In a surprise move, former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Tuesday resigned as the member of Bihar legislative Assembly, according to his close aide Danish Rizwan.

Manjhi met the legislative assembly acting secretary Hare Ram Mukhiya earlier in the day and put in his resignation letter to him, Rizwan said.

Mukhiya too confirmed the development saying that the former chief minister met him in his office and submitted a letter quitting his membership of the legislative Assembly with immediate effect.

The notification with regard to Manjhi’s resignation from the legislative assembly will be issued in due course of time, the legislative assembly acting secretary said. A sixth-term MLA, the 70-year-old former chief minister represented Makhdumpur (SC) seat in Jehanabad district on JD(U) ticket.

Manjhi fell out with his predecessor after being asked to quit earlier this year by the JD(U) leadership.