Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi (Press Trust of India photo)
Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today put up a brave face, saying "Manjhi's boat never sinks", referring to attempts made by his predecessor, Nitish Kumar to return to the top post which has spawned a political crisis in the state. Mr Manjhi has refused to make way for Mr Kumar who had installed him as his replacement last year following the Janata Dal (United)'s dismal performance in the Lok Sabha polls.
"Manjhi ki nao kabhi nahin dubti hain (Manjhi's boat never sinks)," the 70-year-old said today, just hours ahead of his scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital this evening.
On Saturday, Mr Manjhi was authorised to recommend the dissolution of the state assembly at a cabinet meeting barely a couple hours before JD(U) lawmakers, in a party meeting, endorsed Nitish Kumar as their new leader in Patna. The party also submitted a letter of support to Governor KN Tripathi today, with the signatures of 130 MLAs backing Mr Kumar.
"The fact is BJP President Amit Shah is working overtime to engineer a split in our party, like he is doing with Trinamool Congress. He has failed... If the need arises, we will parade 130 MLAs before the governor or even the President," JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi told Press Trust of India.
Mr Shah along with senior BJP leaders met the Prime Minister at his residence last evening to discuss the crisis in Bihar. Sources say while the party backs Mr Manjhi, it has reportedly decided against any direct intervention, adopting a wait-and watch policy instead. The BJP, sources say, believes JD(U)'s infighting will leave the party further enervated.
"Nitish Kumar seems hungry for power and that is why he has got himself re-elected as the Legislature Party leader by ousting a maha-dalit leader Jitan Ram Manjhi," senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi said.