Nitish Kumar resigns as Bihar CM: As it happened

RJD, Congress and all those who oppose BJP-RSS and Nitish Kumar will protest, hold dharnas and burn effigies - Tejashwi.

If Nitish Kumar has the guts then he should go for fresh polls. I have just been used as a pawn by them for their political gains - Tejashwi.

We will fight and win, he adds.

On being asked as to what the Governor said, Tejashwi says - He told us that I have already asked the other side to form the government. We even cited the Bommai case.

But we still appeal to the Governor, he adds.

Nitish Kumar has to answer as to why he has betrayed the people of Bihar - Tejashwi.

How can Nitish Kumar go with BJP. How can he forget what Narendra Modi told him regarding Bihar's DNA, asks Tejashwi.

We appeal to the Governor to stop tomorrow's oath ceremony and invite us (RJD), the single largest party to form the government, says Tejashwi after meeting Keshari Nath Tripathi.

RJD and Congress leaders come out of Governor's house after meeting Keshari Nath Tripathi.

Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi invites Tejashwi Yadav and five RJD MLAs for discussion.

A picture of the protest march by RJD and Congress.

I've been defamed. People of Bihar are watching. Being the largest party we should have been invited (to form government in Bihar), says Tejashwi.

He has sat in RSS' lap. It is betrayal of the mandate given by the people of Bihar - Tej Pratap Yadav.

Tejashwi leads protest march. Tej Pratap Yadav is also with him.

Tejashwi and his supporters march towards the Governor's house.

Congress part of the march. 

Meanwhile Sushil Modi tweets a photo taken earlier inside the Raj Bhawan:

Tejashwi Yadav also tweets - We are going to Governor house to stage dharna if not called for being the single largest party.

We are going to governor house to stage the dharna if not called for being the single largest party.

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) July 26, 2017

Nitish Ji if you believe in your morality and honesty then why have you caged JDU MLAs in your house, tweets Tejashwi Yadav.

Governor gave us time at 11 am and now suddenly asked for NDA's oath ceremony at 10 am. Why so much hurry and rush Mr honest? he adds. 

Nitish Ji if u hv belief in ur morality & honesty thn Y u hv caged JDU MLAs in ur https://t.co/0XdOQXDH8T thm,they wil tell ur morality rate

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) July 26, 2017

If Nitish Ji is proud of his moral values & honesty, He would not had been in midnight rush to stake claim for govt. Honest man doesn't fear

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) July 26, 2017

Governor gv us time of 11AM and now suddenly has asked NDA for oath ceremony at 10AM. Why so much hurry & rush Mr. Honest & Moral?

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) July 26, 2017

Half of JDU MLAs in our touch therefore Nitish Ji rushing to Raj Bhawan in midnight. Listen the inner voice of ur MLAs also

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) July 26, 2017

We have submitted a letter with support of 132 MLAs - Sushil Modi.

Nitish Kumar along with others leave after meeting the Governor.

Tejashwi Yadav along with RJD delegation with meet Bihar Governor at 11 am on Thursday to stake claim for forming government.

Also Read - Six: The number of times Nitish Kumar will be taking oath as Bihar CM

Have asked Governor for time to meet, being the largest party we will stake claim to from government. We will also get support from JD(U) MLAs, tweets Tejashwi Yadav. 

Also Read - BJP hands over to Bihar Governor letter of support to Nitish Kumar

Nitish Kumar, Sushil Modi and other BJP, JD(U) leaders leave for Raj Bhavan to meet Governor.

The BJP tonight handed over to Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi the letter extending support to Nitish Kumar for forming the next government.

State BJP chief Nityanand Rai and senior party leader Sushil Kumar Modi drove to Raj Bhavan late this evening and handed over the letter.

Modi said BJP would be a part of the new government.

Photo of meeting of BJP-JDU MLAs and leaders at Nitish Kumar's residence in Patna (courtesy - ANI).

Nitish to take oath as CM of Bihar at 5 pm tomorrow, reports ANI.

Lalu tweets:

When Nitish Kumar broke alliance with BJP in 2013 he choreographed & followed the same script to secure himself. He surrenders as per needs

— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) July 26, 2017

BJP does not favour mid-term polls in Bihar. We welcome the battle against corruption in Bihar, says Union Minister JP Nadda.

Union Minister JP Nadda and BJP general secretary Anil Jain will visit Patna tomorrow.

BJP has decided to support Nitish Kumar as CM, says senior Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi - reports PTI.

Nitish to stake claim to form government in Bihar tomorrow with BJP's support, say media reports.

All BJP MLAs invited to Nitish's residence, as per reports.

Also Read - Split in Bihar's grand alliance: Lalu Yadav counter attacks Nitish Kumar

Whole heartedly thank PM Modi for response through his tweet about our decision, tweets Nitish.

माननीय प्रधानमत्री @narendramodi के ट्वीट के दी गई प्रतिक्रिया के लिए उन्हे तहेदिल से धन्यवाद

— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) July 26, 2017

Congress says 'deeply disappointed' over resignation of Nitish Kumar.

