Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi (PTI photo)
Jitan Ram Manjhi said in a speech today that he is Bihar's chief minister for a "few days only." On the stage where he stood, were five empty chairs with name tags for minsters in his cabinet who had not turned up for the function he was addressing.
All five are known to be close to Nitish Kumar, Mr Manjhi's predecessor and who picked him as his replacement when he stepped down as chief minister after his party fared poorly in the national elections this year.
Some of the ministers later said they were not invited for the function and attributed their absence to confusion on the part of the organisers. But it did spark speculation on whether Mr Manjhi was being dramatic or just plain realistic, when he said, "I know that I am CM for a few days only."
The 72-year-old has had a controversial five months in the post. Last night his son-in-law, Devendra Manjhi, who was serving as his personal assistant or PA resigned after a major political controversy.
Devendra Manjhi is married to the chief minister's eldest daughter from his second marriage. His appointment, made in June, was discovered only recently by the opposition BJP, which cried foul.
On Wednesday, BJP leader Sushil Modi pointed out that a Bihar government circular from May 2000 clearly states that a person holding public office cannot appoint a relative as a PA or any other member of his staff. "It is Bihar's misfortune that there is such corruption," said Mr Modi.
Mr Manjhi said he had not been told about the rules. But not just his son-in law, Mr Manjhi has also allegedly posted other relatives, near and distant, in positions on his staff.
Earlier, his controversial public comments have embarrassed his party, the ruling Janata Dal United. He is also said to hobnob with critics of Mr Kumar and, in a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi allegedly cribbed about his predecessor.
PM Modi and Nitish Kumar have been seen as political rivals for many years.