RANCHI: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday announced its list of 21 candidates for the elections to the 126-member Assam assembly.
JMM is keen to shed its image as a regional party and emerge as a national political outfit, with an aim to woo about 70 lakh people of the tea tribe community, many members of which trace their ancestry to Jharkhand.
"After a detailed deliberation, the JMM has decided to contest 21 seats in the upcoming assembly elections in Assam," JMM general secretary Vinod Kumar Pandey said.
Pandey said the party has fielded 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).
The other candidates 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).
Meanwhile, party General Secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said that the decision to contest the Assam Assembly elections is aimed at strengthening the party’s presence in the state. “We are contesting in Assam for our presence in the State and our candidates will be contesting against the BJP/Congress and register our presence,” said Bhattacharya. All 21 candidates fielded by the party have filed their nomination papers, he added.
JMM is eying Assam's sizeable tribal population, including a large number of tea garden workers with their roots in Jharkhand's Chhotanagpur region, which presents a fertile ground for the party's expansion.
These communities, the JMM believes, have social and economic concerns that "have not been adequately addressed" and are seeking stronger political representation.
When asked about West Bengal, Bhattacharya said that every state has its own unique circumstances, and it is for the party to decide its course of action there. He also said that the JMM is contesting polls in Assam on the basis of the work done by it in recent years. Referring to the failed talks with the Indian National Congress on seat sharing, Bhattacharya said that there must be some reason for it and the party will assess the reasons after the polls.
Earlier, in a significant boost to the morale of party workers, the JMM was allotted its traditional ‘Bow and Arrow’ election symbol in Assam as well. The party had submitted an application to the Chief Electoral Officer in this regard, which was later approved.
According to party sources, the allocation of the election symbol has generated enthusiasm within the organisation, with workers calling it a major morale booster. The leadership believes that contesting elections with a clear and recognisable identity will help the party connect better with voters.