After the Samajwadi Party causing fissures in the grand alliance in Bihar, it was the turn of former Chief Minister and leader of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) Jitan Ram Manjhi to effect a crack in the National Democratic Alliance on Tuesday when he openly questioned alliance partner and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan’s credentials as a “Dalit leader.” Addressing mediapersons, Mr. Manjhi said his party should be given more seats to contest the coming Assembly poll than the LJP.
Earlier, Mr. Paswan reportedly told journalists Mr. Manjhi was “on trial in the NDA to prove his vote transfer capacities in the Bihar poll.”
Apparently upset over this, Mr. Manjhi questioned the LJP leader’s credentials and asked him to name any measure he had taken for the welfare of Dalits.” Mr. Manjhi accused Mr. Paswan of promoting “family-centric politics”.
