Nitish Kumar seems poised for another significant shift in his political stance, marking his second reversal in less than three years. There are strong indications that he will rejoin forces with the BJP today, following his resignation as the Chief Minister of Bihar to initiate this transition.
Nitish Kumar Resigns as Bihar Cheif Minister
After much speculation, Nitish Kumar, the president of Janata Dal (United), has stepped down as the Chief Minister of Bihar. This decision follows his party’s decision to end its alliance with the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ coalition, leading to a separation from the ruling government due to unresolved issues.
He submitted his resignation to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Raj Bhavan in Patna. In his first response post-resignation, he explained that he had requested the Governor to dissolve the government in the state. He stated, “Today, I have resigned as the chief minister, and I have also informed the Governor to dissolve the government in the state.”
The reason behind this move, as stated by Nitish Kumar, was that “not everything was alright.” He acknowledged receiving diverse opinions and took them into consideration.
Nitish Kumar expressed, “This situation arose because things were not going smoothly. I considered the views of everyone, and today the government has been dissolved.” He further added, “We have decided to end our alliance with the Mahagathbandhan in the state,” addressing the Bihar Governor.
It’s noteworthy that he had previously severed ties with the NDA in 2022, resigning as the Chief Minister, and subsequently joined the Mahagathbandhan with Lalu Yadav’s RJD, the Congress, and the Left parties.
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What Next for Nitish Kumar?
Nitish Kumar will serve as the acting chief minister of Bihar until a fresh government is established in the state.
There are indications that the BJP will present its ‘Letter of Support’ to JD(U) and CM Nitish to assert its intention to lead the upcoming coalition government. The swearing-in event is anticipated to take place at 4 pm.
It has been reported that Nitish Kumar plans to appoint new ministers from the BJP after being sworn in as the chief minister.
Political Dynamics in Bihar
After parting ways from the ruling alliance, Nitish Kumar is expected to rejoin the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In the current situation, the RJD stands as the largest party in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, boasting 79 MLAs, yet it falls short of the required 122 for a majority.
The Mahagathbandhan government, initially comprising 159 MLAs, now faces a shortage of eight members to assert its claim to form the next government in Bihar due to Nitish Kumar’s departure. The Congress holds 19 MLAs, while the BJP maintains its position as the second-largest party with 78 MLAs.
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FAQs
Q.1. Why did Nitish Kumar resign as Chief Minister?
Ans. Nitish Kumar resigned due to unresolved issues within the Mahagathbandhan coalition, prompting his party to end the alliance.
Q.2. What is Nitish Kumar’s next political move?
Ans. He is expected to rejoin the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and may lead a new government in Bihar with BJP’s support.
Q.3. Who will govern Bihar in the interim?
Ans. Nitish Kumar will serve as the acting Chief Minister until a fresh government is established in the state.
Q.4. When is the swearing-in ceremony anticipated?
Ans. The swearing-in event is expected to take place at 4 pm, with indications that the BJP will present a ‘Letter of Support’ to JD(U) and Nitish Kumar.
Q.5. What is the current political landscape in the Bihar Assembly?
Ans. Mahagathbandhan faces a shortage of eight MLAs to claim a majority, while the BJP holds the second-largest position with 78 MLAs.
