Congress seeks to ally with up- and- coming tribal outfit

◗ Districts like Jahbua and Barwani account for tribal population over 70 per cent.

After the alliance with SP and the BSP fizzled out with the Congress, the latter is now looking towards the tribal outfit JAYS Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti. JAYS is creating a ripples in the districts of west Madhya Pradesh, where adivasis account for roughly 45 per cent of its population.

Districts like Jahbua and Barwani account for tribal population over 70 per cent. However inspite of talks moving forward. problem areas remain as the outfit wants almost 50 seats in the alliance while the Congress wants a merger.

Realising its potential, JAYS has drawn out a list of almost 80 constituencies where it plans to field its candidates. Insiders claim that the talks with the Congress have progressed well and the newly formed outfit is ready to settle on half the seats it had taken note of. The Congress with the might its national party status wants JAYS to merge with it and accommodate its candidates in its fold — a demand that as of now is not acceptable to JAYS. However, a final decision is yet to be reached. Interestingly, the Congress finds itself handicapped as its key allies the SP and BSP both have jettisoned the party.

BSP Supremo Ms Mayawati even went on to attack several Congress leaders, accusing them of ‘ sabotage’.

JAYS has also helped the tribal youth to connect with its a socio- political movement. The impact of this is visible as many adivasis have deserted RSS affiliates to join JAYS. Also, with the kind of support JAYS getting in its panchayats it surely will be a force to reckon with in the upcoming Assembly elections.