New Delhi, July 5: Congress on Friday inked an agreement with JMM to form a coalition government in Jharkhand and contest next Lok Sabha election in alliance with the tribal party, which is first new ally to come to UPA ahead of 2014 general elections.
Under the agreement, while JMM will have its Chief Minister in the state, Congress will contest on 10 out of 14 Lok Sabha seats.
This was announced by JMM leader Hemant Soren, who will be the Chief Minister of the Congress-JMM coalition government in Jharkhand.
He made the announcement after a meeting with AICC general secretary in-charge for Jharkhand B.K. Haripasad in the Congress headquarters.
The alliance is not confined to Jharkhand as both parties have decided to contest the next Lok Sabha polls together in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Chhattisgarh as well.
“When allies are deserting NDA, new parties are coming to UPA,” Mr. Haripasad told PTI.
In a party statement, Mr. Hariprasad said that both parties decided to form the alliance to “protect and promote secular and progressive values and to ensure the further empowerment of the weaker sections of society.”
The tribal-dominated state was under President's Rule since January 18 after the collapse of the Arjun Munda-led BJP government as JMM withdrew support from it on January 8. President's Rule expires on July 18.
Congress and JMM had fought 2004 Lok Sabha polls together with CPI and RJD also being the part of the grand alliance, which had secured 13 of the 14 seats then. In the next election in 2009, when they fought separately, Congress could win one and JMM only two.
