Nitish Kumar is on his way to meet Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi in Patna on Wednesday, media reports said. This comes just after Nitish Kumar held a closed-door meeting with Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav at his residence in Patna on Wednesday.

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N itish Kumar on his way to meet Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi after meeting with Lalu Prasad Yadav

There are questions of what happens if he resigns? Will there be a JDU-BJP alliance?- CNN News-18

BJP is planning a meeting at 7 pm on whether they would support Nitish or not

Nitish Kumar took the first step by resigning and this could mean a bigger merger between Nitish and BJP. The BJP core committee meeting will reveal more details as to whether BJP would help to support the government from outside. -CNN-News18

Sushil Modi had given enough indications that BJP is ready to back Nitish Kumar

Nitish says he has submitted his resignation to the governor and has quit in the interest of Bihar. He also says that they never expected anyone's resignation.

The two leaders, Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav, had been at loggerheads ever since the CBI launched raids against Lalu's son and family. While the chief minister Nitish always demanded the Deputy CM of Bihar, Tejashwi Yadav, to resign, RJD supremo Lalu always maintained that there was no possibility of his son resigning from the post of Bihar deputy chief minister.

He, however, didn't refute the speculations of forming next government. He said that whatever that will be required for Bihar will be done.

"I am not blaming anyone. But for me. I have done as much as it was possible. I thank everyone. The 20 months were not easy. I have run the govt for its 1/3rd period. I have faced many difficulties. But I always kept development in mind," Nitish Kumar said.

With the resignation of Nitish Kumar, there is the possibility of new political realignment in the state

Now that Nitish Kumar has resigned, the question is what could be his next move

Even as NDA remains locked in a core committee meeting on Wednesday to discuss Bihar developments, prime minister Narendra Modi took just 20 minutes in welcoming Kumar's move. Modi's congratulatory message, thanking Nitish for his "move to join the fight against corruption", clears the routes for Kumar to join hands. It remains to be seen what form will BJP's support take, whether from outside or part of the cabinet, but there's no doubt that Nitish's ghar wapsi to NDA is imminent.

The fast-paced events would put even Christopher Nolan's scripts to shame but amid the resignation drama in Bihar, it seems fairly certain now that Nitish Kumar may return to the NDA fold. Nitish, shortly after tendering his resignation to the governor, met the media for an impromptu press conference outside Raj Bhavan and said a decision will be taken in Bihar's interest.

However Modi didn't clarify whether BJP will actually be part of the next govt, or offer outside suppor to JD(U).

BJP is likely to support Nitish Kumar in forming the next government in Bihar. Speaking with mediapersons on Wednesday, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said that the BJP is not in favour of mid-term elections. "We don't want mid-term polls. We are happy that Bihar CM didn't compromise on issue of corruption and didn't kneel down before RJD. We welcome Nitish Kumar's decision,"he said.

"We had discussion with Nitish Kumar. There are several misinformation about the case in public domain. We can't go to the public with that information. If we do, the agencies will plug those loopholes. We will say everything when the agencies ask the questions," he added.

The RJD leader also reminded Nitish Kumar about his pledge to make an RSS-free India, and never to join BJP.

"I still have chara ghotala case agaisnt me. There is court conviction in the case, and an appeal has been made. Nitish Kumar knew about the corruption allegations against me," Lalu Prasad Yadav said.

Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan on Wednesday welcomed Nitish Kumar's decision to resign as Chief Minister of Bihar, saying it was a move against corruption, reports IANS. "When the (coalition) government was formed, I had said it would not last for more than two and a half years," Paswan tweeted.

Addressing a gathering of media persons, the BJP said that it welcomes Nitish Kumar's battle against corruption. "A three-member committee of the BJP will report of its views on the Bihar situation. We are committed to development in Bihar," the party said.

The resignation might be 'sushashan babu's' last-ditch attempt to save what little is left of his political capital.

There were enough indications for some time now that the strains in the Bihar Mahagathbandhan were taking a heavy toll on Kumar who was running out of options even as Lalu and his son, Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar's deputy chief minister, dug in their heels. Pushed to a corner, Nitish chose probity over power but this decision may not be enough in dispelling the notion that he has already compromised his "incorruptible and clean" image by deciding to tie up with Lalu in 2015.

In his fist comments since tendering the resignation as Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar quoted Mahatma Gandhi in saying that the world has enough for everyone's needs but not for their greed. It is was an obvious reference to Lalu Prasad Yadav's corrupt empire that threatened to wipe out Nitish's political capital by way of association.

Better to resign than to rub shoulder with the corrupt: Vasundhara Raje | CNN-News18

While Nitish's decision comes as a shock, recent reports of Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad facing an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for amassing benami properties had not come as a shock to many in the state, who have long suffered the goonda raj that prevailed in Bihar when RJD was in power.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar's resignation on Wednesday lays bare the spectre of corruption looming large in the form of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members.

"There was no need of Tejashwi's resignation as CBI action was politically motivated and orchestrated by BJP central leadership", he added.

Lalu Yadav hit back at Nitish Kumar's comment on zero tolerance against corruption stating that Nitish Kumar was aware of the corruption allegations against him while forming the alliance. Speaking about his son and Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu said that the deputy chief minister of Bihar was ready to go to public on 27 August, the day the RJD has called an anti-BJP rally in Patna.

Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das congratulated Nitish Kumar for his decision to end the Mahagathbandhan government following corruption allegations against Lalu Prasad Yadav family including deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav. "The country is fighting against corruption. The courageous steps of Nitish Kumar will take Bihar forward. It's everybody's responsibility to fight against corruption," he tweeted on Wednesday.

One doesn't know what transpired in the meeting but Nitish's frustration with Rahul's inaction was evident and this may have played no small part in pushing him over the brink. This is a deeper defeat for Congress than is immediately apparent because the fading grand old party loses one more chance to remain in power in one of the key states in the Hindi heartland. Contrast Rahul with prime minister Narendra Modi, who wasted no time in extending a hand of support towards Nitish, eyes firmly set on the future.

The developments in Bihar reflect poorly on Congress and its vice-president's leadership qualities. Soon after emerging from Raj Bhavan on Wednesday evening, Nitish Kumar claimed that he had done everything he could to save the alliance, including meeting Rahul Gandhi over the deadlock that arose out of Tejashwi Yadav's decision to stay put. It was sufficient hint that Rahul Gandhi, in his capacity as Congress vice-president and a partner in the Mahagathbandhan, could have done more. Perhaps impress upon Lalu Yadav that his son must step down in the larger interest of sustaining the Opposition as a viable political force.

Watching the Bihar developments unfold, it is difficult to avoid the impression that Nitish Kumar and BJP played out an intricately detailed, perfectly laid-out script. Consider the moves which started not on Wednesday but a day before when Nitish, unlike any other Opposition leaders except Sonia Gandhi, got a first-row seat during Ram Nath Kovind's swearing-in as 14th President of India. Mamata Banerjee was seated in the last row while Arvind Kejriwal was left high and dry. On Wednesday, minutes after Nitish had resigned as Bihar chief minister, Narendra Modi sent out two tweets to congratulate him. Simultaneously, BJP's state unit went into a core committee meeting while another meeting was going on in New Delhi. Shortly thereafter, BJP announced unconditional support to Nitish while he thanked prime minisiter on Twitter. Minutes later, all 53 BJP MLAs walked over to 1, Anne Marg, the official residence of the chief minister, and announced their support. The latest CNN News18 reports say that Nitish could stake claim for forming the government on Wednesday night itself. Janata Dal (United) has 71 MLAs. NDA's 58 seats give Nitish enough numbers to form the government. One could say that it stretches credulity to think that there is no premeditation in these turn of events. It's one more indication of how nimble-footed BJP is under the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duopoly.

JD (U) leader KC Tyagi said the decision of forming the Grand Alliance government in Bihar was "a mistake" and ruled out any possibility of patch-up with the RJD. Speaking to reporters after Lalu Prasad Yadav addressed the media in Patna, Tyagi said: "After such allegations, there is no point of going along with them. They (RJD) are now untouchable for us." The JD-U spokesperson said that Nitish Kumar had never used harsh language against Lalu Prasad Yadav but the latter "used disrespectful words" for the JD-U president. "It is shameful. We regret our decision to run the government with such person (Lalu Prasad) for 20 months.

Nitish Kumar to take oath as chief minister of Bihar at 5 pm on Thursday, reports ANI

10 am: Shivanand Tiwari's sharp criticism of Nitish Kumar after meeting Lalu Prasad Yadav was one of the earliest signs of split in Mahagathbandhan

He also said that they have given 10 am as the time for swearing-in, which initially was 5 pm.

According to reports, Nitish and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushil Modi will take oath as Bihar Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively on Thursday at 10 am. Modi confirmed the time and said that they had submitted a letter, with support of 132 MLAs.

After the stunning political manoeuvre of former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Prasad tweeted late on Wednesday night slamming Nitish for pre-poning his swearing-in ceremony.

"Each development seemed planned. It was all pre-decided. Why was everything done in such rush? His resignation, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) backing him, and staking claim to form government within hours of resignation, proves it," Tejashwi said, after meeting the Governor.

Tagging Nitish Kumar's resignation and the developments following it as pre-planned, Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday said that they have requested Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to stall the swearing-in ceremony and give the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) a chance to prove majority on the floor.

The deputy chief minister of Bihar Tejashwi Prasad was livid when the time of swearing-in was changed from 5 pm to 10 am. An angry Tejashwi, in a series of tweets, charged Nitish of pretending to be "honest and moral."

Reiterating his party's stand, Tejashwi said, he was only an excuse for Nitish to join hands with the BJP. "Tejashwi ek bahaana tha, case, investigation ek bahana tha, inko (Nitish) BJP ke sath jana tha (I was an excuse, the investigation was an excuse. He just wanted to go with BJP)," Tejashwi told ANI.

RJD offices offices across all districts in Bihar will hold protest march at 12 pm on Thursday, RJD leader Ram Chandra Purve told ANI. Party leaders and Lalu loyalists are livid after Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi for pre-poning the swearing-in ceremony of Nitish at 10 am on Thursday.

The numbers are, however, stacked against him. The JD(U) and NDA allies together have 129 MLAs in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, seven more than the magic figure of 122. support.

"Have sought appointment with the governor. Will stake claim to form government as the the single largest party. Will also get the support of JD(U) MLAs who have won after defeating BJP candidates," Tejashwi tweeted.

