Nitish Kumar's swearing-in ceremony: As it happened

Sharad Yadav to meet his MPs at his residence at 5 pm.

Sharad Yadav, who has maintained silence on the political developments in Bihar, meets Rahul Gandhi at Jawahar Bhawan.

The Janata Dal-United unit in Kerala opposes Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for tying up with the BJP and announces it was severing ties with him. Chief of the party`s Kerala unit, MP Veerendra Kumar, a Rajya Sabha member, tells reporters in Delhi that he was even ready to quit the Upper House to pursue his fight against "fascist forces". "Whatever the price, we`re ready to pay," he adds. 

Quashing Congress' claims, JD(U) leader Ajay Alok says his party had informed the INC that it was taking back the support. “Congress says we betrayed them, it also says this had been going on for three-four months. How can it be betrayal if they already knew,” asks Alok.

Nitish Kumar stumps his friends and foes alike

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati asserts that whatever is happening in the country doesn't bode well for democracy, suggesting that people of the country should come forward to protect the institution from weakening. Mayawati tells ANI, "I want to say that yesterday whatever happened in Bihar and whatever is happening in other few states doesn't bode well for democracy. Country masses will have to come forward to protect nation from such activities."

The JD(U) announces support to the BJP-led NDA government in both the houses of Parliament, shortly after Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Bihar's chief minister. JD(U)'s national spokesperson KC Tyagi also hits out at the Congress, saying it does not have any credibility and accused it of not being serious about fighting corruption.

Nitish Kumar government will seek trust vote tomorrow: Brajesh Mehrotra, Principal Secretary, Cabinet Coordination department of Bihar government

Senior BJP leaders, including party chief Amit Shah and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, congratulate Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi after their oath taking ceremony. 

As Nitish walks into Modi's arm, Congress' isolation deepens

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is in Ranchi for hearing in the fodder scam case, tells reporters: "I am a man of principles. How will Nitish show his face to the people of Bihar? He used to swear that he will not return to BJP. This is a huge betrayal for the people of Bihar and for us." The BJP "wanted to pin the blame on Tejashwi. They were afraid that Tejashwi would come up as a worthy opponent in 2019. This is a conspiracy by Amit Shah and Narendra Modi. This is nothing but political vendetta," adds Lalu Yadav.

Lalu Yadav calls Nitish Kumar as 'Bhasmasur', says will unite Mayawati, Akhilesh, Mayawati to take on BJP

As per reports, JD(U) is likely is to get a berth in NDA's Cabinet expansion at Centre. Here is the full story: Modi cabinet reshuffle in few weeks: JD(U) could get 1 cabinet, 1 Minister of State portfolio

Development will be a priority. We will take Bihar to greater heights, says Sushil Kumar Modi after being sworn in as the Deputy CM.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's first cabinet meeting will take place at 11:30 am.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge says it was "unfortunate" that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had joined hands with the "dictatorial" BJP after seeking votes in the name of "secularism" in the state. "The grand alliance was formed to bring secular forces together, to fight the dictatorial attitude of the BJP, its attitude of killing democracy," Kharge tells reporters outside Parliament.

Will speak to the media after the hearing in fodder scam case: Lalu Prasad Yadav in Ranchi

Nitish Kumar says he took the decision to part ways with the RJD and join hands with the BJP in the interest of the people of Bihar. After taking oath as Bihar CM, Nitish Kumar says he would respond to the accusations levelled at him by his detractors at the right time. "Whatever decision we have taken will be in the interest of Bihar and of its people. It will ensure development and justice. It will also ensure progress. This is a collective decision. I ensure that our commitment is towards the people of Bihar," Nitish Kumar tells reporters.
 

In a series of tweets, Tejashwi Yadav says: "I delivered manifolds than wat was expected of me. My performance perturbed our ally & BJP. Vendetta against me exposes their viciousness." He adds: "Much to their dismay,they wer unable to point a single lacuna in my performance.So resorted to low level vindictive & opportunistic politics."

"I entered in govt with a clean slate with a keen desire of writing a positive story for people of Bihar, only to find an opportunist rival!," tweets Tejashwi Yadav.

