With battle lines drawn between rival factions of the ruling Janata Dal-United in Bihar, incumbent Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's camp on Monday claimed the support of 56 MLAs of the party and Rashtriya Janata Dal and exuded confidence that it would sail through the floor test whenever it happens.
New JD-U legislature party leader and Manjhi's one-time mentor Nitish Kumar has staked claim to form government with support of 130 MLAs of the JD-U and allies the RJD, Congress, Communist Party of India and an independent during his meeting with Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.
Manjhi said that he was ready to prove his majority in the state assembly and requested the governor to allow a secret ballot. "Main bahumat sabit karunga, iske liye ready hun, bhag nahin raha hun (I am not running away. I am ready to prove my majority in the state assembly),” he told the media outside Raj Bhawan after he met Tripathi.
The CM said that he had requested the governor to provide him chance to prove his majority on February 19, 20 or 23. "The governor told me that Nitish Kumar has requested him for a similar chance within 24 or 48 hours. But I have appealed to him to take a final decision,” Manji added.
Manjhi told the governor that Nitish’s re-election as the legislature party leader of the JD-U was illegal and unconstitutional. "Nitish is not a member of the Bihar legislative assembly, so how can he will be re-elected. He is a member of the Bihar legislative council.”
“The move to replace me is a conspiracy against a Mahadalit,” he added.
Manjhi-appointed JD-U chief whip Rajiv Ranjan claimed that the CM had the committed support of 44 JD-U and 12 RJD MLAs. “All of them will stand by Jitan Ram Manjhi and support his government during the trust vote whenever it takes place," he said.
Exuding confidence that the Manjhi government would pass the litmus test during the trust vote, Ranjan, who was expelled by JD-U recently, claimed many more MLAs of the ruling party as well as the RJD would join the Manjhi camp soon. When asked to divulge their identities, he said it would not be 'proper' at this stage.
Earlier, former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has blamed the Bharatiya Janta Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for backing and helping Manjhi to indulge in “horse-trading” to split the JD-U. “BJP ke ishare par hi sab kutch ho raha hain. (All this is happening following instructions from the BJP),” he told the media outside Raj Bhawan after he met the governor and staked his claim to form the government.
In the 243-member assembly, the JD-U has 115 legislators -- most of who are reportedly with Nitish. It is backed by 24 legislators of the RJD, five of the Congress, two Independents and one from the CPI.
A party needs 122 MLAs for a majority.
At present, according to leaders close to Manjhi's camp, he has the support of only 13 legislators including six of his ministers. However, he has exhibited proximity to the BJP, which has 88 legislators and it is supported by three independents
On Sunday, Manji met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi after a session of the NITI Ayog fuelling speculation that he is looking to switch parties.
Meanwhile, the BJP said it will "wait and watch" and decide its strategy on the floor of the House when Manjhi makes the bid to prove his majority even as it blamed Nitish Kumar's "craving" for power for the current instability in the state.
The BJP also accused JD-U leader of being "hungry for power" and said he wanted Manjhi to be his "puppet". The party further claimed that Nitish stands exposed on his move to renounce power in Bihar.
"As the main opposition, the BJP is keeping a close watch and will present its opinion in the assembly. After the governor decides, then only will the BJP put forth its position on the floor of the House," said parrty spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain.
Sharpening the attack on Nitish, the BJP said he should adopt patience and not be in a hurry to return to power. "The BJP feels he is responsible for the current situation in Bihar. He cannot remain out of power for long. People in Bihar are very unhappy with the events.”
The BJP leader said Manjhi looks confident about proving his majority while the Kumar camp was "disappointed". That was the reason why Kumar and his supporters were putting forth deadlines before the governor, Hussain claimed. "We haven't taken any decision yet but we are sure that Manjhi, according to his statements, is very confident and Nitish's camp looks very disappointed," he said.
With inputs from agencies
