Nitish stakes claim to form govt, demands early decision

Janata Dal (U) leader Nitish Kumar on Monday met Bihar Governor Kesari Nath Tripathi and staked claim to form a new government in the state.

Kumar, who was accompanied by JD (U) chief Sharad Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prada Yadav, urged the Governor to invite him at the earliest to form the government. Kumar claimed to have the support of 130 MLAs.

"We met the Governor and told him that the JD (U) has maximum support from fellow parties like the RJD, Cong, CPI and others and they have selected their new leader," Kumar told the media after the meeting.

Kumar, who went to the Raj Bhawan to demonstrate that he has a majority in the state assembly, further said the Governor should not delay the decision in this regard.

"The decision should be made within 24 to 48 hours," said Kumar.

"We will wait for the decision. And if we are not given a chance then we have unanimously decided to take our support groups to the Prime Minister in Delhi," he added.

The JD (U) chief on his part said the Governor asked them to wait as he has called Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi at 3 p.m. to discuss the issue.

Lalu also echoed similar sentiments and said Kumar should be made the chief minister without any further delay.

"We have lent our support to Nitishji, he should be elected without further delay," he added.

According to reports, senior JD (U) leaders have sought an appointment with President Pranab Mukherjee tomorrow to demonstrate support for Kumar.

Meanwhile, Manjhi has arrived at the Raj Bhawan here and is meeting the Governor.

Manjhi, who has refused to resign as the Bihar Chief Minister, was earlier in the day expelled by JD (U) 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.

Kumar will be submitting letters of support from 130 MLAs, including those from the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), to the Governor.

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.

With the present effective strength of the assembly at 233, the magic majority figure is 117.