Both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal (United) are staking their claim for the Speaker’s post.
Intense discussions are underway to finalize the cabinet before the formation of the new NDA government in Bihar. Meanwhile, both the BJP and the JDU have staked their claim to the Speaker’s post. According to sources, a crucial meeting is scheduled for Tuesday in New Delhi between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ‘s Janata Dal (United) and the BJP to discuss the Speaker’s post as well as the allocation of key ministries. The Speaker’s post is also likely to be discussed in this meeting.
BJP has a strong claim on the post of Speaker
According to sources, both the BJP and the JDU are vigorously staking their claim for the Speaker’s post, but the BJP, in particular, wants to retain the post at all costs. In the previous assembly, BJP leader Nand Kishore Yadav served as Speaker, while JDU’s Narendra Narayan Yadav held the position of Deputy Speaker.
Tussle over key ministries also intensified
In addition to the Speaker’s post, the two parties are also locked in intense negotiations over several other key government ministries. Bihar BJP leaders held discussions late into the night in Patna to deliberate on strategy. Some leaders, including JDU leaders Sanjay Kumar Jha and Lalan Singh, are expected to travel to Delhi on Tuesday to join the high-level talks.
According to sources, an agreement has been reached with all three major NDA allies—the LJP (Ram Vilas), the Hindustani Awam Morcha, and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha—about their roles in the new government. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who was the BJP’s state election in-charge, is scheduled to arrive in Patna from Delhi today.
Swearing-in ceremony on November 20
The process of forming a new government is underway. Separate legislative party meetings of both the BJP and JDU have been called on November 19th. This will be followed by a joint meeting of the entire NDA legislative party on the same day. These efforts will culminate on November 20th, when the swearing-in ceremony of the new NDA government will be held at Gandhi Maidan in Patna.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is also holding parallel discussions with smaller alliance partners—Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Samata Party.
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