Bihar assembly speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary removed ahead of trust vote

The floor test for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar, led by Nitish Kumar, is set for Monday to establish its majority in the Assembly. However, the ruling Janata Dal-United (JD(U)) faced concerns as three of its MLAs were once again absent from the crucial legislators’ meeting in Patna on Sunday evening, following the non-attendance of six MLAs at the previous luncheon meeting on Saturday. Notable among the absent JD(U) MLAs were Rupauli MLA and former minister Bima Bharti, Sursand MLA Dilip Ray, and Barbigha MLA Sudarshan Kumar.

In response to this, the JD(U) moved its MLAs to a hotel near the Assembly, as seen in a video obtained by ANI showing them heading to the Chanakya Hotel in Patna.

The JD(U), with 45 MLAs, holds a significant position in the 243-member Bihar assembly, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 79 MLAs. Alongside the alliance partner Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S) contributing four MLAs, and with the support of one independent, the NDA comprises 128 MLAs against the Grand Alliance’s (GA) 115. To secure the majority, an alliance needs 122 MLAs.

Key highlights include JD(U) MLA Gopal Mandal stating that the party is in contact with the three absent MLAs, emphasizing that there is no political maneuvering involved. Additionally, BJP MLAs were moved to a resort in Bodh Gaya for a two-day stay, returning to Patna on Sunday evening, with the party clarifying that this was for training purposes, not due to poaching concerns.

Meanwhile, RJD MLAs have been staying at Tejashwi’s residence since Saturday afternoon, depicted in social media videos enjoying music and a bonfire. On Sunday, Congress MLAs, who had been in Hyderabad, also arrived at Tejashwi’s residence. Reports suggested that JD(U) intended to transfer its MLAs to Hotel Chanakya in Patna for the night.