Cong teams up with JMM to form govt in Jharkhand

After days of deliberations, the Congress and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Friday formally announced their alliance, paving the way for lifting of President’s rule and formation of coalition government, likely to be headed by JMM leader Hemant Soren, in Jharkhand. Aurangzeb Naqshbandi reports.

After days of deliberations, the Congress and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Friday formally announced their alliance, paving the way for lifting of President’s rule and formation of coalition government, likely to be headed by JMM leader Hemant Soren, in Jharkhand.

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The two parties also decided to extend their alliance beyond Jharkhand to West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

According to the agreement, the Congress will contest 10 out of the total 14 Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand and leave the remaining four to the JMM.

Armed with a letter of support from the Congress, Hemant Soren, son of JMM chief Shibu Soren, will meet governor Syed Ahmed in the next few days and stake the claim to form the next government in the state. President’s rule in Jharkhand is set to expire on July 18.

Though Congress president Sonia Gandhi did not meet Hemant, he held extensive deliberations with her party leaders both in Ranchi and Delhi for the past several days.

Since the Congress was looking for larger gains in terms of an alliance for the next Lok Sabha elections and lion’s share of seats, it agreed to let JMM lead the coalition that will also be backed by the RJD and some independents.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad had already assured his party's support to them.

A common agenda of governance will be prepared and made public within two weeks of a coalition government being formed in the state.

A special committee and a coordination panel will be set up to monitor the implementation of the common agenda and the functioning of the coalition government.