Nitish Kumar met Bihar governor twice in 2 hours: How political drama unfolded

Nitish Kumar, who dumped the BJP-led NDA earlier in the day, will be heading a coalition of seven parties which is supported by an Independent.

JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar will take oath as chief minister of Bihar for the eighth time and his new ally Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD will be made deputy CM at the Raj Bhawan in Patna at 2 pm on Wednesday, news agency PTI reported. Reports also suggest it will be a simple ceremony.

JDU leader Nitish Kumar waves to his supporters after meeting Bihar governor Phagu Chauhan to form a new government in Patna, Bihar,  (Santosh Kumar /HT photo)

More ministers will be inducted into the cabinet at a later stage, PTI quoted sources in the JD(U) and RJD as saying. Kumar, who dumped the BJP-led NDA earlier in the day, will be heading a coalition of seven parties which is supported by an Independent.

Here's how the political drama unfolded throughout the day:

11am: JD(U) MPs and MLAs converged at Nitish Kumar’s residence for a meeting.

11.15am: MLAs of the opposition RJD held a parallel meeting.

1pm: The RJD-led Grand Alliance, comprising Left and Congress, met at former CM Rabri Devi’s residence, where MLAs signed a letter of support for Kumar.

4pm: Kumar met Governor Phagu Chauhan and tendered his resignation, following which he said he has quit as “NDA’s chief minister”.

4.45pm: Kumar reached former Rabri Devi's house to confabulate with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

5.20pm: Kumar returned to the Raj Bhawan with the Leader of the Opposition and his former deputy Tejashwi Yadav, armed with a letter of support for the JD(U) and other parties.

6pm: Kumar staked claim to form a new government in Bihar for the eighth time.