In a surprise announcement on 26 July, Nitish Kumar resigned from the post of Bihar Chief Minister – thereby cutting ties with Lalu Prasad Yadav-led RJD and the ‘Mahagathbandhan’.
His move comes just days after intense speculation that the Grand Alliance in Bihar was headed towards a split, following the CBI raids on Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family for alleged corruption in what is being dubbed the ‘Land for Hotel’ scam. Lalu's son Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister, has also been named by the CBI in an FIR.
Nitish is all set to take oath as the CM, again, with the NDA’s support on 27 July. Here’s how politicians reacted to the developments:
Akhilesh Yadav Mocks Nitish Kumar's NDA Return
PM Modi Tweets in Support of Nitish
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi, and also tweeted in support of Nitish’s decision to take a stand against corruption:
I congratulate Nitish ji on joining the fight against corruption. 125 crore people welcome and support this honesty... To rise above political differences and fight against corruption in country and in Bihar in particular, for development is need of the hour.PM Narendra Modi
Briefing the media after BJP’s parliamentary committee meeting, Union Minister JP Nadda said that the party was not in favour of mid-term polls in Bihar but will support the “battle against corruption.”
Home Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated Kumar.
Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Petroleum & Natural Gas extended his wishes to Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi:
Friends-Turned-Foes: Lalu Hits Out At Nitish
Responding to Nitish’s resignation, Lalu Prasad blamed the RSS and the BJP for instigating his resignation. He added that while Nitish had demanded for a comment on corruption in the public domain, no resignation was demanded from Tejashwi.
Lalu took to Twitter to highlight how Nitish “followed the same script” in 2013.
He also questioned why Nitish has not raised the corruption allegations till now.
RJD leader Manoj Jha asserted that issue related to Tejashwi was being used as a reason but the real reason for Nitish’s shift was because he wanted to go back to the BJP. Jha added that Nitish has “gone back to the actual place he came from – the Sangh”.
We Are Disappointed: Congress
In a statement, tweeted by party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, the Congress expressed disappointment at the news and said that Bihar’s mandate was against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.
The Congress also claimed that it will do “everything within its means” to ensure that people’s mandate is honoured.
Where Does BJP Gets Its Money From, Asks Yechury
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury questioned what difference Nitish’s resignation made to the country at the time of “atrocities against Dalits and minorities.”
Hitting out at the BJP, Yechury also questioned where the money for the party’s “lavish poll rallies” came from.
AAP Chimes In
Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that the biggest question that the nation faces is whether the leader will save the future of his party or the future of the country.
For instant updates on Bihar political drama follow The Quint’s Live Blog.
(We all love to express ourselves, but how often do we do it in our mother tongue?Here's your chance! This Independence Day, khul ke bol with BOL – Love your Bhasha. Sing, write, perform, spew poetry – whatever you like – in your mother tongue. Send us your BOL at bol@thequint.com or WhatsApp it to 9910181818.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)