Bihar crisis: Nitish all set to meet President Mukherjee

Former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday left for the national capital to meet President Pranab Mukherjee following the delay by state Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi in replacing current incumbent Jitan Ram Manjhi.

"We are all going to Delhi to meet the Honourable President and inform him about the situation. Constitutional values should be protected and democratic process should be followed. Wrong practices should not be followed to form a government. We have already informed the Governor of the majority support that exists, in such a scenario, delaying it further would not be right," Nitish said.

"A decision should be taken in this matter immediately. We had staked a claim to form the government day before yesterday, all the supporting MLAs were present and despite that decision has not been taken in last 24 hours. Because of that we are now bound to take the matter to the President," he added.

According to reports, senior JD (U) leaders have sought an appointment with President Pranab Mukherjee tomorrow to demonstrate support for Kumar. Kumar has the support of 130 MLA's in the Bihar assembly.

Manjhi, who has refused to resign as the Bihar Chief Minister, was earlier expelled from the JD (U) by party chief Sharad Yadav.

The action against Manjhi, who had earlier on Sunday met Prime Minister Modi in the national capital, came after the JD (U) accused him of anti-party activities.

In the 243 member Bihar Assembly, the JD (U) has 111 MLAs, BJP 87, RJD 24, Congress five besides five independents, while ten seats are vacant.