Ranchi: The seat-sharing formula announced by Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has caused friction within the INDIA alliance, with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav reportedly unhappy over the allocation of fewer seats. Sources suggest that this discontent could lead to a major split within the alliance as the RJD considers its options.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is expected to hold a crucial press conference today at 11 a.m., where Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha is likely to address the issue. If a resolution is not reached regarding the seat-sharing arrangement by then, the RJD may announce a significant decision regarding its participation in the upcoming assembly elections.
Hemant Soren’s Seat-Sharing Announcement
The seat-sharing dispute emerged after Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the formula for the upcoming state elections on Saturday. According to Soren, of the 81 assembly seats in the state, 70 would be contested by the JMM and Congress, while the remaining 11 would be distributed among smaller alliance partners, including the RJD and Left parties.
However, this distribution has left the RJD dissatisfied, as it had reportedly identified 15-18 seats where it believes it could defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on its own. RJD leader Manoj Jha called the seat-sharing decision by the JMM and Congress “unilateral” and expressed the party’s frustration with the lack of consensus.
“Seat-sharing decisions cannot be made as quickly as two-minute noodles,” Jha remarked, indicating that the RJD feels it has been sidelined in the discussions.
Seat-Sharing Tensions and Possible Alliance Fallout
While Congress leader Pawan Khera downplayed the tensions, saying there is no internal conflict within the alliance, the RJD’s dissatisfaction has sparked concerns about the future of the INDIA alliance in Jharkhand. According to sources, all options remain open for the RJD, which may consider going solo in the elections if its demands are not met.
The election for Jharkhand’s 81 assembly seats will take place in two phases, with voting scheduled for November 13 and November 20. The results are expected to be declared on November 23, 2024.
With less than a month to go before the elections, the unfolding seat-sharing dispute could significantly impact the cohesion of the INDIA alliance and the strategies of its member parties.
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