Jharkhand Polls: RJD Hints At Walking Out Of INDIA After Getting Short End Of Seat-Sharing Deal

Jharkhand Assembly election: The Opposition INDIA bloc faces turmoil as the RJD has hinted that it may walk out over the seat allocation in the assembly elections.

Jharkhand Assembly Elections: With the Jharkhand Assembly Elections right around the corner, the Opposition INDIA bloc is facing a walkout by one of its key allies. After Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the INDIA bloc's seat-sharing arrangement, Lalu Prasad Yadav's RJD found itself having to vie for just 11 seats with the Left and other allies as the Congress and the JMM decided to fight in 70 constituencies as part of INDIA.

Hemant Soren announced the decision after a meeting with allies, including the RJD. However, representatives from the RJD and the Left parties were missing during the announcement.

The RJD did not hold back its disappointment with the seat allocation and dropped hints that it may leave the alliance. RJD leader Manoj Kumar Jha said: "All decisions cannot be taken instantly like 2 minutes noodles. RJD identified 15 to 18 Jharkhand assembly seats where it can defeat BJP alone." Hinting at a walkout if its expectations were not met, Jha said: "Disappointed over the offer of Jharkhand assembly seats. The decision was taken by the JMM and the Congress and it was unilateral. All options are open for us now."

No Resentment, Says Congress

The Congress dismissed Manoj Jha's remark saying there was no rift in the INDIA bloc. Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "There is no resentment or displeasure in anyone."

Hemant Soren, however, said that discussions are still underway with leaders of the coalition parties. He stated that after consultations with RJD and CPI(ML), it will become clear which seats JMM and Congress will contest.

BJP To Release Candidates' List Soon

The BJP, which announced its seat-sharing arrangement with allies in Jharkhand on Friday, said that its first list of candidates will be out by Sunday. Assam Chief Minister and Jharkhand BJP co-in-charge for assembly elections Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "The list of candidates will definitely be released by tomorrow. It may be released today as well. Our government will be formed here (in Jharkhand)."