Bihar: As the National Democratic Alliance prepares to form Bihar’s new government, coalition partners BJP and Janata Dal (United) are engaged in intense negotiations over the coveted Assembly Speaker’s position, with both parties firmly staking their claims.
High-Stakes Delhi Meeting Scheduled
A crucial meeting between Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) and the BJP is scheduled for Tuesday in New Delhi, with the Speaker’s post and key ministerial portfolio allocations dominating the agenda. Sources indicate the BJP is particularly determined to retain the position, which BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav held in the outgoing Assembly, while JD(U)’s Narendra Narayan Yadav served as Deputy Speaker.
State BJP leaders conducted late-night strategy discussions in Patna, with JD(U) leaders Sanjay Kumar Jha and Lalan Singh expected to travel to Delhi Tuesday for high-level negotiations.
Smaller Allies Reach Agreement
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is simultaneously conducting parallel discussions with smaller coalition partners: Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Samta Party.
Sources reveal agreements have been reached with all three partners regarding government roles. The NDA parties have reportedly accepted a formula allocating one ministerial berth for every six MLAs.
Timeline for Bihar Government Formation
Separate legislative party meetings for BJP and JD(U) are scheduled for November 19, followed by a joint NDA legislative party meeting the same day. The swearing-in ceremony is set for November 20 at Gandhi Maidan in Patna.
The formation process began Monday when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, recommending the outgoing Assembly’s dissolution effective Wednesday. Kumar will meet the governor again Wednesday to submit his resignation alongside letters of support from all NDA constituents.
Electoral Mandate
The NDA achieved a decisive victory in recent Assembly elections, capturing 202 seats. BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, followed closely by JD(U) with 85 seats. Chirag Paswan’s party secured 19 seats, HAM won five, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha claimed four.
The opposition Mahagathbandhan managed only 34 seats, with RJD plummeting from 75 to 25 seats and Congress dropping from 19 to six seats.
