Even as JD(U) MLAs backed Nitish Kumar for the CM's post, Manjhi said he would prove his majority on the floor of the House on February 19-20 and would step down if he failed.
Manjhi claimed that politics was not discussed in his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday which lasted for nearly 40 minutes but said BJP was welcome to support him. "I did not discuss politics with him (Modi)," Manjhi said, adding, "On the floor, whoever gives us support we will take it."
READ ALSO: In troubled waters, Bihar CM says 'Manjhi's boat never sinks'
When asked about the meeting, BJP sources said no politics was discussed and it was a courtesy call.
Manjhi seems to be banking on the support of BJP and allies in JD(U) but the saffron outfit refused to spell out whether it would side with the Bihar CM, saying they would be happy if he digs in his heels and fights it out with his party. "We will take a call when the situation arises," a BJP source said.
Manjhi, however, wasn't in a mood to go away quietly. "I will not resign from the chief minister's post. They (JD-U) had this misunderstanding that they will make me do whatever they want me to do," he told a press conference here.
Slamming Nitish Kumar for his "greed for power", Manjhi said the former CM was a good man but couldn't remain without power. "I know he is a good man. But he cannot live without power. He thought I am a Mahadalit and of average intellect. For 34-35 years in politics, I played dumb as leaders with backgrounds like me were either killed or sidelined if they dared to speak (out)," he said.
READ ALSO: Bihar CM to meet Modi as JD(U) blames BJP for plotting against Nitish Kumar
Attacking Kumar for humiliating the "son of a Mahadalit", Manjhi said the former Bihar CM was happy as long as he was a "rubber stamp" but when his "self-respect woke up" and he began acting independently, his predecessor began plotting his removal. "Nitish Kumar is humiliating Mahadalits. It is obvious now. He has been exposed. He is resorting to all kinds of tactics to become CM," he said, claiming that he had done more than Kumar in "social engineering" which caused "envy and panic".
Manjhi termed the decision of JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav to call a meeting of the legislature party and Kumar's election as new leader of the legislature party as "illegal and unconstitutional".
Putting up a brave front, he said, "Assembly is the place to prove majority. I have already written to the governor for convening budget session of the assembly. I will prove my majority on February 19 or 20. If Nitish Kumar has numbers, why is he unduly worried. If they prove I do not have numbers, I will step down."
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Playing the Dalit card, Manjhi said it was time for all political parties to decide if they stood for the poor and Mahadalit and said he would expand his Cabinet soon.
"I can have 16-17 more Cabinet ministers and as many parliamentary secretaries," he said, aiming to lure more MLAs to his side. He said he might have two deputy chief ministers and one of them would "certainly" be a Muslim.
Manjhi was hand-picked by then chief minister Nitish Kumar to replace him after the JD(U) faced a Lok Sabha debacle and Kumar resigned owning moral responsibility.
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