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Jitan Ram Manjhi

About Jitan Ram Manjhi

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Who is Jitan Ram Manjhi?

Jitan Ram Manjhi is an Indian politician and a significant figure in Bihar's political landscape. He won the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Bihar's Gaya constituency with 494,960 votes out of the 963,676 total votes, or 51.36 per cent of vote share. His main opponent Rashtriya Janata Dal candidate Kumar Sarvjeet managed to bag 40.8 per cent of vote share. On 10 June, 2024, Manjhi was appointed as the Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises under the newly formed NDA govt after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He has previously served as the 23rd Chief Minister of Bihar from May 2014 to February 2015. Born on October 6, 1944, in Mahkar, Gaya district, Bihar, Manjhi comes from the Musahar community, which is a Dalit community. His commitment to education and social service laid the groundwork for his future political career.
 
Educational background
Jitan Ram Manjhi completed his early education in his native village in the Gaya district of Bihar. He pursued higher education at Magadh University in Bodh Gaya, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Political History
Manjhi began his political journey with the Indian National Congress (INC) and was first elected as a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1980 from the Fatehpur constituency. Over the years, he shifted his political allegiance several times, joining the Janata Dal and later the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), before finally aligning with the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)].
 
Throughout his career, Manjhi held various ministerial positions in the Bihar government, handling portfolios such as SC/ST Welfare, Transport, and Revenue & Land Reforms. His administrative experience and focus on social justice and development earned him recognition as a dedicated public servant. In May 2014, Jitan Ram Manjhi was appointed as the Chief Minister of Bihar following the resignation of Nitish Kumar. Kumar stepped down after his party, JD(U), performed poorly in the 2014 general elections. Manjhi's appointment was seen as a move to strengthen the support base among the Dalit community. During his tenure as Chief Minister, Manjhi implemented several welfare schemes aimed at uplifting marginalised communities and improving social infrastructure. However, Manjhi's term as Chief Minister was marked by political instability and internal conflicts within the JD(U). Disagreements between Manjhi and Nitish Kumar led to a power struggle, culminating in Manjhi's resignation in February 2015. Nitish Kumar then returned to the position of Chief Minister.
 
Following his resignation, Manjhi formed his own political party, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) [HAM(S)], in April 2015. The party aimed to represent the interests of marginalised communities and weaker sections of society. In the 2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, HAM(S) aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
 
Although HAM(S) did not win many seats, it remained an important ally in Bihar's political scenario. Manjhi's political journey took another turn in 2018 when HAM(S) exited the NDA and joined the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led alliance, Mahagathbandhan, ahead of the 2019 general elections. This move was seen as an effort to consolidate support among the opposition parties against the BJP-JD(U) coalition in Bihar. In the 2020 Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, HAM(S) contested as part of the Mahagathbandhan. However, post-elections, Manjhi realigned with the NDA, rejoining the alliance in a strategic move to maintain his political relevance and continue his efforts towards social justice and development.
 
Jitan Ram Manjhi's political career is characterised by his focus on social justice, particularly for marginalised communities. His journey from a humble background to holding the highest political office in Bihar reflects his dedication to public service.

Latest Updates on Jitan Ram Manjhi

The state has decided to formulate a more inclusive and comprehensive scheme based on social justice for artisans, which does not discriminate based on caste, Stalin said in a letter to Manjhi

Updated On: 27 Nov 2024 | 7:56 PM IST

Describing the tragedy as "tragic," Jan Suraj Party chief Prashant Kishor said on Thursday that the state's liquor ban is not enforced anywhere, existing only in government files and political

Updated On: 18 Oct 2024 | 10:17 AM IST

As Odisha's first BJP government completes 100 days in power on Thursday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will present his ministry's report card at a function in Puri later in the day.

Updated On: 19 Sep 2024 | 12:23 PM IST

Prior to the approval of the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) Board, women-owned units were entitled to getting 85 per cent credit guarantee coverage

Updated On: 17 Sep 2024 | 5:44 PM IST

Manjhi's statement is in line with the demand for the president's rule made by the BJP, the largest constituent of the NDA, which is also the principal opposition party in West Bengal

Updated On: 17 Aug 2024 | 2:59 PM IST

The vice chairman and full-time members of the apex public policy think tank remain unchanged

Updated On: 16 Jul 2024 | 11:16 PM IST

Manjhi was chief minister of Bihar from May 2014 to February 2015

Updated On: 10 Jun 2024 | 10:49 PM IST

Another young minister is Raksha Khadse (37), an MP from Maharashtra. She won the Raver Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra

Updated On: 10 Jun 2024 | 7:13 PM IST

Manjhi had been trying his luck from Gaya since the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in which he was the JD(U) candidate and finished third

Updated On: 04 Jun 2024 | 5:05 PM IST

Gaya goes to poll in Phase 1 of Lok Sabha 2024 elections, on April 19

Updated On: 17 Apr 2024 | 11:57 PM IST

In the 2019 polls, the former CM had declared movable assets worth Rs 10.2 lakh and Rs 40,000 cash in hand

Updated On: 30 Mar 2024 | 2:30 PM IST

Manjhi said if Shravan Kumar is saying something consider it being said by Nitish Kumar

Updated On: 29 Aug 2023 | 12:57 PM IST

Manjhi's son Santosh Suman, the party's national president, said an appointment has been sought with Governor Rajendra Arlekar for handing over the letter of withdrawal of support

Updated On: 19 Jun 2023 | 11:24 PM IST

The national executive committee meeting of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) is scheduled to be held in Patna on Monday where Jitan Ram Manjhi will decide the future course of action

Updated On: 19 Jun 2023 | 12:00 PM IST

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday charged Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) party founder, Jitan Ram Manjhi, of spying on Mahagathbandhan allies

Updated On: 16 Jun 2023 | 2:59 PM IST

In a sudden move, Bihar minister for SC and ST welfare, Santosh Suman, on Tuesday resigned from the Nitish Kumar cabinet, his party Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) announced here

Updated On: 13 Jun 2023 | 2:42 PM IST

Jitan Ram Manjhi had met Home Minister Amit Shah. However, the former Bihar chief minister asserted that it was not a political meeting

Updated On: 02 Jun 2023 | 6:44 PM IST

Former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi has said that being in the NDA as a junior partner of the BJP and the JD(U) was causing him suffocation, as he regretted having stepped down in 2015

Updated On: 06 Jun 2022 | 5:45 PM IST

"We want to discuss each and every issue related to caste-based census. The leaders of different political parties will give their suggestions which will be a great help," he said.

Updated On: 23 May 2022 | 4:17 PM IST

Former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi said: "We have invited leaders of all sections without caring about party politics. It is a religious event where leaders of all sections are welcome."

Updated On: 30 Apr 2022 | 7:02 AM IST