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{{Infobox event
| title = 2015 Bihar political crisis
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| duration = {{start date|2015|2|4}} – {{end date|2015|2|22}}| venue =
| place = [[Bihar]], India
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| type = political
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| cause = political crisis over the post of the [[Chief Minister of Bihar]]
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| outcome = State Chief Minister [[Jitan Ram Manjhi]] succeeded by [[Nitish Kumar]]
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There was a political crisis in [[Bihar]] state of India during February 2015 over the post of the [[Chief Minister of Bihar]]. Incumbent [[Chief minister|Chief Minister]] [[Jitan Ram Manjhi]] did not vacate the post for former Chief Minister [[Nitish Kumar]], who wanted to return, resulting in a split in the political party, [[JD(U)]]. After days, the [[Governor]] asked Manjhi to prove majority in house by trust vote. Manjhi quit the post on day of vote and later [[Nitish Kumar]] took oath as chief minister again on 22 February 2015 ending the crisis.

==Background==
[[Narendra Modi]], then chief minister of [[Gujarat]] state, and [[Nitish Kumar]], then chief minister of [[Bihar]] state of India had a political rivalry. Modi belonged to [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) which was the largest party of [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]] (NDA), then the chief opposition political group in [[Parliament of India]]. Nitish Kumar belonged to [[Janata Dal (United)]] (JD(U)), a smaller member party of NDA.

Before the [[2014 Indian general election|2014 general election]], Narendra Modi was declared the prime ministerial candidate of NDA. Nitish-led JD(U) opposed the move and broke alliance and left NDA. When the alliance broke, the JD(U) government in Bihar survived by the outside support of other parties and independents.<ref name="IBNlive1">{{cite web | title=Bihar political crisis: BJP will decide who to support on the floor of the House, says Shahnawaz Hussain-Politics News — IBNLive Mobile | website=IBNlive | date=11 February 2015 | url=http://m.ibnlive.com/news/bihar-political-crisis-bjp-will-decide-who-to-support-on-the-floor-of-the-house-says-shahnawaz-hussain/527901-37.html | accessdate=11 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/east/story/bjp-mlas-bihar-assembly-jdu-trust-vote-nitish-kumar-narendra-modi-167245-2013-06-19|title=Nitish wins trust vote in Bihar, says BJP won't win in 2014 polls}}</ref>

===2014 general election===
When results were announced on 16 May 2014, in Bihar, NDA won in 31 out of total 40 constituencies which include BJP in 22, [[Lok Janshakti Party]] (LJP) in 6, [[Rashtriya Lok Samata Party]] (RLSP) in 3. JD(U) won only two seats while [[United Progressive Alliance]] (UPA) won seven seats. It include 2 of [[Indian National Congress]] (INC), 4 of [[Rashtriya Janata Dal]] (RJD) and one of [[Nationalist Congress Party]].

Nationally NDA secured absolute majority in the Parliament and formed the government with Narendra Modi as the [[Prime Minister of India]].

==Crisis==
Following poor performance of the JD(U) in election, Nitish Kumar resigned on 17 May 2014 as the chief minister of Bihar citing moral responsibility. His confidant and the then minister of the SC and ST welfare department of the state government, [[Jitan Ram Manjhi]], took over as the chief minister of the state on 20 May 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-dalit-leader-jitan-ram-manjhi-to-be-new-cm-of-bihar-1989798 | title=Dalit leader Jitan Ram Manjhi to be new CM of Bihar | work=[[Daily News and Analysis]] | date=19 May 2014 | accessdate=19 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/editorial/nitish-kumars-gambit-is-based-on-arithmetic/articleshow/35399178.cms | title=Nitish Kumar's gambit is based on arithmetic | work=[[The Economic Times]] | date=21 May 2014 | accessdate=21 May 2014}}</ref> Opposition leader [[Sushil Kumar Modi]] of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] called Manjhi a "dummy chief minister", to which Manjhi responded by saying he was "not a rubber stamp." Due to the breakup of the JD(U) alliance with BJP and the desertion of some JD(U) MLAs, Manjhi's government faced instability and appeared unlikely to pass the trust vote in the state legislative assembly. However RJD and INC provided outside support to Manjhi because he belongs to a backward caste.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rjd-announces-support-for-jitan-ram-manjhis-jdugovernment/1/363044.html | title=Foe to friend: Lalu's RJD backs JD-U govt in Bihar | work=[[India Today]] |place=Patna | date=22 May 2014 | accessdate=30 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-05-22/news/50030173_1_trust-vote-lalu-prasad-yadav-ramai-ram | title=Lalu's RJD announces support to Jitan Ram Manjhi's JD(U) government in Bihar | work=[[The Economic Times|Economic Times]] | date=22 May 2014 | accessdate=30 May 2014}}</ref>

