Taking a dramatic turn in the fast changing political development Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi reached his predecessor Nitish Kumar’s residence to meet him for a likely rapprochement on Saturday afternoon. A group of six party leaders, three each from side, are present in the meeting. It is believed that both the rival camps of the ruling party have come out with a compromise formula and Mr. Manjhi may resign from his post later in the evening.
Amid fast political twists and turns, Mr. Manjhi who earlier in the day had called a meeting of his Cabinet of ministers at 2 p.m., came out of his official residence and reached Nitish Kumar’s 7, Circular Road home for a rapprochement meeting.
Party insiders told The Hindu that a six-member committee has been formed to construct the compromise formula between the two warring groups of the party. Party sources also told The Hindu that ministers Narendra Singh and Brishan Patel are accompanying Mr. Manjhi while State party chief Basistha Narayan Singh is present along with Nitish Kumar in the ongoing meeting.
Well placed sources also said that a compromise formula has finally been brokered between the two rival camps by State Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh and Education Minister Brishan Patel ostensibly to “stop the BJP from taking political and electoral advantage of the situation”.
They also said that under the formula Mr. Manjhi may resign from his post at the party legislature meeting on Saturday evening and make way for Nitish Kumar to become the State’s Chief Minister once again.
Meanwhile, the BJP central party leadership has called all its top state leaders to Delhi. The state unit of the party is having meeting at party leader Sushil Kumar Modi’s official residence.
Earlier on Friday Mr. Manjhi had declared an open war against Nitish Kumar and his camp saying he would fight it out till the end. He also made a recommendation for sacking two of his Cabinet colleagues, Lallan Singh and P.K. Shahi who reportedly had waged a “remove Manjhi” campaign in the party.
Meanwhile, Mr. Manjhi's supporters have come out on the streets at different places in the State to protest against Nitish Kumar. They blocked Patna’s Bailey Road too while shouting slogans against Nitish Kumar and party chief Sharad Yadav.
Mr. Manjhi had earlier appealed to his supporters to maintain peace and shun violence.
