Union Minister for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Jitan Ram Manjhi, has directly challenged Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav as the Bihar assembly elections approach. Manjhi accused Yadav and the opposition’s Mahagathbandhan of consistently misleading the public with their political narratives, emphasizing that the people of Bihar are now politically awakened and will not fall into their alleged “trap” this time.
Speaking to ANI, Manjhi, who also leads the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), recalled past election strategies, stating, “During the Lok Sabha elections, they continued the narrative that the constitution is in danger, and this tactic worked to some extent, which is why the NDA won fewer seats. They are again forming such a narrative.” He expressed confidence that the NDA will form the government in Bihar. However, he cautioned that if the Mahagathbandhan were to come to power under unforeseen circumstances, they would likely blame the Union government for financial constraints and fail to deliver on their promises.
Manjhi highlighted that his party, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), is set to contest the 2025 Bihar assembly elections on six seats.
Earlier, Tejashwi Yadav had asserted that the people of Bihar are well aware of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) tactics and are eager for a change in government. He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that Bihar is being overlooked while industries are being established in Gujarat. Yadav also claimed significant public support for the Mahagathbandhan, stating, “The campaign has begun, and Bihar is impatient for change. Wherever we are going, people from all castes and religions are coming in large numbers to support us. People are fed up with the current government and want to change the Bihar government.”
Yadav, who has been declared the Chief Ministerial candidate by the Mahagathbandhan, further alleged that the current government has been in power for 20 years without vision, leading to a surge in corruption and crime. He also mentioned a statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the unavailability of land for industrial projects in Bihar.
In a significant promise, Tejashwi Yadav stated that the honorarium and allowances for panchayat and village court representatives would be doubled once the Mahagathbandhan forms the government in Bihar. The Mahagathbandhan has named Tejashwi Yadav as their Chief Ministerial candidate and Mukesh Sahani of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) as the Deputy CM candidate.
The upcoming 2025 Bihar Assembly elections are shaping up to be a direct contest between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan. The NDA coalition includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. The Mahagathbandhan is led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and comprises the Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist), and Mukesh Sahani’s VIP. Additionally, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party plans to contest all 243 Assembly seats.
The Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled to take place in two phases on November 6 and 11, with the vote counting set for November 14.