New Delhi: Opposition parties on Tuesday reacted to the Janta Dal (United) [JD(U)] breaking ranks with the BJP as a "strong indictment" of the saffron party's "politics of intimidation", also claiming that parliament was adjourned prematurely because of the crisis in that state.

Earlier in the day, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar met governor Phagu Chauhan and tendered his resignation. This came after the decision to quit the BJP-led NDA was taken at a meeting of JD(U) MPs and MLAs at Kumar's residence.

"#NitishKumar breaking alliance with BJP is a strong indictment of the politics of intimidation practiced by BJP.

"BJP's authoritarianism leaves no scope for cooperation. After Akalis & Shiv Sena, JD(U) is latest example. Cracks are visible in the relationship of BJP & AIADMK too," Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary D. Raja said in a tweet.

CPI MP Binoy Viswam said the events in Bihar indicate that a change is underway.

"Bihar conveys the message of far reaching change in Indian politics. It's final outcome depends up on the level of insight expected from the important players. The left will definitely play the responsible role in its consistant fight against RSS-BJP (sic)," said Viswam in a tweet.

In 2017, Kumar broke his alliance with the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and formed a government with the BJP. This time around, the story is expected to come full circle as he looks set to form a fresh government with the support of the entire opposition, including the RJD and the Left parties.

CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the BJP has now got a taste of its own medicine.

"The BJP has said that it wanted an opposition-free India. Now, look at how some parties are reacting to them, particularly their allies. They are getting a taste of their own medicine after what they did in Maharashtra," Yechury told PTI, referring to the fall of the Uddhav Thackeray government.

Asked about Nitish Kumar's political future, Yechury a key opposition strategist, said that it was "too early" to comment specifically on it.

Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien said the situation in Bihar is one of the reasons behind the Parliament session being cut short by the government.

"Bihar politics. Another big reason why PM @narendramodi and @AmitShah ran away and SHUT DOWN #ParliamentMonsoonSession FOUR DAYS EARLY," O'Brien tweeted.

The monsoon session of Parliament ended four days ahead of schedule on Monday.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also alleged that parliament was adjourned prematurely because of the Bihar situation.

Another Congress MP Vivek Tankha said, "Nitish Kumar's ultimate signal through the U-turn is that he prefers to leave Bihar 10-plus crore people''s future at the hands of Tejashwi Yadav than entrench BJP. In retrospect for BJP displacement of Sushil Kumar Modi was a wrong decision !!".

Momentum for anti-BJP coalition: DMK

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, said its president M.K. Stalin's vision to fight the BJP at the national level has gained momentum with the JD(U) pulling out of the NDA.

To take on the Saffron party, DMK organisation secretary R.S. Bharathi said that Stalin, also the Tamil Nadu chief minister, had batted for opposition parties to join hands, well ahead of the Presidential election held last month.

This vision of his party chief to fight the BJP nationally, has now gained momentum and it would pick up more traction ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Bharathi told PTI.

'BJP bhagao' says Akhilesh

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav welcomed  Nitish's decision to walk out of the alliance with the BJP, calling it a "good beginning".

Speaking to reporters, Yadav said, "This is a good beginning today, the day when slogan of 'Bharat chhodo' (Quit India) was given against the British. If the slogan of 'BJP bhagaao' (drive away the BJP) is coming from Bihar, I feel that in other states also, parties will stand against the BJP, and so is people."

When asked to comment on Nitish and about the stand he has taken, the SP chief said, "He is a leader with vast experience. What could be said about him? He knows Bihar and the arithmetic of Bihar politics better."

On talks in political circles that Nitish Kumar could be the opposition face in the 2024 general election, SP's chief spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary told PTI in Lucknow, "Nitish is our old partner and we have worked together since the days of the Lok Dal. This is not the time to discuss about the prime ministerial candidate."

Janata Dal parivar re-emergence?

Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)] patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda expressed hope of the erstwhile Janata Dal Parivar re-emerging as a political alternative in the country.

The former prime minister said the developments in Bihar, which saw the Nitish's JDU and Lalu Prasad Yadav's RJD – both constituents of the Janata Parivar – coming together to form a government in Bihar, made him think of the days when they all were united.

"I have been watching the developments in Bihar. It made me think of the days when the Janata Dal Parivar was under one roof. It gave three PMs. I am in my advanced years, but if the younger generation decides, it can offer a good alternative to this great nation," Gowda tweeted.

(With PTI inputs)

Note: Reactions of more opposition parties were added to this article after publication.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.