CM Race Sparks NDA Row: Jitan Ram Manjhi Counters Saini’s Projection of Samrat Choudhary as Bihar CM.

Patna April 14, 2025: The NDA in Bihar appears to be facing fresh internal rumblings after Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini publicly Projected Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary as the next Chief Minister of Bihar.

The comment has stirred a political storm, prompting reactions not only from opposition parties but also from within the NDA fold.

Reacting to the statement, Union MSME Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi played down the speculation and emphasized democratic procedure.

“This is a democracy. Baba Saheb Ambedkar has given us the right to vote. It is not appropriate to discuss the CM face before elections. The decision will be taken by the elected MLAs after the 2025 Assembly polls,” Jitan Ram Manjhi stated in Patna on Monday.

Manjhi’s remarks come at a time when JD(U) leaders, including Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary himself, have maintained that the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections will be contested under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who will remain the CM if the  NDA returns to power.

However, Nayab Singh Saini’s comment during an event in Gurugram, where he openly named  Samrat Choudhary as “the new CM of Bihar, “ has led to growing speculation over leadership tension within the NDA.

Opposition Grabs the Opportunity:

The opposition, especially RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, was quick to capitalize on the confusion. “Every leader in the NDA wants to become the Chief Minister of Bihar.

But the people have already made up their minds_ they want change. The next government will be formed by the Grand Alliance,” Tejashwi quipped during an Ambedkar Jayanti event in Patna on Monday

What This Means Politically Said Jitan Ram Manjhi:

Saini’s Projection of Choudhary may have been a strategic move to energize the BJP base in Bihar, where the party has long wanted to assert stronger leadership.

However, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s remarks underline the tension between alliance protocol and political ambitions, especially when JDU continues to insist that Nitish Kumar remains central to their electoral strategy.

Political observers suggest that the NDA will need to present a united front if it hopes to counter the Grand Alliance’s growing momentum, especially with Tejashwi Yadav leveraging every opportunity to highlight cracks in the coalition

Also Read: Jitan Ram Manjhi said Niti Aayog denied special status to any state.

EOM.