Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar submitted his resignation to the state governor on August 9, as his Janata Dal (United) has decided to sever ties with the ruling alliance partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “I have resigned as the CM. All MPs and MLAs of the JD(U) are at a consensus that we should leave the NDA,” Kumar told reporters outside the Raj Bhawan in Patna.
The resignation came hours after Kumar, at a meeting held with his party MLAs, reportedly said the tie-up with the BJP was “over” as the saffron party was “not giving respect” and “conspiring” against them.
After submitting his resignation, Kumar arrived at the residence of former chief minister Rabri Devi, where he was likely to hold discussions on forming a new government with her son and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav.
The alliance between Kumar and Yadav, which is yet to be officially announced, will be backed by around 160 MLAs, There will be “no differences on allotment of portfolios”, they said. This came shortly after reports claimed that Yadav was adamant on being given the home ministry charge – the portfolio being currently held by Kumar.
Earlier in the day, it was reported that the Congress and Left parties, which had contested the 2020 alliance under the leadership of Yadav, have pledged their support to the JD(U) if it breaks ties with the BJP and forms an alternative government.
