Nitish Kumar Becomes The CM of Bihar For The Fourth Time

Nitish Kumar of JDU has been sworn-in as the CM of Bihar for the fourth time today. Governor KN Tripathi administered the oath of office and secrecy.  

Kumar was invited to from the government after Jitan Manjhi resigned before the trust vote on Friday. Kumar told the media that his decision to step down from the post of CM last year following a massive loss in the general elections was a political mistake. "With folded hands, I apologize to the people of Bihar. Never again will I take such a step. I am ready to lead from the front."

The new cabinet comprises of 22 ministers: the two ministers who were sacked by the ex-CM Manjhi and 20 other who resigned following the difference between Manjhi and Kumar.   

The allies of JDU -RJD, Congress and the Left- have not joined the government at the present moment, but the option has been kept open with 12 vacant ministerial posts.

With Kumar becoming the CM again, the political crisis of the state seems to be subsided for the moment. For how long this political calm in the state goes on is to be seen.

Also Read:

Bihar Political Crisis: Jitan Ram Manjhi Resigns Before The Trust Vote, Alleges Receiving Death Threats

BJP accuses the JDU of Misusing Post Of Assembly Speaker

The BJP has alleged that the JDU is misusing the chair of Bihar Assembly Speaker to be in power and also play the role of the opposition party. Uday Narain Choudhary, the speaker of the Bihar assembly is said to be close to Nitish Kumar camp of the JDU.   

"The JDU is accusing the BJP of misusing the office of the Governor. But the JDU is misusing the office of the Speaker. The Speaker's post has its dignity. But the way the Speaker is behaving in the Assembly by addressing the Leader of Opposition Nand Kishore Yadav in a letter as BJP leader in the House. We oppose this, as when was it decided that Nand Kishore Yadav is not the Leader of Opposition," Shahnawaz Hussain of the BJP said.

Shahnawaz Hussain also raised his finger at the constitutional jurisdiction of the speaker of the house to bequeth the JDU with the powers of both the party in power and the party in opposition. "Does the Speaker have the right to give one party the power as well as opposition? The BJP is opposing this," he said.

Hussain also ridiculed the JDU, BJP's arch rivals in the state, for parading and proving his majority in the Rashtrapati Bhawan and not the in the Bihar assembly. "First, it should be proved on the floor as to who has the majority. Is it Nitish Kumar or Manjhi ji? And this can be decided neither in the road nor in the lawns of the Rashtrapati Bhavan."  

Yesterday the JDU suspended seven of its own MLAs ahead of the 20 February trial of strength for him on the floor of the Bihar Assembly.

The BJP has chosen to remain absent from the all-party meeting called by the speaker, and has alleged the Assembly Speaker of favoring Nitish Kumar. 

Also Read:

Jitan Manjhi Expelled From The Party, Nitish Claims To Have The Numbers

Nitish Kumar To Stake Claim To Form Government In Bihar, Manjhi Not Willing To Back Down 

Bihar Governor Invites Manjhi To Prove His Majority On 20 February

Governor of Bihar KN Tripathi has asked the Bihar CM Jitan Manjhi to prove his majority on the floor of the house on 20 February, immediately after the Governor addresses the joint session of the legislature.

A source close to the Raj Bhawan told the media, "Immediately after Governor's address of the joint session of Bihar Legislature on the opening day of Budget session on February 20, Manjhi will have to prove majority in the Legislative Assembly." However, it is to be seen whether the governor has accepted CM Manjhi's request for a secret ballot or not.   

Governor's directive to Manjhi has come after Nitish Kumar along with Lalu Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav paraded 130 MLAs at the President's residence yesterday.

In a major development, the High Court of Patna put a stay on Nitish's election as the leader of the legislature party of JDU.

JDU is accusing the BJP of buying time so that they can use foul means to horse trade the JDU MLAs. 

Also Read:

Jitan Manjhi Expelled From The Party, Nitish Claims To Have The Numbers

Nitish Kumar To Stake Claim To Form Government In Bihar, Manjhi Not Willing To Back Down