Patna: Former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Thursday took a jibe at deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi over his comment that Manjhi was of no use when he was part of the NDA.

The Hindustani Awam Morcha Secular (HAMS) national president, who recently became part of the RJD-Congress Grand Alliance said Sushil had forgotten all favours he made to the party.

He claimed that because of him at least two dozen BJP candidates secured their victory in the 2015 Assembly election. Had he not gone to campaign for them, the BJP candidates would have lost the election in their respective constituencies, he claimed.

"You must ask the BJP MLAs," Manjhi said. "Had I not gone to campaign for their candidates, their numbers would have fallen even further, they would have come down to 13 instead of 53. If (Sushil) Modi ji is denying this fact then I have nothing more to say in this regard."

Manjhi spoke to The Telegraph on the sidelines of a programme organised by the HAMS' women's cell to celebrate International Women's Day at his 12-M Strand Road residence.

On February 28, leader of the Opposition and RJD chief Lalu Prasad's younger son Tejashwi Prasad visited Manjhi at his official residence.

Later that day Manjhi announced he was quitting the NDA.

Manjhi had said he was not feeling comfortable in the fold and complained that atrocities against the downtrodden were on the rise.

But the BJP and JDU leaders said Manjhi's departure from the NDA would have no impact.

Asked about the claim made by BJP and JDU leaders, Manjhi said: "It is time to prove who is beneficial and who a burden."

Expressing disappointment at Prime Minister Narendra Modi who made best use of Manjhi against chief minister Nitish Kumar during the last Assembly elections in 2015, Manjhi said he had a lot of expectations from the Prime Minister but he did not live up to it.

"I had urged Narendra Modi ji to become the champion of the Scheduled Castes by implementing a few things, like quota in promotions, common schooling system, reservation in judiciary and more," Manjhi said.

"He assured me he would take affirmative steps but did not do it all these years. I then lost hope in the NDA and joined the Grand Alliance of RJD and Congress."

Manjhi claimed that in the days to come, when the Grand Alliance will form the government, all decisions he took as chief minister would be implemented as assured by RJD leaders.

He also claimed he was never looking for any post, like governor, in lieu reaming in the NDA.