All Eyes On Bihar As Nitish Kumar Calls Meeting With Party MPs, MLAs Today — Key Highlights So Far

Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav has also called for a meeting of MLAs of Rashtriya Janata Dal at at his mother Rabri Devi’s Circular Road bungalow, a stone’s throw from the CM’s Anney Marg residence.

Nitish Kumar called a meeting of MLAs and MPs after RCP Singh's resignation and speculations of a rift between JD(U) and BJP.

Source : PTI File Photo

New Delhi: All eyes are now on Bihar politics as Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar calls for a meeting of party MPs and MLAs today which is scheduled to take place at 11 am amid speculations of a rift between JD(U) and Bharatiya Janata Party in the ruling NDA government. 

The meeting has been called after former Union minister and ex-IAS officer RCP Singh who had been the party head for last one-and-a-half years quit the party. 

Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav has also called for a meeting of MLAs of Rashtriya Janata Dal at at his mother Rabri Devi’s Circular Road bungalow, a stone’s throw from the CM’s Anney Marg residence, reported news agency PTI. Chetan Anand, a young RJD MLA who is serving his first term was quoted by the news agency as saying, "Rumours of political realignment have been afloat for a couple of years. Let us not make any rash assumptions. Once the party leadership takes any decision, it will be definitely made known to all." 

Here are the key highlights so far: 

• Once known as Nitish Kumar’s close aide, Ram Chandra Prasad Singh resigned from the JD(U)’s primary membership on August 6. His resignation came shortly after Nitish Kumar sought explanation from him over allegations of corruption levelled against him by some party workers.
• Two days after Singh’s resignation, sources had reported that he is in touch with several MLAs of the JD(U) raising speculation that the BJP may try to use the Maharashtra formula in Bihar as well. 
• Speculations also intensified after Nitish Kumar decided to skip the meeting of NITI Aayog governing council that was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. 
• Amid the speculations, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, once an ally of the JD(U) said that it was ready to join hands with the party if Nitish Kumar was ready to break ranks with the Bharatiya Janata Party. 
• The Bihar Legislative Assembly comprises a total of 243 seats bringing the majority mark to 122 seats. 
• Together, BJP and JD(U) have 77 and 45 MLAs respectively making 122 legislators in the House. 
• In an event where JD(U) parts away with the NDA, the alliance’s head count will drop to 82 and have an option to join the Mahagathbandhan, with a total of 96 MLAs including RJD, conveniently crossing the majority mark.