In preparation for a crucial floor test in Bihar, political parties in Patna have gathered together as the Nitish Kumar-led NDA braces itself. The Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has stationed all 79 of its MLAs at the residence of former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav. Additionally, on Sunday evening, 16 MLAs from the Congress and 16 MLAs from the Left also made their way to Mr. Yadav’s residence.
The MLAs from the BJP, who had been staying at a resort in Bodh Gaya, have now returned to Patna. They were brought to the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha. Later in the evening, the 45 MLAs from the Janata Dal(United) were instructed to assemble at the official residence of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Choudhary for a meeting of the Legislature Party, led by Mr. Kumar.
The Speaker had previously stated that he would not resign before the floor test.
The motion of no-confidence is expected to be taken up shortly after the Governor’s Address to a joint session of the Bihar Legislative Assembly and the Bihar Legislative Council.
The total strength of the Bihar Assembly is 243, and a party or alliance requires the support of at least 122 MLAs to demonstrate its majority.