Nitish Kumar is expected to return as Bihar chief minister for the 10th time. While his leadership is almost certain, the position of the assembly speaker remains a topic of discussion within the NDA. Party leaders are negotiating the post, which was previously held by BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav.
The new NDA government will take oath at a grand ceremony at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Thursday, November 20. Janata Dal (United) leaders have stated that Nitish Kumar will head the new government. An official announcement is expected by Wednesday evening, after internal meetings by JD(U) and BJP leaders.
Allies Negotiate Key Positions
The JD(U) and BJP are reportedly discussing the allocation of important portfolios and the speaker’s post ahead of their respective legislature party meetings.
“The post of speaker is coveted by both sides, an earlier HT report quoted an alliance leader as saying, adding that broader issues have already been settled…” the functionary quoted above said.
The discussions are seen as a strategic move to balance power within the NDA and maintain harmony between the coalition partners.
Frontrunners for Speaker Post
Several leaders are in contention for the Bihar assembly speaker position. Among them, BJP’s Prem Kumar and JD(U)’s Vijay Chowdhary are considered frontrunners.
JD(U)’s Narendra Narayan Yadav, who served as deputy speaker in the outgoing assembly, is also in the race, an Indian Express report said.
In the previous assembly, Nand Kishore Yadav of the BJP served as speaker, while Narendra Narayan Yadav of JD(U) held the deputy speaker post. These roles are key to legislative operations and coalition balance in Bihar.
Deputy CM Positions Under Discussion
JD(U) has expressed that if the BJP takes the speaker post, only one deputy chief minister should be appointed. The party is against having two deputy CMs in Bihar, according to the HT report.
The outgoing government had two deputy chief ministers: BJP’s Samrat Choudhury, a leader from the backward classes, and Vijay Kumar Sinha, a Bhumihar leader. Both leaders were re-elected in the recent Bihar polls.
This discussion over the deputy CM and speaker posts reflects broader power-sharing negotiations between JD(U) and BJP. Party leaders are keen to maintain regional representation and caste balance in the new government.
Grand Swearing-In Ceremony at Gandhi Maidan
The NDA government is preparing for a large-scale oath-taking event on November 20. The ceremony at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan is expected to attract top party leaders and state officials. It will mark the beginning of Nitish Kumar’s next term as chief minister and the formal announcement of key legislative positions.
The allocation of portfolios and selection of speaker and deputy CM remain crucial for maintaining coalition stability in Bihar. Party insiders say final decisions will be announced after internal deliberations by both JD(U) and BJP.
