The political reverberations from the Bihar elections are being keenly felt in Jharkhand, signaling a potential realignment of forces. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) finds itself in a quandary after what it describes as a significant setback in the Bihar electoral process. Despite initial ambitions to participate, the party was forced to abandon its election plans, leading to its exit from the ruling Mahagathbandhan.
This situation prompts a critical question: what is JMM’s next strategic move? There’s a growing sentiment within the party that the perceived mistreatment by Congress and RJD in Bihar demands a strong response in Jharkhand. Consequently, severing the alliance with these parties is being considered as a retaliatory measure.
Should JMM opt to dissolve its current alliance, it will be presented with two main strategic avenues. The first involves attempting to engineer defections from Congress and RJD, aiming to secure a majority of their legislators. Veteran politician Hemant Soren, known for his political astuteness, is believed to be capable of executing such a plan, especially considering that many MLAs from the alliance partners rely on JMM’s strength for their political survival in Jharkhand.
Alternatively, JMM could maintain the existing coalition, using the threat of dissolution as a bargaining chip to assert its dominance. This would allow Hemant Soren to govern Jharkhand according to his vision, marginalizing the roles of Congress and RJD.
A more radical shift could involve JMM forging an alliance with the BJP. It’s understood that senior BJP figures have been engaging with JMM leadership, looking for an opportune moment to join forces. Hemant Soren is expected to make the final call, with the results of the Bihar elections and the political climate leading up to November being key factors.