Inside a bamboo hut in Bhagalpur, a free classroom for govt job aspirants

NIT-Patna, IIIT-Bhagalpur sign pact to boost academic, research ties

NIT-Patna and IIIT-Bhagalpur have united in a groundbreaking MoU aimed at enhancing collaboration in academia and research. This alliance promises to create joint educational programs, facilitate exchanges between students and faculty, and share valuable resources. Together, they aspire to elevate learning experiences and spearhead innovation, significantly impacting India's educational landscape and technological advancement.

Bhagalpur banks launch cyber fraud awareness drive for senior citizens

Villagers back Adanis thermal power project

In a spirited public hearing, residents of Bhagalpur's Pirpainti block have shown enthusiastic approval for the Adani Group's plan to build a 2400MW ultra super critical thermal power plant. Community leaders and locals voiced their optimism, highlighting the potential for economic growth, job opportunities, and overall development in Bihar.

BAU bid to make Bihar a new saffron frontier

Bihar Agricultural University has unveiled a visionary tissue-culture approach to saffron farming in Bhagalpur, signaling a potential agricultural renaissance in the region. This groundbreaking initiative, termed 'From Kashmir to Bhagalpur,' seeks to deliver premium quality, disease-free saffron plants, significantly enhancing farmers' livelihoods and catering to India's growing market needs

Five civil courts get hoax bomb threats

A sense of dread descended upon five civil courts in Bihar, including those in Bhagalpur and Muzaffarpur, following alarming bomb threat emails predicting explosions at noon. The facilities were promptly evacuated, and a thorough search by security personnel ensued.

Bihar officers bag multiple awards presented by ECI

Bihar's election officials and districts have been lauded for their exceptional election management and voter awareness efforts. Madhubani district clinched a national award for training, while Bhagalpur's District Election Officer received state recognition for outstanding performance. Buxar and Bhojpur officials were also honored for ensuring fair and transparent electoral practices during recent elections and revision processes.

Police arrest 3 cybercriminals in Bhagalpur

In a significant crackdown, Bhagalpur's cyber cell has disrupted an interstate syndicate that deceived victims by masquerading as law enforcement agents to carry out 'digital arrests.' Three suspects have been detained in connection with a massive Rs 18 lakh scam, which targeted a couple accused of money laundering.

In Bihar, woman dies after quack delivers her baby while watching YouTube videos

The womans relatives said she delivered the baby but could not survive; The death happened on Thursday night but it came to light on Saturday with the Bhagalpur Civil Surgeon forming a team to catch hold of the quack

Dense fog and severe cold wave hit normal life in Bihar, red alert issued for 12 districts

PATNA: Normal life in Bihar has been largely hit by dense fog and severe cold wave conditions, prompting authorities concerned to change the timing of schools for children. Severe cold wave condition is expected to persist till December 22. Bihar deputy chief minister Samrat Chaudharys helicopter could not take off due to bad weather conditions and poor visibility. He was scheduled to attend official functions at Sugauli and Raxaul in East Champaran district. According to authoritative sources, a pair of flights of Air India from Patna to Delhi and vice versa was cancelled, while 16 pairs of flights got delayed due to bad weather conditions and poor visibility in Patna. Similarly, more than 12 trains were running behind schedule. Officials said that the trains, including Vibhuti Express, Shramjivi Express, Sampoorna Kranti Express, Barauni-Danapur Memu, Vaishali-Kodarma Fast Memu, Danapur-Jhajha Fast Passenger and Bhagalpur Garib Rath Express, were running from three hours to 30 hours behind schedule. According to notifications issued by the authorities, classes in schools will run from 9 am and 4.30 pm till December 27. The order will apply to all government and private schools across the State. However, pre-board and board examinations have been exempted from the new order. The school authorities have been asked to adhere to the order strictly, failing which action would be initiated against them as per the rule. Humidity levels have crossed 90 per cent, significantly narrowing the gap between maximum and minimum temperatures. A red alert has been issued for 12 districts of north Bihar, warning of extremely dense fog and severe cold wave conditions. In addition, a yellow alert has been issued for 24 other districts, including Patna, cautioning residents about cold weather conditions. The State witnessed a sharp drop in both day and night temperatures, throwing normal life out of gear. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cold spell is expected to persist until December 22, with the possibility of a further decline in temperatures. The districts largely hit include West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Vaishali, Samastipur, Siwan and Gopalganj. In these districts, extremely dense fog is likely to disrupt road traffic both during the day and night hours. Travelling by road will be risky under such conditions, said a police officer assigned to regular traffic in Muzaffarpur in north Bihar. He said an advisory has been issued for vehicle drivers. A yellow alert has been issued for 24 districts, including Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur and Purnea. In Araria, two youths were killed in a head-on collision between a speeding car and a motorbike. The third person injured in the accident has been admitted to a local hospital.