The JD(U)-BJP combine may have the numbers in the Bihar Assembly to prove its majority, but RJD appeared in no mood to give up without a fight, with Tejashwi Yadav saying he would stake claim to form the next government.

Modi later told journalists that a list of 132 MLAs supporting the alliance was submitted to the governor who has invited Kumar to form the government. These include 71 of JD(U), BJP 53, RLSP 2, LJP 2, HAM 1 and three Independents.

After the meeting, Kumar, accompanied by senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi drove to Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form the government.

But in a series of fast-paced developments that unfolded over the next few hours it became clear that Kumar was going to be the ultimate winner. First, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him for his "honesty" in standing up to corruption. Then the BJP said it would support him, and its legislators met Kumar's JD(U) MLAs.

In what will be remembered as one of the quickest political developments and manoeuvering, Nitish Kumar quit as Bihar chief minister on Wednesday only to stage a dramatic comeback. "In the circumstances that prevail in Bihar, it became difficult to run the grand alliance government," Kumar told reporters outside Raj Bhavan after submitting his resignation to Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi.

In one of the first negative reaction coming from the JD(U) camp, MP Ali Anwar on Thursday told ANI, "Nitishji has taken the decision of going with BJP because his conscience allowed him. Mine does not. My conscience does not allow me to support his move."

He also threatened of protests across the state against Kumar "who will find it difficult to move around". Tejashwi claimed he had support of most JD(U) MLAs. "I'm confident that most JD(U) MLAs who are committed to social justice will vote against the government in the floor-test," he said. He said the governor told him that he has already invited Kumar for taking oath and it is not possible to take back the invitation letter.

He said the people of Bihar had given the grand alliance the mandate to run its government for 5 years which Kumar "betrayed".

"RJD being the single largest party should have been invited to form the government. We are taking legal advice and will move court against the governor's decision," he told reporters after the meeting.

After Kumar's meeting with the governor late last night, Tejashwi, accompanied by some RJD MLAs and leaders, marched to the Raj Bhawan to meet Tripathi.

Kumar has been asked by the governor to prove his majority in the Assembly within two days of taking oath at 10 am today.

Tejashwi Yadav met Bihar Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi to register protest over Nitish Kumar being invited to form his government ahead of RJD, which is the single largest party in the state Assembly.

In June, Nitish decided to back Ram Nath Kovind for president and called to inform Sonia and Lalu that he was doing so because he shared a great rapport with Kovind.

In another move that raised eyebrows, at the end of September, Nitish broke with his comrades and praised the Centre's surgical strikes

In January 2016, RJD national vice-president Raghuvansh Prasad Singh hit out at the chief minister, blaming him for the state's deteriorating security situation.

Nitish and lalu together may have managed to stop the BJP juggernaut but theirs was an uncomfortable alliance. Here are a few instnaces, when the alliance was rocked in the past.

Take a look back at last night's developments that say the political turf in Bihar change completely.

It all started after news channels reported that the strain in ties within the Mahagathbandhan has reached a point where the beleaguered allies were not even having a joint legislators meet ahead of the Bihar Assembly's Monsoon Session, which was scheduled to begin on Friday.

Wednesday evening saw the metamorphosis of Bihar political crisis, with Nitish Kumar tendering his resignation merely an hour after Lalu Prasad Yadav reasserted that their was no bitterness in the alliance. In a span of less then five hours, Nitish desecrated the Bihar Grand Alliance, and made a dramatic return with the support of former ally, Bharatiya Janata Party.

While on one hand, Tejashwi will march to the governor's house with all RJD MLAs, RJD supporters will block Mahatma Gandhi Setu. RJD offices across Bihar will also hold protests at 12pm, News 18 reported.

RJD supporters have started gathering at Rabri Devi's residence in Patna as the party leaders have given clear indications that they are not going to take "the betrayal" lying low.

Congress legislative meet will take place at 2 pm today. Congress leader CP Joshi will be attending the meet.

On Wednesday, just before Nitish was to meet his legislative members, MLA Poonam Devi, who is also from the Yadav community, openly said that he would defend Tejashwi in the meeting. Out of the 71 JD(U) MLAs, 18 of them are Muslims or Yadavs. Both communities have always supported Lalu.

Bijendra Yadav, MLA and commerce minister in Nitish's cabinet, warned the JD(U) chief against joining hands with the BJP. He said, "Nitishji, (the) people of Bihar have elected you and Lalu both. Any attempt to scuttle the alliance would have serious repercussions."

In a meeting held to discuss the land graft case involving Lalu Prasad's son and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, against whom CBI has filed an FIR in a land graft case, many JD(U) leaders voiced their concerns amid opposition from some party men.

After resigning from the post of chief minister, Nitish Kumar's biggest challenge would be to keep his own party united. Leaders from Congress and RJD have already started criticising his move, alleging that the JD(U) leader always intended to join hands with BJP.

Preparations underway as Nitish Kumar all set to be sworn in as the Bihar Chief Minister for the 6th time today

While RJD has 80 MLAs, even if it tries to form alliance with Congress, which has 27 MLAs, and CPI-ML, which has three, their number would only add up to 110. There are four independent MLAs who are likely to throw their weight behind the coalition which enjoys majority support.

The JD(U)-BJP combination has the numbers in the Bihar Assembly to prove its majority. Together, the JD(U) and NDA allies have 129 MLAs in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, seven more than the magic figure of 122.

