Nitish Kumar took oath as Bihar's Chief Minister after his party JDU got support of BJP. (PTI)
With oath today, Nitish Kumar ended his party, JDU's
mahagathbandhan or Grand Alliance with Lalu Yadav's RJD and the Congress last evening and
joined hands with his former partner Bharatiya Janata Party. Bihar's capital Patna was
buzzing with high octane drama through the night after Nitish Kumar met Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to stake claim to form government. This is his sixth innings as Chief Minister in a span of 12 years. Mr Kumar and his new team's oath ceremony today comes in the backdrop of protest by his former deputy
Tejashwi Yadav who said his party, the RJD, will "go to court".
Mr Kumar's resignation came after Lalu Yadav reiterated earlier on Wednesday that his son, T
ejashwi, would not quit as No 2 in the government despite being caught in a corruption scandal.
Here are the live updates for formation of Nitish Kumar's new government in Bihar:
Akhilesh Yadav, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister who lost power to the BJP in India's largest state earlier this year, found just the song to match the occasion.
Meanwhile, senior CPM leader Sitaram Yechury has a stern message for Nitish Kumar:
Celebrations In Nitish Kumar's PartyJanata Dal United women supporters celebrating after Nitish Kumar took over as the Chief Minister of Bihar, in Patna on Thursday.
Will not allow Bihar Assembly to function, says miffed RJD
The seemingly angry Rashtriya Janata Dal, Lalu's party, has threatened that it will not allow the monsoon session of the Bihar Assembly to run unless new Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi resign. The monsoon session of the state Assembly begins on Friday.
JDU Kerala faction unhappy with Nitish Kumar's decision to ally with BJP
JDU Rajya Sabha lawmaker Veerendra Kumar says Kerala unit of the party does not support with Nitish Kumar's decision.
Mr Kumar said he is not happy with the decision of Nitish Kumar and will not the follow the whip to support NDA. Mr Kumar also threatened to resign if forced to support NDA. The Rajya Sabha lawmaker is meeting with Sharad Yadav at 5 pm to chalk out future strategy
Nitish Kumar's collaboration with BJP, "dawn of a new era in Bihar": Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today congratulated Nitish Kumar on being sworn in as the chief minister of Bihar, saying a new era has dawned there.
"By resigning over the issue of corruption, Nitish Kumar gave a message that there won't be any compromise over the issue of corruption. A new era has dawned in Bihar," Mr Fadnavis said.
BJP celebrates: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi offers laddoos to party seniorsBihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi offers
laddoos to union minister JP Nadda, who flew to Patna specially for the oath ceremony, and BJP state chief and lawmaker Nityanand Rai.
Lalu Yadav hid facts, twisted facts: JDU on allegations by Lalu Yadav and theCongress
"DNAs of JD(U) and BJP are identical, its opportunism": Congress Spokesperson
"PM had questioned political DNA of Nitish Kumar. Nowm it has been proved that DNAs of JD(U) and BJP are identical, its opportunism," Congress spokesperson Randeep S Surjewala.
"Nitish Kumar's party secured least votes out of 3 parties (JDU, RJD & Cong),but was made CM after wishes of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi," he added.
Mr Kumar also called it "a black day" for Indian democracy.
Ghulam Nabi Azad reacts on Nitish Kumar-BJP partnership
The Uttar Pradesh Assembly today adopted a resolution congratulating Nitish Kumar on becoming the Chief Minister of Bihar again.
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar welcomes Nitish Kumar
"Nitish Kumar should have been with the BJP from the beginning. He is welcomed I am happy"
In first tweet since oath, Nitish Kumar thanks PM for his greeting
"Thank you for greeting, Mr Prime Minister. Will not make any compromise. in dealing with corruption. I believe, state will develop with collaboration from the centre," the Bihar Chief Minister said.
JUST IN: Nitish Kumar to take trust vote tomorrow: news agency ANI.
Was suspicious Governor's plan was to meet BJP, Nitish: Lalu Yadav
- I became suspicious Governor's plan was to meet BJP, Nitish, give them the letter. We were asked to come at 11.
- When CBI probing, who are you to interfere? Are you CBI?
Now, Lalu Yadav expresses displeasure with media
- Some media people who we thought were nice people have taken supari
- They only target the opposition. Look at the media in the US. How they have rallied against Trump. But here they are after the opposition
"They know Lalu's base is so strong that it can't be clawed into. They fixed Sushil Modi to spoil Lalu's image every day," Lalu Yadav speaks of Nitish Kumar and BJP coalition.
Lalu Yadav braces attack against BJP, says they "tried to communalise the election"
"We had a mandate of five years against the BJP, RSS. They (BJP, RSS) tried to communalise the election, were sent back empty handed" said the RJD chief.
"If I had a dirty mind, I wouldn't have let Nitish Kumar be the Chief Minister. Prohibition was a sham," Mr Yadav says about the Bihar Chief Minister
"Nitish Kumar turned out to be a huge opportunist," says a miffed Lalu Yadav
Nitish Kumar had a large role in my conviction in the lower court: Lalu Yadav"Narendra Modi used to talk below the belt. Used to say Lalu will go to jail so he is training his children in politics. Nitish Kumar had a large role in my conviction in the lower court. It's been 15 years since I have been fighting cases in court," said Lalu Yadav.
