The News Freedom
Patna, February 12
The Bihar State Assembly witnessed a politically charged day as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s newly formed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government secured a crucial trust vote, while the RJD-backed Speaker faced removal in a separate no-confidence motion.
With 129 votes, Kumar’s alliance comfortably surpassed the majority mark of 122, solidifying his hold on power after a recent switch in allegiances. The vote was marked by defections as three RJD MLAs sided with the ruling alliance. The presence of RJD MLAs Chetan Anand, Neelam Devi, and Prahlad Yadav on the government’s side in the Bihar Assembly was a notable setback for the Opposition. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav questioned the validity of these three participants.
Speaker Awadh Bihari Choudhary, from the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), was also ousted through a no-confidence motion supported by 125 members.
This political drama stemmed from Kumar’s decision in late January to leave the Mahagathbandhan coalition and rejoin the BJP-led NDA. This unexpected shift triggered speculation and accusations of MLA poaching, prompting both sides to take measures to secure their numbers. The Congress party, for instance, relocated its 19 MLAs to a secure location, while the RJD and Left parties held a pre-vote gathering at Yadav’s residence.