Imamganj: A Political Stronghold in Bihar's Electoral Landscape

Imamganj, a significant constituency in Bihar, is gearing up for elections with a rich political history. Known as a stronghold of Jitan Ram Manjhi, the area is witnessing a competitive race this year with candidates from various parties, including the NDA and RJD. As the election date approaches, the dynamics of this triangular contest are becoming increasingly intriguing. Explore the past election results and the current contenders vying for this influential seat.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 4, 2025, 15:18 IST

Imamganj's Unique Political Identity

In the political arena of Bihar, Imamganj in Gaya district has always held a distinctive identity. This region is not merely a legislative assembly constituency; it is a place where tales of forests, mountains, and historical revolts resonate. Politically, the Imamganj assembly seat is regarded as a stronghold of Jitan Ram Manjhi, a former chief minister and current central minister. Voting for this seat is scheduled for November 11 during the second phase of elections, and it is reserved for Scheduled Castes.

Who Are the Contenders?

Representing the NDA coalition, Deepa Manjhi from the Hindustani Awam Morcha is contesting in this election. Deepa is the daughter-in-law of Jitan Ram Manjhi. Meanwhile, the Rashtriya Janata Dal has placed its trust in Ritu Priya Chaudhary for this seat. Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraj Party has entered the fray, making the contest triangular by fielding Ajit Kumar. This has made the competition for this seat quite intriguing.

Previous Election Outcomes

In the 2020 assembly elections, Jitan Ram Manjhi of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) emerged victorious from this seat, defeating Uday Narayan Chaudhary of the RJD decisively. Following Manjhi's election to parliament, a by-election was held for Imamganj, where Deepa Manjhi secured victory, raising the flag for the 'HAM' party.

Prior to this, in the 2015 assembly elections, former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi claimed the seat by defeating Uday Narayan Chaudhary, who had previously won five consecutive elections from this constituency. Since 2015, Manjhi has maintained a stronghold over this seat.

The 2015 Assembly Elections

In 2015, Jitan Ram Manjhi broke Uday Narayan Chaudhary's long-standing dominance by winning the seat, which was considered invincible for Chaudhary, who had won five times before. Manjhi defeated him by nearly 30,000 votes, establishing his influence over the constituency since then.