Patna, Feb 5 (IANS) JD-U president Sharad Yadav Thursday called a meeting of party legislators Feb 7, amid speculation that Jitan Ram Manjhi will be removed as the Bihar chief minister and replaced by Nitish Kumar. Manjhi refused to resign and termed the meeting "illegal".
Manjhi openly revolted against his party, questioned the decision and refused to resign as chief minister. He said he will not attend the meeting called by Yadav as it was "illegal".
"Reports of my likely tendering resignation are baseless," he said in a press statement.
Janata-Dal-United national general secretary K.C. Tyagi said Yadav has the right as party president to call a meeting of party legislators.
"Manjhi was nominated as chief minister by Nitish Kumar after JD-U legislators authorised him to name a leader," Tyagi said.
Yadav has already held closed-door meetings with Manjhi, Nitish Kumar and other senior party leaders since Wednesday.
A party leader said nothing was clear about the agenda of the meeting called by Yadav, while another said the JD-U leadership was keen to know the mood of the legislators before taking any final decision whether to continue with Manjhi or replace him ahead of the assembly polls scheduled later this year.
The JD-U has 115 legislators in the 243-member assembly. It is supported by 24 legislators of Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal, five of the Congress, one from the Communist Party of India and two independents -- that is more than the simple majority figure of 122.
The opposition BJP has 88 legislators and it enjoys the support of three independents. Five seats are vacant at present.
Earlier in the day, Manjhi said he was working under pressure amid reports that he would be removed.
"I am working under pressure," Manjhi said at a public meeting in Jehanabad district.
Manjhi refuted reports that he was likely to resign. "It's all a media creation that I will resign."
Sharad Yadav had also made it clear that there was no plan to replace Manjhi. "At present, it is not in our agenda at all," he told the media in Patna.
Nitish Kumar, however, refused to say anything on the issue.
Asked whether Manjhi would be removed, he replied: "I have nothing to say."
Rupee vs Dollar: Rupee strengthens by 67 paise against dollar, reaches 82.14 level
The rupee on Thursday strengthened by 67 paise to reach the level of 82.14 against the dollar. Th
The bodies of two policemen, who were washed away in flood waters in Assam's Nagaon district on S
Since the end of the Zero Covid policy in China on January 8, the number of people coming and goi
Weather Update Today: The Meteorological Department on Monday said that heavy rains are likely to
Undeterred Mooney's sole focus on beating Pakistan
Adelaide, March 12 (IANS) Ireland's pacer John Mooney on
The US has taken a big step after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's debate with US Preside
The people living on rent will have to pay GST or not, the government has made some rules regardi
Imran Khan wants to do TV debate with PM Modi, said- crores of people will benefit
Pakistan's Wazir-e-Azam and 'Byanveer' Imran Khan have given a new statement. He said he would li
Lumpy Virus: Lumpy spread to 251 districts of 15 states, about one lakh cows died
The lumpy virus has taken a frightening form in the country. The virus has spread to 251 district
After facing a crushing defeat at their home ground, Gujarat Titans have now reached their home t
