Sir — With all respect due to the President of India, I feel that he erred in giving time to Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar and his supporters to demonstrate their numbers in the Bihar Assembly. The parade was premature when the State Governor was still examining the issue, which has been rendered complicated by a court’s decision holding a meeting in which Mr Nitish Kumar was elected the leader, as unlawful. The only place for a show of strength is the floor of the House. The President could have merely heard Mr Nitish Kumar alone and turned away the crowd of MlAs and others.
The Governor has called Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi to prove his majority on February 20 in the House. Mr Nitish Kumar has been, meanwhile, levelling wild allegations that the BJP has indulged in arm-twisting and horse-trading.