A peeved Kumar first tried to ignore them, then coaxed them to see reason and finally lost his temper. He asked them to sit down and listen quietly to what he was saying, but to no avail. The section of crowd kept shouting slogans and was not willing to stop.
Finally, Kumar inquired about their demands and announced that the Tola Sevaks and Talimi Markaz will work till 60. He also asked Manjhi to ensure this.
Kumar also requested Manjhi to take action against the officials who were creating problems for Tola Sevaks and ensure that the places which are still going without them are quickly filled.
Manjhi on his part said the remaining Tola Sevaks will be trained and absorbed and their salary will be hiked to Rs 10,000 if they come to the Mahadalit rally being planned by JD(U) at Gandhi Maidan in February 2015. During his speech, the Bihar CM took potshots at the cleanliness campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and terming it as just a drama.
“This is a drama. Instead of sweeping railway platforms, Modi should launch the campaign in dalit settlements. I ask him to first clean his mind of various divisive thoughts and then indulge in such things,” Manjhi said.
Manjhi showered praise over Kumar for the way he has “honoured” Mahadalits (the downtrodden among the SC). “Nitish Kumar is the only great person who has honoured Mahadalits. The day he made me the Chief Minister, he showed a glimpse of his greatness, but the people did not understand. I can only say that this is just a glimpse, the rest is yet to come,” Manjhi said.
Talking about himself and Kumar, the Chief Minister added “one who reaches high position is considered big, but the one who makes a person big is considered the biggest. Nitish Kumar's stature is the tallest in India and I want to thank him for what he has done for me. We can never forget his farsightedness.”
Manjhi rubbished any differences between him and Kumar and termed report in this regard as a creation of media. He announced a foundation in the name of Bhimrao Ambedkar will be established in Bihar at a cost of Rs 200 crore.
The proposal will be passed in the next meeting of the state cabinet and will provide various facilities and training to the people belonging to the Scheduled Castes. Manjhi added that the International Convention Centre being constructed in Patna will be named after Ambedkar, and a labour recruitment and studies institute in the name of Dashrath Manjhi will also be established here.
