Jitan Ram Manjhi to be replaced?Dinner diplomacy by pro-Nitish camp fuels speculation

Patna, Jan 22: The 'dinner diplomacy' by pro-Nitish Kumar ministers at the residence of a senior minister last night fuelled speculation of attempts to replace Jitan Ram Manjhi by another dalit in the Chief Minister's post.

The ministers owing allegiance to Nitish Kumar who attended the dinner at the residence of Food Minister Shyam Rajak were tightlipped as to what transpired there.

In political circles, the get-together is being seen as an attempt by the Nitish camp to signal a strong warning to Manjhi, whose assertions and action of changing IAS officers close to Nitish have not been taken kindly, or change him by Rajak who is also a dalit.

More than 18 ministers who attended the dinner at Rajak residence, savoured 'Litti Chokha' (a traditional Bihari dish), while other invitees including Vijay Chaudhary, Mahachandra Singh and Manoj Kushwaha were conspicuous by their absence.

Some ministers, including the trio - Narendra Singh, Brishen Patel and Nitish Mishra - who had reportedly sided with Manjhi were, however, kept away. When his reaction was sought, Rajak said it was a personal 'event' and no political meaning should be attached.

"Some ministerial friends had asked me to treat them with Litti Chokha during the last cabinet meeting. That's why I hosted dinner last night," Rajak said.

Asked if there was a move to replace Manjhi with another dalit (Rajak), he replied, "There is no vacancy on CM post."

PTI