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The Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance government is all set to face a floor test on Monday to prove its majority in the Bihar Assembly.
On the eve of the crucial floor test, political parties in the State remained busy trying to keep their flock together.
All 79 MLAs of the Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have been camping at the residence of former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav since Saturday night.
16 MLAs of the Congress returned from Hyderabad and went directly to Mr. Yadav’s residence.
What is a Floor Test?
A floor test, also known as a vote of confidence.
Its a mechanism used in various political systems to determine whether the government (executive branch) retains the confidence of the legislature (parliament, assembly).
Purpose:
The main purpose of a floor test is to verify if the government still has the majority support of the elected representatives in the legislature.
This is crucial because the government derives its legitimacy and authority from the legislature's support.
When a floor test is called:
There are several scenarios where a floor test might be called:
After a new government is formed: Sometimes, after elections, a new government needs to prove its majority in the legislature.
When the government's majority is questioned: If the government loses key members or faces defections, its majority might be doubted, leading to a call for a floor test.
Upon request of the government: Sometimes, the government itself might request a floor test to seek a fresh mandate or settle internal disputes.
How can the Governor Call for a Floor Test?
The Governor's ability to call for a floor test is a complex issue with nuances depending on specific contexts and constitutional provisions.
In many parliamentary democracies, the Governor, as the head of the state, plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth functioning of the government.
The power to call for a floor test generally stems from specific articles within the constitution.
In India, Article 174(2) of the Constitution empowers the Governor to summon the House and call for a vote of confidence to assess whether the government enjoys the majority's support.
While the Governor holds the power, it's not exercised arbitrarily.
There must be credible evidence suggesting the ruling party no longer commands a majority in the legislature.
This can be indicated by resignations, defections, or no-confidence motions submitted by a significant portion of the members.
Request from Chief Minister, In some cases, the Chief Minister himself may request a floor test to seek a fresh mandate or resolve internal disputes.
Deadlock situations, If the legislature is unable to function due to political wrangling or a constitutional crisis, the Governor might call for a floor test to break the deadlock.
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