Family loyalty, local issues & Maoist past influence battle for Imamganj

Gaya: Reserved constituencies generally attract limited political enthusiasm due to the restricted pool of candidates. However, Imamganj in Gaya district, a seat reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates, stands out for several reasons.Foremost, Imamganj has been one of the state’s most high-profile constituencies. It has been represented by political veterans such as former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi and former assembly Speaker Udai Narain Chaudhary. No other seat in the state can boast of such a political legacy. Manjhi defeated Chaudhary twice – first in 2015 and again in 2020.Manjhi, now serving as MSME minister in the Union cabinet, continues to maintain his influence over the seat indirectly, having passed the political baton to his daughter-in-law, Deepa Manjhi.

She is contesting the 2025 assembly election to uphold the family’s hold in the area.Until a few years ago, Maoists had declared Imamganj a “liberated zone”, where their writ, not that of the constitutionally elected govt, prevailed. Govt officials and contractors were compelled to pay “levy” (protection money) to maintain peace with the extremists. Security forces had to evolve new operational protocols, avoiding vehicles and preferring to walk across fields to escape landmines.

Today, however, concrete roads have replaced these danger zones, and the area is far more secure.Another factor adding to Imamganj’s significance is its electoral record. It remains the only reserved seat in the Magadh division where the NDA has never lost. Out of the six reserved seats in Magadh, the NDA was defeated in four during the 2020 assembly election.Radhe Shyam Prasad, a prominent OBC leader and former aide of Manjhi, acknowledged the contribution of former speaker Udai Narain Chaudhary despite being a critic.

“Besides building good quality roads and ensuring the execution of electricity schemes, Chaudhary established an Industrial Training Institute in the Magra area of the constituency,” said Prasad.Once dubbed the “Kalapani” of Gaya district for its inaccessibility, Imamganj was linked to the district headquarters, over 70km away, through Chaudhary’s development initiatives. Some parts of the constituency lie as far as 85km from Gaya.For voters, this election remains centred on Manjhi himself. “Either you are for Manjhi or against him. Nothing else matters much,” said a local observer. However, many believe his preference for family members has eroded his acceptance among the electorate. Senior associates such as Kaushalendra Kumar and Radhe Shyam Prasad distanced themselves after he chose his daughter-in-law, Deepa Manjhi, over several long-time loyal workers as the candidate.Deepa Manjhi faces a tougher challenge this time. Her main opponent, Ritu Priya Chaudhary, an architect by profession, is married to an OBC youth from the area and is expected to cut into Manjhi’s support base. The presence of Dr Ajeet, the official candidate of the Jan Suraaj, adds another twist to the contest.The voting pattern of the Paswans, who back LJP (RV) leader Chirag Paswan, could also play a decisive role. Manjhi and Chirag are perceived as uneasy allies in state politics.

Any disinterest or opposition from Manjhi’s supporters towards the LJP (RV) candidate in Bodh Gaya could influence voter sentiment in Imamganj as well.The long-standing demand for the upgradation of Sherghati into a district remains a major local issue. Imamganj residents argue that since Sherghati is only about 30km away, district status for it would halve the current 70km distance to Gaya. Despite having served as chief minister for about a year and now as a Union cabinet minister, Manjhi faces criticism, even from NDA workers, for failing to fulfil this demand.As things stand, the road ahead appears challenging for Deepa Manjhi, the NDA candidate from Imamganj.