PATNA: Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi , trying to articulate the political compulsions that some times tie the hands of elected public representatives, said on Sunday that he was forced to not act against men who harassed a poor woman for fear of losing votes.

Manjhi recalled that way back in 1990, “One of my co-villager Lalji Manjhi came to me and complained that the powerful mukhiya, Tek Narain Yadav, had taken away his land at a throwaway price and after that trying to sexually harass his daughters. Despite being an MLA, I did not act against this mukhiya for fear of losing Yadav votes; they had a large presence in the assembly segment.”

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Manjhi added, “When I lost the assembly election in 1990, people were amused to see me laugh when my other castemen felt sorry for me. After much prodding, I told them I was laughing because I thought I had lost because I had not helped Lalji Manjhi against the mukhiya for fear of losing votes of Yadavs.”

The CM the added, “I know my statement will trigger controversy and anger some of our political allies. Yet I am daring to express myself.”

Urging reporters to expose the lapses in government schemes, particularly those targeting the poor and downtrodden, Manjhi said the state government will act on media reports and redress the grievances of the affected people. He said if a journalist finds out about a village deprived of road connectivity, and reports it, the government will ensure a road there within a fortnight.

He said politicians take oath of public service after winning elections but have to move in a guarded manner keeping in mind caste and creed equations that impact on their political career.