Bihar is witnessing intense political negotiations as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar prepares to take oath for a historic tenth term on November 20. The two main NDA constituents, BJP and JDU, are engaged in crucial discussions to finalize cabinet berths and reach consensus on the important position of Assembly Speaker.
High-Level Meetings to Resolve Speaker Deadlock
On Tuesday, two senior JDU leaders held significant meetings with top BJP leadership to break the impasse over the Speaker's post. The delegation included Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) and the party's national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha, who met with Home Minister Amit Shah among other BJP leaders.
The JDU has reportedly proposed eight-time Alamnagar MLA Narendra Narayan Yadav for the Speaker position, while the BJP is pushing for the elevation of former minister Prem Kumar. This comes after BJP veteran Nand Kishore Yadav held the Speaker's position in the outgoing Assembly.
Swearing-In Preparations and Political Maneuvering
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Samrat Choudhary inspected the preparations at Patna's Gandhi Maidan, where the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for November 20. Kumar is expected to resign as chief minister on Wednesday before staking claim to form the next government.
The BJP has scheduled its legislature party meeting for Wednesday, where Samrat Choudhary is likely to retain his position as the party's leader in the House and continue as deputy chief minister. The party's Parliamentary Board has appointed Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya as the central observer for the election of its legislature party leader in Bihar.
Observers Appointed for Smooth Transition
Adding to the political arrangements, the BJP has appointed Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and former Union minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti as central co-observers for the legislature party leader election. This indicates the importance the party is giving to the smooth formation of the new government in Bihar.
The political developments come amid intense lobbying between the alliance partners as they work to distribute cabinet positions and important legislative roles. The outcome of these negotiations will significantly influence the functioning of the new Bihar government under Nitish Kumar's leadership.
