By Vishwapati
Patna: Political parties have begun strategising for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for later this year. In a significant political development, Bhagirath Manjhi, son of Dashrath Manjhi—widely known as the “Mountain Man”—joined the Congress on Tuesday. This move is seen as the Congress’s effort to appeal to Bihar’s Mahadalit communities, particularly the Manjhi caste.
Alongside Bhagirath Manjhi, former Rajya Sabha MP Ali Anwar and Kumhar community leader Manoj Prajapati also joined the Congress. All three leaders represent Mahadalit, minority, and backward communities. By inducting them, the Congress aims to send a strong message about its commitment to preparing for the Bihar Assembly elections.
Bhagirath Manjhi’s switch to Congress comes after his brief association with the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], which he joined before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. On 18 January, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, honoured Bhagirath Manjhi during a visit to Patna, fuelling speculation about his eventual move to Congress. Reports suggest that Bhagirath Manjhi left the JD(U) due to alleged neglect within the party.
Bhagirath Manjhi hails from the same Musahar caste as former Chief Minister and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. Dashrath Manjhi’s family, including Bhagirath, is perceived as a counterweight to Jitan Ram Manjhi, particularly in the Gaya district, where they hold significant influence.
As part of its election preparations, Congress is also planning to host the “Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan Sammelan” next month in February, with Champaran likely to be the starting point. The event is expected to bolster the party’s engagement with voters in the run-up to the elections.
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- The author, Vishwapati, is a senior journalist based in Patna. He may be contacted at vishwapati25@gmail.com