Zero visibility across north India as IMD sounds red alert for Delhi

A thick blanket of dense fog covered large parts of north India on Friday morning, severely impacting the visibility. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Delhi, warning of major disruptions to road, rail and air traffic. Satellite imagery showed widespread fog over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, northeast Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. Visibility dropped to zero metres at several locations, including Agra, Bareilly, Saharanpur and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh; Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bathinda and Adampur in Punjab; Safdarjung in Delhi; Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh; Bhagalpur in Bihar; and Daltonganj in Jharkhand. The IMD cautioned that extremely poor visibility could impact airport operations and cause delays on highways and railway routes. An orange alert was issued for multiple districts in Uttar Pradesh, parts of Uttarakhand, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar, and several districts in Punjab, including Amritsar, Patiala and Sangrur. Meteorologists warned of hazardous driving conditions and an increased risk of road accidents, along with the possibility of power line tripping in affected regions. Residents were advised to avoid unnecessary travel, use fog lights, and stay updated on transport advisories. According to IMD definitions, very dense fog occurs when visibility ranges between 0 and 50 metres, while dense fog refers to visibility between 51 and 200 metres. As North India chokes, there can be no hiding 'behind the smokescreen of farm fires anymore' In Delhi, early morning visibility remained poor due to dense fog mixed with smog. Delhis air quality remained alarming, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 382, placing it in the very poor category and close to severe. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed that 14 monitoring stations reported severe air quality, while the remaining recorded very poor levels. Vivek Vihar registered the worst AQI at 434. The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi has forecast that air quality will stay very poor until Saturday and may deteriorate to severe on Sunday. Meanwhile, stricter pollution control measures came into effect in the national capital on Thursday. The entry of non-Delhi private vehicles below BS-VI emission standards has been banned, and the No PUC, No Fuel rule is being enforced. Fuel stations are denying fuel to vehicles without valid Pollution Under Control certificates, with checks supported by automatic number plate reader cameras, voice alerts and police deployment. 'More headline and image management': Unreliable data mask just how bad India's air quality crisis is

Bihar government to set up 100 fast-track courts to dispose of pending cases

PATNA: Bihar deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, who is also holding the portfolio of home department, on Sunday announced that 100 fast track courts (FTCs) would be established in Bihar for speedy disposal of pending cases in the courts. The fast track courts aim to reduce the burden on the judiciary and provide due attention and time to cases of a sensitive nature. Chaudhary said that these fast-track courts would lessen the burden on courts considerably, considering that more than 18 lakh cases were pending in various courts of the state. He informed eight fast-track courts have been proposed in Patna, while four courts each will be established in Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and Bhagalpur. Home Minister said that three fast-track courts each would be set up in Nalanda (Biharsharif), Rohtas (Sasaram), Saran (Chapra), Begusarai, Vaishali (Hajipur), East Champaran (Motihari), Samastipur, and Madhubani. Similarly, two fast-track courts each will operate in West Champaran (Bettiah), Saharsa, Purnea, Munger, Nawada, Jehanabad, Arwal, Aurangabad, Kaimur (Bhabua), Buxar, Bhojpur (Ara), Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Siwan, Gopalganj, Supaul, Madhepura, Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar, Banka, Jamui, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, and Khagaria. In addition, it is proposed to establish one fast-track court each in the Naugachhiaand Bagaha sub-divisional courts. Chaudhary said, cases jointly identified by the district magistrates and superintendents of Police will be disposed of on a priority basis. A large-scale recruitment of personnel will also be undertaken for the establishment of a total of 100 fast-track courts across 38 districts and sub-divisions of the state. A total of 900 positions are proposed for each court, comprising eight types of posts -- bench clerk, office clerk, stenographer, deposition writer, data entry operator, driver, process server, and peon or orderly. As many as 79 courts will be specially set up for the speedy disposal of cases pending under the Arms Act. Bihar government was of the opinion that quick resolution of serious cases like those under the Arms Act would improve law and order in the state, Chaudhary added.

Bihar to establish 100 Fast Track Courts for quicker disposal of pending criminal cases

Mr. Choudhary also informed that eight fast track courts are proposed in Patna, while four each will be established in Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and Bhagalpur.

Assam Minister's Cauliflower Post On NDA's Bihar Win Sparks Huge Row

Right in the middle of Friday afternoon, as counting of votes in Bihar pointed to a big NDA win, a minister in the Himanta Sarma cabinet celebrated it with a cauliflower post, a stark reminder of the 1989 Bhagalpur massacre.

'Bihar approves gobhi farming': Assam minister's post ignites fury; Shashi Tharoor reacts

Assam Minister Ashok Singhal's X post referencing gobhi farming after Bihar election results has ignited controversy. Critics believe it alludes to the 1989 Bhagalpur riots' cauliflower burial case, where victims' bodies were allegedly concealed under cauliflower fields. Social media users condemned the perceived insensitivity, prompting a response from Shashi Tharoor who denounced such massacres.

