Tussle Between BJP and JDU Over Speaker’s Post Ahead of NDA Government Formation in Bihar; Will Delhi Meeting Break the Deadlock

Patna:
As Bihar prepares for the formation of the new NDA government, intense deliberations are underway between alliance partners. According to sources, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (United) have staked their claim to the prestigious post of Speaker in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, leading to friction ahead of cabinet finalisation.

BJP and JDU in Direct Contest for Speaker’s Chair

The Speaker’s post has emerged as the first major point of contention between the two largest NDA allies. Both parties are reportedly pushing for control of the position, but BJP is said to be particularly firm about retaining the chair.
In the previous Assembly, BJP’s Nand Kishore Yadav served as Speaker, while JDU’s Narendra Narayan Yadav held the Deputy Speaker’s position.

A crucial meeting between JDU leaders and BJP leadership is scheduled in New Delhi today, where the issue of the Speaker’s post is expected to be taken up prominently.

Deadlock Over Key Ministries Continues

Along with the Speaker’s post, discussions over several important ministries remain unresolved. Senior BJP leaders held late-night consultations in Patna to finalise their strategy. JDU leaders including Sanjay Kumar Jha and Lalan Singh are likely to travel to Delhi for high-level talks.

Meanwhile, sources indicate that the NDA’s smaller allies—LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM (Secular), and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha—have reached an understanding regarding their roles in the new government.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who served as BJP’s election incharge for Bihar, is expected to arrive in Patna today to participate in ongoing discussions.

Swearing-In Ceremony Set for November 20

The process for forming the new NDA government is now in its final stages. Both BJP and JDU have scheduled their separate legislative party meetings for 19 November. Later in the day, all NDA MLAs will meet jointly to formalise cabinet decisions.

These developments will culminate on 20 November, when the new NDA government will take oath at Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan.

Parallel to this, Dharmendra Pradhan is holding continuous dialogues with alliance partners Chirag Paswan (LJP-R), Jitan Ram Manjhi (HAM), and Upendra Kushwaha (RLSP) to ensure smooth coordination.