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Muzaffarpur district will get 1,215 teachers under BPSC TRE 4, with only 191 vacancies in primary schools. Middle schools for classes 6-8 have 190 posts, secondary schools for classes 9-10 have 253 vacancies, and PGT posts dominate with 581 vacancies across various subjects. The district education department has finalised category-wise and subject-wise lists, and requisitions will be sent to headquarters. The fourth phase of appointments aims to fill gaps from primary to plus two schools.
Newlywed woman found dead in Muzaffarpur
In a tragic incident in Muzaffarpur, the lifeless body of a 28-year-old bride has been found, leading to serious allegations of dowry harassment and murder. The victim's family has accused her in-laws of inflicting severe torture in pursuit of luxury possessions, specifically a high-end car and an apartment.
Miffed by public 'humiliation', Bihar revenue officers complain to Nitish about deputy CM Sinha
PATNA: Accusing deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha of humiliating its members, the Bihar Revenue Service Association (BiRSA) has written to chief minister Nitish Kumar, threatening to boycott public grievance redressal sessions if corrective measures are not taken immediately. Sinha, who is also holding the portfolio of revenue and land reforms department, earned revenue officers wrath after he issued a stern warning to them against collusion with land mafia in the state. He said that erring officials would be identified and brought to book. He has also started holding Bhumi Sudhar Jankalyan Samvad (public grievance redressal sessions) for addressing related matters in districts. BiRSA has lodged a formal complaint with the chief minister, accusing Sinha of humiliating revenue officials during these sessions. The association alleged that Sinha was using language that undermined constitutional norms and administrative decorum. BiRSA threatened that if such humiliation was not stopped immediately, its officers would be forced to boycott such programmes in future. After assuming charge of the department, Sinha had held public dialogues in districts such as Patna, Muzaffarpur and Purnea, where he listened to people complaints in the presence of departmental officers. Officers objected to the deputy chief minister's remarks allegedly made during public hearings such as We will suspend you on the spot, Answer here in front of the public, and Immediate decisions will be taken. The deputy CM, who claimed he was not aware of such a letter, asserted that he would not succumb to any pressure and that action would be taken against those who were found indulging in wrongdoing. Regarding officers allegations of insulting and abusing members, the deputy chief minister said that in public interactions, no one was abused or insulted. He further stated that if anybody has any grievance, he or she should talk to him. I have so far not received any complaint from any individual or any group, he told this reporter over the phone on Saturday.
Student dies in Muzaffarpur accident
Rs 2 lakh looted from CSP in Muzaffarpur
Mother Of 3 Dies By Suicide In Bihar, Husband Alleges 'Goonda Bank' Terror
A passbook, some pending instalments and a million questions: Pintu Goswami from Bihar's Muzaffarpur has lost his wife Gudiya Devi, 35, to suicide. The mother of three, he alleges, consumed pesticide after being harassed by recovery agents
ED conducts searches in Muzaffarpur PNB fraud case, freezes Rs83 lakhs
In a significant operation, the Enforcement Directorate targeted Muzaffarpur, revealing a complex banking fraud that led to the theft of Rs 1.29 crore from PNB accounts. Criminal masterminds employed SIM swapping and digital manipulation techniques to carry out their scheme, with funds withdrawn at ATMs in Kolkata before being funneled into the fraudsters' accounts.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar under fire after pulling down doctors hijab at official event
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar triggered a political storm on Monday after a video surfaced showing him pulling down the hijab of a woman doctor during a government function in Patna, drawing sharp criticism from the Opposition and reviving questions about his conduct in public. The incident occurred at an official event where Kumar, who recently took oath as chief minister for the 10th time, was distributing appointment certificates to AYUSH doctors. In the widely circulated video, the 74-year-old JD(U) leader is seen handing over a certificate to a woman doctor and gesturing at her to remove her hijab. Before she could respond, Kumar reached out and pulled it down, exposing her mouth and chin. Some people present at the venue were seen laughing, while Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary appeared to intervene and stop him. TNIE could not independently verify the authenticity of the video. The footage prompted strong reactions from Opposition parties, with the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) condemning the chief ministers action as inappropriate and disrespectful. Calling the act vile and shameless, the Congress demanded Kumars resignation. A female doctor had come to collect her appointment letter, and Nitish Kumar pulled off her hijab. A man occupying the highest position in Bihar is openly indulging in such a vile act. How safe will women in the state be? the party said in a post on X, adding that his behaviour was unforgivable. The RJD went a step further, questioning Kumars mental health. What has happened to Nitish ji? His mental state has now reached a completely pitiable condition, the party said in a Hindi post on X. RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmad said the incident reflected the attitude of the JD(U)-BJP alliance towards women and minorities. By removing the hijab from the face of a Muslim woman who observes purdah, he has made it clear what kind of politics the JDU and BJP are engaging in in the name of womens empowerment, Ahmad said. He added that forcibly removing a womans veil amounted to violating her cultural and religious rights guaranteed under the Constitution. ? 100% ? @yadavtejashwi #RJD #bihar #TejashwiYadav pic.twitter.com/vRyqUaKhwm Rashtriya Janata Dal (@RJDforIndia) December 15, 2025 The controversy has also brought back memories of earlier incidents involving Kumar that had sparked debate over his public behaviour. Weeks before the Bihar Assembly elections in November, which the JD(U)-BJP alliance swept with over 200 seats in the 243-member House, Kumar had come under fire after a video showed him insisting on garlanding a woman candidate at a public meeting. In that video, shot during a poll rally in Muzaffarpurs Minapur constituency, Kumar was seen attempting to garland Rama Nishad, the BJP candidate from Aurai. In local Hindu tradition, a woman is generally not garlanded by anyone other than her husband. Nishad appeared visibly uncomfortable, while JD(U) working president and Kumars close aide Sanjay Kumar Jha tried to stop him by grabbing his hand. Kumar briefly relented but then suddenly garlanded the woman, later remarking into the microphone, Ee gajab aadmi hai bhai (What a strange man), apparently referring to Jha. Citing such incidents, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor and several other leaders had, in the run-up to the elections, raised concerns about Kumars mental fitness to govern. Those remarks had triggered sharp political debate at the time. 'Gajab aadmi hai': Nitish garlands female candidate at Bihar poll rally, triggers debate on his mental health
A Family Dinner, Mothers Sarees, Then Death: Four Of Family Found Dead In Bihars Muzaffarpur
According to preliminary information, the man allegedly made the five children stand on a trunk and used sarees, said to belong to their deceased mother, to fashion nooses.
Bihar: Man hangs 3 daughters before killing himself in Muzaffarpur; 2 sons escape
A man and his three young daughters were found hanging in their Bihar home. Villagers believe the father, Amarnath Ram, hanged his daughters before taking his own life due to severe financial stress and the recent death of his wife. Two sons escaped and alerted locals to the tragic incident.
Bihar government to set up 100 fast-track courts to dispose of pending cases
PATNA: Bihar deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, who is also holding the portfolio of home department, on Sunday announced that 100 fast track courts (FTCs) would be established in Bihar for speedy disposal of pending cases in the courts. The fast track courts aim to reduce the burden on the judiciary and provide due attention and time to cases of a sensitive nature. Chaudhary said that these fast-track courts would lessen the burden on courts considerably, considering that more than 18 lakh cases were pending in various courts of the state. He informed eight fast-track courts have been proposed in Patna, while four courts each will be established in Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and Bhagalpur. Home Minister said that three fast-track courts each would be set up in Nalanda (Biharsharif), Rohtas (Sasaram), Saran (Chapra), Begusarai, Vaishali (Hajipur), East Champaran (Motihari), Samastipur, and Madhubani. Similarly, two fast-track courts each will operate in West Champaran (Bettiah), Saharsa, Purnea, Munger, Nawada, Jehanabad, Arwal, Aurangabad, Kaimur (Bhabua), Buxar, Bhojpur (Ara), Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Siwan, Gopalganj, Supaul, Madhepura, Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar, Banka, Jamui, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, and Khagaria. In addition, it is proposed to establish one fast-track court each in the Naugachhiaand Bagaha sub-divisional courts. Chaudhary said, cases jointly identified by the district magistrates and superintendents of Police will be disposed of on a priority basis. A large-scale recruitment of personnel will also be undertaken for the establishment of a total of 100 fast-track courts across 38 districts and sub-divisions of the state. A total of 900 positions are proposed for each court, comprising eight types of posts -- bench clerk, office clerk, stenographer, deposition writer, data entry operator, driver, process server, and peon or orderly. As many as 79 courts will be specially set up for the speedy disposal of cases pending under the Arms Act. Bihar government was of the opinion that quick resolution of serious cases like those under the Arms Act would improve law and order in the state, Chaudhary added.
Bihar to establish 100 Fast Track Courts for quicker disposal of pending criminal cases
Mr. Choudhary also informed that eight fast track courts are proposed in Patna, while four each will be established in Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and Bhagalpur.
Five Of Family Killed, Five Others Injured After Massive Fire Breaks Out In Bihar's Muzaffarpur
A fire in Bihar's Muzaffarpur killed five members of a family. Five others were seriously injured. Police suspect a short circuit as the cause. Investigation continues.
Five of family killed, 5 others seriously injured in fire in Bihar's Muzaffarpur
Tragedy struck Muzaffarpur, Bihar, as a devastating fire claimed five lives from a single family. The blaze, suspected to be from a short circuit, engulfed a house in Motipur locality late at night. Five other family members sustained severe burn injuries and are receiving medical attention. Firefighters battled the flames to bring the situation under control.
