'BJP deceived people of Bihar': Tejashwi Yadav on CM Nitish Kumar's resignation as MLC

NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Janata Dal’s President and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav on Monday alleged that Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is being removed by the BJP, claiming that the ruling party has 'deceived' both the veteran leader and the people of the state. His remarks come amid political churn in Bihar after Nitish Kumar stepped down as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), a mandatory move after entering Parliament. Speaking to reporters, Tejashwi Yadav said, "We had been saying from the beginning that Nitish Kumar will not continue as the CM of Bihar after elections. This was repackaged as Maharashtra situation, and he was allowed to be the CM for a brief period. He is now being removed by the people of BJP. BJP has deceived Nitish Kumar and the people of Bihar. There is a vast difference between BJP's words and actions."He further alleged, “Electing Nitish Kumar to the Rajya Sabha was done under pressure; the BJP has not only looted the people of Bihar but also Nitish Kumar.”The remarks come after Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin vacated their respective seats in the Bihar Legislative Council and Assembly, 14 days after being elected to the Rajya Sabha on March 16. As per the Prohibition of Simultaneous Membership Rules, 1950, elected representatives are required to relinquish their state legislature seats within 14 days of entering Parliament.Nitish Kumar’s resignation letter was submitted to the chairman of the Bihar Legislative Council through Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary and JD(U) MLC Sanjay Kumar Singh. Meanwhile, Nitin Nabin’s resignation from the Assembly was handed over to Speaker Prem Kumar by Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi.Despite stepping down from the Council, the Speaker clarified that Nitish Kumar can continue as CM for up to six months if he chooses, in accordance with constitutional provisions.