Patna: With the BJP and Shiv Sena on the verge of ending their 25-year-old relationship, Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today empathised with the Maharashtra party and described BJP as an “unreliable” partner.
Manjhi justified his party JD(U) severing ties with BJP in June last year on this ground. “BJP has been going against the agreed principles of bonding and is working against Constitution...considering this JD(U) took a decision to part company with BJP,” Manjhi told reporters on the sidelines of “Janata Ke Darbar Me Mukhya Mantri” programme.
Seeking to clear the impression that JD(U) severed ties with BJP due to former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's rivalry with Narendra Modi, the Bihar CM said, “It was not only decision of Nitish Kumar but a consensus view in the JD(U) National Executive to end ties with the saffron party.”
Criticising BJP for drum beating that there are eight ministers from Bihar in Narendra Modi cabinet, Manjhi said, “do not go by numbers, the state has been slighted by not being given any Cabinet berth in yesterday's expansion.”
“First timers like Smriti Irani have been made Cabinet minister but seasoned politicians like Rajiv Pratap Rudy who had been a minister at the Centre earlier has not been given due honour,” he said.
Even Ramkripal Yadav, who is fourth term Lok Sabha member has been made minister of state, he said to drive home his point.
The Bihar CM pooh poohed BJP's claims of not promoting dynastic politics and referred to the appointment of Jayant Sinha who is the son of former Minister and senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, in support of his argument.
Manjhi hit out at the Centre for cutting developmental fund to Bihar by around Rs 7,000 crore. “I have sought an appointment with Prime Minister to draw his attention towards this lowering of fund flow under schemes like Indira Awas and others...I will also remind him (PM) about his promise to give special category status and special package to Bihar,” he added.
