NDA, Mahagathbandhan candidates file nomination for Speaker post of Bihar Assmebly

The NDA has declared BJP MLA Bijay Sinha's name as the candidate while Mahagathbandhan has declared RJD MLA Awadh Bihari Chaudhary as its candidate for the Speaker post.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar (L) and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav (R)
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar (L) and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav (R)

PATNA: In a break from tradition, an election appears certain for the Speaker’s post in the Bihar Assembly.

The opposition Grand Alliance on Tuesday nominated Awadh Bihari Chaudhary as its candidate against the ruling NDA’s Vijay Kumar Sinha. 

Till the previous NDA government, the Speaker was elected unanimously. 

Chaudhary has been elected five times as the Siwan RJD MLA. Sinha is a three-time BJP legislator from Lakhisarai.

The NDA candidate is in a stronger position with 125 MLAs backing him in the 243-member Assembly. 

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said Chaudhary’s nomination was filed on Monday in the Assembly secretary’s chamber. When asked how his alliance would ensure Chaudhary’s victory, Tejashwi said that the members would vote according to their conscience and rise above party lines.

Chaudhary belongs to the Yadav caste whereas Sinha is a Bhumihar. “By contesting the Speaker’s post, the opposition has made it clear that it would relentlessly work against the NDA government,” said a senior NDA leader, adding this was despite the fact that the numbers are against the opposition candidate.

The NDA did some caste permutation before deciding on Sinha’s candidature. Since the chairman of legislative council Awadhesh Narayan Singh is a Rajput, the BJP chose a Bhumihar.

Sinha is considered close to Sushil Kumar Modi, the former BJP deputy CM. 

In the previous NDA government, JD-U’s Vijay K Chaudhary was the speaker as that party then was the largest party. This time, BJP with 74 MLAs is the largest party of the ruling NDA. 

Pro tem Speaker Jitan Ram Manjhi will Wednesday conduct the election process either through the ballot or by voice vote. As per the protocol, upon being elected, the Speaker will be taken to his seat by CM 
Nitish Kumar along with leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav.

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