Manjhi calls Legislature party meeting on February 20

The Bihar CM termed the proposed meeting of the JD(U) Legislature Party tomorrow as 'unauthorised'

Heading for a showdown with the JD(U) leadership, Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today termed the proposed meeting of the JD(U) Legislature Party tomorrow as "unauthorised" and has instead calling a Legislature Party meeting in his capacity as Leader of the House on February 20.

Manjhi has called a meeting of JD(U) Legislature Party at his official residence at 7 p.m on February 20, a statement from the Chief Minister's Office said today.

Manjhi has described the JD(U) Legislature Party meeting called by party President Sharad Yadav on February 7 as "unauthorised".

"The right to call Legislature Party meeting rests with leader of the Legislature party (Chief Minister). The notice of the meeting called on February 7 is not an authorised one," Manjhi had said in a statement late last night.

JD(U) General Secretary K C Tyagi described the Legislature Party meeting called by the party President as "valid".

According to JD(U) constitution, under Rule 21, the party the President has the power to call a meeting of Legislature Party, Tyagi told reporters.

Meanwhile, BJP said it was keeping a "wait and watch" approach over the situation.

"We are keeping a watch over the situation and will take a decision at right time...All options are open for BJP," senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi told PTI in reply to a question if BJP would extend support to Manjhi in case he is sacked by his own party.