INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
PATNA:The Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), led by former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, on Monday announced that it is withdrawing its
support to the Nitish Kumar government
Santosh Suman, Manjhi's son and the party's national president, said that they had sought an appointment with governor Rajendra Arlekar to
submit the letter of withdrawal.Suman, who recently resigned from the cabinet, citing pressure from Nitish Kumar's JD(U) to merge their
party, held a press conference after the national executive body of HAM "authorized" him to make decisions regarding the future course of
He mentioned that he will be visiting Delhi later in the day to "explore options," and if the BJP-led coalition extends an invitation, he is
open to considering it."We are also keeping the option open for setting up a third front", said the HAM president whose party has switched
allies many times since it was founded eight years ago
He also ducked queries about unconfirmed reports of a meeting scheduled in Delhi with BJP president JP Nadda
The HAM with four MLAs had joined the 'Mahagathbandhan' last year, in solidarity with Nitish Kumar's move of dumping the BJP which was
accused of trying to break the JD(U)
In the 243-strong assembly, the ruling coalition has close to 160 MLAs
It comprises JD(U), RJD and Congress besides three Left parties which are supporting the government from outside.(With inputs from PTI)
