North India Statesman
News India Live, Digital Desk: Bihar Political History: There have been many such interesting stories in Indian politics, which seem difficult to believe. Today we are going to tell you one such anecdote of Bihar politics, when the MLAs won the election, took the oath, but they did not get a chance to go inside the assembly. The lock was hung at the gate of the assembly and the entire strategy of the next government of Bihar was being built at the house of George Fernandes in Delhi, Miles from Patna.
This is the story of the year 2005. At that time, the politics of Bihar was going through a major change. Lalu Prasad Yadav, who has been in power for 15 years, was fading and Nitish Kumar was emerging as a new hope. Assembly elections were held in February 2005, but the results came in such a way that it was not possible for anyone to form the government.
When no one got a majority
In the February 2005 election, no party or coalition got 122 seats required to form a government. Lalu Yadav’s party RJD emerged as the largest party, but was far from the majority. At the same time, the alliance of JDU and BJP was also not in a position to form the government. The key to power was with Ram Vilas Paswan’s party LJP, without which no government could be formed.
Manipulation politics continued for months, but no solution was found. Amidst this political upheaval, the UPA government at the Center imposed President’s rule in Bihar and the assembly was dissolved.
And the doors of the assembly closed for the MLA
The President’s rule and dissolution of the assembly simply meant that the MLAs who came after winning the election in February ended without sitting in the House for a single day. He became such an MLA from Bihar, who could never see the face of the assembly. This was a situation where the public had chosen their representatives, but those representatives could not reach the House.
George Fernandes’ house becomes’ Power Center ‘in Delhi
When the assembly was locked in Patna, the real political churning was going on in Delhi. The Delhi -based house of the then leader and NDA convenor George Fernandes became the new center of Bihar politics. All the big leaders of JDU and BJP were sitting there preparing the next strategy. It was being discussed what to do next and how to prepare for the next election. The foundation of the next government of Bihar was being laid in that house.
Finally, in October-November the same year, elections were held in Bihar. This time the public gave a unilateral verdict and under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, an absolute majority of NDA was formed. But that era of 2005 is still remembered as a time in Bihar politics when the elected MLAs could not enter their own House and the entire strategy was being made in a house away from the assembly.
