In fast paced development, Bihar assembly speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary today recognised Nitish Kumar as the new leader of JD(U) Legislature Party and Jitan Ram Manjhi as a former head.
A letter issued by secretary in-charge of Bihar assembly Hareram Mukhiya said Chaudhary has recognised Kumar as new leader of JD(U) LP of the House, highly placed sources in Assembly secretariat said.
A letter to this effect has been sent to the Raj Bhawan,the chief minister's office and the Nitish Kumar's office, the sources said.
An official of Nitish Kumar's office confirmed receiving a letter from the Assembly secretary to this effect.
The Speaker's recognition of Kumar came in response to a letter from Bihar JD(U) president Basistha Narayan Singh who had apprised him about Kumar's election as leader of the House by 97 out of a total of 111 JD(U) MLAs and 37 out of 41 MLCs.
The sources said after the recognition of Kumar as new leader of JD(U) in the Assembly, Manjhi has become a former leader of JD(U)LP.
RJD which has 24 MLAs, Congress 5, CPI 1 and an Independent have submitted letters of support in favour of Kumar to Raj Bhawan.
{{/usCountry}}RJD which has 24 MLAs, Congress 5, CPI 1 and an Independent have submitted letters of support in favour of Kumar to Raj Bhawan.
{{/usCountry}}Kumar will meet Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi on Monday to formally stake his claim to form the government.