In a move that could potentially destabilize the ruling coalition in Bihar, Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) founder Jitan Ram Manjhi has issued a stark ultimatum to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He has threatened to resign from the Union Cabinet and exit the alliance if a Rajya Sabha seat is not allocated to his party as promised.
The Gaya Ultimatum: A Promise Yet to be Fulfilled
Addressing a party function in Gaya on Sunday, Manjhi, who serves as the Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in the Modi government, laid bare his grievances. He asserted that during the seat-sharing negotiations for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had promised his party two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat. However, HAM(S) was ultimately given only one Lok Sabha constituency, which Manjhi himself contested and won.
"We should be spared one RS berth as promised during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections," Manjhi declared. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his cabinet position but emphasized that the Rajya Sabha commitment remained outstanding. "I thank the PM for giving me a place in the union cabinet, but our RS seat is still due," he stated.
Watching and Waiting: The Allocation Anxiety
The minister revealed that his frustration was compounded by recent media reports speculating on the allocation of five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar that will fall vacant in April next year. According to these reports, two seats would go to the BJP, two to the Janata Dal (United), and one to the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).
"Last night, I was watching news on TV channels which suggested that of the five seats falling vacant in April next year, two will go to BJP, two to JD(U) and one to LJP (Ram Vilas), but where does HAM(S) stand?" he questioned. This apparent exclusion from the proposed distribution prompted his strong reaction.
A Separate Path and Family Advice
Manjhi did not mince words about the potential consequences. "If our demand is not fulfilled, I will quit the cabinet and will follow a separate path," he warned. This threat underscores the simmering tensions within the NDA in Bihar, where regional allies often jostle for recognition and representation.
In a related development, Manjhi also offered political advice to his son, Santosh Kumar Suman, who is a minister in the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government. He urged him to "take a risk in politics" and remain steadfast, indicating a preparedness for potential political realignments.
The public ultimatum from a sitting Union Minister puts the BJP leadership in a delicate position. It highlights the challenges of managing coalition dynamics, especially when pre-poll assurances are perceived to be unmet. The BJP's response to Manjhi's demand will be closely watched, as it could impact the stability of both the central government's cabinet and the NDA's unity in the politically crucial state of Bihar.
