Earlier in 1962, Jana Sangh showed its presence in Bihar by winning three legislative assembly constituencies.
By 1967, its role in Bihar's politics was enhanced and it got an opportunity to share power with Communist Party of India in Mahamaya Prasad Sinha's government.
Consequently, Mahto along with his party colleagues, Rudra Pratap Sarangi and Vijay Mitra became the first ministers from Bharatiya Jana Sangh in Bihar.
[6][7][1] According to BJP leader Mangal Pandey, Mahto was known for his austerity and he had done significant work for strengthening the party within state of Bihar.
Former Mines and Geology minister for Bihar, Binod Singh Kushwaha had made public statements regarding role of Mahto in bringing him into BJP from the student wing of party called Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad.