Nitish Kumar returns as Bihar CM with the BJP, a few hours after resigning: Here's how the drama played out
IANS
The Chief Minister put an end to his 23-month-long ‘uneasy’ partnership with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday with his resignation. (File photo | PTI)The reason he cited was that he did not want to continue in ties with a party whose leader Tejashwi Yadav, son of Lalu Prasad, refused to resign from the post of deputy chief minister despite being slapped with corruption charges by the CBI. (File photo | PTI)Despite Kumar's exhortations, Lalu Yadav remained resolute over the decision not to let his son step down. (File photo | PTI)The situation grew tense when Lalu Prasad on Wednesday suggested Nitish could step down “if he felt burdened by his alliance with the RJD'. Hours later, the Chief Minister decided to do exactly that, in an attempt to demonstrate his apparent ‘zero tolerance’ for corruption. Charges of corruption against RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his conviction in the fodder scam did not however prevent Nitish from tying up with the RJD for the 2015 polls. (Photo | PTI)“I tried my best to run the alliance and government, but matters that came up made it impossible for me to continue,” Nitish said outside the Governor’s residence after submitting his papers. (Photo courtesy: PIB)Swinging swiftly into action, the BJP offered unconditional support to Nitish Kumar, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeting his wishes. “Many congratulations to Nitish Kumarji for joining the fight against corruption.” Nitish promptly thanked Modi for support. (Photo courtesy: PIB)Legislators of BJP and JD(U) met at Nitish’s residence late on Wednesday to elect him the leader of the new government. (Photo | PTI)On Thursday morning, Nitish Kumar took oath as Bihar CM again for the second time, but with the BJP as a partner for his Janata Dal-United (JDU) party this time. BJP's Sushil Kumar Modi was sworn in as the Deputy CM replacing RJD's Tejashwi Yadav. (Photo | PTI)Donning the mantle for the sixth time in 12 years, Nitish Kumar took the oath in Hindi. The new alliance has to prove its majority in the House in two days. (File photo)
