Patna, Jan. 21: Jitan Ram Manjhi would have to act like a funambulist to complete his tenure in the chief minister's office because the BJP would not back him if the JDU issues marching order to him.

The BJP strategists today revealed that the party would not support Manjhi even if he, along with his supporters, decides to form a government on his own in case he is removed from the post by the party in wake of the rumblings in the JDU fold. The tenure of the Manjhi-led government would come to an end in November this year and the Assembly polls are expected in October-November.

Manjhi and three of his cabinet colleagues were recently accused of having deviated from the agenda of the party by JDU official spokespersons, strengthening speculations regarding his (Manjhi) removal from the top post. One of the spokespersons (read Ajay Alok) even went on to claim that Manjhi's cabinet colleagues Narendra Singh and Nitish Mishra were set to change over to the BJP, which has 87 MLAs in the House of 243 at present.

Much to the chagrin of Manjhi and these ministers, none from the JDU chose to censor the spokespersons who went on to repeat their accusation adding to the discomfiture of the chief minister who did not utter a word on the issue. The only solace came to him from RJD chief Lalu Prasad who maintained that Manjhi would not be removed from his post.

The RJD, with 24 MLAs, has extended unconditional support to the JDU government. The JDU has 115 legislators in the Assembly.

'The BJP stands for a fresh poll in case this government falls,' a BJP leader, requesting anonymity, told The Telegraph on Wednesday.

Giving reasons for not showing any soft corner for Manjhi, who may fall in the BJP lap in case of an unceremonious removal from the top post, the BJP strategist said: 'Supporting any such government would be like bearing the load of anti-incumbency factor. As any such government would be there in power just for few months with the Assembly elections scheduled to be held in October-November this year, it would be really difficult to usher in much change in the present scenario when development has taken a backseat in the state. Our best chance stands if a fresh poll is held.'

The BJP state president, Mangal Pandey, also spoke in similar vein. 'We are preparing for the next election to seek a fresh mandate. Making or breaking governments in the current political situation is not on our agenda,' he said.

The BJP, however, has a plan ready in case there is any division in the ruling party. 'We would welcome all such disgruntled leaders of the JDU in the BJP fold provided they are willing. We would have many seats to offer to such leaders from where they can contest elections on BJP ticket. But this is just the broader outlook and the details would be worked out according to the exigency of the situation,' another BJP insider said.

For now, the BJP is aiming to field its candidates from 175 Assembly constituencies in the state, leaving 68 for the alliance partners - Ram Vilas Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party and Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samata Party.

'We have worked out the details based on the outcome of a recent survey commissioned by our central leadership. Things, however, may change when the final formula for seat sharing is worked out ahead of polls,' added the leader.

Sharing details of the purpose of party national president Amit Shah's visit to the state this month, the leader said that it was a part of the exercise of assessing the membership drive. He would be having a meeting with the party functionaries from district levels during the visit and would also take part in the Karpoori Thakur anniversary programme being organised by the BJP on January 23.

The BJP aims to enrol 75 lakh members in the party fold by March 31 this year. So far, it has enrolled 17 lakh members.

Shah would leave Patna on January 24. He is also scheduled to have an interactive session with the media before his departure, a BJP source said.