Latest flashpoint in Bihar politics: Mango trees in Manjhi’s backyard!

Mangalore Today News Network

Patna, June 04, 2015: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has refuted allegations that he has deployed policemen at the house of Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) leader and former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi to prevent him from enjoying mangoes and litchis from trees planted at his 1, Anne Marg bungalow.

Manjhi has alleged that the Nitish Kumar government has posted 24 policemen at his bungalow to guard mangoes and litchis at his garden.

Manjhi, who continues to occupy the residence designated for the Bihar chief minister even after being removed from the chair in February this year, today slammed Nitish Kumar and said that the move reflected his narrow-mindedness.

“This is narrow-mindedness. He (Nitish) has done this so that a person from Scheduled Caste cannot enjoy and benefit from fruits,” the former JD(U) leader alleged.

Nitish had earlier in the day said that he was not aware of any such “petty issue”.

“I have no idea about this. We are more focused on Bihar’s governance,” Nitish told reporters.

“Many people get addicted to many things in a very short span of time,” the CM said, taking a dig at Manjhi.

“Those who are worried about mangoes, let them stay worried. We are more concerned about the people of Bihar,” he added.

HAM spokesman Danish Rizwan had said in a statement yesterday that 24 policemen, including 8 sub-inspectors and 16 constables, have been deployed at 1, Anne Marg, especially to guard hundreds of trees of mangoe and litchi fruits.

A PTI report said policemen deployed on duty at former CM’s residence told reporters that they have been instructed to guard the fruits and prevent anybody from picking even the fruits that fall on the ground on their own.

Manjhi was hand-picked by Kumar to succeed him after he had stepped down from the CM’s post in the wake of JD(U)’s debacle in General Election last year.

But, he turned a detractor after which he was unceremoniously removed from the post in February this year.