Manjhi elected HAM legislature party leader, says won't accept ministerial berth

Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi was on Thursday elected leer of its four-member legislature party.All four newly elected MLAs met at Manjhi's residence where y elected former chief minister leer of legislature group.y were all felicitated by pary leers and workers present re following party's best-ever peerformance in an assembly election. Manjhi was lone HAM MLA in outgoing assembly.

Later, talking to reporters Manjhi vised newly elected lawmakers of Congress to join NDA for progress of state.

"Nitish Kumar's development plans are t much different from those of Congress. Moreover, he has kept away from many issues that are t in interest of state. So, you can join us in NDA and contribute to development of state," Manjhi said.

He was apparently hinting at Kumar distancing himself from contentious issues like Ram temple in Ayodhya and instant triple talaq.Manjhi h started his political career with Congress in 1980. He later shifted to RJD and n to JD (U). He quit JD(U) after he was forced to step down to pave way for return of Nitish Kumar as chief minister and later formed Hindustani Awam Morcha.

Kumar h stepped down as chief minister in 2014 after taking moral responsibility for JD(U)'s abysmal performance in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when only two of its candidates won, and installed Manjhi as CM. When Kumar wanted chair back, a defiant Manjhi initially refused but gave in to pressure.

Kumar facilitated his return to NDA just before assembly elections to counterbalance ar Dalit leer Chirag Paswan, who walked out of ruling alliance in Bihar and went to hustings alone.

Manjhi's party was given seven seats to contest from JD(U)'s quota of 122, and party did well winning four.

He HAM leer said he will t become a minister in new government heed by Nitish Kumar after having been chief minister.

(IM CREDITS:PTI)