As the Bihar Assembly prepares for the crucial floor test to determine the strength of CM Nitish Kumar’s government, a significant development occurred when RJD MLAs Chetan Anand, Neelam Devi, and Prahlad Yadav were observed sitting on the government side, dealing a blow to the Opposition.
In response, Tejashwi Yadav, former Bihar Deputy CM and RJD leader, emphasized the importance of MLAs remaining in their designated seats until the end of the voting process, warning that any deviation could render the voting invalid. Concurrently, discussions are underway in the State Assembly regarding the motion to remove Bihar Assembly Speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary.
Amidst these proceedings, workers from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) were detained in Patna for staging a protest against the Bihar government, alleging coercion in influencing the seating arrangement of MLAs.
While both the JDU-NDA alliance and the RJD assert having the majority, there are reports of MLAs being moved to secure locations ahead of the crucial trust vote.
In a veiled rebuke to the RJD, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain expressed confidence in the JDU-NDA government’s ability to prove its majority under Nitish Kumar’s leadership.
Ahead of the floor test, RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari expressed optimism, stating that all MLAs are committed to safeguarding Bihar’s future by removing the current government from power.
RJD MLA Bhai Virendra asserted that they possess the majority required for the floor test.
The upcoming trust vote follows Nitish Kumar’s ninth oath-taking ceremony as the chief minister of Bihar, following his departure from the Mahagathbandhan alliance and the subsequent formation of a government with the BJP.
With the JD(U) having 45 MLAs in the 243-member House, supported by the BJP and Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S) with 79 and 4 legislators respectively, along with the backing of an Independent MLA, the NDA commands 128 MLAs compared to the Mahagathbandhan’s 115.
To secure victory in the House, the ruling alliance requires 122 votes.
