Nitish Kumar, who planned to clinch the Bihar chief minister post from Jitan Ram Manjhi has managed to get elected as JD (U) floor leader in the Bihar Assembly, but had a jolt in the Patna High Court. Pronouncing its verdict on a PIL, the state high court said that the Bihar Assembly speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhry's ruling had no legal basis for recognizing Nitish Kumar as floor leader of the party because Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi has not decided to whom the opportunity should be given between Nitish and Jitan Ram to prove strength in the floor. Unless, he is convinced that Jitin Ram Manjhi has no strength in the house, the speaker of the house can’t recognize any others as floor leader of the house.

Court’s verdict comes in such a time, when Nitish Kumar was showcasing his strength to President Pranab Mukharji. He appeals the President to order the Governor Tripathi to summon a special session of the house so as he (Nitish Kumar) can prove the strength in the house. But, the court’s verdict comes as a big blow to him. So, Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi, who is claiming of having sufficient strength in the house, may get the chance first.

Jitan Ram Manjhi is making his moves based upon the assurance given by the BJP of its 88 MLAs support to him. But, the latest news is that the BJP decides to stay away from this present crisis situation, after it lost Delhi Assembly elections. If so, it will be a blessing for Nitish Kumar, who has more than 145 MLAs support including his own JD (U) party’s 130 MLAs.

Nitish Kumar strongly criticizes the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also Governor Tripathi. He alleges that Governor is spelling his dialogues from the script supplied by Narendra Modi. He alleges Governor has given enough time to Manjhi for horse trading. Jitan Ram Manjhi is planning to prove his strength in the floor on February 19 or 20th.