Threats of ‘poaching’, Speaker yet to resign: Bihar political intrigues continue ahead of trust vote
With days to go for the Bihar trust vote on February 12, the NDA government led by Nitish Kumar and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) are engaged in mind games. Speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary has yet to step down from his position, with the RJD saying that the Nitish government is “precariously placed” and hinting at more changes in political equations in the state. The BJP, meanwhile, has warned of “stern action” if horse-trading is attempted.
An RJD leader told The Indian Express, “It is always safe to have our Speaker in a situation when the Nitish government is precariously placed. The Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), which has been supporting the government, looks non-committal. Some JD(U) MLAs also look upset with Nitish changing sides.”
Ahead of trust vote, Bihar numbers in fine balance; but what will Jitan Ram Manjhi do?
Saturday also saw both CPI(ML-Liberation) MLAs — Mehboob Alam and Satydeo Ram — meeting Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) patron Jitan Ram Manjhi, in what was described as a courtesy call. Former CM Manjhi later reiterated his party’s position, which he had already clarified on Friday in a post on X that “Mai garib hoon lekin dhokebaz nahi. PM Modi ke saath hi rahenge (I’m poor, but not a betrayer. I’ll continue to be with PM Modi)”.
With the support of four HAM(S) MLAs and an Independent legislator, the NDA has 128 MLAs in the 243-member House.
Easy win for Nitish govt in trust vote as 3 RJD MLAs, ‘missing’ JD(U) MLAs surface on his side
Three RJD MLAs crossed over to the NDA while five absent JD(U) MLAs turned up with just a few minutes to go for voting, helping Chief Minister Nitish Kumar win the trust vote easily on Monday with 129 votes in its favour. There was no vote against, as the Opposition walked out before the voting.
The NDA’s tally stood at 130, if the Deputy Speaker’s vote was included. In the House of 243, simple majority is 122. Before the vote, the NDA claimed it had 128 MLAs with it, and the Mahagathbandhan cited the support of 114.
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'Matter of investigation': RJD MLA reacts to 3 party legislators switching to NDA
Reacting to three Rashtriya Janata Dal MLAs switching over to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the Bihar Assembly session today, party legislator Alok Kumar Mehta said that it was a matter of investigation.
During the session, three Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLAs (Prahlad Yadav, Neelam Devi and Chetan Anand) switched over to the NDA bloc.
Celebrations outside BJP office in Bihar after Nitish Kumar wins no-trust vote
Workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated at the party office in Bihar after CM Nitish Kumar won the trust vote in the Assembly.
'Corrupt have been explicity told, every file will be opened, investigation carried out': Bihar deputy CM
Speaking to reporters after CM Nitish Kumar won the no-trust vote in the Bihar Assembly, deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary said, "Corrupt have been explicity told that each and every file will be opened, and investigation carried out".
He added: "Whatever these people were doing till 2 days back, will be exposed and the CM has ordered an investigation into this."
He also said that there has "always been" talks of an alliance between three parties: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal (United), and the Hindustani Awami Morcha (HAM).
Bihar Assembly Live: Nitish Kumar wins floor test 130-0
Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar won the no-trust vote in the Assembly 130-0. One-time ally Rashtriya Janata Dal had staged a walkout earlier.
Bihar Floor Test Live Updates: Nitish Kumar wins floor test, RJD walks out
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar won the floor test in the Assembly Monday, even as one-time ally Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-- led by Tejashwi Yadav-- walked out of the House. The trust vote happened two weeks after Nitish jumped allegiance from the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) — a JD(U), RJD and Congress alliance — to the NDA bloc. During the session, three Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLAs (Prahlad Yadav, Neelam Devi and Chetan Anand) switched over to the NDA bloc. Speaking in the Assembly, Nitish Kumar said that the RJD was trying to take credit for the initiatives he had started. He also alleged that for 15 years, the Lalu Prasad-Rabri Devi governments had not done anything for Bihar development.
'Lalu-Rabri got opportunity to work for 15 years before I was elected in 2005,' says CM Nitish Kumar during trust vote
Speaking during the floor test proceedings in the Bihar Assembly, CM Nitish Kumar said that RJD chiefs Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi had 15 years to work for the state, "before I was elected in 2005". "The contrast is visible," he said.
"They say that Muslims are with them. But what did they do? So many fights happened between Hindus and Muslims during their rule. It all stopped once I came (as CM)," he said.
"What they didn't do for 15 years, I took up immediately," he said. "I have worked for every level of society, for their development."
"Law and order has improved: women roam around till late at night," Nitish said.
"When they came again, they just continued my policies and initiatives, and are now trying to take credit," he added.
'What is the symbol of corruption? Lalu Prasad's family,' says Bihar deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary
Speaking ahead of the trust vote in Bihar Assembly, deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary said that former CM Lalu Prasad's family was "the symbol of corruption".
He also alleged that the RJD wanted to turn Bihar into 'Mafia Raj'.
