Bihar political crisis: CM Jitan Ram Manjhi recommends dissolution of Assembly
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi is likely to resign soon, clearing the way for Nitish Kumar to return to the post that he vacated in May 2014.
Continuing his belligerent posturing Manjhi on Saturday afternoon asked the state’s Governor to dissolve the Bihar assembly. Manjhi met Nitish Kumar in a meeting today in order to sort out differences, however all attempts went in vain.
The decision was opposed by the MLAs of JD (U) belonging to the Nitish camp who rushed to the Governor’s house to inform that their house was in order and two-third MLAs of the ruling party were opposing the move.
“We have explained the situation to the governor that two third MLAs were not in favour of the recommendation of the chief minister and they don’t the house to be dissolved”, Jai Kumar, JD (U) MLA said.
Before the recommendation for dissolving the house Manjhi removed three Nitish Camp ministers who had been protesting his position as the CM.
Among the three ministers, the recommendation to remove two ministers Lallan Singh and PK Sahi was later approved by the governor and the third minister Shrawan Kumar was replaced by a rebel MLA Rajiv Rajan who will now continue in his new position as the chief whip.
According to sources, Manjhi who had attended the meeting Saturday morning at Nitish Kumar’s residence in the presence of six senior JD (U) leaders including JD (U) president Sharad Yadav turned down the offer to make way for his mentor, Kumar.
According to sources, the party felt that Manjhi wanted to continue the tussle between the two leaders, also indicating of holding state-wide protest by the Mushar community who was in large numbers in Bihar and remained the base voter of both JD (U) and RJD.
“Manjhi has done what BJP wanted”, JD (U) leader Shrawan Kumar said after the chief minister removed him from the post of chief whip. The other JD(U) leaders keeping a close tab on the current situation, however claimed that the party wanted Manjhi to vacate the office.
“Manjhi will be removed from the post and Nitish Kumar will once again take charge of the state government”, JD (U) MP Ali Anwar said. All eyes are now stuck on the decision of the Governor.
