The One Minute' Rule Why Bihar’s New Assembly Rule Has Left BJP and JDU Worried

The Bihar Assembly is known for its heated debates and long-winded speeches, but the current session has taken a surprising turn. In a move that has sent ripples through the political corridors of Patna, the Assembly Speaker has introduced a strict new time-management formula for the discussion on the Governor’s address.

The rule is simple but brutal: each party will now be allocated time based on a formula of roughly one minute per MLA. While the goal is to ensure the session stays on track, the math behind it has created an unexpected disadvantage for the ruling coalition of the BJP, JDU, and LJP (Ram Vilas).

The Numbers Game: Winners and Losers

In any democratic setup, the party with the most seats usually gets the most time to speak. However, under this new "per-head" allocation, the ruling alliance feels it's losing its edge. Here’s why:

The Big Parties Lose Out: For major parties like the BJP and JDU, which have a high number of MLAs, the one-minute-per-member rule feels like a "gag order." Their senior leaders, who usually provide detailed rebuttals and policy explanations, are now scrambling to fit their entire arguments into tiny time slots.

The Opposition’s Advantage: While the RJD and other opposition parties are also bound by the same math, the crunch hits the treasury benches harder. The government has to defend its policies and respond to every criticism raised—a task that is nearly impossible to do sixty seconds at a time.

The "Smaller" Voice: Ironically, smaller parties or independent members might find this rule more equitable, but for the giants of the Bihar Assembly, it's a logistical nightmare.

Why the Rush?

The Speaker’s decision stems from a need to complete the legislative business within the stipulated time. Often, long speeches by senior leaders lead to adjournments or carry-overs, leaving little room for first-time MLAs or smaller parties to voice their concerns.

However, BJP and JDU leaders have expressed their silent frustration, arguing that "quality of debate" should not be sacrificed for "quantity of time." On the other hand, the opposition is watching closely, ready to use their allotted minutes to launch sharp attacks that the government may not have enough time to fully answer.

As the clock ticks—quite literally—on the floor of the house, the Bihar Assembly is witnessing a unique struggle: a battle against time.

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