New Delhi/Patna: The internal negotiations over seat distribution within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have intensified, with former Chief Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha- Secular (HAM-S) patron Jitan Ram Manjhi delivering a firm ultimatum to the BJP high command. Manjhi, a Union Minister, met with BJP National President JP Nadda in New Delhi on Saturday to submit a comprehensive list of 15 Assembly seats demanded by his party.
The submission formally escalates the simmering conflict between HAM (S) and Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas). HAM has made it unequivocally clear to the central leadership that it is unwilling to relinquish the seats it won in the last election under any circumstances, specifically the key constituencies of Imamganj (Gaya) and Sikandra (Jamui).
The 15-Seat Claim
HAM (S)’s aggressive push for 15 seats—more than double the seven it contested in the previous election—reflects the shifting dynamics within the NDA following the entry of the LJP (R). Sources reveal that Paswan’s faction is specifically eyeing the winning seats of both Sikandra and Imamganj, placing them directly in conflict with Manjhi.
The 15-seat list submitted by Manjhi focuses heavily on the Gaya region. It includes the seven seats HAM (S) previously contested: Barachatti, Tikari, Imamganj, Sikandra, Makhdumpur, Kutumba, and Kasba. Additionally, Manjhi is laying claim to new segments, including Guraru, Atri, and Bodhgaya in Gaya, alongside Simri, Bakhtiyarpur, and Bakhri.
Dual Messaging and Open Options
While Manjhi maintained a diplomatic public facade upon arriving in Delhi, stating, “We are a disciplined party. We will contest as many seats as we can get,” his party’s national general secretary struck a much harder line.
National General Secretary Rajesh Pandey confirmed that HAM (S)’s demands have been conveyed to NDA leaders. He offered a veiled threat regarding the party’s future allegiance, invoking the political adage: “There are no permanent friends or enemies in politics.” Pandey stated that “all options are open for the party,” signaling that HAM (S) is prepared to explore alternatives if its core demands, particularly retaining its incumbent seats, are not met. The ongoing dispute remains a major hurdle, preventing the NDA from formally announcing its consolidated seat-sharing formula.
