HAM Mulls Election Bid in Jharkhand, Potentially Complicating NDA Alliance

Party considers expanding beyond Bihar, eyeing 5-6 assembly seats in Jharkhand

HAM’s national executive meeting in Ranchi explores potential election participation in Jharkhand, signaling possible shifts within the NDA alliance.

RANCHI – Hindustan Awami Morcha (HAM), an NDA ally, convened a national executive meeting in Ranchi to deliberate on the possibility of contesting elections in Jharkhand and expanding its presence in the state.

Santosh Suman, the national president of HAM and a minister in Bihar, disclosed the organization’s aspirations to expand beyond Bihar.

The meeting, which was also attended by the party’s patron Jitan Ram Manjhi and other key leaders, concentrated on electoral strategies and organizational development keeping the future of the party in mind

A membership campaign that focussed on Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Jharkhand was discussed during the discussions and it was found suitable to contest the oncoming elections in Jharkhand.

Suman expressed a desire to compete for 5-6 assembly seats in Jharkhand, either independently or as part of the NDA alliance.

Suman emphasized HAM’s aspiration to advocate for impoverished Dalits in Jharkhand, stating, "We will engage in discussions with the BJP’s senior leadership and present our perspectives."

The party is contemplating the possibility of combining with a Party with a stronghold among labourers in Bihar in order to fortify its position.

The NDA’s seat-sharing arrangements in the state may be complicated by the prospective expansion of HAM into Jharkhand, sources indicate.

Preparations for the forthcoming Bihar assembly elections were also discussed during the meeting, although not much could be decided in the meeting.

Suman expressed a receptivity to both independent and alliance electoral strategies in Jharkhand.

This action by HAM is in response to the recent tensions within the NDA, which have also raised concerns for the BJP regarding JD-U.