Manjhi has 'ruined his future': Lalu

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Friday welcomed the resignation of Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, saying the latter has ruined his future by getting involved with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"He should have resigned earlier. He has ruined his future by getting involved with the BJP," Yadav told the media here.

Earlier in the day, 70-year-old Manjhi resigned from the post of Chief Minister. He submitted his resignation ahead of the crucial trust vote.

Manjhi had earlier met Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi at the Governor's House here.

Manjhi was locked in a showdown with senior Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar, who had handpicked him to take his place last year.

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, 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.