Demand for Tejashwi Yadav's resignation 'unjustified', says Congress leader

"I am not defending anyone...But allegations are part of politics. How can a young man be made to resign just on the basis of an allegation or a case or an FIR," Mr Chacko, former MP and Congress general secretary, told UNI.

He said the Congress party has also labeled charges against Mr M Venkaiah Naidu, the NDA nominee for Vice President elections.

"So does it mean? Mr Naidu should not contest....BJP should clarify their stand," said former Thrissur Lok Sabha MP from Kerala.

"Therefore, I say the demand for Tejashwi's exit from Nitish Kumar cabinet is not justified. His career would have ended," he said.

He said Mr Kumar had made up his mind sometime back and just used the corruption charges against Mr Tejashwi to quit the grand alliance in Bihar.

"He had decided sometime back," said Mr Chacko.

"In terms of its implication in national politics, I will say it is a temporary set back. But Nitish has damaged his own image by aligning with the BJP yet again. It is his and his party's decision....so we have nothing to say," he said and asserted that one way it is good the 'desertion' has happened when there is still time for the Congress and other parties to build up opposition unity for the 2019 general elections.

"In 2019, it will be a good contest....Congress is gearing up for it along with other opposition parties," Mr Chacko said.

In a fast-packed development in less than 24 hours, Mr Kumar dumped the RJD and Congress - his partners during 2015 assembly elections in Bihar - and again joined hands with the BJP to form an alternative government.