All Is Not Well In NDA? Chirag, Manjhi Lock Horns Over Reservation, Seek Each Other's Resignation

Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Chirag Paswan on Saturday sought the resignation of his Cabinet colleague Jitan Ram Manjhi after the latter’s party, the Hindustan Awam Morcha (secular), asked for a review of the reservation policy.

While two ministers trading salvos is a rare sight in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the exchange has sparked speculations of a rift between the allies.

The controversy began after HAM (secular) president and Manjhi’s son, Santosh Kumar Suman, sought a review of the reservation policy and voiced his support for the sub-categorisation of the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the existing quota regime.

“I think the purpose of reservation has not been served. The concept

of creating the Mahadalit category with 18 of the 22 Dalit caste groups has been defeated due to the wide gap among the beneficiaries. The Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) category was created out of the other backward castes (OBCs), and the same was true for the concept of economically weaker sections (EWS) among the upper castes,,” Suman said, according to the Times of India.

The comments, however, did not sit well with Chirag Paswan who argued that if Manjhi and his son want a “creamy layer” within the existing reservation system, the Union Minister should resign.

“People ask, ‘Why isn’t there a ‘creamy layer’ provision?’ Well, let them give it up, then – let them stop availing the benefits of reservation,” Paswan said.

“If Jitan Ram Manjhi feels these measures should be implemented, should he not resign first? Let him introduce the ‘creamy layer’ concept – after all, he would fall under that category too, wouldn’t he? He should resign, and his son – who is present here – should resign as well,” he added.

The controversy unfolds at a time of ongoing anti-reservation protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar under the banner of the “Reservation Hatao Andolan” (RHA).

Manjhi Hits Back

Jitan Ram Manjhi was quick to respond to Paswan’s comments as he accused him of not catering to the interests of other people.

“People will end up being deprived of the benefits of reservation because of this stance. However, we maintain that this division is essential in the broader public interest.”

Seeking the minister’s resignation, Manjhi continued: “Since he (Chirag) does not want to look after the interests of our poor people, he should resign,” according to the Times of India. 

The Broader Debate

Jitan Ram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan are the two alliance partners in the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA at the Centre.

Manjhi hails from the Musahar community, which is among the most backward Dalit groups. The HAM has long alleged that benefits of the reservation system have been limited to a few groups within the community, including Paswans and Ravidas, leaving several other groups inadequately represented.

The controversy dates back to 2024, when the Supreme Court held that states be allowed to sub-classify SCs and STs, ensuring that the benefits of reservation reach the more backward groups within these categories.

Last month, a petition was filed in the apex Court seeking exclusion of socially and economically advanced individuals from reservation benefits. The petitioner argued that benefits of the quota regime are concentrated within a few groups under the SC and ST communities.