Assam cabinet minister shares gobi farming post, draws opposition ire

Guwahati: The use of gobi farming imagery by an Assam Cabinet minister after Bihar poll results has evoked sharp criticism from opposition, who are alleging that it is an apparent reference to the Bhagalpur communal riots. They have questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over the matter, maintaining that Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

'Joint Statements Not My Job': Tharoor On Bihar Gobi Farming Row After Assam Minister's Post

Shashi Tharoor condemned any glorification of the 1989 Bhagalpur riots after Assam Minister Ashok Singhals 'gobi farming' post was linked by netizens to the massacre.

Controversy erupts as Assam minister Ashok Singhal's 'Gobi farming' post referring to Bhagalpur riot

GUWAHATI: An Assam ministers cryptic social media post has stoked controversy, with netizens linking it to the 1989 Bhagalpur riots between Hindus and Muslims. On Friday, when it was more or less clear that the NDA would sweep the Bihar elections, Assams Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal took to X and shared the photo of a cauliflower field, captioning it, Bihar approves Gobi farming. He did not provide any explanation, but a section of netizens linked it to the cauliflower burial case during the Bhagalpur riots, in which over 1,000 people were killed and an estimated 50,000 others displaced. At Logain village, buried bodies were camouflaged by the plantation of cauliflower. Following the Assam ministers social media post, reactions flooded in on X. Sums up nation we are living in! Ruling party politician is openly supporting violence, a user wrote. When Gobi farming is mockingly used to dehumanise an entire community, despite the painful history of violence in places like Bhagalpur and yet they complain why only Muslims become extremists. Dehumanisation has consequences, another user posted on the microblogging site. If this is how a cabinet minister acts, imagine the confidence it gives to the people who follow him, yet another user wrote. However, some users shared different viewpoints on the post. People are unnecessarily seething at this. He is actually talking about how a government scheme in Bihar that provided subsidy and support to cauliflower farmers contributed to NDA victory in Bihar. Another wrote, Cauliflower is one of the most nutritious vegetables and increasing cauliflower production is a key step towards building a healthy India. Singhal (56) is a two-time legislator who was first elected to the Assembly in 2016. He represents northern Assams Dhekiajuli constituency.

Bihar poll result: Assam Ministers cauliflower post stirs controversy

Netizens were quick to point out that Ashok Singhal was referring to an incident during the 1989 Bhagalpur riots

Meet actress, whose debut film bombed at box office, has worked with Dharmendra, Ajay Devgn, Priyanka Chopra, no solo hit yet; her father is...

Neha Sharma's father Ajeet Sharma is prominent Congress leader and has been a member of Bihar legislative assembly since 2014. He is fighting from Bhagalpur seat in the 2025 Bihar elections.

Bihar Election Result 2025: Bollywood actor Neha Sharma's star power fails to impress, father Congress candidate Ajeet Sharma trailing behind BJP's Rohit Pandey in Bhagalpur

BJP's Rohit Pandey is leading in Bhagalpur. Ajeet Sharma of INC is trailing with 17613 ( -7553) votes.

Bihar Polls: Actor Neha Sharmas Father Trails In Bhagalpur As BJP Gains Lead

Actor Neha Sharma's father Ajeet Sharma, a senior Congress leader, has held the Bhagalpur Assembly seat since 2014, winning again in 2015 and 2020.

Cong fighting same battle against 'Modi empire' that Mahatma Gandhi fought against British: Priyanka

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra addresses back-to-back rallies in Bihars Katihar, Bhagalpur, and Purnea districts, jabs the NDA government over katta remarks, unemployment and more

Cong fighting same battle against Modi empire that Mahatma Gandhi fought against British: Priyanka

KATIHAR/BHAGALPUR Nov 8: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday claimed that her party was now fighting the same battle against the Modi empire that Mahatma Gandhi once fought against the British imperialists. Addressing back-to-back rallies in Bihars Katihar and Bhagalpur districts, Vadra claimed that PM Narendra Modi was not maintaining the dignity of his post by using words such as katta (country-made pistol). She alleged that on the one hand, the PM was hailing Vande Mataram, which stood for [] The post Cong fighting same battle against Modi empire that Mahatma Gandhi fought against British: Priyanka appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Rahul Gandhi accuses NDA of reducing Bihars people to labourers, vows revival under Mahagathbandhan

