Bihar: Lalu Offers Deputy CM’s Post To Jitan Manjhi’s Son, Nitish Kumar Likely To Take Oath As CM Of JD(U)-BJP Govt

This advancement came from Lalu Yadav’s camp after Nitish Kumar’s surprising move of rejoining hands with old ally BJP. In Lalu’s camp, fresh calculations are underway to reach the 122-mark to remain in power in the state.

Amidst the sudden turbulence in Bihar’s political milieu including speculation of discord between the JD(U) and RJD, heightened activities have been reported at former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav’s residence in Patna on Friday. As per media reports, Lalu had offered the post of Deputy Chief Minister to Jitan Ram Manjhi’s son, Santosh Manjhi, along with some Lok Sabha seats if he joined the Mahagathbandhan.

However, Santosh Manjhi has reportedly turned down the offer saying,  “We are with the NDA; such offers keep coming.”

This advancement came from Lalu Yadav’s camp after Nitish Kumar’s surprising move of rejoining hands with old ally BJP. In Lalu’s camp, fresh calculations are underway to reach the 122-mark to remain in power in the state. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) would now require eight additional MLAs to reach the 122 mark.

Amid rife speculations of a rift in the ruling ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in Bihar, CM Nitish Kumar on Friday attended the high tea ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan here on the occasion of the Republic Day while his deputy, Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD, remained absent.

When asked about Yadav’s absence, Kumar replied, “Ask those who did not turn up (jo nahin aaye unse puchhiye)”, and drove back to his official residence.

Nitish Kumar likely to take oath as CM of JD(U)-BJP government

Amid the unfolding political drama in Bihar, JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar is likely to take oath as the Chief Minister of Janata Dal (United) and the BJP government in Bihar on January 28, as per media reports, while BJP’s Sushil Modi is likely to be the new deputy minister. When asked about the development, Sushil Modi said that the “doors which are closed can open”, and termed politics a “game of possibilities”.

The long-standing tension regarding the tie between JD(U) and RJD reached its crescendo this week when the BJP government announced Bharat Ratna for socialist icon Karpoori Thakur.

Expressing dissatisfaction over INDIA bloc’s lack of interest in placing him in a position that suits his political stature, Nitish Kumar yesterday hinted at quitting the Opposition alliance. 

Courtesy : Outlook India

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