Nitish Kumar may resign as Bihar Chief Minister today, RJD, Congress in huddle, say sources

"Those who could not do justice to their alliance parties, only hatred was visible, then disintegration was bound to happen... let's see what happens in the future," said Union Minister Anurag Thakur.

Posters saying "Bihar mein bahaar hey, bina Manjhi sab bekar hey", put up outside the residence of Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi as speculations rise on whether Nitish Kumar will quit the grand alliance with RJD and Congress.

BJP Bihar in-charge Vinod Tawde on Saturday met Governor Rajendra Arlekar as Nitish Kumar's continues suspense about whether he will quit the Mahagathbandhan or not.

"One after the other, everyone is now withdrawing their support from the INDIA alliance. The leader (Bihar CM Nitish Kumar) of the ‘Gathbandan’ government has himself pointed out arrogance, injustice, and hatred under Congress’s leadership," says Union Minister Anurag Thakur.

Bihar LoP and BJP MLA Vijay Kumar Sinha on Nitish Kumar | "...I have said this earlier also, whatever decision the party leadership will take, the party will welcome it. Every party worker will accept the decision of party leaders, like a soldier..."

Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi on Bihar political situation | "I.N.D.I.A bloc will remain no matter what and when it comes to Bihar, there is no official statement from anybody. So, until any official statement comes nobody can say anything about what will happen in Bihar..."

"People walk on principles. However, sometimes people make decisions considering the situation they are in. Our leaders will take the final decision," said BJP leader Hari Sahni on Bihar political turmoil.

"There was no discussion on Bihar CM Nitish Kumar in our (BJP legislative) meeting today. It was our organisational meeting; discussion was held on how we can win 40 out of 40 (Lok Sabha) seats in Bihar," says BJP MLC Nawal Kishor Yadav as suspense over the political situation continues.

"I tried to communicate with him (Bihar CM Nitish Kumar) but received no response yet," says RJD leader Shivanand Tiwari on Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's possible return to the NDA.

On Bihar political situation, BJP Bihar President Samrat Chaudhary says, "Nitish Kumar has not resigned and nobody has withdrawn support, if something happens, then only we will have any information... BJP wants to know the situation of Bihar and then only we will take a decision..."

Jitan Ram Manjhi has said that his party Hindustani Awam Morcha will continue to support the BJP and PM Modi.

BJP MLAs and MPs will meet tomorrow at 10 am at the party office in Patna to further chalk out the strategy over the latest political situation in Bihar as Nitish Kumar continues suspense whether he will stay with I.N.D.I.A bloc or not.

"Anything can happen in politics and every party keeps its door open," says BJP MP Ajay Nishad after attending BJP legislative party meeting in Patna.

On Bihar BJP state executive committee, BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy says, "The meeting was held in Patna, all the MLAs, MPs and senior party functionaries were present. We basically discussed, there was a resolution passed for Karpoori Thakur for Bharat Ratna, party applauded the decision of PM Modi. As far as the political front is concerned, we are still awaiting the developments".

"I don't know what is happening. There is no official information or statement that has come from anyone. But all I could say is whenever our party comes to power, it works for Bihar and will continue to do so,” said Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Misa Bharti as speculations rise that Nitish Kumar may dump RJD.

Bihar Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Dr Ashok Choudhary leave from CM Nitish Kumar's residence after JD(U) meeting. 

The meeting of the BJP core group discussing the political situation in Bihar came to an end. 

Former Chief Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) founder Jitan Ram Manjhi said, "We are with Modi, we willgo wherever he goes."

Bihar Minister and RJD leader Alok Kumar Mehta on Nitish Kumar | "A meeting of party MLAs was held today. In the meeting, all the MLAs authorised party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav to take a decision on the current situation..."

BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Bihar Legislative Council, Hari Sahni on if Nitish Kumar is joining the NDA, said that the decision is being taken in the interest of the state and to bring it out of the jungle raj. 

