RJD supporters block Mahatma Gandhi Setu, JD(U) MP refuses to back Nitish's decision

Patna: The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supporters blocked Mahatma Gandhi Setu, connecting north Bihar with Patna, over Nitish Kumar's resignation and his bid to form government with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

However, Janata Dal (United) JD (U) MP Ali Anwar refused to support Nitish Kumar and said, “"My conscience does not allow me to support #NitishKumar's decision of forming Govt with the BJP.”

Meanwhile, Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi invited Bihar deputy chief minister and RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav and five other RJD MLAs for discussion.

The development came right after a large group of RJD leaders, led by Tejaswi, marched towards the Governor's residence to stage a dharna over the sudden change in time of the oath-taking ceremony of Nitish Kumar as the Bihar Chief Minister.

While marching towards the Raj Bhawan, Tejaswi said, being the largest party, the RJD should have been invited to form government in Bihar.

"I've been defamed. The people of Bihar are watching. Being the largest party we should have been invited (to form government in Bihar)," he said.

RJD leader and brother of Tejaswi, Tej Pratap Yadav also blatantly slammed Nitish for changing sides.

"He (Nitish) has sat in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) lap. It is betrayal of the mandate given by the people of Bihar," he said.

This development came following the announcement by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of change in timing of the oath-taking ceremony from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m.

Smelling foul in the same, the RJD said the amendment came following the information of the party meeting the Governor at 11 AM.

"Earlier the oath was to take place at 5 pm, but since now the RJD is meeting the Governor at 11am, so he is planning to take oath at 10 a.m. This shows there is some foulplay," RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha said.

He further alleged that Tejaswi was only an excuse for Nitish to shift his loyalty back to the BJP.