With BJP's backing, Nitish intends to stake claim to form the government. On Thursday, he will take oath as Bihar chief minister to return to his seat, while BJP's Sushil Kumar Modi will also swear-in, but as the deputy chief minister to replace Tejashwi Yadav. Even though Nitish's masterstroke has not gone down well with Tejashwi, there is nothing that the RJD supremo's son can do about it.

Nitish Kumar's resignation on Wednesday witnessed several seasoned journalists and political analysts hailing the former chief minister as an "opportunist". Rajdeep Sardesai marvelled at Nitish's political manoeuvering where he passed off an opportunistic decision as a "moral dilemma."

BJP leader Sushil Modi will be sworn-in as the deputy chief minister of Bihar today at 10 am

Kumar's decision to resign as Bihar's chief minister, though understandable, is shocking. It smacks not just of hypocrisy but also of opportunism on steroids. That he decided to quit as Bihar's chief minister and then return within a few hours with the support of the BJP points at a scripted drama whose denouement was decided in consultation with his one time rivals to the detriment of his current allies.

Several decades later, when the history of Indian politics is written, the current chapter of politics is revisited in the light of facts — not fiction or hyperbole — Kumar would be mentioned in a footnote as someone who promised greatness but embraced opportunism, bringing about his own political demise.

Nitish Kumar has made a historical blunder by cosying up to the BJP. While the entire country was looking up to him to lead an anti-BJP alliance in the 2019 elections, he has chosen to betray his own destiny by becoming a minion of India's ruling clique, giving up the opportunity to become the leader of its opposition and a possible shot at greatness.

Kumar will be sworn-in at 10am along with BJP leader Sushil Modi who wil lbe his new deputy, replacing Lalu Prasad Yadav’s son Tejashwi Yadav who has been accused of corruption. Nitish changed the political equation in Bihar when he resigned on Wednesday evening, citing the failure of his Mahagathbandhan allies — the RJD and the Congress — to act on demands of Tejashwi’s resignation.

The political landscape of Bihar changed in a matter of hours when Nitish formally staked claim to form the government with the backing of the BJP, marking his return to the NDA fold.

Meanwhile, a trust vote will be held in the Bihar Assembly on Saturday. Nitish Kumar, whose JD(U) has 71 MLAs, should have no problem crossing the majority mark given the NDA support.

Former JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav is unhappy with Nitish Kumar decision to break away from the Mahagathbandhan and ally with the BJP again, reports CNN-News18. Political Editor Marya Shakil reported that Yadav was probably not even kept in the loop ahead of Nitish's big decision.

A more compelling platform has emerged in its place. Championed by BJP, the magnetism of 'anti-corruption' as a political slogan is evident. So strong is its appeal that from Ram Vilas Paswan to Nitish Kumar, all self-styled champions of 'secularism' are reneging on their stated positions on 'communalism' and joining hands with BJP under the 'anti-corruption' umbrella. Politics follows the power principle, not moral codes. Suddenly, Narendra Modi and BJP are no longer political untouchables, but the fulcrum around which national politics revolves.

A plethora of narratives emerged from the potboiler, none as striking as the futility of 'secularism' as a political platform. When Nitish Kumar walked over to the BJP ditching his 'grand alliance' with RJD and Congress, the death knell for 'secularism' as a political slogan was well and truly sounded. It has now become a corrupted, discredited word — a totem for everything between Congress-style mediocrity to RJD-style corruption.

Amid a fast-paced turn of events that would put even Christopher Nolan's movies to shame, Bihar's ex-chief minister Nitish Kumar is slated to be sworn in as the state's next chief minister at 10 am on Thursday morning. The evening that started with the JD(U) chief tendering his resignation from the chief minister's post and dealing a fatal blow to the Mahagathbandhan, ended with him firmly in the driver's seat, poised to return as chief minister this time with NDA's support. It was easier perhaps to keep track of the wickets that fell during India's last 10 overs against England in the final of ICC Women's World Cup last Sunday.

This is the sixth time that Nitish has taken oath as the chief minister in the last 12 years.

Patna's Raj Bhavan echoed with chants of "Nitish Kumar Zindabad" as Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi administered oath to Nitish Kumar as the chief minister and Sushil Kumar Modi as the deputy chief minister of Bihar.

Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi sworn in as Chief Minister and Deputy CM of Bihar respectively, at Raj Bhawan in Patna

- Congress legislative meet will take place at 2 pm today. Congress leader CP Joshi will be attending the meet.

- RJD party offices across all districts in Bihar had planned protests across the state. However, after Section 144 was imposed outside Raj Bhavan in Patna, reports said that the protests have been put on hold

Now, that Nitish Kumar's oath-taking ceremony is over and the JD(U) leader is back in the NDA fold, the rest of the day is expected to be packed with press conferences, party meetings and planned protests across Bihar.

Speaking to reporters, Rahul further said that he knew that Nitish would jump ships for the past three-fourt months. "I knew this will happen. There is no credibility in politics, people will do anything for selfish reasons," Rahul added.

In a first reaction that came from the Congress leadership, vice-president Rahul Gandhi slammed chief minister Nitish Kumar and said that the JD(U) cheated Congress and the people of Bihar. "His mandate was anti-communal. He (Nitish) promised the people of Bihar that he will not join hands with the communal, divisive powers in the country. Nitish Kumar has cheated us," Rahul said.

