Finally JD(U) admits there was 'misunderstanding' between Manjhi and Nitish

Patna, Nov 8: Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi may have denied differences with his predecessor Nitish Kumar, but his own party member has now admitted that there were 'misunderstanding' between the two.

A senior JD(U) leader on Saturday said that Manjhi and Kumar have resolved through talks the "misunderstanding" triggered by some recent utterances of the CM.

"It was an open and heartful talk between the two leaders last night and the misunderstanding created by some recent utterances of Manjhi was cleared," Bihar JD(U) chief Basistha Narayan Singh told PTI.

The reports of power tussle between Manjhi and Kumar gained currency after five ministers skipped a function in which the chief minister was present, in the last month.

Manjhi dismissed such claims and blamed media for "triggering a controversy through wrong portrayal".

"Mere aur Nitish Kumar me Choli Daman ka saath hain (we are deeply attached to each other)," Manjhi told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Gaya, last month.

"One electronic media fudged report to show my wife saying she is performing Chhath so that I can get second term as chief minister...this is sheer lie and a motivated news," Manjhi alleged.

Meanwhile, notwithstanding the statement of Basistha Narayan Singh, NDA leaders attacked Kumar for "humiliating" the chief minister.

Union minister and LJP President Ramvilas Paswan hit out at Kumar for frequently "humiliating" Manjhi by calling a meeting of legislators at his residence and ministers close to him boycotting his programme.

"Kaun sa rajniti kar rahe hai Nitish Kumar (what kind of politics is Nitish doing)?" Paswan told reporters at Patna Airport. Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) chief and Union Minister of State for Rural Development Upendra Kushwaha also slammed Kumar for "slighting" Manjhi.

"It's an old habbit of Kumar," Kushwaha, friend-turned foe of the senior JD(U) leader, said.

(With inputs from PTI)