Patna,(BiharTimes): After sharing dais in Jehanabad and Gaya on two successive days during the Sampark Yatra last month Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and senior Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar were seen on the same platform at a function organized to observe the 58th death anniversary of the architect of the Indian Constitution, Bhimrao Ambedkar, at Miller School in Patna on Saturday.

The function was organized by the Mahadalit Cell of the Janata Dal (United) and both the leaders spoke in full flow. Manjhi wanted to assert as he was addressing his own community.

Though he showered praise on Nitish Kumar he left no opportunity to cultivate his own image as a Dalit leader and gave a call for a rally of the community. He said the rally would be of five lakh people.

The chief minister applauded the ‘Dalit prem’ (Love for Dalits). He recalled as to how he ushered ‘Mountain Man’ Dasrath Manjhi to the chair of the chief minister. “Not only that Nitish Kumar made Jitan Manjhi as the chief minister of Bihar,” Manjhi said adding that he is tallest personality in the country and no leader can match his stature.

He announced the formation of Dr Ambekdar Foundation. The state government would provide Rs 200 crore for this international foundation, he announced.

The chief minister said the state government would establish a study and training centre in the name of Dasrath Manjhi. He also said the government would build houses for all poor families in the state.

Hitting out at prime minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat campaign, he said if the latter was so serious about cleanliness, he and his ministers should clean the colonies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He pledged to open ‘safai kendras’ in all revenue villages of the state.

Manjhi highlighted as to how Nitish announced distribution of three decimal land to all the Mahadalits, which his government had increased to five decimals.

Nitish, who appeared in the public for the first time after December 4 meeting of the leaders of the six parties of Janata Parivar, appeared quite aggressive against the Bharatiya Janata Party.

However, this time he did not miss the opportunity to give a call for unity and said that the BJP had taken full advantage of the division in the rival camp.

He urged the people of Bihar to halt the Ashvamedh Horse of the BJP when it comes to state during the next Assembly elections.Warning the people of the BJP’s design he said the party needs to be stopped in Bihar. Then only there could be welfare of the people in the state. Nitish appreciated the all-round development being made by the state government.

As Nitish was speaking Tola Sevaks started raising slogans demanding the regularization of their jobs. Nitish made several appeal to them to calm down, but to no avail.

Ultimately, Manjhi had to intervene. Coming down heavily on the BJP the Janata Dal (United) leader said that for the sake of communal harmony everything, even the lives, could be put on risk.

Nitish once again tried to expose the false promises made by prime minister Narendra Modi during the Lok Sabha election campaign.

He warned the gathering to beware “Kanpunkwas” (rumour- mongers). Also present on the occasion was the Food and Civil Supplies Minister Shyam Rajak, Rajya Sabha MP, Ali Anwar and several party legislators.