Prime Minister tweeted after the JD(U) chief was sworn in as the chief minister of Bihar on Thursday. "Looking forward to working together for Bihar’s progress & prosperity," Modi tweeted.

In a series of tweets a little after Nitish Kumar was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar, former deputy chief minister Tejashwi tweeted out saying, "I entered in government with a clean slate with a keen desire of writing a positive story for people of Bihar, only to find an opportunist rival!" Tejashwi further said that despite "past baggage", it did not stop him in carrying out the duties in the "role of DyCM!"

On asking what he has to say about Rahul Gandhi's "cheating" jibe, Nitish said, "I will respond to Rahul Gandhi in a proper way."

After being sworn-in as the chief minister, Nitish Kumar said that his decision is in Bihar's interest and its developments. Speaking to reporters outside the Raj Bhavan in Patna, Nitish said that whatever was happening in Bihar was not good for the state's development.

JUST IN: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's first cabinet meeting to take place at 11:30 am

"Conspiratorial treachery & rank political opportunism is the real DNA," the grand old party said of its former ally.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala took potshots at newly sworn-in Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, alleging that he has unsatiable 'lust for power'.

"They (BJP) wanted to pin the blame on Tejashwi. They were afraid that Tejashwi would come up as a worthy opponent in 2019. This is a conspiracy by Amit Shah and Narendra Modi. This is nothing but political vendetta."

Lalu Prasad Yadav is in Ranchi for hearing in the fodder scam case. "I am a man of principles. How will Nitish show his face to the people of Bihar? He used to swear that he will not return to BJP. This is a huge betrayal for the people of Bihar and for us."

Political parties across the country were shocked when the bihar chief minister resigned on Wednesday.

In a jolt to Lalu Prasad Yadav and the Grand Alliance, Nitish Kumar on Wednesday tenderd his resignation merely an hour after Lalu reasserted that their was no bitterness in the alliance.

On 22 February 2015, Nitish took oath as the Bihar chief minister for the fourth time. Nitish had succeeded Jitan Ram Manjhi, who had resigned from his office on 20 February, 2015.

Presiding over the top most post in the state, Nitish Kumar on 26 November 2010 became Bihar chief minister for the second consecutive time.

On 3 March, 2000 the then Samata Party leader Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Bihar chief minister.

Nitish Kumar has been sworn in as Bihar chief minister for the sixth time in 12 years. The Janata Dal (United) chief, in a surprising move, deserted the Grand Alliance and is all set to form the government in Bihar with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The resignation might be 'sushashan babu's' last-ditch attempt to save what little is left of his political capital.

There were enough indications for some time now that the strains of the alliance was taking heavy toll on Kumar who was running out of options even as Lalu and his son, Tejasvi, Bihar's deputy CM, dug in their heels. Pushed to a corner, Nitish chose probity over power but this decision may not be enough in dispelling the notion that he has already compromised his "incorruptible and clean" image by deciding to tie up with Lalu in 2015.

In his first comments since tendering the resignation as Bihar chief minister , Nitish Kumar quoted Mahatma Gandhi in saying that the world has enough for everyone's needs but not for their greed. It is was an obvious reference to Lalu Prasad Yadav's corrupt empire that threatened to wipe out Nitish's political capital by way of association.

Perhaps impress upon Lalu Yadav that his son must step down in larger interest of sustaining the Opposition as a viable political force. One doesn't know what transpired in the meeting but Nitish's frustration with Rahul's inaction was evident and this may have played no small part in pushing him over the brink. This is a deeper defeat for Congress than is immediately apparent because the fading GoP loses one more chance to remain in power in one of the key states in Hindi heartland. Contrast the leaden-footed Rahul Gandhi with PM Modi, who wasted no time in extending a hand of support towards Nitish, eyes firmly set on future.

It was hint enough that Rahul Gandhi, in his capacity as Congress vice-president and a partner in the mahagathbandhan, could have done more.

The developments in Bihar reflect poorly on Congress and its vice president's leadership qualities. Soon after emerging from Raj Bhavan on Wednesday evening, Nitish Kumar claimed that he had done everything he could to save the alliance, including meeting Rahul Gandhi over the deadlock that arose out of Tejashwi Yadav's decision to stay put.

Reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s allegation of Nitish Kumar’s betrayal, JD (U) leader KC Tyagi said, "Rahul has disappointed JD(U). Congress' approach towards corruption is anyway not great and that's why they had expected Nitish Kumar to overlook Tejashwi’s blatant corruption. But JD (U) and Nitish Kumar have always come down heavily on all those involved in corrupution."

"We have Mayawati, Akhilesh, Mamata... we will get them all together. So what if Nitish has gone to BJP?"

Addressing a press conference after Nitish was sworn-in as the chief minister, Lalu recounted everything that transpired between the JD(U) and the RJD leader. Lalu concluded the press conference by saying that the Opposition, which is being dubbed faceless, has many capable leaders even now.

After Tejashwi's march failed to stop the inevitable and Nitish Kumar was sworn-in on Thursday at 10 am as the Chief Minister of Bihar, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad's son tweeted out his rage to slam his former ally-turned 'opportunistic rival' Nitish Kumar.