PATNA: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of urning the people of Bihar into labourers over the past 20 years. Addressing a public rally in Bhagalpur, the Congress MP appealed to people to support the Mahagathbandhan to enable it to form the next government in Bihar for the states rapid development. If you want industries to be set up, quality education, and good governance, then vote for Mahagathbandhan, he told the gathering. Gandhi also renewed his allegations of voter fraud in the Haryana Assembly elections, stating that Haryana has 20 million electors, but there are over 2.5 million fake voters in the states voter list. He claimed that members of the BJP live in Uttar Pradesh and vote in both Uttar Pradesh and Haryana . Gandhi alleged that the name of a Brazilian woman appeared 22 times in Haryanas voter list. In Haryana, one household has 500 voters, and another has 60. When we inquired, no one lived in the houses, he said, adding that the Congress had provided proof of how votes were stolen in Haryana. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Election Commission of conspiring to manipulate votes in Haryana, as well as vote theft in the Lok Sabha, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh elections. He also criticised the Election Commissions Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, accusing it of removing Mahagathbandhan supporters names and withholding voter lists until the last minute. Rahul said that the Prime Minister often talked about reducing data prices so that youth can make reels and earn money. But the money spent on data goes to big companies. This is an attempt to distract the youth so that they dont demand jobs, he told the crowd. He later interacted with the weavers of Bhagalpur, known as the Silk City of Bihar. Rahul was in Bhagalpur to address a rally in support of Mahagathbandhan candidates. Congress sitting MLA Ajeet Sharma, who is seeking re-election from the seat, was also present. On eve of Bihar polls, Rahul Gandhi drops 'H files', alleges theft of over 25 lakh votes in Haryana elections

Tejashwis favourite CM is Stalin, whose party compares Biharis with bidis: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday criticised RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for calling Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin his favourite CM, alleging that the DMK had previously insulted Biharis by comparing them to bidis. Someone asked Lalus son who his favourite CM is. He said Stalin, do you know who he is? His party compares Biharis with bidis. His party insults Biharis and disgraces them. Tejashwis favourite is this CM, Shah claimed at a rally in Bhagalpur. He also accused the DMK of opposing the construction of the Ram Temple and insulting Sanatan Dharma. The remarks come after Stalin last week criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his alleged comments that DMK leaders harassed workers from Bihar, asking the PM to avoid cheap politics targeting Tamils ahead of elections. Shah also targeted the broader opposition, saying the RJD-Congress combine had no development agenda for Bihar. Lalu-Rahul-Rabri have not done anything for the poor, except patronising infiltrators who are taking away jobs, foodgrain, and other resources, he said. He described the Mahagathbandhan as a thagbandhan, lacking both policy direction and unity. Tejashwi Yadav says Prashant Kishors Jan Suraaj will have no impact on Bihar polls Addressing security concerns, Shah alleged that Maoists reigned supreme in Bihars Gaya, Aurangabad, Jamui, and other districts during Lalu Prasads tenure as Chief Minister and credited the current government with eliminating Naxalism. If you want to prevent jungle raj, vote for the NDA, he said. In this Naxal-affected area, around 150 Naxals had hijacked the Dhanbad-Patna Express, killing three people. The area was completely under Naxal control. But now, thanks to PM Modis efforts, it is Naxal-free. Earlier, voting used to end by 3 PM; now, people can vote till 5 PM, Shah said. He also took a dig at Lalu Prasad Yadav, claiming that if the Mahagathbandhan comes to power, it would create a new department called Apaharan (kidnapping). He also criticised the Congress leadership, alleging that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi did not have the courage to respond to repeated terror attacks during the UPA regime. Shah further promised a series of development initiatives in Bihar if the NDA retains power. Speaking at rallies in Jamui and Bihpur, he announced plans for an electric vehicle manufacturing cluster, a defence corridor, world-class expressways, new highways, medical and engineering colleges, and an investment of Rs 20,000 crore in pisciculture. He also reiterated support for the construction of a grand temple dedicated to Goddess Sita in Bihar. On the political front, Shah warned voters about potential law-and-order issues under an RJD government. No one can prevent riots in Bhagalpur if the RJD wins the Bihar polls. You have to decide whether you want the kidnapping industry in Diara or the development of tourism, he said. BJP leaders, who cast votes in Delhi, also voted in first phase of Bihar polls: Rahul Gandhi

Bhagalpur showdown: Amit Shah warns against Osama, Rahul Gandhi urges Gen Z to stop vote chori

Bihar Elections 2025: Keep Jungle Raj at bay, says PM Modi in Araria and Bhagalpur

During a recent rally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a compelling warning to women and youth about the possible return of RJD's notorious 'jungle raj'. He drew upon the dark legacy of the party's governance from 1990 to 2005, a time that he said diminished Bihar's potential and crushed the hopes of a generation.

Congress Accuses NDA of Neglecting Bhagalpur, Seemanchal

Pradhan Mantri ka jhooth sabse mazboot! Today, the Prime Minister is visiting Bhagalpur and Seemanchal. On this occasion, we want to remind him of some of his past false promises and ask him a few direct questions, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.

'Congress Can Never Wash Stains Of Bhagalpur Massacre': PM Modi In Bihar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress and the RJD during an election rally in Bhagalpur, accusing both parties of dividing Bihar along caste and communal lines.

