Patna, March 27 Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was recently elected to the Rajya Sabha, is likely to resign from the state legislative council soon, his close aide Sanjay Kumar Jha indicated on Friday.
Jha, the national working president of the Janata Dal (United), however, did not specify when Kumar might relinquish the seat.
"The Constitution stipulates that you should resign within 14 days. Things will proceed accordingly," Jha said when asked about reports that Kumar may step down as MLC on March 30.
Kumar was elected to the Rajya Sabha on March 16.
According to the Constitution, if a member of the state legislature gets elected to Parliament, he or she must resign the seat previously held within 14 days of the election.
Some JD(U) leaders, however, indicated that any change of guard in Bihar could be deferred, citing provisions that allow a person to remain chief minister for up to six months without being a member of the state legislature.
Responding to opposition allegations of a collapse in law and order, Jha said the situation in the state was "the best in the country".
"Law and order in Bihar is the best in the country. Those who engage in criminal activities are immediately apprehended by the police. There is no political protection for criminals," Jha added.