In what could change the political landscape for the country, five-time Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resigned from his post on Wednesday evening after his visit to Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.
"I have resigned for the sake of Bihar," the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader told the media after meeting Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, who accepted his resignation.
"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 government for its one-third period. I have faced many difficulties. But I always kept development in mind," Nitish Kumar said
The resignation comes as a shock as the Lalu Prasad Yadav-led RJD appeared confident earlier in the day, stating that the alliance was intact with RJD and ruled out the possibility of Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav resigning.
The BJP had made it a moral issue on part of the Bihar government to sack Tejaswi who has been named in a corruption case by the CBI on July 7.
"The greed of Lalu family can't be satisfied," Nitish Kumar said. "I always supported the Opposition unity, what happened to that," he asked.
All members of the JDU in the state cabinet also tendered their resignation.
The shock resignation has raised questions if the state will head for polls just two years after Nitish Kumar took oath as the Chief Minister leading the Mahaghatbandhan - the tripartite alliance of the Congress, RJD and the JD (U). His resignation will also have further political ramifications in connection to the national politics of the country.
There is speculation that a situation might arise where Kumar may be sworn in as the CM again with outside support from the BJP.
Nitish Kumar himself did not rule out such a development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quick to react to the political development.
“Join in the fight against corruption nitish Kumar-ji to many many congratulations. Over hundred million citizens are welcome and support of honesty.””
Senior BJP leader RK Singh said that if Nitish asks the party would consider offering support.
A mediation effort by the senior Congress leadership also failed to arrest this development.
Nitish Kumar’s JDU despite being part of the Opposition in the past has backed the Centre on some issues, even demonetisation.