Patna: There was a minor clash between both the supporters of Bihar Chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and Nitish Kumar at the state party office located at Beer Chand Patel marg on Friday noon.
Manjhi supporters have reportedly burnt the effigy of Nitish amidst shouting slogans. The internal difference in the ruling party have emerged as a result of allegation and counter allegations by the Nitish and Manjhi supporters.
The attempts by the JD(U)'s top leadership to ensure a “peaceful” handover of the Chief Minister's post from Jitan Ram Manjhi back to Nitish Kumar appears to have hit a hurdle as Manjhi has decided to stay away from a meeting of the party's legislators on February 7 to seal the deal.
The CM's office issued a statement on Thursday, saying Manjhi would not attend the meeting. It added that it is “the CM who is empowered to convene such a meeting and since he has not called for it, he will stay away”.
JD(U) national president Sharad Yadav, meanwhile, met Nitish and Manjhi separately on Thursday to “ensure a smooth transition”.
The BJP is keeping close watch on political development in the state. "We are keeping a watch over the situation and will take a decision at right time ... all options are open for BJP," said former deputy CM and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi.
