Patna, Jan. 8: Chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today reiterated that his days in office were numbered and he was in a hurry to do good things till he is around.

The statement comes close on the heels of Manjhi replacing Nitish Kumar's blue-eyed boys in key administerial posts. He also reiterated that he was playing a Twenty20 (truncated) game.

Manjhi was addressing, mostly, people from backward castes at a function organised by SK Mandal Group of Institutions - which run several institutions for the poor and downtrodden - at SK Memorial Hall.

Indirectly attacking some of his cabinet colleagues, Manjhi said: 'I am not a knowledgeable person like others. I speak my mind and my simplicity has made me infamous. I know I am playing a Twenty20 match and want to do some good things for the state before going.' The comment comes at a time Nitish is flying to New Delhi to hold talks with party senior Sharad Yadav and RJD president Lalu Prasad on the merger issue.

After Manjhi welcomed Patna High Court's verdict restoring the membership of four JDU MLAs, parliamentary affairs minister Shrawan Kumar had said the chief minister does not think before saying anything.

Earlier, Manjhi had accused some of his cabinet colleagues of doubting his ability to perform. 'I know people will abuse me for my style of functioning, but I do not tell lies. Sab Kuch Sikha Humne Na Sikhi Hoshiyari, Sach Hai Duniya Walo Ki Hum Hai Anari,' he said, invoking a song from the 1959 movie Anari, where Raj Kapoor laments that he is a simpleton who could not pick up the smart ways of the world.

When some JDU leaders had challenged his way of functioning in the past, Manjhi had said he would break down but never bow down.

Stating that the biggest dharma of any human being was service to humanity, he said: 'I believe in solving others' problems and the word 'No' does not exist in my case.'

Four of Manjhi's cabinet colleagues, namely education minister Brishen Patel, revenue and land reforms minister Narendra Narayan Yadav, labour resources minister Dulalchand Goswami and art, culture and youth affairs minister Vinay Bihari graced the occasion. Bihari even sang a Bhojpuri song at the function.

CM slams teachers

Manjhi slammed government teachers, saying their performance was poor despite getting handsome pay compared to private school teachers. 'Our teachers reach schools by 12noon and leave by 1-3pm, whereas private teachers face action from the school management if they are late by even 10 minutes,' Manjhi said.