Manjhi-Chirag tussle boosts BJP in Magadh
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Gaya: The ongoing tussle between Union ministers Jitan Ram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan, ostensibly for Dalit leadership, has inadvertently strengthened the BJP's bargaining position in the politically crucial Magadh division of Bihar.
The division comprises five districts – Gaya, Aurangabad, Nawada, Jehanabad and Arwal. These districts together account for 26 assembly constituencies. Ten of these are located in Gaya district alone.
On Saturday, Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan held a well-attended public rally at Gandhi Maidan in Gaya. The event was significant for two reasons. Firstly, Gaya is the home district of Jitan Ram Manjhi.
Secondly, the choice of Gandhi Maidan, a venue typically reserved for prominent national leaders, suggests Chirag is making an assertive bid to position himself as a taller public figure, possibly overshadowing his rival Manjhi.
The symbolism of the venue did not go unnoticed by political observers.
Political experts point out that since the era of the late Jagjivan Ram, no Dalit leader has enjoyed a pan-Bihar appeal.
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Jagjivan Ram was widely regarded as a national leader of Dalits, then referred to as Harijans. In contrast, the late Bhola Paswan Shastri and Ram Vilas Paswan did not attain comparable stature.
Today, Chirag and Manjhi are seen as leaders of their respective sub-castes. According to the 2023 caste census, Paswans constitute 5.3% of Bihar's population while Mushars, Manjhi's community, make up 3.9%. Unlike Mushars, Paswans are generally viewed as more dominant and economically better placed.
Gaya remains central to Manjhi's political relevance. In addition to representing the Gaya Lok Sabha seat himself, his daughter-in-law and sister-in-law hold the Imamganj and Barachatti seats respectively in the Bihar assembly. Political analyst and litterateur Ashok Kumar said, "By weakening each other, Manjhi and Paswan strengthen the BJP."
For the BJP, performing strongly in the Magadh region is essential if it hopes to realise its ambition of ruling Bihar.
In the last Lok Sabha election, the party underperformed in the region, losing the crucial Aurangabad seat to the RJD. Both the NDA and the INDIA bloc won two seats each in the division. Of the NDA's two victories, the BJP secured Nawada while the Gaya (reserved) seat went to alliance partner HAM-S. JD(U) failed to win any seat in Magadh during the 2024 parliamentary polls.
So far, the BJP has made no serious attempt to mediate between the LJP and HAM-S.
However, Chirag faces a strategic dilemma, having opened multiple fronts simultaneously. Apart from his rift with HAM-S, tensions remain high between the LJP and JD(U) as well.
How the BJP manages its two feuding allies remains to be seen.
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