Nitish Kumar wins trust vote in Bihar assembly

Nitish Kumar/ file photo

Led by Nitish Kumar, the NDA government in Bihar won a vote of confidence in the assembly on Monday. According to the reports, the new government secured 129 votes amid a walkout by the opposition members.

The Bihar assembly has a strength of 243 MLAs, according to a PTI report.

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Per the PTI report, the NDA government in Bihar, formed after JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar's latest volte-face, on Monday sought a trust vote with numbers stacked in its favour.

Ahead of the trust vote, Governor Rajendra Arlekar addressed the members of the bicameral legislature after which they took up the no-confidence against Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary of the erstwhile 'Mahagathbandhan' government who had refused to step down despite NDA government moving motion against him.

Guv Arlekar, during his speech, as per the PTI report, said, "Rule of law prevails in the state.....that is the top priority of the government. To improve law and order strength of (police) force has been increased." He also spoke about welfare measures taken by the government despite sloganeering from the opposition causing disturbances, reported PTI.

Bihar Assembly make-up

Nitish Kumar-led government includes JD(U), BJP, former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha and an independent candidate. Their combined strength is of 128 MLAs in the 243-seat assembly for which the majority mark is 122.

The recent absence of multiple MLAs from the JD(U) parliamentary party meeting and the BJP's training session in Bodh Gaya sparked controversy and speculation among Bihar's political elite. With the 'Mahagathbandhan' claiming that the NDA may not have enough votes to remove the Speaker, the absent members have come under intense scrutiny, PTI reported.

According to the report, despite assurances from the JD(U) and BJP leadership that all MPs will be present for important votes, worries persist. To ensure complete participation, the JD(U) entertained numerous MLAs in a prominent hotel following their party meeting, while BJP MLAs were asked to remain at Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha's residence after returning from the workshop.

The 'Mahagathbandhan', which includes the RJD, Congress, CPI(ML), CPI, and CPI(M), claimed that while its MLAs are unified, discontent may be building inside the NDA ranks. The rapid shifts in tactics by the JD(U) and BJP have aroused concerns, leading to speculation about probable defections, the report added.

Reportedly, the Mahagathbandhan MPs gathered at the home of their leader, Tejashwi Yadav, who lost his position as Deputy Chief Minister following Nitish Kumar's resignation from the alliance. Meanwhile, Samrat Choudhary, the state BJP president, has issued a warning against any attempts at horse trading.

Even as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has embarked on his record ninth term, he closely monitors the situation within JD(U), actively participating in party meetings and luncheons as preparations for the crucial trust vote intensify. The coming days are likely to witness high-stakes political manoeuvring as parties vie for power and stability in Bihar's ever-changing political landscape.