Patna: Escalating tension within JD(U), Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi tonight adopted a confrontationist approach describing the February 7 meeting of JD(U) Legislature Party as “unauthorised” and ruled out that he was quitting.
“The right to call Legislature party meeting rests with leader of the Legislature party (Chief Minister). The notice of meeting called on February 7 is not an authorised one,” he said in a statement.
Manjhi also rubbished as “baseless” news about his resignation.
“Mukhya Mantri ke istiphe ki khabar bebuniyad hain iska khandan kiya jata hain (news about resignation of CM is baseless, it's strongly denied),” a terse statement in Hindi issued by CM's Office said.
Earlier in the evening news spread about a meeting of JD(U) Legislature party called by JD(U) President Sharad Yadav on Saturday evening.
“A meeting of JD(U) Legislature party has been called on February 7 on the direction of party President Sharad Yadav,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shrawan Kumar told reporters. Asked about the agenda of the meeting, Shrawan Kumar, who is also Chief Whip of JD(U) in Legislative Assembly, said it would discuss the latest political situation.
After returning to state capital from Jehanabad in the evening, Manjhi was closeted with his close supporters regarding the late evening development.
After the meeting with some ministers and legislators, Manjhi's office released the statement describing the Legislature party meet as “unauthorised”. The development apparently reflects confrontational condition within JD(U) and a clearcut approach of Manjhi not to go without a fight.
