More trouble for Bihar CM Manjhi, could be shown door in next JD (U) meeting

PATNA: The JD(U) legislature party meeting will be convened on February 7 in what is seen a move to elect Nitish Kumar as its new leader replacing chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi who has refused to step down.

"The legislature party meeting has been slated for February 7," parliamentary affairs minister Shrawan Kumar told ET. He, however, refused to divulge on the agenda of the meeting convened at a such a short notice .

Party sources said the JD(U) national president Sharad Yadav on Thursday paid a surprise visit to the official residence of the chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi triggering strong speculations that his exit was now very much imminent. Sources said Sharad pleaded with him that he should step down in the interest of the party but he resisted the idea and may even brace for a showdown with the party leadership.

For the last two days, Sharad has been camping in the state capital holding frequent meetings with party leaders. Manjhi had called on the JD(U) president at his hotel and on Thursday when Sharad decided to meet the CM, the political circle was agog with speculation that Manjhi was being cajoled to resign. Sources said the persuasion drive was launched by Sharad to convince Manjhi to step down but all this may not have Nitish Kumar worked.

"The CM will not give up so easily, he may go down but not without putting up a fight," sources close to Manjhi said.

When asked whether Manjhi was asked to resign, the JD(U) national spokesperson K C Tyagi said leaders in JD(U) have the tradition if sacrificing their chairs. "Even Nitisjhi had resigned on his own," quipped Tyagi, admitting that Nitish had twice held telephonic talks with the SP chief Mulyam Singh Yadav, who has entrusted with the responsibility of reviving the old Janata Darbar.

JD(U)sources said Mulayam had asked Nitish to take charge of governance.

The chief minister however hit back and said difficulties and obstacles were put before him . "Earlier, the CM's door was shut for the party workers but now I hade opened the door for them," he remarked taking an indirect dig at Kumar.