Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar has once again said that it is time for him to quit, triggering an emotional turmoil in his party, the JDU.

The party top brass said the words show Nitish's discomfort with the current situation around him and the country, where socialism and secularism have taken a beating.

"It is our responsibility to see that the new generation takes inspiration from leaders like Veer Kunwar Singh. What is there left for us? We will go now," Nitish said on Wednesday, after inaugurating a national seminar on Kunwar Singh's role in 1857's first war of independence.

It also happened to be the concluding day of the three-day Vijayotsav (victory) celebrations of the 1857 hero.

This is not the first time Nitish, 67, has issued such a statement.

Speaking at a JDU meeting in September, he had asked what will happen to the party if he dies.

Getting emotional over the latest statement, JDU secretary general K.C. Tyagi said: "We cannot even imagine about the moment when Nitish ji is not with us or at the helm of affairs in the party. We see a glimpse of Ram Manohar Lohia in him and without his presence people like us will choose to sit at home or do something unconnected to politics."

"Nitish ji is like our last resort in this cesspool of politics. Minus him, I don't think any party in the present political set- will have space for people like us," said Tyagi, who has worked with Chaudhary Charan Singh, Devi Lal, V.P. Singh and S.R. Bommai.

Tyagi also said that Nitish was unlike other leaders. "He (Nitish) has a tendency to come out of politics also. He is not in it to make money, lead a luxurious life or raise a political dynasty. He has a spotlessly clean image and is uncompromising on corruption and communalism. He would never bend on these issues," the JDU secretary general said.

Another senior JDU leader told The Telegraph on condition of anonymity that Nitish's comments could be a result of broken dreams, frustration and discomfort with the situation around him.

"The kind of dream that Nitish and we all saw is out of place in today's times. Socialism has taken a severe beating across the globe and secularism is also under attack," he said. "He thus feels uncomfortable. His comments are a result of this."

The senior leader also pointed that this should not be construed as Nitish's hopelessness as he will not compromise with his ideology at any cost.

"Those who want to make him bend, should remember that the Grand Alliance government fell because he did not compromise on corruption. Similarly, he did not compromise when a Union minister's son was involved in communal tension in Bhagalpur and had to go to jail," the leader argued.

JDU spokesperson and MLC Neeraj Kumar said Nitish has risen above divisive politics.

"He has set a benchmark in good governance. We believe he will be with us to serve the people, state and country for decades to come."