Ex-CS Ashok Kumar Sinha takes oath as Bihar Chief Information Commissioner

PATNA: Former Chief Secretary Ashok Kumar Singh was today sworn-in as the Chief Information Commissioner of Bihar amid visible signs of infighting between the two camps of the ruling JD(U) in the programme too.

Singh was administered the oath of office by Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi at a function held at the Raj Bhawan here.

Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, Speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary, Deputy Speaker Amrendra Pratap Singh, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh and Rural Development Minister Nitish Mishra were present among others.

Meanwhile, the sharp division in the ruling JD(U) between the Jitan Ram Manjhi and Nitish Kumar camps came to the fore at the function when the Speaker did not shake hands with Manjhi who extended his hands towards Chaudhury while taking his seat.

Chaudhary, however, acknowledged the chief minister's greetings by a nod.

While the chief minister was on the first seat on the front row, the speaker sat on the third chair in the same row leaving the middle one vacant.

The two dignitaries did not look towards each other during the brief five-minute swearing-in ceremony of the CIC.

While leaving after the function, the Speaker again cold shouldered the chief minister, who smiled at the former while proceeding towards another room where arrangements were made for refreshment for the dignitaries.

The Speaker had yesterday recognised Nitish Kumar as the ruling JD(U) legislature party leader bypassing the incumbent chief minister's right over the post.

Manjhi was also expelled from the party earlier today.