Patna, Sep 21: Bihar Legislative Council Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh has resigned from the post, triggering discussions over the distribution of key constitutional positions between the ruling BJP and JD(U).
Singh, a BJP MLC, stepped down on Monday amid reports of an understanding between the two NDA allies over the allocation of important posts following the formation of the new state government.
According to reports, the Legislative Council chairman’s post may go to the JD(U), with incumbent Deputy Chairman Prof Dr Ramvachan Rai emerging as a leading contender.
Rai was elected unopposed as deputy chairman in July 2024 and has been associated with the Legislative Council for several years. He may initially take charge as acting chairman, pending the formal process for selecting a new chairman.
The BJP currently holds the Chief Minister’s post and the Speaker’s position in the Legislative Assembly. It had also held the Legislative Council chairman’s post.
The reported arrangement comes amid discussions over power-sharing between the BJP and JD(U), with the Council chairman’s position potentially providing the JD(U) with a key constitutional post.
Reports also said the BJP leadership had asked Singh to step down, following which he tendered his resignation. However, no direct statement from Singh confirming this account was provided in the information available.
The formal appointment of a new chairman is yet to be completed. The Bihar Legislative Council’s official website was also displaying the earlier chairman-deputy chairman arrangement when checked, suggesting that its records had not yet been updated.
There were no direct quotes from Singh, Rai or leaders of the BJP or JD(U) in the information available.
