Bajrang Dal activist held for assaulting chicken shop owner in Hisar
Transport minister faces protest from Vasai villagers over plan to shift Dahisar toll plaza
Bihar recorded historic polling of 65.08 per cent in first phase of Assembly elections, says EC
Bihar has registered a historic polling of 65.08 per cent in the first phase of the Assembly elections, the highest in the state's history, the Election Commission said on Saturday. As per the latest update provided by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Bihar, the turnout is 7.79 per cent more than the consolidated polling percentage of the 2020 Assembly polls, when 57.29 per cent of the electors had cast their votes. Two districts Muzaffarpur and Samastipur recorded over 70 per cent voting, according to EC. While Muzaffarpur registered 71.81 per cent turnout, it was 71.74 per cent in Samastipur. In the first phase of the polls, a total of 3.75 crore people were eligible to cast their votes at 45,341 polling stations, including 36,733 in rural areas, on November 6 to decide the electoral fate of 1,314 candidates, of whom 1,192 are men and 122 women. Of the 3.75 crore voters, 1.98 crore are men and 1.76 crore women. Women had come out in large numbers to exercise their franchise in the November 6 polls. Other districts that recorded a high polling percentage were Madhepura (69.59), Saharsa (69.38), Vaishali (68.50) and Khagaria (67.90). Patna district recorded 59.02 per cent voting, while Lakhisarai registered 64.98 per cent, Munger 62.74 and Siwan 60.61. The remaining 122 seats of the 243-member assembly will vote on November 11, while the counting will take place on November 14. (With inputs from PTI) Bihar Assembly polls: Claims & counter-claims over turnout in first phase
A police officer was killed in Hisar. Sub-inspector Ramesh Kumar intervened when a group caused a disturbance outside his home. The group returned and attacked him with bricks and sticks. His nephew was also injured. Police have arrested five suspects and are searching for five more. The incident occurred late Thursday night.
Hisar horror: Police officer beaten to death by goons, nephew injured
Investigation into attack on dy CMs vehicle on: Lakhisarai SP
Haryana sub-inspector beaten to death outside his house in Hisar
CHANDIGARH: In a shocking incident, Sub-Inspector of Haryana Police Ramesh Kumar was brutally beaten to death with bricks and sticks outside his house in Hisar after he tried to stop a group of men from creating a disturbance. The incident occurred around midnight Thursday, when a group of youths created a ruckus in Kumars neighborhood at Shamlal Dhani, Hisar. Kumar came out of his house on hearing the commotion and objected to their use of foul language. The group initially left the spot but returned an hour later with more people, arriving in a car and on bikes, and resumed their abusive behavior in front of Kumars house. When Kumar intervened again, they hurled abuses and attacked him with sticks and bricks, killing him on the spot. Kumars family rushed out of the house on hearing the noise and sought help, but the assailants had already escaped, abandoning their car and two bikes. Senior police officers promptly arrived at the scene. The 57-year-old Kumar, who was posted with the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) office in Hisar, was due to retire in January next year. A case of murder has been registered against the alleged assailants. Police have seized their vehicles, and special teams have been set up to track the accused, who are currently on the run. Kumars body has been sent to the civil hospital for a post-mortem examination. Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan said the group left the place after Kumar's upbraiding, but it returned and attacked him with bricks, wounding him fatally in the head. Police have booked 10 people in connection with the killing, and arrested five. The SP said the attackers lived in the same neighbourhood. The police have seized a car and a scooter used by the accused. Kumar is survived by two daughters and a son, the SP said. (With additional inputs from PTI.)
Haryana cop beaten to death outside home in Hisar; 5 held
He was allegedly beaten to death after he tried to stop a group of people from creating a ruckus outside his house
Bihar: Dy CM, Tejashwi aide spar in Lakhisarai
PATNA: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha on Thursday accused goons of the RJD, the main Opposition party, of attacking his convoy in a village in Lakhisaraihis home turfwhere he went following complaints that voters were being terrorised. According to Sinha, stones were pelted and cow dung hurled at his convoy. The incident reportedly occurred when Sinha reached the Nadiyawan village to oversee polling in Lakhisarai, from where he is seeking a fourth consecutive term. I had received complaints from the village. Our polling agent was shooed away by RJD goons who had terrorised local voters, mostly Dalits and extremely backward classes. So, I came here myself, Sinha said. The BJP leader is said to have confronted RJD MLC Ajay Singh for allegedly leading a group of his party supporters with Congress leader Sujit who were trying to intimidate voters outside the polling station. Sinha has demanded action against the RJD legislator, claiming that the latter was under the influence of liquor and actively attempting to vitiate the polling process. Singh, on the other hand, has accused Sinha of violating the Election Commissions (EC) model code of conduct by moving in a convoy while polling was on in the constituency. He further claimed that Sinha had accused him of disrupting the electoral exercise at the station as the latter feared a defeat. Munger DIG Rakesh Kumar said strict action would be initiated against anyone found to be at fault. An investigation is under way. Action will be taken after reviewing the evidence, he stated, adding that overall polling in Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura and Munger was held without incident. Taking a serious view of the alleged attack on the Deputy CM, the EC has asked the state police chief to probe the incident and submit a report in this regard. Under lens of poll panel The EC top brass is monitoring the polling in Bihar through the live feed available from polling stations. CCTVs have been installed for the first time in all polling stations of the state. From 19 to 92, voters seek garbage-free roads Garbage lay strewn in front of a polling station in Kumhrar constituency as voters, from a 19-year-old first-timer to a 92-year-old veteran doctor, queued up. Several voters, whether young or old, in Patrakar Nagar area in the state capital Patna, spoke of the dire condition of roads and the very poor level of sanitation in the streets. They expressed hope that the next MLA would be sensitive to the rundown infrastructure. Bigwigs at the booth CM Nitish Kumar, his deputies Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha and INDIA blocs CM candidate Tejashwi Yadav were among the top Bihar politicians who cast their votes on Thursday.
Bihar Elections: Record phase 1 turnout sets up 'sushasan vs jobs' showdown
In Bihars highest-ever voter turnout, nearly 65% of 3.75 crore electors cast their ballots on Thursday across 121 constituencies in the first phase of the assembly elections a high-stakes contest seen as a litmus test of the ruling NDAs popularity. In a statement, the Election Commission said the first phase of the assembly elections concluded peacefully in a festive mood with the highest-ever voter turnout of 64.66 percent in the history of Bihar. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vinod Singh Gunjiyal said women came out in large numbers to cast their votes, with a lot of enthusiasm. The NDA, in power for much of the past two decades, is leaning on its image of sushasan or good governance, contrasting it with what it calls the jungle raj of the RJD-Congress years. The opposition bloc, meanwhile, is banking on anti-incumbency and Tejashwi Yadavs ambitious jobs-for-every-home pledge to challenge the ruling alliance. The polls for the 243-member assembly are being closely watched not only for their local implications but also as an early indicator of the political mood ahead of 2029, and follow the highly controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll by the EC, which came under attack from opposition parties for alleged igging and manipulation of voter lists. The second and the last phase will be held on November 11, and the counting will take place on November 14. Muslim women vote in large numbers in first phase of Bihar polls after SIR exercise Stakes are high for both the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc, with several key leaders , including RJD's Yadav, Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, besides a slew of ministers, being among the 1,314 candidates in fray in this phase. Stray incidents of violence, including an alleged attack on Sinha's vehicle , were reported from some areas during the polling. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed rallies in a couple of constituencies going to polls in the second and final phase, felt that the noticeably high number of women turning up to vote was a good sign for the NDA. Mothers, daughters, and sisters have been the worst sufferers of 'jungle raj'. Today, they seem to have put up a fortress around polling booths to prevent the return of 'jungle raj', Modi remarked. The NDA hopes that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's record, along with recent welfare measures such as 125 units of free power, Rs 10,000 cash transfers to over 1 crore women, and an increase in social security pensions, will help counter anti-incumbency. However, the opposition dismissed the boasts of the BJP-led coalition and hoped that people would vote for a change. RJD president Lalu Prasad, who hopes that his younger son and heir apparent Yadav will form the next government, came out with an evocative social media post, drawing the analogy of a oti. If a roti is not flipped on a tawa (pan), it gets burnt. Twenty years is a long time. A Tejashwi government is essential to build a new Bihar, Prasad wrote on X. There have also been allegations and counter-allegations from both sides on the polling day. Deputy CM Sinha, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term from Lakhisarai, claimed that one of the cars in his convoy was attacked by RJD supporters trying to intimidate voters belonging to extremely backward classes. On the other hand, the RJD alleged on X that voting had been deliberately slowed down in areas where the INDIA bloc was strongly placed, a charge promptly rejected by the EC. 'BJP will try to steal votes with all its might,' Rahul tells Bihar voters, urges youth to 'stop it' A notable feature of this election has been the presence of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party, which the former political strategist believes could emerge as the proverbial dark horse. Kishor has caught public imagination with his promise of making the state among the top-ranking ones in the country, and to this end, he has not shied away from making a few bold statements, including his announcement that he intends to scrap the prohibition law, which has been bleeding the state dry. Polling was held across 18 districts, with Muzaffarpur and Samastipur recording the highest turnouts, as per the latest available data. Muzaffarpur recorded a turnout of 70.96 per cent, while the polling percentage in Samastipur stood at 70.63. Madhepura recorded 67.21 per cent turnout, followed by Vaishali at 67.37 per cent, Saharsa at 66.84 per cent, Khagaria at 66.36 per cent, Lakhisarai at 65.05 per cent, Munger at 60.40 per cent, Siwan at 60.31 per cent, Nalanda at 58.91 per cent, and Patna at 57.93 per cent. The low turnout in Patna was largely attributed to urban constituencies such as Bankipur, Digha, and Kumhrar, where electors are known to be less enthusiastic. According to the Election Commission, the assembly elections of 1951-52 saw the lowest voter turnout in the state at 42.6 per cent, while the one in 2000 saw the highest turnout before this, at 62.57 per cent. In the last assembly polls in 2020, held under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, a voter turnout of 57.29 per cent was recorded. The 2015 elections recorded a turnout of 56.91 per cent, while the one before that, in 2010, the polling percentage stood at 52.73. Politics in Bihar is as much about numbers as it is about castes. Caste and community loyalties remain crucial, with Yadavs, Kushwahas, Kurmis, Brahmins, and Dalits shaping outcomes in key constituencies. Understanding Bihars caste matrix: The key to unlocking poll outcomes in the state
Bihar Dy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha: 'RJD, Congress captured Lakhisarai polling booth', reports EC
Poor Roads Led To Protest, Not Violence: Bihar Officials Explain Attack On Vijay Sinha's Convoy
Lakhisarai officials denied Vijay Kumar Sinhas convoy was attacked, citing only villagers protest over road issues.
