Jitan Ram Manjhi is new Bihar CM, Nitish sticks to stand

‘We have handed over a list of support of 117 JD(U) MLAs, 2 Independents and 1 CPI member totalling 120 to the Governor for formation of the new government,’ he said. The effective strength of the House at present is 239. The name of the 68-year-old leader, Kumar said, was approved by JD(U) President Sharad Yadav and state party chief Basistha Narayan Singh. Manjhi was SC and ST minister in the Nitish Kumar government. Asked for the reason for choosing Manjhi as his successor, Kumar said: ‘He is experienced and his contribution to the party is immense.’

JD(U) has 117 members, BJP 90, RJD 21, Congress 4 and others, including CPI, seven. The four-member Congress, which voted for the Nitish Kumar government in the trust motion in June last year, has authorised party high command to decide on the future course of action.

Earlier in the day, the state party president said the legislators accepted Kumar’s decision with a heavy heart and authorised him to choose a new leader. It was decided, he said, that Kumar would continue to lead the party and coordinate between the party and the state government.

Kumar told reporters that though there was no shortage of numbers for him, he had taken moral responsibility for the defeat and would be ready to take responsibility again if he won the mandate in the 2015 state assembly polls.