Bihar Speaker refuses to quit, rejects no-trust vote

PATNA: Bihar is set to witness a Constitutional crisis after the Speaker of the state assembly, Vijay Kumar Sinha on Tuesday dismissed the ‘no trust motion’ brought against him by MLAs of the ruling grand alliance led by RJD and JD-U in the state. This comes a day before the two-day special session of Bihar assembly commences on Wednesday. The RJD has described the dismissal of the ‘no confidence motion’ as unjustified and against norms.

However, Sinha said the ‘no trust motion’ against him is not in accordance with rules. “Why should I resign? The ‘no confidence motion’ brought against me by 65 MLAs of the ruling grand alliance is based on false charges,” Sinha said to the media when asked about his resignation from the Speaker’s post. The BJP MLA from Lakhisarai said he would face the ‘no trust motion’ in the House.

Talking about the reason for his refusal to tender his resignation, Sinha said he had been accused of partisanship attitude, which he considers false. “Resigning in such circumstances will certainly hurt my self-respect,” he said.

It has been almost two weeks since the ‘no trust motion’ was moved by the MLAs of the mahagathbandhan government. A notice was also served to the Speaker regarding the motion by the secretary of the assembly secretariat.

However, Sinha said he was occupying a constitutional post, he was bound to follow the norms associated with the office. “My priority will be to discharge my duty in accordance with the prescribed rules,” he added.When asked about Sinha’s resignation, Bihar BJP chief Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal said it was his (Sinha’s) discretion.“It all depends on his decision,” he told this newspaper on Tuesday.

The RJD has demanded that Sinha should resign from the post as he has lost the confidence of the members of the House.“Sinha should make an honourable exit. I fail to fathom why he is sticking to the Speaker’s post after the formation of a new government,” RJD leader Shakti Singh Yadav said.

On the other hand, Deputy Speaker Maheshwar Hajari said Sinha should have resigned from the Speaker’s post soon after the fall of the NDA government in the state. Under such circumstances, the Deputy Speaker presides over the proceedings of the House.

Some lawmakers say if Sinha fails to resign from the post by Wednesday morning and decides to preside over the proceedings of the House during the two-day Special session beginning on Aug. 24, a first-of-its-kind scene will be created in Bihar legislative assembly.

PATNA: Bihar is set to witness a Constitutional crisis after the Speaker of the state assembly, Vijay Kumar Sinha on Tuesday dismissed the ‘no trust motion’ brought against him by MLAs of the ruling grand alliance led by RJD and JD-U in the state. This comes a day before the two-day special session of Bihar assembly commences on Wednesday. The RJD has described the dismissal of the ‘no confidence motion’ as unjustified and against norms. However, Sinha said the ‘no trust motion’ against him is not in accordance with rules. “Why should I resign? The ‘no confidence motion’ brought against me by 65 MLAs of the ruling grand alliance is based on false charges,” Sinha said to the media when asked about his resignation from the Speaker’s post. The BJP MLA from Lakhisarai said he would face the ‘no trust motion’ in the House. Talking about the reason for his refusal to tender his resignation, Sinha said he had been accused of partisanship attitude, which he considers false. “Resigning in such circumstances will certainly hurt my self-respect,” he said. It has been almost two weeks since the ‘no trust motion’ was moved by the MLAs of the mahagathbandhan government. A notice was also served to the Speaker regarding the motion by the secretary of the assembly secretariat. However, Sinha said he was occupying a constitutional post, he was bound to follow the norms associated with the office. “My priority will be to discharge my duty in accordance with the prescribed rules,” he added.When asked about Sinha’s resignation, Bihar BJP chief Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal said it was his (Sinha’s) discretion.“It all depends on his decision,” he told this newspaper on Tuesday. The RJD has demanded that Sinha should resign from the post as he has lost the confidence of the members of the House.“Sinha should make an honourable exit. I fail to fathom why he is sticking to the Speaker’s post after the formation of a new government,” RJD leader Shakti Singh Yadav said. On the other hand, Deputy Speaker Maheshwar Hajari said Sinha should have resigned from the Speaker’s post soon after the fall of the NDA government in the state. Under such circumstances, the Deputy Speaker presides over the proceedings of the House. Some lawmakers say if Sinha fails to resign from the post by Wednesday morning and decides to preside over the proceedings of the House during the two-day Special session beginning on Aug. 24, a first-of-its-kind scene will be created in Bihar legislative assembly.