A rift emerged within the INDIA bloc ahead of the Jharkhand assembly polls as the RJD expressed dissatisfaction on Saturday regarding the JMM and Congress‘ announcement to contest 70 out of 81 seats in the state. , leaving 11 seats for RJD and Left parties to contest.
Calling it a ” unilateral” decision by the two parties, RJD’s spokesperson Manoj Kumar Jha slammed the JMM-Congress deal and said, “Disappointed over offer of Jharkhand assembly seats.”
“We were not consulted.All options are open to us,” said Jha. He also claimed that RJD has pinpointed a minimum of 15 to 18 constituencies where it believes it can triumph over the BJP without assistance; adding that in the previous election, the party had fielded candidates in seven constituencies and secured the second position in five of those seats.
“All decisions cannot be taken instantly like ‘2 minutes’ noodles,” added the RJD leader expressing his anger at the deal.
However, Congress has refuted the claims of any disappointment. Congress leader Pawan Khera said, “There is no resentment or displeasure from anyone.” Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir also talked about the seat sharing deal and said, “Like the CM (Hemant Soren) said, the alliance partners have been continuously holding discussions (about candidates) winnability. We have taken all the inputs and have held discussions for 70 out of the 81 assembly constituencies.”