RJD MP Pappu Yadav alleges 'mistreatment' for Dalits in country; laments Jitan Ram Manjhi's ouster from party

Even as the Janata Dal (United) expelled Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi from its ranks, thus paving the way for Nitish Kumar to take up the top post, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Pappu Yadav on Monday alleged that Dalit leaders are always mistreated in Bihar politics.

"Bihar's politics has been revolving around the poor. Why has there never been a Dalit or a minority chief minister in Bihar? Even if there were [elected], they have been removed from office in two or three months. Even now it has happened, they are removing [Manjhi] in six months," Yadav told ANI. Yadav further stated that the 'oppressed and backward castes' are merely seen as 'vote banks' in the country.

Also Read: Manjhi caused damage to the party: Sharad Yadav

"Dalits and minorities have always been used for votes in this country. Why there has never been a Dalit or minority deputy chief minister? No leader in this country likes Dalits," he said. Earlier in the day, JD (U) chief Sharad Yadav expelled Jitan Ram Manjhi from the party after the latter refused to step down as the Bihar Chief Minister.

According to reports, the JD (U) chief had asked Manjhi to step down as chief minister in view of the selection of his predecessor Nitish Kumar as the new leader of legislative party.