Patna, Feb. 7: Former chief minister Nitish Kumar was today elected the new leader of the legislature party in the meeting called by JDU national president Sharad Yadav at the Annexe building of the state Legislative Assembly.

The decision was taken after 98 MLAs gave their consent on the proposal given by Masauri MLA Arun Manjhi and seconded by Gaura Baram MLA Izhar Ahmad.

As soon as the name of Nitish was announced, the MLAs roared in his support. At the same time, many MLAs shouted slogans against chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. However, top guns of the party, including Sharad Yadav, Nitish and state party chief Bashishtha Narayan Singh, tried to pacify them, suggesting they conserve their energy.

Nitish asked Sharad to address the MLAs and clear the stand of the party on the scenario under which the party has reached a stage where a change of guard has become essential.Sharad, while speaking to MLAs, said changing the chief minister was never the motive behind the legislature party meeting.

"I had called this meeting to talk on several issues, including activities, as it takes years to form a political party. I had also called this meeting to sort out differences, which have arisen. I had called this meeting for other issues. However, people started talking about something different," said Sharad.

Sharad also said that he tried his level best to take Manjhi into confidence and requested him follow the party line but in vain.

Nitish, on the other hand, expressed pain over the situation and said his USP was good governance and development with justice but the chief minister chose something else. For the first time, however, Nitish accepted that Manjhi's act had created trouble in the party.

"When I was authorised to elect the chief minister, I chose Manjhi and kept myself busy in strengthening the party. However, the headlines of newspapers on a day-to-day basis were really disturbing and MLAs started asking me questions. My USP was good governance and development with justice. I used to prove myself with work. However, issues like transfers and posting became the talk of town. Why?" said Nitish.

Nitish also accepted that Manjhi tried to bypass the party line and tried to weaken the democracy by giving proposal to dissolve the Assembly. He also said now he would lead the party from the front and accept all challenges. He said the party will claim majority and be ready for a parade in front of the governor.