Nitish Kumar has now staked claim to form a government in Bihar with the Mahagathbandhan alliance hours after resigning as chief minister of the National Democratic Alliance in Bihar. He met the governor of Bihar governor, Phagu Chauhan, along with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. Kumar claimed that he had the support of 164 MLAs in the party.
ANI quoted Kumar as saying, "We have the support of seven Mahagathbandhan parties, 164 MLAs in Bihar assembly."
The Bihar assembly has 243 seats and any alliance needs to cross the 122-mark to form government.
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What the BJP said
Speaking on the issue Union minister Kaushal Kishore told ANI, "BJP would want that the Govt of JD(U), BJP and other parties, under the Chief Ministership of Nitish Kumar, continue to work strongly and this is in the interest of Bihar as well as the nation."
Kishore, however, said that he did not want to stir up controversy as the "BJP never initiated anything that may stir up a controversy or create a situation of uncertainty among them. JD(U) will make a decision but BJP definitely".
Meanwhile, BJP state minister Shahnawaz Hussain said the BJP will put out an official statement about the issue. "We strengthen our own party, we don't weaken any other party. Going to Patna. Party leadership will give an official statement... We've worked honestly for business & employment of people of Bihar...Party will make a comment, I won't," Hussain told ANI.
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While Nitish Kumar has not made an official statement, a huge deployment of security was seen outside his residence in Patna. JD(U) leaders were also seen arriving at Kumar's residence.
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ANI reported that JD(U) MLC Kumud Verma and party MP Sunil Kumar arrived at Kumar's residence.
If Kumar does exit the alliance, this wouldn't be the first time. He broke ties with the BJP in 2013 when Narendra Modi was made BJP's campaign committee chief during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
