Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti (JAYS), a tribal outfit, on Wednesday said it would scrap its alliance with the Congress if the latter did not field JAYS’ candidates from Khargone and Dhar Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh. JAYS national convener Hiralal Alawa, who won from Manawar Assembly constituency on Congress ticket last year, claimed the Congress fared well in tribal areas in assembly polls because of his party’s help.
“We had supported the Congress in tribal-dominated areas and hence the party was able to return to power (in the state). But the Congress ignored our contribution. We were not given a share in power,” he said. “We had demanded that Congress field our leaders from four ST seats – Khargone, Dhar, Ratlam and Betul. But the Congress did not pay heed. They have already announced candidates from Ratlam and Betul. “If the Congress does not field our leaders as its candidates from Khargone and Dhar, we will have to part ways with Congress and fight Lok Sabha elections on our own,” Alawa said.
The Congress has fielded former union minister and sitting MP Kantilal Bhuria from Ratlam and Ramu Tekam from Betul. When contacted, state Congress spokesperson Shobha Oza said, “JAYS’ top leaders are in touch with chief minister Kamal Nath. We hope the CM will find a solution.”
