Patna, October 10, 2025 – Jitan Ram Manjhi, a prominent leader of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) [HAM(S)] and an ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, has recently taken a jibe at Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, further intensifying the political atmosphere in the state. Manjhi's remarks come amid heightened political posturing ahead of the 2025 assembly elections, with both ruling and opposition parties strategizing and positioning themselves for the upcoming polls.
The political jibe centers around Tejashwi Yadav's recent announcement promising government jobs for one member of every family if the RJD comes to power. Manjhi, known for his sharp and often satirical remarks, ridiculed the proposal, deeming it an unrealistic display of the Lalu family's "desperation for power".
In a tweet, Manjhi sarcastically suggested that Tejashwi might as well promise a four-kattha farmhouse on the Moon and Mars to every family if the RJD were to form the government. He then added a proverb in his native tone to emphasize his point: "Beta laltenwa, gadha chahe kitna koshish kar le, okar sir par singh nai nikal sakta, boojhe (No matter how hard the donkey tries, it can never grow horns)". This statement implies that promises alone cannot change reality.
This isn't the first time Manjhi has targeted Tejashwi Yadav. In September 2019, Manjhi accused Tejashwi of displaying "a soft corner for the NDA". He defended his decision to announce his party's candidate from Nathnagar Assembly seat ahead of a Grand Alliance meeting, blaming Tejashwi for the confusion prevailing in the five-party formation. In June 2025, Manjhi also countered Tejashwi Yadav's allegations regarding the ongoing voter list revision issue. In September 2024, Tejashwi Yadav criticized Jitan Ram Manjhi for his remarks on the Nawada incident, accusing him and his son of aligning with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideology.
Manjhi's HAM(S) is a significant player in Bihar's political landscape and a key ally of the NDA. As the assembly elections draw closer, seat-sharing discussions within the NDA have intensified. Manjhi has asserted that his party will not contest the elections if allotted fewer than 15 seats. He has also set a strategic goal for his party, aiming to secure 6% of the votes across Bihar. Manjhi has stressed the importance of the NDA respecting his party's position and has appealed to the alliance not to insult HAM(S).
The NDA in Bihar includes the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP], Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) [LJP(RV)], HAM, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha [RLM]. Recent reports suggest that the BJP has allocated 22 seats for LJP, with HAM likely to receive eight seats and RLM four. However, Chirag Paswan's LJP(RV) is reportedly aiming to contest 45 to 54 seats, while the BJP is willing to offer only 20-25.
These developments indicate a complex and dynamic political landscape in Bihar, with parties maneuvering for advantageous positions ahead of the upcoming elections. The elections to the 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held in two phases, on November 6 and November 11, with the votes being counted on November 16.
