Congress, JMM, JVM-P announce seat sharing, RJD unhappy

Ranchi, March 24 (IANS) The Congress, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) on Sunday announced an alliance in the state for the Lok Sabha battle but the RJD boycotted the deal after it was given only one seat to contest.

JMM chief Shibu Soren and Executive President Hemant Soren, state Congress President Ajay Kumar and JVM-P President Babulal Marandi were present at a joint press conference but no one from the RJD attended it.

"We have agreed to fight the elections in an alliance," said Shibu Soren.

Giving details, Ajay Kumar said the Congress, JMM, JVM-P and RJD will fight on seven, four, two and one Lok Sabha seats respectively.

The Congress will contest from Ranchi, Lohardaga, Chatra, Hazaribagh, Koderma, Chaibsa and Khuti seats, JMM from Jamshedpur, Girididh, Rajmahal and Dumka and JVM-P from Godda and Koderma seats. Palamau seat has been left for the RJD.

But in the Assembly elections, the opposition parties will contest under leadership of JMM leader Hemant Soren. JMM will fight most Assembly seats.

Hemant Soren said: "The grand alliance is not only for Lok Sabha but will continue in the Assembly elections too. While forming the alliance we have decided to send a person belonging to the Muslim community to the Rajya Sabha in 2020."

The alliance also decided to suspend party leaders who try to fight the Lok Sabha polls as rebel candidate from any seat.

Asked about the RJD's unhappiness over the seat sharing, Ajay Kumar said the party had been given Palamau seat. "Talks are on to convince RJD to be part of the alliance."

In a separate press conference, RJD leader Sanjay Yadav said that his party will contest on both Palamau and Chatra seats "come what may".

The Congress, JMM and JVM-P have also agreed to form a coordination committee for the Lok Sabha elections.