Patna,(BiharTimes): Chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Sunday posed yet another challenge before his mentor Nitish Kumar when, while addressing a public meeting in his home turf, he said that he wants the next CM of the state to come from Gaya as chief minister post is crucial for the development of the district.

He was speaking at a private function at Manpur block on the outskirts of Gaya town.

Political observers are surprised over his remarks as it reflects his own ambition. As no other senior party leader––possibly Speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary––is from Gaya he, in a way, staked claim to this post.

Analysts are reading his Sunday’s statement with that of his several other recent remarks made in Gaya and elsewhere. After all Nitish Kumar does not come from Gaya. The other two prominent politicians from Gaya are Bhim Singh of the Janata Dal (United), who is in his cabinet and Prem Kumar from the BJP, who had recently challenged the leadership of Sushil Kumar Modi as he is one of the longest serving MLAs from Gaya Town Assembly constituency.

It needs to be recalled that only a few days back Manjhi, during his visit to his Assembly constituency, Makhdumpur in Jehanabad district, said that he became the chief minister by default (ghaflat mein) and that if 22-23 per cent Dalits vote unite they can elect their own chief minister. 

He is drawing inspiration from Mayawati as there are 22 per cent SC population in Uttar Pradesh.
He asked Dalits to give up drinking and iron out differences within so that they may be able to dictate terms in state politics.