Union MSME Minister claimed to contest 10 seats in the Jharkhand assembly poll.
Patna October 10, 2024: Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi claimed on Thursday that his party Hindustani Awam Morcha Secular (HAMS) will contest at least 10 seats in the upcoming Jharkhand assembly election.
Such a claim could stir tensions within the NDA as Manjhi has a strong following among the Mahadalit community.
Jitan Ram Manjhi’s increasing popularity and assertiveness in seat-sharing discussions might create challenges for the BJP in accommodating his demands.
“Our party had recently held a meeting in Chatra district, Jharkhand, where we had decided to contest at least 10 seats in the next assembly election. As HAMS remains a part of the NDA, our party would negotiate seat-sharing with our alliance partners but one thing is sure our party will contest the upcoming assembly election in Jharkhand,” Manjhi said.
Union MSME Minister’s growing popularity among marginalized sections.
Jitan Ram Manjhi, who comes from the marginalized Mushahar community, has substantial influence among Mahadalit voters in Bihar.
In the 2020 Bihar assembly election, under the NDA’s seat-sharing arrangements, HAMS contested seven seats and won four, although three of the winning MLAs were from his own family.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Manjhi successfully contested from the Gaya Lok Sabha (Reserved) seat, defeating RJD’s Kumar Sarvjeet, further consolidating his political standing.
Union MSME Minister wants to expand his party beyond Bihar.
As HAMS grows in influence, the Union MSME Minister seeks to expand the party’s footprint beyond Bihar.
In addition to the Chatra meeting, HAMS held a national executive committee meeting in Ranchi on August 4, 2024, during which Santosh Kumar Suman, HAMS national president and Bihar IT minister, announced the party’s intent to contest the Jharkhand assembly polls.
Union MSME Minister’s increasing political ambition may create a headache for the BJP.
The Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s increasing political ambitions in Jharkhand, particularly his popularity among marginalized communities, pose a challenge for the BJP within the NDA alliance, as seat-sharing negotiations will have to accommodate HAMS.
JD(U) is also complicating seat-sharing within NDA in Jharkhand.
The Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s increasing political ambitions in Jharkhand, particularly his popularity among marginalized communities, pose a challenge for the BJP within the NDA alliance, as seat-sharing negotiations will have to accommodate HAMS.
JD(U) is also complicating seat-sharing within NDA in Jharkhand.
Complicating this matter further is the Janata Dal (United) led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has also announced its plans to contest in the Jharkhand assembly election.
Nitish Kumar has already positioned JD(U)’s state president in Jharkhand Khiru Mahto in Rajya Sabha, signalling the party’s intent to build a strong foundation in the state.
The complicating ambitions of HAMS and JD(U) could create a headache for the BJP as it tries to balance alliances and manage seat allocations within the NDA in Jharkhand.
Both parties, with growing aspirations and established support bases, may complicate the BJP’s electoral strategy in the state.
Also Read: Jitan Ram Manjhi criticized Mamata Banerjee on the Kolkata incident.
EOM.