Congress accuses NDA of making 'false promises', neglecting development of Bhagalpur, Seemanchal

The NITI Aayog report states: 52% of the population of Araria, 50% of the population of Purnia, more than 45% of the population of Kishanganj-Katihar, still struggle with multidimensional poverty, says Congress leader Jairam Ramesh

Bihar's 'honey man' earns in crores, gives beekeeping training, salary is Rs..., know all about his honey-making business

Sanjay Chaudhary, identified as the 'honey man' of Bhagalpur, is grabbing the attention of fellow villagers as well as the authorities because of his tremendously successful honey venture. he took advantage of a government welfare programme through which he received guidance.

From custody to campaign trail, jailed strongmen shape Bihars poll story

PATNA: As Bihar gears up for the first phase of assembly elections on November 6, muscle power continues to cast a long shadow over the states politics with jailed strongmen continuing to shape the campaign narrative through their political patrons. On Monday, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, despite his poor health, campaigned in Danapur for party candidate Ritlal Yadav, who is currently lodged in Bhagalpur Central Jail on charges of extortion, murder, and kidnapping for ransom. Joined by his daughter and RJD MP Misa Bharti, Lalu drew large crowds as flower petals were showered on his convoy. Ritlal, who had defeated BJPs Asha Sinha from the same seat in 2020, is in jail for allegedly threatening a builder for extortion money. In Mokama, the ruling JD(U) mounted a counter show of strength as Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary led a 30-km roadshow for another jailed candidate, Anant Singh. The influential local strongman, arrested last week for his alleged role in connection with the murder of Dular Chand Yadav, a supporter of the Jan Suraaj Party. He has been remanded to 14 days judicial custody, but his campaign shows no signs of slowing down, with top JD(U) leaders taking charge on his behalf. Speaking to reporters, Lalan Singh dismissed the murder allegations as part of a larger conspiracy. Its Jai Jai for Modi and Nitish in Bihar. The NDA government will return to power under Nitish Kumars leadership. The incident was not spontaneous. There was a full conspiracy behind it, he said, urging police to expose everyone involved. As the campaign heats up, the scenes in Danapur and Mokama underscore an enduring reality of Bihars politics that candidates with criminal records continue to wield deep influence, often with the full backing of their political parties.

Bihar Election 2025: PM Modi to hold rallies in Saharsa, Katihar today; Nitish Kumar to campaign in Bhagalpur

As the Bihar election campaigning is in full swing, key leaders are gearing up for the first phase of voting. PM Modi will address two rallies in Saharsa and Katihar, seeking votes for 30 NDA candidates across two districts.

Bihar Election 2025: PM Modi to hold roadshow in Patna, rallies in Bhojpur and Nawada today

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold rallies in Saharsa and Katihar on 3 November, and in Araria and Bhagalpur on 6 November. Voting for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections will take place on 6 November across 121 constituencies.

4 Children Drown While Taking Bath In Ganga Ahead Of Chhath Puja In Bihar

Four children aged 10-15 drowned in the Ganges in Bhagalpur during Chhath festival.

4 Children Drown While Bathing In Ganges Ahead Of Chhath Puja In Bihar

Four children drowned in the Ganges on Monday morning while taking a bath ahead of the Chhath festival in Bihar's Bhagalpur district, police said.

Homecoming Vote: Migrant workers returning for Chhath puja could decide Bihar polls

NEW DELHI: With nearly 70 lakh Bihari migrant workers returning home for the Chhath festival on October 2728, just a week before the first phase of Bihar Assembly polls, political experts expect a surge in voter turnout across the state's 243 constituencies. The Assembly polls will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with counting and results scheduled for November 14. According to estimates, around 2.5 to 3.1 crore Biharis work outside the state, including 8090 lakh who migrate annually for work as labourers, masons, mechanics, and other trades. The migrant workers coming home, mostly labourers and employees working in factories, construction sites, and offices across India, are being considered a decisive voter bloc. Many of them are likely to stay back and vote, especially in districts that recorded low polling in 2020. Both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan (opposition grand alliance) are urging migrant workers to stay back and vote, portraying it as a duty to ensure a better future for Bihar. The majority of those who come (for the festival) belong to Scheduled Castes and marginalised communities whose families benefit from government welfare schemes. Their womenfolk will certainly think of the NDA, not the RJD, claimed a BJP leader. However, RJD leaders disagreed, claiming that the migrant workers facing hardship in other BJP-ruled states would not vote for the NDA in Bihar. Those who face hardship outside Bihar due to unemployment and poor development under NDA rule will never vote for the NDA, said a senior RJD functionary. Those who feel humiliated or exploited in other states are less likely to vote for parties aligned with those governments, admitted a senior NDA leader, requesting anonymity. The NDA leader, however hoped that rust in Modi and the work done by Nitish Kumar may convince the migrant workers to back the JDU-led alliance. While the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan has made joblessness a central campaign issue, the ruling NDA has highlighted job creation and social welfare to counter the attack. Both camps are actively reaching out to returning migrants through local networks, community meetings, and WhatsApp groups. Districts such as Purnia, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Saharsa, Sitamarhi, Gaya, Jehanabad, Saran, Motihari, Jamui, Nawada, and Aurangabad all major hubs of outmigration are expected to see higher participation this time. Poll analysts believe the Kosi region, plagued by recurrent floods and high migration, could witness a sharp rise in voting, with nearly half of the returnees expected to stay through election day. Similar trends are anticipated in the Tirhut and Purnia divisions, depending on migrants ability to sustain themselves economically after Chhath. Waqf Act will be thrown into dustbin if INDIA bloc voted to power in Bihar: Tejashwi Yadav JD(U) expels 11 leaders for anti-party activities in poll-bound Bihar

