone," he said.

Stating that the tie-up with the Congress was a pre-poll alliance, Marandi a former Jharkhand chief minister, said that the experience of his party in the alliance post elections "had not been good."

He blamed the Congress for delaying important decisions including that on dissolution of the assembly which was kept under suspension for over two and half months after JMM Supremo Sibu Soren-led coalition government was reduced to a minority following BJP's withdrawal of support.

"In such a situation, I believe it is difficult to go along with Congress," Marandi said.

Asked whether break-up with Congress was formal, he replied, "JVM did not sign any agreement on tie-up with Congress."