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Gaya (Bihar), October 22 (IANS) Bhagirath Manjhi, son of the great ‘Mountain Man’ Dashrath Manjhi, has expressed deep disappointment over not getting the party ticket from Barachatti assembly seat in the upcoming Bihar elections and has accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of cheating.
In an exclusive interview with IANS, Bhagirath explained how expectations rose after Rahul Gandhi’s visit to his simple home in Gehlaur village in Gaya district a few months ago.
The Congress leader spent time with family along with local party workers, drank coconut milk and inspected the iconic road that his father built single-handedly over 22 years by cutting through the mountain to connect the isolated village to the nearest city.
Bhagirath alleged, “Rahul ji had promised to give me a ticket there itself. He said that I will contest from Barachatti.” He further said that Rahul Gandhi also urged him to see the path laid by his father during a rally in Patna.
A gesture of goodwill was extended; Just eight days after the visit, artisans arrived to build a permanent house for the family, a development widely publicized by the Congress as a symbol of Rahul’s compassion.
Bhagiratha initially expressed gratitude but now considers it to be mere political theatre.
His hopes were dashed when the Grand Alliance – comprising Congress, RJD and other allies – announced tickets without his name, allotting Barachatti to Tanushree Manjhi instead.
Frustrated, Bhagirath recently traveled to Delhi and stayed in the capital for four days to secure the nomination.
“We were asked to come to Delhi for tickets. I waited, but Rahul ji never met us. Everyone else who had stayed got tickets; we returned empty-handed,” he lamented. “If there is no ticket then why sit in Delhi? We were completely cheated.”
Bhagirath, who switched from JD-U to Congress seeking an election mandate in June, praised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
He credited Nitish for fulfilling his late father’s dreams by building schools, hospitals and roads in the village – work that remained incomplete after Dashrath’s death in 2007.
Recalling his promise, Bhagirath said, “Before Baba (Bhagirath’s father) passed away, Nitish ji had sworn, ‘I will complete your work.’ He did.”
This insult has deepened his disappointment with the opposition. He expressed anger towards Jitan Ram Manjhi, another prominent figure of the community, and lamented the lack of follow-up after Rahul’s post-house construction.
“After that no one came to check our condition.”
Bhagiratha constantly highlighted local problems; Unemployment troubles the poor, there are no colleges or factories for the youth.
As Bihar prepares to vote on November 6 and 11, the rift highlights tensions within the Grand Alliance, potentially alienating Dalit voters in the SC-reserved Barachatti.
Bhagirath boldly concluded, “We trusted Rahul Gandhi because he came home. Now, the one who wants votes will win.” Congress has not yet reacted to the allegations.
Dasharatha Samadhi is built in memory of Dasharatha Manjhi, also known as the Mountain Man, who lived in the village of Gehlaur near Gaya in Bihar, India. He carved a path 110 meters long (360 ft), 9.1 meters (30 ft) wide and 7.7 meters (25 ft) deep through a series of hills using only a hammer and chisel.
After 22 years of operation, Dashrath has reduced the journey between Atri and Wazirganj blocks of Gaya city from 55 km to 15 km. This place is a great picnic spot and is visited by hundreds of tourists for its natural beauty.
–IANS
SKTR/PGH