Amid a day of fast-moving political developments, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced his resignation after meeting Governor Phagu Chauhan on Tuesday.
Nitish Kumar, who went to Raj Bhavan alone, announced his resignation to the waiting media after coming out.
"I was the chief minister of Bihar. Now, I have given my resignation from the post of Chief Minister," he said.
Asked about the dispute between him and BJP, he left the question unanswered.
Earlier, addressing a meeting of lawmakers of his Janata Dal-United, Nitish Kumar, sources said, levelled allegations against the BJP, saying it was conspiring against him and trying to influence JD-U MLAs to rebel against him.
Sources said that Nitish Kumar accused the BJP of "horse trading" and giving some party leaders lucrative offers to make them ministers. He said that he has proof of this.
After submitting his resignation, Nitish Kumar headed for the residence of RJD leader Rabri Devi to meet party leader Tejashwi Yadav and other leaders of the Mahagathbandhan to discuss the future course of action.
He was accompanied by JD-U national President Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh. "We have had discussions with every MLA, MLCs and MP of the party before I resigned from the post of Chief Minister of Bihar. Our party JD-U has also come out from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)," he said.
"During the meeting with Governor Phagu Chauhan, we have also claimed to form a new government with the help of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar. I have also submitted the list of MLAs to him," he added.
The Bihar Governor has accepted the resignation of Nitish Kumar. The JD-U also withdrew support from the Narendra Modi government at the Centre as well.
Following the fast-paced developments, a large crowd was seen at the Raj Bhavan as well as at the residence of Rabri Devi at 10 Circular Road. Due to large gatherings, Patna police deployed a large number of police force at those two places to control the situation.
Meanwhile, JD-U MLAs have been asked to stay inside CM's residence.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal also asked MLAs of Mahagathbandhan to stay in senior leader and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi's residence at 10 Circular Road until the decision of the Governor comes.
It is learnt that Nitish Kumar is expecting the Governor to invite him to form the government again, as he has submitted signatures of his party's MLAs, as well as those of the Mahagathbandhan before Bihar governor.
Technically, the RJD is the single-largest party in the Assembly and after Nitish Kumar's resignation, the Governor may invite its leader Tejashwi Yadav to form the government. However, as Tejashwi Yadav has already given documents of support of Mahagathbandhan MLAs of Mahagathbandhan to Nitish Kumar, he may recommend the name of Nitish Kumar only.
(With inputs from IANS)
