JD(U) asks Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi not to make controversial remarks

Patna: The ruling JD(U) in Bihar on Wednesday asked Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi not to make any controversial statement in the wake of his latest one in which he had said that central ministers would not be allowed entry here if they failed to bring assistance to the state.

"The party has suggested Manjhi to refrain from making controversial statements as it not only hurts the organisation and makes the leaders feel uncomfortable, but also demoralises party workers," JD(U) General Secretary K C Tyagi said.

"We told Manjhi not to make any such statement which could be distorted and used by the BJP for its own benefit.

This is a time to remain united to fight the divisive agenda of communal forces. He should not speak anything which shows disunity in the party," Tyagi said.

"I am sure he will not do anything that damages the party," he said.

Asked if there is any plan to remove Manjhi from the post of chief minister, Tyagi, a confidant of JD(U) President Sharad Yadav, said "whether Manjhi continues as CM or not is an internal matter of the party. We need not discuss it in the public."

In reply to another question that some JD(U) MLAs have been demanding bringing back Nitish Kumar on CM chair, Tyagi said "Kumar has no lust for power otherwise he would not have resigned."

"BJP won all over the country in the Lok Sabha polls, but Nitish Kumar was the only leader to take moral responsibility for the defeat and resigned from the post of chief minister.

He has no lust for power. He has said he will again take the responsibility only if the public wants it," Tyagi said.

JD(U) President Sharad Yadav said "there is no need to pay undue attention to Manjhi's statements and people should focus on his work instead."