Bihar CM Manjhi resigns ahead of trust vote

Manjhi, who rebelled against Nitish Kumar, was expelled by JD(U) and was to prove his majority after the Governor's address. Yesterday, the BJP announced support to Manjhi but he



still did not have the numbers to win the trust vote after JD(U) and its allies like RJD and Congress rallied behind Nitish Kumar. New JD(U) Legislature party leader Nitish Kumar said Manjhi's resignation has vindicated his plea to the Governor that not much time be given for the trust vote. "Our stand has been vindicated," he told reporters at the Assembly premises.

"Everything is happening after 14 days, that also surprisingly," Kumar said adding, "the BJP game plan has been exposed". There was suspense if the Governor would deliver his speech to the joint session listed at 11:30 AM.

"You will come to know about it later," PRO Raj Bhawan S K Pathak said.

Earlier, JD(U), RJD, Congress, CPI MLAs and one Independent legislator supporting Nitish had decided to boycott the Governor's speech in the joint session of Bihar Legislature.

The decision to boycott the Governor's speech was to register protest at his action of not hearing Nitish Kumar's plea to ask Manjhi to prove his majority in 48 hours and instead giving him 14 days time which "facilitated horse trading," JD(U) Chief Whip Shrawan Kumar said.