Power Tussle in JD (U)

Amid speculations of a "power tussle" in the ruling Janata Dal (United), Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today said the next Chief Minister would be elected after the Assembly polls next year, if the JD (U)-RJD-Congress collation comes to power.

"A final decision on the name for the CM post of the alliance will be taken by leaders of constituent parties after the poll. Nitish Jee is, undoubtedly, our party's choice for the post. The priority of this alliance is to defeat the BJP, not electing a chief minister candidate," Manjhi told reporters on the sidelines of his Janata Durbar. Asked whether Kumar's nomination would be precondition before finalising the alliance, the chief minister said the constituent parties have freedom to discuss such issues within its own organisation and then senior leaders would sit and decide a name for the CM post of the alliance.

Power corridors in the state are rife with the speculations of a power tussle between Manjhi and his predecessor, Kumar. These speculations grew stronger after Kumar's declaration on Friday that he is "willing to return, provided people pay him his due wages" for his work as the state's leader. Amid such speculations Kumar visited New Delhi on Sunday to attend a political rally in Meerut.

Political analysts say that the problems arose between the two stalwarts after Manjhi transferred senior officials of Patna district administration in wake of the stampede which killed 33 people. He later suspended Patna Medical College and Hospital medical superintendent and transferred 4 senior doctors for laxity in treatment of injured.

The swift action against bureaucrats earned him applause within the party. A strong section within the party is now supporting him and it wants him to be named as the next CM candidate. However, this has not gone down well with the Nitish Kumar's supporters.

The action against officials has reportedly "irked" Kumar as several of these officials and doctors were considered close to him.