"Ache din are in store for Bihar. RJD is itself responsible for the breaking of Grand Alliance," Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Modi told ANI

The Janata Dal (United) in Kerala announced it was severing ties with Nitish Kumar. The JD(U) Kerala's chief, MP Veerendra Kumar, a Rajya Sabha member, told reporters here that he was even ready to resign from the Upper House in his fight against "fascist forces".

"Nitish Kumar has cheated the people of Bihar. I charge that he (Nitish Kumar) colluded with BJP to file CBI cases against me and my family," Lalu Prasad told after appearing before a CBI court in a fodder scam case.

"Lalu considered him as brother. We are not afraid of anybody. We will teach Nitish Kumar, BJP and JD(U) a lesson," Rabri Devi told India Today.

The SR Bommai case verdict stated that the largest party should be invited to form government.

RJD is consulting legal experts and might approach the Supreme Court as the verdict in the SR Bommai case has not been followed while inviting Nitish Kumar to form government in Bihar.

"Nitish Kumar had never compromised on certain issues. Narendra Modi and Nitish share a chemistry (on zero toleration against corruption). They' ve become icons of good governance. The Grand Alliance was unnatural. I know Nitish. Anti-Congressism is in his blood," Sushil Modi tells CNN News18.

"To decimate democracy and denigrate people's mandate has become the accepted way forward for the ruling BJP," Congress' Randeep S Surjewala said in a statement. He said that every "political and democratic principle was murdered" in Bihar because of the forming of the BJP-JD(U) government.

Because of this difference, BJP was able to grab power in five out of the ten states (including Uttar Pradesh) and union territory that witnessed elections after Bihar.

In a way, Bihar polls turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the BJP and would ultimately point out a key difference between the ruling party and the Opposition: BJP learnt from its mistakes.

While Kumar seems to have shared a love-hate relationship with Lalu, his ties with Modi have only continued to bloom since last year. Despite the fact that Modi and his elevation as the prime ministerial candidate of the NDA in 2014 were the primary reasons behind Kumar's resentment, the bonhomie between the two leaders in recent time is something which can never be matched by Lalu.

After reports that an unhappy Sharad Yadav has got in touch with the Congress and even met Rahul Gandhi, Union minister Arun Jaitley will meet Yadav, according to News18.

Under Lalu, Bihar was so mired in crime and corruption — often by the politicians themselves — that the byword it became Jungle Raj. And when Lalu was an accused in the fodder scam, he simply handed over the levers of power to his wife Rabri Devi. It was business as usual.

IBN reported that the government cars of Tejashwi yadav have been withdrawn following the swearing-in of the new government in Bihar.

The House had to be adjourned for 25 minutes, just five minutes after it met for the day at 11 am.

Proceedings of the Lok Sabha were disrupted on Thursday as some Opposition parties created uproar over the political developments in Bihar and some other issues.

The Bihar Grand Alliance has always laboured over the often patchy relationship between Nitish Kumar and the BJP. The occasional camaraderie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nitish had often rocked the coalition boat, with speculations rife that the Bihar chief minister is cosying up with the saffron party to get rid of Lalu Prasad Yadav.

The return of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) fold will strengthen, in every likelihood, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign for a renewed mandate in the 2019 General Elections to Lok Sabha. However, in the process, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will have to pay a price for Nitish’s return. Its onward march in Bihar is going to be arrested, thereby impacting its long-term prospects in one of the more politically significant states of the country.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi will travel to Delhi after the floor test, reports CNN News18. Modi will decide the names of ministers in the Bihar Legislative Assembly with central leaders. The floor test will be held on Friday at 11 am.

Veerendra Kumar said he expected JD-U senior leader Sharad Yadav and its MLAs in Bihar not to accept Nitish Kumar's decision. "I call upon Sharad Yadav and JD-U MLAs to say that we won't accept it."

"We are not accepting the JD(U) joining the NDA and our relations with Nitish Kumar have ended. It's shocking that Nitish Kumar has joined the NDA. We all thought that he will fight the fascist tendencies but he has now become a part of it."

"Whatever the price, we're ready to pay," he said.

The Janata Dal(United)(JD(U) unit in Kerala on Thursday opposed Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar for tying up with the BJP and announced it was severing ties with him. The chief of the party's Kerala unit, MP Veerendra Kumar, a Rajya Sabha member, told reporters in Delhi that he was even ready to quit the Upper House to pursue his fight against "fascist forces".

Sushil Kumar Modi took oath as the deputy chief minister, the post he occupied before Nitish Kumar ended their alliance in 2013. "The JD(U)-BJP alliance had earlier taken Bihar to new heights... At the time, people used to take pride in saying 'I am a Bihari'. In the last 20 months something went wrong. But now the JD(U)-BJP alliance will again take Bihar to newer heights," the deputy chief minister said.

In the 243-member Assembly, Nitish Kumar needs the support of 122 members for a majority. The Chief Minister's party has 71 legislators, the BJP 53. BJP allies have 5 seats — Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP has 2 seats, RLSP has 2 seats and HAM has 1. There are 4 Independents and 4 CPI-ML lawmakers. Between them, the RJD and Congress have 107 seats.

According to vote share BJP has been the state’s most popular party and no more than 17 voters chose to vote only for JD(U), according to IndiaSpend analysis of electoral results over six elections since 2004.

Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, is a very popular leader in that state. Do actual voters in Bihar think the same? Not according to our analysis. JD(U) has only been above the Congress in electoral popularity.

However, in a surprise move, Nitish has announced that he will keep his word on supporting Opposition vice-presidential candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi and not NDA's Venkaiah Naidu. The move seems to be aimed at dampening Opposition's 'opportunist' label on himself, as Kumar seeks to convey that he indeed listens to his conscience voice in decission making.

Back-stabber, cheater, crooked politician, opportunist, Bhasmasur: These were all monikers awarded to Nitish Kumar by frenemies, who he recently dumped to join NDA.

Apparently, the widespread sentiment amid party's local leaders is that the central leadership didn't do enough to save the alliance even though it had ample opportunities.

Bihar Congress MLAs are in huddle ahead of Nitish Kumar's floor test in Assembly. Media reports suggest that as many as 10 MLAs may defect to the JD(U) amid growing resentment against the Congress top leadership, India Today reported. CNN-News 18 quoted sources claiming that several Congress MLAs could vote in favour of the new NDA government.

The secular image which he has fostered through the months might not resonate with the Modi and Amit Shah-led BJP. By jumping on the BJP bandwagon yet again and breaking an alliance which was considered as a marriage of equals, Nitish will now have to play second-fiddle to the BJP and demonstrate a greater readiness to accept its terms and conditions than he did before.

After days of speculations, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar has embraced the once estranged ally BJP, marking his Ghar Vapasi to NDA.

In-post Vajpayee BJP, will Bihar CM be able to blend in with Narendra Modi's ideology?

The RJD too, on the other claimed support of Left MLAs and independents. Moreover, the party is also "banking on conscience vote of six Muslim and 11 Yadav MLAs within the JD(U)," Hindustan Times reported.

Amid reports of widespread resentment in Bihar Congress, CNN-News18 reported that several Congress MLAs may vote for JD(U).

- News reports say that dissent within Congress is brewing as local leaders blame Rahul Gandhi for not doing enough. Several MLAs may cross-vote in favour of Nitish.

- Sharad Yadav reportedly unhappy with Nitish's decision. He met Rahul Gandhi on Thursday and met JD(U) leaders, reportedly unhappy with the new alliance.

- Unrest boils in JD(U) ranks with several leaders openly declaring discontent over Nitish's decision to join forces with 'communal BJP.

- The 'reunited' NDA claims to have the support of 132 legislators in the 243-member assembly. Nitish Kumar needs 122 votes to win today's trust vote.

RJD has appealed to the Muslim and Yadav MLAs from BJP and JD(U) to vote listening to the call of their conscience. The party has warned the NDA of a stormy Assembly session, claiming that they won't let a governent that had 'murdered the mandate' function in the House.

Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi also reached the Assembly, who were booed at by the Opposition MLAs.

Former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav today hit out at Nitish Kumar calling him a snake who betrayed his party's trust and used them to gain power. RJD MLAs also held protests outside the Vidhansabha, with placards reading "Murderers of democracy".

While JD(U)+NDA is expected to sail through the trust vote as they claim to have the support of 132 MLAs, discontent among JD(U) cannot be ruled out. RJD has also appealed to the Muslim and Yadav MLAs from BJP and JD(U) to vote listening to the call of their conscience. The party has warned the NDA of a stormy Assembly session, claiming that they won't let a governent that had 'murdered the mandate' function in the House.

Firing fresh salvos at his erstwhile ally and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav today claimed that people hav suffered greatly under Nitish Raj. He said that Nitish couldn't dare to sack me even with a 'greedy BJP' behind him.

"Nitish is still my uncle. I would have even considered resigning if he would have asked. But he had preplanned everything and was just waiting to betray us," Tejashwi said.

Tejashwi Yadav is taking on Nitish Kumar in the Bihar Assembly ahead of the floor test.

Tejashwi Yadav alleged that Nitish Kumar was in cahoots with the BJP since months while he was only used as a pawn and an excuse to justify the flip-flop. He said that how was it possible that Narendra Modi tweeted so quickly when the prime minister doesn't seem to be so quick in responding to other political matters.

Sushil Kumar Modi too is facing cases, why did Nitish side with him: Tejashwi Yadav

"Everyone can see how he switched sides. Earlier he used to speak of Sangh-mukt Bharat and now he is the chief minister of the Sangh. He has changed his stand from 'Hey Ram' to 'Jai Shri Ram'." He also told reporters that he would raise the issue inside the House. He accused the BJP of corruption charges.

"He cheated and betrayed the people of the state who gave him massive mandate. He played dirty politics. He just looked for an excuse to defame us and join the NDA", Tejashwi Yadav said before entering the House.

Nitish Kumar should feel ashamed that he is sitting near Sushil Modi, says Tejashwi Yadav

You conduct 'Champaran Yatra' and then sit in the lap of Mahatma Gandhi's killers: Tejashwi Yadav

"If Lalu Prasad didn’t have ‘putra moh’, Abdul Bari Siddiqui would have been Bihar deputy chief minister," Yadav said.

Hitting back at Tejashwi Yadav, Yadav reminded Tejashwi that he was not the deputy chief minister due to his calibre, but due to Lalu's 'putra moh'.