"Narendra Modi tricked people by promising them achhe din, jobs, 15 lakhs each... Amit Shah called it a jumla, how they fooled the people of the country": Lalu Yadav
Bihar is a very politically conscious state: Lalu Yadav"If anyone gets credit for uniting the country, it goes to Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi," says RJD chief, with whom Nitish Kumar broke alliance yesterday.
"Unfortunately, we don't have a Bapu amongst us today. It was Nathuram Godse who shot him. The person (GODSE) whose temple BJP and RSS want to build," he added.
As Bihar Chief Minister reforms alliance with BJP, Twitter discusses #NitishGharWapsi
JDU leaders voice support for their leader Nitish Kumar
Shravan Kumar: He worked for Bihar and masses are people are happy because he did not compromise with corruption.
KC Tyagi, Spokesperson: The Yadavs are accused in the corruption scandal and have not given any answers publiclly. This remained one of the key reasons for the fallout. Rahul Gandhi also betrayed us, he has supported corruption.
As Nitish Kumar Takes Oath, Sharad Yadav Is Missing And SilentSince last evening, when Nitish Kumar prime-timed his resignation and truncated his existing alliance to return to his ex, the BJP, Sharad Yadav has not said a word.
This morning, as the Chief Minister took oath for a sixth time, Sharad Yadav was not present - he is in Delhi. At two recent meetings of an 18-party front which included the JDU, Sharad Yadav assured the attendees that his party was committed to fighting the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
(File Photo)
My decision is in Bihar's interest: Nitish KumarNitish Kumar, after taking oath, says 'my decision is in Bihar's interest and for its development'
Congress leader Digvijay Singh reacts on Nitish Kumar's decision to form government with BJP
- Nitish (Kumar) always speaks about ethics. Is this why the people of Bihar voted for you?
- People of Bihar will decide if this is correct or not
- Single largest party in the state is RJD and hence they should have been given a chance.
- If Nitish had problems he should have sacked Tejashwi. He should have called for a meet but to cheat the people of Bihar is not ethical.
- This is definitely scripted.
Tejashwi Yadav lashes out at Nitish Kumar, calls him "opportunist rival"
Parallely, wishes pour in on Twitter from PM Narendra Modi
"Knew this planning was going on for 3-4 months": Rahul Gandhi on Nitish Kumar's new coalition"I was aware of this conspiracy. We knew this planning was going on for 3-4 months," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in reaction to Nitish Kumar's new coalition with BJP.
"In politics you get to know what's in a person's mind. The problem with Indian politics is that people will do anything for selfish gains-
satta ke liye kuch bhi kar dete hain,." the Congress Vice President added.
Wishes pour in for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Modi
Union Minister JP Nadda from BJP is in Patna. The trust vote is scheduled for Saturday.
Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi remain key members in the JDU-BJP coalition
BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi takes oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. He was Nitish Kumar's deputy in the previous coalition as well.
BREAKING NEWS: Nitish Kumar takes oath as Chief Minister of Bihar for the sixth time in 12 years.
In pics: Nitish Kumar, Sushil Modi at Raj Bhavan ahead of the swearing-in ceremony
JUST IN : Nitish Kumar reaches Raj Bhavan for the swearing-in ceremony. He would take oath as Chief Minister today.
He followed Sushil Modi who reached a short while back.
Meanwhile, senior JDU leader and Rajya Sabha member Sharad Yadav has not offered any comments on the political turbulence in Bihar.
More praise for Nitish Kumar from BJP quarters
BJP leader Sushil Modi sounds the bugel for oath ceremony countdown
Math Behind Poliitics: Here's who the numbers favourThe numbers are stacked against Lalu Yadav's party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal. Nitish Kumar's JD(U), BJP, their allies and supporting independent MLAs together account for 132 seats in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, 10 more than the required figure of 122.
RJD has 81 MLAs and even if the Congress with 27 MLAs and CPI-ML with its 3 MLAs decide to back Lalu yadav and son Tejashwi, their number would add up to only 110.
Meanwhile, former UP Chief Minister had a take on the current political situation in Bihar
The tale of the plan B, how Nitish Kumar rebooted BJP partnershipBefore his sudden resignation, Nitish Kumar met lawmakers from his party, the Janata Dal United or JDU, and told them that he would return from the Governor's home to inform them of what lies ahead.
Then Mr Kumar met Bihar Governor to stake claim to form government with the support of the BJP.
Plan-B was well-developed. BJP leaders met in Delhi and Patna and agreed that the party will support Nitish Kumar, ensuring he wins a trust vote. On Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nitish Kumar after he quit for "joining the fight against corruption"; the Chief Minister thanked him, also on Twitter.
A few years ago, Nitish Kumar had ended a long alliance with the BJP.
RJD workers continue protest against Nitish Kumar's resignation.
RJD supporters block Mahatma Gandhi Setu, connecting north Bihar with Patna, over Nitish Kumar's resignation and eventual alliance with the BJP.
Here's what Nitish Kumar said after giving his resignationHis stunning resignation came after Lalu Yadav reiterated earlier on Wednesday that his son, Tejashwi, would not quit as No 2 in the government despite being caught in a corruption scandal. "I did not ask for anyone's resignation," said Nitish Kumar, "but I told Tejashwi and Lalu that they must explain the charges publicly. The atmosphere had become such that it was impossible to work," he said, adding "my conscience told me to quit."