Jitan Ram Manjhi dismisses speculation about him joining BJP

Patna, Nov 17: Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Monday categorically dismissed speculations about him joining the BJP.

"Its 200 per cent false," Manjhi told reporters after "Janata Ke Darbar me Mukhya Mantri" programme.

Speculations about Manjhi joining BJP gained ground after his statement recently that he would turn a supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi if Modi gives special status to Bihar.

"I have said so many times that BJP is a communal party and I have always done politics remaining in a party whose party is secular. How can I ever think also of going to BJP?" he said and categorically dismissed any possibility.

He instead extended invitation to senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi to join JD(U). "We have majority in the Assembly. Why do not you come over to JD(U). We have worked together for more than seven years in NDA government," he said in support of his invitation to the senior BJP leader who has been claiming possibility of Manjhi crossing over to BJP.

Manjhi is demanding special status for Bihar

Manjhi had created furore when he had said while addressing a function after inauguration of NTPC unit at Barh and another power plant at Kanti in Muzaffarpur on Saturday that he would become supporter of Narendra Modi if he fulfilled his promise and give special category status to Bihar.

The Chief Minister had again said yesterday that he would chant "Modi zindabad" if he accorded special status to Bihar.

PTI