A defiant Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi was today expelled by JD(U) which accused him of "indiscipline" and demanded that Governor Kesri Nath Tripathi ask him to take a trial of strength in the Assembly within 48 hours. Party President Sharad Yadav ordered Manjhi's expulsion for "indulging in anti-party activities" ahead of Nitish Kumar's meeting with the Governor to stake claim to form government. "Party President Sharad Yadav has expelled Manjhi from primary members. The Nitish Kumar-led faction of the party took this decision before meeting the Governor in the afternoon Monday. Mr. Kumar along with leaders of alliance parties such as RJD, Congress and CPI is to meet the Governor to claim majority in their favour for the formation of the government. Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi too is scheduled to meet the Governor later in the day to apprise him about the political situation of the state. Meanwhile, Rajeshwar Raj, MLA from Karakat assembly constituency, who has declared his support for Mr. Manjhi, filed a petition in the Patna High Court challenging the “illegal and unauthorised†party legislature meeting called by the party president Sharad Yadav on Saturday which further elected Nitish Kumar as its leader.
