Tribal outfit mulls over fielding 80 candidates in MP

A little-known tribal outfit in Madhya Pradesh is planning to field Independent candidates on at least 80 seats dominated by tribals in the state Assembly elections, due later this year.

Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti (JAYS) convener Hiralal Alawa said they would announce a list of candidates who they intend to support in elections at a Kisan Mahapanchayat to be held at Kukshi in Dhar district on October 2.

JAYS will also support non-tribal candidates who have the potential to win, he said.

"So far we have not decided to have any truck with any political party," he said while dismissing reports of JAYS growing close to the opposition Congress.

JAYS is not yet registered as a political party with the Election Commission.

"We are planning to field independent candidates on 80 seats and support them," Alawa said.

Of the total 230 assembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh, 47 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates.

The ruling BJP currently has 32 ST MLAs while the Congress 14. Remaining one seat was won by a BJP rebel who had contested as an Independent.

Apart from the 47 seats, tribals play a major role in 35 constituencies in the central state which is under the BJP rule since 2003.