Five of family dead, five others injured in Muzaffarpur fire; short circuit suspected as cause
MUZAFFARPUR: At least five people died on the spot after a fire broke out in Muzaffarpur's Motipur Nagar Parishad area on Friday night, officials said. According to Kumar Raghvendra Raghav, Chairman of Motipur Nagar Parishad, five others sustained injuries in the incident and are currently undergoing treatment at Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH). Operations to douse the blaze are still underway. Preliminary reports indicate that a short circuit could be the likely cause of the fire. A heartbreaking incident took place early this morning on Neta Road in Ward No. 13 of Motipur Nagar Parishad. In this, five members of the same family were burnt to death, and five others were seriously injured. They are undergoing treatment at SKMCH. This is a very major incident. We pay tribute to the deceased and pray for the recovery of those who are being treated. The fire brigade is still working here, and efforts to extinguish the fire are ongoing. At first glance, it seems that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit, Kumar Raghvendra Raghav told ANI . Officials stated that firefighting teams were rushed to the site immediately after the incident.
NDAs Makhana move makes inroads into fishermen vote banks
NEW DELHI: The announcement to establish a Makhana Board, along with substantial subsidies for its production, turned out to be a successful gamble for the NDA in the Bihar elections. By emphasising the benefits of this initiative, the NDA routed out the Opposition alliance INDIA in the Assembly seats of the makhana growing belt, which includes Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Supaul, Samastipur, Purnia, Saharsa, Khagaria, and Supaul districts. The region is home to over five lakh families from the fishermen community, who are heavily involved in makhana production, and they overwhelmingly supported the NDA. According to the Bihar caste-based census of 2023, the Mallah community (fishermen/boatmen, also known as Nishad) constitutes 2.6% of Bihars population. Given that Bihars total population is approximately 13.07 crore (130.7 million), this translates to around 3.4 million people. Interestingly, the Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP), which represents the fishermen community and joined the opposition alliance INDIA, failed to garner their votes. The Centre has announced a setting up of National Makhana Board with a budget package of Rs 475 crore for the fiscal year 2025-26, although it has yet to be established. The state contributes to 90% of the total makhana production in the country. Additionally, the Bihar government has launched a seed scheme (202527) aimed at introducing improved makhana varieties with a 75% subsidy.
Muzaffarpur Election Result 2025 Highlights: BJP-Congress rivalry dominates; NDA leads in projection
LJP claims SC man murdered by RJD for voting against them
Patna: The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) on Monday accused RJD supporters of murdering a scheduled caste man for not voting for their party in the Bihar assembly election, and claimed that it is proof that they want to bring back jungle raj. While the man, identified as Shankar Paswan, was killed in Muzaffarpur district, 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 .
PhysicsWallah remains bullish on online edu; bets big on offline expansion: Co-founder Alakh Pandey
NEW DELHI, Nov 9 : Edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah, which remains bullish on the online medium of education, is also betting big on its offline expansion by opening new learning centres in cities where demand is high, its co-founder and CEO Alakh Pandey said. The company plans to set up centres in several new locations, including Muzaffarpur (Bihar), Dhanbad (Jharkhand), Akola and Latur (Maharashtra), Rajkot (Gujarat), Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), Bhatinda (Punjab), Jorhat (Assam), and Chennai (Tamil Nadu), according to the draft [] The post PhysicsWallah remains bullish on online edu; bets big on offline expansion: Co-founder Alakh Pandey appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
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
Bihar Polls Phase 1: EC says final turnout at 65.08%, highest in states history
Bihar has made headlines with an unprecedented voter turnout in the initial phase of the assembly elections, where more than 65% of eligible citizens exercised their democratic right. This figure reflects a promising rise compared to past elections, especially with a notable spike in women's involvement. Districts such as Muzaffarpur and Samastipur outshone others, showcasing stellar turnout rates above 70%.
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 Election: Phase 1 Voter Turnout Stands at 60.13% Till 5 PM
Among the 18 districts, Begusarai recorded the highest turnout of 67.32 per cent, followed by Gopalganj at 64.96 per cent and Muzaffarpur at 64.63 per cent
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.
Amit Shah: RJD Will Create Ministries of Crime if Elected
At rallies in Muzaffarpur and Vaishali, the home minister warned against the return of jungle raj and promised a flood-free Bihar under the NDA
Ministries for Murder, Kidnapping, Extortion: Amit Shah Targets Lalus Son in Bihar Rally
Muzaffarpur, Nov 2: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched a scathing attack on RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and his family, alleging that if Lalus son Tejashwi Yadav came to power, Bihar would see the creation of three ministries for murder, kidnapping, and extortion. Addressing a poll rally in Muzaffarpur, Shah urged people [] The post Ministries for Murder, Kidnapping, Extortion: Amit Shah Targets Lalus Son in Bihar Rally appeared first on Northlines .
Bihar To See 3 New Portfolios For Murder, Kidnapping, Extortion If Lalus Son Voted To Power: Shah
Muzaffarpur, Nov 2: Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday unleashed a no-holds-barred attack on the family of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, alleging that if his son is voted to power, Bihar will see creation of three ministries for murder, kidnapping and extortion. On the other hand, if the NDA retains power, Bihar will be made flood-free, he claimed, while addressing a rally in Muzaffarpur. He urged people to vote for the NDA to check the recurrence of jungle raj witnessed [] The post Bihar To See 3 New Portfolios For Murder, Kidnapping, Extortion If Lalus Son Voted To Power: Shah appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Watch: Vote NDA to stop RJDs Jungle Raj - Amit Shah in Muzaffarpur
BJP lodges complaint with Bihar CEO against Rahul Gandhi over Bharat Natyam jibe at PM Modi
The BJP on Thursday filed a formal complaint with the Chief Election Officer (CEO) of Bihar against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of making derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent campaign rallies. The complaint, submitted by Bindhyachal Rai, convenor of the partys Election Commission Coordination Department, alleged that Gandhis comments mocked and insulted the dignity of the Prime Ministers office, violating the Model Code of Conduct and the Representation of the People Act, 1951. At rallies in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga on Wednesday, Gandhi had said, Narendra Modi is ready to enact all types of drama. You try telling him at a poll rally that, Mr Prime Minister, we will vote for you if you dance. He will readily perform Bharat Natyam. Calling the remarks personal and demeaning, the BJP urged the Election Commission to issue a show-cause notice to Gandhi, direct him to offer an unconditional public apology, and bar him from campaigning for a specific period to preserve the sanctity of democratic and electoral decorum. The party also accused the Congress leader of attempting to malign Modis image for political gain, describing it as a corrupt electoral practice. Earlier in the day, Union Minister Annapurna Devi accused Gandhi of hurting religious sentiments by allegedly mocking Chhath Puja. She referred to his remarks that Modi had planned to take a dip in the Yamuna during the festival but cancelled it after discovering that a clean-water puddle had been arranged because the river was polluted. Women of Purvanchal who observe the festival with a 36-hour nirjala fast are aggrieved by his comments, Annapurna Devi said. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also slammed Gandhi for his remarks targeting the Prime Minister, saying his comments had left even good leaders in the Congress embarrassed. The Congress party has suffered due to the comments of Rahul Gandhi. The good people in Congress too are embarrassed by his comments. No leader can speak in such a language, Rijiju said on the sidelines of the third national conference on the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA). He added that the people of India would never bring the Congress back to power if Gandhi continued to speak in such a manner. Every time Rahul Gandhi opens his mouth, the party faces losses. The nation is progressing, but the Congress continues to face setbacks, the senior BJP leader remarked. Responding to the development, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera retorted: It is an irony that the Prime Minister, who uses terms like 'mujra' while targeting his opponents, has a problem with the word 'dance'. Khera was alluding to the May 25 comment of Modi. While addressing a rally in Bihar, the PM had said, I will foil the plans of the INDIA bloc to rob the SCs, STs and OBC of their rights and divert those to Muslims. They may remain enslaved and perform mujra to please their vote bank. Talking to reporters in Patna, Khera claimed that the BJP has no agenda and no report card to put before the public. Earlier in the day, Union Minister Annapurna Devi had alleged that Rahul Gandhi was maligning the sanctity of Chhath puja by terming it a drama. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who was on a two-day campaign tour of Bihar, on Wednesday said Rahul Gandhi's remark on Chhath puja as an insult to the faith of devotees . In a post on X, the chief minister said Gandhis remarks reflected political immaturity and amounted to a gross insult to the faith of millions of Chhath devotees. His comment on Chhath and ridicule directed at Mother Yamuna clearly show that his thoughts are so much distanced from Indian culture, Sanatan tradition, and folk beliefs, she said. Gupta added that under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, the Delhi government had ensured a remarkable confluence of faith and cleanliness at Yamuna ghats during Chhath celebrations, unlike in previous years when devotees were forced to worship amidst foam and filth. She said the BJPs commitment to faith and cleanliness stood in sharp contrast to Congresss negative politics. Calling Gandhis remarks on Modi derogatory and a reflection of political bankruptcy, the chief minister said the Congress had no agenda for Bihar and was resorting to personal accusations for cheap popularity. (With inputs from PTI)
PM Modi Slams Congress for Insulting Chhath Puja | Bihar Elections 2025 | #plainspeak | News18
In a fiery rally in Muzaffarpur, PM Narendra Modi strongly condemned Congress and the Mahagathbandhan for insulting the revered Chhath Puja, a festival celebrated far beyond Bihar and known worldwide. Modi called out Rahul Gandhis comment labeling the festival as drama, calling it an insult to Bihar's faith, culture, and the devotion of millions of women observing the demanding fast. He accused the opposition of disrespecting the sentiments of Biharis and vowed that such disrespect would not be tolerated. n18oc_india News18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube
RJD and Congress can never develop Bihar: PM Modi in Muzaffarpur rally
Mr. Modi claims that around 35,000 to 40,000 kidnappings had taken place during the RJDs regime
