The political situation in Jharkhand is fast evolving with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) announcing support for NDA presidential nominee Draupadi Murmu though the party is running an alliance government with the Congress which is backing Yashwant Sinha.
This week, pictures of chief minister Hemant Soren accompanying Prime Minister Narendra Modi while the latter inaugurated the new airport in Deoghar also raised speculation in political circles of the JMM getting close to the Bharatiya Janata Party. Soren had in fact reached Deoghar to review the arrangements ahead of the PM’s visit on July 12. “If we get support from the Centre, Jharkhand will be a forward state within the next five years. Today is a historic day for Jharkhand. If the cooperation between the Centre and the state happens, then fast development is possible,” Soren said on the occasion from the stage, with the Prime Minister in attendance.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leaders, though, say that the chief minister was part of the Prime Minister’s function as per protocol.
On July 4, Soren had warmly welcomed Draupadi Murmu when she visited the state seeking the support of the JMM. The opposition candidate, Yashwant Sinha, is yet to visit Jharkhand and is expected to be there on July 16. But, before that, the JMM on Thursday announced support for Murmu, saying that for the first time since Independence, a tribal woman was set to be President.
The JMM depends in a big way on tribal support in Jharkhand to win power. The move will, however, run afoul of the party’s alliance partner in the state, the Congress. Senior state Congress leaders had, in fact, met Yashwant Sinha in Delhi on July 13, pledging their support to him.
In the 81-seat Jharkhand assembly, the JMM holds 30 seats while the Congress has 16 and the BJP 25. Five seats are held by other parties.
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