Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chirag Paswan post cryptic messages on social media, signal unease in NDA seat-sharing talks
Ahead of the final seat-sharing talks in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Union Ministers Jitan Ram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan posted cryptic messages on social media platform X, sending a clear signal to ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over their demand for a “respectable” share of seats. Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) founder Mr. Manjhi shared verses from Ramdhari Singh Dinkar’s Rashmirathi, implied the BJP was Duryodhana, unwilling to give away a meagre five villages to the Pandavas. The former Chief Minister modified the reference of five villages from the epic poem Mahabharata to 15 villages. “If justice be in half measure, then give but a half. And if that too faces an obstacle, then give but 15 villages, and keep the all the rest of thy land. We [HAM(S)] will happily eat in our share, and shall not raise a sword against our kinfolk,” Mr. Manjhi’s post read recounting Dinkar’s poem. The BJP-led NDA in Bihar comprises Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), Mr. Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Mr. Manjhi’s HAM(S), and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Mr. Manjhi has repeatedly said that this time he aims to secure recognition for HAM(S), founded in 2015, which requires winning at least eight seats. In the 2020 elections, the party was allotted seven seats and won four. Sources indicated that the BJP has offered no more than 10 seats to HAM(S). Discontent also exists over Kushwaha’s party receiving equal treatment despite having no MLA or MLC in the Bihar Assembly or Council. Amid the negotiations, Mr. Manjhi left for Assam on Sunday, likely returning on October 10. Speaking to a news agency, he said, “If my party does not get respectable seats, HAM(S) will not contest the Assembly election but will continue to support the NDA.” He added that his only demand was recognition for his party, not ministerial positions. Mr. Paswan also posted a message on X on the death anniversary of his father, Ram Vilas Paswan, “Papa always used to say, do not commit a crime, do not tolerate a crime. If you want to live, learn to die and learn to fight at every step.” Asked later about the post, Mr. Paswan said it was inspired by his father’s parliamentary speeches. “His speeches have helped in coming out and keeping myself stronger in the most difficult times when my party and family were broken. Media may try to infer a political meaning, but for me, it is those words which have kept me strong,” he said. He later visited Shaharbani, his father’s birthplace in Khagaria district, to pay homage to his statue with family members. When asked if he was satisfied with the number of seats offered, Mr. Paswan said, “Nothing has happened so far… talks are still going on. When it is finalised, we will announce it.” According to LJP(RV) sources, Mr. Paswan, whose party has five MPs, has demanded 30 Assembly seats, while the BJP is reportedly unwilling to offer more than 22. BJP sources indicated that the party is considering offering one Rajya Sabha and one Legislative Council seat to compensate.