Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi
Patna:
It was a hectic Monday for Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi - ducking a shoe and later the accusation that he was trying to "run out" his boss, Nitish Kumar, by sledging his cabinet colleagues.
"Nitish is my captain and he has given me the chance to bat, so I'm doing the batting and at a time, four players can't bat at the crease," Mr Manjhi told reporters at the weekly Janta Durbar - the public meeting he holds every Monday at his home in Patna.
Yesterday, accusing some of his cabinet colleagues of doubting his ability to perform, Mr Majhi had said some people say he was playing test cricket and others say One Day International and T20. "But I'll deliver on my promises irrespective of whatever version of the game I get to play," he had said.
His critics had given a spin to the statement.
"Only when I get bowled out, the Captain will think of replacement. But it remains to be seen whether I will get out or not," Mr Manjhi further said today.
Amid this, a man was arrested after he threw a shoe at the Chief Minister, which missed its mark. The man has been identified by the police as Amitesh, who is from Chhapra.
As he was being led away by the police, Amitesh reportedly alleged how his grievances had not been addressed despite attending the meeting for the last two years. The man was also accusing politicians of indulging in casteism, said Senior Superintendent of Police Jitendra Rana.
After initial interrogation, police sources said he had been involved in two cases. Once he had even been sent to jail for travelling on train without a ticket. It is possible that he is mentally disbalanced, an officer said.
The 'Janta Darbar' was started by Mr Manjhi's predecessor Nitish Kumar a few years ago, where the chief minister listens to grievances from the public.
Confirming that a slipper was indeed thrown, Mr Manjhi said an inquiry will "reveal the truth".