Patna: In a day fraught with political tension, the Bihar Assembly witnessed significant upheaval as a no-confidence motion against Speaker Avadh Bihari Chaudhary was passed following a heated debate. The motion, demanded by the opposition, saw 125 votes cast in favor and 112 against, signaling a seismic shift in the state’s political landscape.
Before the crucial vote, Speaker Chaudhary emphasized the essence of politics as a numbers game, asserting his commitment to fulfilling his duties with sincerity. With the motion’s passage, Speaker Chaudhary relinquished his position, setting the stage for a forthcoming majority test.
Prior to this dramatic development, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar delivered an address in the Central Hall of the Assembly, lauding the government’s achievements in a speech spanning approximately 45 minutes. However, the Governor’s address was not without disruption, as chants of “Tejashwi Zindabad” reverberated amidst the proceedings. Outside the Assembly, chaos ensued as RJD workers clashed with police, resulting in lathi charges to quell the unrest.
Inside the Assembly, notable defections were observed, with three RJD MLAs—Chetan Anand, Prahlad Yadav, and Neelam Devi—seating themselves with the ruling party camp, underscoring the fluidity of political allegiances. Conversely, the absence of two JDU MLAs, Bima Bharti and Dilip Rai, as well as three BJP MLAs—Mishri Lal Yadav, Rashmi Verma, and Bhagirathi Devi—raised eyebrows, adding further intrigue to the unfolding drama.
Following the no-confidence motion against the Speaker, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar presented a trust vote in the House, sparking intense debate among legislators. The deliberations are ongoing, with MLAs poised to cast their votes in favor or against the trust motion.
