‘We deserve respect’: Manjhi warns NDA, demands 15 seats in Bihar polls

‘We deserve respect’: Manjhi warns NDA, demands 15 seats in Bihar polls

As Bihar heads into assembly elections next month, cracks are beginning to show within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief and former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has publicly expressed dissatisfaction over the NDA’s seat-sharing talks, warning that his party will not contest the polls if it is denied at least 15 seats.

“If we do not get 15 seats, we will not contest the elections. I feel insulted, and our people have been ignored. We have always stood by the NDA; it is their duty to ensure we are respected,” Manjhi told reporters, adding that 15 seats would give his party a fair chance to win 8–9 constituencies.

“If that doesn’t happen, we will consider our final option to assert our presence in 60–70 constituencies to gain official party recognition,” he said.

“Ho nyay agar to aadha do, yadi usme bhi koi badha ho, to de do keval 15 gram, rakho apni dharti tamaam," he posted on X

The verse, loosely translated, suggests that even a small share of justice,  symbolised by the demand for 15 seats, would be enough if given with respect.

“There is no dispute from our side. We only seek recognised seats to gain official status in the Assembly. Even if we contest none, we will stay with the NDA," Manjhi said clarifying his position later.

Meanwhile, tensions within the NDA’s Dalit leadership deepened after Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan posted his own emotional note on X.

“Jurm karo mat, jurm saho mat. Jeena hai to marna seekho, kadam kadam par ladna seekho," he posted on X.

The post, viewed as both a tribute and a veiled warning, signalled that the LJP would resist any attempt to sideline it in seat-sharing.

Both Manjhi and Paswan, key Dalit voices in the NDA, are asserting greater influence as allies scramble to finalise seat allocations ahead of Bihar’s high-stakes elections.