Uncertainty grows over Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi’s fate, Bihar CM may be replaced, Bihar Election 2015, Bihar Election News
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- Last Updated: Thursday, 22 January 2015 21:27
Bihar Politics: Uncertainty grows over Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi’s fate
PATNA: The bureaucratic reshuffle effected by Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has not gone down well with Janata Dal (U) leader and former chief minister Nitish Kumar and has heightened uncertainty over the former's political fate.
Party leaders, who did not wish to be named, said the immediate provocation that could bring Manjhi's downfall is the recent transfer of IAS officers—in key departments like home, building and road construction—who were close to Kumar.
Kumar, who had handpicked Manjhi for the top post, and other JD (U) leaders were already miffed with the chief minister's style of functioning and controversial remarks, they said, adding that the chief minister's independent decisions have also been a cause for concern.
"Nitishji is really livid with the way he has carried out the bureaucratic reshuffle. It is true Nitishji did not interfere in the work of the chief minister, but what he has done will be hard to condone," a JD(U) functionary said, adding that Manjhi's speaking in favour of expelled JD(U) leaders was also seen as an act of defiance.
On Thursday, Kumar left for New Delhi to meet RJD chief Lalu Prasad and JD (U) president Sharad Yadav. On whether the chief minister will be removed, Kumar said, "Who I am to say on what will happen to the chief minister?"
JD (U) national spokesperson KC Tyagi said the fate of Manjhi will be discussed when Prasad, Kumar and Sharad Yadav meet. The RJD chief, it is learnt, is pushing for Kumar. However, the transition may not be easy, given his the support Manjhi has been able to build within the party after taking over as chief minister.
Expelled JD (U) legislator Gayanendra Singh Gyanu said he would urge the BJP to support Manjhi if there are attempts to remove him.