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress and RJD in Muzaffarpur, accusing them of insulting the Chhath Puja festival for votes. He contrasted his government's efforts to honor the festival with their alleged mockery, calling their alliance unnatural and driven by a hunger for power.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday targeted the RJD-Congress alliance, calling it like water and oil, alleging deep internal rifts between the Mahagathbandhan partners. Addressing an election rally in Bihars Muzaffarpur, Modi claimed surveys showed the opposition alliance was headed for a humiliating defeat and accused it of making desperate and unrealistic promises. The biggest news in this election is not that abuses are being hurled at me. The biggest news is the infighting between Congress and the RJD. Both parties are pulling each other down despite being allies. The greed for power is the only thing that has brought them together, he alleged. Modi also claimed that Congress and RJD leaders were insulting 'Chhathi Maiyya' to get votes in the Bihar elections, and the people of the state will not forgive them for centuries. The women who observe such a long fast without water... The women who stand in the Ganga Ji and offer arghya to Surya Dev. In the eyes of RJD-Congress, they are doing a drama. Will the mothers and sisters of Bihar tolerate this insult to Chhathi Maiya? I know that no person from Bihar can forget this insult to Chhathi Maiya... he said. The statement came a day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the PM had tried to enact a drama by planning to take a dip in the Yamuna at Delhi on the occasion of Chhath Puja. The prime minister added that efforts were underway to secure a UNESCO heritage tag for the Chhath festival. It is my first tour of Bihar after Chhath Puja, which is now famous world over. The festival stands not just for devotion but also for equality, a reason why my government is trying to get a UNESCO heritage tag for this festival, he said. But while this son of yours is busy ensuring that Chhath gets the honour that is its due, the Congress-RJD people are heaping scorn on the festival, calling it a drama, a nautanki, said Modi, without mentioning any leader by name. Meanwhile, Modi targeted Rahul and Tejashwi Yadav, calling them Yuvraajs of corruption and alleging that the RJD and Congress had joined hands to grab power at any cost so they could loot Bihar. Terming his opponents as aamdar (people with a pedigree), the PM said, They cannot stomach the fact that a backward class leader, who used to sell tea, has attained such heights. They need to know I do not owe my achievements to their benediction but to the blessings of the people and the Constitution framed by Babasaheb Ambedkar. In Bihars electoral battle, there is now a pair of Yuvraajs who consider themselves Yuvraajs. They have opened shops of false promises. One is the Yuvraaj of Indias most corrupt family, and the other is the Yuvraaj of Bihars most corrupt family. Both of them are out on bail in scams worth thousands of crores of rupees... These two have been hurling abuses at Modi nonstop. But what else can we expect? Those who are 'Naamdaar' will obviously insult a 'Kkaamdar'. For these naamdaars, their meals dont digest until theyve cursed a kaamdar, Modi added. Modi intensified his attack on the RJD, reviving his jungle raj charge and accusing the party of fostering lawlessness and corruption in Bihar. He said the RJD-Congress alliance could be identified by five things katta, kroorta, katuta, kushasan and corruption. RJD-Congress can be identified by five things. What have the RJD-Congress done? I will tell you about these five words Katta, Kroorta, Katuta, Kushasan, and Corruption... Where there is 'katta', where cruelty reigns, there the law breaks down, he said. Modi further claimed that nearly 35,00040,000 kidnappings took place during the RJDs rule. During the RJDs rule, nearly 3540 thousand kidnappings took place. Todays youth can hardly imagine how terrifying that situation was. The crying and distressed parents made no difference to the RJD then, and even today, they have no concern for your happiness or sorrow, he said. Alleging that RJD goons used to loot vehicle showrooms during its rule, Modi said, During the jungle raj, even car dealerships and vehicle showrooms were forced to shut down, not because there was no business potential, but because RJD leaders, along with their gangs, would loot the showrooms, steal the vehicles, and terrorise the owners. Because of the misdeeds of RJD and Congress, lakhs of young people were left unemployed and forced to migrate in search of livelihood. When we recall those days of jungle raj, we realise how dangerous the situation truly was, the prime minister added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took jabs at the 'misgovernance' of the Opposition party during the election rally in Muzaffarpur. He described the rule of Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress party in Bihar, in five words, stating Katta, Kroorta, Katuta, Kushasan and Corruption.
LIVE | PM Modi tears into Tejashwi, Rahul at Muzaffarpur rally; says 'Jungle Raj wont return'
In No-Holds-Barred Attack, Rahul Alleges PM Can Do Anything For Votes
MUZAFFARPUR/DARBHANGA, Oct 29: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday unleashed a no-holds-barred attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of doing anything for votes and alleging that the BJP was running the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar through remote control. Gandhi made the statements, kicking off his assembly poll campaign in the state by holding back-to-back rallies in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga. Addressing joint rallies alongside the INDIA blocs CM face Tejashwi Yadav, You must have seen the drama on [] The post In No-Holds-Barred Attack, Rahul Alleges PM Can Do Anything For Votes appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
The INDIA bloc's chief ministerial candidate and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, on Wednesday, promised that cooking gas cylinders would be made available for Rs 500 if the opposition alliance came to power in Bihar. Speaking at a rally in Muzaffarpur, where he shared the stage with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi said, Gas cylinders will be available for Rs 500 if Tejashwi forms the next government. Taking a jibe at the Nitish Kumar led NDA government, Tejashwi reiterated his allegation that the JDU leader is being made a puppet by the BJP who has been running the state hrough remote control. But, we Biharis must drive out the government which is being controlled by outsiders ( baahari ), who seek votes in Bihar but care for setting up factories only in Gujarat, he said. The RJD leader, who has been campaigning in a T-shirt, in an obvious bid to underscore his youthful appeal, in contrast with CM Kumar, who is in his mid-70s, also made the crowds chant slogans in favour of 'yuva ki sarkaar.' Tejashwi also claimed that the slew of populist measures taken in the recent past by the NDA government in the state had been a copy of whatever he had promised earlier. Citing an example, Yadav said, We had promised 200 units of free electricity. Those in power got scared that this would resonate with voters. So, they made 125 units free. The RJD leader also sought to draw a contrast between his women-centric promises like 'Mai Bahin Yojana', which proposes a monthly stipend of Rs 2,500, and the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana' recently launched by the Nitish Kumar government, as part of which Rs 10,000 have been transferred into accounts of over 1 crore women. We are promising assistance. What the government has offered is money given on credit, which they will seek to recover with interest, claimed Yadav. The RJD leader's posturing may be seen as an attempt to wean away a section of women voters of the state, who have been said to be more inclined towards the NDA. He also reiterated his promise of ensuring that one member of each household in the state had a government job, saying people's aspirations were set to soar, like a ball hit for a six. Naukri milega pakka. Ummedon kaa lagega chhakka, said Yadav, evoking wild applause from the crowds. Apparently mindful of the taints of corruption on his family and allegations of 'jungle raj' levelled by the NDA on the RJD rule, Yadav vowed to adopt an uncompromising stance on the two scourges. (With inputs from PTI)
BIHAR (Sakara) Arriving late but greeted by roaring crowds, Rahul Gandhi captured the hearts of a mostly youthful audience waving Congress and RJD flags amid the shimmering rain. Launching his first election rally in Bihars Muzaffarpur after weeks of silence over the Mahagathbandhans seat-sharing dispute, the Congress leader chose Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the prime target of his attack. As politics often springs surprises especially in Bihar, where history has witnessed many Rahul Gandhi intriguingly spared Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the expected NDA chief ministerial face, from his direct attack. This move took even Congress and RJD supporters by surprise. Equally notable was that Rahul, despite being part of the Mahagathbandhan, did not frequently mention Tejashwi Yadav in his address, keeping his focus largely on Modi. Arriving late by helicopter, Rahul shared the stage with the Mahagathbandhans CM face Tejashwi Yadav for the first time at an election rally. Opening his speech, he asked the crowd, How is the mood? The audience responded enthusiastically, shouting, Josh is high, badlo sarkar! From there, Rahul launched a series of blistering attacks on Prime Minister Modi at Muzaffarpurs Sakra Assembly seat, which is reserved for Scheduled Castes. Ask Modi ji to come on stage and dance he will dance before the election, Rahul told the crowd. But after the election, he will disappear. You will find him only at Ambanis wedding. He also criticised the Delhi governments Chhath preparations, calling them part of Modis drama. Modi ji has nothing to do with Chhath or with Bihari people; he only puts on a show, Rahul asserted, mocking the Prime Ministers claims about providing cheap internet data. He gave cheap data, but gave profits to Ambani, he taunted, adding that the Mahagathbandhan government would create a new Bihar. However, this remark didnt elicit much applause. Many young listeners were heard saying, Whose company gives data doesnt matter what matters is that we get it cheaply. Amid the pouring rain a result of the approaching cyclone at a venue located in a densely populated Muslim and Scheduled Caste area, Rahul Gandhi continued lashing out at the Prime Minister, accusing him of attacking the Constitution. Whatever rights you enjoy today come from the Constitution, he said. But that Constitution is under attack by the BJP and RSS. Modi ji is stealing elections he stole them in Maharashtra and Haryana, and now hes trying in Bihar. Be cautious, Rahul warned. He also described the BJP as being against social justice. Using the acronym SIR, Rahul said it stood for chunav chori. He further alleged that land in Mumbais Dharavi where many people from Bihar run small businesses had been handed over to a billionaire. Criticising Modi over GST and demonetisation, he claimed both had destroyed small businesses. The Mahagathbandhan, he said, wanted everything to be Made in Bihar, not Made in China. Continuing his fierce attack, Rahul reiterated that Modi and the BJP were anti-poor and opposed to social justice. Modi ji wants to end elections; hes in the business of vote chori. But the people of Bihar are wise and understand everyones intentions in politics, he declared. He assured the crowd that if the Mahagathbandhan formed the government, it would be inclusive and representative of all religions. It will take time, but our vision is to make Bihar a global centre, he promised, adding that the people of Bihar possess exceptional intelligence. Rahul Gandhi also accused the Nitish Kumar-led government of being remotely controlled by the BJP. The BJP is using Nitish Kumars face but running the government from behind the scenes, he said, concluding that during his yatra, people had clearly expressed their strong desire for change in Bihar.
