CM Manjhi's son-in-law quits as his personal assistant

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's son-in-law has resigned as his personal assistant following a hue and cry by the opposition BJP, authorities said Thursday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Wednesday questioned how Manjhi's son-in-law Devendra Manjhi is occupying the post.

"I resigned due to deliberate controversy created by vested political interest," Devendra told mediapersons here.

Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi had downplayed the issue and tried to ignore it by saying that he will look into it if it was not proper.

But ruling JD-U spokesperson Neeraj Kumar made it clear that party is serious about it and described it as uncomfortable.

Former deputy chief minister and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said a Bihar government circular from May 2000 states that a person holding public office cannot appoint a relative as a personal assistant or any other member of his staff.

"It is Bihar's misfortune that there is corruption," he said.