There is crisis in the ruling Janata Dal United in Bihar, where chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has declared "illegal" a meeting called tomorrow by party chief Sharad Yadav, amid buzz that Nitish Kumar is set to make a comeback as CM.
Here are the latest updates
At Saturday's meeting of party legislators, Mr Yadav is expected to ask Mr Manjhi, who has been chief minister for nine months, to resign. The JD-U leadership wants Nitish Kumar to take over again and lead the party in the run-up to crucial state elections due later this year.
Mr Manjhi has contended that Mr Yadav's meeting is illegal as only the CM can call an MLAs' meeting. He has called one such meeting for February 20, the day a new assembly session begins, in a clear indication that he expects to be chief minister then whatever happens tomorrow.
Mr Manjhi is reportedly emboldened by vocal support for him from Ram Vilas Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party, who is also a minister in the BJP-led government at the Centre.
Mr Manjhi heads a minority government supported by Lalu Yadav's RJD. Sources say if he manages to get the support of the BJP's 88 MLAs, he could break the JD(U) with enough rebels to make up the 122 needed for a majority.
"We are keeping a watch over the situation and will take a decision at the right time...all options are open for BJP," senior state BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi told PTI.
But BJP sources have also said, "insult to the Mahadalit Manjhi will be an issue. Statements by Ramvilas Pawan indicate that." Mr Manjhi has repeatedly highlighted that he is a Mahadalit, one of the most underprivileged castes in Bihar.
The JD(U) has 111 MLAs - discounting four rebels - and the government is at present propped up by the support of Lalu Yadav's 24 legislators and five from the Congress.
In May last year, one day after national election results delivered a stinging blow to the JD-U in Bihar, Nitish Kumar had resigned owning responsibility for his party getting only two of Bihar's 40 Lok Sabha seats. Partner-turned-rival BJP had won 31 seats along with its allies.
Mr Kumar had handpicked Mr Manjhi to take his place in what was widely seen as a temporary arrangement.
Mr Manjhi's short tenure has been marked by multiple controversies, mostly over public comments he has made that have embarrassed his party. Sources said Sharad Yadav called Saturday's meeting after trying for days in vain to convince Mr Manjhi to step down.
