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Jitan Ram Manjhi Reiterates Demand For Rajya Sabha Seat For HAM(S), Cites NDA Promise

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi is pressing the NDA alliance to fulfill its promise of a Rajya Sabha seat for his party, HAM(S). He recalls that during the 2024 Lok Sabha seat-sharing talks, his party was assured of this seat, which remains pending. Manjhi links this demand to his broader goal of gaining official recognition for his party from the Election Commission. He argues that without this recognized status, his

Key Points: Manjhi Demands Rajya Sabha Seat For HAM(S), Recalls NDA's 2024 Poll Assurance | Bihar Politics

  • Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi reiterates demand for Rajya Sabha seat
  • Manjhi cites unfulfilled promise made during 2024 NDA seat-sharing talks
  • Demand highlights ongoing negotiations within Bihar NDA over representation
  • Manjhi links party's recognition status to need for more seats
  • Issue puts focus on alliance dynamics ahead of April Rajya Sabha polls
  • Manjhi had previously criticised 'kanjoosi' within NDA on seat allocation
2 min read

Bihar: Jitan Ram Manjhi seeks Rajya Sabha seat for his party HAM (S)

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi says his party HAM(S) was promised a Rajya Sabha seat during NDA seat-sharing talks for 2024 Lok Sabha polls, demands its fulfilment in upcoming elections.

"In the 2024 elections, we were promised two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat. At that time, we were given one Lok Sabha seat, which we won, and we thank the Prime Minister for appointing us as a minister; however, the Rajya Sabha seat is still pending. When the Rajya Sabha elections happen in April, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) should get one seat. This is our demand, and this is what we were saying to our party officials. - Jitan Ram Manjhi / Union Minister"

Gayaji (Bihar), December 22

Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) custodian Jitan Ram Manjhi reiterated his party's demand for a Rajya Sabha seat, recalling assurances made during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as part of the NDA alliance in Bihar.

Speaking to reporters, Manjhi said his party had been promised two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat during seat-sharing talks ahead of the 2024 general elections.

"In the 2024 elections, we were promised two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat. At that time, we were given one Lok Sabha seat, which we won, and we thank the Prime Minister for appointing us as a minister; however, the Rajya Sabha seat is still pending. When the Rajya Sabha elections happen in April, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) should get one seat. This is our demand, and this is what we were saying to our party officials," Manjhi stated,

The Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) is a Dalit-centric regional party in Bihar founded by Jitan Ram Manjhi in 2015 after his split from the Janata Dal (United). Manjhi, a prominent Mahadalit leader, served as Bihar's Chief Minister for a brief period from 2014 to 2015 and has since positioned HAM(S) as a key voice for marginalised communities.

Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, HAM(S) aligned with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar. Following the NDA's victory at the Centre in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Manjhi was inducted into the Union Council of Ministers.

Earlier in November, following NDA's landslide victory in Bihar Assembly polls, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi had said there was "kanjoosi" (miserliness) within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to give more seats to his party, still, he did not protest as he was "disciplined within the alliance."

He said his demand for more seats is linked to his efforts to obtain recognition as a "recognised political party" from the Election Commission of India (ECI). Without that status, he says he faces "humiliation at many places."

"Our party has been in existence for 10 years, but we are yet to become a recognised party; we're a registered party, and due to this, we have to face humiliation at many places," Manjhi told reporters.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
This is the realpolitik of Bihar. Every ally wants their pound of flesh after the election. But Manjhi is right to raise this now, before the Rajya Sabha polls. Let's see if the BJP leadership listens. 🤔
S
Suresh O
While I understand his demand, airing grievances in public like this weakens the alliance. These matters should be discussed internally. Calling it 'kanjoosi' last month wasn't a good look either.
A
Ananya R
His frustration about party recognition is valid. Being a registered but not recognized party must be tough for ground-level workers. The EC criteria should be revisited for long-standing regional parties.
D
David E
Interesting to see how coalition dynamics work in Indian states. Manjhi seems to be playing a careful game - showing loyalty but also pushing for his party's share. The Rajya Sabha seat would give his party a national platform.
K
Karthik V
As a Bihari, I've seen Manjhi's work. He is a strong voice for Mahadalits. If the NDA wants to keep its social coalition intact in Bihar, they should fulfill this promise. A Rajya Sabha seat is a small price for a loyal ally.

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