Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resigned on Wednesday, citing irreconcilable differences with ally RJD on the issue of corruption charges against his deputy Tejaswi Yadav.
“In the circumstances that prevail in Bihar, it became difficult to run the grand alliance government," Kumar told reporters outside Raj Bhavan after submitting his resignation to Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi.
He did not rule out taking BJP's support for forming a new government.
"I tried to work it out....I did not ask for anybody's resignation...I just asked Tejaswi to explain the charges of corruption," he said.
The sudden development throws the politics of Bihar into chaos with no party having a majority in the 243-member Assembly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nitish Kumar for joining the fight against corruption (by resigning as CM).
भ्रष्टाचार के ख़िलाफ़ लड़ाई में जुड़ने के लिए नीतीश कुमार जी को बहुत-बहुत बधाई।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2017
सवा सौ करोड़ नागरिक ईमानदारी का स्वागत और समर्थन कर रहे हैं
Kumar's JD(U) has 71 seats, while RJD headed by Tejaswi Yadav's father Lalu Prasad, has 80. The BJP has 53.
Asked if he will now form a government with BJP's support, he said, "Whatever had to happen has happened. Now see what happens next."
Kumar, who led the grand alliance that also included the Congress to a stunning victory, was sworn in on November 20, 2015.
Earlier in the day, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav ruled out resignation by Tejaswi Yadav. Nitish, however, said he did not ask anyone to resign, but only sought a clarification. "The Governor has accepted my resignation, and asked me to continue working till the next development," Nitish said. "Before resigning, I had informed Laluji and Congress Bihar incharge CP Joshi." Nitish added, "Gandhiji always said needs can be met on the earth, but greed can never be fulfilled." Congress voiced its disappointment with Nitish's decision.
“We are deeply disappointed by the news of Nitish Kumar's resignation. Congress respects Nitish Kumar as a leader,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. “Mahagathbandhan (the grand alliance) was given a five-year mandate by people of Bihar. We shall continue to strive to ensure that the mandate given is fully respected.”
'Conspiracy'
Lalu Prasad Yadav accused Nitish Kumar of having colluded with the BJP.
“Nitish Kumar has colluded with the BJP and RSS. What set up! PM Modi tweets immediately to congratulate Nitish Kumar,” he said Tensions simmered between the two alliance partners ever since the CBI registered a case against Lalu Prasad, his wife and former chief minister Rabri devi and son Tejaswi in a land-for-hotels case.
The offence was allegedly committed when Lalu was the railway minister in the UPA government. He was allegedly instrumental in handing over the maintenance of two hotels of Indian Railways-owned PSU ICRTC to two Patna businessmen in return for a prime plot of land in the Bihar capital where his family is now constructing a shopping mall.
Lalu pulls out 26-year-old case to attack #NitishKumar after coalition collapses, continues to protect tainted son. #NitishQuits pic.twitter.com/Y5IpyC4Ktw
— Republic (@republic) July 26, 2017
Giving a new twist, Lalu said a pending case against Kumar and not the differences over corruption charges against Tejaswi was at the root the JD(U) leader's "resignation drama".
In the 1991 Lok Sabha polls, a woman was killed at a polling station in Pandarak and Nitish Kumar is among the accused. He had made a mention of the case in the affidavit he filed while contesting the Legislative Council election, Lalu told a press conference.
He claimed a court in Barh had taken cognizance of the charges against Kumar in 2009 and that the case was still alive in the Patna High Court.
"Nitish knew that he was soon going to be hauled up by the court and will have to quit in any case. He made the Tejaswi issue a ruse to exit before that happens," the RJD boss claimed.
He slammed Kumar for seeking explanation from Tejaswi over graft charges against him, saying, "We will give the documents to CBI. Who are they to ask for it? Has Tejashwi engaged in any act of corruption as a minister in Bihar?" "There is the involvement of Narendra Modi in all this.
Nitish has slapped the people of Bihar and now people like Sushil Modi (a top state BJP leader and former deputy chief minister) are eager to form government with JD(U)," he said.
Replying to a question, Lalu said he had not sacrificed the grand alliance government for "love of his son".
"We were the largest party in the grand alliance.
Tejashwi got the post of the deputy chief minister. We had the mandate of the people," he said.
On his part Nitish Kumar said, "While supporting demonetisation, I had suggested that it could yield good results only if there is a simultaneous attack on benami property (a property which is not registered in the name of its real owner). How can I back out of it."
