RJD leader Lalu Prasad’s proposal to bring in Bihar former chief minister Jitanram Manjhi to Janata fold might have irked Nitish Kumar and his followers. 

But there are many leaders in JDU who feel that the idea is practical and should be considered dispassionately by the leadership. 

“We should see at it in a practical manner. Manjhi has carved out a place of his own among Mahadalits and will play an important role in the coming Assembly elections. We should not ignore this reality,” said a senior JDU leader.  “What is being described about Manjhi is not based on facts. He did not start defying Nitish Ji immediately after his taking charge.  Kumar’s men humiliated him to the extent that he could not take it any more,” the leader told Deccan Herald.