MLA dies before taking oath

Patna: The newly elected legislators of Bihar Legislative Assembly on Monday could not take oath on the opening day of the new House due to death of a RLSP MLA Basant Kumar.

As the House assembled for the day on the start of the first session of 16th Bihar Legislative Assembly, Protem Speaker Sadanand Singh announced the death of Rashtritya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) MLA Basant Kumar due to heart attack in Patna on Sunday.

The House observed one minute silence in respect of the departed MLA after which the Protem speaker announced that the oath of the new members, which was on the list of day's business, would not be done on Monday.

He announced that the oath ceremony would take place on Tuesday. The House will sit an hour before the scheduled time of 11 AM on Tuesday to speed up the process of oath.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav and new leader of opposition Prem Kumar were present in the house when condolence was paid to the departed MLA.

The first time MLA Basant Kumar died of heart attack at Patna Medical College and Hospital last night. He had won from Harlakhi Assembly seat in Madhubani district defeating Congress candidate Mohammad Shabir of Congress in the recently concluded Bihar elections.

With his death, strength of RLSP of Union minister of state Upendra Kushwaha, has come to one and that of its ally NDA opposition to 57 in the 243-member Bihar house.

Later, the body of the departed MLA was brought to the Assembly where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav, Protem speaker Sadanand Singh, BJP leader in both the Houses Sushil Kumar Modi, leader of opposition in Assembly Prem Kumar and a host of ministers and MLAs paid floral tributes.

The CM in his condolence message expressed grief over the MLA's demise. He also announced a state funeral of the MLA.

Kumar described the MLA as sincere and dedicated politician who indulged in social service. The opening day of the maidan session of 16th Bihar Assembly after the recently-concluded elections in the state, witnessed bonhomie, with members from both Treasury and Opposition bench greeting each other.

RJD President Lalu Prasad's both sons - Deputy CM Tejaswi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav - sat next to the CM as per pecking order. Former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, the lone winner from his Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) was also present in the House.

Barh MLA Gyanendra Kumar Gyanoo, who is now a BJP MLA, out of old habit was seen entering from the Treasury bench door. He soon realized the mistake and walked to the opposition side.

PTI