In the lead-up to the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for November 6 and 11, 2025, all eyes are on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the role Jitan Ram Manjhi, a veteran politician and leader of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), will play. Manjhi, a former Chief Minister himself, could be the NDA's "Mountain Man," potentially influencing the balance for the ruling coalition.
The NDA has finalized its seat-sharing arrangement, with BJP and JD(U) contesting 101 seats each. Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will contest 29 seats, while Manjhi's HAM and Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) have been allocated 6 seats each. While this allocation has caused some discontent within HAM, Manjhi has affirmed his support for the NDA, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and vowing to strengthen the alliance. Despite initial demands for 15 seats to ensure HAM's recognition as a registered party, Manjhi has accepted the NDA's decision, stating he will not oppose it.
Manjhi's influence stems from his strong connection to the Dalit community and his extensive political experience. He has been a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly since 1980 and has served as a minister in various state governments, under multiple chief ministers. This deep understanding of Bihar's political landscape makes him a valuable asset to the NDA.
However, tensions remain. Manjhi initially expressed concerns that HAM was "undervalued" by the NDA's seat-sharing arrangement, hinting at potential repercussions. Despite these concerns, he has reiterated his commitment to the alliance. In a show of confidence, HAM has announced its candidates for all six allocated seats, including sitting MLAs and family members.
The NDA is projecting confidence in their prospects for the upcoming elections. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini stated that the NDA would form the next government in Bihar, with the people continuing to trust Nitish Kumar. LJP (Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Choudhary even claimed the NDA would win over 225 seats. The BJP has also announced its list of star campaigners, including top leaders like Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and Rajnath Singh.
Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan is facing its own challenges, with disagreements over seat-sharing still unresolved. Congress leaders have indicated that Tejashwi Yadav is expected to be the opposition alliance's chief ministerial face. Amidst this, Union Minister Nityanand Rai has mocked the opposition alliance, predicting a crushing defeat for them.
As the election draws closer, all eyes will be on Jitan Ram Manjhi and whether he can, indeed, act as the NDA's "Mountain Man," helping the alliance secure a victory in Bihar. The veteran leader's ability to mobilize his support base and navigate the complex political dynamics of the state will be crucial in determining the election's outcome. The polling will be conducted in two phases on November 6 and 11 and the votes will be counted on November 14.
