Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar resigns, PM Modi congratulates him

New Delhi, Delhi, India

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar sought an appointment with governor Keshari Nath Tripathi today to offer his resignation even as RJD chief Lalu Prasad refused to let his son Tejashwi resign from the deputy chief minister's post over corruption charges.

Bihar politics was thrown into a tizzy as reports said Nitish Kumar wanted Lalu Prasad's son Tejashwi to resign but the RJD chief refused to allow his son to leave the post.

Earlier in the day, RJD chief Lalu Prasad was confident that the "Mahagathbandhan was intact" but it turned out to be quite the opposite as the Bihar chief minister stumped everyone by offering his resignation to the governor.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the governor, Nitish Kumar said: "I sought Tejashwi's expulsion, it is not possible to continue the alliance."

"I have tendered my resignation to the governor, he has accepted my resignation and asked me to continue working till the next development," he declared.

"Before resigning, I had informed Laluji and Congress Bihar in-charge CP Joshi," Nitish Kumar informed reporters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quick to congratulate Nitish Kumar, in a tweet Modi said: "Congratulations Nitish Kumar in your fight against corruption, 125 crore people in this country welcome and support your fight."

Modi in his tweet added: "In order to ensure the progress of the country especially of Bihar, it is important to rise above politics, it is the need of the hour."

"I am not blaming anyone, those who want to blame me are free to do so," a defiant Nitish Kumar said.

RJD chief Lalu Yadav addressed a press conference almost immediately after Nitish Kumar's resignation as Bihar CM. The RJD chief hit back at Nitish accusing him of being involved in a murder and arms case.

"Nitish Kumar knew that he is accused of section 302, one of India's CM is main accused in murder & arms case," Lalu said.

"Nitish Kumar didn't ask for any resignation," he added defensively. 

Towing PM Modi's line, Bihar BJP leader Sushil Modi expressed his "happiness" over Nitish's resignation as chief minister of the state.

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