The JMM is scheduled to hold a meeting of its top executives led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren and its founder Shibu Soren today, to decide on whether to support the UPA Presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha or NDA’s Droupadi Murmu.
The JMM with 30 MLA and one MP each in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is part of an ally of the UPA led by Congress and RJD. In Jharkhand, Chief Minister Hemant Soren's government is supported by Congress and RJD.
As per its own ecosystem, JMM is considered a party dominated by tribals. Right now the popularity of CM Hemant Soren is all-time low due mainly to allegations of corruption. The Enforcement Directorate and the CBI are learned to zero in on him and his associates on disproportionate assets, and acquisition of mines, and land either for himself, his brother, and or his wife.
On the other hand, a large number of MLAs appear to be restless, exploring ways to keep their future intact. Some of them have expressed willingness to support the NDA’s nominee Droupadi Murmu.
Against this backdrop, the JMM high command - Hemant, and his father Shibu Soren seems to be caught in the Catch- 22 situation. If they support UPA’s Presidential nominee Yashwant Sinha, their tribal MLAs can turn angry. If they decide to vote for NDA’s nominee Droupadi Murmu, their allies, especially TMC and WB CM Mamata Bannerjee, can turn against them.
Yet, since NDA’s Presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu is a tribal woman, the JMM is expected to support her and advise its MPs to vote for her.
In any case, with the support of BJD, JD(U) YSRC, and BJP, NDA’s nominee Droupadi Murmu is set to be India’s first tribal woman President. She is slated to file a nomination today on June 24.
(The presidential election is scheduled for July 18 and the votes will be counted on July 21. The last date for filing nominations is June 29.)