File photo of Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. (Press Trust of India)
In a major boost for the BJP ahead of the high-stakes Bihar Assembly elections, former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today announced a tie up with the party to defeat what he calls an "unholy" alliance of Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Making the announcement after meeting the BJP chief Amit Shah, the Mahadalit leader said a strong alliance is needed to defeat the 'Janata Parivar' in the upcoming assembly elections.
"In Bihar, an unholy alliance between Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad has been formed... I spoke to Amit Shah in this context. We have to work together to prevent Lalu and Nitish from coming to power," Mr Manjhi told reporters after the 30-minute meeting with the BJP chief.
Mr Manjhi was being wooed by Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad but he had made it clear he would not be part of any formation which includes his bete noire Nitish Kumar, who ousted him as Chief Minister.
Mr Manjhi said he had held rallies across the state where the "consensus" was to get "rid" of the Lalu-Nitish combine.
"Yadavs feel that Lalu has betrayed them by joining hands with Nitish, who put thousands of Yadavs behind bars on petty charges. They no longer think that Lalu is their leader. Under these circumstances I felt that an alternative was needed," he said.
Mr Manjhi said he will continue to run Hindustani Awam Morcha and it will become "a part and parcel" of the NDA to "destroy" the Lalu-Nitish alliance. He said that he has already applied to the Election Commission for a symbol.
Asked about seat-sharing agreement with the BJP, he said, "It has been decided that we will go to whatever extent possible to help each other. We have not held any seat-sharing discussion. Our core committee will meet on June 15 and take a decision there. Our preparations are in all 243 seats."
On whether there will be a Chief Ministerial candidate of the alliance, he said, "It will be better if the name of Chief Minister is announced after the election."
He noted that BJP had earlier decided not to project anyone as its chief ministerial candidate and it will take a call on the issue.
During the meeting with Mr Shah, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and party's general secretary incharge of Bihar affairs Bhupendra Yadav were also present.
BJP, in its bid to stitch together a strong alliance for the Bihar polls, had been wooing Mr Manjhi for a long time.
Mr Shah had earlier in the day met Union Minister Upendra Khushwaha, whose party Rashtriya Lok Samata Party is part of the NDA, and discussed the strategy for the polls.