Santosh Kumar is son of former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi
A Hoda / Patna
Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Welfare Minister Santosh Kumar Suman resigned from Nitish Kumar Cabinet today. Mr Suman is son of former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and also the president of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Democratic) party.
The senior party leader of Morcha, Prafulla Manjhi said there was enormous pressure from JD(U) for merger of HAM with it. Talks were held between top leaders of the two parties but it could not materialize.
Following this, the HAM president resigned from the state government. The development is considered a big blow to the ruling Grand Alliance led by chief minister Nitish Kumar, ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Talking to media persons in Patna, HAM Chief said he was under pressure to merge his party with JDU which endangered the existence of his party.
Replying a query about his next political move, Mr. Suman said they have not yet decided to join NDA. He claimed that HAM is still part Grand Alliance.