Nitish Kumar resigns as Bihar CM after split with BJP | VIDEO

Patna, Aug 09:Nitish Kumar on Tuesday met Governor Phagu Chauhan and tendered his resignation as chief minister of the NDA government in Bihar. He said the decision to sever ties with the NDA was taken by his party, the JD(U).

Kumar is expected to form a fresh government, armed with the support of the entire opposition, including the RJD and the Left parties.

Workers of opposition RJD, which appears tipped to be a part of the new government, joined their counterparts in the JD(U) in raising the slogan "Nitish Kumar zindabad".

After meeting Chauhan, Kumar went to the residence of former chief minister Rabri Devi to confabulate with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

The JD(U) today hailed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, its de facto leader, for assuming the "leadership of a new coalition", while the Left iterated its support for him in a coalition sans BJP.

JD(U) parliamentary board president Upendra Kushwaha wrote a post to this effect on Twitter, ahead of Kumar's meeting with Governor Fagu Chauhan later in the day. "Congratulations to Nitish Kumar ji for assuming leadership of a new coalition, in a new form", tweeted Kushwaha referring to the opposition Grand Alliance's support for the JD(U) leader. "March ahead Nitish ji. The country is waiting for you", Kushwaha added cryptically.

JD(U) sources also told CNN-News18 that Union Home Minister Amit Sh
A number of BJP leaders have been left surprised at the swift turn of events in Bihar where the JD(U) has walked out of the coalition with the NDA, even though the party leadership was aware of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's uneasiness over a host of issues.