The JMM which was aiming to get a chunk of the ST seats in the border and northern districts of West Bengal, said it has decided not to contest the polls after consultations with chief minister Hemant Soren.
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A senior JMM leader said, “The official announcement in this regard will be made on Monday.”
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According to sources, RJD’s working president Tejaswhi Yadav and NCP president Sharad Pawar persuaded Hemant Soren to support Mamata Banerjee who is looking for tribal faces to match BJP’s battery of star campaigners drafted for poll duty.
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Hemant Soren and his father Shibu will campaign for the TMC in Purulia, Jhargram, Bankura and Midnapore districts which will go to polls in the first two phases.
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A JMM leader said, “TMC does not have a tribal face. On the other hand, BJP has their star campaigners from tribal community. Therefore, Hemant Soren will join forces and canvass for TMC in the tribal areas.”
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