Nitish resigns as Bihar CM, new leader likely tomorrow

Stating that though there was no danger to his government, Kumar said "in view of the prevailing situation in the state Assembly ... I thought to take moral responsibility of this political defeat and quit."
        
When told that former deputy chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi had claimed that 50 JD(U) MLAs dissatisfied with him were on the verge of defecting to BJP and had even helped the saffron party in the Lok Sabha polls, he said "Now he has a golden opportunity to form his own govenment as I have not recommended dissolution of the House."
 
"I have said goodbye ... now they have the opportunity ... they are free to do whatever they want," he said.
 
Asked what would be his stand if the Legislature party wanted him to again lead the state, he said "I know only one thing that I have tendered the resignation of myself and my Cabinet and rest of the things the party will decide."
 
Questioned about his future role, he said he would continue to work as a party leader as he did earlier.
       
Taking a dig at Narenda Modi over his "good days here again", Kumar said that this must be experienced by all.
      
 "Whatever election results have come we will do a detailed review within the party.  But the trends witnessed in Bihar points to communal polarisation," he said adding the campaign mounted by Modi was devoid of ideology and was full of charges and counter charges and personal attacks.
       
At a press conerence in Delhi, JD(U) President Sharad Yadav maintained a new government will be formed in Bihar and it will be of JD(U).
       
He said the new Chief Minister candidate will be decided tomorrow.
       
Differences with RJD leader Lalu Prasad  will be resolved for a secular alliance.  All secular forces will be united, he said.
       
To a question, he shot back, "we have made sacrifices. No one can raise an accusing finger at us on the issue of standing up for principles.  We had even quit the Centre on the issue of Mandal Commission recommendations".