Bihar Congress MLAs Flock to Hyderabad Fearing Poaching Ahead of Trust Vote

Patna: Bihar Congress legislators were relocated to Hyderabad amid concerns of potential poaching by the ruling BJP-led NDA government. The move anticipates a crucial floor test on February 12, where the newly formed NDA government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, must prove its majority in the state assembly.

The Congress, formerly the second-largest party in the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ alliance in Bihar, transported 16 MLAs to Hyderabad. Bihar Congress President Akhilesh Singh confirmed the move, citing apprehensions of defections, with the BJP and Janata Dal (United) allegedly attempting to poach Congress legislators.

While Congress’s Bihar in-charge Mohan Prakash dismissed rumours of defections, claiming JD(U) legislators faced public backlash, two Congress MLAs, Manohar Prasad Singh and Siddharth Saurav, were absent. Singh is expected to join later, while Saurav, known for strained relations with the state leadership, reportedly did not participate.

Efforts are underway within the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ to persuade Jitan Ram Manjhi, the former Chief Minister and leader of the Hindustani Awam Morcha, to remain in the opposition alliance. Manjhi has demanded an additional cabinet berth in the NDA, citing an earlier “offer of CM’s post” from the opposition.

Bihar Minister Prem Kumar, responding to the Congress MLAs’ move, defended Manjhi’s demand and expressed confidence in the NDA’s victory in the upcoming trust vote. Former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav alleged “khel” (foul play) during the floor test.