3 RJD MLAs switch to NDA bloc ahead of no trust vote
RJD MLAs Chetan Anand, Neelam Devi and Prahlad Yadav have switched over to the NDA bloc, ahead of the no trust vote in Bihar Assembly,
Tejashwi Yadav in Assembly: 'Bring back Old Pension Scheme'
Tejwashwi Yadav urged the JD(U)-NDA government to "bring back Old Pension scheme".
Earlier, white targeting Nitish Kumar, Yadav had said: "We think of you (CM Nitish Kumar) as a member of our family. We are from the Samajwadi family...Jo aap jhanda le kar ke chale the ki Modi ko desh mein rokne hain, ab aapka Bhateeja jhanda utha kar ke Modi ko Bihar mein rokne ka kaam karega."
Tejashwi Yadav targets Nitish in Assembly: 'Want to congratulate CM for taking oath for the 9th time'
"First of all, I would like to congratulate our Chief Minister (Nitish Kumar) for scripting history by taking oath for the 9th consecutive time. We have not witnessed such a wonderful scene of taking oath for the third time in one term," RJD leader Tejashwi Yada said in the Assembly, as he took a swipe at Nitish Kumar.
Tejashwi Yadav targets Nitish in Assembly: 'Can PM Modi guarantee that Nitish won't switch camps again?'
Doubling down his attack on NDA-JD(U) alliance, Tejashwi said, 'Can PM Modi guarantee that Nitish won't switch camps again?'
Tejashwi Yadav targets Nitish in Assembly: 'People want to know why you keep switching camps'
"The people of Bihar want to know why you keep switches camps," Tejashwi Yadav targeted Nitish Kumar in the Bihar Assembly.
Speaker voted out in Bihar Assembly
No-confidence motion against Bihar Assembly Speaker and RJD leader Awadh Bihari Choudhary passed in the State Assembly.
125 members voted in favour of the resolution; 112 against.
Dy CM Samrat Chowdhary walks out of Assembly ahead of vote
Dy CM Samrat Chowdhary, who not eligible to vote, walked out of the Bihar Assembly ahead of the no trust vote.
3 RJD MLAs sit on government's side in Assembly
RJD MLAs Chetan Anand, Neelam Devi and Prahlad Yadav are sitting on the government side in the Bihar Assembly in Patna. -- ANI
Discussion on no-confidence motion underway in House
Discussion on the no-confidence motion against Speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary is underway in the Assembly.
Motion to remove Speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary passed in Assembly ahead of no trust vote
Motion to remove the Bihar Assembly Speaker and RJD leader Awadh Bihari Choudhary was moved and passed in the State Assembly, and the Speaker has been removed.
RJD workers stage protest in Bihar ahead of no trust vote
RJD workers protest against the Bihar government in Patna. The protestors were later detained by Police.
'3.63 lakh people given government jobs since 2020': Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar
Speaking about employement, the Governor said, "Between 2005 and 2020, 5.35 lakh people were employed, and 3.63 lakh people were given government jobs since 2020."
Pro-Tejashwi slogans in House as Governor highlights govt schemes
Pro-Tejashwi slogans of 'Tejashwi zindabad' were heard in the House, as the RJD government gave him credit for mass appointments in last 17 months. "3.68 lakh teachers have been appointed since 2006, 11 medical colleges were constructed while 11 others are under construction," the Governor announced.
How do the number stack up?
A look at party-wise MLAs in Bihar Assembly:
Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar underlined state govt schemes in Bihar
"Under CM Udyami Yojana, Rs 10 lakh were provided as support, inlcuding Rs 5 lakh as grants and Rs 5 lakh interest-free loan for SC/ST/EBC groups and women," says Bihar Governor in the Assembly.
Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar addresses State Assembly
Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar addressed the State Assembly and said, "Rule of law remains top priority in Bihar. Separate responsibilities have been given to the police about investigation and policing. 2,27,873 posts have been created, with a total of 1.10 lakh posts in the police force."
Slogans of 'Jai Shree Ram' heard inside the House
Chants of 'Jay Shree Ram' were heard in the House, while some Opposition leaders also raised slogans of 'Mitti me mil jayenge, BJP me nahi jayenge (We'll turn into dust but not join BJP)' outside the Assembly.
"Who knows when he will take a turn?": Jairam Ramesh targets Nitish Kumar
Ahead of the floor test in Bihar, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday attacked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, saying, when 'Palti Kumar' is ruling, who knows where he will take a turn?
"When 'Palti Kumar' is ruling, who knows where he will take a turn? A floor test is important. In Jharkhand, the floor test was done on February 5, and in Bihar, time was given till February 12. This is all a conspiracy...INDIA bloc is united," he said. -- ANI
Assembly session begins with Nitish Kumar govt all set to face no trust vote, oust Speaker
The Assembly session began on Monday with Nitish Kumar’s government in Bihar all set to face a trust vote, two weeks after he jumped allegiance from the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) — a JD(U), RJD and Congress alliance — to the NDA bloc. As per the Assembly schedule, Governor R V Arlekar will address both Houses of the legislature, followed by the Assembly taking up the no-confidence motion against Speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary.
