Bihar: Resentment Brews in BJP Over Induction of 6 MLCs, not MLAs, as Ministers

Patna: Two days after the much-awaited cabinet expansion of the National Democratic Alliance government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, over half a dozen BJP MLAs (members of legislative Assembly) are unhappy over the induction of six party MLCs (members of the legislative council) as ministers in place of them. These BJP MLAs have questioned the party leadership’s decision to give preference to MLCs over them in the cabinet expansion.

A group of unhappy BJP MLAs reportedly held a close-door meeting on Sunday night at the official residence of a party MLA, Raju Singh, who is leading them. Though Singh is reluctant to admit this, at least 10-11 BJP MLAs reportedly attended the meeting.

Mishri Lal Yadav, one of the saffron party MLAs, after attended the meeting told some reporters that there was resentment among party MLAs for ignoring them in the cabinet expansion.

"Not only are some party MLAs upset over not being inducted in the cabinet and MLCs being taken instead, but the people are also angry,” Yadav was quoted as saying.

Another BJP MLA, on condition of anonymity, told NewsClick on Monday that it was a wrong decision by the party leadership to induct MLCs as ministers while ignoring MLAs.

“Last month (February 2024), it was we, the BJP MLAs, who played the main role to win a confidence motion to save the newly formed NDA government in the Bihar Assembly. The MLCs, who were inducted as ministers, hardly played any role. We fail to understand why MLAs were ignored and MLCs were promoted as ministers. This has certainly angered MLAs,” he said.

Last Saturday, the Chief Minister expanded his cabinet after 47 days by inducting 21 ministers. With this, the total number of ministers has increased to 30, including Kumar. On January 28, 2024, nine ministers took oath, the day Kumar dumped the Rashtriya Janata Dal-led Mahagathbandhan, joined hands with BJP and formed the new government.

Although, it is difficult to say what shape this “discontent” among BJP MLAs will take. One thing is certain these MLAs are not upbeat ahead of Lok Sabha polls next month.

Political watchers here said that local MLAs play an important role during campaigns for elections and mobilising people for the booths. "If some BJP MLAs are unhappy, it may impact the prospects of party candidates on a few seats,” they say.

Meanwhile, there is a buzz that the “unhappy” BJP MLAs are also in touch with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

If true, this can spell bad news for the top BJP leadership which is aiming to replicate its 2019 success in Bihar, when the NDA secured 39 out of 40 parliamentary seats, with the Congress winning only one seat and the RJD failing to secure any seat.

However, so far neither the ruling NDA nor the Opposition Mahagathbandhan have formally announced any seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. However, one thing is clear, BJP is set to contest 17 of 40 seats and its major ally JD- U will contest 16, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) of Chirag Paswan five seats and HAM (Hindustani Awam Morcha) of former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and RLM (Rashtriya Lok Morcha) of former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha one seat each. But BJP has not given any seat to its old ally RLJP of Union Minister Pasupati Kumar Paras (Ram Vilas Paswan’s brother).

Reports in local Hindi dailies said that Manjhi and Kushwaha are not happy with one seat and Paras is angry over the “humiliation” of being ignored. There is speculation that he may join hands with the Mahagathbandhan.

Similarly, RJD is set to contest from the 26-28 seats of the 40 seats in Bihar and its allies, Congress and Left parties, will contest from a dozen seats. As per this formula, the main focus of the Grand Alliance will be on winning the elections seat by seat to defeat BJP-led NDA.