Nitish Kumar quits as CM, BJP extends support to him

In an unanticipated move, Nitish Kumar today evening resigned as Bihar chief Minister. However, he would be continuing as the care-taker chief minister of the state.

Nitish Kumar, who tendered his resignation to Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, claimed that he can't work in the "current circumstances" following corruption allegations against Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav but didn't rule out a tie-up with the BJP for running a future government.

"I have been doing my best to provide good governance. But the circumstances have so developed that it was difficult for a person like me to continue to be in power. That is why I met the Governor and gave my resignation," he told reporters outside Raj Bhavan bringing to an end the 20-month-old coalition of the JD-U, RJD and Congress that defeated the BJP in 2015.

Ironically, with Nitish Kumar's resignation, the future of the Mahagatbandhan's future hangs in balance. Although, Congress was quick to lament Nitish Kumar resignation, the RJD accused him of cheating the people of Bihar.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar quits saying that he can't work in the "current circumstances" following corruption allegations against Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav but didn't rule out a tie-up with the BJP for running a future government.

After Nitish Kumar resigned as Bihar Chief Minister, within minutes Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him



for "joining the fight against corruption" by quitting as Chief Minister of the coalition government of the JD-U, RJD and Congress.

Meanwhile, just friend-turned-foe RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav held a press conference and called Nitish Kumar a murder-accused in a case dating back to 1990's. He said, " Nitish Kumar knew that he is accused of section 302, one of India's CM is main accused in murder & arms case." He went on to say that the entire resignation drama was master-minded by the BJP. "Nitish is playing into the hands of the BJP. After resigning as Chief Minister he did not rule out the possibility of joining hands with the BJP. Everyone knows that Nitish is aligned with Modi," he said.

Acknowledging PM's praise, Nitish too said, " I am thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reacting to the decision I took."

Interestingly, the BJP which was meeting for its parliamentary board meet in New Delhi announced that it will extend its support to a Nitish-led-government in Bihar. Senior Bihar BJP leader Sushil Modi said, "Nityanand Raiji & I called Nitishji. The BJP has decided to support him, will support the government formed under him. We will inform governor also."

The BJP and JDU MLAs are going to meet governor. The MLAs of the two parties will meet and elect Nitish Kumar as their leader.

Sushil Modi, Nityanand Rai and other BJP MLAs meet Nitish Kumar at his residence in Patna.