Patna: Emotions ran high in the JD(U) and the NDA on Monday after CM Nitish Kumar resigned from the Bihar legislative council.Leaders across the ruling alliance reacted with visible anguish. Rural works department minister Ashok Choudhary, considered close to Nitish Kumar, broke down before the media.“I have been with Nitish Kumar Ji in the House for a long time. When Covid-19 pandemic came, I got closer to him. He is a great leader. A respected person. He is the guardian of the state. His way of working, showing respect even towards opponents, showing affection towards all is unparallel. There cannot be another Nitish Kumar in this country,” Choudhary said.He added that legislators in both Houses would deeply miss Nitish, saying he had been “scolding, reprimanding and guiding” newcomers while rescuing ministers in difficult moments. “Nitish had a grip on every department. He used to guide even the newest ministers,” he said.Legislative Council chairman Awadhesh Narain Singh said the development had left many people in the state saddened.“People in Bihar are not happy with Nitish ji’s resignation. He was such a progressive chief minister who took everyone along. The pain of his resignation will always remain,” he said.Recalling a meeting before the resignation, he added, “Although we are visibly pained by his decision, there were no signs of worry on his face. It is difficult to fathom what is going on inside his mind.”Bihar assembly Speaker Prem Kumar said he had known Nitish for decades.“I have been associated with Nitish ji since the JP Movement in the 1970s. His role in governance and legislative work has been exemplary. His presence will be missed,” he said.BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi said, “Nitish ji has pulled Bihar out of ‘Jungle Raj’ and put it on the path of development,” and congratulated Nabin on his Rajya Sabha election.JD(U) leader Vijay Kumar Choudhary said the resignation followed constitutional requirements.
