Bihar Min Resigns from Nitish’s Cabinet, Alleges Pressure to Merge His Party with JD (U)

Patna: Bihar Minister Santosh Kumar Suman, who is the son of former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, on Tuesday, offered to resign from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Bihar cabinet.

He alleged that his party Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) was being pressurized to merge with Janata Dal (United). “Our party’s existence was under threat, I did this (resign) to protect it,” he said.

He added that his party was not invited to the Opposition party meeting in Patna on June 23.

Suman refuted speculations that his party may join hands with the BJP-led NDA. We will continue with the ruling alliance in Bihar, he said.

Suman was the Minister for SC/ST Welfare Department in the Bihar government. His party HAM is an ally of ruling JD(U) and Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).