In a setback to INDI alliance, the Communist Party of India (CPI) has decided to put up candidates in 8 of total 14 Lok Sabha seats in Jharkhand.

Notably, the CPI has no representation in the Lok Sabha from Jharkhand. The CPI’s move is part of its plan to strengthen its party machinery in this state.

Already the BJP has announced its candidates, but the Congress and the INDI alliance partners such as Congress, JMM and RJD have not yet held any talks on seat-sharing. This was taken as an excuse by the CPI to go solo.

As per the CPI’s plan, the communist party of India will field its candidates in Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Koderma, Chatra, Palamu, Giridih, Dumka and Jamshedpur Lok Sabha constituencies. 

The names of its candidates is expected to be announced by the weekend. The ruling JMM has sounded critical sentiments. 

"It is beyond my understanding... if the state unit can take such decisions. Discussions on seat-sharing are already underway at the national level,” JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey is quoted by PTI as saying.

As per records, of the total 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the BJP has 11, AJSU party one, JMM one and the Congress has one seat. However, the Congress' lone MP Geeta Kora recently shifted to the BJP.