Political Rifts Resurface: Manjhi Criticizes Nitish Kumar

Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi criticizes Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for past mockery and political tensions. Manjhi, who heads Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), recalls his struggle to form the party and his recent political maneuvers, including criticizing Kumar for pressure to merge with JD(U).

Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Saturday expressed strong discontentment towards Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, with whom he shares a complex relationship.

Manjhi, who leads Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), was speaking at a party function, recounting the mockery he faced from Kumar when he founded HAM in 2015, after leaving JD(U) over pressure to resign as chief minister.

The 79-year-old Gaya MP, reflecting on his political journey, asserted that his party has grown stronger over the years despite initial doubts. He also detailed his 2020 brief alliance with Kumar and the subsequent fallout last year during efforts to unite anti-BJP parties. Manjhi accused Kumar of pushing for a merger with JD(U), which led to parting ways following consultations within HAM.

He thanked the NDA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for backing his son Santosh Suman's return to the state cabinet after Kumar's re-alignment with BJP. Additionally, he expressed gratitude to allies for ensuring Suman's re-election to the legislative council, essential for retaining his ministerial post.

In the 243-member Bihar assembly, HAM holds only three seats, with Manjhi recently vacating his Imamganj seat after becoming a Lok Sabha member.

(With inputs from agencies.)