Jamalpur/ Patna: Hindustani Awam Morcha- Secular (HAM-S) patron and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has openly voiced dissatisfaction with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), citing a lack of recognition and respect for his party within the coalition.
Speaking in Jamalpur, Munger, on Tuesday, Manjhi said, “We are not being given importance in the NDA. First in Jharkhand, now not even a single seat was given in the Delhi assembly elections. The time has come for us to assert our existence. It seems I may have to resign from the cabinet as well.”
Manjhi’s remarks come ahead of seat-sharing discussions for the Bihar assembly elections, where he is demanding 20 seats for his party. The Union Minister has repeatedly signaled his discontent over the treatment of HAM-S in recent elections, raising questions about his party’s position in the NDA.
Manjhi Issues Clarification
Later in the evening, Manjhi issued a statement clarifying his earlier remarks, which had sparked speculation about his resignation. He accused some media outlets of misinterpreting his words.
“Some web portals and news channels have propagated and broadcast the misleading news that ‘Jitan Ram Manjhi will resign from the cabinet,’” Manjhi said.
He explained that his comments during the Munger meeting were misunderstood. “I had said about the delay in the Munger meeting that ‘you people are being late due to which I will miss my flight and I will have to leave the cabinet.’”
Making his stance clear, Manjhi added, “I want to make it clear to such people that I will not leave the side of Prime Minister Narendra Modi till my death. We are all working for the benefit of the country and Bihar right now, so some media houses are trying to divide us at the behest of the opposition.”
Manjhi’s Statements Highlight Growing Frustration
January 21 – Jamalpur, Munger:
At a workers’ conference, Manjhi suggested the possibility of stepping down from the cabinet. Referring to previous elections in Jharkhand and Delhi, he said, “We did not get seats in Jharkhand because we didn’t ask. In Delhi, too, we were told the same. Is this justice? Do we have no existence? NDA leaders should acknowledge our voter base and our relevance.”
January 19 – Jehanabad:
Manjhi criticized the NDA for sidelining his party in Jharkhand and Delhi. “Seats were allocated based on status, but our status wasn’t recognized. We want to demonstrate our significance in the Bihar elections. If the NDA takes us lightly in Bihar as well, they may face consequences,” he warned.
January 16 – Jehanabad:
Manjhi openly demanded 20 seats for his party in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, adding that party workers had called for 40 seats. “If we secure 20 seats, we’ll achieve our goal. HAM-S is a true partner of the NDA, and we have consistently highlighted both the government’s achievements and shortcomings,” he said.
HAM-S President Offers Clarification
Following Manjhi’s remarks, his son and party president Santosh Suman issued a clarification on January 20 in Jehanabad. “As the national president, I officially state that we are not being underestimated within the NDA,” Suman said, seemingly attempting to downplay tensions.
