Forces in Bihar have 'conspired' against Manjhi: Rudy

Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Friday termed Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's resignation as a 'sad' occurrence, adding that forces had conspired to create obstructions for him in the state.

The Lok Sabha MP from Bihar said it is very sad that Manjhi has given his resignation to the Governor.

"He must have made calculations where he might have felt that he could not muster the majority. The BJP did extend its support, but that was more on principles: that the chief minister, who represents a particular class of persons, wanted to serve the state of Bihar," Rudy told ANI here.

"But having said that, if a person like Manjhi has raised certain issues: that there were forces that were not allowing him to work in Bihar, that there was a leadership in Bihar, that he has specifically mentioned as Nitish Kumar, who created obstructions in his working. People who are close to him will ask why, when he was made the chief minister, was he was not allowed to work, and these are questions that need to be addressed," he added.

Earlier in the day, 70-year-old Manjhi resigned from the post of Chief Minister ahead of the crucial trust vote in the state assembly. While tendering his resignation to Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, he also recommended dissolution of the assembly.

Tripathi will now take a final call. He can either accept Manjhi's recommendation and dissolve the House or he can invite senior Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar to form the next government.

With Manjhi's resignation, the trust vote will not be required.

Manjhi, who had for weeks caused a political commotion by refusing to vacate the office for his former boss Nitish Kumar, seemed certain to lose the trust vote despite the BJP's support.

The BJP had asked its 87 MLAs to vote in favour of Manjhi today while the JD (U), RJD, Congress and CPI had issued a whip to its legislators to vote against him.

Meanwhile, the Bihar Assembly has been adjourned sine die after Manjhi's resignation.