Jitan Ram Manjhi says BJP infighting to strengthen JD(U)

PATNA: Expressing glee over 'infighting' in state BJP, Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today said if rivals fight like this, the non-BJP parties would keep getting stronger, and would form the next government too.

"Though it is an internal matter of BJP, but it is a fact that if its leaders keep fighting like this we will keep getting stronger and will form the next government in the state too," Manjhi said.

"What we see that the rivals cannot work under a single leadership. At least we are not seeing anything like it right now. This is good for us. It will strengthen us," Manjhi told reporters on the sidelines of a function organised by Bihar Police Building Construction Corporation (BPBC).

Manjhi's comments came after senior BJP leaders like Shatrughan Sinha, CP Thakur, Ram Naresh Chaurasia, Chandra Mohan Rai and Ashwini Choubey voiced their opposition about former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi as the front-runner as the Chief Ministerial candidate.

BJP ally Rashtriya Lok Samta Party's chief and minister Upendra Kushwaha has also voiced concern over Modi, who is Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, being projected as the CM candidate of NDA.

To questions on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday today, Manjhi said he wishes a long life to Modi and hopes he will work in an "impartial" manner for the country.

Speaking about the multi-crore drug and medical equipment purchase scam that has rocked the state for the past two months, he said, "Our probe into the medicine scam is nearing completion. We will take action on the culprits very soon. We have not discussed CBI investigation into it as yet."