Speculations of Bhagirath Manjhi joining the congress were being made since 18th Jan, after he was honoured by Rahul Gandhi…
Digital Desk: Two former members of Parliament, Ali Ansari and Bhagirath Manjhi, son of the legendary mountain man, joined the Congress Party on Tuesday, giving the organization a much-needed boost in the run-up to elections. Their entry comes at a time when Congress is trying to strengthen its organizational presence in the state.
The two leaders joined the party under Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Bihar state party president, and Congress media and publicity department chairman Pawan Khera. Ansari, because of his leadership of the Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz, which speaks for the marginalized sections of the Muslim community, is being looked upon as a major gain for the Congress party.
After a few minutes of joining, Ansari credited Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for inspiring his decision. He further said that it was because of Rahul Gandhi's ideas that the NDA was shaken in Bihar to the extent that they are looking for members of the Pasmanda community for important positions.
Ali Ansari became the Rajya Sabha member, being nominated by the JD(U), for two terms, and was a crucial character in rallying support for Nitish Kumar's JD(U) within his community. But his quarrel with the JD(U) flared after he strongly opposed Nitish Kumar's collaboration with the BJP in 2017. He remained imprecarious until now.
Bhagirath Manjhi, on the other hand, started giving the party his allegiance when he was ignored in the JD(U). He was sure he would get a Lok Sabha ticket from Gaya, but after Nitish Kumar shuffled back to the NDA, Manjhi was left with very few nobles. All in all, the JD(U) has been dealt the heaviest jolt, for it had anticipated Manjhi would be its trump card against HAM(S) founder Jitan Ram Manjhi.
Congress leaders hope Ansari and Manjhi will adequately strengthen the party in the ensuing months.
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