Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar arrives at Raj Bhawan to meet Governor KN Tripathi, in Patna on Wednesday. PTI Photo
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resigned on Wednesday after a meeting with JDU MLAs. His resignation has been accepted by Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi a while back. BJP’s Sushil Modi said, “Nityanand Rai Ji and I called Nitish Kumar. BJP decides to support him, will support the government formed under him. Will inform Governor also.” Meeting is going on at Lalu Yadav’s residence in Patna in presence of Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and senior RJD leaders.
Addressing the media, Bihar CM said that he took his resignation in the interest of Bihar. “Ever since the corruption charges were levelled against RJD leaders, we have been asking them to at least explain those charges. We also met Tejashwi and told him that the image that is being created, he should clarify all that. But this did not happen. The situation got so worse that it became difficult for me to work. We had followed the Gathbandhan Dharma and had tried to protect it. But now my conscience does not allow me to continue,’ said Kumar
Nitish Kumar said that he had spoken to Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi on the matter. “There are many Congress leaders in Bihar. We also asked them to find a solution to all this. So now I have decided to keep myself away,” said Kumar. The resignation came hours after RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav ruled out the decision of stepping down of his son Tejashwi.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Congratulating Former Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for joining the fight against corruption, PM Narendra Modi tweeted, “For the brighter future of the country, Bihar should work by setting aside all kinds of political differences. This is the need of the hour and the country expects the same.”
देश के, विशेष रूप से बिहार के उज्जवल भविष्य के लिए राजनीतिक मतभेदों से ऊपर उठकर भ्रष्टाचार के ख़िलाफ़ एक होकर लड़ना,आज देश और समय की माँग है
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2017
भ्रष्टाचार के ख़िलाफ़ लड़ाई में जुड़ने के लिए नीतीश कुमार जी को बहुत-बहुत बधाई।
सवा सौ करोड़ नागरिक ईमानदारी का स्वागत और समर्थन कर रहे हैं— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar
Expressing his gratitude to PM Narendra Modi, Nitish Kumar tweeted, “Whole heartedly thank PM Modi for response through his tweet about our decision.”
हमने जो निर्णय लिया उसपर माननीय प्रधानमंत्री @narendramodi के ट्वीट के द्वारा दी गई प्रतिक्रिया के लिए उन्हें तहेदिल से धन्यवाद.
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) July 26, 2017
Bihar BJP leader Sushil Modi
Bihar BJP leader Sushil Modi said, “We are not in favour of mid-term elections in Bihar: Sushil Kumar Modi, BJP after Nitish Kumar’s resignation.” “Nityanand Rai Ji & I called Nitish Kumar. BJP decides to support him, will support the govt formed under him. Will inform Governor also,” Sushil Modi said
RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav
RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said, “Nitish’s resignation is nothing but a drama.” “Nitish in deal with BJP, RSS. Modi congratulated him soon after the resignation of Nitish Kumar, it seems like setting,” he said
“Let MLAs of JDU, RJD, Congress select new CM, Deputy CM,” Lalu said. “Nitish quits as there is a murder charge going against him under section 302, not because of graft charge against Tejashwi,” he said.
“Tejashwi Yadav will not resign, Nitish Kumar didn’t ask for his resignation,” Lalu said. He had maintained that there is no bitterness between him and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. “No bitterness between me and Nitish. Spoke to him yesterday. Media trying to crack our alliance,” Lalu said.
Congress Leader R Surjewala
Mahagathbandhan was given a 5 year mandate by people of Bihar. We shall continue to strive the mandate given is fully respected Congress Leader R Surjewala
We are deeply disappointed by the news of Nitish Kumar’s resignation. Congress respect Nitish Kumar as a leader: Randeep Surjewala, Congress
BJP’s JP Nadda
BJP welcomes battle against corruption in Bihar. Not in favor of mid-term elections, said BJP’s JP Nadda
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das
Congratulating the Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Wednesday termed the resignation as “correct and brave”, and said that he would get the support of the country in his fight against corruption.
“On the way of corruption-free Bihar, it is a correct and brave decision on the part of Nitish Kumar. Congratulations to Shri Nitish Kumar,” Das said.
Ravi Shankar Prasad
Union Law Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said the breakup was “bound to happen” as Nitish was cautious about his image and for Lalu Prasad corruption was more important.
JD (U) leader K C Tyagi
Defending Nitish’s move JD (U) leader K C Tyagi said, “He is a man of different metal, he had already taken resignations of his own ministers on the issue of corruption. The party and Kumar cannot compromise on this issue.
“There were expectations from Rahulji as he had torn the ordinance (protecting convicted lawmakers from immediate disqualification)…, but somehow Gandhi forgot that,” he said.
CPI leader Atul Kumar Anjaan
Terming it as a “high-voltage” drama from Nitish’s side, Senior CPI leader Atul Kumar Anjaan demanded for election in Bihar
“Now, there should be no underhand dealing after what the BJP did in Manipur and Goa. The BJP has broken the public mandate in Bihar in its own style. We demand elections be held afresh in the state,” Anjaan said.
