Nitish Kumar's Power Play: BJP, Mahagathbandhan Scramble For MLAs

Amidst heightening political tensions in Bihar, the Janata Dal (United) has convened a legislative meeting scheduled for 10 am on Sunday, amidst speculations of Nitish Kumar realigning with the BJP-led NDA, according to reports. It is expected that post the meeting, he will proceed to meet Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to stake his claim to form a new government, with the swearing-in ceremony anticipated on Sunday evening or Monday morning.

Nitish Kumar is poised to resign as CM today, Saturday evening. Speculations are rife that several Congress MLAs might defect from the Mahagathbandhan and join Nitish Kumar in realigning with the NDA.

Simultaneously, the BJP has also called a meeting of its MLAs at 9 AM on Sunday.

As per reports, Nitish Kumar will receive a letter of support from the BJP, signed by its MLAs, tonight. Tomorrow, the Bihar Chief Minister will be accompanied by the saffron party's House leader and president when meeting the Governor.

Race on for the numbers game:

However, as Nitish gears up for another switch, both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan are scrambling to woo MLAs from each other's factions to secure the numbers game.

Here are the current numbers of MLAs from each party in the assembly:

• RJD: 79
• BJP: 76
• JD(U): 45
• CONGRESS: 19
• LEFT PARTIES: 16
• HAM (S): 4
• AIMIM: 1
• IND: 1
• BSP: 1
• LJP: 1

RJD hunts for 8 MLAs:

In the scenario where Nitish Kumar withdraws the JD(U) from the ruling coalition, the RJD would need an additional eight MLAs to reach the 122-mark, securing its position as the predominant force in the state assembly.

Sources indicate that four independent MLAs previously aligned with former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, along with one legislator from AIMIM and another independent MLA, may unite with the RJD.

Widespread speculation is ongoing about the possibility of appointing Jitan Ram Manjhi as the CM or his son as the deputy CM in exchange for their support to the RJD.

The Mahagathbandhan currently holds 114 MLAs (comprising 79 from RJD, 19 from Congress, and 16 from the Left). Even with the inclusion of HAM, AIMIM, and independent MLAs, the total stands at 120, falling 2 short of the majority mark.

To bridge this gap, reports suggest that the RJD is attempting to sway JD(U) MLAs. Reports have cited discontent among several JD(U) legislators over Nitish's alliance with the BJP.

JD(U)-BJP ahead in the numbers game:

With BJP (76) already having support from the HAM (4) and LJP (1), the addition of JD(U)'s 45 MLAs takes the tally to 126, which takes the NDA comfortably across the majority mark with 4 MLAs extra.

However, Nitish Kumar is reportedly apprehensive about Lalu Yadav's efforts to divide his MLAs to assert a claim for forming the government. This concern has prompted him to advocate for the dissolution of the assembly.

On the flip side, both the JD(U) and BJP are actively pursuing the defection of several MLAs from both the RJD and Congress camps to bolster their numbers in the event of a tight majority vote on the floor.