BJP leader shot in Bihar's Bhagalpur; police probe underway

According to residents, the incident occurred when Bablu Yadav was taking a walk outside his house. At this time, Surjikhil resident Suraj Tanti arrived at the spot with his associates and allegedly fired two rounds at him.

Indian Railways starts playing Chhath songs at over 100 stations across nation

NEW DELHI: Ahead of Bihars Chhath festival, Indian Railways has introduced a unique arrangement of playing popular folk songs dedicated to the Chhath festival at over 100 prominent stations across the country. In the first phase, this initiative has been implemented at 30 different stations, where announcements of train departures or arrivals pause for a while. During these intervals, folk songs sung by well-known singers such as Sharda Sinha, Nitu Kumari Navgeet, Vindyavasni Devi and others are played when no train information is being broadcast over the automated announcement system. The Railways has started playing Chhatha songs at more than 30 stations in Bihar, including Patna, Danapur, Hajipur, Bhagalpur, Jamalpur, Sonepur and others. Similar arrangements for playing Chhatha songs have also been made at New Delhi, Ghaziabad and Anand Vihar Terminal, which are now witnessing heavy footfall of passengers travelling to Bihar and other Hindi-speaking states for the festival. Confirming this to the newspaper, ED (I&P) Dileep Kumar of the Ministry of Railways said on Friday, Indian Railways has started broadcasting Chhatha songs at railway stations on the auspicious occasion of Chhatha Puja. The aim of this initiative is to connect the passengers with the auspicious spirit of the festival and make their journey more pleasant. This has been launched at almost all those stations that now witness large numbers of Bihar-bound passengers travelling for the Chhatha festival across the country. Savita Kumari, a passenger travelling from Kolkata to Patna with her family members for the Chhatha festival, said These devotional songs being played at railway stations during Chhatha Puja surcharge the ambience of station with religious festivity for the devotees, who either remain in wait to take trains or boarding in trains. A senior railway official told the newspaper that the Chhatha folk songs being played make passengers feel the fragrance of their home and culture, thereby infusing devotion and joy into their journey even when they remain away from their states. Begun on Friday, the initiative through the automatic announcement system will continue for several days after the end of Chhatha, covering the period when passengers make their return journeys. Others stations such as Banaras, Gorakhpur and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Kolkata, Burdwan, Durgapur and Asansol in West Bengal, as well as Ludhiana and Amritsar in Punjab, are among the hundreds of stations where this initiative has been introduced. Currently, Indian Railways is operating more than 12,000 special train trips to manage the surge of passengers travelling from across the country to states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where the Chhatha festival is celebrated on a large scale.

Stage set for first phase of polls, 1.3K in fray for 121 seats

PATNA: In all, 1,314 candidates are left in the fray for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections, scheduled on November 6. This phase covers 121 seats and will mainly see a direct contest between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition INDIA bloc. Eighteen districts are covered in this phase, with Muzaffarpur, Kurhani, Mahnar, and Bahadur seeing the highest number of contestants. Election Commission sources said 1,690 candidates had filed nominations between October 10 and 17, but 135 were rejected for technical reasons. The last day for withdrawal of nominations was on October 20. The phase will test the popularity of Bihar CM Nitish Kumars JD(U) and Lalu Prasads RJD. Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary (Tarapur) and Vijay Kumar Sinha (Lakhisarai), along with Opposition Leader Tejashwi Yadav (Raghopur), will be among the top leaders facing voters. The maximum number of 20 candidates each are in the fray in Kurhani and Muzaffarpur, while Alauli and Parbatta have the fewest, with five each. In Patna, 149 candidates are in the fray, with nine withdrawals. Paliganj has the highest competition with 14 contestants. Bhagalpur has 102 nominees, with Nathnagar seeing 21. Mahnar in Vaishali has 18 candidates, while Bahadur has 17. Key candidates include JD(U) state president Umesh Kushwaha from Mahnar and RJDs Bhola Yadav, a close aide of Lalu Prasad. Health Minister Mangal Pandey is contesting from Siwan, while Nitin Nabin, a former minister, is in the fray from Bankipur. Former Union Minister Ram Kripal Yadav will face RJD MLA Ritlal Yadav, seeking re-election from jail. Shashank Shekhar, IIT Delhi alumnus, is contesting Patna Sahib on a Congress ticket against BJPs Ratnesh Kushwaha. Other notable contestants include Bhojpuri actor Khesari Lal Yadav (RJD), folk singer Maithili Thakur (Alinagar), Mohammad Shahabuddins son Osama Sahab (Raghunathpur), and ministers Vijay Kumar Chaudhary (Sarairanjan), Shravan Kumar (Nalanda), Jibesh Mishra (Jale), Sanjay Saraogi (Darbhanga), and Ratnesh Sada (Sonbarsa).

