Patna/Purnia: Union minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi on Sunday accused BJP and JD(U) of sidelining his party in the seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming elections, saying the NDA alliance has “betrayed” HAM.
Speaking in Patna at a district-level party workers’ conference, Manjhi said: “JD(U)-BJP has betrayed us. Both parties did not do the right thing with the seat distribution. We are demanding 30 to 40 seats.” The statement marks a sharp escalation in tension within the NDA in Bihar, ahead of the state assembly polls.
The former Bihar chief minister said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier assured his party of two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat. “We only got one Lok Sabha seat,” Manjhi said. “We are putting pressure on NDA,” he added.
Earlier in Purnia, Manjhi reaffirmed that HAM (S) would stake claim to 30–40 assembly constituencies in Bihar, and that the matter would be raised in the upcoming NDA coordination meetings. He also announced Rajendra Yadav as the HAM (S) candidate for the Kasba assembly seat in the district. “If seats are discussed in the NDA meeting, then Kasba seat will definitely go to HAM (S),” he said, asserting the party’s hold over the region.
Despite his criticism, Manjhi praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, “I have become a minister at the Centre because of PM Modi.” He also took a swipe at the Congress without naming it directly, saying, “One party has become a hanger-on of a regional party.”
The event was also attended by Bihar government minister and HAM (S) national president, Dr Santosh Kumar Suman. Manjhi claimed his party could secure 20 seats in the next assembly elections, should it be allowed to contest in at least 30 to 40 constituencies.