Several members of Lalu's family, including his MP daughter Misa Bharti and son-in-law Shailesh Kumar have been accused of acquiring benami properties with tainted money.
Nitish said he had met Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi seeking his intervention to resolve the issue.
"I met Rahul Gandhi who had torn an ordinance that sought to enable people sentenced to more than two years in jail to contest elections (a move that was seen as an attempt to help Lalu). But except for some superficial talk nothing happened," he said. "I heard the voice of my conscience and decided to pull myself out of this coalition," he said.
He said he "knocked every door" to salvage the alliance, but in vain.
"They wanted me to save them in their time of crisis.
Given my nature and style of work that could not have happened," Nitish said.
He said had Tejashwi resigned of his own volition, he would have grown in stature. "But everybody chooses his own path. I don't want to blame anybody."
BJP OFFERS SUPPORT TO NITISH KUMAR, SAYS READY TO FORM GOVT UNDER HIM
The BJP on Wednesday night announced its support to Nitish Kumar for forming a new government in Bihar, which it said the JD-U leader has accepted.
BJP senior leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who is part of the three-member committee formed by the party high command to give a report on the situation in Bihar, made the announcement here.
He said the BJP will join as a partner in the Bihar government.
"We will support the government under the leadership of Nitish Kumar. The BJP legislature party has full confidence in Nitish Kumar as its leader. The decision has also been conveyed to Nitish Kumar, which he has accepted," Modi said after a meeting of the legislature party meeting.
He said the BJP will join the government and a decision in this regard will soon be conveyed to Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.
TWITTERATI BUZZING WITH PRAISES AND SPECULATION
Soon after the news of Kumar quitting was known, social media was buzzing with opinions on the matter, as well as speculation over what would happen to the state government next, since this move is being seen as a massive setback for the party as well as the state.
The initial mood on the micro-blogging site seemed to side with Kumar’s decision, hailing him for taking a stand against corruption.
Check out what people have been saying on Twitter here.
#NitishQuits
— SmaRty🕉 (@Smartymichael) July 26, 2017
Nitish Kumar has won our hearts. A new phase of next level politics starts in his life. Best of luck Nitish ji and well done.
The resignation of Nitish Kumar was inevitable. After the resignation, he commands respect even more. Congrats Nitish Ji.
— Rakesh Ranjan (@rranjan501) July 26, 2017
Nitish Kumar ji finally out of Maha-gathbandhan of corruption & took 1st step towards Bihar Maha-Developed future#NitishKumar #NitishQuits
— Vishal Sudarshanwar (@Vishal_Sud) July 26, 2017
The resignation of Nitish Kumar was inevitable. After the resignation, he commands respect even more. Congrats Nitish Ji.
— Rakesh Ranjan (@rranjan501) July 26, 2017
Great move taken by our CM...against corrupt politician #NitishQuits
— S.K. Pandit (@skpandit0489) July 26, 2017
So Nitish Kumar will be there in Bihar for atleast 2 terms in Bihar n Narendra Modi will have a cakewalk in 2019! Amit Shah smiling the way!
— Shubham (@shubham_26S) July 26, 2017
Lalu when asked about the Great Bihar Mahagathbandhan. pic.twitter.com/6VtmRMxuEe
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) July 26, 2017
Just In : Nitish Kumar Resigns as Bihar's CM, Tejashwi Yadav said ready to take over, Governor said him to first clear Class 12 Exams.
— Republic Of India (@RepubIicofIndia) July 26, 2017
Nitish Kumar 's honesty certificate is cancelled with immediate effect- Arvind Kejriwal
— Paresh Rawal (@Babu_Bhaiyaa) July 26, 2017
Lalu asking #NitishKumar "Bhai tu kiski taraf hai ?" pic.twitter.com/oGhl8jqlIH
— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) July 26, 2017
क्या करते, नीतीश कुमार के पास और कोई 'चारा' भी तो नहीं बचा था।
— Bhaiyyaji (@bhaiyyajispeaks) July 26, 2017
Waiting for @arvindkejriwal to say even in Bihar elections EVMs were hacked. 🤣🤣
— Maithun (@Being_Humor) July 26, 2017
Kejriwal deleting all the tweets praising Nitish Kumar. pic.twitter.com/9HYeqMmQqY
— Phd in Bakchodi (@Atheist_Krishna) July 26, 2017
Modi-Shah escorting Nitish Kumar !! pic.twitter.com/wwiEv0mdnw
— Phd in Bakchodi (@Atheist_Krishna) July 26, 2017
