NEW DELHI: JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar on Friday slammed BJP for trying to break his party in Bihar and thanked NDA ally Shiv Sena for supporting it during the Bihar crisis.

"BJP tried very hard to break our party, but failed," the former Bihar chief minister told reporters after Jitan Ram Manjhi resigned as chief minister.

Nitish Kumar once again said sorry to the people of the state for quitting as chief minister.

"I accept my mistake and apologize to the people of Bihar," he said.

"We have already staked our claim to form a new government and hope that governor will invite us," Nitish Kumar said.

Nitish had a word of special praise for Shiv Sena, which had slammed its ally BJP for extending support to Manjhi.

The former Bihar chief minister slammed BJP and Jitan Ram Manjhi for playing the caste card and urged people of the state to stand together for development.

Source: TOI