In a development poised to draw political and emotional attention ahead of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, Bhagirath Manjhi, son of the legendary Dasharath Manjhi – the ‘Mountain Man’, has officially expressed his desire to contest elections from the Bodh Gaya constituency on a Congress ticket. His announcement comes shortly after his defection from JD(U) to the Congress Party, and he is expected to formally make the request to Rahul Gandhi during the latter’s upcoming visit to Beldaur.

Bhagirath Manjhi’s candid remarks about his family’s ongoing struggles, combined with a sharp critique of Nitish Kumar’s symbolic gestures, bring to light the unresolved socio-political promises made to one of India’s most inspirational families.

A Son’s Discontent and Political Aspiration

Bhagirath Manjhi, who was inducted into JD(U) only last year, switched allegiance to Congress in February 2025 after attending Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Samvidhan Suraksha Sammelan’ in Patna. Speaking to PTI on Friday, Bhagirath announced his intention to contest from the Bodh Gaya reserved constituency, which is currently held by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) — the Congress’ ally in Bihar.

With clear dissatisfaction, he stated,

"You can look at our house. We still do not have a pucca house. The first thing that I would like to request Rahul Gandhi is to provide us with a pucca house."

His statement adds a deeply personal element to the political shift. Despite the national reverence his father received, Bhagirath claims that their material conditions have remained unchanged.

Criticism of Nitish Kumar’s Past Gestures

Bhagirath Manjhi’s comments included a blunt critique of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, particularly about the symbolic act of seating Dasharath Manjhi on the CM’s chair. He questioned the practical benefit of such gestures, saying:

“What benefit did my father and his family get from that show? Of course, Nitish Kumar may have got some brownie points.”

This is a bold indictment of performative politics, and suggests a deeper rift between the family and the ruling JD(U), which claimed political capital from Dasharath Manjhi’s legend but allegedly did not provide sufficient assistance to his descendants.

The Legacy of Dasharath Manjhi

Dasharath Manjhi, who passed away in 2007, became an icon of perseverance and social resolve, famously carving a path through a mountain using just a hammer and chisel, over a span of 22 years, to reduce the distance between Atri and Wazirganj blocks in Gaya from 55 km to about 15 km. His selfless act, motivated by the tragic death of his wife, gained national attention and eventually inspired the biopic "Manjhi – The Mountain Man", where actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui played the titular role.

Despite the accolades, Bhagirath insists that his family continues to live in hardship, a sentiment that underpins his political entry with Congress.

Bodh Gaya: A Symbolic Constituency

Bhagirath has set his sights on the Bodh Gaya constituency, an SC-reserved seat named after the iconic Buddhist pilgrimage town, revered for being the site of Gautama Buddha’s enlightenment. It holds strategic political importance and symbolic value, both culturally and electorally.

The seat is currently held by RJD, which means a Congress nomination would require intra-alliance negotiations. However, Bhagirath appears undeterred, stating:

“When Rahul Gandhi comes here, I am going to ask him for a party ticket from Bodh Gaya.”

The direct appeal suggests that his candidacy might not have been pre-decided by the Congress high command and is likely contingent on Gandhi’s visit and intra-party consensus.

Rahul Gandhi’s Role and Political Optics

Rahul Gandhi’s upcoming visit to Beldaur — the native village of Dasharath Manjhi — adds significance to Bhagirath’s request. This visit, under the banner of constitutional protection and Dalit upliftment, presents a crucial opportunity for the Congress to visibly back a Dalit icon’s son while reaffirming its social justice narrative.

Should Gandhi accept the appeal, it may strengthen Congress’s image among Dalits and the underprivileged — communities it has been trying to reclaim amid growing support for other regional parties like RJD and JD(U).

A Calculated Political Move

Bhagirath Manjhi’s switch to Congress and his timely public appeal have the potential to create:

1. Moral pressure on the Congress leadership to accept his candidacy

2. Tactical implications for the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), especially regarding seat-sharing with RJD

3. Public empathy for the ‘unrewarded legacy’ of Dasharath Manjhi, turning Bhagirath into a symbol of unfinished promises

His narrative resonates strongly with themes of neglected contributions, caste injustice, and tokenism in welfare politics.

Final Thoughts and Political Forecast

As Bihar heads into a crucial Assembly election, Bhagirath Manjhi’s emergence as a political contender reopens discussions on:

• How symbolic politics translates into real benefits for marginalised families

• The efficacy of political alliances in addressing representation of Dalit leaders

• The legacy politics involving iconic figures like Dasharath Manjhi

While it remains to be seen whether Rahul Gandhi will endorse Bhagirath's candidacy, the media attention and symbolic power of the Manjhi name are bound to stir both electoral and emotional responses in Bihar’s complex political theatre.

If supported and strategically positioned, Bhagirath Manjhi could be a strong Dalit face for the Congress in Bihar, anchoring a campaign rooted in justice, recognition, and change.

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