JMM says it won't contest Bihar polls, blames 'political conspiracy' by Congress-RJD for decision
Ranchi (PTI): Jharkhand's ruling JMM on Monday announced that it would not contest the assembly elections in neighbouring Bihar, claiming that the decision was taken in the wake of a "political conspiracy" by its allies RJD and Congress, which deprived it of seats as part of the Mahagathbandhan.
Speaking to reporters, senior JMM leader Sudivya Kumar said his party will "review" the alliance with the Congress and RJD in Jharkhand, and give a befitting reply to the "snub".
The announcement came barely two days after the Hemant Soren-led party said it would go solo in Bihar and contest the elections in six assembly segments, as seat-sharing talks failed.
"The RJD and the Congress are responsible for depriving JMM from contesting the election as part of a political conspiracy. JMM will give a befitting reply to this, and review its alliance with RJD and Congress," said Kumar, Jharkhand's tourism minister.
JMM on Saturday had announced that it will contest Chakai, Dhamdaha, Katoria, Manihari, Jamui and Pirpainti seats, which are slated to go to polls in the second phase of the Bihar elections on November 11.
The deadline for the submission of nomination papers in these seats was Monday.
Kumar said JMM had helped RJD in the 2015 Bihar elections.
"The JMM had given seven seats to the RJD in the 2019 Jharkhand elections. Only one candidate won, and he was made a minister in the Jharkhand government," he said.
"In the Bihar election of 2020, the JMM was assured of three seats by the RJD and Congress, but later they divided the seats among themselves, deceiving us. In last year's Jharkhand polls, the JMM left a respectable number of seats for the Congress, RJD and the Left, but the party was humiliated again in the 2025 Bihar election," he added.
Kumar said the "political conspiracy" hatched by the leading parties of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar has hurt the sentiments of the people.
"Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is a big force and a strong voice of tribals in the country. The betrayal will not be forgotten," he said.
Kumar also said that Congress should have fought for the interests of JMM in Bihar, but it did not.
He said the JMM leadership held a long discussion on the seat-sharing arrangement with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on October 7.
"We were told the final decision will be taken on the seats after discussion with Hemant Soren," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
_vb_21.jpeg)