In 2014, Mahto had left BJP to join All Jharkhand Students Union, when denied ticket to contest from Hazaribagh Lok Sabha constituency.

A believer in idealistic politics of Mahatma Gandhi and Ram Manohar Lohia, Mahto had spoken to media outlets that even after his election as Member of Legislative Assembly, his wife continued their traditional family occupation of selling vegetables in local market.

Showing resentment to party's decision of not giving due importance to old political workers, and preferring young Sinha over other experienced leaders, Mahto left BJP to join All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU).

Besides himself hailing from Koeri community, Mahto had backing of All Jharkhand Students' Union MLA Chandra Prakash Choudhary, a member of Kurmi caste.

[9] However, after the results were out, Jayant Sinha was able to win the Hazaribagh Lok Sabha elections of 2014, with Saurabh Narayan Singh logging in second position.

[11] In 2018, Mahto along with Kushwaha was involved in protest for CBI inquiry into a case of mob lynching of a man called Alimuddin Ansari, in which local BJP leaders were found to be accused.

[12] Mahto was a participant in the programs conducted by Jagdev Vichar Manch, an organisation furthering the ideology of socialist leader Jagdeo Prasad.