June 26, 2017: The Bihar Mahagathbandhan appears to be teetering on the brink as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar decided to step down. While Congress expressed deep concern and BJP hailed the decision, of course, RJB lobbed salvo at Nitish Kumar.
AIR News reports: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resigned from his post today, citing irreconcilable differences with ally RJD on the issue of corruption charges against his deputy Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. The Governor has accepted the resignation.
Nitish Kumar took this decision after JD(U) legislators’ meeting at his residence in Patna. Party sources said, Nitish Kumar took the drastic decision due to ongoing political crisis arising out after lodging of an FIR against Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav in land graft case by CBI.
The sudden development throws the politics of Bihar into chaos with no party having a majority in the 243-member Assembly. JD(U) has 71 seats, while RJD headed by Tejashwi’s father Lalu Prasad, has 80. The BJP has 53.
RJD Chief Lalu Prasad has alleged that murder and arms act cases are pending against Nitish Kumar. Talking to reporters in Patna after the resignation of Nitish Kumar, the RJD chief said, Mr Kumar has no moral right to talk about zero tolerance against corruption. Lalu Prasad said if, Nitish Kumar can continue as Chief Minister despite objectionable pending cases against him why not Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. Lalu Prasad said, the demand for resignation of Tejashwi was irrelevant as CBI has only filed FIR against him. RJD Chief said he has always said, Tejashwi will explain about graft cases before CBI and court. Lalu Prasad said his party will give befitting reply to BJP. Accusing Nitish Kumar of hobnobbing with BJP, he said that the Chief Minister’s resignation was preplanned.
The Congress expressed disappointment over the resignation of Nitish Kumar as Bihar chief minister and said it will continue to strive to resolve the differences in the ‘grand alliance’. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the ‘grand alliance’ was given a mandate for five years and the Congress will strive to respect that.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed Nitish Kumar for his decision to resign from the post of Bihar Chief Minister over the issue of corruption. He said, it is the need of the hour to set aside political differences and fight collectively against the corruption for the country especially for the bright future of Bihar. Senior BJP leader Sushil Modi said that the party does not favour mid-term polls in Bihar, and wants all legislators to complete their term. He told reporters in Patna that the party is happy that Nitish Kumar did not compromise on the issue of corruption and did not bow down to the RJD.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das has termed as correct and brave the resignation by Nitish Kumar. Stating that corruption had made the country hollow, he said, Mr Kumar would get the support of the country in his fight against corruption.
