Narendra Modi govt encouraging horse-trading of MLAs in Bihar: Nitish Kumar

New Delhi: Janta Dal (U) leader Nitish Kumar, who will present over 130 MLAs before the President this evening to show that he enjoys majority support in the Bihar Assembly, accused the Modi government of encouraging “horse-trading” of MLAs in the state and alleged collusion by the Governor.

The former Bihar Chief Minister, who has been elected the JD(U) Legislature Party Leader in place of Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, said it was obvious that a majority of MLAs supported him and alleged that the delay by Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi in taking a decision was to hamper the formation of a new government.

Kumar arrived here from Patna yesterday evening, along with the MLAs supporting him, in two commercial flights.

He is scheduled to meet President Pranab Mukherjee at 7 P.M., accompanied with party president Sharad Yadav, RJD chief Lalu Prasad and SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

“The way a decision is being delayed is a clear indication that purchasing of MLAs is being done at the behest of the Centre. Intention is clear and this is to not allow formation of the majority government. We will tell the President that this will only encourage horse-trading,” he told reporters.

Kumar said his party and allies will impress upon the President on the need to take a quick action in the matter. Delaying the matter is only adding to the uncertainty and vitiating the political atmosphere in Bihar, he said.

Kumar had staked claim before Tripathi on February 9 to form a government even though incumbent Manjhi, who has been sacked from the party, insisted that he too enjoyed support of a majority of MLAs.Whatever is happening in the state is against democratic and constitutional norms, he said.

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Bihar crisis: Manjhi meets PM as JD (U) stakes claim to form government

New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who is under sharp criticism from the Janata Dal (United) for being defiant and reluctant to step down from his post, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official 7, Race Course Road (RCR) residence on Sunday evening to discuss the political situation in the state.

Manjhi, who has in the past lauded the Prime Minister for his initiatives, was in the national capital to attend the meeting of the NITI Aayog. Earlier in the day, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan had pledged his support for Manjhi, speculating that the BJP might hold a meeting with regard to the crisis. Meanwhile, Bihar Assembly Speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary recognized former chief minister Nitish Kumar as the JD (U) legislature party leader, a day after he was elected to the post in Patna.

A delegation of leaders of the JD (U) and its allies have also reportedly submitted letters of support to the Governor's office, stating that Nitish has the support of 130 MLAs. Earlier last evening, Manjhi had called a meeting of the state cabinet, which authorised the Chief Minister to recommend the dissolution of Bihar Assembly. But this move was strongly opposed by 20 ministers loyal to his predecessor Nitish.

Manjhi claimed that only he is authorised to take a decision on dissolution of the assembly.

Manjhi had written a letter to the Bihar Governor and requested him not to accept the recommendations made by the JD (U) legislature party meeting headed by Sharad Yadav.

He also urged the Governor to remove 15 ministers from their posts with immediate effect. Adding a new twist to the entire controversy, 20 ministers on Saturday night sent their resignation to the Governor in support of Nitish. 

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