Violence in Patna as Manjhi, Nitish supporters clash at party headquarters

Patna: After chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi defied the decision of JD (U) chief Sharad Yadav and Nitish Kumar’s decision to remove him the supporters belong to his own Mushar community burnt effigies of the two senior JD (U) leaders and vandalized the Patna based party office.

Members mostly belonging to Mushar Chetna Samiti were agitating the JD (U) chief Sharad Yadav’s move to replace the current chief minister by calling a legislative party meeting on 7 February which according to the chief minister was unconstitutional.

“I am the chief minister of the state and in that capacity only I have the authority to call a meeting of legislative party”, chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said on Friday.

The supporters of Manjhi had united immediately after the national president Sharad Yadav’s decision to remove him Thursday evening. Mr. Yadav, they said had defied the authority of the chief minister by calling a legislative party meeting on 7 February. This move was called unconstitutional by the even the MLAs and ministers of the party.

Read: Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi says meeting called by Sharad Yadav 'unauthorized'

“The meeting called by JD (U) chief is totally unconstitutional only chief minister has the authority to call the meeting as he is the leader of the house”, JD (U) senior leader and cabinet minister Narendra Singh said on Friday.

According to party insiders several MLAs have refused to attend the 7 February meeting called by the JD (U) chief , they indicated that the stand taken by the party leadership has made the chief minister more stronger and he may emerge as a winner in the current scenario as line of supporters keep growing in his favor.

JD (U) which failed in its attempt to end the row between Manjhi and Nitish Kumar took this decision late Thursday evening. The party leaders who are said to be supporting Nitish Kumar however said that JD (U) national president Sharad Yadav was forced to take decision against Manjhi as he went against the guidelines of the party.

“He would have continued till the polls as the chief minister only if he had worked on the guidelines of the party and secondly he was not a permanent arrangement Nitish Kumar made him the chief minister temporarily as he chose to step down from the post to strengthen the party”, JD (U) General secretary KC Tyagi said further infuriating Jitan Ram Manjhi’s supporters. He further added that the party was keeping a close watch on those leaders who have been meeting Manjhi at his residence Such activity will amount to immediate action against the other leaders as well Mr. Tyagi said.

The chief minister who remained surrounded by his supporters the entire day on Friday showed his anger against Nitish camp. He indicated that his supporters can take more extreme steps in case the party dethrones him.

“Who is KC Tyagi, has he gone crazy he doesn’t have guts to remove me. I am the chief minister and only I am authorized to call legislative party meeting the 7 February meeting is totally unconstitutional. I have called a meeting on 20 February and the MLAs will attend the meeting called by me. Tyagi is Yamraj”, Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said on Friday. He slammed Nitish Kumar by calling him ‘Bhishm Pitamah’ and said “From now on I openly announce battle against Nitish Kumar”.

Seeing the political turmoil growing in Bihar the RJD supremo Lalu Yadav came in support of Nitish Kumar. The RJD leader said his party would support Nitish Kumar and the leadership in case party decides against Jitan Ram Manjhi.

“Whatever decision JD (U) national president Sharad Yadav takes in the meeting our party will consider it right”, Lalu Yadav said.