Jitan Ram Manjhi declared unattached member in Bihar Assembly

Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi was declared on Monday as unattached member in state Assembly following his expulsion from JD(U).

"Manjhi has been declared unattached member by the Speaker of Bihar Assembly following a request from state JD(U) President that party national Chief Sharad Yadav has expelled him from the party," In-Charge Secretary of Assembly Hareram Mukhiya said.

He said the letter of Bihar JD(U) leader Basistha Narayan Singh, along with a copy of letter of Sharad Yadav regarding expulsion of Manjhi from the party, was received by the Speaker with a request to remove him from list of JD(U) in the House.

But, as per a Supreme Court ruling in such cases it could not be done and Manjhi has been declared unattached member, he added. The Speaker has already recognised Nitish Kumar as new leader of JD(U) Legislature Party in the House.

Meanwhile, highly placed sources in the Raj Bhavan refuted reports regarding Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi not allowing Manjhi permission to expand his Cabinet.

"How can such an order be issued unless and until a request seeking permission for expansion of ministry is made," the sources said.

Manjhi has said that a Cabinet expansion could take place soon. Nitish Kumar has dubbed it as a case of "open horse trading."