In a setback for the opposition unity ahead of Nitish Kumar's much-awaited meet on June 23, former Bihar Chief Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi is said to be meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, reports have said.
According to reports, Jitan Ram Manjhi is meeting Amit Shah in Delhi and may announce his entry into the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Thursday.
Manjhi served as the 23rd Chief Minister from 20 May 2014 to 20 February 2015. He was the founding President of Hindustani Awam Morcha.
Manjhi's HAM withdraws support from Mahagathbandhan in Bihar
On Monday, Jitan Ram Manjhi had officially withdrawn the support of his party from Mahagathbandhan in Bihar.
Manjhi met Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in Raj Bhawan and submitted the official letter of withdrawal of the support of his four MLAs from the Mahagathbandhan.
"My party had given support during the formation of Mahagathbandhan... now, we are withdrawing it," Manjhi said.
The relationship between Manjhi and Nitish Kumar went sour after the former Bihar chief minister's son, Santosh Kumar, resigned from the post of Cabinet minister on June 13.
Santosh Kumar alleged that Nitish Kumar had applied pressure on him to merge his party with JD-U or leave the alliance. He had chosen the second option and left the alliance.
While interacting with the mediapersons in Patna, Jitan Ram Manjhi was not looking pleased with Home Minister Amit Shah.
Asked about his Delhi trip, he said, "Amit Shah is not the only leader in the NDA, it may be possible to meet other leaders too. I will also try to meet Congress' top brass Rahul Gandhi, BSP chief Mayawati and others."
Manjhi also said that he and his son Santosh Kumar would stay in Delhi for 3-4 days to meet leaders. He also said that he has health issues as well.
Earlier, Santosh Kumar Suman, the national president of Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S) said: "We held the national executive committee meeting and we have all the options open for it. We will set out issues in the next three to four days, then announce our party's approach publicly."
(With inputs from PTI)
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