Patna: Jeetan Ram Manjhi has been sworn in as the 25th Chief Minister of Bihar. Manjhi was administered the office of oath and secrecy by Bihar Governor DY Patil in Patna on Tuesday.
A total of 17 ministers also took oath along with Manjhi.
Manjhi, an MLA from Makhdumpur constituency, was elected leader of the Janata Dal United Legislative Party on Monday after his name was proposed by his predecessor Nitish Kumar who resigned on May 17 following his party's rout in the Lok Sabha elections.
Prime Minister-in-waiting Narendra Modi congratulated Manjhi on Twitter as he tweeted, "Congratulations to Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi on taking over as Bihar CM. I wish him the very best & assure our support in development of Bihar."
The 68-year-old Manjhi is a low-profile but a veteran politician who won his first Assembly election in 1980. He belongs to the Musahar community, which is at the bottom of the social strata and comes under the Mahadalit category.
He takes over the chief ministership at a very critical time with the JDU facing severe challenge following the massive verdict in BJP's favour and his own party's extremely poor performace which had almost led to a rebellion against Nitish Kumar.
Manjhi started his career as a clerk in the telephone department after graduating from Gaya College in 1967. He is the poorest minister in the Bihar Cabinet with an asset of just 2.83 lakh and Rs 500,00 as cash in hand as per his affidavit filed during the Lok Sabha elections which he contested from Gaya but managed to come only third behind BJP's Hari Manjhi and Ramji Manjhi of the RJD.
He started his career as a clerk in the telephone department after graduating from Gaya College in 1967. He is the poorest minister in the Bihar Cabinet with an asset of just 2.83 lakh and Rs 50,000 as cash in hand as per his affidavit filed during the Lok Sabha elections which he contested from Gaya but managed to come only third behind BJP's Hari Manjhi and Ramji Manjhi of the RJD.
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