Last Updated:
Both leaders head Dalit-centric parties within the NDA, and both are vying to strengthen their bargaining power.
HAM chief Jitan Ram Manjhi (left) and LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan (Right)
As Bihar gears up for assembly elections next month, political tensions within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are beginning to surface. Tensions within the alliance surfaced online as two Dalit leaders – Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan used poetic verses and emotional appeals to make their political intent clear.
Manjhi’s plea for ‘Justice’
Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief and former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi took to X (formerly Twitter) to post a cryptic yet symbolic message,
“If you want justice,
If there is any obstacle for me too,
to de do only 15 grams,
keep your earth intact,
HAM will eat there happily,
I will not raise the burden on my family.”
Through this post, Manjhi appears to be suggesting that even a small measure of justice or, politically speaking, a modest share of seats would be accepted graciously by his party. However, he also warns that fairness should not come at the cost of harming his supporters or community.
“If there is justice then give half of it, if there is any hindrance in that too, then give only 15 grams, keep all your land, HAM will eat only that happily, will not burden the family”— Jitan Ram Manjhi (@jitanrmanjhi) October 8, 2025
In a subsequent statement, Manjhi clarified his stand, “There is no dispute on seat-sharing from our side. We are only asking for recognised seats so that our party gains official status in the Assembly. Even if we don’t contest a single seat, we will remain with the NDA.”
His remarks come amid reports that the HAM (S) is demanding 20-25 seats in the upcoming state elections.
What did Chirag Paswan say?
LOK Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) Chef Chirag Paswan posted his own emotional message on X earlier, invoking the words of his late father, Ram Vilas Paswan,
“Papa always said –
If you commit crime, you will die if you commit crime.
Life is to learn to die,
“Learn to load step by step.”
The quote, meaning “Never commit a crime, never tolerate one. Learn to fight at every step,” served as both a tribute and a signal, a call for resilience and defiance. Chirag’s post can be read as a subtle reminder to allies that his party will not accept marginalisation within the NDA’s seat-sharing framework.
Papa always used to say – “Don’t commit crimes, don’t tolerate crimes. If you want to live, learn to die, learn to fight at every step.”#Ramvilaspas pic.twitter.com/9kcc2VswAo— Young Bihari Chirag Paswan (@iChiragPaswan) October 8, 2025
Political undercurrents and Dalit representation
The Manjhi and Paswan poetic exchange goes beyond social media theatrics. Both leaders head Dalit-centric parties within the NDA, and both are vying to strengthen their bargaining power. At a rally in Darbhanga, Manjhi reiterated his demands, “We have only four MLAs now. We want 20 to 25 so that our voice can be heard strongly in the Assembly.” He also outlined promises including free education for girls, an increased social pension, and free household electricity.
Manjhi’s statement comes at a delicate time, as the NDA’s Bihar allies race to finalise seat-sharing ahead of nominations.
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public…Read More
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public… Read More
Delhi, India, India
October 08, 2025, 1:12 PM IST
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
