Patna: Sources have claimed that the Janata Dal (United) leadership has asked Jitan Ram Manjhi to step down as Bihar Chief Minister. The development came amid speculation over the return of Nitish Kumar as the chief minister.
Sources, however, added that Manjhi has refused to oblige, instead asking the party leadership to sack him. While a majority of JD(U) MLAs are believed to be in favour of Nitish replacing Manjhi as the Bihar chief minister, still there is a section within the party which favours the current CM continuing in post till Assemble polls later this year.
Those in favour of Nitish want the change to happen now so that the former CM could campaign for the party instead of Manjhi, who has courted controversy on many occasions. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad is also believed to have voiced his opinion in favour of Nitish, ahead of the proposed Janata parivaar merger.
Nitish had last week denied speculation about Manjhi’s ouster. There is no substance in media speculation over Manjhi’s ouster… no discussion took place (with Janata Parivar leaders) during my visit to Delhi nor was it necessary,” Kumar had said.
Bureau Report
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