Jitan Ram Manjhi's party HAM gets telephone symbol

PATNA: Fledgling Hindustani Awam Morcha ( HAM) of former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has been alloted telephone as a symbol by the Election Commission.

Manjhi shared the information in a tweet today.

HAM has already become an ally of NDA and Manjhi shared dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his rally at Muzaffarpur on July 25.

HAM spokesman Danish Rizwan told PTI that after PM's August 9 rally, Manjhi and a dozen MLAs supporting him would resign from JD(U) and formally join HAM. Decision on the date for this would be decided by the party's core committee.

Jitan Ram Manjhi will be made national President of HAM, he said.

Manjhi is presently an unattached member in the assembly while the membership of many of his supporting MLAs have been terminated. Some of them are continuing in JD(U) as rebels.

As per law, JD(U) whip is applicable on Manjhi as well on his supporting MLAs.

The HAM spokesman rubbished reports in a section of media that Manjhi would not enter the poll fray this time.

"He (Manjhi) will contest and also campaign for HAM and NDA candidates in the Bihar election," he said, adding Manjhi is camping in Gaya to ensure the success of PM's rally there.