New Delhi: In a significant political development, former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has officially joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This decision comes after his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Wednesday. Accompanying him was his son and the National President of Hindustani Awam Morcha (WE), Santosh Kumar Suman.
Earlier, Jitan Ram Manjhi had withdrawn support from the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar. This move was made following his meeting with Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Tuesday itself. “We are four MLAs of the party,” stated Manjhi. Subsequently, Manjhi and his son headed to meet senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Amit Shah had granted them a meeting on Wednesday. The discussion between former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, HAM National President Dr. Santosh Kumar Suman, and Amit Shah lasted for approximately 45 minutes. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai was also present during the meeting.
Following the meeting, Dr. Santosh Kumar Suman stated that various important points were discussed with the Home Minister. “After a detailed discussion, we have formally agreed to stay with the NDA. The electoral strategy will be decided later, but we will contest the Lok Sabha elections in alliance with the BJP. NDA has always been strong in Bihar. The country stands with Prime Minister Modi, and this time too, he will become the Prime Minister,” Suman said.
It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had been pressuring Jitan Ram Manjhi to merge his party with Janata Dal United (JDU). In response to this, Santosh Suman, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s son and a minister in the Bihar government, resigned from his post on June 13. Subsequently, after meeting the Governor, Jitan Ram Manjhi severed his ties with the Grand Alliance. Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar accused him of acting as an informer for the BJP while being part of the Grand Alliance. JDU national president Lalan Singh had instructed his party members to even “target a small shop.”