As the much-anticipated floor test of the newly constituted NDA government in Bihar looms, members of the opposition coalition 'Mahagathbandhan' have commenced congregating at the residence of Rashtriya Janata Party (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav in Patna.
Insider sources reveal that legislators from the RJD and the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation have convened at the former Deputy Chief Minister's abode.
Following the gathering, legislators found themselves restricted from departing, with their support staff observed ferrying necessities like clothing and bedding.
After the meeting at Tejashwi Yadav's residence, RJD MP Manoj Jha informed reporters that Mahagathbandhan legislators have resolved to remain together for the next 48 hours, relishing their camaraderie during this period.
When quizzed about the activities inside Tejashwi's premises, Jha humorously remarked, "They are indulging in antakshari (musical game) inside."
In response, the Janata Dal-United (JDU) alleged that MLAs are being held against their will at Tejashwi's residence, insinuating that the Mahagathbandhan harbors apprehensions and has already conceded defeat even before the floor test.
Bihar BJP representative Kuntal Krishna took a dig at the Opposition, suggesting that Tejashwi Yadav has effectively sequestered his own MLAs.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) initiated a two-day event for its legislators in Bodh Gaya, commencing on Saturday. Party insiders clarified that the training program was prearranged and unrelated to the forthcoming floor test.
In contrast, Congress dispatched its legislators to Hyderabad, while the Janata Dal-United (JDU) organized a luncheon for its legislators at the residence of Minister Shrawan Kumar. Notably, some MLAs, including Bima Bharti, Sudarshan, Shalini Mishra, Dilip Rai, and Dr. Sanjeev, were absent.
In preparation for the trust vote, the JD(U) issued a directive to ensure the presence of all party MLAs within the Assembly on Monday.
JD(U) chief whip Shravan Kumar emphasized that non-compliance with the directive would result in the loss of membership, although he underscored that it was a routine procedure conducted before each assembly session.
In a surprising turn of events, Nitish Kumar, on January 28, was sworn in as Chief Minister for the ninth time, breaking ties with the Mahagathbandhan and the opposition-led INDIA bloc to form a new government with the BJP in Bihar, with whom he had parted ways less than 18 months ago.
