The 17-year old alliance between JDU and BJP has come to an end. The JD(U) President Sharad Yadav and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced the break up of the alliance at a press conference in Patna on Sunday, exactly a week after Narendra Modi was made the BJP's Campaign committee Chairman. Sharad Yadav said that continuing of alliance with BJP had become difficult as it deviated from the national agenda of the alliance. He said “We cannot compromise with our basic principles. We were forced to take this decision.” Mr Yadav also quit as Convenor of the NDA.

BJP has accused the JD(U) of betraying the people of Bihar. Senior state BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said that they would observe Betrayal Day on Tuesday by observing statewide bandh. Demanding resigning from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Mr. Modi said that the Chief Minister should seek a fresh mandate as JD U leader after the separation.

Meanwhile, RJD Chief Lalu Prasad alleged that both the parties have betrayed the voters of the state and they will get the result of it in the next election.

State Congress party termed the development as the matured decision of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and said that if the decision was taken to make secularism stronger, than the party welcomes the move.