BJP ally HAM to contest by-election 'at any cost'

BJP ally Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) on Monday said it will fight the Jahanabad Assembly by-election in Bihar "at any cost".

This was stated by HAM President and former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi after a meeting of the party's core committee.

Manjhi, a Dalit leader, said HAM should be given priority treatment in the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance in Bihar.

"If HAM is weakened, NDA will also be weakened. NDA leaders should understand it, but they don't," he said.

The BJP has decided to field a candidate in the by-election whereas its main ally Janata Dal-United has already announced it won't contest the by-election next month.

Another BJP ally, Rashtriya Lok Samta Party of Union Minister Upended Kushwaha, is also keen to contest in the seat which fell vacant after the death of RJD legislator Mundrika Yadav.

--IANS

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