Patna: The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance got a jolt and a boost in Bihar on Wednesday when Mahadalit leader and former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi quit the alliance and four Congress MLCs, including former state Congress chief Ashok Choudhary, joined the JDU.

The Hindustani Awam Morcha Secular (HAMS) leader made the announcement after a 45-minute meeting with RJD chief Lalu Prasad's sons Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav and Lalu confidante Bhola Yadav at his 12 M Strand Road residence. "I've quit the NDA and will join the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance)," Manjhi told reporters after the meeting, which lasted from 10.15am to 11am.

"Manjhi is a big leader of Bihar and his tenure as CM was praiseworthy; he worked for the downtrodden," Tejashwi said. "Manjhi ji had old ties with Laluji and our party and he has been continuously fighting against the present situation the country is passing through. I'm happy he is part of the Grand Alliance."

HAMS sources claimed Manjhi has demanded his son, Santosh Manjhi, and HAMS state unit president Brishen Patel be made MLCs.

Asked what Manjhi would get in return, Tejashwi said: "Manjhi ji is my guardian and I'm like his son. You don't worry about him." He mocked the NDA, saying that the BJP's claim of no split in the alliance had been proved hollow.

The BJP put up a brave face. "The BJP is like the sea and if one takes out a mug of water from it nothing happens to it. Similarly, there will be no impact of Manjhi quitting the NDA," said senior BJP leader and tourism minister Pramod Kumar.

Last month, Brishen Patel had met Lalu at the Ranchi court, after which talk of Manjhi jumping ship gained momentum. Few days back, Manjhi had threatened to quit the NDA if his party was not given a Rajya Sabha seat. Bhola dropped hints on Tuesday, when he said it was the right time for Manjhi to quit the NDA as he was not getting due respect in the alliance, which includes the BJP, JDU, RLSP and LJP.

Congress exodus

The ruling NDA on Wednesday snatched four MLCs, including former state Congress chief and education minister Ashok Choudhary, from the Congress. The three other MLCs are Dilip Kumar Chaudhary, Ramchandra Bharti and Tanwir Akhtar. They announced that they will be joining the JDU led by chief minister Nitish Kumar.