Ratnesh Sada, the only legislator from the Musahar community, which is considered the weakest among Dalits, has been sworn in as a cabinet member in Patna, Bihar. This development comes just days after Santosh Kumar Suman, another minister from the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), resigned from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s cabinet. Mr. Sada is expected to fill the vacant position left by Mr. Suman, who stepped down to protect his party’s existence amidst pressure to merge with JD(U).
Ratnesh Sada, an MLA representing Sonbarsa, has criticized the father-son duo of Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) for abandoning Nitish Kumar due to their “insatiable greed and vaulting ambition.” Additionally, he accused Jitan Ram Manjhi, a former Chief Minister and minister in several governments since the 1980s, of merely paying lip service to Dalits, particularly the Musahar community.
Expressing his gratitude towards Nitish Kumar, Mr. Sada drew a parallel between the Chief Minister and the poet Kabeer, stating that Nitish Kumar, despite his humble background, has uplifted him to this position of prominence. In contrast, he criticized Jitan Ram Manjhi for focusing solely on his family and failing to deliver significant work for the Dalit community despite holding a legislative seat since 1980.
In response to Santosh Kumar Suman’s resignation, the president of HAM clarified that his party had no intention of joining the BJP-led NDA and would continue to support the ruling alliance. Suman, who held the position of Minister for SC/ST Welfare Department in the state government, stated that his party’s priority was to protect its existence and affirmed his commitment to the Mahagathbandhan, the opposition alliance led by Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
After the swearing-in ceremony, Nitish Kumar alleged that Santosh Kumar Suman had been in contact with BJP leaders, leading him to propose a merger of their parties or resignation. Kumar further explained that Suman was not invited to the June 23 meeting of opposition parties in Patna due to concerns that he might leak sensitive information to the BJP.
Ratnesh Sada’s induction into the Bihar cabinet as a replacement for Santosh Kumar Suman has brought attention to the shifting dynamics within the JD(U) and the political landscape in the state. Sada’s appointment as a representative of the Musahar community highlights the party’s efforts to address the concerns of marginalized groups. The resignation of Suman and the subsequent developments underscore the complex dynamics and power struggles within Bihar’s political ecosystem.