As Jitan Ram Manjhi Rediscovers His Voice, Headache for NDA in Bihar

Jehanabad: From the time Jitan Ram Manjhi was Chief Minister of Bihar in 2014, he gave a series of statements that were at times deeply embarrassing for his party, the Janata Dal (United) back then. Since his ouster from the chair in February, all he has said has been in praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party, the BJP in the state.

But today, the former chief minister was in an unforgiving mood.

In his assembly constituency in Jehanabad district, Mr Manjhi hit out at Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party.

“Mr Paswan is promoting his son Chirag within the LJP at the cost of everyone else”, said Mr Manjhi.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Manjhi reiterated that he is the true leaders of all Mahadalits and the Paswan community.

The former chief minister’s Hindustani Awam Morcha, Mr Paswan’s LJP, and Union minister Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, are alliance partners in the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

These comments are being seen as a response to an alleged statement by Mr Paswan a few days ago, where the Union minister had reportedly said that Mr Manjhi was on trial with the NDA.

So far, there has been no response from Ram Vilas Paswan

The NDA allies in Bihar are reportedly locked in a tussle with the BJP over seat sharing for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, with all constituents demanding more seats. The BJP reportedly wants to contest a major share of the seats, but so far has maintained that there is an atmosphere of peace and bonhomie amongst the alliance partners.

On the other hand, the anti-NDA alliance has decided that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), and Lalu Prasad’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, will contest 100 seats each, leaving 40 to the Congress.

Courtesy: NDTV