'Detained' JD(U) MLA Sanjeev Singh to reach Assembly shortly
JD(U) MLA Sanjeev Singh, who was earlier detained in Nawada, will reach the Bihar Assembly shortly.
Watch | RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav arrives at Bihar Assembly
Former Bihar Deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has arrived at the Bihar Assembly in Patna.
Nitish Kumar arrives in Assembly ahead of floor test
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar arrives at Bihar Assembly ahead of floor test.
Bihar MLAs begin arriving at the State Assembly ahead of trust vote
Bihar MLAs begin arriving at the State Assembly in Patna, ahead of the floor test of the NDA government led by CM Nitish Kumar.
'Nitish has lost the battle of perception': Congress' Shakil Ahmad Khan
Congress legislature party leader Shakil Ahmad Khan said, "We have issued whip to our all 19 MLAs... But Nitish Kumar has lost the battle of perception before the trust vote".
'True that some MLAs being influenced': JD(U) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha
Senior JD(U) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha said, 'We have the support of 128 MLAs. It is true that some MLAs were being influenced'.
Watch | Security personnel deployed outside Vidhan Sabha ahead of floor test
Security officials have been deployed at Bihar Vidhan Sabha, ahead of the floor test. Rajeev Mishra, SSP Patna says, "Security arrangements have been made in view of the assembly session today. Today is the first day of the session."
JD(U) MLA Sanjeev Singh detained in Nawada
JD(U) MLA Sanjeev Singh has been detained in Nawada ahead of the floor test in Bihar Assembly scheduled to be held later today. Dr Sanjeev is one of five MLAs who had not turned up at the party's meet on Sunday.
Watch | RJD supporters gather outside Dy CM Tejashwi Yadav's residence in Patna
RJD supporters have gathered outside former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav's residence in Patna, Bihar.
Ahead of Bihar trust vote, midnight drama: from ‘missing MLA’ claims to cops at Tejashwi home
Ahead of the trust vote in Bihar on Monday, the BJP and the JD(U) kept their legislators in two separate hotels, and MLAs of the RJD stayed at the official residence of former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav.
BJP leader and Union Minister Nityanand Rai claimed all 78 MLAs of the saffron party were at a hotel in Patna and would go straight to Vidhan Sabha for the trust vote. The JD(U) of Nitish Kumar also got 40 of its MLAs to stay at another hotel in the state capital. However, the JD(U) remained jittery over five of its MLAs not turning up at the party meeting on Sunday.
Just when the media had started speculating about the five “missing” JD(U) MLAs, Patna police visited RJD leader Tejashwi’s residence, where all 79 RJD MLAs, as well as 16 MLAs from allies and Left parties, had stayed, to look for RJD Sheohar MLA Chetan Anand, who had not been “in touch with his family” for a day.
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'We will get the majority': JD(U) national secy Rajiv Ranjan Prasad
On the Floor test to be held in Bihar Assembly today, JD(U) national secretary Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said, "Under the leadership of CM Nitish Kumar, we will get the majority and the government will complete its tenure."
In Photos | Scenes outside Dy CM Tejashwi Yadav's residence last night
(Photos: PTI)
JD(U) confident of proving majority despite 5 MLAs skipping legislative meet
On Sunday, Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) faced some anxious moments as five of its MLAs skipped a meeting of the legislature party while alarm bells rang among Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) legislators — who were camping at the house of former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav along with Left MLAs — after one of them “went missing” for a brief period.
Meanwhile, the legislators of the BJP and the Congress, sequestered in Bodh Gaya and Hyderabad respectively, returned to Patna in the evening.
State Parliamentary Affairs minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary who convened a meeting of the JD(U) legislature party downplayed the absence of “two or three MLAs”, attributing it to “unavoidable circumstances about which they had given prior information”. He emphasised that the absentees would be present in the Assembly on Monday. “We in the NDA have a total strength of 128 MLAs … we are comfortably placed. All our MLAs will be present inside the House where a no-confidence motion against the Speaker will precede the trust vote,” he said.
How do the number stack up?
As things stand now, the NDA claims to have the support of 128 MLAs, six more than the halfway mark of 122 in the 243-member Assembly. The BJP has 78 MLAs, the JD(U) 45, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) four, and one Independent.
The Mahagathbandhan comprising the RJD, Congress, CPI(ML) Liberation, CPI and CPI(M) has 114 MLAs on its side. The Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM has one MLA.
Back with BJP, Nitish Kumar to face floor test today, oust Speaker
More than two weeks after he joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and took oath as Bihar Chief Minister for a ninth time, Nitish Kumar will face a floor test in the Bihar Assembly on Monday.
According to the Assembly schedule, the Budget session will commence with Governor R V Arlekar’s address to both Houses of the legislature. This will be followed by the Assembly taking up the no-confidence motion against Speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary. Choudhary, who is from the RJD, has refused to step down despite calls from the BJP and the JD(U) and may resign before the motion is introduced. The RJD has dared Nitish to prove his majority before the no-confidence motion against the Speaker is taken up.
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