In a significant political development ahead of the crucial West Bengal assembly polls, the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has formally reached out to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seeking a pre-poll alliance. The tribal party from the neighbouring state of Jharkhand aims to contest seats in the upcoming election, scheduled for March-April 2026.
JMM's Proposal and Target Seats
The JMM has proposed an alliance with the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) for the West Bengal election. In its pitch, the party has expressed a keen interest in contesting from assembly constituencies that border Jharkhand, as well as certain districts in north Bengal. Specifically, the party is eyeing seats where the Trinamool Congress lost to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the last assembly election in 2021.
Sources indicate that Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren himself initiated talks earlier this month. He reportedly spoke directly with Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee, the AITC MP from Diamond Harbour, to present the alliance proposal. A senior JMM leader confirmed to the Times of India that both Didi (Mamata) and Abhishek have assured they will review the proposal in the coming weeks.
Expanding Political Footprint
This move is seen as part of JMM's strategy to expand its political influence beyond Jharkhand. Having been left out of the RJD-led grand alliance in the recent Bihar elections, the party is now focusing on West Bengal. JMM leaders argue they have a dedicated cadre base in several bordering districts of Bengal.
The party claims significant support in districts like Purulia, Bankura, and Jhargram. Furthermore, it asserts a connection with the tea garden communities in the northern districts of Darjeeling and Alipurduar. JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya stated that the party is open to an alliance and is keen to contest in the neighbouring state next year, though he clarified that talks are currently in informal stages.
The tribal party is reportedly looking to contest in around 12 seats in West Bengal. This isn't JMM's first foray into Bengal politics. The party had prepared to contest the 2021 elections, with Hemant Soren even addressing a rally in Jhargram, which had reportedly annoyed Mamata Banerjee at the time. Eventually, JMM dropped its plans and extended support to TMC candidates.
Past Performance and Future Prospects
JMM's electoral history in West Bengal provides context for its alliance-seeking move. The party contested nine assembly seats in the 2016 election but failed to secure a victory. Its best performance was a second-place finish in the Madarihat seat and a third-place finish in Kalchini, both located in the Alipurduar district. In other constituencies, its performance was not significant.
The proposed alliance could potentially help the Trinamool Congress consolidate tribal votes in the bordering regions, which are often seen as swing areas. For JMM, an alliance with the dominant regional force in Bengal offers a practical path to gain a foothold in the state's assembly. The coming weeks will be crucial as the TMC leadership deliberates on this proposal, which could reshape the political equations in several key districts ahead of the 2026 polls.
