The Hindu : National : JMM's charge against Congress

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Friday, Jan 28, 2005

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National

JMM's charge against Congress

By A Correspondent

RANCHI, JAN. 27. The differences among the constituents of the United Progressive Alliance in Jharkhand seem to be growing, with the key member, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), accusing the alliance partner, the Congress, of siding with the Rashtriya Janta Dal for political gains.

The JMM today held the Congress responsible for the present acrimony between the JMM and the RJD over seat-sharing. Talking to The Hindu, the senior JMM leader, Stephen Marandi, alleged that the Congress had had a tacit understanding with the RJD over seat-sharing, keeping the JMM in dark.

Although the Congress had proposed to give the JMM 35 seats, more than the 33 the Congress gave itself, most of the seats allotted to the JMM were OBC-dominated having leanings towards the RJD, Mr. Marandi said.

Consequently, the RJD staked claim for fielding candidates in these seats. In its bid to lead the next Government in the State, the Congress, Mr. Marandi alleged, was leaving no stone unturned to gain an edge over the others even at the cost of solidarity of the alliance. He contended that a victory for either the RJD or the JMM in the disputed seats would be eventually beneficial for the Congress.

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