RJD MLAs sport helmets, black masks to Bihar Assembly

Patna (Bihar): On the first day of monsoon session in Bihar, the opposition RJD MLAs in a unique protest were seen sporting helmets and black masks to Assembly. The MLAs gesture was an indirect dig at the Nitish Kumar government over the violence that had erupted in the Legislative Assembly around four months back. On March 23, several party legislators were roughed up by police personnel after the Speaker was held hostage in a desperate bid to thwart the passing of a contentious legislation. Speaking to reporters, RJD MLA and the party's chief state spokesperson Bhai Virendra told media personnel that they would demand an apology from CM Nitish Kumar and that their leader Tejashwi Yadav will also move a motion to this effect before the House. NDA has 126 MLAs in the Bihar Assembly, of which BJP has 74, JD(U) 43, HAM and VIP four each. There is also an Independent who is in support of JDU. On the other hand, there are 110 MLAs in the Grand Alliance. RJD has 75 MLAs, Left parties 16 and Congress 19. The opposition is very strong in terms of strength in the house. In such a situation, running the house can be a big challenge for the government this time.