As Bihar underwent the first phase of the assembly polls 2025, blame game politics was taken to the strees in Lakhisarai on Thursday, i.e., November 6, as deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha engaged in a bitter fallout with RJD MLC Ajay Kumar in the middle of the road. As passersby moved to polling booths in the constituency, Sinha and Kumar exchanged bitter allegations before the camera on the road.
On poll day, Bihar Dy CM alleges his convoy attacked by RJD supporters; EC asks DGP to take action
LAKHISARAI (BIHAR), Nov 6: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha caused a flutter on Thursday, alleging that his convoy had been attacked by workers of the main opposition party, RJD, who were trying to intimidate voters in the area. The senior BJP leader, who is seeking re-election for a fourth consecutive term, expressed dissatisfaction with the response of the local administration, saying he would take up the matter with the Election Commission (EC). Reacting to the alleged incident, Chief [] The post On poll day, Bihar Dy CM alleges his convoy attacked by RJD supporters; EC asks DGP to take action appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Bulldozer will run on their chest: Bihar Deputy CM Sinha after alleged RJD attack on his convoy
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Lakhisarai, Vijay Kumar Sinha, alleged on Thursday that his convoy was attacked by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supporters while he visited Khoriari village during the first phase of the 2025 Assembly elections. Sinha, seeking a fourth consecutive term, claimed his car was surrounded by RJD workers who pelted stones, cow dung, and hurled slippers while chanting Murdabad. He said one of his polling agents was turned away and that his supporter, Vibhishan Kevat, was beaten and admitted to hospital. These are the goons of RJD. The NDA is coming to power, thats why in their chest will feel the bulldozer. The goons are not letting me visit the village. Vijay Sinha is going to win, he told ANI, adding that booths 404 and 405 of Khoriari village witnessed the violence. Expressing dissatisfaction with the police response, Sinha called the local Superintendent of Police a coward and said he would raise the matter with the Election Commission (EC). Following the complaint, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar directed the DGP to take immediate action. An EC official said, No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands. Strict action will be taken against the miscreants. Lakhisarai SP Ajay Kumar said polling was continuing in the area and added that he would confirm the facts after visiting the site. Accusing the RJD of resorting to violence, Sinha said, The RJD has shown what it stands for. When this is their behaviour while out of power, if they win the polls even by fluke, what will ensue will be nothing short of the law of the jungle. #WATCH | Deputy CM and BJP candidate from Lakhisarai constituency, Vijay Kumar Sinha says, These are the goons of RJD. Satta mein aa rahi hai NDA isliye inke chhati pe bulldozer chalega. The goons are not letting me visit the village. Vijay Sinha is going to win...They turned https://t.co/4uKBAq7bC0 pic.twitter.com/kY3Ti6Qzl0 ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2025 Dismissing the allegations, RJD spokesperson Shakti Yadav said, He is lying. He gets Z+ security; his party is in power and controls the administration. Still, he is levelling false allegations? Locals raised questions on a broken drain, and that is what happened. Meanwhile, political rhetoric between parties continued. Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, after casting his vote in Patna, called for a change in government, noting the NDAs 20-year rule in the state. Tawa se roti palatati rahni chahiye nahi toh jal jayegi (The roti should keep turning on the tawa, otherwise it will burn). Twenty years is too long! For a youth government and a new Bihar, a Tejashwi government is extremely necessary, he said. JD(U) leader Ashok Chaudhary responded to Lalus remarks, saying, Jo roti jal jati hai, usko phenk diya jata hai. Chaudhary appealed to voters to rise above caste politics, urging them to remember Bihars rich history, including its rule from Afghanistan to Bangladesh and its status as a golden sparrow during the Maurya period. Voting for the first phase of the elections is underway across 121 constituencies in 18 districts, covering approximately 3.75 crore electors. As of 1 pm, Bihar recorded a voter turnout of 42.31 per cent, with Gopalganj recording the highest at 46.73 per cent, followed by Lakhisarai at 46.37 per cent. Patna recorded a comparatively low turnout of 37.72 per cent. The first phase will decide the fate of several senior leaders, including RJDs Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Mangal Pandey, JD(U)s Shravan Kumar and Vijay Kumar Choudhary, and Tej Pratap Yadav. (With inputs from PTI and ANI) Congress-RJD protect infiltrators, dislike Lord Ram for vote bank politics: PM Modi in Bihar
As the Bihar election 2025 phase 1 voting is underway, Deputy CM and BJP candidate from Lakhisarai constituency, Vijay Kumar Sinha's vehicle came under attack from the Bihar opposition. He alleged that RJD supporters threatened polling agent in Lakhisarai.
RJD supporters attacked my convoy in Lakhisarai, alleges Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha charged the local administration of inaction after his complaint that slippers and cow dung were flung at my convoy. Stones were also thrown.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha reported his convoy was attacked by RJD supporters in Lakhisarai. He stated this incident proves RJD would bring back 'jungle raj' if they regain power. Sinha also accused the local administration of inaction. Stones, slippers, and cow dung were reportedly thrown at his convoy.
Tension erupted in Lakhisarai, Bihar, as Rashtriya Janata Dal supporters surrounded Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha's car. Protesters hurled slippers and chanted slogans, demanding he turn back. The incident blocked the deputy CM's vehicle, highlighting political friction in the region.
2025 Bihar Polls | Phase 1 to decide fate of 1,314 candidates across 121 seats
The first phase of Bihars Assembly elections will be held today, with 3.75 crore voters deciding the fate of 1,314 candidates across 121 constituencies. The high-profile contests feature several top leaders, including RJDs Tejashwi Yadav in Raghopur and BJP Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary in Tarapur. Yadav, seeking a third consecutive win, faces BJPs Satish Kumar, who once defeated his mother Rabri Devi. His elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav is contesting from Mahua under his new party, the Janshakti Janata Dal, against RJDs Mukesh Raushan. Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha is eyeing a fourth straight victory in Lakhisarai, while BJPs Mangal Pandey is contesting his first Assembly election from Siwan. The Mokama seat has drawn attention as jailed JD(U) leader Anant Singh faces RJDs Veena Devi. The polls also feature new entrants like singer Maithili Thakur and Bhojpuri actor Khesari Lal Yadav. Phase 1 in numbers 3.75 crore voters across 121 constituencies. 1,314 candidates in the fray. 10.72 lakh new electors registered. 7.38 lakh voters aged 1819 years. 45,341 polling stations, including 36,733 in rural areas.
