Bihar political crisis: Nitish questions delay, says 130 MLAs to be flown to Delhi

Patna, Feb 10: Questioning the delay in inviting him to form the government in Bihar, JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said the party has planned to fly 130 MLAs supporting him to Delhi this evening to parade them before President Pranab Mukherjee.

"All 130 MLAs of JD(U), RJD, Congress, CPI and one Independent will fly to Delhi today evening if no word comes from the Governor till that time," Kumar, the JD(U) Legislature Party leader, told reporters here.

"We took the entire bunch of 130 supporting MLAs to Raj Bhavan, gave letters of support from all of them on February 8. Then what is there to study... There is no rationale in delaying the decision to invite me to form a government," he said, adding that he has sought an appointment with the President tomorrow.

Kumar referred to assertions of Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi in Delhi on Sunday after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he would prove majority on the floor of the House and expand the Cabinet.

"Its more than obvious who is running them (Manjhi and his group) by remote," he said without naming anyone.

Questioning the delay by Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi in calling him to form the government, the former Chief Minister said, "First you said you will take time to take a view on the claim to form government made by me and Manjhi's plea for a trust vote on floor of the House and then more time will be given for floor test. When our majority is crystal clear what is the logic of taking time?

"It should have been done as quickly as in 24 hour or in 48 hours after we submitted letters of support of 130 MLAs and brought them to Raj Bhawan yesterday ... For what purpose is time being taken?" Kumar, who was flanked by state JD(U) President Basistha Narayan Singh and senior leaders Vijay Chaudhary and Shyam Rajak, said.

"Delay will only give time for horse trading by the rival group ... Manjhi after meeting the Prime Minister and other BJP leaders in Delhi seem to have got licence for indulging in horse trading," he said.

To a question whether JD(U) would approach the Supreme Court after parading MLAs before the President, he said, "This is a premature question."

PTI