Manjhi supporters storm JD(U) HQ, sit on dharna

The rift among JD(U) leaders over continuance of Jitan Ram Manjhi as Chief Minister today took a queer turn as Manjhi supporters stormed state party headquarters, embarked on an indefinite dharna and threatened to expand their agitation if he is removed.
Alleging that Manjhi has been victimised because he was a 'mahadalit' (SC), hundreds of agitators converged under the aegis of 'Dalit, Muslim Ekta Sangh' in front of state JD (U) headquarters and demanded justice for him.
They raised slogans against Manjhi's predecessor Nitish Kumar, party president Sharad Yadav and general secretary K C Tyagi.
"Hearing slogans against Kumar, those present at the party office went outside to stop them. The agitators beat them up and then stormed the office. There were no serious injuries to anybody. The office was not vandalised, but it was an ugly scene," said a JD(U) official.

Manjhi supporters then went in front of the hotel Sharad Yadav is staying and demonstrated there for almost an hour and burnt an effigy of Tyagi.
A three-member delegation sent by them met Yadav, discussed the political scenario and demanded that Manjhi be retained in the Chief Minister's post.

"Different dalit, mahadalit and Muslim organisations have formed this Sangh. We have come out to prevent the ouster of Manjhi. He is continuously being insulted by some JD(U) leaders because he hails from a mahadalit caste," said Rajiv Ranjan, president of the Sangh.
"Yadav has assured us that he is trying to save Manjhi. He said he has sympathy for the CM and he is trying hard to remove the misunderstanding that has happened in the party," claimed Manoj Kumar, another leader of the Sangh.

The agitators moved to a field beside a mosque near Patna High Court in the evening and embarked on an indefinite dharna in support of Manjhi.
"We will spend the night here to show our solidarity with Manjhi. More members of our Sangh will join us from different part of the state. Our agitation will grow stronger from tomorrow. This is the question of the welfare of the poor and the downtrodden," added Sharim Ali, a leader of the Sangh.
Meanwhile, fearing violence in the aftermath of imminent ouster of Manjhi, the police have increased security at JD(U) headquarters, the hotel where Yadav is putting up and around the place where Manjhi supporters are on dharna.