By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net
Former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi was on a day’s visit to Lucknow to explore the possibilities of his outfit Hindustani Aam Morcha in UP and said that his organisation would support the claims of a Muslim Chief Minister for the state.
Besides Muslim CM for the state, Manjhi also claimed that there should be two Deputy CMs with one each from OBC and Dalit category. “We are exploring the possibility of contesting the assembly polls in UP along with some smaller groups. If we are instrumental and have any role in government formation, I will favour a Muslim CM and two Deputy CM’s with one from backward and other from dalit section,” Manjhi told reporters in Lucknow on Friday.
He also informed that talks are being held with Sadbhavna Party and Jan Samvad Party and election may be contested along with them by merger or alliance. He also stated that local leaders have been entrusted to sort out the alliance.
Manjhi contested the Bihar assembly polls as part of NDA but refused to follow the same line. “In Bihar we had contested as part of NDA but now if they will call me to even campaign in UP, I will not come,” he said.
Speaking on liquor ban in Bihar by CM Nitish Kumar, he claimed that he is in support of banning liquor but Nitish has done it in arbitrary manner. “In Bihar if liquor is found in anyone’s home he will be arrested. Among Adivasis liquor is part of several traditions and it is affecting them,” he said.
Manjhi however favored demonetisation by central government stating that it will have far reaching effect and curb black money and counterfeiting of currency.