Bihar had given an anti-communal mandate but Nitish Kumar has gone back to them (the BJP) for his personal political gains, adds Rahul Gandhi. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi on being sworn in as Bihar's Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively and says he was looking forward to working together for the state's prosperity.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi accuses Nitish Kumar of betraying the people of Bihar. "We knew that it was being planned for the last three to four months. A person can do anything to fulfil his own interests," says Gandhi.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh tweets that Bharatiya Janata Party has today moved one step ahead in fulfilling its aim of Congress-free nation.

Sushil Kumar Modi takes oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar.

Amid Bihar political tussle, Nitish Kumar takes oath as Chief Minister for the sixth time. Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi administered the oath of office to Nitish Kumar at the Raj Bhawan in Patna.

Section 144 has been imposed around Raj Bhawan in Patna leading to cancellation of RJD protest march.

Nitish Kumar and Sushil Kumar Modi arrive at Raj Bhawan in Patna to take oath as Bihar Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively.

We will raise the issue in Parliament strongly. We will also speak to other parties and protest at Gandhi statue in Parliament: RJD leader JP Yadav

JD(U) MP Sharad Yadav refuses to comment on Bihar's political tussle, NDA-JD(U) tie-up.

The Bharatiya Janata Party hails Nitish Kumar's decision of resigning as the Bihar Chief Minister and said that the rigid stand of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav not to resign from the cabinet left the Janata Dal (United) leader with no option but to step down from his post. "As a gentleman, Nitish chose to resign," BJP leader S Prakash tells ANI.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda arrives in Patna, says Nitish Kumar's "step against corruption is a courageous one". The BJP wants development and seeks to help bring stability in Bihar, adds Nadda. 

BJP leader Nitin Naveen tells ANI that Lalu Prasad Yadav is anxious at the moment. There is going to be a revolt within RJD, says Naveen.

Bihar Governor invites Nitish Kumar to form government.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav took to Twitter to take a metaphoric jibe at Nitish Kumar in chaste Hindi.

JD(U) MP Ali Anwar says his conscience does not allow him to back Nitish Kumar’s move. "I will voice my opinion in the party if I get an opportunity," Anwar tells ANI.

RJD supporters block Mahatma Gandhi Setu, connecting north Bihar with Patna, over Nitish Kumar's resignation and forming government with the BJP.

"We are disappointed with Nitish Kumar’s decision to resign. He should seek a fresh mandate as people of Bihar had voted in favour of Grand Alliance in protest against PM Narendra Modi and BJP," tweets Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh.

While reacting to the accusations against him in a corruption case, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said that Nitish Kumar is himself accused of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. "On what ground is he questioning us. He himself is tainted, an accused under section 302," he said.

Reiterating his party's stand, Tejashwi Yadav said that he was only an excuse for Nitish to join hands with the BJP. "Tejashwi ek bahaana tha, case, investigation ek bahana tha, inko (Nitish) BJP ke sath jana tha," Tejashwi told ANI.

"Each development seemed planned. It was all pre-decided. Why was everything done in such rush? His resignation, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) backing him, and staking claim to form the government within hours of resignation, proves it," Tejashwi said after meeting Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.

Unhappy over not being called to form the government, Tejashwi Yadav says: "I've been defamed. People of Bihar are watching. Being the largest party, we should have been invited (to form govt in Bihar)."

Lalu Prasad's son Tej Pratap Yadav accused Nitish Kumar of betraying the mandate given by the people of Bihar.

At around 2 am, Tejashwi Yadav, along with other RJD members, marched towards Raj Bhavan.

At 1:24 am, Tejashwi Yadav, 27, tweeted, "We are going to Governor house to stage dharna if not called for being the single largest party". 

Senior Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi will take oath as Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister.

Nitish Kumar met Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi late on Wednesday with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders and staked claim to form a new government with the support of 132 MLAs.

Nitish Kumar will take oath at 10 am today as the head of the government that would include BJP and its allies. Kumar has been asked by the governor to prove his majority in the Assembly within two days of taking the oath.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unexpectedly resigned on Wednesday, but hours later joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to reclaim the government in a stunning political manoeuvre that relegated his alliance partner Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to the Opposition.