Will enter ring as wrestler without fearing result: Manjhi

Exuding confidence that he would win the February 20 trust vote, Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today said he would enter the ring like a "wrestler" and not bother about how strong the opponent was even as he slammed his bete noire Nitish Kumar for trying to reduce him to being a "puppet".
"I will enter the ring as a 'pahalwan' (wrestler) without bothering how strong the opponent is and whether I will win or lose," Manjhi told reporters here.
"I'll make an emotional speech to the legislators that I stand for the welfare of the poor and the downtrodden. If you agree with me, then come along. If I do not get adequate response, I'll quit the CM's post," he said.

On his mentor Nitish Kumar's statement that he had made a mistake in choosing him to be his successor in the chief minister's post, Manjhi said that it was not just a "mistake", but "a great mistake".
"I have spent 34 years in politics and worked in different posts as minister and legislator... He (Kumar) committed a great mistake in assuming that I'll act like his puppet," Manjhi said.
Meanwhile, asked if he was banking on BJP's support, he said, "I am standing alone and shall appeal to the legislators of all parties to accept my humble appeal to continue working for the poor and the downtrodden."

On rivals' claim that he enjoys the support of only 12 MLAs, Manjhi said, "I am standing my ground and will fight till the end, irrespective of the result."

Manjhi thanked Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi for accepting his plea for the trust vote to be scheduled on February 20. He said he would once again appeal to the governor to use secret ballot during the confidence vote.
As to the possibility of a Cabinet expansion, Manjhi said that he would go for such a move if he won the trust vote.
Asked about his expulsion from JD(U) and position as an unattached member of the Assembly, Manjhi said he was looking into the legal aspect of the issue and would act lawfully.