Split in Bihar cabinet as CM proposes assembly dissolution

Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi Saturday recommended dissolution of the state assembly during a cabinet meeting.

Minister Vijendra Prasad Yadav told the media that after senior Bihar minister Narendra Singh had proposed dissolution of the assembly in the cabinet meeting, 21 of the 28 ministers walked out of the meeting.

But the remaining seven ministers were enough to constitute the quorum.

"Only seven ministers including Chief Minister Manjhi have supported the move in the cabinet and 21 ministers rejected the decision," Bihar minister Shayam Razak told the media after the cabinet meeting.

Razak and Yadav are considered close to Nitish Kumar.

According to JD-U leaders close to Manjhi, the chief minister is set to send the cabinet recommendation for dissolution of the Bihar assembly to Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi.

"Now it is for Governor Tripathi to accept it," JD-U leaders close to Manjhi said.

Earlier,Bihar Governor Tripathi Saturday accepted the dismissal of two ministers recommended by Manjhi, officials said.

"Governor Tripathi has accepted the dismissal of two ministers by Manjhi," an official said.

Manjhi late Friday night had recommended dismissal of Road Construction Minister Lallan Singh and Forest and Environment Minister P.K. Shahi to governor. Both of them are considered close to Nitish Kumar.