In a significant boost for the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), founder Jitan Ram Manjhi has secured five out of six seats allocated to his party in the recent elections. This achievement comes at a pivotal time for Manjhi, who faced considerable criticism for perceived family-centric and financial influence in politics.
HAM(S) Triumphs in Recent Elections
The HAM’s strong performance highlights the evolving political landscape, particularly in Bihar. It contrasts sharply with the losses experienced by its ally, Lok Janshakti Party (R) or LJP(RV), which faced a decrease of ten seats. This loss has shifted dynamics within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Key Election Outcomes
- HAM(S)’s Performance: Secured five out of six seats.
- LJP(RV) Loss: Suffered a setback with a reduction of ten seats.
- Close Contests: Shyam Deo Paswan, the LJP(RV) candidate, lost the Bodh Gaya seat by 881 votes.
Nandlal Manjhi, a close aide of Jitan Ram Manjhi, played a crucial role in securing a win by drawing votes away from LJP(RV), particularly in Bodh Gaya. Notably, he contested as an independent while another former aide, Laxman Manjhi, performed well on a Jan Suraj ticket.
Significant Wins for HAM(S)
Deepa Manjhi, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s daughter-in-law, achieved a notable victory in the Imamganj reserved seat, further solidifying the family’s influence within the party. This seat was crucial for HAM(S) as it positioned Deepa as a proxy for her father-in-law.
However, the party faced a surprising defeat in the Tekari constituency, where Anil Kumar, a long-standing party loyalist, was expected to win. This unexpected loss has raised concerns within the party.
Historic Rivals and Surprising Upsets
The most remarkable victory for HAM(S) occurred in Sikandara, where the party’s candidate defeated former speaker Uday Narain Chaudhary from the RJD. This rivalry has historical significance, as Manjhi previously defeated Chaudhary in their past two elections.
Jitan Ram Manjhi’s strategic decisions also played a key role. He expressed interest in contesting the Atri seat in Gaya district, where his native village, Mahkar, lies. Despite it being a challenging constituency for non-Yadav candidates, he fielded Romit Kumar and considered the move strategic.
Another standout moment was Lalan Ram’s victory from Kutumba in Nawa district, where he won by over 20,000 votes against BPCC chief Rajesh Ram. This upset showcased the unpredictable nature of the election results.
Overall, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s secured seats have significantly strengthened the position of HAM(S) within the NDA, providing a new momentum heading into future political engagements.
