Awadh Bihari Choudhary files nomination for post of speaker in Bihar assembly

Awadh Bihari Choudhary was tipped for the post ever since it was decided that the post of Speaker in the Assembly would go to the RJD

Senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Awadh Bihari Choudhary on Thursday filed his nomination for the post of speaker in the Bihar legislative assembly.

Six-time MLA from Siwan, Awadh Bihar Choudhary, 76, was also a minister in the Rabri Devi government. (Twitter (@iAwadhBihariRJD))

The post fell vacant after the resignation of his predecessor Vijay Kumar Sinha on Wednesday.

Choudhary was tipped for the post ever since it was decided that the post of speaker in the assembly will go to the RJD, which is the largest party with 79 members in the ruling coalition.

He is certain to be elected unopposed due to the arithmetic in the assembly and no other nomination for the post.

The election is scheduled for Friday.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar, deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, parliamentary affairs minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and JD-U national president Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh and other leaders were present as the RJD nominee filed his nomination papers before the assembly secretary.

Six-time MLA from Siwan, Choudhary, 76, was also a minister in the Rabri Devi government. He had contested for the Speaker’s post in 2020 but lost to his predecessor Vijay Kumar Sinha in a tight contest after attempts for unanimous election to the coveted chair according to convention failed.

He had received 114 votes against Sinha’s 126.

Now, he will succeed Sinha, who will be the leader of the opposition.

The ruling alliance candidate Devesh Chandra Thakur was also elected unopposed as the chairman of the Bihar Legislative Council.