IN what will be his second volte face in less than 18 months, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar is set to snap ties with ally RJD amid indications he will quit Sunday and stake claim to form a government with the BJP.

According to PTI, a source close to Nitish was quoted as saying that the Chief Minister is likely to address a meeting of his party MLAs “around 10 am Sunday before going to Raj Bhavan to submit his resignation.” And the new government, with the BJP’s support, was expected by the evening.

“Offices, including the Governor’s secretariat, have been ordered to remain open Sunday,” said the source.

A rattled RJD had a meeting of its MLAs Sunday and leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, sources said, urged them to “go to people with their achievements,” and delink the party from Nitish’s decision to break if and when that happens.

Tejashwi is learnt to have told his MLAs that it was up to Nitish to explain why he did what he did. And they should make it clear to their constituents that it was Nitish who was “deserting” the alliance — and the RJD had nothing to do with this.

Although many RJD legislators have been in favour of withdrawing support to the government, Tejashwi has been insistent that they should not do anything that sends a message to the people that it was the RJD that forced Nitish’s hand.

“We will go to the people and tell them how we were moving in the direction of keeping our promises of giving 10 lakh jobs”, Tejashwi is said to have told his MLAs.

PTI reported that RJD national spokesman Manoj Jha told reporters that “all leaders unanimously authorised the party supremo (Lalu Prasad) to take any decision regarding the developments that may take place today or tomorrow”.

The RJD (79), Congress (19), and three Left parties together (16) have 114 MLAs, eight short of a majority in House of 243.

The JD(U)’s 45 MLAs and the BJP’s 78, along with the support of one Independent legislator, together make up 124 MLAs.

A senior RJD leader told The Indian Express: “We will not give Nitish Kumar any excuse. He is deserting us. We are not to blame for anything. Nor are we going to stake claim to form the government. We will wait for Nitish to falter on his own”.

The JD (U), meanwhile, launched a frontal attack on RJD. JD(U)’s chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said: “RJD leadership is restless. It has been in the habit of taking land for jobs but it could not gain anything in recent appointments of our 2 lakh teachers recently”.

BJP also held a huddle Saturday with its top leaders. Party leaders called it “pre-scheduled” as part of the preparation for Lok Sabha polls but sources said the meeting was held to discuss the “situation after the changed political conditions.” It is learnt that the BJP has reportedly accepted the condition of Nitish continuing as CM and two deputy CMs from the BJP.

A BJP leader was reported to have said that all attendees were asked “to place signatures on a piece of paper”, a pre-requisite if the BJP seeks to inform Governor Rajendra Arlekar that it’s ready to back the JD(U) and form the new government.

Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) leader Santosh Kumar Suman that they would support Nitish Kumar with their four MLAs. He denied that he had received any offer from RJD.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had tried to call Nitish Kumar without success. Amid reports that a section of the Congress MLAs in Bihar could not be contacted, the party decided to rush former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel to Patna as a special observer.

Said Shakil Ahmed Khan, the legislature party leader of the Congress: “All such rumours (of some MLAs jumping ship) are false. All 19 MLAs were present at a meeting we held in Purnea to discuss preparations for the January 30 rally of Rahul Gandhi who will reach Bihar as part of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra”. (with PTI)