NDA Rift in Bihar: Chirag Paswan Seeks Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Resignation Over SC/ST Quota Stand

Differences within the NDA over Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe reservation came into sharp focus in Bihar on Saturday, with Union Minister Chirag Paswan strongly opposing former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and his son, state minister Santosh Suman, over their demand for changes to the reservation system.

Chirag reportedly called for those advocating a “creamy layer” provision in SC/ST reservations to first resign from their positions, effectively targeting Manjhi and others supporting the proposal.

He stressed that SC/ST reservation is not based on economic status but is intended to address centuries of social discrimination, exclusion and untouchability.

Chirag maintained that any proposal to alter the existing reservation framework is highly sensitive and should be discussed in Parliament rather than being reduced to political rhetoric.

Manjhi-Suman seek sub-categorisation

Manjhi and Santosh Suman have been advocating sub-categorisation and a “quota within quota” in SC/ST reservations, arguing that the benefits of reservation have not reached all communities equally.

Santosh Suman has maintained that their demand is not aimed at ending reservation but at ensuring that deprived communities receive their fair share of the benefits.

Chirag, however, argued that examining SC/ST reservation primarily through the lens of economic status could dilute its original purpose. He called for a wider constitutional and parliamentary debate before any changes are considered.

Chirag targets Congress too

Chirag also turned his criticism towards the Congress and questioned Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and his party's responsibility, pointing to Congress's long tenure in power.

He argued that if social discrimination continues to persist, the Congress must also answer for its record on the issue.

The disagreement is significant for Bihar's Dalit politics, where Chirag Paswan and the Manjhi-Suman camp both seek to position themselves as representatives of marginalised communities but have taken sharply different positions on the future of the reservation system.

The developments have raised questions over whether the NDA's constituent parties will be able to arrive at a common position on the sensitive issue or whether the differences could deepen ahead of Bihar's political contest.