A political war broke out in Bihar when former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi accused the Nitish Kumar Government of deploying 24 policemen to deprive a “Mahadalit” of the right to savour mangoes and litchis from trees planted at his 1, Anne Marg bungalow. Kumar, however, denied the charge on Thursday and offered to buy the fruits for Manjhi with his own money.
Manjhi has been overstaying at the residence, designated for Bihar CM, even after being removed from the chair in February this year. The CM residence, spread over five acres, has over 100 mango trees of various varieties besides 15 orchards of litchi, among others.
“Possibly Nitish does not want to share these fruits with a Mahadalit or his family members,” said Manjhi “This only shows how low can he (Nitish) actually go,” he added.
Apparently, around 24 policemen — mostly inspectors, sub-inspectors and constables led by a superintendent — have been exclusively deployed to ensure that the present occupant Manjhi and his family members from picking even the fruits that fall on the ground on its own.
As per the rules, the fruits and vegetables grown in the CM’s house could be consumed by the CM under the special provision, but if someone else uses them or sells them the income has to be deposited in the treasury. The policemen are reportedly deployed at the instruction of the Commandant of Special Branch.
Reacting to Manjhi’s allegation, Nitish said, “If he so interested I would purchase mango and litchi from my salary and send it to him.” He went on to add that he came to know about the deployment of the policemen to guard the tree from newspaper reports and inquired about it from the DGP.
“ I ‘vet better thing to do that issue such order. I’m interested in awam ( people), whereas some people are interested in aam ( mango,” he said.
The CM pointed that Manjhi had rebuilt and furnished the government residence in which he stayed before being made the CM and the work was still on. But in spite of them he has not vacated CM house and staying there. “Now the person being elected by the people will enter 1, Anne Marg,” he added.
Nitish when resigned from the Chief Ministership in May 2014 had shifted to 7, Circular Road residence and rebuilt it as per his requirement and still living there. Manjhi said crores of rupees have been spent by Nitish and now he should shift to CM residence and vacate 7, Circular Road in his favour since that house has been designated as official residence of former CM.