Manjhi rejects Lalu’s invitation to join ‘Janata Parivar’

Former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Thursday rejected Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad’s offer to join the Janata Parivar. Manjhi, who recently formed his new party – Hindustani Awam Morcha said he has no scope in any alliance that includes Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Manjhi, the first Mahadalit to be Bihar Chief Minister, was ousted from the Janata Dal United for refusing to vacate the chief minister’s post for one-time mentor Nitish Kumar. Bihar is likely to go to elections in September-October 2015. The term of the current Assembly ends on November 29, 2015.

A few days ago, the BJP had said it would align with Manjhi than with Nitish and the former CM reciprocated by singing the praises of Prime Minister Modi. Anxious to ensure Manjhi and his Mahadalit votebank remained with his grand alliance, Lalu made an open offer for him to join the secular alliance on Thursday. However, Manjhi rejected the invitation by saying that his newly formed party – the Hindustani Awam Morcha – will contest on all 243 seats in the state assembly.

Manjhi was made Bihar CM by Manjhi in May 2014 after JDU’s crushing defeat in Lok Sabha elections. But Manjhi’s routine comments on the upper caste soon led to several controversies thus making way for Nitish Kumar to reclaim his position as Bihar CM.