Final countdown; Manjhi to be backed by BJP

Patna, Feb 19 With the showdown between Jitan Ram Manjhi and his mentor-turned-foe Nitish Kumar inching towards an exciting finish, BJP today lent its support to the chief minister even as both houses of Bihar legislature today recognised JD(U) as their principal Opposition party.

The decision to support embattled Manjhi at the floor of the house tomorrow was taken at a meeting of the BJP LP, which was held for the second consecutive day today.