Bihar Election: JMM Pulls Out Of Race, Accuses RJD-Congress Of Political Conspiracy, ‘Betrayal Won’t Be Forgotten’

Jharkhand's ruling JMM, led by Hemant Soren, withdrew from the Bihar elections, citing a "political conspiracy" by allies RJD and Congress regarding seat-sharing.

By : ABP Live News | Updated at : 20 Oct 2025 09:19 PM (IST)

File Photo of JMM chief Hemant Soren and RJD's Tejashwi Yadav
Source : ANI
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In a sharp escalation of tensions within the Mahagathbandhan, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday announced that it will not contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, accusing its alliance partners—the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress—of sidelining the party through a “political conspiracy”.

Speaking to reporters, Jharkhand Tourism Minister and senior JMM leader Sudivya Kumar claimed that both RJD and Congress deliberately excluded the party from seat-sharing arrangements in Bihar.

“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 said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

The statement came just two days after the Hemant Soren-led party had declared its intent to contest independently in six Bihar constituencies—Chakai, Dhamdaha, Katoria, Manihari, Jamui and Pirpainti—scheduled for polling on November 11. Monday was also the last date for filing nomination papers in these constituencies.

‘We Helped Them Before, But Were Deceived’: JMM

Kumar reminded reporters that JMM had supported RJD in the 2015 Bihar elections and even offered seven seats to the RJD during the 2019 Jharkhand Assembly polls. “Only one candidate won, and he was made a minister in the Jharkhand government,” he said.

He further alleged that in the 2020 Bihar elections, JMM was promised three seats by the RJD and Congress but was later “deceived” when the two parties divided the constituencies among themselves.

“In last year’s Jharkhand polls, the JMM left a respectable number of seats for the Congress, RJD and the Left, but the party was humiliated again in the 2025 Bihar election,” Kumar added.

Calling the developments “a political conspiracy hatched by the leading parties of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar”, Kumar said the episode has hurt the sentiments of the people of Jharkhand.

“Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is a big force and a strong voice of tribals in the country. The betrayal will not be forgotten,” he said.

Kumar also criticised the Congress for failing to safeguard JMM’s interests in Bihar, stating, “Congress should have fought for the interests of JMM in Bihar, but it did not.”

He revealed that JMM leaders had held a detailed discussion with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on October 7 regarding seat-sharing. “We were told the final decision will be taken on the seats after discussion with Hemant Soren,” Kumar said.

With the fallout now public, the JMM’s decision is expected to strain coalition equations within the Mahagathbandhan, especially as Bihar heads into a crucial second phase of voting next month.

The Opposition coalition’s woes intensified on a crucial date in the election calendar: Monday, October 20, is the last day for the withdrawal of candidatures for the first phase of polling and also the last day for filing nominations for the second phase.

A Grand Alliance or a 'Mahadelay-bandhan'?

The larger picture for the Mahagathbandhan remains fraught with indecision, with key partners—the RJD and the Congress—still struggling to formalise a seat-sharing agreement. This prolonged impasse has led to the common question being raised: "Has Mahagathbandhan now become Mahadelay-bandhan?"

The lack of coordination stands in stark contrast to the rival National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which has demonstrated superior synergy by successfully declaring the seat allocation for each partner and ensuring no internal 'friendly contests.' For the Mahagathbandhan, however, the opposite is true. On several crucial seats, the allies of the Grand Alliance may be forced to engage in “friendly fight” against each other, putting the coalition at a disadvantage just before the crucial assembly battle.

RJD and Congress camps, however, continue to assert a degree of confidence, claiming the deadlock is only a temporary glitch. Both have maintained that while poll symbols were initially given out separately to candidates, they would be withdrawn as needed to present a cohesive front.

Congress Infighting Escalates Over Ticket Distribution

Compounding the alliance-wide troubles is the simmering discontent within the Bihar Congress unit. On Saturday, October 18, a group of ticket seekers and leaders held an open rebellion press conference in Patna where they levelled a range of serious allegations at the state leadership, including that “money changed hands for tickets.”

Those present on the stage in Patna included Congress spokesperson Anand Madhab, along with Khagaria MLA Chhatrapati Yadav and former MLA Gajanand Shahi, neither of whom have been allocated tickets so far. In a significant move, Chhatrapati Yadav has been replaced in his sitting Khagaria seat by AICC secretary Chandan Yadav, who is regarded as one of “Delhi’s favourites in Bihar.”

A day earlier, on October 17, Bihar Congress head Rajesh Ram took to social media to express a defiant stand: “Dalit has neither bent. Nor will ever bend. Time for Inquillab. Jai Congress.”

Unilateral Seat Declarations Expose Alliance Cracks

With no formal agreement announced, the Mahagathbandhan partners have been compelled to unilaterally field their candidates, highlighting the deep fissure within the alliance structure. As of Monday, the candidate breakdown for the coalition is as follows (according to their respective seat declarations):

The prevailing impasse over seat sharing has made the Grand Alliance lag significantly behind the NDA in terms of preparedness and coordination, raising serious questions about the Opposition’s ability to mount a unified and effective challenge in the forthcoming elections.⁸ The last date for the withdrawal of candidatures for the second phase is Thursday, October 23.

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Published at : 20 Oct 2025 05:21 PM (IST)
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