‘No caste factor in Gaya Lok Sabha seat, everyone is supporting me’
If I become an MP, the first work I will carry out is linking the Sone and Falgu rivers, so that water is available round the year, says HAM(S) leader, who is attempting to win the seat after losing thrice
Jitan Ram Manjhi, the first Chief Minister of Bihar from the Musahar community, is contesting the Lok Sabha election from Gaya (SC reserved seat) as an NDA candidate. This is the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) leader’s fourth attempt to win the seat after losing thrice — in 1991, 2014, and 2019. Mr. Manjhi, who is in direct contest with RJD candidate Kumar Sarjaveet, spoke to The
Hindu amid the hectic poll campaign. Excerpts:
What made you contest the election from Gaya again after announcing your retirement from electoral politics last year?
The people of Gaya want me to contest the poll to bring a positive change in their life. I feel that God wants me to do something for the people of Gaya and that’s the reason, God has asked me to contest. There is water scarcity here. If I become an MP, the first work I will carry out is linking the Sone and Falgu rivers, so that water is available round the year. Interlinking the rivers was the vision of Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji and I am inspired by him.
You have courted controversy for remarks against Lord Ram. Today, Ram Temple is one of BJP’s poll planks.
I am never against Lord Ram; it is the media that has always misquoted me. I have the surname Ram, which clearly indicates that I am a true devotee of Lord Ram.
The Mahagathbandhan claims to have the support of MY-BAAP (Muslims, Yadavs, Bahujan Agada Adhi-Abadi-[women] and Poor, which caste is supporting you?
People have lots of expectations from me because they have seen my work as CM for nine months. There is no caste factor in the Gaya constituency, be it Muslims, Yadavs, EBCs, OBCs, women or poor, all are supporting me. Everybody knows what the RJD did during their 15year rule in the State. So, I don’t need to make much effort to beat my opponent.