Bihar crisis over? Tejashwi won't have to quit

'It is decided that Tejashwi’s resignation depends on the CBI’s action in the coming days. If the CBI files a chargesheet against him, Tejashwi will have to take a decision. But for now, he doesn’t have to resign,' an RJD leader said.

In a new twist to the ongoing political crisis in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will not seek the resignation of Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, sources said on Wednesday.

There is no threat to the ruling Mahagathbandhan of the Janata Dal-United, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress as both top leaders of the alliance -- RJD chief Lalu Yadav and JD-U president Kumar -- have agreed to end the crisis.

"A day after Tejashwi Yadav met Nitish Kumar for over 40 minutes and informed him about the lodging of an FIR (first information report) by the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) against him and raids at his residence, a new formula has been prepared to end the crisis under which Tejashwi will not have to resign for now," a senior JD-U leader privy to the development said.

According to sources in the JD-U, it was formulated that there is no need for Tejashwi to resign merely on the basis of an FIR being registered by the CBI against him.

"It is decided that Tejashwi’s resignation depends on the CBI’s action in the coming days. If the CBI files a chargesheet against him, Tejashwi will have to take a decision. But for now, he doesn’t have to resign," an RJD leader said.

Another RJD leader close to Tejashwi said Kumar was satisfied after the deputy CM met him and explained his stand.

Earlier, Tejashwi had said the allegations of corruption against him are full of lies and part of a conspiracy by the Bharatiya Janata Party, its chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In fact, the RJD had threatened its ally JD-U, which was mounting pressure for Tejashwi’s resignation, that if the deputy CM was sacked or compelled to quit by Kumar, all RJD ministers will resign en masse.

RJD leaders had said the party had no option but to follow Tejashwi as he was the leader of the RJD legislature party in the assembly and the political heir of Lalu.

Lalu had repeatedly stated in public that Tejashwi will not resign in any case.

IMAGE: Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, right, with Health Minister Tej Pratap talking to the media after the party legislators' meeting in Patna. Photograph: PTI Photo.