BIHAR STATE'S RULING UNITED FRONT COALITION, ON THE VERGE OF COLLAPSE THROUGH DEFECTIONS AND MINISTERIAL RESIGNATIONS, LOST THE FIRST ROUND OF A FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL YESTERDAY (FRIDAY) WHEN THE UPPER HOUSE OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY PASSED A NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION.

THE ASSEMBLY WAS OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR OF BIHAR, MR. NITYANAND KANUNGO, ON THURSDAY (18 JANUARY) AMID DEMONSTRATIONS BY 10,000 SUPPORTERS OF PARTIES AFFILIATED TO THE UNITED FRONT.

THE MOTION AGAINST THE SEVEN-PARTY FRONT WAS PASSED ON A VOICE VOTE AMID SCENES, AS THREATS AND COUNTER-THREATS WERE FREELY EXCHANGED ACROSS THE CHAMBER.

THE FRONT'S MAIN TEST WILL COME NEXT WEDNESDAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (LOWER HOUSE) WHEN THE OPPOSITION CONGRESS PARTY (THE RULING PARTY IN THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT) AND THE SOSHIT DAL, A BREAKAWAY GROUP FROM THE UNITED FRONT, FORCE A TRIAL OF STRENGTH ON A CENSURE MOTION.

AFTER THE ASSEMBLY HAD ADJOURNED ON THURSDAY FOLLOWING THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS, MR. M.P. SHINA, BIHAR'S CHIEF MINISTER AND SOME OF HIS CABINET COLLEAGUES LEFT THE ASSEMBLY TO MEET THE DEMONSTRATORS.

HE CONGRATULATED THEM AS SUPPORTERS OF THE UNITED FRONT FOR PUTTING ON AN "EXCELLENT, ORDERLY AND PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION"