Patna,(BiharTimes): Following pressure from various quarters Devendra Kumar, the 47-year old son-in-law of chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Thursdayresigned from the post of personal assistant.

Though Devendra was his personal assistant even when he was the minister in the Nitish cabinet and BJP was sharing power with him no one took notice of it.

But when the news suddenly broke that CM’s son-in-law is serving as his personal assistant in violation of the government circular of the year 2000 the opposition parties took up the matter and demanded Manjhi’s resignation. Even the grand alliance partner, the Congress party, found is inappropriate. 

However, the chief minister defended his son-in-law’s presence in his office by stating that it is a non-issue.

Several JD(U) leaders admitted that it was a “technical mistake” while some others said that they have no knowledge of such government circular. 

Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said that nothing can be so wrong than appointing a son-in-law as the personal assistant. He cited the circular issued in 2000, which said that no one from the close family can be made PA by the chief minister, ministers or those holding equivalent position.

As personal assistant Devendra, an engineer by profession, was overseeing the security of chief minister as well as handling the day-to-day affairs and helping him clear key files at Manjhi’s office.

However, some of Manjhi’s political opponents see the hands of the Nitish Kumar camp in the JD(U) in this latest controversy as the chief minister’s influence is increasing with the passing of each day.