Jitan Ram Manjhi | Indian Politics

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Hours after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi in February 2024, former Bihar Chief Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi declared support for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the ruling BJP.
In May 2014, Jitan Ram Manjhi had been Nitish Kumar’s surprise choice for chief minister of Bihar — a choice dictated both by the 70-year-old’s surname and the fact that he kept a low profile and was expected to keep the seat warm for the JD(U) leader who had resigned in a huff after a massive defeat in the Lok Sabha elections that year. It marked a big moment for Manjhi’s Mushahar community, among the lowest of the low in the caste hierarchy and around 2% of the state’s voters. It was also only the third time that a Scheduled Caste leader had become the CM of Bihar, despite the caste churning that rose from its fertile politics. The others were Bhola Paswan Shastri and Ram Sunder Das.
Manjhi contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections under the NDA alliance banner and was able to register a win by just over 1 lakh votes. He currently holds Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Modi-3 cabinet.

Father’s Name: Late Ramjit Ram Manjhi
Mother’s Name: Late Sukumari Devi (Sukri Devi)
Date of Birth: 06-Oct-1944
Marital Status: Married
Spouse Name: Smt. Shanti Devi
Profession: Politician and Social Activist
Party Name: Hindustan Awam Morcha (Secular)
Born in the small village of Mahkar in Khijrasarai of Gaya, Manjhi got into politics early, with his brother, who was in the Bihar Police, supporting him financially. He became an MLA from the Congress in 1980 and a minister in 1985. When the Congress’s fortunes declined with the rise of Lalu Prasad, he joined the Janata Dal and later the RJD. In 2015, Manjhi became a minister in the Nitish Kumar government, but remained unnoticed till the JD(U) supremo sprang that surprise.
Education Qualification: B.A. (HONS), Magadh University, Bodhgaya After completing his graduation from Magadh University, he worked at the Gaya telephone exchange for 13 years until his younger brother became a policeman. He is married to Shanti Devi; the couple has two sons and five daughters. One of his sons, Santosh Suman Manjhi, is an MLC.

09-06-2024 onwards: Union Cabinet Minister of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
Government of India. Elected as a Member of Parliament for the 18th Lok Sabha From Gaya
Constituency on 04.06.2024.
2020 to 2024 (9 June 2024): MLA from 227 Imamganj Constituency
23-11-2020 to 25-11-2020: Protem Speaker in Bihar Legislative Assembly.
2015 to 2020: MLA from 227 Imamganj Constituency
20-05-2014 to 21-02-2015: Chief Minister of Bihar.
2008 to 2014 (up to 19 May): Cabinet Minister in the Bihar Government.
2005 to 2008: MLA in Bihar from 236 Barachatti Constituency
2000 to 2005: MLA in Bihar from 253 Bodhgaya Constituency
1998 to 2000: Minister of State in the Bihar Government.
1988 to 1990: MLA in Bihar from 255 Fatehpur Constituency
1985 to 1988: Minister of State in the Bihar Government.
1984 to 1985: Minister of State in the Bihar Government.
1983 to 1984: Deputy Minister in the Bihar Government.
1980-1982: MLA in Bihar from 255 Fatehpur Constituency

Launched many schemes for the welfare of the poor people.
Many important steps were taken to improve the education and health sectors.
Many important initiatives were taken for social justice and equality in Bihar.
Made significant contributions in the social and cultural fields.
Always active for the welfare of Dalits and backward classes.
Worked in the interest of the public in collaboration with various social organizations.
Many schemes and projects were launched for the upliftment of the weaker sections of society.
Made significant contributions towards the settlement of disputes between Landlords and Landless laborers.