'Khela' Ahead Of Floor Test In Bihar? RJD MLAs Camp At Tejashwi Yadav's Residence; JDU Issues Whip

RJD MLAs have been instructed to bring their belongings to Tejashwi Yadav's residence and stay there till the floor test in Bihar Assembly.

PATNA: In a surprising turn of events, Bihar appears to be gearing up for more intense political drama as the atmosphere heats up ahead of the floor test on February 12. Former Bihar deputy chief minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, in a strategic move, has instructed all his party MLAs to camp at his residence before the crucial floor test, said sources on Saturday. This directive includes bringing their belongings to the residence, marking a calculated approach by the RJD to counter any poaching attempts. Meanwhile, JD(U) legislators are also set to gather at Minister Vijay Choudhary's residence on Sunday, with a meeting scheduled at noon, where Nitish Kumar is expected to be present.

All this began after Tejashwi Yadav earlier hinted at many unexpected developments in the state. "'Bihar mein abhi khel hona baki hain" (The game is yet to begin in Bihar)," Yadav had reportedly said at a party meeting in Patna. RJD MP Manoj Jha said that the party did not start the game, but it will finish it. "For us, February 12 is an ordinary date...Our MLAs had decided that for the next 48 hours, they would stay together and discuss various issues. You will find it very interesting that they are playing 'antakshari' inside...February 12 is a small episode,'' Jha said.

Political Chess: RJD MLAs Converge At Tejashwi's Citadel

Remarkably, all RJD MLAs are currently stationed at 5, Deshratna Marg, the residence of Tejashwi Yadav, creating a formidable assembly. The plan is for the legislators to depart from here for the floor test, adding a strategic advantage to Tejashwi's game plan. On the other side, BJP legislators are set to arrive in Patna on the night of the 11th, proceeding to the assembly on the 12th. A whip has been issued by all parties, underlining the intense political climate. Notably, 78 out of 79 MLAs are present at Tejashwi's residence, with only 'muscleman' Anant Singh's wife, Neelam Devi, absent from the meeting. Legislators have been advised to procure warm clothes and medicine from their homes.

#WATCH | Bihar | Luggage of RJD MLAs being brought to the official residence of party leader and former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav in Patna. A meeting of RJD MLAs and MLAs of mahagathbandhan was held here this evening ahead of the Floor Test. The leaders are reportedly staying back… pic.twitter.com/nrp212bYaJ

— ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2024

RJD Firm: No Walkover

Contrary to speculation, the RJD is not in the mood for a walkover. While HAM leader Jitan Ram Manjhi mentioned that all four members of his party would vote in favour of Nitish Kumar's government. The whip was deemed unnecessary but issued to dispel any misconceptions. Manjhi emphasized unity behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

JDU Issues Three-Line Whip To Its MLAs

Meanwhile, the Janata Dal-United JD-U has issued a three-line whip to all of its MLAs to be present during the floor test. The MLAs were today called to the residence of JDU leader and Bihar Minister, Shrawon Kumar in Patna. The move is seen as an attempt by the ruling coalition to keep its flock together and preempt poaching attempts by the principal opposition player, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

On the speculations of poaching attempts by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), a JD-U MLA said that there is no question of 'Khela' (game). "All the MLAs are present at the meeting. There is no question of 'Khela'", a JD-U MLA told ANI.

Crucial Floor Test On 12th February

Nitish Kumar, earlier this month, had dumped the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) and the INDIA bloc to form a new government with the support of the BJP in Bihar. At present, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-bloc led by the Bharatiya Janata Party has 128 seats in the Bihar assembly, out of which the BJP holds 78 seats, the JDU has 45 seats, the Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) has four, and an independent MLA holds one seat. The opposition holds 114 seats. The grand alliance includes the RJD, Congress, RLSP, CPI(ML), and CPI(M). 

The floor test for the Nitish Kumar-led government is scheduled for 12th February. For a majority, 122 seats are required. Meanwhile, the power play continues as both the ruling and opposition camps are mobilising their legislators for this decisive political manoeuvre.