Patna: Chief Minister of Bihar Jitan Ram Manjhi had not in mood to hand over the charge of CM to former CM Nitish Kumar. The top leadership of Janata Dal (United) had tried to ensure a “peaceful” handover the post from Manjhi back to Nitish Kumar but it had been hit by hurdle.
Manjhi has decided to stay away from a meeting of the party’s legislators on February 7 to seal the deal.
The CM’s office issued a statement on Thursday, saying Manjhi would not attend the meeting. It added that it is “the CM who is empowered to convene such a meeting and since he has not called for it, he will stay away”.
Manjhi had signaled his displeasure at the proposed leadership shift by saying in Jehanabad on Thursday, “Since I have been working for the poor, I have been put under a lot of pressure.”
State President of JD (U) Bashistha Narayan Singh had confirmed that the February 7 meeting “has been called to discuss leadership and other issues”.
Amid criticism of Manjhi by JD (U) and several leaders of “Janata Parivar”, LJP chief and Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan had supported Masnjhi and said “No power can remove Manjhi.”
According to political observers, Paswan’s move is an attempt by NDA to expand its support base among Dalits.
The national president of JD (U) Sharad Yadav met Nitish and Manjhi separately on Thursday to “ensure a smooth transition”.
Sources said that Yadav tried to convince Manjhi that only Nitish, with his “pro-development” image, can challenge the BJP under Narendra Modi’s leadership, with the Assembly polls coming up this year. But Manjhi was not keen to oblige despite being offered a minister’s post for his son and a “respectable position” for him within the organisation, they added.
National Spokesperson of JD (U) K C Tyagi said, “I am not aware of what transpired during Sharad Yadav’s conversation with Nitish Kumar and Jitan Ram Manjhi, but it is true that Nitish alone is the face of development in the party. Besides, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has supported Nitish and expressed the desire for his return as CM.”
Bureau Report
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