BJP, JDU eye Speaker's post ahead of Bihar government formation
What's the story
Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United) are vying for the post of Bihar Assembly Speaker as they finalize the structure of the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, India Today reported, citing sources. According to India Today, a crucial meeting between Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and the BJP is scheduled in New Delhi on Tuesday. The agenda includes discussions on key ministerial portfolios and the Speaker's post.
Speaker stakes
BJP determined to retain Assembly Speaker's post
Both parties are strongly pushing their claims for the Assembly Speaker's chair, with the BJP determined to keep the post. In the outgoing Assembly, BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav was Speaker, and JD(U)'s Narendra Narayan Yadav was Deputy Speaker. Key government portfolios are also under intense negotiation between the two parties.
Coalition talks
NDA's smaller allies finalize roles in new government
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is also holding talks with smaller allies of the coalition. These include Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samta Party. Reports suggest that an agreement has been reached with these three key partners on their roles in the new government.
Government formation
NDA parties agree on ministerial berth allocation formula
The NDA parties have agreed to a formula of one ministerial berth for every six MLAs, per reports. Separate legislative party meetings for the BJP and JD(U) are scheduled for November 19, followed by a joint meeting later that day. The new NDA government's swearing-in ceremony will be held on November 20 at Gandhi Maidan in Patna.
Election results
NDA's landslide victory in Bihar Assembly elections
The NDA won a landslide victory in the recent Bihar Assembly elections, winning 202 seats. The BJP was the single largest party with 89 seats, followed closely by JD(U) with 85 seats. Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) won 19 seats, Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) won five seats, and Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Morcha's seat count is four.
Election outcome
Mahagathbandhan's poor performance in Bihar elections
In contrast, the Mahagathbandhan only managed to win 34 seats. The RJD's tally fell from 75 to 25 seats, while the Congress won just six of the 61 seats it contested, down from 19. CPI(ML) Liberation won two seats, and CPI(M) won one seat. AIMIM won five seats while BSP and the Indian Inclusive Party each secured one seat.