Guwahati/Ranchi: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday announced a list of 21 candidates for the April 9 Assam assembly elections, marking its return to the state’s political arena after a gap of 15 years.The party is targeting Assam’s sizeable tea tribe community, estimated at around 60 lakh people, majority of whom trace their ancestry to Jharkhand. The community has a decsive role in about 36 assembly constituencies.In its last outing in 2011, JMM fielded 9 candidates without any success. It’s vote share was less than one percent.Among the candidates are Priti Rekha Baria (Mazbat), Teharu Gour (Biswanath), Amit Nag (Khumtai), Bhuben Murari (Chabua), Phedricson Hasda (Gossaingaon), Baldev Teli (Sonari), Peter Minj (Duliajan), Paban Sautal (Rongonadi), Bharat Nayak (Digboi) and Prabhat Das Panika (Bhergaon). Others include Mahabir Baske (Tingkhong), Abdul Mazan (Barchalla), Mathew Topno (Rangapara), Jemal Minj (Margherita), Sanjay Bagh (Naharkatia), Muna Karmakar (Makum), Ratnakar Tati (Doomdooma), Sahil Munda (Sarupathar), Sonia (Titabor) and Pratapching Rangphar (Bokajan).The Jharkhand govt had last year set up a panel to study the condition of Assam’s tea tribes, a move seen as taking the fight directly to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s turf. Soren has also held talks with Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi, signalling openness to alliances.Party insiders say JMM’s campaign narrative will centre on development, dignity and tribal rights, with tea garden workers — whose labour has long powered Assam’s tea industry — at the heart of its outreach.JMM central general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharjee told the media that they had waited till the last before choosing to go ahead with an alternative electoral plan for the northeastern state.On Sunday, JMM’s seat-sharing talks with ally Congress failed for Assam polls.“Now it is up to the Congress to decide whether to announce candidates for seats where we are fighting or withdraw them. Our candidates will fight both against BJP and Congress there (Assam),” he said.JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey said the alliance with Congress could still work if the grand old party withdraws candidates from seats where JMM is in contention. Congress said it tried its best to accommodate JMM but things didn’t work out. A Congress source claimed, “Congress was ready to give 7 seats, but JMM wanted 25.”
