File photo: Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi
Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi is at a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid a deep political crisis in the state, where his predecessor and senior Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar is attempting to return to the top post. Mr Manjhi, who was installed by Mr Kumar as his replacement last year, has refused to quit.
Here are the latest developments in this big political story:
Mr Nitish Kumar has been recognized as the leader of the JD(U) legislature Party by Bihar Assembly Speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary.
Mr Manjhi, who said this morning, "Manjhi's boat never sinks," is meeting the Prime Minister. There is speculation that he may also meet the BJP's Central leadership.
This morning, 130 JD(U) legislators signed a letter to Governor KN Tripathi, assuring him of their support to Mr Kumar. The party had written to the Governor yesterday, apprising him of the situation. It has also asked Mr Manjhi to step down.
Loyalists of Mr Manjhi insist that they are ready for a test of strength in the Assembly. "We will seek the support of the BJP if needed," said JD(U) leader and Manjhi loyalist Mahachandra Prasad.
Mr Manjhi had lately signalled that if he is forced out of office, crossing over to the BJP is a viable option. Sources say the BJP, which discussed the situation at a core committee meeting last evening, backs Mr Manjhi but has decided against any direct intervention.
On Saturday, a quorum of seven minister authorized 70-year-old Mr Manjhi to recommend the dissolution of the state assembly.
Twenty ministers, loyalists of Mr Kumar, left the cabinet meeting in protest after hearing Mr Manjhi's proposal to dissolve the assembly. All of them later resigned.
The cabinet meeting came a couple of hours before a meeting of the JD(U), where its lawmakers formally endorsed Mr Kumar as the legislature party leader and the next chief minister.
"Manjhi has bit the hand that fed him. He has wronged the party. Now the party will decide. It won't stop," JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav told the media last evening.
What happens next in Bihar will be decided by the Governor in consultation with the BJP-led union government. Bihar elections are scheduled for later this year, and the BJP, which has been on a winning spree following last year's Lok Sabha elections, is hoping to add Bihar to its kitty.
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