Jitan Ram Manjhi Defies Odds to Become Union Minister in Modi’s 3.0 Cabinet

Jitan Ram Manjhi, the founder of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) in Bihar, achieved a remarkable feat by being inducted as a central minister in the Modi government. His political journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, marked by persistence and resilience.

In his quest for a Lok Sabha seat, Jitan Ram Manjhi faced multiple defeats before finally securing victory this time. Starting from finishing third in 2014 as a JD(U) candidate, he continued to contest under the HAM(S) banner, ultimately gaining the coveted seat in the recent elections.

Jitan Ram Manjhi’s tenure as the Chief Minister of Bihar saw dramatic turns, especially when he defied expectations by asserting his independence and forming his own party after being ousted by Nitish Kumar in 2015. From then on, his political affiliations shifted strategically, aligning with different parties such as the NDA and Mahagathbandhan.

Prior to his MP stint, Manjhi served as an MLA from Imamganj in Gaya district and held a ministerial position for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Welfare in Nitish Kumar’s cabinet. His political survival through transitions from Congress to JD(U) has earned him a reputation as a relentless advocate for the Dalit community.