Guwahati, Mar 23: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) announced 21 candidates on Monday for the 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly elections, aiming to expand its presence beyond Jharkhand and engage the state’s tea tribe community, which numbers around 70 lakh.

JMM general secretary Vinod Kumar Pandey named the candidates after party deliberations, including Priti Rekha Baria (Mazbat), Teharu Gour (Biswanath), Amit Nag (Khumtai), Bhuben Murari (Chabua), Phedricson Hasda (Gossaingaon), Baldev Teli (Sonari), Peter Minj (Duliajan), Paban Sautal (Rongonadi), Bharat Nayak (Digboi), and Prabhat Das Panika (Bhergaon), among others.

The party is focusing on Assam’s tribal voters, particularly tea garden workers with roots in Jharkhand’s Chhotanagpur region. Pandey said the party intends to address long-standing social and economic issues faced by the community, highlighting the role of JMM chief ministerial candidate Hemant Soren as a national tribal leader.

Since the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly elections, where JMM won 56 of 81 seats, Soren has increased visits to Assam. In the recent Budget session, he pledged support for tribals facing challenges in Assam, Manipur, and other states. In November 2024, the Jharkhand government set up a panel to examine the conditions of Assam’s tea tribes.

JMM plans to field 20 star campaigners, including cabinet ministers, and remains open to alliances, with the goal of establishing a long-term presence in Assam through tribal development and rights advocacy.