LIVE| Rahul Gandhi kicks off Bihar campaign from Muzaffarpur, joins Tejashwi Yadav in public meet
Bihar polls: INDIA bloc to release election manifesto in Patna today, Rahul likely to skip event
PATNA: The INDIA bloc will release its joint election manifesto for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections on Tuesday evening. The event is expected to see leaders of all the parties who are contesting the elections together. After bitterness over seat-sharing issues, the release of a joint manifesto will come as a boost to the INDIA bloc partners. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, however, will not be present at the event as he is expected to address public rallies in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga on Wednesday. Opposition chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Prasad Yadav said that the election manifesto will present a blueprint of a five-year plan if the opposition alliance is voted to power after the election. It will focus on unemployment, inflation, migration, education, and farmers issues. Taking a swipe at the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Tejashwi said, We have declared the CM candidate, but what about the NDA? They have so far not declared their CM face nor have talked about their vision for Bihars development. He slammed NDA for talking only about negative things. People are in a mood to change the 20-year-old khatara (rotten) government. We have already launched the election campaign. Even today, we have to address rallies at several places, he added. During his recent rallies in Muslim dominated Katihar and Kishanganj, RJD leader claimed that the Waqf (Amendment) Act would be repealed if the opposition was voted to power. The Waqf (Amendment) Act will be thrown into dustbin if the INDIA bloc is voted to power, he said. Soon after the release of the manifesto, senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sonia Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge, are scheduled to address various rallies in the state. The dates of AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadras rallies in Bihar have been changed, and these will now take place on October 30 and November 1. Earlier, it was due to begin on October 28, coinciding with the manifesto release. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is likely to kickstart her election campaign from Bachhwara in Begusrai on October 30. For the NDA, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed public rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai last week. He will visit the state again on October 30. The prime minister is expected to attend a road show in Patna as well. Both the Congress and the BJP have released their list of star campaigners for the election. The first phase of polling will be held on November 6 and the second phase on November 11. The election results will be declared on November 14.
Bihar Assembly election LIVE: INDIA bloc to release poll manifesto today
Congress leader and LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will join the election campaign in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga districts on October 29
Rahul to kick off campaign in Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga
NEW DELHI: As Bihar braces for the state Assembly polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will kick off his campaign on Wednesday with rallies in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga districts. The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha is expected to be joined by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, the chief ministerial candidate of the INDIA bloc. Sources says the grand alliance will release a common manifesto on October 28. This come days after a press conference in which Tejashwi was announced as the chief ministerial candidate after days of internal feud over the sharing of seats. Gandhis first rally will be held at the reserved constituency of Sakra in Muzaffarpur, where the party has fielded Umesh Ram, the runner-up in the 2020 polls. Alliance partners, CPI(ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya and VIP chief Mukesh Sahani may also be in attendance. Later, Gandhi will address another rally in the adjoining Darbhanga district in support of the INDIA bloc candidate, RJDs Lalit Rai. This would be Gandhis visit to the poll-bound state after the conclusion of the Voter Adhikar Yatra on September 1.
INDIA bloc to release poll manifesto on October 28; Rahul to join campaign
Rahul Gandhi to hold his first election campaign in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga on October 29; Tejashwi slams the Central government and accuses it of telling lies about running special trains during Chhath
Bihar: Rahul Gandhi to Hold Rallies in Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga on Oct 29
Gandhi's first rally will be at the reserved constituency of Sakra in Muzaffarpur, where the party has fielded Umesh Ram, the runner-up of the 2020 polls, said a statement issued by Rajesh Rathore, the chairperson of the state Congress media cell, on Monday.
JD(U) expels 16 rebels, including sitting MLA, two former MLAs, ahead of Bihar Assembly polls
PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) initiated disciplinary action against its 16 rebel leaders ahead of state assembly elections. A sitting MLA and two former MLAs are among the leaders who have been expelled from the party. Most of the leaders are contesting the election against candidates of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), of which JD(U) is a part of. The suspended leaders have been accused of being involved in anti-party activities and violating the partys ideology. Prominent among those who have been expelled are Gopalpur MLA Narendra Niraj alias Gopal Mandal, former MLC Sanjeev Shyam Singh and former minister Hemraj Singh. Gopal Mandal staged a dharna outside the chief ministers residence in Patna after he learned that the party was planning to drop him from the seat. He became more vocal after JD(U) fielded Bulo Mandal, a former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader from Gopalpur. Later, Gopal Mandal filed his nomination as an Independent candidate from the same seat. After filing his nomination, Gopal appealed to the electorate to vote for him as he was a true follower of JD(U) ideology. Gopal Mandal also expressed his faith in Nitish Kumars leadership. However, it did not cut ice. JD(U) expels 11 leaders for anti-party activities in poll-bound Bihar Bulo Mandal filed his nomination from the Gopalpur seat. I have already launched my election campaign, said Bulo Mandal. Sanjeev Shyam Singh is fighting from the Gurua assembly seat in Gaya district as a candidate of Jan Suraaj Party. Similarly, Hemraj Singh is contesting the election from Katihar in the Seemanchal region as an Independent candidate. Two other MLAs against whom disciplinary action has been initiated areMaheshwar Prasad Yadav and his aide Prabhat Kiran. Both the leaders had criticised the JD(U) top leadership over the distribution of tickets in the upcoming assembly elections. Yadav, a former MLA, came out in the open against Komal Singh, who has been fielded from the Gaighat seat in Muzaffarpur district. The expulsions were announced in two separate communications issued, one on late Saturday and the other on Sunday. Earlier on Saturday, JD(U) expelled 11 leaders, including former minister Shailesh Kumar. Others include Sanjay Singh, former MLC, Shyam Bahadur Singh, former MLA, Ranvijay Singh, former MLC, MLA Sudarshan Kumar, Ashma Parveen, Amar Kumar Singh Luv Kumar, Divyanshu Bhardwaj, Asha Suman and Vivek Shukla. Meanwhile, former MLA Jai Kumar Singh has also expressed his displeasure over the selection of candidates for the 2025 assembly elections. Jai is contesting the election from Dinara as an Independent while Sudarshan Kumar is pitted against JD(U) nominee Pushpanjay Kumar on the Barbigha seat in Sheikhpura district. Homecoming Vote: Migrant workers returning for Chhath puja could decide Bihar polls
Homecoming Vote: Migrant workers returning for Chhath puja could decide Bihar polls
NEW DELHI: With nearly 70 lakh Bihari migrant workers returning home for the Chhath festival on October 2728, just a week before the first phase of Bihar Assembly polls, political experts expect a surge in voter turnout across the state's 243 constituencies. The Assembly polls will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with counting and results scheduled for November 14. According to estimates, around 2.5 to 3.1 crore Biharis work outside the state, including 8090 lakh who migrate annually for work as labourers, masons, mechanics, and other trades. The migrant workers coming home, mostly labourers and employees working in factories, construction sites, and offices across India, are being considered a decisive voter bloc. Many of them are likely to stay back and vote, especially in districts that recorded low polling in 2020. Both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan (opposition grand alliance) are urging migrant workers to stay back and vote, portraying it as a duty to ensure a better future for Bihar. The majority of those who come (for the festival) belong to Scheduled Castes and marginalised communities whose families benefit from government welfare schemes. Their womenfolk will certainly think of the NDA, not the RJD, claimed a BJP leader. However, RJD leaders disagreed, claiming that the migrant workers facing hardship in other BJP-ruled states would not vote for the NDA in Bihar. Those who face hardship outside Bihar due to unemployment and poor development under NDA rule will never vote for the NDA, said a senior RJD functionary. Those who feel humiliated or exploited in other states are less likely to vote for parties aligned with those governments, admitted a senior NDA leader, requesting anonymity. The NDA leader, however hoped that rust in Modi and the work done by Nitish Kumar may convince the migrant workers to back the JDU-led alliance. While the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan has made joblessness a central campaign issue, the ruling NDA has highlighted job creation and social welfare to counter the attack. Both camps are actively reaching out to returning migrants through local networks, community meetings, and WhatsApp groups. Districts such as Purnia, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Saharsa, Sitamarhi, Gaya, Jehanabad, Saran, Motihari, Jamui, Nawada, and Aurangabad all major hubs of outmigration are expected to see higher participation this time. Poll analysts believe the Kosi region, plagued by recurrent floods and high migration, could witness a sharp rise in voting, with nearly half of the returnees expected to stay through election day. Similar trends are anticipated in the Tirhut and Purnia divisions, depending on migrants ability to sustain themselves economically after Chhath. Waqf Act will be thrown into dustbin if INDIA bloc voted to power in Bihar: Tejashwi Yadav JD(U) expels 11 leaders for anti-party activities in poll-bound Bihar
Rise and rise of Son of Mallah in Bihar political potboiler
PATNA: The INDIA bloc has finally yielded ground to Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani, who was on Thursday formally announced as deputy chief ministerial face of the Opposition alliance for the Bihar Assembly elections. It has been a meteoric rise for 44-year-old Sahani. Starting as a Bollywood set designer, he chose politics as his next career, formed a new party in 2018, contested 2020 Assembly elections as part of NDA and finally ended up as a hard bargainer in the 2025 state polls. Sahanis party has no MLA in the 243-member Bihar Assembly. Better known as Son of Mallah, Sahani is now with INDIA bloc comprising the RJD, Congress and three Left partiesCPI-ML, CPI, CPI(M). He comes from Mallah (fishermen) community, an EBC, which constitutes nearly 2.5% of Bihars population, as per the caste survey conducted in 2022-23. Mallahs, Sahanis and Nishads constitute nearly 9% of the states population. The VIP chief is expected to tilt their votes towards the INDIA bloc. Mallahs, a sub-caste of Nishad community, are spread across the state but have influence in certain constituencies in north Bihar, particularly Mithilanchal and Seemanchal regions. Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Supaul, Vaishali, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Kishanganj, Saharsa, Khagaria, East Champaran and West Champaran are among districts where fishermen have sizeable population. Elated over being named as INDIA blocs deputy CM face, Sahani targeted BJP, saying, BJP ko jab tak hum todenge nahi, tab tak chhodenge nahi (I will not let go until I cause a split in BJP). Sahani said that he had been waiting for the moment (being declared deputy CM face) for the last three and a half years. He narrated how his MLAs were poached by the BJP after he raised the issue of reservation for fishermen in Bihar and other states. I have not forgotten the moment when I was dropped from the Nitish cabinet, and my MLAs were poached by BJP. I had vowed then to teach BJP a lesson at an opportune time. And that time has come, he told this reporter. In the 2020 Assembly elections, four VIP candidates won. In November 2021, its Bochahan MLA Musafir Sahni died. In the by-election, the BJP fielded its candidate on the seat earlier held by VIP. Moreover, Sahanis decision to contest elections in Uttar Pradesh against the BJP strained their relationship. Barely a week before the first phase of the Assembly elections in 2020, Sahani had jumped from the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) and aligned with the BJP and JD(U). He had then accused RJD and its allies of betrayal as his party was sidelined in the seat-sharing deal. But after his bitter experience with the BJP after 2020 elections, he again aligned with RJD-Congress-led Mahagathandhan and is eyeing better performance in the Assembly polls to be held on November 6 and 11. Sahani initially demanded 25 seats and a deputy CM post but has to settle with 15 seats and deputy CM post. VIP chief likely to tip poll scales in favour of INDIA Sahanis party has no MLA in the 243-member Bihar Assembly. Better known as Son of Mallah, Sahani is now with INDIA bloc comprising the RJD, Congress and three Left partiesCPI-ML, CPI, CPI(M). He comes from Mallah (fishermen) community, an EBC, which constitutes nearly 2.5% of Bihars population, as per the caste survey conducted in 2022-23. Mallahs, Sahanis and Nishads constitute nearly 9% of the states population. The VIP chief is expected to tilt their votes towards INDIA.