Bihar polls: Legacy, family feuds and fresh faces shape key battles in Phase 1
From family feuds to fresh political debuts, Bihar is gearing up for a dramatic first phase of Assembly polls on November 6. The election will feature a mix of contests from Yadav strongholds and first-time candidates stepping into the spotlight to brothers standing on opposite sides of the political divide. In Patna, the BJP is banking on new faces, while in Lakhisarai and Kuchaikote, seasoned leaders are fighting to hold their ground. As alliances shift and loyalties are tested, every constituency has its own story one of legacy and ambition shaping Bihars political stage. Heres a look at some of the key battles to watch in Phase 1: Tarapur: Samrat Choudhary (BJP) vs Arun Shah (RJD) In Munger districts Tarapur seat, BJP leader Samrat Choudhary is set to take on RJDs Arun Shah in what promises to be a close and lively fight. The Yadavs form the largest group of voters, with around 63,000 people, followed by 20,000 Muslims, 50,000 upper-caste voters (mainly Rajputs and Brahmins), 40,000 Kushwahas, 35,000 Sahs and 28,000 Dalits. Choudhary, a sitting MLC, is returning to the polls after 15 years, adding extra interest to the race. Shah had earlier contested the 2021 bypoll here but narrowly lost to JD(U)s Rajiv Kumar Singh by just over 3,800 votes. A familiar face in state politics, Choudhary has also been one of the BJPs main campaigners and has been travelling across Bihar to rally support beyond his own seat. Raghopur: Tejashwi Yadav (RJD) vs Satish Kumar (BJP) RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, the Mahagathbandhans chief ministerial face, is gearing up for a high-stakes contest in Raghopur against BJPs Satish Kumar from the NDA and Jan Suraaj Partys Chanchal Kumar. Tejashwi has made jobs the centrepiece of his campaign, promising a new law to ensure one government job for every family and to begin the recruitment process within 20 months. With employment a major concern across Bihar, this pledge is seen as a potential game-changer for the RJD. Raghopur has long been a Yadav family stronghold since Lalu Prasads win in 1995, except for one term between 2010 and 2015 when JD(U) held the seat. Tejashwi has represented the constituency for the past two terms and is now looking to secure it once again. Understanding Bihars caste matrix: The key to unlocking poll outcomes in the state Mahua: Tej Pratap Yadav (JJD) vs Mukesh Raushan (RJD) In Vaishali districts Mahua seat, Lalu Prasads estranged son and independent MLA Tej Pratap Yadav will be in the spotlight as he takes on RJDs Mukesh Kumar Raushan, the sitting MLA, and LJPs Sanjay Singh. After being expelled from the RJD in May for what the party called irresponsible behaviour and straying from the partys core values, Tej Pratap formed his own outfit, the JJD. His expulsion followed a controversial social media post, now deleted, where he spoke of a 12-year relationship with a woman. Tej Pratap had earlier won Mahua in 2015 and is now hoping to reclaim it under the JJD banner. The new party brings together five smaller regional outfits the Vikas Vanchit Insaan Party, Bhojpuria Jan Morcha, Pragatisheel Janata Party, Wazib Adhikar Party and Sanyukt Kisan Vikas Party as he attempts to rebuild his political base independently. Alinagar: Maithili Thakur (BJP) vs Binod Mishra (RJD) vs JSPs Biplaw Kumar Chowdhary Folk singer Maithili Thakur, the BJPs new cultural face, will make her electoral debut from Alinagar in Darbhanga district. She will face RJDs Binod Mishra and JSPs Biplaw Kumar Chowdhary in the first phase of polling. By nominating the 25-year-old singer, the BJP aims to turn Mithilas cultural pride into political strength. Thakur joined the party in October, soon after the BJP announced its first list of 71 candidates for the Bihar elections. Alinagar has traditionally been an RJD stronghold, long represented by veteran Abdul Bari Siddiqui, who won seven times before stepping aside after his 2015 victory. In 2020, the seat went to VIPs Mishri Lal Yadav a former RJD leader who crossed over to the NDA by a narrow margin of just over 3,000 votes. Lakhisarai: Vijay Kumar Sinha (BJP) vs Suraj Kumar (JSP) vs Amresh Kumar Aneesh (INC) Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha is eyeing a sixth straight victory from Lakhisarai, where he will face JSPs Suraj Kumar in the first phase of polling. Lakhisarai has been a BJP bastion for the last three Assembly terms 2010, 2015 and 2020 largely driven by caste dynamics, with strong support from Bhumihars and other upper-caste groups. A civil engineer by training and a former RSS worker, Sinha is a prominent Bhumihar leader. He made history in 2020 by becoming the first BJP member to serve as Speaker of the Bihar Assembly after the party formed the government with JD(U). Arrah: Sanjay Singh Tiger (BJP) vs Vijay Kumar Gupta (JSP) vs CPI (ML)s Quyamuddin Ansari In Arrah, BJPs Sanjay Singh Tiger will take on JSPs Vijay Kumar Gupta and CPI (ML)s Quyamuddin Ansari in what appears to be a three-cornered contest. The seat has swung between the BJP and RJD in almost every election since 2010. BJPs Amrendra Pratap Singh won in 2010 and again in 2020, both times with Ansari finishing second. In between, during the 2015 bypoll, the seat briefly returned to the RJD when Mohammad Nawaz Alam won. INTERVIEW | 'Fighting for jobs, dignity, development; NDAs austerity model is anti-people': Tejashwi Yadav Patna Sahib: Shashant Shekhar (Congress) vs Ratnesh Kushwaha (BJP) In Bihars capital, the Patna Sahib seat is set for a fresh face-off as the BJP replaces veteran leader Nand Kishore Yadav, 72, with 45-year-old lawyer Ratnesh Kushwaha. The Congress has fielded newcomer Shashant Shekhar, 35, making this a contest between two first-time candidates. An entirely urban constituency, Patna Sahib has long been a BJP stronghold. Yadav held the seat since its creation after the 2008 delimitation and defeated Congresss Pravin Singh Kushwaha by over 18,000 votes in 2020. For the Congress, this contest is a chance to reconnect with voters and rebuild its presence in a city where it has struggled to make a mark for decades. Kuchaikote: Amarendra Kumar Pandey (JD(U)) vs Hari Narain Kushwah (INC) Amarendra Kumar Pandey, popularly known as Pappu Pandey, continues to be a strong political presence in Bihars Gopalganj district. A senior JD(U) leader and sitting MLA, he represents the Kuchaikote constituency, where he has won the last two Assembly elections. Known for improving local infrastructure and supporting agricultural growth, Pandey has built a loyal voter base in the region. His influence within the party and consistent electoral success have made him one of JD(U)s key figures in western Bihar. Danapur: Ram Kripal Yadav (BJP) vs Ritlal Yadav (RJD) Former Union minister Ram Kripal Yadav returns to the state arena, contesting from Danapur on the outskirts of Patna. He faces a tough battle against RJDs Ritlal Yadav, known for his strong local base in the area. The seat carries symbolic weight for Ram Kripal it borders Pataliputra, the constituency he once represented in Parliament after defeating Lalu Prasad Yadavs daughter, Misa Bharti, in 2014. His return signals the BJPs renewed attempt to reconnect with backward-class voters in the Patna region. Siwan: Mangal Pandey (BJP) vs Awadh Bihari Choudhary (RJD) Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey, a senior BJP leader and former state party president, will contest from Siwan against RJDs Awadh Bihari Choudhary. A familiar face in Bihar politics, Pandey is known for his calm leadership and strong organisational skills within the party. Often seen as a steady hand in the BJPs Bihar unit, his name has occasionally been mentioned as a possible future chief ministerial candidate. However, the NDA has made it clear that Nitish Kumar remains its CM face for 2025. As Bihar heads into the first phase of polling, these contests will set the tone for the battles ahead. 121 seats. 18 dists. Stage set for 1st phase of Bihar assembly elections
Lakhisarai, a key rural constituency in Bihar, is a BJP stronghold where Vinay Kumar Sinha has won three consecutive Assembly elections. He faces a new challenge from Suraj Kumar of the Jan Suraaj Party, aiming to disrupt the BJP's dominance by focusing on local issues like mining and employment.
The Opposition charge will be led by Congress general secretary Priyanka Vadra whose rallies are scheduled in Saharsa and Lakhisarai.
Bihar will see portfolio of murder if RJD wins: Shah
PATNA: UNION Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday vowed to make Bihar free from floods if the NDA retains power and claimed that the INDIA bloc would create three portfolios of murder, kidnapping and extortion if the opposition alliance gets a chance to form a government in the state. Shah also urged people to vote for the NDA to check the recurrence of jungle raj witnessed during the RJD regime in the state. Addressing election rallies in Muzaffarpur and Vaishali, Shah appealed to electors to cast votes to prevent the return of jungle raj that saw kidnappings, murders, atrocities. If voted to power, the NDA will make Bihar flood-free. It is our pledge. We will set up a separate ministry to ensure that Bihar is saved from flood fury, Shah said. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chalked out a scheme to ensure water from Koshi, Ganga, and Gandak rivers reaches farmers fields for irrigation in Bihar. Shah termed the NDA allies -- BJP, JD(U), Chirag Paswans LJP (RV), HAM, and Kushwahas party -- as five Pandavas and said they will ensure Bihars prosperity. He acused Lalu Prasad and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of trying to make their sons Bihar CM and prime minister, respectively, and asserted that both posts are not vacant. Lalu & company and Rahul & company indulged in `12 lakh crore scams and corruption, Shah alleged. In Lakhisarai, Shah claimed that opposition INDIA bloc would be wiped out in the assembly elections as people would take revenge for Congress workers allegedly insulting Prime Minister Narendra Modis mother and Rahul Gandhis remarks against Modis mother and Chhathi Maiya. He said that Rahul Gandhi insulted Chhathi Maiya while criticising PM Modi, saying those worshipping the goddess were doing drama. Taking a swipe at Sonia Gandhi, he exhorted people to press on EVM buttons having NDA symbols with such rage that the tremors were felt in Italy. Shah cites welfare schemes, pledges jobs for youth Highlighting welfare schemes launched under the leadership of Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the reduction in GST would help litchi growers in Bihar, adding that steps are being taken to set up a mega food park in Muzaffarpur with `20,000 crore investment. He also said one crore Bihar youths will be given jobs if the NDA wins.
Proclaimed offender escapes from Hisar civil hospital
Congress unity will be visible in 2nd phase of Sadbhav Yatra, claims Former Hisar MP Brijendra Singh
Plan to shift Dahisar toll plaza: NHAI seeks detailed proposal
Justice Surya Kant appointed as next Chief Justice of India, will take charge from November 24
President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Justice Surya Kant as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI) with effect from November 24, 2025. In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court of India as the Chief Justice of India with effect from 24th November, 2025. I convey my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to him, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal tweeted on Thursday. On October 27, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai had recommended the name of Justice Kant to the Centre as his successor. The CJI's recommendation came after he received a letter from Meghwal who asked him to nominate his successor. It is a convention that the sitting CJI recommends the seniormost judge after himself as the next CJI. The incumbent CJI Gavai will step down on November 23. Justice Kant will be taking charge at a time when the judiciary is grappling with huge pendency of cases. Elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, Justice Kant will retire on February 9, 2027 after one year, three months and 15 days. He will also be the Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, with effect from November 12, 2025. As per the Supreme Court website, the 63-year-old Justice Kant was born in Hisar in Haryana and graduated from the Government Post Graduate College there in 1981. He acquired his Bachelor's degree in Law in 1984 from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak. He started practising law at the District Court, Hisar, in 1984, and shifted to Chandigarh in 1985 to practise in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Specialising in Constitutional, service and civil matters, he represented a number of universities, boards, corporations, banks and also the High Court itself. He was appointed as Advocate General (AG) of Haryana on July 7, 2000, and was designated as Senior Advocate in March 2001. He held the office of Advocate General, Haryana, till his elevation as a permanent judge to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 9, 2004. Justice Kant was nominated as a member of the governing body of the National Legal Services Authority on February 23, 2007, for two consecutive terms till February 22, 2011. He is presently a member of various committees of the Indian Law Institute, a deemed university under the aegis of the Supreme Court. He earned another distinction of standing first in his Master's degree in Law in 2011 from the Directorate of Distance Education, Kurukshetra University. He assumed charge as Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh with effect from October, 5, 2018. Justice Kant has pronounced several landmark verdicts and orders. He was part of the bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370 concerning Jammu and Kashmir and the bench that struck down the electoral bonds scheme, citing a violation of citizens' right to information. Justice Kant also authored the majority opinion validating Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, part of the Assam accord. He also upheld the validity of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme for the armed forces. Justice Kant was part of the bench that appointed an expert panel in the Pegasus spyware case, stating the state cannot use national security as a free pass for surveillance. He has been involved in cases concerning the appointment of the Delhi Police Commissioner and the protection of public water bodies, emphasizing they are public utilities and their takeover is illegal. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was on a bench that directed authorities to consider releasing prisoners to alleviate overcrowding in jails.
