Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has opened a front against the NDA, demanding 100 Assembly seats for the HAM party in the next Bihar elections and one seat in the forthcoming Rajya Sabha polls. Warning of a possible split, Manjhi said he would “take a separate flag” if the demands were not met.
Addressing a felicitation ceremony of HAM MLAs in Gaya, Manjhi made startling claims about commissions allegedly received by legislators. He said every MLA and MP is allotted a development fund of ₹5 crore for five years, from which a 10 per cent commission is taken, amounting to ₹40–50 lakh.
Manjhi admitted that he too receives such commission but claimed he donates his share to the party fund. “I gave ₹40 lakh to my party. If I get it again, I will donate it as well. The party fund will then have ₹80 lakh, but it is for leaders to use it. If they do not, that is their failure,” he said, pointing towards district president Narayan Manjhi.
Questioning the NDA’s treatment of his party, Manjhi asserted that HAM has a strong base in Purnia, Magadh, Munger and even West Champaran, but has been repeatedly underestimated by the BJP. “What has happened so far is fine, but if we are not given due importance in the next election, we will part ways,” he warned.
He alleged betrayal within the alliance, saying promises made during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were not honoured. “We were assured two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat, but received only one,” he said, reiterating that HAM must get one Rajya Sabha seat this time.
Manjhi noted that while Rajya Sabha seats are being earmarked for the BJP, JD(U) and LJP, HAM has been left out. “If we do not get a Rajya Sabha seat within the NDA, we may even leave the alliance. I have no attachment to a ministerial post,” he said.
He added that the party failed to gain recognised status due to contesting too few seats in the last Bihar elections. “Had we got 10 seats, we would have won eight and possibly gained recognition. To secure it now, we will have to contest 50 to 60 seats to cross the required six per cent vote share,” he said.
Manjhi’s remarks have triggered questions over unity within the NDA, sending a strong signal that all is not well in the alliance, particularly over seat-sharing and Rajya Sabha representation.
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