BJP is the largest political party because of its work and thinks about Bihar's progress, he said.

"The meeting (of Bihar Congress) has been called to discuss about preparations of ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ in Bihar and not for making or breaking the government," says Bihar Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh.

Patna update | Meeting of Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) MLAs is underway at the residence of party leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, in Patna.

As political situaton in Bihar continues to unfold, Lalu Yadav's daughter Misa Bharti has said that Nitish Kumar has not informed anything to them on whether he's going to break the Mahagathbandhan in the state.

Nitish Kumar has called a meeting of some MLAs at his residence and is likely to resign as Bihar Chief Minister soon, sources said.  

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has postponed his two-day visit to West Bengal amid changing political situation in Bihar. 

"I had said earlier also that Nitish Kumar can go anywhere for the post. He is coming for the post and that is why this meeting is being held. If my party leaders are satisfied then we are also satisfied," says BJP MP Chhedi Paswan.

Amid political uncertainity in Bihar, BJP chief JP Nadda may visit Patna on Sunday, sources have said.  

BJP Lok Sabha MP Chhedi Paswan has made a big claim and said that Nitish Kumar is once again coming back to the NDA.

As suspense continues over Nitish Kumar, the BJP is holding its core group meeting to strategise its strategy amid uncertainity over political situation in Bihar.

BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul on Bihar political situation | "A lot of things can be heard, like Nitish Kumar wants to come back to NDA, wants to work under PM Modi. We can't stop anyone, the kind of vision PM Modi has, for a strong India. There is no face against PM Modi that will survive. What happened to the alliance that was formed, you can see... if somebody wants to join (BJP), it is a good thing".

Lalu Prasad Yadav has told RJD MLAs that no one has to resign and asked them to make people about work done by Tejashwi Yadav. 

The Congress has said that its MLAs are not going anywhere and are with the party. Congress has not caused any trouble in the I.N.D.I.A bloc but its the BJP which is conspiring, said party's Bihar in-charge.

On Nitish Kumar, the grand old party said that he hasn't left yet and is still in the Mahagathbandhan.

RJD MLA Ritlal Yadav on Bihar political twist | "In the meeting, we discussed the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections. We will win all 40 Lok Sabha seats."

As political uncertainity remains on Mahagathbandhan's future in Bihar, sources have said that RJD has asked all its MLAs to stay in the state.

During the RJD meeting in Patna, Bihar, Deputy Chief Minister and party leader Tejashwi Yadav told the party leaders that CM Nitish Kumar was and is respectable. Many things are not under his (Nitish Kumar) control. RJD's allies in the 'Mahagathbandhan' always respected the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister used to sit with me on the stage and ask, "What was there in Bihar before 2005?" I never reacted... Now, more people are with us. The work that was not done in two decades, we have done in a short time, be it jobs, caste census, increasing reservation, etc. 'Bihar mein abhi khel hona baki hain', sources said.

Amid uncertainity over Nitish Kumar, RJD has approached Chirag Paswan to join Mahagathbandhan, sources said. 

Tejashwi asked Chirag Paswan to join Mahagathbandhan and also made him talk to Lalu Yadav. However, Chirag Paswan was straight forward in his approached and rejected RJD's offer saying he's not align with their ideology. 

As speculations rise that Nitish Kumar may leave Mahagathbandhan, RJD has earlier approached Jitan Ram Manjhi and later Chirag Paswan but both of them rejected Lalu's offer. 

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "...I can formally say that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge tried to talk to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar not just once, but several times. However, the Bihar CM is busy..."

"I don't have any information on JDU moving out of the INDIA alliance. What they have in mind is not clear. I am traveling to Dehradun tomorrow, then to Delhi. I will get the full information and then I will brief you," Kharge said.

"We are keeping an eye on the situation in Bihar, until the situation becomes clear we cannot put forward our final stand. Let Nitish ji finalize now. Where will he stay, right now he is the CM of Grand Alliance, he has not resigned yet," Chirag Paswan said.

RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui said, "Whatever decision will be taken, will be told to you (media)."

JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said, "INDIA alliance is on the verge of breaking due to the irresponsible and obstinate attitude of Congress."

Over suspense on Nitish Kumar's next move, RJD leaders on Saturday held a meeting in Patna. Lalu Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav arrived at the meeting.

"They have given assurance on various issues. The situation is very positive regarding the alliance. In the coming days, the situation will become more clear, and after that, our party will take a stand. We are a part of NDA today," Chirag Paswan said after meeting Amit Shah and JP Nadda in the national capital.

Former Janata Dal (United) president Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh arrives at the residence of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, in Patna.

"In the interest of Bihar, the government should be formed again by forming an alliance," JDU leader Sunil Pintu said.

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda, at the Union Home Minister's residence in Delhi.

After the meeting of RJD MLAs at Rabri residence, the party can submit the letter of withdrawal of support to the Governor, sources said.

BJP MP and former Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, Union Minister Nityanand Rai arrived for the party's Core Committee meeting, in Patna.

Earlier, Tejashwi Yadav had also distanced himself from the program organized at Raj Bhavan yesterday. Tejashwi Yadav did not even attend the Governor's program. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reached Buxar today while Deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav distanced himself from the Buxar programme. He did not reach Buxar even though his name is also in the guest list.

BJP Bihar President Samrat Chaudhary arrives at the residence of Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, in Patna amid political crisis in the state.

JP Nadda, Chirag Paswan reached Amit Shah's residence in the national capital amid the political turmoil in Bihar.

BJP leader Hari Sahni has said that the decision to go with Nitish Kumar was taken in the interest of Bihar. "Bihar was troubled by Jungle Raj. Sometimes the driver is forced to turn the vehicle suddenly," he said.

JDU said that Nitish Kumar was upset with RJD.

"If Nitish ji thinks that not Mahagathbandhan, but the country should get a new govt under PM Modi, then BJP's doors are open for such people even till a day before the elections," Jaiswal said.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday took an apparent jibe at the INDIA bloc saying "Some people are unable to do justice in their own alliance." "Some people are unable to do justice in their own alliance.
And due to this, you can see what is happening in states one after the other," Thakur said.

"As far as the current political situation in the state is concerned, as reported in a section of media, it becomes the responsibility of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to clear the picture. Since he is heading the Mahagathbandhan government in the state, he must clarify the situation," RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwary said.

Amid the turmoil in Bihar, alliance partner Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Saturday claimed that "all is well" in the grand alliance government in the state. RJD spokesperson (state unit), Mrityunjay Tiwary said, "All is well in the grand alliance government in the state...things are normal as of now". He, however, made it clear that the RJD is ready to face the situation if something unprecedented happens tomorrow.

"I am just observing what's going on in the state," Union Minister Giriraj Singh said.

Some Congress MLAs are in touch with JDU and may join Nitish Kumar's party, sources said.

RJD has sought answers from Nitish Kumar over the "rumour" of him joining the NDA in future.

"Lalu Prasad and Tejaswi Yadav laid the foundation, the purpose of which was to defeat the hate politics being done by PM Modi," Jha said.

"Will he take a U-turn again, or will he stand by the expectations of the people?" he asked.

RJD offers tickets for Lok Sabha elections to some JDU MLAs in exchange for resignation. Lalu wants to reduce the required majority figure by getting such MLAs to resign, sources said.

(With inputs from Nitish Chandra)

"Bihar state BJP committee, state BJP MLAs and MPs will hold a meeting today to discuss the Lok Sabha elections," he said.

"For us, Nitish ji is still a part of the INDIA alliance," Mishra said.

"Those who have confusion in their mind should know better. Who can target those who have the arrow in their own hands?" JD (U) MLC Neeraj Kumar said.

BJP and Congress have called separate meetings today in Patna and Purnea respectively amid the ongoing political crisis in the state.