Section of RJD MLAs root for Manjhi

Image
Press Trust of India Patna
Last Updated : Feb 08 2015 | 6:00 PM IST
A section of RJD MLAs in Bihar are in disagreement with party chief Lalu Prasad's decision to back Nitish Kumar to re-assume chief ministership and are rooting for the beleagured Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.
"I will request the party and urge Lalu Prasad to continue support to Manjhi who hails from mahadalit community," senior RJD MLA Raghvendra Pratap Singh told PTI today.
Singh said he would make the point at the RJDLP meeting called here tomorrow morning.
RJD submitted a letter of support in favour of Kumar to Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi during the day. RJDLP leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui had accompanied JD(U) state president Basistha Narayan Singh and Congress LP leader Sadanand Singh to the Raj Bhawan to pledge their parties' support.
Singh, a former minister, said RJD has been championing social justice from the beginning and "going against Manjhi would not go down well with the people."
He claimed at least 7-8 other RJD MLAs are of this view.
Sources in Chief Minister's office said Raghavendra Pratap Singh and another RJD MLA Brij Kishore Singh had gone to meet Manjhi at the chief minister's house in the evening.
When contacted Brij Kishore Singh told PTI, "I had gone to meet the CM for some personal work."
The support of RJD, Congress and CPI is crucial for Kumar to stake claim to form the government. He will do so formally after the Governor returns from Kolkata tomorrow morning.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Feb 08 2015 | 6:00 PM IST

Next Story