File Photo: Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.
Amid reports of his growing distance with Nitish Kumar, Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today described his predecessor as the "supreme" leader of the JD(U) and said he would propose the name of Nitish Kumar for the post of chief minister after the merger of all parties of the Janata Parivar.
"
Aaj bhi Bihar me Nitish Kumar se acha Mukhya Mantri nahi hain...vilay ke bad apne party se unka nam mukhya mantri ke liye main rakhunga (there is no better chief minister than Nitish Kumar till date...after merger I will propose his name for the post of chief minister)," Mr Manjhi told reporters after
Janata Ke Darbar me Mukhya Mantri programme.
He, however, said after the merger, leaders of all partner parties would deliberate on the proposal and take a decision on whether to accept it or "choose a new name considering the situation emerging at that time."
He said there was unnecessary hype in the media about his ouster "
jabki aisi koi baat nahin thi (when there was no matter like that)".
Asked why Nitish Kumar had refused to give assurance about his continuation on the chief minister's chair, Mr Manjhi said, "He is a mature politician, so why he will say something which could have given strength to the unsubstantiated reports."