In what’s being called a shrewd political move, Jitan Ram Manjhi resigned as Bihar Chief Minister. Manjhi was to face a trust-vote in the Bihar assembly today. Despite the support of 87 MLAs from the BJP, it would have been a tight fight for Manjhi today and the resignation is a face-saver for him.
Holding elections now – which the former CM has recommended – may also work for the BJP. As NDTV.com reports ( http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-jitan-ram-manjhis-resignation-a-win-win-for-bjp-in-bihar-740988), the BJP has been supporting Manjhi with an eye on the influential Mahadalit vote. Mahadalits are among the poorest communities in Bihar and they typically vote en bloc.
Nitish Kumar of the JD(U), who expelled Manjhi from the party escalating the crisis said that the BJP’s game plan has been exposed. Kumar had earlier requested the Bihar Governor to ask Manjhi to prove his majority on the Assembly floor within 48 hours. The Indian Express quotes Kumar as saying that the 14-day window allowed Manjhi and the BJP to indulge in political horse trading and lure away MLAs.
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