The second day of the Bihar Legislature's Monsoon Session witnessed intense political exchanges, with the Opposition protesting against the proposed panchayat tax collection in the Assembly, while the issue of drug abuse sparked a heated debate in the Legislative Council. The government also made key announcements on teacher recruitment, school infrastructure, and industrial development during the proceedings.

The Opposition created a ruckus in the Assembly after raising concerns that the proposed panchayat tax would impose an additional financial burden on poor families. Left legislators demanded a discussion on the proposed tax and the contingency fund, submitting an adjournment motion that was later rejected by the Speaker.

Following the rejection, Opposition MLAs entered the well of the House and staged a protest. Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar urged members to return to their seats, while Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said the matter would be discussed when the relevant bill is introduced. He also invited the Opposition to bring amendment proposals during the legislative process, after which the protesting legislators returned to their seats.

Drug Abuse Issue Sparks Heated Debate

In the Legislative Council, RJD MLC Sunil Singh raised concerns over the increasing use of narcotic substances in Bihar. He alleged that marijuana and charas consumption had become common and claimed that drug use was visible even near religious places.

His remarks triggered strong objections from BJP members after he referred to temples and monasteries. A verbal exchange followed, adding to the tense atmosphere inside the House.

Sunil Singh also accused the state government of collecting higher taxes on petrol and diesel, alleging that Bihar was earning an additional ₹200 crore from fuel taxation.

Later in the day, BJP MLC Anamika Singh and RJD MLC Munni Rajak were involved in a heated argument outside the chamber of Leader of Opposition Rabri Devi over the same issue.

JD(U) MLA Questions Teacher Shortage

The government also faced criticism from within the ruling alliance. JD(U) MLA Shyam Rajak questioned the Education Department over the shortage of teachers in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar residential schools.

He claimed that nearly 62% of teaching positions remained vacant, raising concerns about the quality of education in these institutions.

Responding to the issue, Education Minister Lakhendra Kumar informed the House that 91 schools are currently operational with 1,290 teachers working against 2,406 sanctioned posts. He added that vacancies have been forwarded to the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) under the TRE-4 recruitment process.

When Rajak sought a clear timeline for appointments, the minister assured that recruitment would begin once BPSC completes the selection process.

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary later intervened and directed the Education Department to ensure that teachers are appointed in the residential schools within one month.

Government Announces Major Education Initiatives

During Question Hour, the issue of inadequate school infrastructure was also discussed. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced that schools without land would be provided suitable land within the next six months.

Education Minister Lakhendra Kumar further announced that the state government plans to recruit one lakh teachers over the next five years, while proposals for the TRE-4 recruitment drive would be sent to the BPSC by the end of July.

Other Key Announcements

The government also announced plans to establish three new sugar mills, including in Gopalganj and Madhubani, to boost the state's agro-based economy.

Meanwhile, Opposition legislators staged demonstrations outside the Assembly before the session began, accusing the government of rising corruption, deteriorating law and order, and mishandling issues such as examination paper leaks.

With education, taxation, law and order, and governance dominating discussions, the second day of the Monsoon Session reflected both political confrontation and significant policy announcements that are expected to shape Bihar's administrative agenda in the coming months.

Nitish Kumar Resigns as MLC After Rajya Sabha Win

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar formally resigns from the Legislative Council following his election to the Rajya Sabha, triggering fresh political realignments in the state.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday resigned as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), ending his long association with the state legislature after being elected to the Rajya Sabha earlier this month. Senior JD(U) leaders Vijay Chaudhary and MLC Sanjay Gandhi submitted the resignation letter, which ran into just 29 words, to Legislative Council Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh at the secretariat in Patna.

The development came hours after the 14-day constitutional window for vacating one of the two seats drew to a close. Kumar, who secured a Rajya Sabha berth in the biennial elections held on March 16, had to choose between continuing in the state council or moving to Parliament. As per constitutional provisions, no public representative can simultaneously hold membership in both a state legislature and either House of Parliament.

Procedural Requirement

Minister Vijay Chaudhary clarified that the resignation was a routine constitutional step. “CM has been elected as a Rajya Sabha member. This is a procedural requirement, and he had to resign today,” he told reporters. The move was executed smoothly through representatives, with no personal appearance by the Chief Minister at the council secretariat.

Uncertainty Over Nitin Nabin Ends

In a parallel development, suspense over BJP national president Nitin Nabin’s resignation also lifted. The senior BJP leader, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha alongside Kumar, had submitted his resignation from the Bihar Assembly to state party president Sanjay Sarawagi on Sunday following directions from the national leadership. His formal submission to the Assembly Speaker is expected shortly.

Both leaders were among the five NDA candidates who swept the Rajya Sabha polls in Bihar on March 16, with the alliance securing all seats up for grabs. Nitish Kumar and Nitin Nabin each polled 44 votes, while other winners included Union Minister Ramnath Thakur and Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha.

Background of the Transition

Nitish Kumar’s decision to contest the Rajya Sabha polls marked a significant shift after more than two decades as Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister. He had expressed a long-held desire to experience membership across different legislative forums, having previously served as an MLA, MLC, and Lok Sabha MP. His current MLC term was slated to continue until 2030.

The Rajya Sabha election results had set the stage for this transition, with the NDA demonstrating strong unity in the Upper House polls despite boycott calls and low participation from the opposition Mahagathbandhan.

Political Implications

The resignation paves the way for Nitish Kumar to take oath as a Rajya Sabha member soon. It also intensifies speculation about leadership changes in Bihar, as he is widely expected to step down from the Chief Minister’s post in the coming days to comply fully with constitutional norms. Under Article 164(4) of the Constitution, a Chief Minister who is not a member of the state legislature has a six-month window to get elected, but the dual-membership rule has now forced the immediate MLC exit.

JD(U) leaders had reportedly urged Kumar to reconsider staying on as CM, but he remained firm on following due process. The development has triggered quiet discussions within the NDA about a possible successor, with names like Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary doing the rounds in political circles.

Impact on State Politics

For Bihar, the move signals the end of an era dominated by Nitish Kumar’s stewardship marked by his focus on infrastructure, women’s empowerment, and prohibition policies. His shift to national politics could reshape the state’s governance dynamics while allowing him greater influence at the Centre through the Rajya Sabha.

The simultaneous exit of Nitin Nabin from the Assembly seat in Bankipur further opens up possibilities for bypolls and local-level adjustments within the BJP.

What Lies Ahead

With both resignations now in motion, attention turns to the swearing-in of the new Rajya Sabha members and the unfolding succession process in Bihar. The state Assembly and Legislative Council, which were on recess, reconvened amid these transitions, setting the stage for further political activity in the days ahead.

The developments are being closely watched as they could influence the balance within the NDA alliance and the broader political landscape in Bihar ahead of future electoral cycles.