President polls: JMM announces support for NDA presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has announced its support for NDA presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has extended its support to NDA presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu in the July 18 election, ending weeks of suspense. JMM chief Shibu Soren called a meeting and urged all MPs and MLAs of the JMM to vote for Murmu.

Droupadi Murmu, during her visit to Ranchi, had met Shibu Soren and Chief Minister Hemant Soren at their residence.

JMM, an ally of the Congress, has 30 MLAs in the state legislature. While Murmu's victory is ensured even without JMM's support, the declaration by Soren is a jolt for the Congress.

Earlier, Jharkhand Congress chief Rajesh Thakur had said the presidential election is a fight of ideology. JMM should decide where it will stand, he had said.

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Speculations are rife after PM Modi's visit to Deoghar that something might be brewing between the JMM and BJP.

CM Hemant Soren had accorded a warm welcome to the prime minister at Deoghar airport and pictures of the reception triggered a discussion in political circles of Jharkhand. The chief minister's meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah earlier also raised a question whether JMM was 'comfortable' in alliance with Congress.