Nitish Kumar resigns as Bihar Chief Minister amid rift with RJD

Criticising RJD over corruption charges against senior leaders of the party, Nitish Kumar on Wednesday resigned as the Chief Minister of Bihar.

Talking to the media outside Governor Tripathi’s house, Kumar said that he took the decision to keep the best interests of the state in mind.

Kumar also said that he tried his best to keep the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) intact.

The tension between the 'Grand Alliance' of JD(U), RJD and Congress has been growing of late. Nitish Kumar faced increasing pressure to throw out Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav from the cabinet after the charges of corruption were levelled against him.

The decision to resign was made at a meeting of JDU ministers this evening after RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav ruled out the resignation of his son Tejashwi Yadav as the deputy chief minister. Both Lalu Yadav and Kumar have claimed that the latter had never asked for Tejashwi’s resignation.

"We haven't asked for anyone's resignation. We have only asked for the explanation of corruption charges against Tejashwi Yadav," Nitish told media after resigning as Bihar CM.

Nitish also said that the party managed to keep  the government on track , but the differences between the party were growing and it was becoming difficult to manage. "As a chief minister, I have ruled the state efficiently for 20 months, which is one-third of the tenure," Nitish said.

"I did not want to create a rift between anyone and therefore I quit," he added.

The Governor accepted his resignation and has asked him to continue his work, Nitish told the media.

Earlier today, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav took on Nitish Kumar, saying he knew about his friend’s growing alliance with the BJP.

"I am aware of the growing bonhomie between Nitish Kumar and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). I know BJP is desperate to ally with JD(U),” Yadav said while addressing the media.