PATNA: The JD(U)Governmentin Bihar faced a major embarrassment on Wednesday when Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shrawan Kumar rebuffed the statement of Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi welcoming the Patna High Court’s judgment restoring the membership of four rebel party MLAs.
Quizzed on the CM’s statement, which was at odds with the party’s official decision, Kumar said, “He changes his version every two minutes. What comment do I make on his statement.”
The minister also suggested that the CM should make a comment only after properly “understanding the issue”. Shrawan Kumar was the man, who had led the campaign case for the dismissal of the dissident MLAs.
The minister is considered close to former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Another Dalit minister Ramai Ram too welcomed the Patna High Court decision in favour of rebel party MLAs and said that Manjhi used to speak in favour of these dissident party MLAs even during party meetings.
He claimed that the dissidents would rally behind Manjhi to foil any move to remove him.
CM’s Shake-up
Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi effected a major administrative shake-up, that saw as many as 18 IAS officers, including several loyalists of former CM Nitish Kumar being shunted out.
And Principal Home Secretary Amir Subhani, who had served in the post for the last six years,has been shifted to the General Administration Department(GAD). Subhani replaces Dr Dharmendra Singh Gangwar, who goes to the Department of Planning and Development as Principal Secretary. Gangwar will continue to hold the additional charge of Officer on Special Duty(OSD) at Bihar Bhavan in New Delhi.
Amrit Lal Meena, a Manjhi supporter, has been made Principal Secretary to the CM, after previous incumbent Deepak Prasad known for his proximity to Nitish went on Central deputation. Secretary, Rural Works Department, S Siddharth has been transferred.