Patna,(BiharTimes): The Nov 11-12 sudden trip to the two districts of Champaran by the chief minister Jitan Ram Manhji came as a big surprise to the political circle in Bihar as it just preceded Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar’s Sampark Yatra (Mass Contact March) on November 13.

As in all the past Yatras this time too Nitish has decided to hit the streets from the land from where Gandhiji launched his struggle against the British almost a century ago. 

But the irony is the timing of Manjhi’s visit. While Nitish was leaving for West Champaran on November 12, the chief minister was moving to Gopalganj. What exactly the latter wanted to convey?

Apparently Nitish would not be enjoying the privileges and facilities of the chief minister in his Yatra. This would be the first such Yatra after the Nyay Yatra of 2005 which pitchforked him to power later the same year. 

Though only last week Manjhi, after meeting Nitish at the latter’s residence, said that there is no difference whatsoever between the two and that he would not give any statement which would be interpreted otherwise yet in Valmikinagar he did just the opposite leaving behind a lot of ammunition for the media and the political rivals.

He said that upper castemen are Aryans, and thus outsiders, while the SC, STs and poor are the original population of India. He then strictly warned the officials of Valmikinagar Tiger Reserve who, according to him, indulge in merry-making till late in night but do not allow the Mahadalits and tribal people of the vicinity of the jungle to celebrate their low-key marriages. Once again he advised them to give up drinking and acquire education, which is the best ladder for political empowerment.

He mixed with these people and even dined with them. No doubt he was an instant hit––at least in his own constituency, the Mahadalits and tribals.

By visiting almost those very places, which Nitish too is going to touch, Manjhi has left behind a big challenge for the former. Now all eyes would be on how successful Nitish’s Yatra would be, though it would be somewhat different in nature. But the the common mass may not understand the difference between the two visits. They would just want to compare the turn-out and the response of the people. Unlike the chief minister, Nitish Kumar is likely to face hostile crowd too during his Yatra. He faced such challenge during the Adhikar Yatra exactly two years ago, when he was running the government with the help of BJP.

Sources said that Manjhi’s visit came all out of sudden though normally preparations are made weeks before the schedule date. It is only in emergency that such visits are made. So what was the urgency––albeit political––for the chief minister to make the trip is for everyone to guess. 

If Manjhi’s visit had the green signal of Nitish then why would the latter like him to do so at this point of time?