Former RJD MP Anil Sahni joins BJP ahead of Bihar polls; cites injustice to EBCs
PATNA: The main Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Wednesday suffered a major setback ahead of the Bihar assembly elections after former MP Anil Sahni resigned from the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of senior leaders, including Union Minister and Bihar election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan. Sahnis name had figured in the RJDs list of 40 star campaigners for the upcoming elections. A former MLA from Kurhani assembly seat, Sahni was reportedly upset with the party leadership after his son was denied a ticket from the constituency. The RJD has fielded Babloo Kushwaha as its candidate from Kurhani in Muzaffarpur district. After joining the BJP, Sahni accused the RJD of doing injustice to people belonging to Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs). He alleged that dedicated party workers were being sidelined, while new entrants were being given tickets for the polls, leading to resentment among grassroots cadres. Sahni had contested the 2020 assembly election from Kurhani on an RJD ticket and won by defeating Kedar Prasad Gupta of the BJP. However, he was later debarred from contesting elections after being convicted in a forged air-ticket scandal probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In the 2022 bypoll, BJPs Kedar Prasad Gupta won the seat. Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal welcomed Sahni into the party, saying his induction would strengthen the BJPs support base in Muzaffarpur and adjoining districts. Former MLA Asha Devi also joined the BJP along with Sahni.
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).
With weeks ahead of the Assembly polls, Bihar Chief Minister and JDU supremo Nitish Kumar has sparked a fresh debate over his mental health after a viral video showed him insisting on garlanding a female candidate during a poll rally in Muzaffarpur's Meenapur constituency. In the video, the 75-year-old leader is seen insisting on garlanding Rama Nishad, the BJP candidate from Aurai constituency. In local Hindu traditions, a woman cannot let anyone except her husband put a garland around her neck. Nishad, who had joined the BJP last week, was seen squirming when Kumar moved towards her with the garland in his hand. JD(U) working president and Kumars close aide, Sanjay Kumar Jha, hurriedly tried to prevent the CM from creating a scene by grabbing his hand. Kumar briefly lowered it, but then suddenly garlanded the woman. Appearing irked by Sanjay Kumar Jha's attempt to stop him, the CM said on the microphone, Ee gajab aadmi hai bhai (What a strange man). Earlier, during his speech at the rally, Kumar prefixed Shri to the female candidate's name. He also mispronounced the name of JDU candidate Ajay Kushwaha. Reacting to the video, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav repeated concerns regarding the CM's mental health. Ee gajab aadmi hai bhai. If the Chief Minister is healthy, why is he behaving like this after reading a written speech? he wrote in a post on X. !!! ? #Bihar pic.twitter.com/Xhit9l37Ib Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) October 21, 2025 The RJD leader has been raising concerns regarding Kumar's health, questioning his ability to govern the state. Earlier, sharing a similar video where Kumar appears to be greeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly, Tejashwi speculated that the CM's aides might be spiking his food. Can this mental state of the Chief Minister be blamed on his close aides who may be spiking his food at the instance of alliance partner BJP?, Tejashwi Yadav asked. For quite some time, the Chief Minister has been behaving in a manner that shows he is not in the proper state of mind. He has made crude remarks about my mother Rabri Devi, a former Chief Minister, and women in general. Once he was caught on camera fooling around while the national anthem was being played in the background, he said. Clearly the Chief Minister no longer has the ability to run his government. A syndicate is calling the shots and it will be exposed soon, he charged. (With inputs from PTI)
Bihar Assembly polls: Nitish launches campaign, takes swipe at Lalu for doing nothing for women
The JD(U) president, who is seeking a record fifth consecutive term in office, was addressing his maiden election rally in Minapur constituency of Muzaffarpur district
'NDA starting election campaign with rock-solid unity,' says Bihar BJP chief Dilip Jaiswal
Jaiswal stated that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is kick-starting his election campaign from today onwards from Minapur and Kanti Assembly constituencies in Muzaffarpur, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin his election campaign on October 24 and address two public rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai.
Bihar Assembly Elections: NDA to launch campaign with Modi, Nitish rallies
On October 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is gearing up to rally support in Bihar, making stops in Begusarai and Samastipur. Meanwhile, Bihars Chief Minister Nitish Kumar kicks off his campaign on October 21 with rallies in Minapur and Kanti, Muzaffarpur.
PM Modi to launch the election campaign from Karpoorigram in Bihar
Bihar BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal said that PM would then address an election rally in Begusarai on the same day. He added that PM Modi will then visit Bihar on October 30 to address election rallies in Muzaffarpur and Chapra
He completed his primary education from the government middle school in his village, Chhitarooli, and later went on to complete his high school education from Maniyari in Muzaffarpur. Read here to know more about him.
PATNA: Former state minister and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani on Friday announced that he would not contest upcoming Bihar assembly election and focus on improving partys performance. Talking to media persons, Sahani said that he decided not to contest the election as it would divert his focus from party to the seat from where he would contest the election. If I am not in the fray, I can move across the state and mobilise support for our candidate, he added. Sahani was in Darbhanga to attend nomination filing of his brother Santosh Sahani from Gaura-Bauram assembly constituency as VIP candidate. Earlier, Mukesh Sahani was set to contest election from the same seat. But later he fielded his brother from the seat. In response to a query, he said, I have decided not to contest the election. My focus will be on ensuring victory of our candidates and strengthening partys presence everywhere in Bihar. This election is significant as it is poised to witness a change at the helm of affairs. He said that Bihar was placed on the threshold of change. Bihar Badlo chahta hai (Bihar wants change). It is palpable everywhere, VIP chief said, adding that it seems to be inevitable. When asked about going to Rajya Sabha, Sahani said that he was not interested in the Upper House and wanted to become deputy chief of Bihar. Sources said that he was offered a Rajya Sabha seat when he exerted pressure on the Opposition alliance for more number of seats to his party in the ensuing election. He said that he would work for the victory of all candidates of Grand Alliance, a part of INDIA bloc, in the Bihar elections. He, however, refused to disclose the number of seats allotted to VIP. We will work to strengthen the support base of the Opposition alliance, he added. He, however, did not miss the opportunity to stake his claim for deputy chief ministers post. VIP has fielded six candidates for the first phase of election. VIP national spokesperson Dev Jyoti said that party candidates filed their nomination papers from six assembly constituencies on the last date of filing of nomination on Friday. He said that Bhogendra Sahni has been fielded from Aurai assembly seat in Muzaffarpur seat. Santosh Sahani and Rakesh Kumar filed their nominations from Gauri-Bauram and Paroo assembly seats. Similarly, Umesh Sahani, Ganesh Bharti and Navin Nishad filed nominations from Darbhanga Town, Kusheshwarsthan and Alamnagar seats, respectively. Dev Jyoti said that the names of party candidates for assembly constituencies going to polls in the second phase would be announced later.