Bihar poll push: Haryana BJP rallies migrant workers to vote back home
CHANDIGARH: The Haryana unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has devised a multi-pronged strategy to assist the migrant population from Bihar living in Haryana to return home and cast their votes in the forthcoming polls. Bihar goes to polls in two phases on Nov 6 and 11. Special buses have been arranged to ferry these voters back to Bihar, and factory owners have been requested to grant paid leave to migrant workers. As the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan engage in a tough contest, the saffron party hopes its efforts will impress natives of Bihar residing in Haryana and help sway the vote. This move is part of the BJPs broader strategy to maximize voter turnout in the Bihar elections. According to party sources, the initiative also aims to ensure that migrant workers exercise their right to vote and encourage others to do the same, regardless of their political preferences. Sources said the party has identified a significant population of migrants from Bihar living across 12 districts of Haryana. The majority of these voters are industrial labourers employed in factories across the National Capital Region (NCR) including Gurugram, Faridabad, Rewari, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Sonipat, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Hisar, Ambala, Yamunanagar, and Karnal. The saffron party has contacted over one lakh voters residing in Haryana, while the total number of migrants from Bihar with votes registered back home is estimated to be between 2.5 and 3 lakh. The strategy aims to ensure that these registered Bihar voters are present at their respective polling booths on election day. The partys outreach focuses on promoting the BJP governments message of good governance, drawing a clear contrast with the past, said a party leader. Sources added that the BJP had initiated this strategy months earlier, during Bihar Diwas celebrations in March, with an eye on the upcoming Bihar elections in November. The outreach, designed to strengthen emotional and social bonds, culminated during Chhath Puja festivities, which were attended by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Recently, the BJP organized a series of meetings including one chaired by CM Nayab Singh Saini to finalize the election strategy. Senior leaders were assigned specific responsibilities to handle the logistical arrangements for migrant voters, ensuring their presence in Bihar on polling day. To facilitate this, the party is dispatching Vistarakas (campaign workers) from Haryana to Bihar for voter mobilization and engagement. Haryana BJP leaders are also actively reaching out to factory owners, urging them to grant paid leave to Bihari migrant workers to remove a major obstacle to their participation in the assembly polls, sources said.
Prashant Kishor enrolled as voter in both Bihar and West Bengal, triggers row ahead of State polls
PATNA: Prashant Kishor, poll strategist turned politician whose Jan Suraaj Party is contesting the Bihar Assembly polls , has his name enrolled in the voter lists of two states West Bengal and Bihar. According to reports, in Bihar, Kishor is registered as a voter in the Kargahar assembly constituency under the Sasaram parliamentary constituency in Rohtas district. His polling station is Madhya Vidyalay in his ancestral village Konar. In Bengal, Kishor's address is listed as 121 Kalighat Road, which houses the Trinamool Congress office in Bhabanipur, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees assembly constituency. His polling station is listed as St Helen School on B Ranishankari Lane. Kishor had worked with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as a political consultant during the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections. Attempt to contact Kishor to get his reaction over duplicity of voter proved futile. However, a senior leader of the Jan Suraaj Party on the condition of anonymity said that Kishor enrolled as voter in the Kargahar assembly constituency after the West Bengal elections. He is learnt to have applied for deletion of his name from electoral rolls in West Bengal after he enrolled in Bihars Kargahar assembly constituency. The status of the application for cancellation of name from West Bengal is not known to us, the JSP leader said. No need to fear any leader or party anymore, Prashant Kishor tells voters Kishors Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) is contesting all the 243 seats in the Bihar assembly election. Initially, it was expected that Kishor would contest from the Kargahar assembly seat. But later he expressed his wish to contest from Raghopur against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. Later he suddenly dropped the idea of contesting election. When asked about his decision not to contest election, Kishor clarified that it was the unanimous decision of the party not to contest election in the larger interest of the candidates. Now I will focus more on strengthening the partys support base and ensure victory of candidates in the election, he added. Duplicity of voter is not an isolated case. Earlier, Bihar former deputy chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha were enrolled in Patna as well as their respective assembly constituencies. Tejashwi is contesting from Raghopur, Sinha is seeking his reelection from Lakhisarai.
Prashant Kishor enrolled as voter in Bihar, West Bengal
PATNA: Prashant Kishor, poll strategist turned politician whose Jan Suraaj Party is contesting the Bihar Assembly polls , has his name enrolled in the voter lists of two states West Bengal and Bihar. According to reports, in Bihar, Kishor is registered as a voter in the Kargahar assembly constituency under the Sasaram parliamentary constituency in Rohtas district. His polling station is Madhya Vidyalay in his ancestral village Konar. In Bengal, Kishor's address is listed as 121 Kalighat Road, which houses the Trinamool Congress office in Bhabanipur, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees assembly constituency. His polling station is listed as St Helen School on B Ranishankari Lane. Kishor had worked with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as a political consultant during the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections. Attempt to contact Kishor to get his reaction over duplicity of voter proved futile. However, a senior leader of the Jan Suraaj Party on the condition of anonymity said that Kishor enrolled as voter in the Kargahar assembly constituency after the West Bengal elections. He is learnt to have applied for deletion of his name from electoral rolls in West Bengal after he enrolled in Bihars Kargahar assembly constituency. The status of the application for cancellation of name from West Bengal is not known to us, the JSP leader said. No need to fear any leader or party anymore, Prashant Kishor tells voters Kishors Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) is contesting all the 243 seats in the Bihar assembly election. Initially, it was expected that Kishor would contest from the Kargahar assembly seat. But later he expressed his wish to contest from Raghopur against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. Later he suddenly dropped the idea of contesting election. When asked about his decision not to contest election, Kishor clarified that it was the unanimous decision of the party not to contest election in the larger interest of the candidates. Now I will focus more on strengthening the partys support base and ensure victory of candidates in the election, he added. Duplicity of voter is not an isolated case. Earlier, Bihar former deputy chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha were enrolled in Patna as well as their respective assembly constituencies. Tejashwi is contesting from Raghopur, Sinha is seeking his reelection from Lakhisarai.
Stray dog feeds on med waste at Hisar civil hospital, panel starts probe
From Haryana's Heartland To India's Next CJI: All About Justice Surya Kant
Justice Surya Kant pursued his undergraduate education at Government Post Graduate College, Hisar, and earned his law degree from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984
Justice Surya Kant, set to become Indias 53rd Chief Justice on 23 November 2025, has risen from a humble background in Hisar, Haryana, to the Supreme Court. Known for his constitutional clarity and social empathy, he has served as Advocate General, Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court, and now as Executive Chairman of NALSA.
CJI Gavai recommends Justice Surya Kant as next Chief Justice of India
Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai has recommended Justice Surya Kant, the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, as his successor. Chief Justice Gavai, in his recommendation, described Justice Kant as suited and competent in all aspects to take the helm, adding that both shared a similar social background marked by perseverance and struggle. Justice Surya Kant, the second senior-most Supreme Court judge after the incumbent CJI Gavai, is set to become the 53rd CJI on November 24 after CJI Gavai's retirement on November 23. The CJI's recommendation came after he received a letter last week from the Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who asked him to nominate his successor Justice Surya Kant as 53rd CJI on November 24, 2025. As per the Supreme Court website, Justice Kant was born on February, 10, 1962 at Hisar (Haryana) to a middle class family. He graduated from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar in 1981, and acquired his Bachelor's degree in Law in 1984 from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak. He started practicing Law at the District Court, Hisar in 1984, and shifted to Chandigarh in 1985 to practice in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Justice Kant specialises in Constitutional, Service and Civil matters. He represented a number of Universities, Boards, Corporations, Banks, and even the High Court itself. He was appointed as Advocate General (AG) of Haryana on July 7, 2000, and was designated as Senior Advocate in March, 2001. He held the office of Advocate General, Haryana till his elevation as a permanent Judge to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 09, 2004. Justice Kant was nominated as a Member of the Governing Body of National Legal Services Authority on February 23, 2007, for two consecutive terms till February 22, 2011. He is presently a Member of various Committees of Indian Law Institute a deemed university under the aegis of Supreme Court. He earned another distinction of standing First Class First in his Master's degree in Law in 2011 from the Directorate of Distance Education, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra. He assumed charge of the office of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh with effect fromOctober, 5, 2018. He was part of the bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370 concerning Jammu and Kashmir and the bench that struck down the electoral bonds scheme, citing a violation of citizens' right to information. Justice Kant also authored the majority opinion validating Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, part of the Assam accord. He also upheld the validity of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme for the armed forces. Justice Kant was part of the bench that appointed an expert panel in the Pegasus spyware case, stating the state cannot use national security as a free pass for surveillance. He has been involved in cases concerning the appointment of the Delhi Police Commissioner and the protection of public water bodies, emphasizing they are public utilities and their takeover is illegal. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was on a bench that directed authorities to consider releasing prisoners to alleviate overcrowding in jails. Elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, Justice Kant will be retiring on Feb 9, 2027. He is also the Chairman of Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, with effect from November 12, 2025.
Chandigarh gets direct air connectivity to Hisar
Haryana Court Rejects Bail Plea Of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra In Espionage Case
A court in Haryana's Hisar district has dismissed the bail plea of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested in May on the suspicion of espionage, and said there is a reasonable apprehension that her release on bail may impede the probe.
