Amid the strong buzz of the possible ouster of Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi the political temperature in Bihar has suddenly shot up. The reports are making round in the corridors of power for the last couple of days that some recent statements and acts of Manjhi have angered his political mentor Nitish Kumar, who in a surprise move had stepped down following JD(U)’s rout in lok Sabha polls in May last and handpicked Manjhi to succeed him.
On Thursday, Nitish left for Delhi amid the talks that he would meet RJD supremo lalu Prasad and convince him of the urgency to remove Manjhi in the larger interest of the JD(U) and the RJD which are inching towards a merger. Apart from meeting lalu, he is also expected to call on two other Yadav chieftains- Sharad Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav.
However, Nitish denied that he was going to Delhi to discuss the future of Manjhi. “What is the need to go to Delhi to discuss Bihar mattersIJ” he quipped. When asked if Manjhi is safe he shot back, “Who am I to give an assurance about his fateIJ”
The one-liner of former CM and JD(U) top leader has raised many questions particularly at a time when Nitish reportedly expressed his anguish over Manjhi supporting rebel JD(U) MlAs whose membership has been restored by the Patna High Court on Tuesday and also over the abrupt transfer of many IAS officers known for their proximity with Nitish and their posting to less important posts.
The previous transfers and postings of IAS and IPS officials by Manjhi had got the approval of Nitish but this time the CM did this unilaterally without even informing Nitish. Some of the IAS officials, transferred on Tuesday night, had been placed on important posts in order to complete the Nitish’s dream projects like the construction of signature buildings in Patna like international museum, international convention centre and new building of the State legislature.
In the political circles here, there is strong buzz that Manjhi would be shown the door once the merger of JD(U) and RJD is inked possibly by the end of February. “After the merger, new leader of the legislature party comprising the two parties would be elected who will be the Chief Minister,” said a senior Minister and added that Manjhi is not the mandated CM but nominated by Nitish.
RJD supremo lalu who was initially sympathetic to Manjhi has also reportedly changed his mind. However, the critical question before the JD(U) leadership is how to remove Manjhi in a friendly manner and also not send a wrong signal to the scheduled caste society of which Manjhi has emerged a tallest leader.
CM Manjhi has also got the hint that his days were only numbered. On Thursday while addressing a public function, he quoted Kabir and said he wants to do some historic works so that when he exits, people should cry and wished he would stay for longer period. He also referred to an old Hindi film song, ‘Sab kuch seekha hum ne na seekhi hoshiyari, Sach hai duniya walo ke hum hain anari.’ (I learned many things but not cunningness; as a matter of fact I am still (politically) immature).
Senior BJP leader and former deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi made stinging remarks on what he called sharp division in the JD(U), Government and bureaucracy. “On the one hand Nitish is leaving no stone unturned to come back, Manjhi is struggling hard to retain his office. Bihar is witnessing a cold war and people have become victim,” he said and added that the Ministers who are openly speaking against their CM have no right to stay in the Government.
Who will replace Manjhi is another big issue since Nitish has not given any indication so far about his inclination to resume the hot seat even though majority of the JD(U) is in the favour of him indicating that only Nitish could revamp the party, provide a strong leadership to the merged parties and take on the BJP.