19.5.14

Nitish Kumar resigns

In a dramatic turn of events, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has resigned but left the door open for an alternative government by not recommending the dissolution of the 243-member House. “I have resigned owning moral responsibility for the JD (U)'s dismal performance. I submitted resignation to the governor today,“ Kumar told reporters.
The CM, however, made it clear he had not recommended dissolution of the House. “The mandate to run the House was for 5 years. So I have not disturbed the House nor am I resigning because I did not have the majority. The CPI, independents and Congress legislators were supporting us but I decided to demit the office on moral grounds. I took the call and resigned after consulting JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav and other party leaders,“ he said.
Soon after Kumar resigned, Sharad Yadav said his successor would be chosen tomorrow and made it clear that the party will tie-up even with bitter rival RJD for formation of a “secular alliance“.
“A CM candidate will be decided tomorrow...We will take a decision which will surprise the nation. We will save the country,“ Yadav told reporters here.
The JD(U) could win only 2 out of 40 LS seats. The JD(U) legislature party will meet on Sunday.
When asked whether the legislature party will elect a new leader or again reinforce faith in him, Kumar said it was for the legislature party to decide. “I have resigned and it is now for the legislature party to take a call on the leadership question.“
The CM--by not recommending the dissolution of the House ­ has in a way set a challenge for the BJP to form an alternative government. But it will not be an easy decision for the BJP which will need support of more than 30 additional MLAs to form the government. The BJP with a strength of 90-odd MLAs will be required to effect a split in the JD(U), not an easy proposition even though there are murmurs of discontent within the ruling JD(U) against the chief minister .
The governor will now have to explore the formation of an alternative government. Kumar can become the CM if the JD(U) legislature party reelect him as its leader.
Senor BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi described Kumar's resignation as an emotional drama.
“There are more than 50 JD(U) legislators who are in a revolting mood . Kumar's resignation is only a drama to blackmail the rebels within the JD(U).“
Sharad Yadav, however, rejected suggestions that Kumar quit fearing a split in the party.“There is no rebellion.“

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