Bihar Deputy CM Warns Mahagathbandhan Of ‘Horse Trading’ As Alliance Falls 8 Short Of Majority

Samrat Choudhary, the deputy chief minister of Bihar, declared on Tuesday that the recently established NDA administration will easily pass the trust vote scheduled for next week. He also threatened the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan with “stern action” if any attempts of horse trading are made by them in Bihar.

BJP’s relation with Nitish matured over years

Choudhary, who is also in charge of the BJP’s state unit, spoke with PTI in the state capital after arriving back from Delhi, where he had been meeting with prominent figures such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the past few days.

“The BJP’s relationship with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) has matured over the past few decades, with a few bittersweet experiences in between. The synergy will be on display during the trust vote which we are bound to win,” said Choudhary.

Mahagathbandhan leaders upset over sudden flip

On the first day of the budget session, February 12, the government, which was established on January 28, is expected to request a vote of confidence. Mahagathbandhan leaders have been speculating that there would be some unrest on the day as RJD leader Awadh Bihari Chaudhary is still sitting in the Speaker’s chair. They are angry at the abrupt loss of power brought about by the JD(U) supremo’s about-face.

However, the Deputy CM said, “It is only a matter of time before the Speaker, against whom all NDA MLAs have moved a no-confidence motion, is replaced. Either he will resign or face the ignominy of being voted out in the House where a majority of members do not have faith in him”.

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Mahagathbandhan is 8 short of majority

With 243 members in the assembly, the NDA has a combined strength of 128 thanks to the support of an Independent and four MLAs from former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. With 114 members, the Mahagathbandhan is eight members short of a majority. Its members include Congress and three Left parties in addition to RJD. In addition, Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM has one MLA. The party has accused the RJD of stealing four of its MLAs a few years ago, though it hasn’t disclosed its cards. On the other hand, Choudhary made it plain that attempts to topple the government through horse trade would result in “stern action” from the administration.