Bihar assembly election: Two 'Bahubalis' flexing their muscles in Mokama

PATNA: Battlelines have been drawn between two don-turned politiciansAnant Singh and Surajbhan Singhin the Mokama assembly constituency in Bihars Patna district, which will go to polls in the first phase on November 6. Anant Singh , a four term former MLA, has thrown his hat in the electoral ring once again after stepping out of jail, is set to contest against Surajbhans wife Veena Devi of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Anant, fond of costly luxury cars, keeping horses, wearing hats and stylish spectacles, is popularly called Chhote Sarkar by his supporters. Lalu allotted RJDs symbol to Veena Devi, a former MP, late on Wednesday, paving way for filing nomination papers on Thursday. The two criminal-turned-politicians command strong influence not only within their Bhumihar community, but also among other social groups, thanks to their Robin Hood-like image. In the 2020 Bihar Assembly election, Anant Singh captured the high-profile Mokama seat as an RJD candidate but was later disqualified after his conviction under the Arms Act in 2022. His wife, Neelam Devi, won the ensuing bypoll but subsequently shifted her loyalty to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, voting in favour of the NDA during the floor test in February last year. This time, Anant Singhpopularly known as Chhote Sarkaris contesting on a JD(U) ticket, said Saurabh Kumar Singh, a resident of Mokama. Bihar assembly elections: Return of the dynasts on poll turf Mokama Tal, well-known for its pulse production, has a history of high-stakes contests often marred by violence. Elections here have seen gun power dominate as supporters clashed to secure victory for their leaders. The upcoming polls promise to be another fierce showdown of money and muscle power. JD(U) nominee Anant Singhs elder brother, Dilip Singh, earlier represented the constituency and also served as a minister in the RJD government. In the 2000 election, Surajbhan Singhrenowned locally as Dadadefeated Dilip Singh to clinch the seat for the first time. However, Anant Singh wrested the constituency from him in 2005 and has held it for four consecutive terms since. Despite facing at least 19 criminal cases, including charges of murder, kidnapping, and violations of the Arms Act, Anant Singh continues to enjoy massive popularity. His political clout was evident when his wife won an election even as he remained behind bars. Meanwhile, Surajbhan Singh is preparing to counter Chhote Sarkar with equal intensity. Surajbhans prestige is on the line in Mokama. He faces a formidable opponent from his own caste who can match both his influence and force, said Sanjay Kumar, a resident of Shankarbar Tola, Surajbhans native village. Bihar assembly elections: Poll bug bites women with top degrees As reports emerged that Surajbhans wife might enter the fray from Mokama, election preparations intensified at Anant Singhs hometown of Ladma, near Barh. Although Surajbhan is barred from contesting due to his conviction, hes determined to demonstrate his strength and settle scores with his rival, said one of his long-time supporters. By inducting Surajbhan Singh into the RJD, Tejashwi Yadav is seen as attempting to consolidate the partys support among the Bhumihar community. Recently, two other influential Bhumihar leadersBogo Singh from Begusarai and JD(U) MLA Dr. Sanjeev Kumar from Khagariaalso joined the RJD and were allotted tickets in their respective constituencies. Sources indicate that the RJD plans to field Bhumihar candidates in about ten assembly constituencies this time. According to Bihars caste survey, Bhumihars account for 2.86% of the states population, while Brahmins make up 3.65%. In the politically crucial GangaSone beltcovering Bhojpur, Rohtas, Bhagalpur, Khagaria, Begusarai, Samastipur, and Madhubanithe Bhumihar community continues to play a decisive role in shaping electoral outcomes. Surajbhan, also a former MP from Balia in Begusarai, earlier resigned from former union minister Pashupati Kumar Paras Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party and joined RJD.

Bihar Polls: Minutes Before Filing Nomination, One Phone Call Makes This Candidate Step Back

Bhagalpur has long been a politically significant seat for the Choubey family.

Bihar Poll Candidate Leaves To File Nomination, Then Drops Out At Father's Order

Upset over not getting a BJP ticket for Bihar's Bhagalpur, Arjit Shashwat Choubey, son of former Union Minister Ashwini Choubey, was about to file nomination as an Independent candidate. But a phone call changed everything.

