Patna, Feb 2 (IANS): Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi Monday found a new fan in central Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti, who described him as a 'garibon ka Masiha' (champion of the poor).

Uma Bharti praised Manjhi's work as chief minister after she met him here to discuss the problems of flood and drought in Bihar.

"Manjhi is from humble background and is doing good work. He is a champion of the poorest of the poor," she told the media here.

Uma Bharti said the central government would help Bihar in all possible ways to deal with floods and drought in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government would also assist Bihar to make the Ganges pollution free, she added.

She said the central government had sanctioned Rs.500 crore for cleaning the Ganges and would provide Rs.500 crore more to the state.

In recent weeks, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders including union ministers from Bihar have praised the chief minister by saying he was doing better work than his predecessor Nitish Kumar.

Even BJP president Amit Shah last month, at a public rally here, attacked Nitish Kumar but spared Manjhi.