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Amidst intense speculation and heightened political drama, the newly formed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar is set to face a crucial floor test on the first day of the assembly’s budget session on Monday. The outcome of this test will determine the stability and legitimacy of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s government, formed in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Nitish Kumar made headlines by forming a new government with the BJP, breaking away from the ‘Grand Alliance’ and marking his ninth term as chief minister on January 28. This move, which marked his fifth switch in political alliances in little over a decade, set the stage for a highly contentious political battle in the state.
All major parties in Bihar have been working tirelessly to ensure the loyalty of their respective MLAs during the impending trust vote. Whips have been issued to mandate the presence of all MLAs during the floor test, with stakeholders resorting to extreme measures such as sequestering MLAs in resorts to prevent poaching.
The Congress, for instance, relocated 16 out of its total 19 MLAs to a resort in Hyderabad to shield them from potential overtures. Similarly, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has housed all 78 of his MLAs at his residence. Despite initial concerns, all Congress MLAs have returned to the state capital, reaffirming their allegiance to the party.
Meanwhile, the BJP transported its MLAs to Bodh Gaya under the guise of a training camp, before returning them to the state capital late Sunday evening. The JD(U) also made arrangements to accommodate its MLAs at Hotel Chanakya in Patna, with party leadership actively ensuring the presence of all members.
In a surprising turn of events, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar reshuffled his team of legal advisors just a day before the floor test, appointing senior advocate Dr. Krishna Nandan Singh as his Chief Legal Advisor. The move has raised eyebrows and added to the intrigue surrounding the impending test of strength in the assembly.
Following the governor’s address to the state legislature, a no-confidence motion is expected to be tabled against Assembly Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary. Chaudhary, however, has remained firm in his decision not to resign from his post, prompting further tensions within the assembly.
With Nitish Kumar expressing confidence in winning the trust vote, all eyes are now on the assembly as the fate of Bihar’s government hangs in the balance. The NDA, with its 128 MLAs, holds a slight advantage over the grand alliance’s 114, setting the stage for a closely watched showdown on the assembly floor.
As the political maneuvering continues and tensions escalate, the floor test represents a critical juncture in Bihar’s political landscape, with far-reaching implications for the state’s governance and stability.
