Bihar Assembly Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, who belongs to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), refused to resign on Wednesday in the wake of the no-confidence motion brought against him.

This indicated that the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) is heading for a showdown with the newly formed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government before its floor test on February 12.

“Why should I resign? I got to know about the no-confidence motion today (Wednesday). According to the business rules of the House, I can hold the post for 14 days. The MLAs will thereafter vote and decide whether I will continue
or not,” Chaudhary told reporters.

Reacting to the demand by the BJP legislators for his resignation, the Speaker said: “Let them say whatever they want to. It is their job. I will keep working like before.”

Chaudhary added that he was a person who abided by the rules and the laws. He said the budget session would start on February 12 and the Assembly would function under him.

The NDA government came to power in the state on January 28 after chief minister Nitish Kumar and his Janata Dal United (JDU) left the Mahagathbandhan and joined hands with the BJP.

Several ruling alliance leaders submitted a notice expressing no confidence in the Speaker soon after the change in the government.

Accordingly, the Assembly session was deferred twice from February 6 and February 10 to February 12.