Bihar political crisis: Cannot just remove Manjhi, will follow procedures, says Governor

Patna: Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi said he cannot arbitrarily remove Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi from his post as demanded by the JDU faction led by Nitish Kumar.

Responding to the demand made by Kumar, Tripathi said, "I cannot just remove Manjhi. I have to follow a proper systematic procedure," adding he was examining the due procedures.

The Patna High Court had on Thursday reversed its decision terming Kumar's election as JDU Legislature Party leader illegal. Both camps are gearing up for a floor test in Bihar assembly on February 20.

Meanwhile, Manjhi expressed gratitude to the Governor for asking him to prove majority on the floor of the House on February 20. "I would thank the Governor that he heard me. I had spoken to the Governor and said that when a session is there on February 20 then why was the need to call a special session," he said.

Bihar has been in a political turmoil for the last few weeks with Kumar and his one-time protege Manjhi involved in a power struggle.

Manjhi has been claiming that he is still Bihar's CM but Kumar and his supporters have demanded that the Governor convene a special session of the Assembly and allow a floor test. The former CM had also met President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday in New Delhi and asked him to intervene and resolve the political tussle.

Kumar was elected the leader of the JDU's legislature party leader on Monday and he had Tripathi to stake claim to form government.

Manjhi was expelled from JDU with immediate effect on Monday before electing Kumar as the party's Legislative Party leader. Claiming the support of 130 MLAs, Kumar had even paraded them at Raj Bhavan. He had requested the Governor to invite him to prove his majority on the floor of the House as according to him 101 JDU MLAs, 24 of the RJD five from Congress and one Communist Party of India legislature support him.

Manjhi had also met the Governor on Monday and made a similar claim saying he be given an opportunity to prove majority on the floor of House.

Kumar has alleged that there was "a gameplan to impose President's rule in the state".