Nitish quits Cabinet

By K. Balchand

PATNA, JAN. 4. The Union Agriculture Minister, Mr. Nitish Kumar, today resigned from the A.B. Vajpayee-led National Democratic Alliance Government following differences in the Samata Party, precipitating a crisis ahead of tomorrow's crucial State council meeting. The council is to elect the new State chief and members to the national council, which is to meet on January 8 at Bangalore.

A split in the party now seems imminent with the dissident MPs, led by Mr. Raghunath Jha, Gopalganj MP and state president, deciding to hold their parallel meeting at a seperate venue. Mr. Jha claimed the support of six MPs and said his group was the real Samata Party.

Mr. Kumar announced his decision to quit the Cabinet - the third time in less than two years - on his arrival here from Delhi. He said he had sent his papers, with all formalities completed, to the Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, since he happened to be the leader of the parliamentary party, last evening to be forwarded to the Prime Minister for acceptance. Mr. Kumar had earlier resigned from the Cabinet owning responsibility for the Ghaisal train accident, followed by the one in March last to head the short-lived NDA Government in Bihar. On both occasions, he had sent his resignation letters to the Prime Minister directly, whereas last night he routed it through Mr. Fernandes. Mr. Kumar reasoned that his action was dictated by developments within the party.

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