Ex-MP’s 3 family members to contest from two parties

Gaya: The family of former Jehanabad MP Arun Kumar has emerged as one of the most politically astute in Bihar with three of its members contesting the upcoming assembly elections from two different parties — HAM(S) and JD(U) — in two districts of the Magadh division, Gaya and Jehanabad.Anil Kumar, Arun’s younger brother and the sitting MLA, is contesting as the HAM-S candidate from the Tekari constituency in Gaya district. Alongside Tekari, the Atri seat, another general constituency allotted to Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM(S), has gone to Arun’s nephew, Romit Kumar. Meanwhile, Arun’s son, Rituraj Kumar, has been fielded by the JD(U) from the Ghosi constituency in Jehanabad district.HAM(S) spokesperson Danish Rizwan said, “Family lineage was not a factor in ticket distribution. It was based solely on merit, sincerity and commitment to party values.”The Magadh division, with a population of about one crore, comprises 26 assembly constituencies. Remarkably, three of these 26 seats are now in the hands of one family, leaving the remaining 23 constituencies to be contested by candidates from five districts of the division.This development has sparked sharp criticism, particularly against the BJP, which has often claimed to oppose dynastic politics. “The Hindutva party conveniently turns a blind eye to the wrongs being done by its own alliance partners,” said activist Nandkishore. “Its allies, particularly the HAM-S, make a mockery of the system,” he added.Even within political families, allegations of favouritism and injustice have been surfacing. Activist Syed Shad Alam, a former banker, cited the example of the Manjhi family, led by former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi. “Santosh Suman, the elder son of Jitan Ram Manjhi, has taken it all, leaving his younger sibling Praveen high and dry,” Alam said.Giving details, Alam added, “Santosh is an MLC and a minister in the Nitish Kumar-led govt, while his wife Deepa is the MLA from Imamganj, the seat vacated by Manjhi after his election to the Lok Sabha from Gaya.” Santosh’s mother-in-law, Jyoti Devi, is the MLA from Barachatti, a reserved constituency in Gaya district. “The mother-daughter duo has been renominated from their respective seats, thereby dashing the hopes of Praveen, who had been eyeing the Barachatti seat,” Alam added.According to people familiar with the Manjhi family, Santosh’s brother-in-law is seen as a rising figure in the party’s future plans, ahead of Praveen. During a press briefing, Manjhi made a sarcastic remark by referring to his son as the “party high command.” Santosh Suman is the national president of HAM-S, which makes him, not his father, officially entitled to distribute the party symbol.