Delaying govt. formation not in favour of Bihar: Nitish Kumar

Former Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said he had requested for a meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee as delaying the process of government formation in the state was not in favour of the people.

"If the governor wanted to give a chance to the present government, they should have done it, but taking time to form a new government is not in favour of Bihar. That's why we wanted to talk about this with the President. Lalu Yadav and Mulayam Singh are with us," he said.

Nitish, who will parade 130 supporting MLAs to show that he enjoys majority in the Bihar Assembly, earlier in the day met President Mukherjee.

The MLAs belong to the ruling JD (U), besides some from the RJD, Congress, CPI and Independents.

Nitish, who wanted an invitation from Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to form a new government in the state after he was elected the leader of JD (U) Legislature Party, had earlier called for a democratic process to be followed in the state.

Jitan Ram 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.