Congress releases first list of 48 candidates for Bihar assembly polls
PATNA: After much hiccups, the Congress finally released its first official list of 48 candidates for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections to be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The list of candidates has been released by K C Venugopal, general secretary of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC), late on Thursday. The party has given tickets to five women and four Muslim candidates in the first official announcement of its candidates. It has retained 11 sitting MLAs, which includes Bhagalpur, Kadwa, Manihari, Muzaffarpur, Rajapakar, Buxar, Rajpur, Kutumba, Kargahar, Hisua and Aurangabad. Congress and RJD leaders were in constant deliberations over some seats, including Kahalgaon, Vaishali and Narkatiaganj seats. The deadlock over seat-sharing among the INDIA bloc partners may have finally been broken hours after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge took matters into their own hands and talked to Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad over the phone on Thursday. The party had, a day before, started releasing the names of some candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar on the official handle of its Bihar unit. Congress had also posted photos of the candidates receiving their nomination certificates. This comes even as the seat-sharing arrangement between the Mahagathbandhan allies has not been officially finalised yet. According to the list, Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram and Congress legislature party leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan will contest from Kutumba and Korha (reserved) assembly constituencies respectively. In addition, Pratima Kumari has been fielded from Rajapakar (reserved), Shiv Prakash Garib Das from Bachhwara, Amita Bhushan from Begusarai and Braj Kishore Ravi from Rosera assembly constituencies. Similarly, Umesh Ram has been fielded from Sakra (reserved) constituency, Bijendra Choudhary from Muzaffarpur, Pratima Kumari from Rajapakar, Savita Kumari from Sonbarsa (reserved), and Punam Paswan from Korha assembly seat. Dr Chandan Yadav will be in the poll fray from Khagaria. Shyam Bihari Prasad will contest from Raxaul, Shashi Bhushan Rai from Govindganj and Wasi Ahmad from Bettiah. Amit Kumar Singh Tunna will fight from Riga, Navin Kumar from Bathnaha, Jayesh Mangal Singh from Bagaha, Amit Giri from Nautan, Abhishek Ranjan from Chanpatia, Nitu Kumari from Hisua, Awadhesh kumar Singh from Wazirganj, Anand Shanker Singh from Aurangabad, Santosh Mishra from Kargahar, and Mangal Ram from Chenari (reserved) seats. pic.twitter.com/io0WmcA5sG Congress (@INCIndia) October 16, 2025
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
Bihar elections: Congress begins allotting party symbols, BJP completes list of its 101 candidates
PATNA: With barely two days left for filing nomination papers for the first phase of the Bihar assembly elections , political activities have intensified in the state. Congress, a major ally of the Opposition INDIA bloc, has started allotting party symbols to its candidates even as a seat-sharing deal is yet to be formally announced. Congress released its list of 17 candidates , posting the announcement on its official X handle even as seat-sharing arrangements within INDIA bloc remained unresolved. The party has fielded Anand Shanker Singh from Aurangabad, Pratima Das from Rajapakar, Shiv Prakash Garib Das from Bachhawara and Kaushalendra Kumar (Chhote Mukhiya) from Nalanda. Similarly, Om Prakash Garg will contest election from Gopalganj, Jitendra Singh from Amarpur, Amita Bhushan from Begusarai, Lalan Kumar from Sultanganj, Rajesh Kumar from Kutumba, Shashi Sekhar from Warsaliganj, Trishuldhari Singh from Barbigha, Vijendra Choudhary from Muzaffarpur. In addition, Shashi Bhushan Rai has been fielded from Govindganj, Anil Kumar from Bikram, and B K Ravi from Rosera assembly seats. Sources said that more names would be cleared after consultation with leaders of the INDIA bloc. The Congress Central Election Committee (CCEC) had approved candidates for 43 seats. The sub-committee, headed by Ajay Makan, is said to have cleared the names of eight more candidates on Wednesday. BJP releases first list of 71 candidates for Bihar Assembly elections In the ruling NDA camp, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released names of all 101 candidates. The third list of 18 candidates were released late on Wednesday. According to the list, Bina Devi will contest from Kochadhaman, Sangita Kumari from Mohania, Sanjay Pandey from Narkatiaganj, Satish Kumar Yadav from Raghopur and Bharat Bind from Bhabua. Murari Paswan will join the fray from Pirpainti and Ashok Kumar Singh from Ramgarh. Earlier the party has released second list of 12 candidates, including folk singer Maithili Thakur from Alinagar and former IPS officer Anand Mishra from Buxar. With this, the BJP has announced candidates for all 101 seats. NDAs ally--Janata Dal (United) has released its first list of 57 candidates. Senior leaders like Umesh Kushwaha and Vijendra Prasad Yadav have already filed their nominations from the Mahnar and Supaul seats. Vijay Kumar Chaudhary is expected to file his nomination papers from Sarairanjan on Thursday. Under the seat-sharing pact within NDA, BJP and JD(U) will contest 101 seats each, LJP(RV) 29, HAM and RLM six seats each. Bihar assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The counting of votes will take place on November 14. The total number of voters stands at 7.42 crore, down from 7.89 crore in June this year. BJP conspiring to impose President's rule in Bihar after assembly elections, claims RJD leader Tejashwi
Congress starts announcing Bihar poll candidates amid seat-sharing deadlock
The Congress party late Wednesday night unilaterally began announcing its candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, even as negotiations with its key Mahagathbandhan ally, the RJD, remain unresolved. The party's Bihar unit began revealing its nominees via its official X handle, bypassing a traditional official list and instead posting photos of candidates receiving their nomination certificates. The initial list announced on social media includes several prominent and key constituency candidates: Rajesh Ram, the Bihar Congress state president, has been fielded from the Kutumba assembly constituency. Shashi Shekhar Singh is set to contest from the Wazirganj seat. Kaushlendra Kumar, alias Chhote Mukhiya, was named the INDIA bloc candidate for Nalanda. The party fielded Trishuldhari Singh from Barbeegha and Pratima Das from Rajapakad. Bihar Youth Congress state president Prakash Garib Das will contest from Bachhwada. Other notable candidates include Vijendra Chaudhary (Muzaffarpur), Om Parkash Garg (Gopalganj), Amita Bhushan (Begusarai), and Anand Shekhar Singh (Aurangabad). The Congress leadership is currently locked in talks with the RJD-led alliance partners, having previously insisted on a higher number of seats (reportedly aiming for over 60) than the RJD has been willing to allocate. The development comes as RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav filed his nomination from Raghopur assembly seat on Wednesday. The last date for filing nominations for the first phase of polls is October 17, while that for the second phase is October 20. State Congress President Rajesh Ram, after receiving his certificate, publicly thanked the party leadership for fielding him from Kutumba. , , pic.twitter.com/KudMFQLnhv Rajesh Ram (@rajeshkrinc) October 15, 2025
Congress starts announcing candidates for Bihar polls before finalising seat-sharing deal
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday night started announcing its candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections even before finalising the seat-sharing arrangement with its Mahagathbandhan allies. According to the announcement being made by the X handle of the party's Bihar unit, its state president Rajesh Ram is contesting from the Kutumba assembly constituency. The party started announcing the names of candidates on X without releasing an official list of nominees. Along with the announcements, it posted photos of nominees being handed over party nomination certificates. The Congress leadership is in talks with its alliance partners, including the RJD, but the seat-sharing arrangement has neither been finalised nor announced. The development comes as RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav filed his nomination from Raghopur assembly seat on Wednesday. The last date for filing nominations for the first phase of polls is October 17, while that for the second phase is October 20. Rajesh Ram thanked the Congress leadership for fielding him from the Kutumba seat. The Bihar Congress congratulated Ram and others for their nomination. - INDIA B. K. Ravi ! INDIA pic.twitter.com/PUq2msnIL2 Bihar Congress (@INCBihar) October 15, 2025 According to the announcements, Shashi Shekhar Singh will contest the election from the Wazjirganj seat. Kaushlendra Kumar, alias Chhote Mukhiya, will be the INDIA bloc candidate from the Nalanda seat. From the Barbeegha seat, the party fielded Trishuldhari Singh and Pratima Das from the Rajapakad seat. Shashi Bhushan Rai, alias Gappu Rai, has been fielded by the Congress from the Govindganj seat, while Vijendra Chaudhary will contest the Muzaffarpur seat. Om Parkash Garg will contest the Gopalganj seat, and Jitendra Singh from the Amarpur assembly seat. Amita Bhushan has been fielded by the Congress from the Begusarai seat, while Lallan Kumar will contest the Sultanganj seat. In the Rosda assembly constituency, the Congress has fielded B K Ravi as INDIA block candidate. Bihar Youth Congress state president Prakash Garib Das will contest the Bachhwada seat, while Anand Shekhar Singh will be the Congress candidate from the Aurangabad assembly seat. Bihar assembly polls are slated in two phases on November 6 and 11, and the counting of votes will take place on November 14.
Bihar polls: BJP releases second list of 12 candidates, fields singer Maithili Thakur from Alinagar
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Wednesday released its second list of 12 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls, fielding singer Maithili Thakur from Alinagar seat and former IPS officer Anand Mishra from Buxar. According to the list, Ram Chandra Prasad will contest from Hayaghat seat, while Chhoti Kumari and Rakesh Ojha from Chhapra and Shahpur, respectively. Birendra Kumar and Mahesh Paswan will fight the polls from Rosera and Agiaon seats, reserved for the Scheduled Castes. According to the list, Ranjan Kumar will contest from Muzaffarpur and Subhash Singh from Gopalganj seat. Elections to the 243-member assembly will be held in two phases, on November 6 and 11. The votes will be counted on November 14. Feeling deceived by BJP, NDA ally SBSP names 48 candidates for first phase of Bihar polls
Uncertainty grips NDA, INDIA bloc over seat-sharing as nomination process begins in Bihar
NEW DELHI: Although the nomination process for 121 seats in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections began on Friday, ahead of polling on November 6, both the JD(U)-led NDA and the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan are yet to finalise seat-sharing arrangements within their alliances and the announcement of candidate lists. The situation highlights how forming and managing pre-poll alliances in Bihar has become increasingly difficult, driven by shifting political equations and competing ambitions. Sources within the BJP indicate that the NDAs internal seat-sharing arrangement is likely to be finalised within a day or two, after which the party plans to release its first list of candidates. The JD(U), another key NDA ally, is also expected to announce its candidate list soon, according to party insiders. Meanwhile, Union Minister Chirag Paswans Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is reportedly demanding 45 seats, while the NDA has offered between 20 and 22. As negotiations continued on Friday, BJP Bihar in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan arrived in Patna to finalise the seat-sharing arrangement and prepare a fresh list of candidates. Nomination begins for first phase of Bihar polls; seat-sharing talks intensify in NDA, INDIA bloc It is speculated that the NDA may soon reach an agreement, with the BJP likely to contest around 101102 seats, JD(U) 102103, LJP (RV) 2325, and LJP 2023, while both HAM and RLM may be allotted 7 seats each. Amid the ongoing uncertainty with the two main alliances, Prashant Kishors newly formed political outfit, Jan Suraaj, took the lead on Thursday by announcing a list of 51 candidates. In Delhi, senior Bihar BJP leader and MoS for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai met Chirag Paswan for the second consecutive day, saying that the talk moved in a positive direction. The ongoing confusion within both the ruling and opposition camps is being linked to rising regional political aspirations, particularly among smaller parties that depend heavily on caste-based support. Local political analysts say these ambitions continue to complicate alliance politics in Bihar. The first phase of polling will cover key districts including Patna, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Saharsa, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Sheikhpura, Nalanda, Buxar, and Bhojpur.
