Modi Welcomes Nitish’s Resignation in “Fight Against Corruption”

PM Modi congratulated Nitish Kumar on his resignation, saying 125 crore people stand by his honesty.

(Photo: Edited by The Quint)

On Wednesday evening, Nitish Kumar resigned as the Chief Minister of Bihar, following a meeting with the Governor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, soon after, tweeted in support of Nitish’s decision to take a stand against corruption.

I congratulate Nitish ji on joining the fight against corruption. 125 crore people welcome and support this honesty... To rise above political differences and fight against corruption in country and in Bihar in particular, for development is need of the hour.

Kumar also tweeted, thanking the Prime Minister for his positive response to the resignation.

Other BJP leaders, however, made more measured comments while hinting at a BJP-JDU alliance. Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said,

We have worked with JDU for several years, but our support is subject to what political stance Nitish takes now.

Following Nitish Kumar’s resignation, the BJP called for a core meeting in Patna. BJP Bihar’s Sushil Kumar Modi said at the meeting that the party is not in favour of midterm elections. He said that three-member committee has been constituted for a future plan of action and that he’s glad the Bihar CM didn’t kneel down before RJD or compromise on the issue of corruption.

Earlier in the day, Sushil Modi had likened the state chief minister to a "pilot of a hijacked plane" earlier on Wednesday. Responding to Sushil Modi’s comments, Tejashwi said:

Sushil Modi is not even a Bihari, he is an outsider, so these people don’t care about Bihar’s development or its people. 

The resignation comes after Nitish Kumar clarified that he did not ask Lalu Prasad Yadav’s son Tejashwi Yadav to resign in face of corruption charges.

(We all love to express ourselves, but how often do we do it in our mother tongue?

Here's your chance! This Independence Day, khul ke bol with BOL – Love your Bhasha. Sing, write, perform, spew poetry – whatever you like – in your mother tongue. Send us your BOL at [e-mail] or WhatsApp it to 9910181818.)