Political parties herd their MLAs ahead of floor test in Bihar

Patna: Amid speculations of MLAs crossing over to the opposing parties, almost all political parties have herded their legislators 48 hours ahead of the floor test of the newly formed NDA government led by the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Bihar.

The major constituent unit of the grand alliance (GA), RJD, soon after the meeting of the GA, reportedly stopped its MLAs at the official residence of the party leader and former deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav in Patna.

The luggage and other essentials of the legislators were brought as they were reportedly staying back. The other Alliance partner of the GA, Congress, amid fears of any poaching attempts by the BJP, has already shifted their MLAs to Hyderabad; however, three of them did not turn up there.

Meanwhile, the prominent constituent unit of the NDA, the BJP, was camping with its MLAs at Bodhagaya in the name of training for the crucial assembly session commencing with the trust vote for the NDA government in the state. It has been learned that two out of its 78 MLAs could not reach Bodhagaya, where the MLAs will continue until Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary said that the two MLAs were on their way and would soon join them in Bodhgaya. According to a party insider, the MLAs may come to the state assembly directly from Bodhgaya on February 12 if needed.

After the meeting, the former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejaswi Prasad Yadav reiterated that the "Khela" (game) will be played, saying that what he says means it. Yadav claimed that the JDU political party would meet its political death in 2024.

While talking to the media, RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha said that all MLAs of his party and that of GA attended the meeting and expressed their desire to stay together for the next 48 hours. He said all the MLAs were in a pleasant mood and were playing the Antakshari game. All required arrangements, including for their entertainment, have been made, he added.

Meanwhile, two days ahead of the floor test of the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government slated for Monday, a constituent unit of the GA, CPI ML MLA Mehboob Alam, with an aim to woo Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) president Jitan Ram Manjhi, part of the NDA government in Bihar, suddenly called later in the day.

While interacting with media persons, Alam, however, said that Manjhi was like his guardian, and they keep meeting regularly. In the jocular vein, Alam said that Manjhi was in high spirits and would play a good "Khela" (game).

The word Khela has currently become a buzz word in the political circle in Bihar, as RJD has been claiming to play the Khela (game) since the beginning of the floor test. Alam, however, ruled out any underhand practice during the floor test.

Meanwhile, JDU had thrown a feast on Saturday at the residence of Bihar Minister Shrawan Kumar, chief whip of the party, in which six MIAs were conspicuous by their absence. According to party insider Dr. Sanjiv, Bima Bharti, Gunjeshwar Shah, Shalini Mishra, Dilip Rai, and Sudarshan Kumar could not attend the meeting followed by the feast.

It is said that Shah was away in Delhi for some medical reasons. Later, after the feast, MLA Gopal Mandal arrived at the venue.

Meanwhile, JDU MLA Shalini Mishra stated that she was in Delhi and had informed her party leaders about it. She declined any offer from the RJD and also ruled out the speculations about contesting the Ink Sabha election from GA. She claimed all 45 MLAs from JDU were intact.

Sinha said she will be back in Patna on Sunday to attend the legislator party meeting to be held on the eve of the budget session.

She said that the NDA will wo percent succeed in the floor test and maintained that it would not be a surprise if the NDA gets some extra votes from GA MLAs. She claimed that some of the GA MLAs were inclined towards the NDA.

As per the business enlisted for Monday, February 12, in the state assembly, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led government will face the floor test.

However, prior to moving the trust vote motion, the no confidence notice against Speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary submitted before the Assembly secretary on January 28 after the formation of the NDA government will be taken up as the agenda set for the day.

The no-confidence motion against the Speaker, Awadh Bihari Choudhary, may become a bone of contention for both the ruling and opposition factions, as the Speaker has already announced not to step down from the chair, pleading a 14-day period rule. Choudhary had stated that he knew about the no-confidence notice on February 7 and could take his time in making a decision, as per the rules. 

Meanwhile, Shrawan Kumar of JDU, refuting the claims of the speaker, asserted that he had personally submitted the notice for the motion of no confidence to the assembly secretariat on January 28, and the 14-day period for action on the motion expires on February 11, just before the commencement of the budget session on February 12. He hoped the Speaker would take a decision by Sunday.