Patna, Jan 9 (IANS) At a time when speculation is rife that Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi will be removed, he Friday described former chief minister Nitish Kumar as 'Chanakya' of politics.

"Nitish Kumar is Chanakya of Bihar's politics," Manjhi said at function in Hajipur in Vaishali district.

Manjhi said without naming the opposition BJP that his rivals were trying to create differences between him and Nitish Kumar.

"They are playing politics over the issue but will not have any impact," he said.

Manjhi said that as a chief minister he has been pursuing Nitish Kumar's road map of development.

"I may be a fool (budhbak) but am trying to take Bihar ahead on path of development," he said.

Meanwhile, three Bihar ministers including Vijoy Kumar Choudhary, Lalan Singh and Brihen Patel have come forward in support of Manjhi to continue as chief minister till the next state assembly polls later this year.

Bihar Revenue and Land Reforms minister Ramai Ram Friday strongly supported Manjhi that the next chief minister of the state should be a Dalit (scheduled caste).

Ram, a Mahadalit himself like Manjhi, said that a Dalit will be the next chief minister of Bihar.

Mahadalits are the poorest of the socially marginalised in Bihar.

Manjhi Thursday had said in East Champaran district that he became chief minister by fate and with blessings of his predecessor Nitish Kumar, but would seriously wish that the next chief minister is a Dalit.

Manjhi's advocacy for a Dalit as next Bihar chief minister is likely to trigger fresh debate in his party JD-U that announced that party would contest the next state assembly polls later this year under the leadership of former chief minister Nitish Kumar.