High-Level Meetings Precede Historic Swearing-In
With Nitish Kumar poised to create history by taking oath as Bihar Chief Minister for the tenth time, intense negotiations are underway between the two main NDA constituents - BJP and JDU - to finalize cabinet berths and resolve the crucial matter of Assembly Speaker selection. The political developments gained momentum on Tuesday as senior JDU leaders held crucial meetings with top BJP leadership including Home Minister Amit Shah.
Speaker Post Emerges as Key Negotiation Point
The selection of Assembly Speaker has become a significant point of discussion between the alliance partners. Sources indicate that JDU has proposed eight-time Alamnagar MLA and former minister Narendra Narayan Yadav for the prestigious position. Meanwhile, BJP is advocating for former minister Prem Kumar to occupy the Speaker's chair. This position held particular importance as BJP veteran Nand Kishore Yadav served as Speaker in the outgoing Assembly.
Two prominent JDU leaders - Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) and the party's national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha - engaged in detailed discussions with BJP's top leadership to find an amicable solution to the matter. These high-level meetings underscore the importance both parties are giving to maintaining alliance harmony while protecting their respective political interests.
Political Preparations and Ceremony Arrangements
While political negotiations continue, the BJP is scheduled to hold its legislature party meeting on Wednesday. During this meeting, Samrat Choudhary is expected to retain his position as party's leader in the House as well as the Deputy Chief Minister role. The BJP Parliamentary Board has appointed UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya as the central observer for the election of its legislature party leader in Bihar.
Adding to the organizational structure, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and former Union minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti have been appointed as central co-observers for the proceedings. This demonstrates the careful attention the national leadership is giving to the political developments in Bihar.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar along with his deputy Samrat Choudhary inspected the preparations at Patna's Gandhi Maidan, where the grand swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for November 20. The Chief Minister is expected to formally resign on Wednesday before staking claim to form the next government, marking the beginning of his record-breaking tenth term leading Bihar.
