Nitish Kumar today chose senior minister Jitan Ram Manjhi to succeed him as Bihar Chief Minister, who would stake claim to form the government.
The 68-year-old Manjhi, a dalit leader, was SC & ST minister in the Nitish Kumar government.
The JD(U) has staked claim to form the government in the state under Manjhi, Kumar said.
Manjhi's name, he said, has the approval of JD(U) President Sharad Yadav as well state party chief Basistha Narayan Singh.