He earned the distinction of being elected from three other Assembly constituencies - Barachatti, Bodh Gaya and Makhdumpur in successive elections and worked as a minister in the Cabinets of Rabri Devi of RJD and Nitish Kumar of JD (U).
He also unsuccessfully contested parliamentary elections from Gaya in 1991 and again this year in which he finished third as a JD(U) nominee behind winner BJP's Hari Manjhi and RJD's Ramji Manjhi.
He joined JD(U) in 2005 after taking oath as minister in the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar that year, he was dropped unceremoniously within hours for his alleged involvement in a merit scam case.
He was later exonerated of the charges and re-inducted into the ministry.
Manjhi's humble background is evident from his affidavit filed while contesting the Lok Sabha 2014 elections. His total movable and immovable assets amount to only Rs 2.83 lakh including Rs 50,000 cash in hand.
Manjhi has interest in farming and tending plants. His wife Shanti Devi stays at their Gaya residence. The couple have two sons and five daughters.
