Manjhi’s removal will hit JD (U), say ministers

PATNA: Beleaguered CM Jitan Ram Manjhi, who has been in the past few days facing the threat of removal from his post, on Friday got support from some of his senior colleagues and a section of JD (U) MLAs. All of them unanimously opposed the idea of removing Manjhi from the CM post, saying it will be detrimental for the party's prospects in the assembly election.

The ministers who spoke in favour of continuance of Manjhi included agriculture minister Narendra Singh, transport minister Ramai Ram and education minister Brishen Patel.

Singh said, "The party would not take any decision (of removing Manjhi) which tantamounts to taking poison. Do you expect Nitish Kumar, who is politically intelligent, to do so?"

Brishen Patel said changing Manjhi would be "suicidal". Ramai Ram supported Manjhi, pitching for a dalit CM. Water resources department minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhury, who is considered to be close to Nitish Kumar, said, "Manjhi will continue as CM." Road construction department minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lallan said, "There is no problem to CM from me."

State JD (U) president Bashistha Narain Singh also ruled out any immediate change in the leadership. He said Nitish Kumar's proposed tour from Sikta in West Champaran on January 17 will continue as scheduled. He said RJD president Lalu Prasad would join his rallies later.

In New Delhi, JD (U) president Sharad Yadav said removal or continuance of Manjhi as CM was not even discussed at his meetings with Nitish and Lalu Prasad there.

JD (U) MLA from Karakat Rajeshwar Raj told TOI, "Nitish Kumar betrayed the people's mandate by resigning as CM and is now trying to oust Manjhi who was unanimously elected leader of the JD (U) legislature party. He should not treat the chair of CM as his personal property. He can quit the office on his own but can't ask another to resign."

Meanwhile, there were discordant voices here over the proposed merger of JD (U) and RJD. Former Union minister and RJD vice-president Raghuvansh Prasad Singh said the merger would not benefit either the JD (U) or RJD. There should be merger of workers, not leaders only, he said. Rajeshwar Raj said, "This is merger between Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar and will benefit none."

Nitish is Chanakya of Bihar: Manjhi

CM Jitan Ram Manjhi on Friday described Nitish Kumar as 'Chanakya' of state politics and dismissed reports of differences between them. Coming out of a function at Sonepur in Saran district, he said, "Nitish is like Chanakya for me and I am his Chandragupta Maurya. There is absolutely no difference between me and Nitish." It is the opposition which is creating confusion between me and Nitish Kumar. "I might be unsophisticated person (phuhar), but Nitish Kumar is a serious man, he said, adding, "I am the CM at present. Nobody knows the future. I am not aware of any development about my removal. I do not know for how long I shall continue as CM. Senior party leaders are engaged in talks for the merger of Janata Parivar."

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