The nine months rule of [[Jitan Ram Manjhi]] was marred by controversies. He made several provocative statements, like upper castes are foreigners, hoarding of food grains by small traders was okay. He questioned the character of wives of army personnel and migrant labour, saying they indulged in adultery while their husbands were away for work. He also said it was alright to consume alcohol before going to bed and admitted that he received kickbacks in bridge construction projects. On 9 February 2015, Manjhi was expelled from the party for intentionally courting controversies, due to his poor administrative skills and refusing to make way for Nitish Kumar to return as the Chief Minister.<ref name="Expelled">{{cite web | place=Patna | url=http://www.abplive.in/india/2015/02/09/article497059.ece/Manjhi-expelled-from-JDU | title=Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi expelled from JD(U) | work=ABP Live}}</ref> Manjhi recommended dissolution of the assembly but his cabinet did not pass the resolution. He requested the governor of Bihar [[Kesri Nath Tripathi]] to remove two cabinet ministers who accepted it. The dissolution was opposed by 21 cabinet ministers and supported by 7 ministers. Manjhi met Narendra Modi in [[Delhi]]. JD(U) called meeting of 97 MLAs of party and Nitish Kumar was elected as the leader of JD(U) state legislative party. He claimed to form the new government in the state and requested the governor to test the majority in the assembly. [[Patna High Court]] stayed the election of Nitish Kumar as the leader of JD(U) state legislative party.<ref name="IBNlive 2">{{cite web | title=Bihar political crisis: Patna High Court stays Nitish Kumar's election as JDU legislature party chief-Politics News — IBNLive Mobile | website=IBNlive | date=11 February 2015 | url=http://m.ibnlive.com/news/bihar-political-crisis-patna-high-court-stays-nitish-kumars-election-as-jdu-legislature-party-chief/527870-37.html | accessdate=11 February 2015}}</ref> When not invited soon to prove the majority, Nitish Kumar paraded 128 MLAs in front of [[President of India]], [[Pranab Mukherjee]] on 11 February 2015 in Delhi.<ref name="IBNlive1"/><ref name="dna015">{{cite web | title=Bihar crisis: Confident Nitish and defiant Manjhi fight it out | website=dna | date=9 February 2015 | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-bihar-crisis-live-jdu-expels-jitan-ram-manjhi-nitish-kumar-stakes-claim-to-form-government-parades-130-mlas-2059448 | accessdate=11 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="NDTV52015">{{cite web | title='Scripted in Delhi,' Alleges Nitish Kumar After Bihar Governor Gives Jitan Ram Manjhi Another Chance | website=NDTV | date=12 February 2015 | url=http://m.ndtv.com/india-news/scripted-in-delhi-alleges-nitish-kumar-after-bihar-governor-gives-jitan-ram-manjhi-another-chance-738991 | accessdate=13 February 2015}}</ref> JD(U) and its allies blamed the governor and BJP for political crisis in state<ref name="PTIa">{{cite news | author=PTI | title=JD(U) and its allies blame governor, BJP for political crisis in Bihar | website=The Economic Times | date=2015-02-15 | url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/jdu-and-its-allies-blame-governor-bjp-for-political-crisis-in-bihar/articleshow/46251891.cms | accessdate=2015-02-15}}</ref> but Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister [[M. Venkaiah Naidu]] denied the charge and said that the crisis arose over JD(U)'s internal issues.<ref name="The Times of India Mobile Site 2015">{{cite web | title=Modi has no role in Bihar political crisis: Naidu | website=The Times of India Mobile Site | date=15 February 2015 | url=http://m.timesofindia.com/india/Modi-has-no-role-in-Bihar-political-crisis-Naidu/articleshow/46252062.cms | accessdate=15 February 2015}}</ref> Manjhi included [[Dusadh]] caste in the Maha[[dalit]] category.<ref>{{cite web | title=Manjhi visiting Delhi to discuss next script: JD (U) | website=Zee News | date=2015-02-15 | url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/bihar/manjhi-visiting-delhi-to-discuss-next-script-jd-u_1546983.html | accessdate=2015-02-15}}</ref> Patna High Court stopped Manjhi cabinet taking any financial decisions until proven majority but later allowed it. Later JD(U) suspended seven ministers from the party who were supporting Manjhi. Total sixteen legislators, including Manjhi and ministers, were suspended from the party.<ref name="hth2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bjp-to-back-manjhi-during-trust-vote-jd-u-to-sit-in-oppn/article1-1318320.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218214826/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bjp-to-back-manjhi-during-trust-vote-jd-u-to-sit-in-oppn/article1-1318320.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 18, 2015|title=BJP to back Manjhi during trust vote, JD(U) to sit in opposition|last=|first=|date=18 February 2015|website=www.hindustantimes.com/|publisher=|accessdate=18 February 2015}}</ref>

