In a dramatic reversal, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has announced that it will not contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, just two days after declaring plans to go solo on six seats.
The announcement was made by JMM leader Sudeep Kumar Sonu at a press conference in Jharkhand’s Giridih. He accused the INDIA alliance partners, particularly the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), of failing to uphold coalition “dharma.”
“With deep regret, JMM is compelled to say that we are not participating in the Bihar Assembly elections this time,” Sonu said.
He expressed disappointment over what he called the RJD’s failure to respect its ally, saying,
“Where an important ally of the INDIA alliance has been prevented from contesting, there must be reasons, but we hold the RJD leadership fully responsible for this situation.”
Sonu added that the Congress also shares responsibility for not ensuring JMM’s inclusion in seat-sharing discussions. According to him, JMM had earlier identified 28 constituencies in Bihar with significant tribal populations, 22 of which were lost narrowly in previous elections.
“We told Tejashwi Yadav about 28 seats in Bihar where tribal voters are significant. JMM had the potential to swing ST votes towards the INDIA alliance and aid conversion of seats,” he explained.
The leader clarified that JMM would now stay away from active campaigning or any political programmes in Bihar.
Sonu further alleged that despite JMM’s history of accommodating its partners in earlier elections, the treatment it received this time amounted to “disrespect and serious political ill-treatment.”
“We have been cooperative allies, even shifting our seats in past elections to help others,” Sonu said. “But what is happening in Bihar feels more like political neglect than alliance spirit.”
 has announced that it will not contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, just two days after declaring plans to go solo on six seats.){kind=link}