Bihar political turmoil: Nitish Kumar quits ruling alliance, hands over resignation letter to Governor

Nitish Kumar. Pic/PTI

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar submitted his resignation to Governor Rajendra V Arlekar on Sunday morning, officials said, reported news agency PTI.

The governor accepted Kumar's resignation, and asked him to continue as caretaker CM till a new government is formed, they said, reported PTI.

Amid Bihar political turmoil, Nitish Kumar called the Governor at Raj Bhavan and told him, "We have decided to sever ties with the Mahagathbandhan in the state", reported ANI.

Nitish Kumar submitted his resignation after chairing a meeting with party MLAs at his official residence.

Amid Bihar political turmoil, a new government with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to be in place by the evening, according to sources, reported PTI.

The development comes amid a deafening buzz that Nitish Kumar would rejoin the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), bringing an end to the 'Mahagathbandhan' rule in the state.

The fast-changing political events in the state were triggered by a social media post from former CM and RJD chief Lalu Yadav's daughter, Rohini Acharya, in which she took a swipe at the JD(U) saying that while the 'socialist party' styles itself as progressive, its ideology shifts with the changing wind patterns.

If Nitish Kumar crosses over, it would mark the fourth time that he would be switching sides.

In the Bihar Assembly of 243, the RJD has 79 MLAs; followed by the BJP at 78; JD(U) at 45, Congress at 19, the CPI (M-L) at 12, CPI(M) and CPI at 2 each, and the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular)'s at 4. Another two seats are with the AIMIM and an Independent.

Earlier, in a fresh post, Rohini Acharya said her fight against 'communal forces' will continue till death.

"Our fight against the communal forces will continue till our last breath," she posted on X.

Amid Bihar political turmoil, RJD Spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav claimed that the Bhartiya Janata Party was already plotting to seize control in the state and eyeing power, reported ANI.

Over the rift in the Mahagathbandhan, RJD leader Shakti Singh Yadav said "for an alliance to work, everyone needs to agree, and it can't be driven solely by one person's wishes", reported ANI.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)