BJP seeking to topple Bihar government in 'undemocratic manner': Congress

The Congress on Sunday blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the political crisis in Bihar, stating that the party in power at the Centre is seeking to topple that state's government in an 'undemocratic manner'.

"There is no crisis in Bihar. It is a conspiracy scripted by the Bharatiya Janata Party. The undemocratic manner in which they are seeking to topple the Bihar government has no parallels in the annals of history and betrays the completely fascist and totalitarian, dictatorial approach of the BJP," Congress leader Manish Tewari told ANI.

On Saturday evening, Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi had called a meeting of the state Cabinet, which authorised the former to recommend the dissolution of Bihar Assembly. But this move was strongly opposed by 20 ministers loyal to former CM Nitish Kumar. Manjhi had claimed he is authorised to take a decision on dissolution of the assembly.

Manjhi, who has refused to step down from his post, had yesterday written a letter to the Bihar Governor and requested him not to accept the recommendations made by the JD (U) legislature party meeting headed by JD (U) chief Sharad Yadav.

Nitish, who was elected as the leader of JD (U) legislature party at a party meeting held in Patna on Saturday, is expected to stake claim to form a new government in the state later in the day.

The former CM also urged Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to remove 15 ministers from their posts with immediate effect. Adding a new twist to the entire controversy, 20 ministers late last night sent their resignation to the Governor in support of Nitish.

Meanwhile, Manjhi is expected to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter's official 7, Race Course Road (RCR) residence later in the day.