PATNA: Asserting that Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's government has "fallen into minority", the JD(U) today charged it with "trying to survive by buying its MLAs" ahead of the confidence vote in the Legislative Assembly tomorrow.
In a hurriedly-called press conference, JD(U) state president Vashistha Narayan Singh presented party MLA from Sheohar constituency, Sharfuddin who alleged that Pappu Yadav, RJD MP from Madhepura had telephoned him offering money and a minister's post if he supports Manjhi during the floor test.
"Pappu Yadav called me on my mobile and tried to lure me into supporting Manjhi by promising all sorts of things. He said I will be given a minister's post, money and whatever I wish for if I vote in favour of Manjhi during the confidence vote," Sarfudding told reporters.
The Sheohar MLA also played the recording of the phone call, allegedly made by Yadav, and said that he was staunchly with his party and senior leader Nitish Kumar as its leader.
Deviating from his party line, Pappu Yadav had recently appealed to his party president Lalu Prasad not to support Nitish Kumar on the issue of Jitan Ram Manjhi's removal.
Pledging his support to Manjhi in his individual capacity, Pappu Yadav had appealed to MLAs, including those of his own party, to vote on the basis of "voice of their conscience".
Speaking on the occasion, JD(U) state president Vashistha Narayan Singh said, "The Manjhi government has fallen into minority, hence it is trying to buy our MLAs to survive the floor test. It has stopped thinking about ethics, morality and laws that prohibit horse-trading of legislators."
Singh added that all MLAs of JD(U) were united under the leadership of Kumar and Manjhi will lose the confidence vote, however hard he may try to survive by hook or by crook.
The JD(U) state president also alleged that the efforts to buy MLAs have the "nod of BJP, which is hand in gloves with Manjhi and Pappu Yadav".
"The real face of BJP will get revealed tomorrow during the floor test. It is completely in cahoots with Manjhi and Pappu Yadav. It should reply to the public as to why it is trying to save the Manjhi government," Singh said.
Senior JD(U) leader and former Food Minister Shyam Rajak, who was present on the occasion said the unity of the legislators of his party will be witnessed by everybody in the Assembly tomorrow. He also charged Manjhi with playing the 'mahadalit' card for political gains.