Political turmoil in Bihar :Ball is now in Governor’s court
By- B.Maharana
09 Feb, Patna (odibizinfo)
Both the Janata Dal (U) leader Nitish Kumar and Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi met Governor Keshari Nath Tripathy at Raj Bhawan Monday separately and apprised him the current political situation in the state arising out of the fall out in the ruling party beween the two factions.
Nitish while meeting the Governor at around 1.30 PM along with the supporter MLAs belonging to JD (U) , RJD and CPI ,staked claim to form a new government in the state .
Kumar was accompanied by JD U party President Sharad Yadav and RJD President Lalu Yadav. He urged the governor to invite him at the earliest to form the government, by claiming to have the support of 130 MLAs.
Talking to media men after the meeting , Kumar said that he had given the Governor 48 hours to take steps as per law to allow him to form the next Government.
I would bring the war to Rashtrapati Bhwan, New Delhi , if denied justice in the Raj Bhawan here during the 48 hours period, Kumar threatened.
Demanding immediate dismissal of Manji Government immediately, Kumar said any delay in taking decision on the part of Governor would lead to horse-trading.
Talking to reporters after meeting the governor, Sharad Yadav said the Governor has asked them to wait till he discussed the issue with the Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi who was scheduled to meet at 3 p.m.
Chief Minister Manji after meeting the Governor also said that he had apprised the political development and sought time for proving majority in the house.
Dubbing election of Nitish Kumar as the JD (U) Legislature Party Leader as” illegal and no constitutional sanction”, Manjhi said that a conspiracy was being hatched against him to out him as he belongs to dalit community.
Since the budget session of the assembly has already been convened from Feb 20, “ I seek the Governors decision to allow a floor test any day after Feb 23.”
“I am ready to prove the majority in the floor of the house and sought the Governor to ensure the floor test with provision of secret ballot”, Manji said and added “ I have left every thing to the conscience of Governor”.
Meanwhile Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh,who is close to Mr. Majhi said that the faction has support of BJP and Mr. Majhi will prove his majority on the the floor of the house.
Earlier today, party President Sharad Yadav expelled Mr. Manjhi from the party. Mr. Yadav had asked Mr. Manjhi to step down from the post of Chief Minister in view of the selection of Nitish Kumar as the new leader of JD(U) legislative party.
In the 243 member Bihar Assembly, JDU has 111 MLAs; BJP-87, RJD-24, Congress-5 and five Independents, while ten seats are vacant. With the present effective strength of the Assembly at 233, the magic figure is 117 required for formation of the new government.
Nitish Kumar has claimed that he has support of 130 MLAs.
Amidst ongoing political development, JD(U) MLA Rajeshwar Raj today filed a petition in the Patna High Court challenging the legality of election of Nitish Kumar as leader of the JD(U) legislative party.
Raj in his petition has also challenged Sharad Yadav’s authority to convene a meeting of legislative party when Jitan Ram Manjhi was the duly elected leader of the legislative party.