Janata Dal (U) leader and former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today chose senior minister Jitan Ram Manjhi to succeed him as State Chief Minister. Manjhi would stake claim to form the government.

The 68-year-old Manjhi, a dalit leader, was SC & ST minister in the Nitish Kumar government.

The JD(U) has staked claim to form the government in the state under Manjhi, NMitish Kumar said.

Manjhi's name, he said, has the approval of JD(U) President Sharad Yadav as well state party chief Basistha Narayan Singh.

Earlier, the Janata Dal (U) legislators of Bihar have authorized Nitish Kumar who stepped down as state Chief Minister, to choose the new chief minister.