Manjhi Backs Nitish as NDA's CM Face, Eases Seat-Sharing Stance Ahead of Bihar Polls

Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) chief and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi appears to have moderated his earlier adamant position on seat sharing in the run-up to the 2025 Bihar Assembly polls.

While earlier adamant about contesting 40 to 50 seats, Manjhi now appears to be following the general trend in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), emphasizing unity and joint decision-making.

Replying to queries from journalists on Friday regarding his party's election strategy, Manjhi stated, "The NDA is going to contest all seats united. We are ready. There is no seat sharing issue within the NDA. We will all sit together and decide. We will fight the elections together."

Manjhi also whole-heartedly supported Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the face of the NDA for the next election campaign.

The 2025 elections will be contested in the leadership of Nitish Kumar. He will remain the Chief Minister—there should be no confusion in this matter," he said.

With backing of the top BJP leadership for his words, Manjhi further said, "Even HM Shah has categorically stated that Nitish Kumar is our CM face. There is no second thought in this.

Addressing the opposition Mahagathbandhan and its leader Tejashwi Yadav, Manjhi raised questions about the unity and leadership in the alliance.

"He might have been appointed as the chairman of the coordination committee, but that does not imply that he is the leader. These individuals will never join together and will never formally announce Tejashwi as their Chief Ministerial face," he stated.

Speaking on speculation surrounding VIP leader Mukesh Sahani’s possible return to the BJP, Manjhi responded, “That is his personal matter. But one thing is certain—the Grand Alliance will never make him Deputy CM. The public will not bless him, and he will not win.”

Manjhi also took a strong swipe at the West Bengal administration under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of failing to maintain law and order.

What is going on under Mamata Banerjee's government is a betrayal of the Constitution. The Central government must act swiftly, as law and order are being brazenly disregarded," he said.