Nitish Kumar has resigned as Bihar chief minister, a day after his party the Janata Dal United was routed in the general elections. He has recommended the dissolution of the state Assembly. The JD(U) has won just two of Bihar's 40 Lok Sabha seats. His former partner the BJP has won 31 along with its allies in the polls, which saw Mr Kumar's arch political rival Narendra Modi winning a decisive mandate to become Prime Minister.Yesterday, Mr Kumar said, "I respect the mandate of the people."His resignation may precipitate snap polls in the state that is due for assembly elections only in November next year.