Congress releases first list of 48 candidates for Bihar assembly polls

PATNA: After much hiccups, the Congress finally released its first official list of 48 candidates for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections to be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The list of candidates has been released by K C Venugopal, general secretary of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC), late on Thursday. The party has given tickets to five women and four Muslim candidates in the first official announcement of its candidates. It has retained 11 sitting MLAs, which includes Bhagalpur, Kadwa, Manihari, Muzaffarpur, Rajapakar, Buxar, Rajpur, Kutumba, Kargahar, Hisua and Aurangabad. Congress and RJD leaders were in constant deliberations over some seats, including Kahalgaon, Vaishali and Narkatiaganj seats. The deadlock over seat-sharing among the INDIA bloc partners may have finally been broken hours after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge took matters into their own hands and talked to Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad over the phone on Thursday. The party had, a day before, started releasing the names of some candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar on the official handle of its Bihar unit. Congress had also posted photos of the candidates receiving their nomination certificates. This comes even as the seat-sharing arrangement between the Mahagathbandhan allies has not been officially finalised yet. According to the list, Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram and Congress legislature party leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan will contest from Kutumba and Korha (reserved) assembly constituencies respectively. In addition, Pratima Kumari has been fielded from Rajapakar (reserved), Shiv Prakash Garib Das from Bachhwara, Amita Bhushan from Begusarai and Braj Kishore Ravi from Rosera assembly constituencies. Similarly, Umesh Ram has been fielded from Sakra (reserved) constituency, Bijendra Choudhary from Muzaffarpur, Pratima Kumari from Rajapakar, Savita Kumari from Sonbarsa (reserved), and Punam Paswan from Korha assembly seat. Dr Chandan Yadav will be in the poll fray from Khagaria. Shyam Bihari Prasad will contest from Raxaul, Shashi Bhushan Rai from Govindganj and Wasi Ahmad from Bettiah. Amit Kumar Singh Tunna will fight from Riga, Navin Kumar from Bathnaha, Jayesh Mangal Singh from Bagaha, Amit Giri from Nautan, Abhishek Ranjan from Chanpatia, Nitu Kumari from Hisua, Awadhesh kumar Singh from Wazirganj, Anand Shanker Singh from Aurangabad, Santosh Mishra from Kargahar, and Mangal Ram from Chenari (reserved) seats. pic.twitter.com/io0WmcA5sG Congress (@INCIndia) October 16, 2025

Bihar: JD(U) MLA sits on dharna in front of CMs residence

Patna, Oct 14 (PTI) JD(U) MLA Gopal Mandal, who is understood to have a slim chance of getting a party ticket for the upcoming assembly polls, on Tuesday sat on a dharna near Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars residence. Mandal, who is enjoying the fourth consecutive term from the Gopalpur seat in Bhagalpur district, reached 1, Anney Marg with a group of slogan-shouting supporters. When security personnel stopped him from entering the premises, pointing out that he did not have an appointment, Mandal sat down close to the gate. I will not budge till I get the party symbol from

Bihar polls: AIMIM hints at formation of third front, announces 32 candidates

PATNA: The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has released a list of 32 candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar and has hinted at the formation of a third front, a move that could significantly impact the Oppositions INDIA bloc. AIMIM Bihar chief Akhtarul Iman stated that the party would field candidates from multiple constituencies, including Kishanganj, Purnea, Katihar, Araria, Gaya, Motihari, Nawada, Jamui, Bhagalpur, Siwan, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Vaishali, and Gopalganj. Interestingly, most of the seats where AIMIM plans to field candidates are currently held by members of the INDIA bloc. AIMIM had attempted to prevent the division of secular votes and unite against communal forces, but the larger coalition partners didnt cooperate, resulting in the formation of a third front, Iman asserted. He added that the party has released the list of 32 candidates out of the 100 seats it intends to contest in the 2025 assembly elections. The names of the candidates for the announced seats will be revealed soon, he said. Will join INDIA alliance in Bihar if AIMIM gets to contest six seats: Owaisi The AIMIM state president recalled that during the 2020 assembly elections, the party was accused of splitting secular votes. It is well known that we had written to RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Prasad Yadav seeking an alliance ahead of the 2025 assembly polls but received no response, he added. In the 2020 assembly election, AIMIM fielded candidates in 20 seats and won five. This performance was seen as having impacted the Grand Alliance, comprising the RJD, Congress, and Left parties. However, four of AIMIMs MLAs later switched over to the RJD, leaving Akhtarul Iman as the partys lone representative in the state assembly. AIMIM had contested the 2020 election in alliance with Mayawatis BSP and Upendra Kushwahas RLSP. The party had influenced the performance of Opposition parties in several constituencies. Kushwaha later joined the BJP-JD(U)-led NDA and formed a new party called the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM). In the 2025 assembly election, RLM has been offered six seats. Muslims account for nearly 18 percent of the states population of over 13 crore, according to the 202223 state census.