Nitish Kumar Steps Down as Bihar CM, Hinting at Potential Alliance with BJP-Led NDA

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar tendered his resignation to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Sunday, marking a significant break from the grand alliance formed less than 18 months ago. Nitish Kumar, who had joined forces with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD to form the government, submitted his resignation after a meeting with Janata Dal (United) MLAs at his residence.

Following his resignation, Nitish Kumar is expected to pursue forming a new government with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as per reports. The governor has accepted his resignation and has requested him to continue as the caretaker chief minister until a new government is established. Accompanying Nitish Kumar to the Raj Bhavan was senior JD(U) minister Bijendra Yadav.

What did Nitish Kumar say?

Nitish Kumar said “Today, I have resigned as the Chief Minister and I have also told the Governor to dissolve the government in the state. This situation came because not everything was alright…I was getting views from everyone. I listened to all of them. Today, the Government has been dissolved…”

#WATCH | Patna | Bihar outgoing CM and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar says, "Today, I have resigned as the Chief Minister and I have also told the Governor to dissolve the government in the state. This situation came because not everything was alright…I was getting views from… pic.twitter.com/wOVGFJSKKH

— ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2024

The governor has accepted Nitish Kumar’s resignation, and asked him to continue as caretaker chief minister till a new government is formed.

“Honorable governor Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar accepted the resignation of Honorable chief minister Shri Nitish Kumar and asked him to act as acting chief minister until alternative arrangements are made,” the Raj Bhavan wrote on social media X (formally Twitter).

माननीय राज्यपाल श्री राजेंद्र विश्वनाथ आर्लेकर @rajendraarlekar ने माननीय मुख्यमंत्री श्री नीतीश कुमार का त्यागपत्र स्वीकार किया तथा वैकल्पिक व्यवस्था होने तक उन्हें कार्यवाहक मुख्यमंत्री के रूप में कार्य करने को कहा। pic.twitter.com/t5mo95pYKp

— Raj Bhavan, Bihar (@GovernorBihar) January 28, 2024

This move marks Nitish Kumar’s fourth switch in political alliances. The BJP holds the largest number of MPs in Bihar, with 17 out of a total of 40 in the Lok Sabha. The JD(U), under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, has 16 MPs, while the LJP, now divided between Pashupati Kumar Paras and Chirag Paswan, holds six seats.

In the Bihar Assembly, comprising 243 seats, the RJD is the largest party with 79 MLAs, followed closely by the BJP with 78. The JD(U) holds 45 seats, while the Congress has 19. Additionally, there are 12 MLAs from the CPI (M-L), two each from the CPI(M) and CPI, four from the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and one from the AIMIM, along with one Independent legislator.

Also read: Rahul Gandhi’s Yatra to Resume from Bengal Today After Two-Day Break

The political landscape in Bihar is undergoing significant shifts, and the formation of a new government with BJP’s support marks a crucial development in the state’s political trajectory. Stay tuned for further updates.