The debate over caste census in Bihar took a new turn on Wednesday after Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) founder Jitan Ram Manjhi insisted that the data was incorrect. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar hit back in no uncertain terms and alleged that the HAM chief was made CM due to the former’s ‘foolishness’.
“It was my mistake that I made him (Jitan Ram Manjhi) the chief minister; otherwise it makes no sense. He came running towards me, but I told him to stay there (in opposition). He became the CM because of my foolishness,” Kumar told the state assembly.
The heated remarks also prompted Kumar’s cabinet colleagues to pull on his kurta and urge him to calm down. However, the JD(U) chief sat down only after chairman Awadh Bihari Chaudhary alleged that Majhi had taken the top role only due to Kumar’s blessing.Kripa).
‘This man always wanted to stay in your company. When I dumped you a year ago, I asked him to stay, but he insisted he wanted to come with me. Now he has run away. He wants to become governor. Please do that to him,” Kumar urged the BJP leaders as they stood up in protest after his remarks.
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Manjhi later told reporters that he would file a complaint against the chief minister and demand his resignation.
“I will file a complaint against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with the Governor and Union Home Minister. I will demand his resignation and curtail the President’s rule in the state. Only a few days ago he had shamed the state with his comments about women. His repeated misconduct shows that he is no longer fit and that he cannot be trusted to hold such an important position,” he argued.
(With input from agencies)
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Updated: Nov 9, 2023 7:20 PM IST