Indian Agriculture Minister Nitish Kumar resigned from the coalition government cabinet Thursday following a rift within his regional Samata Party.
The United News of India quoted Kumar as saying "internal differences" were behind his decision.
The Samata party has been split over a proposal by Kumar that it should merge with another regional party in the eastern state of Bihar.
Half of the dozen Samata MPs in the federal parliament have come out strongly against the move -- NEW DELHI (AFP)