Routed in LS polls, faced with dissent, Nitish quits

Takes moral responsibility for JD(U)’s dismal LS tally in Bihar

PATNA: Narendra Modi was the reason why Nitish Kumar ended JD-U’s long-term alliance with the BJP last year. The NDA’s Prime Minister-designate was also the reason why Kumar resigned as chief minister of Bihar on Saturday.

The installation of a BJP-led government in New Delhi was expected to cause problems for Janata Dal-United’s minority government in Bihar.

But few imagined it could come so fast in the form of Kumar’s decision to quit after owning moral responsibility for his party’s debacle in the Lok Sabha elections.

The JD-U managed just two of the 40 seats while BJP and its allies bagged 31. The JD-U was also routed in the bypolls held for five assembly seats, leaving Kumar’s reputation in tatters.

Kumar’s announcement came in the evening, after he met governor DY Patil and handed over the letter of resignation. He, however, did not recommend the dissolution of the assembly, which could lead to an election of a new leader.

That the JD-U legislature party would meet to elect a new leader was made clear by Kumar, who said he would support any initiative, from whatsoever quarter to provide a stable government till the term ends in November 2015.

JD-U insiders said the surprise resignation came after a serious discussion with his inner circle of advisers led by party president Sharad Yadav, state president Vasistha Narain Singh, water resources minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Rajya Sabha member RCP Sinha late Friday.