JD (U) controversy : Nitish to meet Governor to stake claim to form next Govt. in Bihar
09 Feb, Patna
The newly elected JD(U) legislature party leader Nitish Kumar will meet Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi this afternoon to stake claim to form a new government in Bihar.
Highly placed sources in Raj Bhawan said, the governor will arrive Patna this morning from Kolkata, amid hectic efforts by Nitish Kumar group to form a new government.
They said, Kumar has been given time at 1:30 PM today to meet the governor. Bihar Assembly Speaker Uday Narain Choudhary Sunday gave recognition to Kumar as the leader of JD(U) legislature party.
All JD(U) legislators owing allegiance to Kumar will be paraded before the Governor to show strength and express their solidarity with Kumar. The party has instructed all legislators to be present in Patna.
With Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi refusing to vacate the chair and Nitish Kumar, all set to stake claim to form government, all eyes are set on the Raj Bhawan. State JD(U) President Vashisht Narayan Singh yesterday submitted a letter of support to the Governor in this regard.
He said the RJD, Congress and CPI have also supported Kumar’s candidature for the next Chief Ministership of the state. Singh also said that he has also submitted a letter by party president Sharad Yadav informing the Governor that Manjhi had ceased to be the leader of Legislature Party and his decisions should not be entertained by the Governor.
With RJD, Congress and CPI having combined strength of 30 legislators already submitting their letter of support to the Raj Bhawan, Nitish Kumar will need the support of 87 legislators in the House which has an effective strength of 233 out of the total 243 member house.
Kumar has the support of 97 of the total 111 JD(U) legislatures. Given the present strength of the state assembly Kumar needs support of 117 legislatures .
Manjhi Sunday ruled out his resignation as Chief Minister after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Manjhi said that Nitish Kumar has been exposed and accused him of humiliating Mahadalits. Briefing media persons, Manjhi said that he will prove majority in the Assembly and will step down if he is not able to prove it.
He said that there was no discussion about politics with Prime Minister. Replying to a query on support from BJP in the assembly floor test, Manjhi said that he will take the support of anyone who offers it. Manjhi said that he will expand the cabinet soon and it may include two deputy Chief Ministers.