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
Congress slams poll panel over '247 voters in one household' report
The Congress party questioned CEC Gyanesh Kumar regarding significant electoral roll discrepancies in Bihar. Citing media reports, the party highlighted instances of 247 voters registered at a single Jamui household and one individual listed thrice in a Muzaffarpur booth. Congress also noted that voter deletions in some areas surpassed past election victory margins, raising concerns.
BJP may drop 18 MLAs as Shah crafts Bihar strategy
NEW DELHI: The BJP is expected to drop more than 18 MLAs in Bihar as it prepares for the upcoming Assembly elections, amid reports of growing anti-incumbency sentiment against several long-serving legislators. Party sources have indicated that the party has largely finalised its list of candidates, with a formal announcement likely to follow the expected release of the election schedule by the Election Commission of India (EC) after October 6. According to a senior BJP functionary in Bihar, Union Home Minister and the partys chief strategist Amit Shah has held detailed discussions regarding candidate selection for over 145-150 Assembly constituencies. These include key districts such as Bettiah, Samastipur, Araria and several seats in the Seemanchal region. In the 2020 Assembly elections, the BJP had narrowly lost in nearly 35 constituencies, including Muzaffarpur, Kishanganj, Siwan, Sonpur, Raghopur, Bhagalpur, Danapur and Maner. Raghopur is currently represented by Tejashwi Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the LoP in Bihar. In Maner, BJPs national OBC Morcha general secretary and a well-educated party leader Nikhil Anand, who had contested the last election also, is reportedly gaining significant traction ahead of the polls. His consistent public outreach and year-round accessibility have made him a strong contender against the RJD MLA Bhai Birendra. Within BJP circles, there is a buzz that several sitting MLAs, particularly those facing strong anti-incumbency sentiment, will be dropped in favour of fresh faces. The party is also said to be considering young candidates and prominent women leaders to field them as party candidates symbolising the Nari-shakti (women power) and Yuva-Shakti( Youth power)-that often figure and get a strong accent in PM Modis speech. There are also indications that the BJP may follow its Madhya Pradesh model by fielding sitting and former MPs in state elections. Names doing the rounds include Saran MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Union Minister Giriraj Singh, and former MPs such as Ram Kripal Yadav and RK Singh. State ministers, including Mangal Pandey, may also be considered for Assembly seats within their respective districts. Bihar sitting on time bomb of corruption: Tejashwi Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav said on Sunday that Bihar was sitting on a time bomb of corruption and unemployment. He called Nitish Kumar the Dhritrashtra of corruption, saying the CM has not been acting against corrupt officials.
Bihar: Cabinet okays four-lane Sahebganj-Areraj-Bettiah section NH-139W at Rs 3,822.31 cr
The four-lane greenfield project to improve connectivity between Patna and Bettiah. It will link north Bihar districts of Vaishali, Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, East and West Champaran. It will also link areas along the Nepal-Bihar border.
Chirag Paswan insists on respectable seat share for LJP (RV) in Bihar Assembly polls
PATNA: Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Monday asserted that his party would not accept anything less than a respectable number of seats in the seat-sharing arrangement among NDA constituents for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. The assembly polls in the state are scheduled for October-November. Speaking to the media in Patna, Chirag said that seat-sharing discussions would take place during the auspicious period of Navratri, expressing confidence that an amicable formula would be finalised. He stated that he was hopeful of securing a respectable number of seats as his party would not compromise on this issue. We will not compromise on the respectable number of seats allocated to our party, he emphasised. Commenting on the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in the state capital, the union minister remarked that Congress had remembered Patna, adding that he was not fully aware when the last CWC meeting in Bihar had taken place. This is pressure politics and nothing else, he told reporters. Chirag said that all senior leaders authorised to take decisions would participate in the CWC meeting, describing it as part of pressure politics, with Congress and RJD vying to establish supremacy over each other. He added that it was this political tussle that prompted RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav to announce contesting all 243 assembly seats at an event in Muzaffarpur. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi completed his Voter Adhikar Yatra alongside Tejashwi but never once mentioned that the RJD leader would be the CM face of the INDIA bloc in Bihar elections, he observed. He accused Congress and its ally RJD of lacking the courage to contest the polls on their own strength, contrasting this with his own boldness in contesting the previous assembly elections without any alliance. LJP (RV) is staking a claim to 40 seats, with Chirag announcing he would contest the Bihar polls from a general seat rather than a reserved one. The party is primarily focusing on the Shahabad region, where the NDA performed poorly in the last assembly elections. Meanwhile, the BJP, a key NDA ally, is expected to hold a meeting in the coming days to finalise its list of candidates for the elections. Sources claim several sitting MLAs may be dropped. Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar met Union Home Minister Amit Shah last week at a posh hotel during Shahs visit to the state. Sources revealed the two leaders discussed the seat-sharing arrangement within the NDA.
Focus on Muslim votes, Chirag to hold Purnea rally
PATNA: Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan is set to address a rally in Purnea district on September 21 as Muslim-dominated Seemanchal region in Bihar sharpens into a key battleground for the upcoming Assembly elections. LJP(RV) in-charge for Bihar and Jamui MP Arun Bharti said on Friday that the Nav Sankalp Mahasabha will be organised at Rangbhumi ground in Purnea, signaling the partys attempt to consolidate support base in Kosi and Seemanchal belts. Seemanchal comprises Kishanganj, Purnea, Katihar and Araria districts. Paswan has already addressed similar public meetings at Ara (Bhojpur), Nalanda, Gaya, Saran, Munger and Muzaffarpur districts. Its now the turn of Purnea, the Jamui MP said. The timing of Chirags rally is significant. On September 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the newly built Purnea airport terminal and laid foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 40,000 crore. During his address, the PM again raised the issue of foreign infiltration in the region and said that every infiltrator would be compelled to leave the Indian territory. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar was also present at the rally. On September 26, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may address a rally in Purnea.
Now, RJD threatens to contest all 243 seats in Bihar assembly election
PATNA: AMID the ongoing seat-sharing talks within the Opposition INDIA bloc for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav sparked controversy by declaring that the RJD would contest all 243 seats. Addressing a public gathering in Muzaffarpur late on Saturday evening, Tejashwi said, We will return. Understand this, You all have to stay united, and this time, Tejashwi will contest elections on 243 seats. Whether it is Kanti, Muzaffarpur, or Gaighat, Tejashwi will contest elections from every place. This government, which has been in power for 20 years, which works to spread communal violence, has to be ousted, he said. Tejashwis remarks are being seen in political circles as a pressure tactic at a time when seat sharing talks within INDIA bloc are stuck. However, RJD spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwari downplayed Tejashwis remarks, and said he meant to say that elections would be contested under his (Tejashwis) leadership. So, he will contest all seats. Tejashwis remarks would not impact the alliance as INDIA bloc candidates would be fielded on all 243 seats under Tejashwis leadership. It should not be read beyond that, Tiwari said, adding that INDIA bloc was intact. Seat sharing negotiations in INDIA bloc have got trickier with the possible entry of Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren s Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and former union minister Pashupati Parass Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP). Launching a blistering attack on the states NDA government, Tejashwi at the workers event said that businessmen were being kidnapped and killed daily in the state, and corruption had reached its peak, with the poor being exploited from local police stations to the state headquarters. Earlier this week, AICC in-charge of Bihar Krishna Allavaru suggested that RJD should show more flexibility in seatsharing deal. Sources said Congress wants to contest 70 seats that it fought in the 2020 elections, while RJD is ready to offer it 52 seats. Among NDA allies, Jitan Ram Manjhis Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) has said it will contest 100 seats if it is not offered 15-20 seats in the upcoming election.
NEW DELHI: India accounts for 17% of the worlds population and 20% of the global disease burden, yet fewer than four percent of international clinical trials are conducted in the country. This gap means Indian patients often wait years after global approvals to access breakthrough therapies. Now, a new initiative, aligning it with Central Drugs StandardControl Organisations (CDSCO) priorities to boost participation of government sites in Phase 3 and 4 trials, has trained nearly 400 professionals, including investigators, ethics committee members and support staff to meet the global Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards. The initiative is aimed at strengthening Indias role in global clinical research and facilitating faster patient access to breakthrough therapies. Launched by Roche Pharma India, the company on Saturday announced the successful completion of its first phase of the Advanced Inclusive Research (AIR) Site Alliance initiative in India, in which it partnered with 10 leading government hospitals from across the country. This milestone marks a significant step forward in strengthening Indias readiness to participate in global and local clinical trials, enabling faster patient access to breakthrough therapies and ensuring Indias diverse population is better represented in clinical research, said the company. Launched in 2023, the initiative focused on streamlining internal processes, building digital readiness for better data capture and monitoring and delivering tailored training programs to enhance operational efficiency. By equipping leading government hospitals with global-standard clinical trial capabilities, we are helping to bring innovations faster to India. This is a crucial step toward building equitable healthcare and shaping treatments that are relevant for India, said Dr Sivabalan Sivanesan, Country Medical Director, Roche Pharma India. Dr Amit Sehrawat, Associate Professor, Medical Oncology and Haematology, AIIMS, Rishikesh, said, This initiative is a strong example of how publicprivate partnerships can accelerate capacity-building and strengthen Indias clinical research ecosystem. India carries a significant burden of cancer, infectious and chronic diseases, yet has historically been underrepresented in global trials. By enabling government hospitals to participate in cutting-edge research, this program ensures Indian patients are part of the evidence generation process helping make treatments safer, more effective and relevant for our population. Dr Vyunkta Raju K N, Professor, Dept of Paediatric Neurology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, said: The AIR Site Alliance program has been transformational. Our investigators and ethics committees are now better equipped to conduct research of global standards. This collaboration has given our institutions new opportunities to bring advanced research directly to our patients. The 10 hospitals, which are part of this initiative are: AIIMS, Rishikesh; Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi; PGIMS, Rohtak; Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Muzaffarpur; Balco Medical Centre, Raipur; Government Medical College, Aurangabad; Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Bengaluru; Dr. Bhubaneswar Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI), Guwahati; Kalyan Singh Super Speciality Cancer Institute & Hospital, Lucknow and Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institute of Cancer, Cuttack. The project aligns closely with Indias national priorities, including the CDSCOs encouragement for greater participation of government sites in Phase 3 and 4 trials and the Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation Policy (PRIP) initiative that explicitly encouraged industry-academia partnerships to strengthen R&D capabilities, build clinical trial infrastructure and enhance Indias global competitiveness in innovative research, the company said. This initiative supports the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 - creating a future-ready, world-class healthcare ecosystem where India emerges as a global hub for clinical research, accelerates access to breakthrough innovations, and delivers equitable health outcomes for every citizen, it added. The AIR Site Alliance is Roches flagship global initiative designed to expand access to clinical trials for underrepresented populations. Already implemented in the US, UK, Canada, and Africa, the AIR Site Alliance is now active in India, helping to close representation gaps, generate more robust scientific evidence and accelerate equitable healthcare outcomes worldwide, the company added.
