Patna, April 18: Jitan Ram Manjhi today suggested RJD chief Lalu Prasad to make sure that Nitish Kumar is not made the chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Assembly elections if at all the grand alliance wanted to stand a chance in the polls.

Manjhi, gearing up for the Gareeb Swabhiman Rally at Gandhi Maidan scheduled on April 20, added that "even Lalu and his party men knew the nature of Nitish".

"I am sure that Lalu does not like Nitish being declared as the chief ministerial candidate. Even Lalu's party members do not like him (Nitish). It is my suggestion to Lalu to initiate a change regarding the same for the state without any delay. If he doesn't do that and ignores, the new party, which is still to be named, will not stand a chance in the upcoming elections," Manjhi said on the sidelines of an event today.

On April 15, six Janata Party descendants had announced their merger under the leadership of Mulayam Singh Yadav. While announcing the merger, Sharad Yadav had said a six-member committee would decide on the name of the new party, its symbol, flag and other details.

Though not announced officially, it is believed that the upcoming Assembly polls will see Nitish as the candidate for the chief minister's post.

"The merger will not have any effect and both the JDU and the RJD will get dissolved. My focus at present is on the rally on April 20 and I promise that five lakh people will attend it. If five lakh people do not come to the rally, I will retire from politics," he added.

Lalu has never been very critical about Manjhi unlike Nitish and his camp. Sources said Lalu has been sceptical about a backlash of the Mahadalit votes in Bihar, which stands at 12 per cent.