Jitan Ram Manjhi, who once acted as Nitish's backup CM in Bihar, finds his place in Modi 3.0
File image of Bihar's former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.
Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) leader and Bihar's former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has become a part of the Narendra Modi government's cabinet.
Manjhi, who clinched victory from Gaya -the only seat on which HAM (S) contested - had been the chief minister of Bihar from May 2014 to February 2015.
On Sunday (June 9), Manjhi wrote in Hindi on X, “Will be a part of the programme at Prime MinisterNarendra Modi’s residence. There is good news for the people of Gaya and Bihar.”
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Meanwhile, speaking to The Indian Express, HAM(S) spokesperson Danish Rizwan said, "Manjhi ji received a call in the morning and was informed abouthim being made a minister. We are all overwhelmed. It will send a great message to the entire Dalit community in Bihar."
From MLA to backup CM: Manjhi sails his boat in Bihar politics
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The political career of Manjhi soared to new heights when he became Bihar's chief minister between 2014 to 2015. The Dalit leader became the first chief minister of the state who belonged to the Musahar community.
Through the years, Manjhi remained affiliated with different parties which included close ally Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United).
In 1980, Manjhi stepped into the world of politics as a Congress candidate.He was part of three consecutive cabinets, which were headed by Congress in Bihar, between 1980 and 1990.
The Dalit leader joined the Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal in 1990 after splitting from the Janata Dal.
Manjhi was made a minister in the RJD-ledgovernment from 1996 to 2005 before he switched sides and joined Nitish Kumar's JD (U).
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He turned out to be the surprise choice of Nitish Kumar in 2014 for the position of Bihar chief minister when Kumar resigned in a huff afteran embarrassing performance in the Lok Sabha elections in 2014.
Kumar chose Manjhi because he maintained a low profile and also because of the 70-year-old’s surname. It was expected that Manjhi would keep the seat safe for Nitish, once he came back and took over the chief minister's position.
(With inputs from agencies)