New Delhi, Dec 2 (NationPress) Jharkhand's Chief Minister Hemant Soren has made a surprise trip to New Delhi, causing political ripples as he reportedly met with leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This visit comes amid escalating tensions between his party and the opposition Mahagathbandhan allies, particularly in light of the recent Bihar Assembly elections.

Should Soren's political affiliations shift post this visit, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Tejashwi Yadav, who has been at the forefront of the Mahagathbandhan movement in Bihar, may find himself in a precarious position.

Already facing challenges with a diminished Assembly presence, he contends with criticisms from political allies and familial discord, despite retaining his role as Leader of the Opposition.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) had aimed to participate in the Bihar elections, targeting constituencies with a strong tribal presence. However, due to stalled seat-sharing negotiations with allies, the party ultimately chose to withdraw from the electoral race.

JMM's minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu criticized the RJD, describing it as displaying “political immaturity” and “deceit”. Moreover, party general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya pointed out the “contradictions” within the opposition coalition, hinting at a potential “review” of the alliance in Jharkhand.

Last year, dissatisfaction brewed among JMM supporters when the party contested fewer seats than desired in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, yielding space to the Congress party. Moving forward, JMM plans to contest more seats independently in the 2029 elections, focusing on tribal-majority regions where their support is robust.

During the 2024 state elections, the JMM ran for 43 out of 81 seats, allowing 30 to the Congress and reserving seven and four for the RJD and Left parties, respectively. The JMM secured 34 seats, Congress 16, RJD four, and the CPI (ML)-Liberation two.

When JMM clinched the Ghatshila seat in a recent bypoll, many expected that Soren would replace the solitary RJD minister in his cabinet with a JMM member. However, he chose to maintain the current composition amid rising tensions.

Additionally, the Jharkhand Congress branch braced for turmoil, yet its four ministers remained. Speculations about a possible Congress split circulated, with the JMM leadership reportedly exploring ways to navigate a political fix, as they fell short of the majority threshold of 41 seats.

In the event of a Congressional split, at least 11 MLAs would need to break away to circumvent disqualification under anti-defection laws.

Currently, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) holds 24 seats, with the BJP commanding a significant portion of 21.

Even prior to the 2024 state elections, various leaders within both the JMM and Congress expressed a desire to contest without forming alliances. Some Congress members have been gauging public sentiment, which has reportedly been unfavorable.

In his ongoing term, Soren is also cautious of investigations by Central agencies regarding a suspected land scam. Early in 2024, he stepped down as Chief Minister after being arrested by the ED but managed to return to power following bail.

Some analysts suggest that distancing from the INDIA alliance — and possibly seeking connections with the BJP — may help alleviate his political and legal burdens. His challenges are further complicated by a new legislative proposal introduced in August, mandating that a Prime Minister or Chief Minister must resign if arrested within 31 days or automatically lose their position.

This proposal has been sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.