Bihar Politics Highlights: Key BJP meet in Patna ends; Nitish Kumar to reveal his cards tomorrow

The Bihar secretariat will remain open tomorrow despite being a Sunday as a lot of activity is expected with Nitish Kumar possibly resigning and then extending support to the BJP to become the chief minister of a BJP-JD(U) government in Bihar. The move -- months before the Lok Sabha election -- would strengthen the BJP and deliver a blow to the opposition alliance INDIA. Read on.

Amid speculations of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar possibly exiting the Mahagathbandhan alliance and joining the BJP-led NDA, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP and daughter of party supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav said that nothing has been said so far and that she does not have an idea of the political situation in the state. Read further.

After BJP's meeting, BJP MLC Nawal Kishor Yadav said that no discussion regarding Bihar CM Nitish Kumar took place.

"It was our organisational meeting; discussion was held on how we can win 40 out of 40 (Lok Sabha) seats in Bihar,” he told reporters.

As a political storm brews in Bihar over speculation that Nitish Kumar may be joining hands with the BJP, parties went into a huddle on Saturday to take stock of the situation. At a meeting of the RJD, the party empowered Lalu Yadav to take a call on whatever happens in state politics. Read the top political developments from Bihar today.

Amid heightened political tension in Bihar over speculations of Nitish Kumar rejoining the NDA fold, an old video of the chief minister saying he would prefer to die rather than go with the NDA has gone viral. More details here.

On the political situation in Bihar, RJD leader Shivanand Tiwari tells ANI: “I cannot say anything right now, only Lalu Yadav or Tejashwi Yadav could comment on this... He (Nitish Kumar) said that he would never go back there (with NDA). How he can go back (with them). Today also I tried to conversate with him but got no reply...”

On the state executive committee meeting in Patna, BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy tells ANI: "The meeting was held in Patna, all the MLAs, MPs and senior party functionaries were present. We basically discussed, there was a resolution passed for Karpoori Thakur for Bharat Ratna, party applauded the decision of PM Modi.

He adds: "As far as the political front is concerned, we are still awaiting the developments."

The state executive committee meeting of the BJP in Patna has ended. According to ANI, the BJP MLAs and MPs will meet tomorrow at 10 am at the party office in the city to further chalk out the strategy over the latest political situation in Bihar.

Amid the political crisis in Bihar due to speculations about JD(U)'s exit from its alliance with RJD for government in the state, Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee called this a good riddance.

“Didi thinks that if Nitish Kumar leaves the INDIA bloc, which is a certainty now, it would be good riddance,” a source close to Mamata said. Read more.

On the political situation in Bihar, RJD MP Misa Bharti told ANI: "I have no idea right now..whatever is going on in the news that is the only thing, other than that nobody has said anything...whenever RJD comes to power, we have worked for the people of Bihar and we will keep working for them in the future also."

The state executive committee meeting of the Bihar unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is underway in Patna, ANI reports.

As a political storm brews in Bihar over speculation that Nitish Kumar may be joining hands with the BJP, parties went into a huddle on Saturday to take stock of the situation. At a meeting of the RJD, the party empowered Lalu Yadav to take a call on whatever happens in state politics. Read on.

According to ANI sources, Tejashwi Yadav told the leaders of the party that Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is "respectable" and that there are many factors which were not under his "control".

"CM Nitish Kumar was and is respectable. Many things are not under his (Nitish Kumar) control. RJD's allies in the 'Mahagathbandhan' always respected the Chief Minister..." Tejashwi Yadav was quoted as saying by ANI.

“Bihar mein abhi khel hona baki hai (The game is yet to begin in Bihar),” Yadav reportedly said.

Bihar Congress President Akhilesh Singh says that the state unit has called for a meeting of MLAs tomorrow.

"We have called a meeting of our MLAs tomorrow. Whatever happens in Bihar, will be in our favour..." Singh says, according to ANI.

After a key meeting of RJD leaders at Lalu Prasad Yadav's residence, party MP Manoj Jha says that party leaders have authorised the former CM to take whatever decisions he wants.

"During the meeting, party leaders have authorised our president Lalu Prasad Yadav that he can take whatever decision he wants," Jha told, according to ANI.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has said he did not have any information that Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and his Janata Dal (United) were breaking away from the INDIA bloc of the Opposition.

“I don't have any information on the JD-U moving out of the INDIA bloc. What they have in mind is not clear. I am travelling to Dehradun tomorrow, and then to Delhi. I will get the full information and then I will brief you,” he said. Read on.

The BJP core committee meeting of the Bihar BJP in Patna has concluded, ANI reported.

"Nitish Kumar is still the CM and Tejashwi Yadav is the Deputy CM, what can I say on this...," Union Minister Giriraj Singh told reporters.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi criticises the RJD and the Congress. He says: "...RJD and Congress party are corrupt, dynastic parties. This is a party that fights only for its family...RJD and Congress have nothing to do with the problems and difficulties of the people..." according to ANI.

Visuals of Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar leaving from Raj Bhavan in Patna.

Here's a recap of the political developments in Bihar since morning:

* Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan met Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda in Delhi. He said that it was important to know what is happening in Bihar today.

* Several RJD leaders are meeting at the residence of party leader and Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav in Patna.

*Senior JD(U) leader KC Tyagi has accused the Congress of insulting Nitish Kumar. He also claimed that the INDIA bloc is on the verge of a collapse.

* Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that Mallikarjun Kharge made several attempts to speak with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, but as both of them are very busy, no conversation could be held between them.

* Meanwhile, a core committee meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party is also underway in Bihar's capital Patna.

On the political developments in Bihar, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claims that his party chief, Mallikarjun Kharge, tried to talk to Nitish Kumar several times.

"...I can formally say that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge tried to talk to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar not just once, but several times. However, the Bihar CM is busy..." he says, according to ANI.

Janata Dal (United) spokesperson KC Tyagi further adds: “Nitish Kumar never hankered after a position in the alliance but a section of the Congress leadership repeatedly insulted him.”

Tyagi adds he (Nitish Kumar) could not see as to how the INDIA bloc parties could fight the "all-powerful" BJP, reports PTI.

Union minister Pralhad Joshi claims that there is a serious difference of opinions between the RJD and JD-(U) that has come out before the media.

"There is a serious difference of opinions among two parties (RJD and JD-U) that has come out in the media itself and I don't have much to say about it," he tells reporters.

Amit the political turmoil in Bihar, senior JD(U) leader KC remarked that the INDIA alliance is on the brink of a collapse.

"We had succeeded in bringing all non-Congress parties together but the (alliance) is falling apart. In Punjab and Bihar, the (INDIA) alliance has nearly collapsed. Similarly, in West Bengal, the alliance is falling apart. Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav has asked Congress to work with an open heart," he tells PTI.