Patna, July 1: Jitan Ram Manjhi has called for chief minister Nitish Kumar's resignation after the state government implemented 34 cabinet decisions that were earlier cancelled.

After returning as chief minister, in February, Nitish had annulled these decisions taken by Manjhi when he was chief minister. Manjhi, the founder of Hindustani Awam Morcha Secular (HAMS), alleged Nitish had cancelled the decision because it was signed by him, a Dalit, and thus "impure".

But the government was now implementing the decisions, evidence that his decision were in favour of the poor and downtrodden, Manjhi said. "I was forced to resign as chief minister, under the impression that my acts were against the party and government. But the fact is something else. Nitish could not live without power. Now, he is implementing the decisions I had announced - be it 13 months' salary a year to policemen, regularising contract teachers and, recently, reservation to the SC/STs in contract works - with minor changes. If Nitish has any shame left, he must step down immediately," Manjhi said, adding that Nitish was making the announcements keeping the upcoming Assembly elections in mind.

Nitish had earlier justified scrapping of the 34 cabinet decisions, saying no laid-down procedures were followed and that it also did not follow set rules. However, he never explained what set rules he was talking about. Other JDU leaders had said implementing the decisions would have put a financial burden on the state and created a lot of trouble for any government.

Manjhi also cited the recent Patna High Court observation regarding ongoing construction work of the museum. "The Patna High Court has not stopped construction because it is said to be nearing completion. However, the court also remarked that it cannot ignore gross illegality on the part of the state, in not only taking up a project by wasting limited public resources, but also in awarding the contract in a manner that is far from transparent. I have been saying that there was no use for the museum. The initial cost was Rs 210 crore but later touched Rs 580 crore. It shows a scam of so many crores," said Manjhi.

Asked what he would do if Nitish did not step down, Manjhi said: "I will go to the people and appeal to them to teach him a lesson, as he has humiliated a person from the Dalit and Mahadalit community."

He also took a dig at the ongoing JDU campaign, " Phir Ek Baar Nitish Kumar (Once again Nitish Kumar as chief minister)", saying those who do not have any work engage in such campaigns, on which money is being wasted. He said people would not accept the high-tech campaign.

Sharing details of his meeting with BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi at his residence on Tuesday, Manjhi said the latter had come to request him to campaign for NDA candidates during the Legislative Council polls and he had agreed to do so. "I and my colleagues will campaign for NDA candidates in the council polls. We have chalked out a programme. I will be in Gaya and Aurangabad on July 3 to campaign for the NDA candidates," Manjhi said.

Manjhi also demanded that the Bharat Ratna be conferred on former chief minister, late Karpoori Thakur.