Bihar CM Manjhi trying to stoke caste tensions, alleges BJP

Launching a frontal attack on the Janata Dal (United), the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday accused Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi of stoking caste tensions in the state with his remark that 'upper caste people are foreigners'.

"A Chief Minister's duty is to reduce caste tensions, but the Bihar Chief Minister is doing the opposite. It's a part of JD (U) strategy," said BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain.

Another BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra echoing similar sentiments condemned the Chief Minister's shocking remark.

"This is not the first time Manjhi has said this. He has called upper caste people invaders. This is wrong, we condemn it," he said.

Speaking at a function in Bettiah, Manjhi had said the upper caste people are foreigners and only tribals and Dalits are indigenous people.

"The upper caste people are foreigners and descendants of the Aryan race...they have come here from foreign countries. Only tribals and Dalits are indigenous people," he said.

Manjhi, who took over as the Bihar Chief Minister in May this year, had after the Dussehra stampede at Patna's Gandhi Maidan said that he would cut off the hands of those found playing with the lives of the poor, referring to the doctors who were treating the injured.

Manjhi, who was picked by Janata Dal (United) leader and former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar for the top post, had earlier courted controversy for his off-the-cuff remarks. Manjhi had earlier in September said that his government would forgive the small traders, who indulge in black marketing worth a small amount so that their children get education.