Hisar court denies bail to YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra in espionage case
CHANDIGARH: The bail plea of 33-year-old Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTuber who was arrested in May on suspicion of espionage, has been dismissed by a court at Hisar in Haryana, stating that there is a reasonable apprehension that her release on bail may impede the probe. In a detailed order passed on October 23, the court of Additional Sessions Judge Dr Parminder Kaur dismissed the regular bail plea. There exists on the record a prima facie case of considerable gravity under the Official Secrets Act and the BNS provisions relied upon. The forensic material recovered from the accused's electronic device, the Subsidiary Multi-Agency Centre (SMAC) intelligence inputs and the circumstantial matrix of contacts with a foreign official and movements in sensitive areas collectively create a reasonable apprehension that release on bail may impede the investigation, facilitate tampering with digital evidence, or otherwise be contrary to the public interest and national security considerations, it stated. The Court observed that public interest and national security considerations assume special significance where the allegations, if established, would impair the sovereign interest of the State. Courts must be mindful that bail is not to be granted if it would be a danger to public order, security or if it would result in the accused being in a position to frustrate the process, it said. On the argument of the petitioner's counsel that the intelligence inputs relied upon are untested and that the prosecution failed to produce direct evidence of communication or transmission of sensitive material to foreign agents, the court stated while it is true that such matters ultimately must be tested at trial and the accused has the right to contest the allegations, the bail must be viewed in the totality of the evidence available at the stage. The order stated,Here, the combination of (a) intelligence linkage shown by SMAC inputs, (b) the asserted communications connecting the petitioner to the foreign national, (c) forensic reconstruction of deleted material showing footage of sensitive sites and (d) the factual matrix of the petitioner's visits and movements while abroad -- taken together -- satisfy the threshold of a prima facie case of sufficient gravity to refuse bail. The court further added that the Official Secrets Act and the provisions of the BNS invoked by the prosecution are not ordinary penal enactments as they protect matters of state security and public safety. The possibility that sensitive visual material relating to strategic infrastructure may have been collected, retained and shown to foreign personnel is a matter which, even at a prima facie level, calls for stringent judicial caution before permitting the accused's release, read the order. It added, The presence of a foreign national (an official of the Pakistan High Commission), the circumstances of the petitioner's visits to Pakistan, the alleged facilitation of travel beyond permitted areas and the asserted VIP treatment, when read together with the forensic retrieval of videographic material, create a prima facie case that the accused may have had communications and interactions with persons whose identity and purpose are material to the investigation. Earlier police sources had said Malhotra was in touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a staffer at the Pakistani High Commission, since November 2023. India expelled Danish on May 13 for allegedly indulging in espionage. On May 26, Hisar police had arrested Malhotra, who ran the YouTube channel 'Travel with JO' under provisions of the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). She is presently in judicial custody.
Hisar court denies bail to YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra arrested in espionage case
CHANDIGARH: The bail plea of 33-year-old Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTuber who was arrested in May on suspicion of espionage, has been dismissed by a court at Hisar in Haryana, stating that there is a reasonable apprehension that her release on bail may impede the probe. In a detailed order passed on October 23, the court of Additional Sessions Judge Dr Parminder Kaur dismissed the regular bail plea. There exists on the record a prima facie case of considerable gravity under the Official Secrets Act and the BNS provisions relied upon. The forensic material recovered from the accused's electronic device, the Subsidiary Multi-Agency Centre (SMAC) intelligence inputs and the circumstantial matrix of contacts with a foreign official and movements in sensitive areas collectively create a reasonable apprehension that release on bail may impede the investigation, facilitate tampering with digital evidence, or otherwise be contrary to the public interest and national security considerations, it stated. The Court observed that public interest and national security considerations assume special significance where the allegations, if established, would impair the sovereign interest of the State. Courts must be mindful that bail is not to be granted if it would be a danger to public order, security or if it would result in the accused being in a position to frustrate the process, it said. On the argument of the petitioner's counsel that the intelligence inputs relied upon are untested and that the prosecution failed to produce direct evidence of communication or transmission of sensitive material to foreign agents, the court stated while it is true that such matters ultimately must be tested at trial and the accused has the right to contest the allegations, the bail must be viewed in the totality of the evidence available at the stage. The order stated,Here, the combination of (a) intelligence linkage shown by SMAC inputs, (b) the asserted communications connecting the petitioner to the foreign national, (c) forensic reconstruction of deleted material showing footage of sensitive sites and (d) the factual matrix of the petitioner's visits and movements while abroad -- taken together -- satisfy the threshold of a prima facie case of sufficient gravity to refuse bail. The court further added that the Official Secrets Act and the provisions of the BNS invoked by the prosecution are not ordinary penal enactments as they protect matters of state security and public safety. The possibility that sensitive visual material relating to strategic infrastructure may have been collected, retained and shown to foreign personnel is a matter which, even at a prima facie level, calls for stringent judicial caution before permitting the accused's release, read the order. It added, The presence of a foreign national (an official of the Pakistan High Commission), the circumstances of the petitioner's visits to Pakistan, the alleged facilitation of travel beyond permitted areas and the asserted VIP treatment, when read together with the forensic retrieval of videographic material, create a prima facie case that the accused may have had communications and interactions with persons whose identity and purpose are material to the investigation. Earlier police sources had said Malhotra was in touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a staffer at the Pakistani High Commission, since November 2023. India expelled Danish on May 13 for allegedly indulging in espionage. On May 26, Hisar police had arrested Malhotra, who ran the YouTube channel 'Travel with JO' under provisions of the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). She is presently in judicial custody.
Haryana: Hisar court refuses bail to YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra arrested in espionage case
A court in Hisar has denied bail to YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra. She faces espionage charges. Police arrested her in May. The court cited concerns about impeding the investigation and national security. Evidence includes intelligence inputs and digital material. Malhotra allegedly had contact with a foreign official.
Hisar court denies bail to influencer Jyoti Malhotra in 'spying' case
A Hisar court has struck down the bail plea of social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra over espionage accusations, underlining the delicate nature of national security. Concerns were raised that allowing her release might compromise the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
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).
CHANDIGARH: Nine Japanese companies have expressed interest in investing approximately Rs 5,000 crore in Haryana and have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to that effect. These investments are expected to generate employment opportunities for around 15,000 youth in the state, said Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. He added that Gurugram has evolved into a global hub for IT and startups, and as part of the Global City Project, a 1,000-acre township is being developed in the millennium city. Saini made these remarks while addressing a gathering at the ''Jan Vishwas-Jan Vikas'' state-level event in Panchkula, on the occasion of the completion of one year of the third term of the BJP government in Haryana. He said that industrialists and companies from Haryana have expanded their reach by visiting African countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda, where they have even established industrial units. Recently, a delegation of 13 progressive farmers, led by the Agriculture Minister, visited Kenya to explore opportunities in agriculture and develop a roadmap for exporting floriculture products to international markets. Saini emphasised that, as a result of the government's proactive incentive schemes, Haryana has emerged as a preferred destination for both domestic and international investors. Under the Haryana Startup Policy 2022, the state now hosts over 9,500 startups, including 19 unicorn companies. In addition, more than 250 Fortune 500 companies have established a presence in Haryana. Gurugram has evolved into a global hub for IT and startups, further strengthening the states innovation ecosystem. As part of the Global City Project, a 1,000-acre township is being developed in Gurugram. Beyond this, the state is also building a logistics hub in Narnaul, a manufacturing cluster in Hisar, and an electronics park in Sohna, positioning Haryana as a leader in infrastructure-led industrial development. He said that twenty-one new national highways have been declared to connect every district, and work on 13 of them has already been completed. A Regional Road Upgradation Project has been launched to enhance road connectivity. Under this initiative, 4,227 roads spanning 9,410 kilometres are being repaired and upgraded at a cost of Rs 4,827 crore in the current financial year. Saini stated that industry is the backbone of the economy, and to accelerate industrial growth, the state has developed a robust ecosystem promoting Ease of Doing Business. As a result of various incentive schemes, 12,20,872 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been registered in the state over the past 11 years, attracting investments worth Rs 28,377.59 crore. He highlighted that Maruti Suzuki's largest manufacturing plant is set to open at IMT Kharkhoda, with an investment of Rs 18,000 crore, expected to create 10,000 jobs. In addition, Suzukis motorcycle plant is also being established at the same location, involving an investment of Rs 1,466 crore, which will provide employment to 2,000 youth. Furthermore, the Uno Minda Group is setting up an alloy wheel plant in the region, with an investment of Rs 2,000 crore, projected to generate employment for 2,500 youth. Saini said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Bima Sakhi Yojana from Panipat to empower women. Under this scheme, 9,656 women have become Bima Sakhis. Inspired by its success, the state government has introduced the Lado Sakhi scheme. A provision has been made to provide an incentive of Rs 1,000 to Lado Sakhis who care for pregnant women during delivery and after the birth of a daughter. He said that the Scheduled Castes, who had long been deprived of their rightful opportunities, are now being empowered through increased participation in government jobs, Panchayat, and local body elections. He added that the Backward Class-B community has been granted reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies, including 5 per cent reservation for the post of Sarpanch and proportional representation based on their population for other posts. He further said that the government has granted land rights to the Prajapati community in 1,700 villages to support their traditional pottery business. Now, there will be no hurdles in their livelihood. We have taken steps to restore the dignity and respect of the Prajapati community, he said. Speaking about renewable energy initiatives, the Chief Minister said that under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the state aims to install free rooftop solar systems of up to 2 kilowatts by 31 March 2027. So far, 37,825 solar systems have been installed. He added that citizens opting for 3-kilowatt systems are eligible for an additional subsidy of Rs 18,000 for the third kilowatt. Over the past 11 years, 1,61,837 solar pumps have been installed, including 33,553 in the last year alone.
