Vote Chori Row: Political Controversy Surrounding a Viral Video Involving Jitan Ram Manjhi
Vote Chori Row: A political controversy emerged after the Indian National Congress shared a video clip on social media platforms, alleging that Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi admitted to helping a candidate win the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections through administrative intervention. The video, whose authenticity has not been independently verified by media outlets, quickly gained attention and sparked intense debate about electoral integrity, democratic processes, and the role of government officials during elections.
Allegations Raised by Congress
According to the Congress party, the video clip serves as evidence of alleged vote manipulation during the Bihar Assembly Election 2020. In its post on X, Congress claimed that Jitan Ram Manjhi, a minister in the central government, openly spoke about assisting a candidate who was losing the election by a narrow margin. The party alleged that Manjhi coordinated with district-level authorities to reverse the result, ultimately enabling the candidate to win by approximately 2,700 votes.
Congress further stated that such actions, if true, indicate systemic misuse of power and administrative machinery. The party emphasized that District Magistrates act as officers of the Election Commission during polls, and any interference would directly undermine the independence of the electoral process. Using the video as a reference, Congress accused the ruling alliance of compromising democratic values and influencing election outcomes unfairly.
Context of the Viral Video
The video is reportedly from Gaya, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar. In the clip, Manjhi is heard speaking in the local Magahi dialect while recounting an incident related to the Tikari Assembly segment. In the 2020 elections, the seat was won by Anil Kumar, a candidate from Manjhi’s party, Hindustani Awam Morcha. However, the same candidate lost the seat to the Rashtriya Janata Dal in the most recent assembly elections.
In the video, Manjhi narrates that during the 2020 elections, the candidate was trailing by around 2,700 votes and contacted him for assistance. He claims that he then reached out to an official, after which the candidate was declared the winner. This statement became the basis for the opposition’s allegations of electoral manipulation.
Manjhi’s Clarification and Denial
Jitan Ram Manjhi strongly rejected the allegations, stating that the video circulating on social media was edited and presented out of context. He maintained that his remarks were misinterpreted and selectively clipped to create a misleading narrative. According to Manjhi, he did not interfere with the election process and had no role in manipulating votes or influencing election officials.
Addressing the recent election loss, Manjhi explained that the candidate lost by approximately 1,600 votes and chose to accept the defeat without reaching out for any support. He added that the former District Magistrate of Gaya, who is now posted in Tripura, later contacted him to ask what went wrong in the recent election. Manjhi stated that he could not intervene as the candidate had already conceded defeat and returned home.
Political Reactions and Public Debate
The video has intensified political discourse, with opposition parties demanding accountability and transparency from the ruling government. The issue has also raised broader questions about election management, administrative neutrality, and the spread of unverified content on social media platforms.
Political analysts note that such controversies often gain traction during sensitive electoral periods, influencing public perception and trust in democratic institutions. While allegations alone do not establish guilt, they highlight the importance of clear communication, fact-checking, and institutional safeguards in maintaining electoral credibility.
Importance of Verification and Democratic Integrity
This incident underscores the critical role of responsible political communication and the need for citizens to rely on verified information. In an era where viral videos can shape narratives instantly, distinguishing between factual reporting and politically motivated claims becomes essential.
Until the authenticity of the video and the context of the statements are conclusively established, the matter remains a subject of political debate rather than legal determination. Nonetheless, the controversy serves as a reminder of the fragile nature of public trust in democratic systems and the responsibility of leaders to uphold transparency and ethical conduct.