BJP issues whip to support Manjhi faction

Party accuses Speaker of acting on behalf of Nitish-led JD(U)

Janata Dal (U) president Sharad Yadav on Thursday claimed that the BJP, after losing the Delhi polls, had become “desperate”, trying to lure JD(U) MLAs in Bihar, offering them ministerial berths to switch sides. Those who are not biting, are being threatened as the BJP wants to impose President’s rule.

In Patna, the BJP, crying foul at losing its LoP status, staged a protest outside the Speaker’s office. It charged him with acting on behalf of the JD(U) and its leader Nitish Kumar.

An embattled Mr. Manjhi took to the streets, addressing a “Dalit Chetna Rally” in Patna, appealing to the community to remain united for its development and growth. Fortunately for him, the BJP issued a whip to party MLAs to vote for the Manjhi government during the trust vote on Friday.

The day began with the Speaker recognising the Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) as the main Opposition party, making party leader Vijay Chaudhury LoP in the Assembly, replacing BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav.

Earlier, the JD(U) had requested the Speaker for recognition as the main Opposition party saying that the BJP should make up its mind on whether it was backing the government or was in the Opposition. The Speaker said that the Assembly secretariat had to act according to the numerical strength of parties and the Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) was the largest opposition party.

Jolt to Manjhi group

The Manjhi group received another jolt when a division bench of the Patna High Court stayed the single bench court order revoking termination of the membership of four MLAs — Gyanendra Singh Gyanu, Rahul Sharma, Ravindra Rai and Neeraj Kumar Babloo – who were backing him: now they will be debarred from casting their votes during the trust vote.

The Speaker had, earlier, terminated membership of these four rebel JD(U) MLAs.

Meanwhile, JD(U) MLA from Sheohar Mohammad Sarfuddin created a stir in political circles by releasing an audio clip that provided evidence of heavyweight RJD MP from Madhepura Pappu Yadav offering him money and a ministerial post to vote for the Manjhi government during the trust vote.

This was later denied by Mr. Pappu Yadav.

As things stood on Thursday night, Mr. Manjhi had the backing of eight MLAs – four others have been debarred – and of 87 BJP MLAs. On the other side, Mr. Nitish Kumar has the backing of 128 MLAs.