From a saap (snake) to dhokebaaz (deciever), Nitish Kumar has been called names and taunted for his political volte-face by the Opposition. However, the Bihar Chief Minister has maintained his calm, without showing any signs of retort. Nitish is known to speak with carefully chosen words and avoid making personal attacks.

"They protected Shahabuddin, the never explained corruption cases agaist them. The coallition broke because of their corruption not because of me," Nitish said.

After Tejashwi Yadav's livid speech, Nitish Kumar rose to address the House. He said that he tried very hard to run a government but RJD never followed the coallition dharma.

Not sparing the ertwhile junior partner in alliance, Nitish Kumar said that given the Congress' party's situation in the country, they would not have had got 15 seats in any coallition. "I gave them 40 seats," Nitish said.

"My decision to quit was taken in the interest of Bihar. We had the mandate to serve the people, not one particular family," Nitish said.

Decided to quit in interest of Bihar; mandate was to serve people not one family

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar won the trust vote with the support of 131 MLAs against Opposition's 108 votes. 122 votes were needed to cross the half-way mark in the 243-member Assembly.

"I should ththankful to RJD and Congress. I wouldn't have been here if Tejashwi Yadv would have resigned. The mandate was not for corruption and building 26 benami properties in 26 years." said Sushil Kumar Modi.

Nitish Kumar did all the drama to sit in the lap of RSS-BJP: Tejashwi Yadav

Tejashwi Yadav blamed Nitish Kumar for bringing insatbility to Bihar. He said that if Nitish had to make the government with BJP's support why did he waste so much time and public funds on election.

Bihar had to see four governments in four years, only because of one man: Tejashwi Yadav

Tejashwi said that the people of the Bihar are feeling cheated, adding that RJD will take the fight to every village. He said, "I asked many questions to the CM but he had no answers. Will he now pass a law with the BJP that every person who has an FIR should resign from public office? Will he bring liquor ban across the nation" Tejashwi asked. He said that Sushil Modi too had a case against him, how is it that he is fit to be deputy chief minister in Nitish's eye then.

"An unnatural alliance died natural death," Sushil Modi said as he lauded Nitish for not 'bending the knee' to keep the alliance alive. He said that the RJD was seeking vote through secret ballot but if that would have happened "then at least 10-12 people from RJD would have crossed over to our side," Modi said.

At least 10 RJD MLAs would have voted for us if there was secret ballot: Sushil Modi

Nitish Kumar did all the drama to sit in the lap of RSS-BJP: Tejashwi Yadav

Tejashwi Yadav blamed Nitish Kumar for bringing insatbility to Bihar. He said that if Nitish had to make the government with BJP's support why did he waste so much time and public funds on election.

Bihar had to see four governments in four years, only because of one man: Tejashwi Yadav

Tejashwi said that the people of the Bihar are feeling cheated, adding that RJD will take the fight to every village. He said, "I asked many questions to the CM but he had no answers. Will he now pass a law with the BJP that every person who has an FIR should resign from public office? Will he bring liquor ban across the nation" Tejashwi asked. He said that Sushil Modi too had a case against him, how is it that he is fit to be deputy chief minister in Nitish's eye then.

People of Bihar will teach them a lesson; when they couldn't answer my questions in assembly, then how will they answer the people?:Tejashwi pic.twitter.com/1057HXIRUJ

"An unnatural alliance died natural death," Sushil Modi said as he lauded Nitish for not 'bending the knee' to keep the alliance alive. He said that the RJD was seeking vote through secret ballot but if that would have happened "then at least 10-12 people from RJD would have crossed over to our side," Modi said.

At least 10 RJD MLAs would have voted for us if there was secret ballot: Sushil Modi

Exactly....this time he joined within minutes. He has done this 6 times in last 12 years https://t.co/7knq7h7X1A

Nitish Kumar is on his way to meet Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi in Patna on Wednesday, media reports said. This comes just after Nitish Kumar held a closed-door meeting with Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav at his residence in Patna on Wednesday.

Nitish might inform the governor that he has sacked his deputy Tejashwi Yadav from the cabinet or He himself can resign and recommend dissolution of Assembly.

Security has been beefed up around the Rajbhawan. Governor Kesri Nath Tripathi was supposed to leave Patna today but he changed his itinerary and decided to stay back.

Earlier the RJD also held meeting of its party after which party chief Lalu Prasad categorically rejected demands of resignation of his deputy chief minister son Tejashwi Yadav.

Amid rumours of rift within the Bihar Grand Alliance, Lalu on Wednesday tried to dispel rumours around strains in the alliance. Addressing the press, Lalu said that the so-called bitterness in the alliance was made by media, adding that Nitish has not asked for his son Tejashwi Yadav's resignation.

The alliance partners are said to be at loggerheads over a CBI case against the Yadav family, including Tejashwi, who is also the deputy chief minister of Bihar.

Lalu, clearing the air around RJD's position, once again ruled out Tejashwi's resignation. "There is no question of Tejashwi's resignation. All of this is BJP's propaganda and everyone knows this," Lalu said.

"We have built the alliance with great difficulty, it will endure," the RJD chief said. He, however, added that Nitish can pull out of the alliance if he wants to, clearly signalling that who will take the blame in case the alliance is scrapped. Lalu's wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, echoed his sentiment, adding "jo hoga dekha jayega (We will see whatever happens)."

Follow live blog on Bihar political crisis here