After taking oath as Bihar Chief Minister for the sixth time, Nitish Kumar said he took the decision to part ways with the grand alliance in the interest of the State, and that his only commitment was to serve its people and he would continue to do so.

“I took the decision in the interest of Bihar and my commitment is to serve the State and its people...development with justice has been my government’s mantra and it will continue to do so”, he told journalists.

“When time comes, I’ll explain everything but whatever decision I’ve taken was in the interest of Bihar”, he asserted.

Soon after, Mr. Kumar summoned a meeting of the Cabinet at his official residence, 1 Anne Marg. It is said that the monsoon session of the Bihar legislature will continue as scheduled from Friday.

Informed sources told The Hindu that like the previous NDA governments from 2005 to 2013, there would 14 ministers from each party, the JD(U) and the BJP, in the new Cabinet.

Berths for JD(U) in Union Cabinet?

Besides, the JD(U) would be given space in the upcoming reshuffle of the Union Cabinet, said party sources.

Former Deputy Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejaswi Yadav tweeted that “past baggage, though unjustified, didn’t perturb me when I was entrusted to carry the expectations of people’s mandate, in the role of Dy CM”.

RJD meeting today

The RJD has called a legislators meeting at 10 Circular Road, official residence of former Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad's wife Rabri Devi, in Patna on Thursday evening to discuss the political developments.