In a surprise move on Saturday, Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar said he was abandoning efforts to form a popular government in Bihar.

"I am withdrawing my efforts for formation of a government as chances of a government are bleak in view of Paswan's intransigence over taking support from non-Rashtriya Janata Dal parties," Kumar said at a press conference in Patna.

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Kumar's announcement came hours after 15 of the 17 independents pledged support to him for forming an non-RJD government.

Kumar had on April 2 written a letter to six non-RJD parties including LJP and 17 independents to cobble together a
majority to form a non-BJP non-RJD government in Bihar.

BJP all but backs Nitish's initiative

A two-day National Executive meeting of the JD(U) has been planned starting Sunday to debate the party's future course of action in Bihar.

Party sources said Kumar's announcement came as a surpise to many top leaders and the 15 independent MLAs, who had pledged their support to him.

Paswan's wet blanket on Nitish's efforts

However, the move is being viewed in political circles as a tactical decision to expose Paswan who, they said, started the blame game holding JD(U) responsible for the impasse by not severing ties with BJP and help in govenment formation.