Patna,(BiharTimes): The newly elected leader of Janata Dal (United) Legislature Party, Nitish Kumar, said that he along with his party chief Sharad Yadav and RJD president Lalu Prasad had urged the governor, Keshri Nath Tripathi, to end deadlock like situation and pre-empt horse-trading.
Talking to the media after coming out from Raj Bhawan on Monday afternoon Nitish said he told the governor that he was ready to prove his majority, but added that both Sharad and Lalu, along with himself, told Tripathi that this should be done at the earliest––better within 48 hours––so that all possibility of horse-trading is blocked.
Without naming Manjhi, the BJP and a section of media, Nitish asked as to how can Manjhi form a government by breaking a section of legislators. Is it possible after the enactment of anti-Defection law? The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution has been thrown to the wind and disinformation campaign is on.
He said that after coming out from his meeting with prime minister Narendra Modi, chief minister Manjhi said something strange. He called for the expansion of cabinet, inducting two deputy CMs. From where had he got so much confidence?Blasting the BJP for encouraging horsetrading, for which there is now scope left, Niitish said that the governor appreciated the point of view put forward by him, Sharad and Lalu and told them that he had received no information from Manjhi about the cabinet expansion.
Nitish said that he told the governor that all the 130 MLAs of JD(U), RJD, Congress, CPI and two Independents are standing outside with their identity cards to prove their solidarity towards the new elected leader of the House. Upon this Tripathi replied that there is no need of it, he said.Nitish said that he is even prepared to parade his MLAs outside Rashtrapati Bhawan, if any such need arises.Nitish said that he raised a very pertinent question: as to whose speech the governor would read in the coming Budget Session of the Assembly. He said Tripathi agreed to his suggestion.
Lalu Prasad, who also addressed the media, said that his party MLAs stand solidly behind Nitish Kumar.
Even Raghvendra Pratap Singh and Bhai Dinesh of the RJD, who earlier expressed support for Manjhi, were among those present outside the Raj Bhawan in support of Nitish Kumar.
