Nitish Kumar steps down, makes way for BJP-Led government in Bihar

Nitish Kumar's resignation as Bihar's chief minister signals a major political shift, and leads to the first BJP-led government in the state and reshaping Bihar's political landscape.

Nitish Kumar on Tuesday resigned as Bihar chief minister. He submitted his resignation to Governor Syed Ata Hasnain. 

Prior to this, Nitish Kumar had recommended the dissolution of his cabinet, state minister Ram Kripal Yadav said. 

At the cabinet meeting in the morning Kumar, Bihar’s longest-serving chief minister, informed his ministerial colleagues about his decision to dissolve the council of ministers, a constitutional requirement before tendering his resignation as the CM to the governor, Yadav told reporters. 

"It was a very emotional moment for all of us. He informed us about his decision. The CM recommended dissolution of the cabinet during the meeting," the state minister said. 

Political Implications of Kumar's Resignation

Kumar’s resignation paves the way for the first-ever BJP-led government in Bihar. 

The BJP, which is the single largest party in the 243-strong assembly, with 89 MLAs, will elect its legislature party leader at its office in Patna. 

Union minister Shivraj Singh Choudhan, whom the BJP parliamentary board has named central observer for the legislature party leader's election, is expected to fly down for the purpose. 

The 202-strong NDA includes 85 MLAs of the JD-U, besides 19 of the Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas and five of the Hindustani Awam Morcha, headed by Union ministers Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi, respectively. 

In addition, there are five MLAs of Rashtriya Lok Morcha, led by Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha.