The Congress led Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) partners in State are toying with the idea of framing common agenda and manifesto to test their luck in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The four partners of grand alliance—Congress, JMM, JVM and RJD will come up with common agenda highlighting the State issues such as ‘Jal, Jungle and Jameen’ in their manifesto. Apart from common manifesto, the four alliance partners will also carry out joint campaigning in all 14 Lok Sabha seats.
The four grand alliance partners have shared the seats in ratio - 7, 4, 2, 1, which includes Congress contesting on seven seats, JMM on four seats, JVM on two seats and RJD on one seat. However, the RJD which has got Palamu seat as per seat sharing formula has even put up candidate in Chatra, which is one of the seats in State likely to witness friendly contest between RJD and Congress.
State Congress spokesperson, Lal Kishore Nath Shahdeo said, “All four alliance partners in State have decided to have common manifesto. Local issue such as ‘Jal, Jungle and Jameen’, acquisition of tribal lands by big business houses, violation of Chottanagpur and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act (CNT/SPTAct) and other issues will be highlighted in manifesto.”
Shahdeo also said, “Local issues such as para teachers, land acquisition by Adani Power for building power plant at Godda and other issue will be raised.” The Congress spokesperson expressed confidence that the Grand Alliance parties will win all 14 seats. Making a scathing attack on BJP lead Government in State, Shahdeo said, “The BJP government has broken the social structure in State, the infamous mob lynching incidents has brought shame to State.” In 2016, two cattle traders belonging to minority community were lynched by allegedly Cattle Protection Vigilantes in Balumath forests in Latehar district. The two youths were beaten to death and were found hanging from a tree.
Echoing the views of Shahdeo, JMM spokesperson Vinod Pandey said, “The upcoming Lok Sabha election is existence for State and for tribal population. Apart from having common agenda which will be state oriented the senior leaders of all four political parties will campaign jointly. “ Pandey said, JMM Supremo Shibu Soren, JMM executive president Hemant Soren and other senior leaders will campaign in support of other candidates apart from JMM too. The Grand alliance partners have announced candidates for 13 seats, the only seat which the Congress is to announce is Hazaribagh.