We are disappointed by the news of resignation of Shri Nitish Kumar. INC will do everything within its means that this mandate is honoured. pic.twitter.com/7WDsTW2UAV

— Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) July 26, 2017

Lalu Prasad Yadav's supporters gather outside his residence in Patna (photo courtesy - ANI).

CP Joshi was informed at the Governor's house, he asked Kumar to wait. Joshi said he'll get back after a word with Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, ANI quotes sources as saying.

Nitish Kumar did not inform Rahul Gandhi about his intention to resign in their meeting, ANI quotes sources as saying.

Appeal to Nitish that if he is anti-communal, then we should elect a new leader, says Lalu.

All three parties JDU, RJD, Congress should sit down and decide upon the new leader for the state of Bihar - Lalu.

Also Read - PM Modi congratulates Nitish Kumar for resigning as Bihar CM, hails his 'fight against corruption'

Nitish knew very well that he will not be able to save himself in the murder case that's why he played the resignation drama - Lalu.

We had told Nitish Kumar, that allegations in public domain are all false We had given clarifications earlier as well - Lalu.

PM immediately tweeted on Nitish's resignation. Nitish has not ruled out joining BJP - Lalu.

Nitish is with RSS and BJP. He had said that he will never join hands with BJP - Lalu.

Also Read - Know how many times Nitish Kumar resigned from govt in past

Lalu takes a dig at Nitish, says "My zero tolerance CM fighting corruption has a case under sections 302 and 307 on him. It is mentioned in poll affidavit."

What honesty is Nitish talking about. In 1991 Nitish Kumar was charged under a murder case. Serious cases dating back to 2009 against Nitish Kumar too - Lalu.

I spoke to Nitish Kumar last night, says Lalu.

Nitish Kumar asked us to comment on corruption charges in public domain - Lalu.

Lalu Prasad Yadav addresses the media at his residence in Patna, says Nitish Kumar didn't ask for any resignation.

Also Read - It's for Nitish Kumar to decide on allying with BJP, says Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

We are happy that Bihar CM didn't compromise on issue of corruption and did not kneel down before RJD, adds Sushil Modi.

We are not in favour of mid-term elections in Bihar. Three member committee has been constituted for making the future plan of action: Sushil Kumar Modi.

Also Read - Ram Vilas Paswan terms Nitish Kumar's resignation a move against corruption

All leaders should have sat together and discussed the issue, Raghuvansh Prasad Singh tells a TV channel.

RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh reacts on the latest political developments in Bihar, says Nitish Kumar has put Mahagathbandhan in trouble by resigning.

Meeting of party leaders start in Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi's residence.

Congratulate Nitish Ji on joining fight against corruption. 125 crore people welcome and support this honesty, tweets PM Narendra Modi.

To rise above political differences and fight against corruption in country & in Bihar in particular, for development is need of the hour, PM adds.

I have nothing more to say - Nitish.

If Tejaswi had resigned on his own, he would have attained great heights, says Nitish.

Before resigning, I had informed Lalu ji and Congress Bihar in-charge CP Joshi, the JD(U) chief adds.

But, if i need to take any decision in favour of the state, i will take it - Nitish. 

On being asked whether he will go with BJP, Nitish says ''Let's see what happens in future."

I tried my best to find a way out. However, i realised I had no option but to quit, the JD(U) says again.

My commitment is towards the people of Bihar. I could not work for the people of the state in the current environment, Nitish reiterates.

Bihar Governor has accepted my resignation - Nitish.

I have vacated my seat. Will continue to work till an alternate arrangement is made - Nitish.

Resigned in interest of the state - Nitish.

For a person like me, the current environment was not conducive for me to work in this Mahagathbandhan, Nitish repeats.

I realised then that when such accusations are being made about a member of my government, then it was not possible for me run the government, says Nitish.

The RJD failed to explain their stand (in matter of FIR by the CBI against Tejashwi in the land-for-hotels case) but they failed to do so - Nitish.

I am only listening to my inner voice, says Nitish.

I never asked Tejashwi Prasad Yadav to resign as Deputy CM. I asked them to explain. I was seeking a way out. However, the situation became such that I could no longer continue - Nitish.

We tried to stay in the alliance for as long as possible for the development of the state, says Nitish.

It was difficult for me to work in the Grand Alliance in the present circumstances, says Nitish.

I have submitted my resignation to Governor, says Nitish Kumar addressing the media.

Nitish comes out of Raj Bhavan.

All JD(U) members resign from Cabinet.

Nitish Kumar resigns as Chief Minister of Bihar.

RJD President Lalu Prasad had earlier today ruled out resignation by his son Tejaswi Prasad Yadav as Bihar's deputy chief minister following the lodging of an FIR by the CBI against him in the land-for-hotels case and blamed the BJP for the 'present crisis' in the state.
 

The standoff between allies JD(U) and RJD has been continuing for a while now.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has reached Raj Bhavan to meet Governor.

CM Nitish Kumar on his way to Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.