Patna, Feb 6 (IANS) Bihar's ruling JD-U appears to be headed for a split over the likely replacement of Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi by his predecessor Nitish Kumar.
A day after JD-U president Sharad Yadav called a meeting of its legislature party Saturday, amid speculation that Manjhi will be removed, Manjhi Friday called a meeting of the JD-U legislature party Feb 20.
Earlier, Manjhi refused to resign and termed the Sharad Yadav-convened meeting illegal and unconstitutional.
Janata Dal-United (JD-U) national general secretary K.C. Tyagi Friday said that a majority of party leaders, including legislators, were with Sharad Yadav and Nitish Kumar.
Two ministers, Brishen Patel and Nitish Mishra, Friday declared their support to Manjhi and said they would not attend the legislature meeting called by Sharad Yadav.
Patel and Mishra are considered close to Manjhi. Last month, JD-U spokesperson Alok Ajai sought their resignation as they were allegedly likely move to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
"I am with Manjhi... Manjhi himself has declared that he won't attend the legislature meeting," Mishra told the media after meeting the chief minister.
"Only Manjhi is authorized to call the JD-U legislature party meeting."
Manjhi also enjoys the support of over a dozen party legislators. But he is banking on the support of the BJP, which is openly backing him.
JD-U spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said party leaders have to abide by the decision of Sharad Yadav.
"Those who are terming the meeting unconstitutional should read the party constitution first," he said.
Nitish Kumar is yet to say anything over the ongoing developments in the party.
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, making it a total of 147 -- more than the 122 needed for a simple majority.
The BJP has 88 legislators and it has the support of three independents. Five seats are vacant.
Manipur Violence The situation in Manipur seems to be returning to normal. The blockade put up by
Natarajan's claim on Vedanta sparks debate in Odisha
Bhubaneswar, Jan 30 (IANS) Former union minister Jayanthi Natarajan's claim that Congress vice-
The sad news of the death of actor Brahma Mishra, who won everyone's heart by playing the role of
Kisan Andolan: Metro Man E Sreedharan is in opposition to the farmers' movement, know what he said
Kisan Andolan: In protest against the three agriculture laws of the central government, the prote
Prime Minister Modi, in his address before the Economic Survey, said that it is natural for the c
BSF has joined the fleet of three new floating border out-post ships, ready in the country
On one hand, on Wednesday, where the 73rd Republic Day was celebrated with great pomp in the coun
Amit Shah urges Delhi's Migrant Population to choose BJP
New Delhi, Jan 30 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah Friday urged the city
Lucknow Super Giants and its captain Rishabh Pant have suffered another setback after their defea
Will there be friendship between Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena and BJP again? Due to some statemen
The audience is eagerly waiting for 'Hera Pheri 3'. The film has been in constant discussion for
