Manjhi rubbishes rumour of his return to NDA

Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) president Jitan Ram Manjhi Friday scotched rumour of his quitting mahagathbandhan and returning to NDA and termed such unverified reports as a "conspiracy" to malign his and his party image.

He made it clear that he is with RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Grand Alliance in Bihar which comprises of RJD, Congress and RLSP besides his party HAM.

Manjhi's criticism of dharna by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee against CBI action against Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar early this week had triggered speculation of his end of inning in the mahagathbandhan and return to the NDA.

There is no truth in it (rumour about his joining NDA). Disinformation is being spread as part of a conspiracy to malign my and my party image, Manjhi said.

Manjhi, who was made chief minister by Nitish Kumar in 2014 later fell out with his mentor and formed his party HAM. HAM joined hands with the BJP in 2015 Bihar polls but with return of Nitish Kumar in the ruling party fold, Manjhi left NDA to join hands with Lalu Prasad last year.

Manjhi said seat sharing issue in the opposition coalition will be finalized in consultation with all the constituents of the Grand Alliance.

In reply to a query, Manjhi said that Prime Minister and Chief Minister of any state should not hold or participate in dharna or demonstrations.

"Mamata Banerjee did wrong by holding dharna as it can't be justified in any manner," he reiterated.

While replying to a query on his party's state unit Chief Brishen Patel resigning from the post following the misappropriation of party fund, Manjhi said Patel had misappropriated Rs 10 lakh from party fund.

Both Patel and party spokesman Danish Rizwan had resigned from their respective posts on Wednesday. Rizwan had alleged that Patel along with his supporters indulged in anti-party activities and have also been indulged looting party fund.

Manjhi said that new state unit chief and other prominent posts, which are currently lying vacant, will be filled within a week. Manjhi was accompanied by party's national vice-president Rameshwar Yadav, district president Tutu Khan and others during the press meet.