Manjhi claims HAM ready to contest 20 LS seats in Bihar

Amidst efforts to forge a broader unity in "mahagatbandhan" to take on NDA in the upcoming general elections, former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has asserted that his Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) was ready to contest 20 out of the 40 seats in the state.

The mahagatbandhan in Bihar is piloted by RJD. Congress, Left parties and HAM are part of the proposed coalition.

The statement by Manjhi made a day ago drew snide remarks from the ruling JD(U)-BJP combine even as the HAM, which has only one MLA and is yet to open its account in the Parliament, insisted that the former chief minister was being quoted out of context.

With the issue kicking a political controversy, the HAM on Monday sought to play down the issue saying "a wrong picture was unfortunately highlighted."
He, however, added Manjhi had made clear, in the same breath, that readiness of the party did not mean we are going to demand as many seats. If our allies Congress or RJD