Ranchi, Nov. 2: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is spoilt for choice with first the Congress and the now the BJP wooing the party for a tie-up.

JMM sources conceded that the BJP moves have sparked off an intense debate in the party rank-and-file. The JMM has been urging the Congress for a tie-up in Jharkhand for both next year’s general election and the 2005 Assembly poll.

“Over the past year, a section in the Congress has been lobbying for an alliance with the RJD and the JMM to defeat the communal forces. The JMM had welcomed the developments,” they added.

The sources said JMM chief Sibu Soren has directed all party legislators to desist attempts made by the BJP to split their ranks with promises of rewards.

They said the BJP has been sending feelers to JMM stating its desire for a “strategic alliance”, especially for the 2005 Assembly poll.

“The BJP feels that the 2000 experiment in the then unified Bihar could once again work in Jharkhand,” the sources said.

In March 2000, the BJP had induced the JMM, with its 11 legislators, to join the NDA to bolster its claim to the formation of a government in Bihar.

Union railways minister Nitish Kumar was sworn in as chief minister pending a trial of strength on the floor of the Assembly. JMM leader Stephen Marandi was also sworn in as a minister.

However, Nitish Kumar’s tenure proved to be short-lived as he was forced to quit after the government failed to muster the required strength.

The sources said barring a brief spell in 2000, the party “has never tasted the fruits of power and so, was now eager to hog the limelight”.

“A section of JMM legislators is craving for power, making it more difficult for Soren to contain the growing dissent within the party,” sources said.

“Early last month, the JMM almost split after a section of the party legislators revolted and indicated their desire to join the Arjun Munda government. Soren had to cancel all his Ranchi engagements and rush to Bokaro where he had a tough time containing the revolt. Though the split was averted the incident proves that the JMM legislators are dying to come to power irrespective of the means,” the sources said.

The sources said Soren has been advised to steer clear of the BJP. They said any alliance with the communal forces will erode the JMM’s minority vote bank. “Only an alliance with the secular forces could save the JMM from a collapse,” they added.