Amidst the buzz that Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi might be shown the door since Nitish Kumar seems to be angry with him, some senior leaders of the JD(U) have warned of serious political consequences of such a ‘suicidal’ move. Manjhi on the other hand said he was least bothered about such reports highlighted almost every day.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh said no person having political acumen would think of removing Manjhi. “It will be a suicidal move if Manjhi is removed at this juncture,” said Singh on Friday reacting to the media reports. Interestingly, Manjhi had held detailed meeting with Singh a few days back. Another Mahadalit leader and transport Minister Ramai Ram favouring Manjhi supported the CM’s statement that the next CM would also be from Mahadalit society.
A couple of other senior Ministers, Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Rajiv Ranjan Singh lalan also supported his continuation and vehemently denied that party was considering changing the CM. “there is no threat to Manjhi from me,” said lalan who is reportedly unhappy after his favourite principal secretary in his road construction department was transferred by the CM on Tuesday last.
However, speculations were still rife and the air dashing of food and consumer protection Minister Shyam Rajak to Delhi and his in-camera meeting with Nitish at Bihar Bhavan on Friday raised many eyebrows. It is speculated that the name of Rajak, who also belongs to Mahadalit society, surfaced as possible successor to Manjhi during the talks between Nitish, lalu and Sharad Yadav.
The politically dangerous consequences of the removal of Manjhi is haunting the not only the JD(U) leadership but also of the RJD. Manjhi is the first CM in the country belonging to Musahar sub-caste of scheduled castes which is considered as socially, politically, financially and educationally poorest. “His unceremonious removal will send a wrong signal to the Mahadalit society which has over 15% vote share and there is strong possibility that this section of the society will turn against us,” said a Manjhi Minister. Manjhi addressing a public meeting in Sonepur on Friday said everyday he listens to reports of sharp differences between him and Nitish. “Nitish is Chanakya. I may be phoohar. Everybody knows how chalak he is,” Manjhi said.
The CM, however, denied that he was either worried or panicked over the unabated media reports of his ouster. When asked if he would stay as CM, he said, “Who can say I will stay. But till today I am the CM.” In another major development, the dates for Nitish’s second phase of Sampark Yatra have been extended. He was scheduled to embark on this Yatra, this time to establish contact with public, on January 17 from Champaran.
The party leaders here said that the changes have been made following Nitish’s meeting with the RJD supremo lalu Prasad in New Delhi.“It is possibility that lalu may also join this Yatra at some stage,” a JD(U) functionary said. Minister Vijay Chaudhary added, “If both these leaders jointly take out Yatra it will send a forceful message to people. A rehearsal of this had been seen during the byelection to some Assembly seats in August and our alliance won majority of the seats.”
Senior RJD leader Raghubansh Prasad Singh, who appears not very happy over the merger plan and had even opposed grand alliance with the JD(U), is still unsure about the political developments. “So far only big leaders are talking (on merger). Is it enoughIJ The parties have to take mutual decisions at different levels and finalise the programmes and policies.”