Waiting for word from Governor: Nitish Kumar

Patna, Feb 20 (IANS) We are now waiting for a word from the governor, said JD-U leader Nitish Kumar after Jitan Ram Manjhi put in his papers as Bihar chief minister.

"We are waiting (for a word) from the governor," said Nitish Kumar and added that they had submitted letters of support to Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi Feb 8.

Nitish Kumar described the sudden decision of Manjhi to quit as chief minister just ahead of the floor test as "unique situation". "There was high-voltage drama."

"This is perhaps happening for the first time...The governor was to address the joint session, half an hour before that the chief minister resigned," Nitish Kumar told reporters.

Nitish Kumar, who quit last year after JD-U's rout in the Lok Sabha polls, sought forgiveness for the "mistake" he had made.

"Please forgive me," he said.

Countering Manjhi's accusation, Nitish Kumar said it was "hilarious".

"I have never interfered in any work," he said.

He said that BJP's game plan has been exposed. "BJP wrote this script," said Nitish Kumar referring to the unfolding political situation.

"An attempt was made to break our group," he added.

On Feb 8, the JD-U submitted letters of support to Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi staking claim to form the government. The move came a day after Nitish Kumar was re-elected the legislature party leader.

Janata Dal-United's (JD-U) state president Vashsisht Narain Singh said the party's allies Rashtriya Janata Dal's Abdul Bari Siddiqui and the Congress' Sadanand Singh also submitted letters of support for Nitish Kumar to the governor's office.