Congress releases first list of candidates for Bihar assembly polls
The Congress released its first official list of 48 candidates for the Bihar Assembly polls on Thursday. The party's Bihar unit president Rajesh Ram has been fielded from the SC-reserved seat of Kutumba. 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 finalized yet. In its first list, the party has fielded Bijendra Chaudhary from Muzaffarpur, Om Prakash Garg from Gopalganj, Amita Bhushan from Begusarai, Dr. Shashi Shekhar Singh from Wazirganj. Meanwhile, Kaushelendra Kumar will contest from Nalanda, and Anand Shankar Singh from Aurangabad. Anil Kumar will contest from Bikram, Lalan Kumar from Sultanganj, Amaresh Kumar from Lakhisarai, BK Ravi from Rosda, Shashibhushan Rai alias Gappu Rai from Govindganj, Jitendra Singh from Amarpur, and Shiv Prakash Garib Das from Bachhwara Assembly constituency. Trishuldhari Singh has been fielded from the Barbigha seat. pic.twitter.com/io0WmcA5sG Congress (@INCIndia) October 16, 2025
BJP releases third list of Bihar poll candidates, all 101 seats announced
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Wednesday evening released its third list of 18 candidates for Bihar polls, fielding Bina Devi from Kochadhaman seat and Sangeeta Kumari from Mohania, which is reserved for the Scheduled Castes. According to the list, Sanjay Pandey will contest from Narkatiaganj seat, Satish Kumar Yadav from Raghopur, and Bharat Bind from Bhabua. Murari Paswan will join the fray from Pirpainti, an SC seat, while Ashok Kumar Singh will contest from Ramgarh assembly constituency. With this, the BJP has announced its candidates for a total of 101 seats. Earlier in the day, the party released its second list of 12 candidates for the assembly polls, fielding singer Maithili Thakur from Alinagar seat and former IPS officer Anand Mishra from Buxar. On Tuesday, it released the first list of 71 candidates for the elections, fielding Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha from Tarapur and Lakhisarai seats, respectively, and six state ministers. BJP's Bihar polls in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Sunday that the BJP and the JD(U) will each contest on 101 seats in the assembly elections, while Union minister Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party will field its candidates on 29 seats. The elections for the 243-member Bihar Assembly are scheduled to be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The counting of votes will take place on November 14.
BJP's lone woman CM Rekha Gupta to campaign extensively in Bihar polls
Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is gearing up to hit the campaign trail in the Bihar Assembly elections. Her first stop will be the nomination filing for Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha in Lakhisarai, followed by lively interactions at public meetings in Bihar Sharif.
BJP releases list of 71 candidates for Bihar polls; fields 2 Dy CMs, 6 ministers
NEW DELHI, Oct 14: The BJP on Tuesday released its first list of 71 candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections, fielding Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha from Tarapur and Lakhisarai seats, respectively, and six state ministers. The list also includes nine women candidates, including sitting Minister Renu Devi, who will seek re-election from the Bettiah Assembly constituency. Shreyasi Singh, a sitting MLA and Arjuna awardee, will contest from the Jamui seat, seeking another term. Sitting ministers [] The post BJP releases list of 71 candidates for Bihar polls; fields 2 Dy CMs, 6 ministers appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Ex Union Minister, 2 Deputy Chief Ministers In BJP Bihar List, Speaker Out
The BJP has released its first list of 71 candidates for the upcoming Bihar election. Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha have been fielded from Tarapur and Lakhisarai seats, respectively
BJP releases first list of 71 candidates for Bihar Assembly elections
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday released its first list of 71 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The saffron party will field Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha from Tarapur and Lakhisarai seats, respectively. Former deputy chief minister Tarkishore Prasad and state minister Renu Devi will contest from Katihar and Bettiah, respectively. State ministers Nitish Mishra will seek re-election from the Jhanjharpur seat and Mangal Pandey from Siwan. Shreyasi Singh will join the fray from the Jamui seat, according to the list released by the BJP. The first list has named as many as nine women candidates, including Bihar Minister for Animal and Fisheries Resources Renu Devi, who has been fielded from Bettiah. Bihar Assembly polls are scheduled to be held in two phases on november 6 and 11.
BJP Releases First List of 71 Candidates for Bihar Assembly Polls
Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha to contest from Tarapur and Lakhisarai; polls to be held on November 6 and 11
BJP on Tuesday released the first list of 71 candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections. Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary to contest from Tarapur, Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha from Lakhisarai, State Minister Nitin Nabin from Bankipur and Renu Devi to contest from Bettiah.
The BJP has unveiled its initial list of candidates for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. These elections are scheduled to commence on November 6. The party will be contesting 101 out of the total 243 seats. This decision was finalized during a meeting of the Central Election Committee in Delhi. Prime Minister Modi and other senior leaders were present.
Nomination begins for first phase of Bihar polls; seat-sharing talks intensify in NDA, INDIA bloc
PATNA: Filing of nomination papers began on Friday for the elections to 121 seats in the first phase of the Bihar assembly polls, officials said. The first round of the elections will be held on November 6. Candidates can file their nomination papers til October 17, and the scrutiny of such documents will be held on the next day, according to a notification. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 20 for the first phase of the assembly polls. Patna, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Saharsa, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Sheikhpura, Nalanda, Buxar, and Bhojpur districts will go for polls in the first phase. The second and final phase of the poll will take place on November 11 in 122 assembly seats. The counting of votes will take place on November 14. The ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc have not declared their list of candidates so far. Constituents of the NDA and the INDIA bloc are grappling with differences over seat-sharing, with smaller allies in both camps jostling for more seats. However, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party declared a list of 51 candidates on Thursday. Amid growing unease in the ruling NDA over the seat sharing, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reached Patna on Friday and will hold meetings with senior party leaders. Sources in the BJP said that the seat-sharing arrangements within the NDA will be finalised in a day or two, and the party will release its first list of candidates soon after that. Bihar polls: Left parties smoothen seat-sharing deal with RJD, Congress The JD(U), another alliance partner of the NDA, is also expected to announce its list of candidates very soon, party sources said. According to sources in the NDA, the allies - JD (U) and BJP - are likely to contest 102 and 101 seats, respectively. Union minister Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), which had earlier settled for around 20-22 seats, is now asking for 45 segments, they said. In the opposition bloc, sources said the RJD is likely to contest 135-140 seats. The party has offered the Congress 50-52 seats, lower than the party's demand for 70 assembly segments. Sources in the RJD said a meeting of senior party leaders will take place in Patna later in the day to finalise the list of its candidates. In the 2020 assembly polls, the Congress had fought 70 seats but won only 19. The other big constituent of the INDIA bloc, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, also appeared unhappy with the reportedly 20-25 seats being offered to it. Five years ago, the CPI (ML) Liberation won 12 of the 19 seats it contested, and is reportedly demanding 40 this time. Tejashwi makes mega poll promise: Law to ensure one government job for every family in Bihar
Haryana youth feared killed fighting for Russia
A youth from Hisar, Sonu, is feared dead in the Russia-Ukraine war, with his companion Aman missing since September 22. Both men were reportedly deceived into joining the Russian army after going to Russia for a foreign language course. Families have sought help from the MHA and the Indian embassy in Moscow.
Hooda consolidates hold in Congress amid dissent
CHANDIGARH: All is not well in the Haryana Congress with the appointment of former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party in Haryana, who will eventually become the Leader of the Opposition, and Rao Narendra Singh, a former health minister, named as President of the Haryana Congress. Hooda has once again consolidated his hold over the state unit of the party, but voices of dissent are starting to emerge in the faction-ridden grand old party. Senior Congress leader and former minister Capt Ajay Singh Yadav has questioned the appointment of Rao as chief of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee. Sources said detractors may view this as marginalisation of the anti-Hooda camp, which comprises Sirsa Member of Parliament Kumari Selja, former Union minister Birender Singh, and Congress general secretary and MP Randeep Singh Surjewala. A party leader said the challenge for both Hooda and Singh is to strike a balance between asserting authority and accommodating rival factions. Factionalism has kept the party paralysed, and the consequences were visible in the last three state Assembly elections. Capt Ajay Singh Yadav took to the social media platform X, tagging senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, and BK Hariprasad, to express his disappointment and concern over the decision. Given the Congress partys steadily declining performance in Haryana, the party needs to introspect on todays decision. Rahul Gandhis desire was to appoint a person with clean, unblemished, and youthful leadership as president of the Haryana Congress. However, todays decision appears to be the exact opposite. This has led to a complete decline in the morale of party workers and cadre, he wrote. A six-time former MLA, Yadav was a prominent contender for the post. Meanwhile, former Hisar MP and Congress leader Brijendra Singh has announced plans to take out a Sadbhav Yatra from October 5 with the aim of ensuring social harmony in the state. The IAS officer-turned-politician said the yatra will begin from Danoda village in the Narwana assembly constituency in Jind on October 5. The father-son duo, along with Congress workers, will tour across 90 assembly segments over the next six to seven months, covering a distance of 2,600 to 2,800 kilometres. During the padyatra, Singh, son of Congress veteran and former Union Minister Birender Singh, said national and regional issues will also be highlighted. He accused the ruling BJP of playing divisive politics and said that sadbhav (harmony) has come under stress in the past decade. He added that he was inspired by Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra and received permission from the central party leadership to carry out the yatra across the state. The BJP is dividing people on the lines of caste, region, and religion. Our aim is to bridge this divide and spread brotherhood among people. We will also focus on state and national issues, said Brijendra Singh.
