Gaya (Bihar) [India], December 22 : Reaffirming his commitment to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has said that he would not abandon Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while stressing that the government must continue to address his concerns.
Highlighting the legacy of Dashrath Manjhi, the Union Minister said that had Manjhi belonged to a different caste, he would have already been honoured with a President's Award. The HAM (S) chief added that he is in discussion with Prime Minister Modi to confer the President's Award on Dashrath Manjhi.
Dashrath Manjhi, known nationwide for his extraordinary feat, hailed from Gehlaur village near Gaya. According to the Bihar government, Manjhi single-handedly carved a 110-metre-long (360 feet), 9.1-metre-wide (30 feet), and 7.7-metre-deep (25 feet) path through a hill using only a hammer and chisel. The project took him 22 years to complete and reduced the distance between the Atri and Wazirganj blocks in Gaya district from 55 km to 15 km.
Manjhi also acknowledged that differences of opinion occasionally arise with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, but described them as issues between brothers. He said he has always stood by Nitish Kumar and cited the hijab controversy as an example of when he was the first to come out in the Chief Minister's defence.
These remarks come in the backdrop of Manjhi's earlier statements in which he claimed that the NDA had reneged on its promises.
During a public event in Gaya on Sunday, Manjhi had said his party deserved a Rajya Sabha seat and asserted that, if necessary, it could contest elections independently to strengthen itself. He also clarified that the party is not seeking ministerial positions at the Centre or in the state.
Jitan Ram Manjhi reiterated his party's demand for a Rajya Sabha seat, recalling assurances made during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as part of the NDA alliance in Bihar.
Speaking to reporters, Manjhi said his party had been promised two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat during seat-sharing talks ahead of the 2024 general elections.
"In the 2024 elections, we were promised two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat. At that time, we were given one Lok Sabha seat, which we won, and we thank the Prime Minister for appointing us as a minister; however, the Rajya Sabha seat is still pending. When the Rajya Sabha elections happen in April, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) should get one seat. This is our demand, and this is what we were saying to our party officials," Manjhi stated.
"I receive Rs 5 crore every year under the MP fund. Others take a 10 per cent commission," he remarked. Referring to his son, he added that even collecting five per cent could generate substantial funds for the party.