November 3, 2025

Gaya: Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi is fighting a fierce political battle that could shape his future and that of his party, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) or HAM(S). His party is contesting five out of 26 assembly seats in the Magadh region, with four located in Gaya district. But trouble is brewing inside HAM(S). The party has been shaken by many senior leaders quitting or being kicked out. Big names like Radhe Shyam Prasad (backward cell chief), Kaushalendra Singh (organisation secretary), and Dalit leaders Laxman Manjhi and Nandlal Manjhi are all gone. While Nandlal claims he left on his own, party general secretary Rajesh Pande’s expulsion list also includes him. There’s talk the crisis stems from bad blood between Jitan Ram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan, leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). Both are seen as rivals for Dalit leadership in Bihar. Tensions also flare between Manjhi and LJP’s Bodh Gaya candidate Shyam Deo Paswan. Manjhi’s supporters say Shyam Deo tried to sabotage him during the 2024 parliamentary elections to gain from Manjhi’s rival’s win, which would have opened the Bodh Gaya seat. Curiously, rebel HAM(S) leaders aren't fighting official party candidates in places like Barachatti and Imamganj, which have strong Musahar communities. Instead, they chose the Bodh Gaya seat, where LJP is also competing. Nandlal denies rumors about Manjhi backing him, saying, “There is such a perception gaining ground in Bodh Gaya, but it is not true.” He calls Bodh Gaya his 'karmbhoomi' with about 60,000 Musahar voters—just behind the Yadavs who number 64,000. “Suresh Singh, head of Bodh Gaya Nagar Vikas Manch, said, “This is the most crucial election for Jitan Ram Manjhi’s political future. The challenge for him is both internal and external.” With rivalries brewing inside and outside the party, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s journey in Bihar politics looks like a thrilling roller-coaster ride!

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Tags: Jitan Ram Manjhi, Hindustani Awam Morcha, Bihar elections, Dalit Leadership, Ljp, Magadh division,