From teacher to trickster: Gujarat police nab car scam kingpin in Mumbai
AHMEDABAD: A fraudster who rocked Gujarats online car market with a Rs 73 lakh fraud has finally landed in police net. Junagadh police nabbed the fraudster from Dahisar, Mumbai, after a high-tech chase across states. For three years, he duped car buyers and sellers on apps like OLX and CAR-24, trapping victims in 31 cases across 11 districts of Gujarat. The accused, Piyush Maheshbhai Patel (39), a resident of Visnagar, Mehsana, Gujarat was caught from Dahisar, Mumbai, after an intensive three-day surveillance operation. The story broke from Junagadh, where on September 25, 2025, a resident filed a complaint at the A-Division Police Station. The fraudster, posing as Dhaval Patel from CAR-24, trapped a local doctor by offering an inflated price for his Swift and luring him with a Brezza in return. Once the deal was set for just Rs 2.25 lakh through Angadiya payment, the scammer switched off his phone and vanished. The victims complaint led SP Subodh Odedara to order immediate action. PI and his team tracked the fraudsters digital trail, discovering he was operating from Mumbai. Using local intelligence, officers lay in wait inside a Mumbai salon for three days before finally nabbing the accused in Dahisar. Police interrogation peeled back Patels web of deceit. A former schoolteacher and car showroom worker, debt drove him into crime. His modus operandi was chillingly systematic: he would scan car-sale ads on OLX, pose as a CAR-24 agent, and bait owners with high offers. At the same time, he would tempt dealers in nearby cities with quick-sale cars at throwaway prices. Once both sides were convinced, Patel collected payments through Angadiya, then switched off his mobile and re-emerged with a new number and a new name. Patels aliases ranged from Dhawal, Arpit, Hardik, Sanjay, Rajendra Panchal, Jaimin, Hemala carousel of fake identities that helped him cheat buyers and sellers of 42 cars in three years. The confession is staggering: 31 cases registered in 11 districts, including Ahmedabad (6 cases), Gandhinagar, Bharuch, Botad, Banaskantha, Rajkot, and Kutch, with a total fraud of Rs 73.30 lakh. Earlier, he had already duped victims of nearly Rs 1 crore. From Patels possession, police seized a Samsung Galaxy A-35, 13 SIM cards, 3 blank HDFC cheques, and fraud-linked materials. His record reveals he turned Gujarats car market into his hunting ground, repeatedly exploiting digital platforms with surgical precision. The police have now tightened the investigation to identify possible accomplices and recover the looted money.
Gujarat court issues notices to two journalists on Adani Group's defamation plaint
Adani Group has filed criminal defamation complaints against journalist Abhisar Sharma and blogger Raju Parulekar, leading to court notices for their appearance on September 20. The complaints, filed in Gandhinagar, accuse Sharma and Parulekar of disseminating false and defamatory content aimed at tarnishing the conglomerate's reputation through a YouTube video and social media posts.
Gujarat court issues notices to two journalists on Adani Groups defamation complaint
Adani Group accused Abhisar Sharma, a YouTuber, and Raju Parulekar, a blogger, of spreading false and defamatory content to malign its reputation
Dahisar toll plaza to shift 2km north, bringing relief for Mira-Bhayandar commuters
The Dahisar toll plaza on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway will be shifted. The new location will be 2km north of the current spot. This decision aims to reduce traffic congestion for Mira-Bhayandar residents. Eknath Shinde announced the relocation. The toll plaza will move near the Versova bridge. The stretch will become toll-free. Only heavy vehicles will be charged.
Dahisar toll plaza to shift 2km north, bringing relief for Mira-Bhayandar commuters
The Dahisar toll plaza on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway will be shifted. The new location will be 2km north of the current spot. This decision aims to reduce traffic congestion for Mira-Bhayandar residents. Eknath Shinde announced the relocation. The toll plaza will move near the Versova bridge. The stretch will become toll-free. Only heavy vehicles will be charged.
Cabinet nod to construction of 4-lane Mokama-Munger road project in Bihar
The section passes through or provides connectivity to important regional cities such as Mokama, Barahiya, Lakhisarai, Jamalpur, Munger connecting to Bhagalpur
Maharashtra Government Proposes To Shift Dahisar Toll Plaza Near Versova Bridge Ahead Of Diwali
Located at the entrance of the Mira-Bhayandar region, Dahisar Toll Naka is a major bottleneck for motorists using the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway.
Maharashtra Government Moves Proposal To Shift Dahisar Toll Plaza Near Versova Bridge
The Dahisar Toll Plaza, located at the entrance of the Mira-Bhayandar region, will be relocated near the nursery close to Versova Bridge
Woman Dead, 18 Injured In Fire In 24-Storey Building In Mumbai's Dahisar
A woman died and 18 people were injured in a fire that broke out in a 24-storey building in Dahisar in north Mumbai on Sunday, officials said.
Mumbai: Woman dead, 18 injured in fire in 24-storey building in Dahisar
A fire in a 24-story building in Dahisar, north Mumbai, resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to 18 others on Sunday. The blaze, which started around 3 pm, prompted the rescue of 36 residents, with 19 hospitalized. The fire was contained by 6:10 pm, and investigations are underway to determine the cause.
1 dead, 1 critical, several injured as fire erupts at Mumbai's 23-storey building
At least one person was killed and another is in critical condition after a fire erupted in a 23-story building in Dahisar, Mumbai, on Sunday afternoon, i.e., September 7, India Today reported.
Fire Breaks Out in 24-Storey Mumbai Building
Blaze erupts on 7th floor of Dahisar East high-rise, smoke hampers firefighting
Fire erupts in 24-storey building in Mumbai; no casualties
MUMBAI: A fire broke out in a 24-storey residential building in the western suburbs here on Sunday afternoon, civic officials said. There were no reports of casualties in the blaze that erupted around 3 pm on the seventh floor of New Janakalyan Society at Shanti Nagar in Dahisar East, an official said. The firefighting efforts are underway, he said. The official said that the high-rise was smoke-logged, posing difficulties for firefighters. At least seven fire engines and other emergency response vehicles were at the spot, he said, adding that the cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained.
Court extends espionage accused Jyoti Malhotras custody till Sep 10
Hisar: A court here on Tuesday extended till September 10 the judicial custody of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra who was arrested in May on suspicion of espionage. Her lawyer Kumar Mukesh said that Malhotra was produced before Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Sunil Kumar through video conferencing and the court sent her to judicial custody till September 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 .
Espionage case: Court extends YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra's judicial custody till Sep 10
The Hisar Police previously said no evidence emerged to indicate that Ms. Malhotra had access to any military or defence-related information, but claimed she was in contact with some people
Punjab recorded 74% excess, Haryana received 32% more than normal rain in August
CHANDIGARH: In August, Punjab received 253.7 mm of rain, the highest the state has witnessed in the past 25 years, while Haryana recorded 194.5 mm of rain against an average of 147.7 mm for the month. Punjab received deficient rainfall multiple times in the past couple of decades, but this year it recorded the highest rainfall figures for August in the last 25 years, the Met department stated. Punjab recorded 253.7 mm rainfall in August, which was 74 per cent more than the months normal of 146.2 mm. The neighbouring Haryana received 194.5 mm of rain in August against an average of 147.7 mm for the month, which was 32 per cent in excess. Both states received excess rain in August only five times in the past 25 years, including this year. Heavy rains lash several parts of Punjab, Haryana 18 out of the total 23 districts in Punjab recorded excess rain, while a few districts like Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib recorded deficient rainfall. Meanwhile, Gurdaspur recorded 577.5 mm rainfall, 181 per cent more than normal of 205.3 mm; Pathankot received 944.2 mm of rain in August which was 152 per cent in excess than the normal of 375.2 mm; while Tarn Taran recorded 208 mm of rain against the normal of 87.1 per cent in August, which was 139 per cent in excess; Ferozepur received 170.6 mm of rain against a normal of 74.5 mm, which was 129 per cent in excess; Fazilka recorded 146.8 mm of rain as against 68.1 mm, a rise of 115 per cent; Hoshiarpur received 360.6 mm of rain in August, 74 per cent in excess of the normal figures of 207.6 mm; and Amritsar received 226.8 mm of rain in August against a normal of 162.4 mm, which was 40 per cent more. 18 out of the 22 districts in Haryana recorded excess rain in the month of August while four districts including Bhiwani and Ambala, recorded deficient rain. In Haryana excess rainfall was recorded in Fatehabad (252 per cent), Hisar (68 per cent), Faridabad (31 per cent) and Gurugram (24 per cent). Meanwhile Chandigarh (Union Territory), the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, recorded 308.5 mm rainfall in August as against the normal of 248.8 mm which was only 8 per cent more.
Heavy rains lash several parts of Punjab, Haryana
CHANDIGARH: Rains lashed several parts of Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory Chandigarh on Monday, with Ludhiana logging the highest rainfall of 216.70 mm. According to the Met department here, several places in Punjab and Haryana received rain during the 24-hour period ending 8:30 am Monday. Among other places in Punjab which received rain included Amritsar (24.1 mm), Patiala (80.4 mm), Pathankot (3.6 mm), Bathinda (3 mm), Faridkot (10.2 mm), Gurdaspur (2.7 mm), SBS Nagar (112.7 mm), Mohali (64 mm), Mansa (42 mm) and Rupnagar (82.5 mm). Chandigarh, the joint capital of both states, received 76.5 mm of rainfall. Among other places in Haryana, Ambala recorded 48.4 mm, Hisar (11.8 mm), Karnal (12.8 mm), Narnaul (66 mm), Rohtak (13.4 mm), Sirsa (130 mm), Panchkula (57 mm), Panipat (33 mm) and Gurugram (9.5 mm). Punjab is under the grip of massive floods, caused by the swollen Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers and seasonal rivulets due to heavy rain in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Villages worst-affected by the floods were in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar districts. Relief and rescue operations by the NDRF, Army, BSF, Punjab Police and district authorities continued on a war footing in the affected areas.
Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav joins 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar
SARAN: Samajwadi Party president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday joined the Congress' 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar's Saran district. In a post on X, senior Congress leader K C Venugopal said Yadav is a steadfast ally in the party's fight against the BJP's alleged attempt to destroy the country's democracy. This morning, former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav Jee joined the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Saran. Welcomed him to this historic movement to protect democracy. He has been a steadfast ally in our fight against the BJP's destruction of our democracy, and a strong voice for the poor and underprivileged in UP and across the country, Venugopal said on the social media platform. , ! pic.twitter.com/cgi7XV8o7c K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) August 30, 2025 He also shared photographs of Yadav meeting Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. Rohini Acharya, the daughter of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, was also present there. Acharya had contested from Saran in the Lok Sabha polls last year, and failed to win the seat. Gandhi launched the Congress' 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' from Sasaram in Rohtas district on August 17 to protest against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The yatra, supported by all INDIA bloc constituents, will culminate in Patna on September 1. The yatra has so far covered Gayaji, Nawada, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Munger, Katihar, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, Purnea, West Champaran, Gopalganj, East Champaran, and Siwan districts. It will pass through Bhojpur and Patna. 'PM Modi is scared,' claims Rahul Gandhi during Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar
SC declines to quash FIR against journalist Abhisar Sharma, grants interim protection from arrest
The top court directed the journalist to approach the Gauhati High Court to quash an FIR lodged by the Assam Police under Section 152 of BNS, which penalises acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India
Assam Police FIR: Supreme Court grants four-week interim protection to journalist Abhisar Sharma
The top court directed the journalist to approach the Gauhati High Court to quash an FIR lodged by the Assam Police under Section 152 of BNS, which penalises acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India
SC Grants 4-Week Protection to Journalist Abhisar Sharma in Assam FIR Case
Bench refuses to quash FIR but asks Sharma to move Gauhati HC; seeks Centres reply on validity of BNS Section 152
The Supreme Court has provided journalist Abhisar Sharma with four weeks of protection from arrest regarding an FIR filed by Assam Police. The case stems from a video criticizing the Assam government's alleged communal politics and land allocation for a cement factory.
SC to hear journalists plea against Assam Police FIR over video post on August 28
NEW DELHI, Aug 27: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Thursday a plea filed by journalist Abhisar Sharma seeking quashing of an FIR registered against him by Assam Police over a video post allegedly criticising the states policies. A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh is likely to take up the plea of Sharma filed through advocate Sumeer Sodhi for hearing. In his plea, Sharma has challenged the validity of Section 152 of [] The post SC to hear journalists plea against Assam Police FIR over video post on August 28 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Espionage case: Court extends YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra's judicial custody till September 3
She was arrested by Hisar Police on May 16
Espionage case: Court extends YouTuber Jyoti Malhotras judicial custody till Sep 3
Hisar, Aug 25: A Hisar court on Monday extended till September 3, the judicial custody of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested in May on suspicion of espionage. Melhotra appeared before judicial magistrate (first class) Sunil Kumar, who remanded her to judicial custody till September 3, her lawyer Kumar Mukesh said. Malhotra, who hails from Hisar and ran a YouTube channel Travel with JO, was arrested by Hisar Police on May 16. She was arrested at the New Aggarsain Extension [] The post Espionage case: Court extends YouTuber Jyoti Malhotras judicial custody till Sep 3 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Withdraw FIR against Abhisar Sharma: Press Club
The PCI accused the Assam Police of turning a blind eye in not taking cognisance of what the apex court has directed in a similar case pertaining to The Wire editors
SC Bars Assam Police From Arresting Karan Thapar, Siddharth Varadarajan of The Wire
DIGIPUB flays Assam FIR on Abhisar Sharma, says to criminalise the work of a respected journalist like Abhisar Sharma is nothing less than an attack on press freedom.
Results of last Lok Sabha polls fudged: Rahul Gandhi
PATNA: LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said the peoples strong voice against vote theft would spread like a tsunami across India. Speaking at a public meeting in Munger during the fifth day of his Voter Adhikar Yatra, he said he was convinced that the 2024 Lok Sabha polls were manipulated. Rahul intensified his attack on the BJP and the Election Commission, alleging that they were stealing votes to benefit a section of industrialists. Braving a drizzle, a large crowd gathered to hear him, along with RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, CPI-ML general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, and other INDIA bloc leaders, as the yatra moved through Lakhisarai near Munger. Gandhi also alleged poll manipulation, citing the Maharashtra example. Our alliance won in the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, and four months later, the BJP won in the assembly election. The only difference was that nearly one crore new people cast their votes and all these votes went to the BJP alliance. BJP won in all those places where these new voters cast their votes, he added.
Case Against Journalist Abhisar Sharma For 'Ridiculing' Assam, Centre
The Guwahati Crime Branch on Thursday registered a First Information Report (FIR) against journalist and YouTuber Abhisar Sharma on the basis of a complaint filed by a local resident alleging that he had uploaded a video ridiculing both the Assam and
FIR filed against journalist Abhisar Sharma by Guwahati police
Guwahati Crime Branch files FIR against journalist and YouTuber Abhisar Sharma for video criticising Assam and Union Governments
Rahul joins second leg of 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar
Rahul Gandhi, who returned to the State after a day-long break, joined the Yatra in Lakhisarai district, hours after the second leg was kicked off by his ally Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD in adjoining Sheikhpura
PM to inaugurate 6-lane bridge in Bihar on Aug 22, travel time to come down
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation the Aunta-Simaria project featuring a six-lane, 1.8 km-long bridge over the Ganga River in Bihar on August 22. The link will reduce travel distance by about 100 km for heavy vehicles ferrying between north and south Bihar and provide direct connectivity between Mokama in Patna District and Begusarai. Modi had laid the foundation in October 2017. The project is part of National Highway 31. The bridge has been constructed parallel to the existing two-lane rail-cum-road bridge Rajendra Setu, which is almost seven decades old and needs repair. Anil Chaudhary, member, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), said, The Rajendra Setu has only two lanes, and the one corridor is closed because of repair work. Only one lane is in use, and it is for light motor vehicles. So, traffic jams are regular. The new bridge will resolve this issue. Heavy vehicles plying on the new bridge will have to travel 100 km less between Begusarai, Supaul, Madhubani, and Araria in North Bihar and Patna, Seikhpura, Nawada, and Lakhisarai in South Bihar. The link will also provide better connectivity to the famous pilgrimage place of Simaria Dham, which is also the birthplace of the renowned poet, the late Ramdhari Singh Dinkar. Overall, the bridge will prove beneficial from an economic viewpoint, boost connectivity to an important cultural centre and enhance ease of travel for people of the region, Chaudhary said. The bridge is the countrys widest extradosed bridgea hybrid structure that combines features of a cable-stayed and girder bridgedesigned with a single segmental structure. Project part of NH 31 The link will reduce travel distance by about 100 km for heavy vehicles ferrying between north and south Bihar and provide direct connectivity between Mokama in Patna District and Begusarai. Modi had laid the foundation in October 2017. The project is part of National Highway 31.
Partnership between EC-BJP; we'll not allow even one vote to be stolen in Bihar: Rahul Gandhi
NAWADA: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that a partnership has been going on between the Election Commission and the BJP to steal votes, and asserted that the Mahagathbandhan will not allow even a single vote to be stolen in Bihar. Addressing a gathering at Bhagat Singh Chowk on the third day of his Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar, Gandhi said the right to vote has been given to the people by the Constitution, and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Election Commissioners are snatching it away from them. This is your right, given to you by the Constitution, and Modi, Shah, and the Election Commissioners are snatching it away from you. (RJD's) Tejashwi (Yadav), I, and the other (Mahagathbandhan) leaders standing here want to tell them that we will not let you steal even a single vote in Bihar, Gandhi said. He alleged that the EC-BJP nexus has stolen elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. In Maharashtra, about 1 crore voters were mysteriously added between the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, Gandhi claimed. He said the Congress asked the EC to provide a machine-readable voters' list and CCTV footage, but the poll body refused. Now in Bihar, they are carrying out 'vote chori' in a new manner. They are doing this chori (theft) right before your eyes, but we will not let them steal votes, said the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Opposition holds protest against SIR in Parliament complex Warning the people, he said, First, your voter card will go. Then your ration card will go. And finally, your land will be handed over to Adani and Ambani, Gandhi alleged. This country belongs to farmers, labourers, small traders, and the youthnot to a few billionaires like Adani and Ambani, he added. Gandhi said all the wrong laws, including GST and demonetisation, were aimed at benefiting a few billionaires. You give money and resources, and yet the country cannot give you employment. This has to change, and that is why we have started this Voter Adhikar Yatra, he said in his address to the people, standing atop his vehicle, flanked by RJD's Tejashwi Yadav and CPI(ML) Liberation's Dipankar Bhattacharya. At the start of his address, Gandhi invited a person whose name had been removed from the voters list to speak. The person said he had been a polling agent in the Lok Sabha polls, but his name had been removed during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. There are lakhs of such people in Bihar who voted, but their names have now been cut from the voters list, Gandhi said. There is a partnership going on between the BJP and the Election Commission. They are colluding to indulge in vote chori, he charged. Asserting that vote chori is an attack on Bharat Mata , Gandhi on Monday had warned the Chief Election Commissioner and the two Election Commissioners of stern action once the INDIA bloc forms the government. Intensifying his attack on the Election Commission, Gandhi also said the whole country would demand an affidavit from the poll body and, if given time, his party would expose the vote chori in every Assembly and Lok Sabha constituency. On Tuesday, the Yatra began from Wazirganj in Gaya and entered Nawada later in the day. The Yatra will conclude with a rally in Patna on September 1. It is being undertaken in a hybrid modeon foot and by vehiclesimilar to Gandhis Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Manipur to Mumbai ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The Yatra will also pass through Nalanda, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnea, Araria, and Supaul. Rahul Gandhi will become PM after next Lok Sabha polls: RJD's Tejashwi at Bihar rally
