Patna: Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi has slammed former Bihar CM and senior Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar for seeking ‘immediate' removal of incumbent Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, paving way for his anointment to the top post.
“On January 20, notification was issued for February 20 for both the House. Once notification is issued, he must wait. Nitishji wants to become Chief Minister by replacing another one in 24 or 48 hours. This is not possible... in fact this is against the Constitution. I have already said that after Governor's address, when the Assembly will meet, the first task Chief Minister will do that he will seek a vote of confidence,” he said.
Bihar is facing a political crisis following the JD-U's decision to re-elect Nitish Kumar as its legislature party leader and expel Manjhi from the party.
On Wednesday, Kumar had met President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi claiming support of 130 MLAs and urged him to advise the Governor to take an immediate decision. Besides 99 JD(U) MLAs, Kumar claimed that he enjoys support of RJD, Congress, CPI and independent legislators -- taking the toll to 130.
Meanwhile, Tripathi has asked Jitan Ram Manjhi to seek a vote of confidence on the floor of the House on February 20.
Immediately after Governor's address of the joint session of Bihar Legislature on the opening day of Budget Session on February 20, Manjhi will have to prove majority in the Legislative Assembly.
Manjhi was hand-picked by Kumar to replace him as Chief Minister last year following the JD-U's rout in the Lok Sabha.
