Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has received a significant boost to his political career after his party HAM(S) delivered an impressive performance in the Bihar elections, winning five out of the six seats allotted to them within the NDA alliance.
Major Victory Amid Political Challenges
The strong showing comes at a crucial time for Manjhi, who had faced recent criticism for what many described as family-centric and allegedly money-centric politics. His party had also been dealing with a series of resignations and expulsions before the polls.
The victory becomes even more significant when compared to ally-cum-rival LJP(RV)'s performance. While HAM(S) secured a near-perfect score of five out of six seats, LJP(RV) struggled considerably, losing 10 seats compared to just one loss for the Manjhi-led party.
Key Constituency Battles and Surprises
One of the most dramatic contests unfolded in Bodh Gaya, where LJP(RV) candidate Shyam Deo Paswan lost by a narrow margin of 881 votes. Political observers widely believe that the presence of Nandlal Manjhi, considered a loyal rebel of Jitan Ram Manjhi, played a decisive role in this outcome. Nandlal Manjhi, contesting as an independent, secured 10,181 votes while another former Manjhi aide, Laxman Manjhi, fighting on a Jan Suraj ticket, got 4,024 votes.
The victory of Deepa Manjhi, Jitan Ram Manjhi's daughter-in-law, from the Imamganj reserved seat in Gaya district carried particular significance for the HAM(S) chief. Many viewed Deepa as contesting essentially as his proxy, making this win personally important for Manjhi.
However, the party faced an unexpected setback in Tekari, where former minister and long-time loyalist Anil Kumar failed to secure the seat despite strong expectations of his victory.
Morale-Boosting Wins and Strategic Triumphs
Perhaps the most morale-boosting victory for HAM(S) came from Sikandara, where the party's candidate defeated former speaker Uday Narain Chaudhary of the RJD. This win held special significance given the long-standing rivalry between Manjhi and Chaudhary - Manjhi had previously beaten Chaudhary twice before, in 2015 and 2020, in the Imamganj constituency of Gaya district.
Manjhi's strategic acumen was evident in the Atri seat contest. Before the polls, he had insisted that his party contest the Atri seat in Gaya district since his native village Mahkar falls within this constituency. Despite Atri being considered a difficult seat - both an RJD stronghold and backward-dominated - Manjhi fielded Romit Kumar, a Bhumihar. This was particularly notable since the seat hadn't been won by a non-Yadav candidate since 1990, when Congress leader Ranjit Singh emerged victorious.
Another remarkable upset came from Kutumba in Nawa district, where HAM(S) candidate Lalan Ram, widely seen as the underdog, defeated BPCC chief Rajesh Ram by more than 20,000 votes, delivering one of the election's biggest surprises.
Political Implications and Future Prospects
The election results have significantly strengthened Jitan Ram Manjhi's position within the NDA alliance, especially when contrasted with LJP(RV)'s relatively weak performance. The outcome in Bodh Gaya has introduced a fresh dynamic into NDA politics, with the influence of Manjhi's associates proving decisive even when they contested independently.
This performance provides Manjhi with much-needed political capital after months of criticism and internal party challenges. The successful showing across multiple constituencies, including difficult seats and unexpected upsets, demonstrates his continued relevance in Bihar politics and his ability to deliver results for the NDA coalition.
