Amidst drama JD (U) denies expulsion of Manjhi

Patna: Within hours of  reported expulsion of Jitan Ram Manjhi, the JD(U) on Saturday denied the report and said legislative party only chose former chief minister and party strongman Nitish Kumar as its new leader.

According to party sources, such a decision will be taken by the party leadership if at all if it has to be taken.
The sources further added that during the JD(U) legislative party meeting Nitish Kumar has been chosen as chief  thus Manjhi is no longer JD(U) legislative party leader.

Earlier, it was reported, Janta Dal (United ) has expelled its rebel Chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi from the party and chose Nitish as the chief of Bihar legislative party.

Manjhi , who has been ignoring party leadership's directive of resigning , drove to his mentor Nitish Kumar's residence where JD(U) president Sharad Yadav was also present.

Manjhi was accompanied by two of his supporting cabinet colleagues, Narendra Singh and Brishen Patel in his car.

This meeting took place  at a time when speculations were rife that Manjhi will be sacked by the Janata Dal (United), with a view of reinstating Nitish Kumar to the top post.

Earlier in the day, Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi sought the dissolution of the state assembly in the light of the political impasse in the state.

Yesterday, Manjhi recommended suspension of two state cabinet ministers PK Shahi and Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lallan'. Considered Nitish loyalists, and alleged they were working to remove him  from Chief Ministerial post. The governor accepted the recommendation and sacked  the ministers.