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| Edited By: DNA Web Team |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Jul 27, 2017, 05:40 PM IST
Nitish Kumar on Thursday took oath as Bihar Chief Minister for the sixth time, after he unexpectedly resigned on Wednesday and hours later joined hands with the BJP to reclaim the government in a stunning political manoeuvre that relegated his alliance partner RJD to the opposition.
Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi was also sworn-in as the Deputy Chief Minister by Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi who administered the oath.
The JD(U)-BJP combine has now returned to power after four years in the politically volatile stat.
Kumar has been asked by the Governor to prove his majority in the Assembly within two days of taking oath.
Speaking to media after swearing-in ceremony, Nitish Kumar said, "Decision to form new government taken in interest of Bihar, we will take the state to the path of prosperity."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi on being sworn in as the chief minister and the deputy chief minister respectively and said he looked forward to working together for Bihar's prosperity.
The ostensible reason for Kumar to quit was his falling out with Deputy Chief Minister Yashaswi Yadav, the son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad. Yadav is facing corruption charges but had refused to step down despite Kumar's exhortations.
"In the circumstances that prevail in Bihar, it became difficult to run the grand alliance government," Kumar told reporters outside Raj Bhavan after submitting his resignation to Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi.
Kumar's resignation capped days of stand-off between his party JD(U) and the RJD, with the former insisting that Tejashwi defend himself against the allegations.
Tensions simmered between the two alliance partners ever since the CBI registered a case against Lalu Prasad, his wife and former chief minister Rabri devi and son Tejashwi in a land-for-hotels case.
This is indeed a black day for democracy: Congress spokespers on Randeep Surjewala on Nitish Kumar switching sides.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his wishes and promised that there will be no compromise on corruption.
"Thank PM for wishes. There'll be no compromise on corruption; sure Bihar will go towards development with cooperation from centre," the Janata Dal (United) leader tweeted.
Nitish Kumar government to seek trust vote tomorrow: Brajesh Mehrotra, Principal Secy, Cabinet Coordination dept of Bihar government
Nitish Kumar joined hands with BJP to ensure raids by CBI, ED on RJD leaders and to malign them
Lalu Yadav on JD(U)-BJP alliance
# It is regrettable there is no Gandhiji among us to unite this country
# Narendra Modi has not even given package to state that he had promised
# BJP is fooling the nation
# Nitish Kumar used to say, 'mitti me miljaaunga lekin BJP se haath nahi milaaunga.
# I put a tika on his (Nitish) forehead, said go rule the state. I had no greed in my heart, else why would I nominate him as Chief Minister
# JD(U) and BJP alliance was fixed match
# Liquor ban in Bihar was farce, bottles were being home delivered
# On many occasions, Nitish met PM Modi, had lunch. The timing of whatever happened was already fixed
# Lalu Prasad Yadav attacks media: See how the US media is fighting Trump, and here media fights opposition
# Amit Shah is the Super Editor, he decides how news should be
Nitish has joined communal forces for his personal politics: Rahul Gandhi
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi charged Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with throwing rules to the wind to opt to join communal forces to pursue his brand of 'personal' politics.
Gandhi said a mandate was given to Kumar to counter anti-communal forces in Bihar, but he has joined hands with the latter for his personal politics.
"A mandate was given to Nitish ji for the anti-communal fight, but now he has joined hands with them for his personal politics. If I tell you the truth, we knew about this planning for the past three to four months. For one?s self interest, people can do anything, there is no credibility, no rules," he added.
My performance perturbed our ally and BJP, vendetta against me exposes their viciousness: Tejashwi Yadav
Decision to form new government taken in interest of Bihar, will take state to path of prosperity: Nitish Kumar after being sworn in
PM congratulates Nitish Kumar on him being sworn in as CM, says he is looking forward to working together for Bihar's progress and prosperity.
Nitish Kumar sworn-in as Chief Minister for the sixth time, Sushil Kumar Modi as Deputy
Nitish Kumar reaches Raj Bhawan in Patna, to be sworn in as Bihar Chief Minister shortly
Sushil Modi reaches Raj Bhawan in Patna, set to be sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister
Will raise issue in Parliament strongly, will also speak to other parties and protest at Gandhi statue in Parliament: JP Yadav, RJD
Nitish ji's step against corruption is a courageous one. BJP wants development and wants to help bring stability in Bihar: JP Nadda in Patna
Governor invites Nitish Kumar to form government
Just received invitation from Hon'ble Governor to take Oath and be a part of Bihar Govt, tweets Sushil Kumar Modi
My conscience does not allow me to support Nitish Kumar's decision of forming Govt with the BJP: JD(U) MP Ali Anwar
#WATCH: My conscience does not allow me to support #NitishKumar's decision of forming Govt with the BJP: JDU MP Ali Anwar to ANI pic.twitter.com/dQiJaPvzKJ
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 27, 2017
Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi has invited Tejashwi Yadav and five other Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLAs for discussion.
The development came right after the a large group of RJD leaders, spearheaded by Tejashwi, marched towards the Governor's residence to stage a dharna over the sudden change in time of the oath-taking ceremony of Nitish Kumar as the Bihar Chief Minister.
While marching towards the Raj Bhawan, Tejashwi said, being the largest party, the RJD should have been invited to form government in Bihar.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supporters blocked Mahatma Gandhi Setu, connecting north Bihar with Patna, over Nitish Kumar's resignation and his bid to form government with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
