Jitan Ram Manjhi expelled from JD(U) on charges of indiscipline: KC Tyagi

Patna: Jitan Ram Manjhi, who refused to step down as Bihar Chief Minister and make way for Nitish Kumar, was on Monday expelled by JD(U) President Sharad Yadav for indulging in “anti-party activities”, said JD(U) leader KC Tyagi. [caption id=“attachment_2088163” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi was expelled from the JD(U). IBNLive[/caption] The expulsion came ahead of Nitish Kumar’s meeting with Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi at 1:30 pm to stake claim to form government. “Sharad Yadav removed Jitan Ram Manjhi as a member of the JD(U) on charges of indiscipline,” said Tyagi. “Yadav took this decision on the basis of party principle. The decision was taken on the basis of the emergency powers of the party under Article 23 of the party constitution,” Tyagi said. Tyagi also said that the JD(U) Legislature Party meeting in which Nitish Kumar was made the leader was called by Manjhi himself. “He called the meeting because he said there were some disputes which needed to be settled. However, instead of attending the meeting, he called the meeting invalid,” said the JD(U) leader. “Manjhi was involved in anti-party activities,” he said. Tyagi also slammed the BJP for earlier criticising the Bihar government and later on siding with Manjhi. “Earlier, Sushil Kumar Modi had said that Bihar is going towards jungle raj. When we acted on Sushil Modi’s advice (by removing Manjhi), he turned against us,” Tyagi said. “This entire script ‘Operation Jitan Ram Manjhi’ was under the direction of Amit Shah. And Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself blessed the operation,” said Tyagi. The JD(U) leader also challenged Manjhi to prove his majority on the floor of the House. “Manjhi just has 12 supporters…Within 48 hours, either Manjhi needs to prove his majority to the Governor or Nitish should become CM and show his majority,” he said. Manjhi, who was sacked as the JD-U legislature party leader at a meeting of the party’s MLAs on Saturday, had said, “Manjhi ki nao kabhi nahin dubti hain (Manjhi’s boat never sinks)”. Manjhi was part of Nitish Kumar government in 2005 as well as in 2010 before taking the mantle from him on 19 May last year after Kumar resigned. Manjhi, who is all set for a final showdown with mentor Nitish Kumar, has arrived in Patna from New Delhi. Ruling out his resignation without a trial of strength in Assembly, Manjhi had said on Sunday that he will prove his majority on the floor of the House or step down if he fails, and attacked Nitish Kumar for his “greed for power”. Manjhi headed straight to Raj Bhawan from Patna Airport to take part in the swearing-in of Chief Information Commissioner at 12:30 pm. Senior minister Narendra Singh, who is Manjhi’s chief advisor, accompanied Manjhi from New Delhi. Minister Vinay Bihari, MLAs Raju Singh, Sumit Singh and others received them at Patna Airport. Sadhu Yadav, controversial brother-in-law of RJD President Lalu Prasad was also at the airport to receive Manjhi. (With inputs from PTI)