‘In Delhi, it was the Union government versus the public of Delhi and the voters have made clear their choice.’
‘Jitan Ram Manjhi continues to be an illegal chief minister.’
Newly elected Janata Dal-United legislative party leader Nitish Kumar brought in 130 MLAs from Bihar to Delhi to parade before the President on Wednesday to back his claim to be reinstated as chief minister. JD-U leader Sharad Yadav speaks on recent developments.
Edited excerpts:
The JD-U has been euphoric with the AAP’s victory in Delhi? Is it going to have any impact on the political scene in Bihar?
It’s the common man’s victory; it’s Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal’s victory. The entire Union Cabinet was pressed into service. So, it was the Union government versus the public of Delhi and the voters have made clear their choice. As for the impact, it’s not going to be restricted to Delhi alone. Believe me, it will spread nationally. Bihar is going to the polls first that’s where you’ll get to see the maximum impact. The JD-U is here to stake claim to form government in Bihar. It’s mere coincidence that both events happened at the same time.
Nitish Kumar has brought with him MLAs of the JD-U, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress from Bihar to parade them before the President. Some are interpreting this as a show of protest against the Bihar Governor who did not decide in Kumar’s favour.
No, it’s not a protest. It’s just that we had met the governor and Nitish Kumar had paraded our 130 MLAs. We have the majority with us. We requested him to let us prove our strength on the floor of the assembly at the earliest. On the other hand, he (Jitan Ram Manjhi) is in a minority; he has only 12 MLAs with him. But the Governor did not take a decision and so we had no option but to approach the President.
How optimistic are you at this juncture because Bihar, for all practical purposes, has plunged into a constitutional crisis?
It’s a fact that we have the majority. The President is the head of State and we are hopeful we would get a chance to prove our majority.
Despite the JD-U having expelled Manjhi, he continues as chief minister even today.
Jitan Ram Manjhi continues to be an illegal chief minister. He doesn’t even have the Bharatiya Janata Party’s support at present. But the present situation could not have precipitated without the active support of the BJP.
So you suspect the BJP of being behind all this.
Without the BJP’s interference, all this is not possible. In the 233-member House, Manjhi has the support of only 12 MLAs. On the other hand, the RJD, Congress and even the Communist Party of India are with us. So, the BJP’s role has been exposed.
There is a talk about the possibility of Bihar assembly election being held in advance.
Why should that be the case? We have the full majority. We will prove our strength and complete the term.
