Former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, whose anti-Nitish Kumar stand is apparently growing everyday, is pursuing his self-scripted policy of “you leave it, I will grab it”. Under this policy, Manjhi, who served as the Chief Minister of Bihar for nine months, has set eyes on two things: Janata Dal(U) and 7, Circular Road residence, both under control of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The former CM has declared that he would grab the JD(U) once the party is merged with six Janata Parivar constituents. “After the merger of these parties the JD(U) will be reduced to a non-entity and I will retain the name, flag and symbol and maintain its existence,” said Manjhi, who is expected to float a party before the Assembly elections. Manjhi is currently spearheading movement against Nitish under the banner of a forum Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM).

Manjhi has also set his eyes on 7, Circular Road Government residence and said he would move out of the official CM residence 1, Aney Marg only when Nitish vacates the residence where he is staying. “That house (1, Aney Marg) is earmarked as CM residence while 7, Circular Road is earmarked as residence of former CM,” he claimed. Nitish had moved in 7, Circular Road residence about six months back and made certain modifications and expansion of the sprawling house.

“I know when I will vacate the CM house; Nitish will get its tiles changed and purify it thoroughly since a Mahadalit has lived there. It will take a long time and by that time Assembly election will come close,” said Manjhi added that Nitish has unnecessarily spent crores of Government money on its renovation.

The Government has already issued notice to the former CM to vacate the residence without be offering 7, Circular Road to him. “Manjhi is a rightful claimant of this house,” asserted HAM convener Brishen Patel. The house at 12, Strand Road, where Manjhi lived earlier in his capacity as a Minister, is still vacant.

According to the sources, since Manjhi has not vacated the house even 40 days after demitting the office, the Government might use force to get the sprawling house-cum-residential office vacated. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shrawan Kumar said, “The law will take its own course against anybody no matter whoever it is. There will be no exception on this count.” Kumar said, Manjhi could have moved out in 40 days but instead of vacating he is misusing the CM residence by holding political meetings and Press conferences.

The 1, Aney Marg residence, which had been renovated and expanded by Nitish during the past seven years, has a venue for Janata Darbar besides offices of the CM and his staff. Nitish, after becoming CM once again, visit it on Mondays to meet the people at Janata Darbar. Manjhi lives in the residential part of the house, which has three big lawns, herbal garden and a sapling of sacred Mahabodhi tree of Bodh Gaya.

Apart from Manjhi, the Government has also served notices to some former Ministers, all Manjhi supporters, to vacate the Ministerial bungalows. The leaders who have been given one month time to vacate the bungalows are: Narendra Singh, Brishen Patel, Nitish Mishra, Bhim Singh, Vinay Bihari, Samrat Chaudhary, Shahid Ali Khan and Mahachandra Singh.