In response to a query, the RJD leader said that MLAs of the alliance have been elected by the people to raise basic issues like unemployment, migration, inflation and poor healthcare in the state assembly. “The question of defection in the alliance does not arise,” he asserted.

The NDA leaders’ remarks came barely days after five MLAs of the AIMIM met chief minister Nitish Kumar at his official residence in Patna, triggering speculation about a possible defection.

Though the MLAs contended that they called on CM Nitish with certain demands of people of their constituencies, political observers feel it may be a part of the JD(U)’s strategy to boost its strength in the assembly.

While the JD(U) won 85 of the 102 seats it contested in the assembly polls, its ally the BJP won 89 seats and emerged as the single largest party in the 243-member assembly. Among the other NDA constituents, the LJP(RV) won 19 seats followed by five by the HAM and four by the RLM.

On the Opposition side, the RJD won 25 seats followed by six by the Congress, two by the CPI-ML, one by the CPI(M) and one by IP Gupta’s party. The Opposition seat tally in the House is just 35.