Former Bihar CM Manjhi calls on PM Modi

Former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Thursday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official 7, Race Course Road residence in the national capital.

"I met the Prime Minister after a pre-scheduled meeting. I had requested for an audience with him, stating that I will be in Delhi from May 25 to 29 and had said that in this period, I will like to

meet him at his convenience," Manjhi told the media.

"The reason why I met him was because farmers in Bihar have started committing suicide: the first time such a step is being taken by them after independence. There have also been some irregularities with respect to the distribution of grains, for which I have been requesting a CBI inquiry for quite some time. I also wanted to bring to the knowledge of the Prime Minister various issues pertaining to the oppression of farmers in the state. The Prime Minister has assured that he will help in facilitating a CBI inquiry into these issues," he added.

Manjhi also denied that he had discussed politics with the Prime Minister.

"I have not discussed politics with the Prime Minister. As far as Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav are concerned, the way Nitish ji has insulted the poor and the Mahadalits, means that we can never

reconcile with him. Post the upcoming elections in Bihar, if there is a need to seek or lend support, I will do so as long as the party does not have Nitish Kumar," he said.

Earlier, Manjhi had floated a new party, the 'Hindustan Awaam Morcha', after being ousted from the Janata Dal (United). According to reports, the HAM has been formed to counter the JD (U) ahead of Bihar assembly polls to be held later this year. Manjhi's supporters are said to be predominantly Mahadalits and members from other backward castes.