The political drama in Bihar over chief ministership is unfolding by the minute on Saturday. In the latest turn of events, Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has appealed to Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to dissolve the state Assembly, ANI reported. The development came after Manjhi chaired a Cabinet meeting. Earlier, amid indications that the JD (U) leadership has quelled the rebellion led by Manjhi by making him agree to make way for the return of Nitish Kumar as the chief minister, the situation had turned fluid again after Governor Tripathi accepted Manjhi's recommendation to dismiss two ministers -- Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lallan and PK Shahi. Manjhi had written to the Governor, yesterday, saying their activities were not in the best interest of the government. Manjhi today met Nitish Kumar at the latter's residence amid pressure from the party leadership not to create a split in the party. Earlier in the day, the JD (U) had made it clear that it was not willing to concede space to Manjhi over the issue. Senior leader KC Tyagi declared that Nitish will take over as CM after Manjhi steps down. “Manjhi is himself responsible for his downfall. As soon as he vacates the CM's post, automatically other posts will be vacated too,†Tyagi said. Manjhi enjoys the support of over a dozen party legislators and he is banking on the support of the BJP, which is openly backing him.
