Patna: A change in the leadership of the Bihar Legislative Council appears imminent after BJP MLC Awadhesh Narayan Singh resigned from the post of Chairman on Monday. He submitted his resignation to Deputy Chairman Ramvachan Rai, triggering discussions over a possible transfer of the position to the Janata Dal (United) under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) power-sharing arrangement.
Sources in the JD(U) indicated that Nitish Kumar has favoured the appointment of Ramvachan Rai as the next Chairman of the Upper House. Rai, who currently serves as Deputy Chairman, may assume charge as Acting Chairman until a formal election is held.
NDA Formula Behind The Change
The development is linked to an understanding between the BJP and the JD(U) regarding the distribution of constitutional posts in the Bihar legislature. Under this arrangement, if one party holds the Speaker’s position in one House, the other party is expected to hold the Chairman’s post in the other.
At present, the BJP holds the post of Speaker in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, strengthening the JD(U)’s claim over the Legislative Council Chairmanship. Political discussions regarding this change have been ongoing for several months.
Awadhesh Narayan Singh’s Tenure
Awadhesh Narayan Singh has served in the role on several occasions over the past decade. He first became Chairman on August 8, 2012, and remained in office until May 8, 2017.
He later served as Acting Chairman from June 16, 2020, to August 25, 2022, and again from June 20, 2024, to July 22, 2024. His latest tenure as Chairman began on July 23, 2024.
Ramvachan Rai In Focus
Ramvachan Rai, 83, is considered a close associate of Nitish Kumar and has a long political career. He first entered the Bihar Legislative Council in 2004 as an RJD member and later joined the JD(U). He was elected to the Council through the JD(U) in 2011.
Rai’s current term as an MLC is scheduled to continue until March 16, 2027. If appointed, he would become the latest JD(U) leader to occupy one of the key constitutional positions in the state legislature.
