Congress denies ticket to Bhagirath Manjhi’s son, sparks Dalit outrage

Patna : In a controversy surrounding the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had initially assured a ticket to Bhagirath Manjhi, son of the late “Mountain Man” Dashrath Manjhi. However, Bhagirath has now alleged that the party later denied him the ticket, triggering criticism from Dalit leaders and BJP spokespersons.
Speaking to the media, Bhagirath Manjhi expressed disappointment, saying, “I stayed in Delhi for four days to meet Rahul Gandhi and submitted all necessary documents. Despite assurances, the ticket was not given.” He had sought the ticket either from Barachatti or Bodh Gaya constituencies.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier visited Dashrath Manjhi’s memorial in Gehlour, about 40 km from Gaya, in June, paying floral tributes to the “Mountain Man” statue and meeting the family. Following this, the Congress leadership had assured support, even helping with certain family needs. Dashrath Manjhi, remembered for carving a road single-handedly through a hill in Gehlour, remains a symbol of determination and social upliftment.
Bhagirath had publicly declared his intention to contest the Assembly elections shortly after joining Congress, following his exit from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) last year. The denial of a ticket has drawn criticism from BJP leaders. BJP national spokesperson Guru Prakash remarked, “This decision reflects the anti-Dalit mindset of Congress leaders, particularly Rahul Gandhi.”
The denial has caused disappointment among supporters who saw Bhagirath as a symbol of Dalit representation in Bihar politics. Analysts note that the move may fuel discontent among Dalit voters, traditionally seen as an important vote bank for Congress in the region.
While Congress has yet to officially comment on the reasons behind the denial, the development is expected to spark further debate as election campaigns intensify in Bihar. Bhagirath’s supporters have expressed their intention to continue advocating for Dalit representation and social justice in the political arena.
This episode highlights ongoing challenges within political parties regarding inclusivity and representation, particularly for historically marginalized communities, and may influence the electoral dynamics in the coming Assembly polls.