In the 243 member assembly, the JD(U) has 111 MLAs, BJP 87, RJD 24, INC 5 besides 5 Independents, while ten seats are vacant. The support of 117 MLAs needed to prove the majority in the assembly. Nitish Kumar claimed the support of 130 MLAs; 99 from JD(U), 24 from the RJD, 5 from INC, one from [[CPI(M)]] and one independent. [[Rajiv Ranjan]], Manjhi appointed chief whip of JD(U), claimed support of 44 JD(U) and 12 RJD MLAs.<ref name="IBNlive1"/><ref name="IBNlive3">{{cite web | title=Political crisis in Bihar: Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi expelled from JD(U), says KC Tyagi| website=IBNlive | date=9 February 2015 | url=http://m.ibnlive.com/news/political-crisis-in-bihar-chief-minister-jitan-ram-manjhi-expelled-from-jdu-says-kc-tyagi/527383-37.html | accessdate=11 February 2015}}</ref>

The governor asked Manjhi to seek [[vote of confidence]] on 20 February 2015, the first day of budget session of assembly.<ref name="NDTV52015"/> BJP announced it would support Manjhi.<ref name="Singh 2015">{{cite web | last=Singh | first=Sanjay | title=Win or lose: Bihar's Nitish vs Manjhi war is more about prestige than politics | website=Firstpost | date=19 February 2015 | url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/win-or-lose-bihars-nitish-vs-manjhi-war-is-more-about-prestige-than-politics-2109779.html | accessdate=19 February 2015}}</ref> On 20 February 2015, Manjhi resigned from the post of chief minister in the morning before the vote. He said that the legislators who supported him were threatened with death and the speaker of assembly did not allow a [[secret ballot]], so he chose to resign.<ref name="Toi2022015">{{cite web | title=Manjhi resigns as Bihar CM ahead of trust vote, says his supporters got death threats | website=The Times of India | date=2015-02-20| url=http://m.timesofindia.com/India/Manjhi-resigns-as-CM-ahead-of-trust-vote/articleshow/46310917.cms | accessdate=2015-02-20}}</ref> The assembly was adjourned sine die. Later Nitish Kumar was invited by the Governor to form the government and he took oath on 22 February 2015 along with 22 other ministers.<ref name="dna2015">{{cite web | title=LIVE Updates: Nitish Kumar to be Bihar chief minister again, invited to form government on Feb 22 | website=dna | date=20 February 2015| url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/commentary-live-updates-floor-test-in-bihar-assembly-today-can-bjp-keep-manjhi-afloat-2062568 | accessdate=20 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Nitish Kumar takes oath along with 22 other ministers, says will work with PM Modi for Bihar's growth | website=Zee News | date=22 February 2015| url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/bihar/nitish-kumar-takes-oath-along-with-22-other-ministers-says-will-work-with-pm-modi-for-bihars-growth_1550900.html | accessdate=22 February 2015}}</ref>

==Aftermath==
Few days later, Manjhi floated new political front, [[Hindustani Awam Morcha]] (HAM), on 28 February 2015 and clarified that the political party was not formed due to technical difficulties. He announced that he will travel across Bihar.<ref name="IBNlive 2015">{{cite web | title=Jitan Ram Manjhi forms 'HAM', alleges Nitish got Bihar Nivas washed with Ganga water-Politics News - IBNLive Mobile | website=IBNlive | date=28 February 2015 | url=http://m.ibnlive.com/news/jitan-ram-manjhi-forms-ham-alleges-nitish-got-bihar-nivas-washed-with-ganga-water/531255-37-64.html | accessdate=28 February 2015}}</ref> Later Manjhi formed the political party, [[Hindustani Awam Morcha]], out of the front and announced it on 8 May 2015.<ref name="IBNv">{{cite web | title=Jitan Ram Manjhi announces new party as Hindustani Awam Morcha | website=IBNlive | date=2015-05-08| url=http://m.ibnlive.com/news/jitan-ram-manjhi-announces-new-party-as-hindustani-awam-morcha/544540-37-64.html | accessdate=2015-05-09}}</ref>

In July 2015, the party joined [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]], an alliance led by BJP, and contested 21 seats, with some additional members contesting on [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] ticket, in [[2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly election]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/bihar/deal-done-bjp-jitan-ram-manjhi-agree-on-seat-sharing-for-bihar-1217297|title=Bihar Deal: BJP Wins over Jitan Ram Manjhi, Now Paswan Upset, Say Sources}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly election]]
*[[2019 Maharashtra political crisis]]
*[[2019 Karnataka political crisis]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=History of Bihar (1947–present), 2015 in Indian politics, Politics of Bihar, Political crises in India
|description=
}}

[[Category:History of Bihar (1947–present)]]
[[Category:2015 in Indian politics]]
[[Category:Politics of Bihar]]
[[Category:Political crises in India]]

2015 Bihar political crisis - Revision history

MetaBOT at 18:35, 8 July 2023