Blaming JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar’s “hunger for power” for the current political stalemate in Bihar, the BJP on Monday said it would disclose its stand on the floor of the Assembly vis-à-vis Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi “Nitish Kumar is restless to grab power and he cannot live without… though, Manjhi is expelled from JD(U) he continues to be the Chief Minister...,” said BJP spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain.
Quoting the Bommai case, he said it is in the Assembly where majority is proved “and not in the streets” and sought to say that his party would disclose its stand (whether to back Manjhi) on the floor of Bihar Assembly. Shanawaz said it was for the Governor to decide the next course of action after studying the constitutional provisions applicable on the political situation after expulsion of Manjhi from JD(U).
Manjhi, hand-picked by Nitish Kumar as his replacement last year after the lok Sabha polls, has now refused to quit as the Bihar CM. According to sources, the BJP sees the possibility of Manjhi following the example of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and announce his decision to quit and proceed to Raj Bhawan to submit his resignation to the State Governor. In 1996, the BJP at the Centre failed to garner enough support from other parties to obtain a majority with Vajpayee calling it quits after 13 days and submitting his resignation to the President after delivering a stirring speech in Parliament.
Shahnawaz said much should not be read in the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Manjhi on Sunday which was “pre-scheduled”. The Chief Minister discussed developmental issues of the State and “no political issues” were raised by the latter, he said. The BJP responded in the same vein when asked about the meeting between Manjhi and senior BJP leader and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari.
When his attention was drawn to the reports that BJP president Amit Shah had hand in the on-going developments in Bihar, the BJP leader reacted by saying, “JD(U) always dreams of Modi and Shah even though it can not take care of its own household.”
The BJP leader said Nitish Kumar was not confident of proving his majority in the Bihar Assembly as “he has conspired to oust Manjhi and insulted weaker sections.” Shanawaz said Manjhi was constitutional CM of Bihar “and he says he has majority with him”. Coming down heavily on Nitish, the BJP leader said former Bihar CM was “expert in breaking promises” and pointed out that he “disassociated from the BJP on his own.”