Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has created a stir by threatening to resign from his cabinet position, alleging that his Hindustani Awam Morcha has been unfairly treated in the BJP-led NDA coalition ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly polls.
Addressing a public meeting in Munger district on Tuesday, the former Bihar chief minister expressed his frustration over being sidelined in seat-sharing negotiations.
“We got nothing in Jharkhand and Delhi. It may be said that I did not make any demand. But is it justice? I was overlooked because I had no standing in these states. So we must prove our worth in Bihar,” Manjhi said.
Quoting a verse from the Ramayana which implies that often fear begets respect, the 80-year-old leader remarked, “it seems I will have to resign from the cabinet.”
Manjhi clarified that he is not engaged in a confrontation with the NDA but is making a plea for a better deal for the Hindustani Awam Morcha in Bihar.
“Some may say I am fighting with the NDA. But, the leadership of Narendra Modi has been such that there is no question of a revolt. I am making a plea, not indulging in a confrontation,” he said.
The former CM revealed that he is seeking “40 seats” for his party in the Bihar assembly elections. If the Hindustani Awam Morcha secures even 20 seats, Manjhi believes they will have a stronger voice in future negotiations.
Manjhi, who holds the lone Lok Sabha seat for his party, has been vocal in his dissatisfaction with the NDA coalition.
This is the second occasion recently where he has expressed his grievances. On Sunday, he had stated that his party was “cheated” in Jharkhand and Delhi.
Sources in the NDA dismissed Manjhi’s remarks, attributing them to personal grievances rather than a serious threat.
They pointed to his past departure from the coalition in 2018, followed by a brief stint with the Mahagathbandhan before returning to the NDA fold.
RJD spokesperson Mrityunay Tiwari criticised Manjhi, suggesting that if he genuinely felt that Dalits should receive better treatment, he should step away from the perks of power and join the broader struggle for social justice led by Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav.
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