Stage set for new alliance in Bihar after Nitish Kumar's resignation

Patna: Nitish Kumar's resignation as the Bihar Chief Minister has set the stage for an overhaul of alliances in the state Assembly. Sources say the JDU is in talks with both the Congress and arch rival Rashtriya Janata Dal.
While the Congress has reciprocated positively to JDU's hints, the RJD has denied the reports. "We had already extended support to JDU when it split from NDA. We haven't taken that back," Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed said.
However, RJD chief Lalu Prasad said, "This is there internal matter. Sharad has not spoken to me. We are keeping watch on the situation. We will discuss all this in the party meeting tomorrow." Lalu's comment comes even as RJD leader Manoj Jha said that there was nothing unusual in a conversation between Lalu and Nitish as they have been good friends and have always been on talking terms.

Ahead of the crucial meet at 4pm today, 12 of the party's rebel MLAs met at JDU Minister Narendra Singh's residence.

Meanwhile, there have been protests outside Nitish Kumar's house by some JDU workers who are demanded the former CM to withdraw his resignation. Sources say that Nitish had to step down as the CM due to dissidence within the party, post poll debacle.
Also, ahead of the crucial meet at 4 pm today, 12 of the party's rebel MLAs met at JDU Minister Narendra Singh's residence. "If JDU MLAs want elevation in stature of Narendra Singh, then it can't be helped," said Ajay, Singh's son.
midst all the confusion, party chief Sharad Yadav asserted that a decision on the new leader of Legislative Party would be taken in today's meeting. There are also reports that Yadav aide Bijendra Yadav would be appointed as the new leader of Legislative Party, replacing Nitish Kumar. Bijendra, however, refuted these reports saying that he was not contesting for the post.
Nitish Kumar resigned as the CM taking moral responsibility of the party's poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections. He, however, did not suggest dissolution of state Assembly.
In the Bihar Assembly Nitish's JDU has 117 MLAs, BJP has 90, RJD 24 and LJP just 3 seats. BJP is well short of the halfway mark of 122.