Patna, Dec 25 (NationPress) Union Minister and head of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), Jitan Ram Manjhi, has emphatically expressed his desire for a Rajya Sabha seat, asserting that the BJP leadership had committed to giving his party representation in the Upper House.

After addressing this matter in Gaya, Manjhi reiterated his demand during a private event in Jehanabad on Thursday.

In a statement to the media, Manjhi mentioned that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had guaranteed HAM two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat, which led him to encourage his son and party leader Santosh Kumar Suman to pursue a Rajya Sabha position.

He added that the commitment has yet to be fulfilled, leading him to believe that his party is being undervalued within the NDA alliance.

“If the promise is not kept, I will not stay quiet,” he warned.

Looking ahead to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Manjhi noted that HAM was allocated only one Lok Sabha seat, which he accepted in the spirit of coalition discipline.

Following his electoral success, he was appointed as a minister in the Narendra Modi-led central government, for which he expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister.

“I am a disciplined soldier of the NDA. I accepted one Lok Sabha seat and subsequently became a Union Minister. For that, I am thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, based on the prior commitment, my party is entitled to a Rajya Sabha seat,” Manjhi justified his request.

He mentioned that he had advised Santosh Kumar Suman to consider resigning his ministerial role if necessary to secure a Rajya Sabha position for the party.

Manjhi conveyed this message both in Gaya and reiterated it in Jehanabad.

Despite his strong declarations, Manjhi confirmed his unwavering trust in the NDA alliance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It is significant to note that five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar will become vacant on April 9, 2026.

These include two seats each from JDU and RJD, along with one seat currently occupied by Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha.

Jitan Ram Manjhi is claiming one of these seats on behalf of HAM.

Criticizing Upendra Kushwaha's advice, Jitan Ram Manjhi remarked, “He became an MP, made his wife an MLA, and his son a minister, and now he's advising me.”

Manjhi’s persistent public declarations have sparked increased political dialogue within the NDA regarding seat-sharing and alliance obligations ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections.