PM Modi praises Nitish Kumar's decision to resign for fighting against corruption

Modi praised Kumar for taking such a bold step to fight against corruption.

In a tweet, Modi wrote, "Congratulations to Nitish Kumarji for joining the fight against corruption. The entire country will welcome and support such an honest decision (भ्रष्टाचार के ख़िलाफ़ लड़ाई में जुड़ने के लिए नीतीश कुमार जी को बहुत-बहुत बधाई।  सवा सौ करोड़ नागरिक ईमानदारी का स्वागत और समर्थन कर रहे हैं)."

Kumar's resignation put an end to the grand alliance which was formed in the state with two Bihar heavyweights Lalu Yadav and Nitish Kumar joining hands to keep the BJP away.

Kumar said he was resigning in the interest of the state.

"I am resigning from the post for the interest of Bihar," Kumar said.

"I have tried to work for the people of the state," he said.

Speaking on the alliance, he said: "We tried to stay in the alliance for as long as possible. We did it for the development of the state."

"It was not possible to work together anymore," he said.

The rift between Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad of RJD had reached a flashpoint over corruption issue and earlier deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav and his father Lalu Yadav had ruled out resignation of Tejashwi over a CBI probe arguing that a fake case was filed against him.

The move of Nitish came at  a time when the state government was facing tremendous challenges with the ruling RJD and JD(U) locked in a conflict over the issue of Tejashwi Yadav's resignation.

Nitish Kumar's JD(U) had insisted that the Lalu Yadav scion should step down to spare the ruling coalition a stigma, the RJD asserted that nothing such happened that warrants the young minister's resignation.

Tejashwi Yadav's resignation was demanded over corruption charges made against him.

Following a series of raids in the residences of Lalu Prasad Yadav and others, the CBI had registered cases of corruption against the RJD chief and his son, Tejashwi.

The RJD has, however, said that by "framing" Tejashwi Yadav, the second man in the cabinet, the BJP-led Centre is out for a "political vendetta."