In a special session of the Bihar Legislative Assembly on Friday, the Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary government proved its majority, with the confidence motion being passed by voice vote in the 243-member House, where the BJP-led NDA enjoys strength of 201.
One seat is vacant following the resignation of BJP national president Nitin Nabin, the MLA from Bankipur, after his election to the Rajya Sabha.
Leaders of all NDA constituents rose one by one in the House to declare their support for the government.
Outlining his government’s vision, Choudhary said that, like the previous NDA dispensation, his administration would not compromise on the ‘Triple C’ — crime, corruption, and communalism.
Choudhary said the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) would directly monitor the functioning of police stations, block development offices and circle offices to strengthen administration at the grassroots level. This, he said, would ensure better access to government schemes for rural residents and reduce harassment at police stations.
The Chief Minister also announced that in cases of death due to road accidents, the victim’s family would receive Rs 8 lakh — Rs 4 lakh from the insurance company and Rs 4 lakh from the state government. The decision, he said, was taken in response to demands raised by MLAs.
On education, Choudhary said the government would work towards creating a system in which even the children of officers and ministers opt to study in government schools. He noted that during Nitish Kumar’s tenure, nearly five lakh teachers were recruited, and said this effort would be further strengthened.
Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav criticised the government, saying its leaders came from varied political backgrounds. “Samrat Choudhary comes from Lalu Yadav’s school, Vijay Choudhary from Congress, and Bijendra Yadav from Janata Dal. None of them come from the BJP’s school,” he said.
Tejashwi also claimed that questions were being raised across the country about the Chief Minister’s age and educational qualifications, alleging that Choudhary was elevated to the post under political pressure.
Responding sharply, Choudhary said power was not inherited and that he had become Chief Minister with the support of NDA leaders and the people of Bihar. He first became a minister in 1999 and has held ministerial office six times before assuming the top post, adding that his political journey spans 27 years.
He maintained that his qualifications and documents are fully transparent.
Further, Choudhary said he entered politics in response to injustices during Lalu Yadav’s tenure, adding that his political journey began with a struggle against injustice and opposition to what he described as misgovernance under the RJD.