In a dramatic political development that has sent shockwaves through Bihar's political landscape, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar tendered his resignation on Sunday, effectively ending the Mahagathbandhan government and potentially paving the way for another alliance switch.
The Resignation and Cabinet Meeting
Nitish Kumar submitted his resignation to Governor Rajendra Arlekar at Raj Bhavan around 2:30 PM on Sunday, following a crucial cabinet meeting where he informed his ministers about his decision to step down. This move comes amid growing tensions within the ruling Grand Alliance and speculation about Kumar's dissatisfaction with the coalition dynamics.
The political drama unfolded rapidly throughout the day, with Kumar chairing the cabinet meeting at his official residence before proceeding directly to the Governor's house. Sources close to the development indicated that the Chief Minister had expressed concerns about the functioning of the alliance government and his relationship with coalition partners.
Background of the Political Crisis
The crisis had been brewing for several weeks, with visible strains appearing in the relationship between Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal. The immediate trigger appears to be the ongoing family feud within the Lalu Yadav family, particularly involving Rohini Acharya and other family members, which had started affecting the government's stability.
Political observers had been predicting a major shift in Bihar politics, given Kumar's history of alliance changes and the increasing discomfort within the JD(U) about the alliance dynamics. The Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav's growing prominence and differences over several policy matters had created an untenable situation for the coalition government.
What Comes Next for Bihar Politics?
With Kumar's resignation now official, all eyes are on the next steps in government formation. Speculation is rife that JD(U) may return to the NDA fold and form a new government with BJP's support. The BJP leadership has been closely monitoring the situation and is likely to extend support to Kumar if he decides to join hands with them.
The development marks another significant turn in Bihar's volatile politics, where Kumar has previously switched alliances multiple times. This would be his fourth alliance change in recent years, underscoring the fluid nature of political loyalties in the state.
The resignation comes at a crucial time when Bihar faces several governance challenges and development priorities. The uncertainty around government formation could potentially impact ongoing development projects and administrative continuity in the state.
As political parties strategize their next moves, the people of Bihar await clarity on who will lead the state government and whether fresh elections might be necessitated if a stable alliance cannot be formed.
