Manjhi, HAM and changing political equations in Bihar

Ousted Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Saturday floated a new front- Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM)- in an effort to counter his one-time mentor Nitish Kumar.

During the launch, he accused Nitish Kumar for working against the poor and Mahadalit sections of the society and vowed that he would ‘expose' the real face of incumbent Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

"In nine months of my regime as chief minister of Bihar I was allowed to work only from February 7-19. All the decisions taken before February 7 were of Nitish Kumar which I obeyed," said Manjhi, adding that the Dalits were completely disillusioned with the party.

He said that the rich people always consider the poor, irrespective of their caste and community, as their slaves.

After forming the front with the blessing of former Nitish loyalists and rebel leaders, Manjhi made a sensational allegation that Nitish Kumar got the Bihar Nivas building in New Delhi washed with holy water from the River Ganges after he stepped down as chief minister of the state.

Manjhi has also claimed that "HAM would be a bigger political factor than the AAP".

The formation of a new front was on the cards, but it's remain to be seen to what extent the new front will be able to outsmart the bigwigs of Bihar.

HAM and Bihar's political equation:

Bihar is home to 83 million people, and is the third most populous state. It is one of the most economically backward states in the country and consistently occupies the lowest rung of the development ladder.

Prospects of the new front gains importance when its remains a fact that the 3.85 million poorest Dalits in the state come from 18 sub castes and represent 31% of the entire number of Dalit in the state.

Manjhi's supporters mostly belong to Mahadalits-his caste- and backward and extreme backward castes, and political pundits believe that HAM will make going tough for JD (U), RJD and even BJP in the assembly election later this year.

Future bright for HAM?

Leaders close to Manjhi say that the future is bright for the front and they hope that more dalits will join the party.

Manjhi is likely to hold a similar conclave for poor and mahadalit sections across the country on March 3 in Delhi.

The front is looking forward to the Assembly polls scheduled for later this year and on support to BJP or RJD, leaders said that party will be with dalits and Manjhi will take the final call on any alliance.