PATNA: Hours after resigning as Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said that he has submitted a list of 164 MLAs to the Bihar Governor and staked claim to form a new government. “We submitted a list of 164 MLAs to the governor and staked claim to form a new government. He will let us know when oath-taking can take place,” Nitish told reporters.
Notably, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar has been elected as the leader of Mahagathbandhan, or the Grand Alliance.
Nitish Kumar called off the alliance between the JD(U) and BJP in Bihar and resigned as chief minister on Tuesday. Nitish Kumar met Tejashwi Yadav after resigning as CM. After meeting the Bihar Governor, the JD(U) leader said, “We have the support of seven parties and one Independent MLA. The letter of support has been signed by all.”
Former Union minister RCP Singh, who quit JD(U) amid a rift with Nitish Kumar, said that JD(U) snapping ties with BJP and joining hands with Tejashwi Yadav is a betrayal of the 2020 mandate.
Meanwhile, the Bihar BJP unit has called a core group meeting this evening.
Kumar, earlier in the day, held a meeting with the JD(U) leaders to discuss his next future political moves. He then sought time from Governor Phagu Chauhan. Around 4 pm, Kumar arrived at Raj Bhavan and met Governor Phagu Chauhan and apprised him of his decision to quit as chief minister.
Earlier, in the JD(U) meeting today, all MLAs and MPs of the party supported Kumar’s decision and said that they were with him. They also asserted that they will continue to support Kumar in his decision.
Police personnel were seen deployed in force outside the chief minister’s residence. (ANI)