Jitan Ram Manjhi, the former Chief Minister and leader of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), addressed a ‘TV-9 Digital Meeting’ in Gaya, Bihar, as the state gears up for assembly elections. During the event, he responded to queries about the political landscape, including speculations about a potential return of Lalu Prasad Yadav and whether Nitish Kumar’s influence was waning. Manjhi suggested that those criticizing others might have a skewed vision. He lauded Nitish Kumar’s governance, citing the latter’s long tenure and contributions to Bihar’s development. He recalled his early days in the assembly, highlighting the vast improvement in the electricity supply, a change he attributed to Nitish Kumar.
Addressing concerns about seat sharing within the NDA, Manjhi dismissed any internal discord. He emphasized the NDA’s cohesion. He referenced his experience during the Lok Sabha elections, where he didn’t receive the number of seats initially promised. He acknowledged the appointment of a HAM member to the MSME department as a gesture of appreciation from Narendra Modi. When questioned about the number of seats his party seeks, Manjhi indirectly signaled a desire for increased representation, implying that HAM, established in 2025, merits recognition and corresponding seat allocation. He concluded with a veiled statement, suggesting that the specifics should remain undisclosed for the time being.