Patna, Jan 20 (IANS): RJD chief Lalu Prasad Tuesday said Jitan Ram Manjhi will continue to be the Bihar chief minister, ending speculation that his days were numbered and he would soon be removed.

"There is no such thing. Speculation is only in the media. Manjhi will continue as the chief minister," the Rashtriya Janata Dal chief told the media here after his arrival from Delhi.

Lalu Prasad made it clear that Manjhi will continue as chief minister till the assembly elections to be held later this year.

Lalu Prasad also said he will visit the village in Muzaffarpur district where four people from a minority community were burnt to death by a mob after the recovery of the body of an abducted boy.

Janata Dal-United leader and former chief minister Nitish Kumar had Monday also ruled out Manjhi's removal.

"The Manjhi government will coninue," Nitish Kumar told the media, on being informed about various reports that Manjhi would be removed by his party.

Nitish Kumar also downplayed reports about resentment within the JD-U, after a party spokesperson demanded the resignation of three ministers for their closeness to the BJP.