New Delhi: Bihar Assembly Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, facing a no-confidence motion from the newly formed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, staunchly refused to step down ahead of the crucial budget session scheduled to commence on February 12, news agency PTI reported.
"I am not going to resign. I will be in the assembly on February 12 and conduct proceedings of the House as per rules", PTI quoted Chaudhary as saying. However, Deputy Speaker Maheshwar Hazari, representing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) JD(U), asserted that Chaudhary will not be allowed to oversee the House proceedings due to the pending no-confidence motion against him.
"In view of the change of guard in the state, the Speaker should have given up the post. He will have to go. His posturing seems to have followed instructions from his party leadership.But, he will have to abide by rules", PTI quoted Hazari as saying.
While Chaudhary asserted that he must adhere to the stipulated timeline for making a decision on the motion, Hazari argued that his continued presence in the Speaker's chair is untenable given the circumstances, reported PTI.
"As per rules, the Speaker should take a decision within 14 days of the receipt of notice for a no-confidence motion. The same has been received by me only today," the Speaker said, as quoted by PTI.
However, the proceedings, till his removal, will be carried out with the Deputy Speaker in Chair, added Hazari. The Deputy Speaker also pointed out that it has always been the practice in Bihar that the Speaker is chosen by the ruling side.
"After a majority of MLAs moved a no-confidence motion against him (Chaudhary), he should have voluntarily stepped down. The post of the Speaker is an exalted", PTI quoted him as saying.