Poll-bound Bihar to get several projects across sectors during PM Modis visit on September 15
NEW DELHI: Poll-bound Bihar is set to receive a host of new schemes and infrastructure development projects, including the National Makhana Board, on September 15, the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the state to lay the foundation stone for these schemes and inaugurate many of them. The National Makhana Board is being established to promote production and technological advancement, strengthen post-harvest management, encourage value addition and processing, and facilitate marketing, export, and brand development in Makhana, thereby benefiting cultivators. As Bihar officially accounts for approximately 90% of the countrys total Makhana production, the establishment of the board is expected to significantly benefit cultivators in districts such as Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Saharsa, Katihar, Purnea, Supaul, Kishanganj, and Araria. These areas serve as the main hubs for Makhana production due to favourable climatic conditions and fertile soil. In addition to the Makhana Board, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Interim Terminal Building at the New Civil Enclave of Purnea Airport, aimed at enhancing passenger handling capacity in the region. Purnea is one of the key cities in Bihars Seemanchal area. He will also lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple development projects worth approximately Rs 36,000 crore in Purnea, including the foundation stone for a 3x800 MW thermal power project at Pirpainti in Bhagalpur. According to an official statement from the PMO, this will be Bihars largest private sector investment, valued at Rs 25,000 crore. The project, designed on ultra-super critical low-emission technology, will provide dedicated power and strengthen Bihars energy security. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for Phase 1 of the Kosi-Mechi Intra-State River Link Project, worth over Rs 2,680 crore. This initiative focuses on upgrading the canal through desilting, reconstruction of damaged structures, and renovation of the settling basin, while enhancing its discharge capacity from 15,000 to 20,000 cusecs. The project aims to benefit multiple districts in northeastern Bihar through improved irrigation, flood control, and agricultural resilience. In terms of rail connectivity and infrastructure, Bihar is also set to benefit from several major initiatives. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the Rail Line between Bikramshila and Katareah, valued at over Rs 2,170 crore, providing a direct rail link across the River Ganga. He will also inaugurate the new Rail Line between Araria and Galgalia (Thakurganj), worth over Rs 4,410 crore. Additionally, he will flag off a train on the ArariaGalgalia section, establishing direct rail connectivity between Araria and Kishanganj districts, significantly improving accessibility across northeastern Bihar. The Prime Minister will also launch the Vande Bharat Express Train between Jogbani and Danapur, directly benefiting districts such as Araria, Purnea, Madhepura, Saharsa, Khagaria, Begusarai, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, and Patna. Furthermore, he will flag off the Amrit Bharat Express Trains between Saharsa and Chheharta (Amritsar), and between Jogbani and Erode. In Purnea, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Sex-Sorted Semen Facility, a state-of-the-art semen station under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. Capable of producing 5 lakh sex-sorted semen doses annually, it is the first of its kind in Eastern and Northeastern India. The facility employs indigenously developed technology launched in October 2024, aligning with the vision of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. By enabling higher chances of female calf births, the technology is expected to help small and marginal farmers, as well as landless labourers, secure more replacement heifers, reduce economic stress, and raise incomes through improved dairy productivity. As part of his visit, Prime Minister Modi will also participate in Griha Pravesh ceremonies for 35,000 rural beneficiaries under PMAY (R) and 5,920 urban beneficiaries under PMAY (U), and will personally hand over keys to some of them. In addition, he will distribute Community Investment Funds worth around Rs 500 crore to Cluster Level Federations under the DAY-NRLM scheme, handing over cheques to several CLF Presidents.
Siblings Show Bihar Women Mushroom Dreams, Dupe Them Of Rs 2 Crore
A case has been registered in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district against a company for allegedly siphoning off nearly Rs 1.9 crore from loans sanctioned in the names of 100 rural women enrolled in the government's livelihood programme.
PATNA: The Special Vigilance Unit (SVU), anti-corruption wing of the Bihar police, on Thursday conducted simultaneous searches at the office and residential premises of a senior official of the state education department, Virendra Narayan in Patna, Muzaffarpur and Purnea districts in connection with a disproportionate assets case. Virendra Narayan is currently posted as the regional deputy director of education (RDDE), Tirhut in Muzaffarpur. Before being elevated to the post of RDDE, he was posted as the district education officer (DEO) of Vaishali district. The RDDE has been accused of accumulating disproportionate assets worth Rs 3.75 crore. Officials engaged in the search operation said that Rs 4 lakh in cash and documents related to huge investments have been recovered from his house at Jaganpura in Patna. A huge cash has also been recovered from his rented accommodation in Muzaffarpur. Narayan owned a palatial house in Purnea, which is estimated to be worth Rs 5 crore. A search warrant was obtained from the competent court against RDDE in question on Wednesday, Chandra Bhushan Kumar, DSP, SVU, said. Kumar said that Virendra Narayan was under the scanner of the probe agency when departmental proceedings were initiated against him during his stint as DEO of Vaishali district. The then district magistrate of Vaishali, Yash Pal Meena, had disciplinary action against him for his involvement in financial irregularities. Virendra Narayan was appointed as DEO, Vaishali, on July 10, 2022. He remained on the post till July 4, 2024. Officials confirmed that documents, laptops, and other electronic devices were seized during the operation. The members of the raiding teams were going through the financial papers, with entry to the raided premises strictly barred. Complaints against Narayan had been coming to SVU for some time, a senior SVU official said, adding that the complete valuation of seized assets will be made public once the documentation process is finished.
20,000 RSS volunteers working at grassroots in Bihar to boost NDA's chances in assembly polls
NEW DELHI: With Bihar set for a keenly fought battle at the polls following the Opposition's launch of the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', the RSS the ideological mentor of the BJP has reportedly intensified its groundwork in the state to smoothen the pitch for the BJP-led NDA. Over 20,000 RSS volunteers are discreetly advancing the organisations mission at the grassroots level by promoting the Sanghs nationalist ideology and highlighting how the government's actions are aligned with the Sanghs vision of the national interest. With Bihar poised for a high-stakes triangular contest in a majority of assembly constituencies after the entry of political strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor's newly formed Jan Suraj Party, the role of the Sangh on the ground has become more crucial. In an emerging situation where the Opposition-led by the RJD with the Congress has started creating a fake narrative on SIR and other issues against the government, our duty as citizens is also to dispel these narratives on the ground. The Sangh is dedicated to the nation and the people as the world's largest social organisation, remarked a Sangh volunteer, neither denying the presence of Sangh volunteers on the ground nor admitting it on record. Although the Sangh does not directly engage in political campaigning, its volunteers, who are called Swayamsevaks, continue to actively promote its nationalist and Hindutva ideologies to help create a favourable ground for the saffron party in the electoral arena. As part of its nationwide strategy to mark its centenary celebrations beginning this Vijayadashami which falls on October 2 this year the Sangh is planning outreach efforts across the country, including in the remote areas of Bihar. A series of public interactions have been planned to deepen the Sanghs connection with the masses. Topics such as the success of Operation Sindoor, the SIR whether it is needed in the country or not and other issues designed to bring about social change in the broader interest of the public, will be actively addressed during the centenary year. Sources indicated that Sangh volunteers are already active on the ground in many districts across Bihar, including Siwan, Buxar, Ara, Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Bhagalpur, Kishanganj, Purnia, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Rohtas, West Champaran, Vaishali, and others. With the aim of educating and making people aware of national issues and interests, the Sanghs volunteers are reportedly well ahead in their ground-level work in the run-up to the assembly elections. The RSS has also deployed volunteers from other states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and others to assist in groundwork ahead of its centenary functions, which coincide with the Bihar assembly elections scheduled for November this year. Even in Bihars Seemanchal region, which has a significant Muslim population, the Sangh has an organised presence, with volunteers working in a disciplined manner to inspire people towards nationalist ideologies. The entire state of Bihar has been divided into four zones, each managed by experienced Sangh volunteers working in coordination with volunteers from other RSS-inspired social organisations. The Sanghs volunteers, affiliated with several RSS-inspired organisations such as the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Sanskar Bharti, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, and the Rashtriya Shaikshanik Mahasangh are also on the ground ahead of the elections, in the same coordinated manner they had adopted in Haryana and Maharashtra prior to the assembly polls there. A senior source closely associated with the Sangh said the centenary-related activities in Bihar have already commenced, but they are expected to gain momentum after 22 September the conclusion of the inauspicious Pitra-Paksha period, which begins on September 7. Numerous Hindu Sammelans are scheduled to be held in Bihars interior regions as part of the centenary events, coinciding with the growing election fervour in the state.
NDA protests abuse against PM, RJD calls it a flop show
PATNA: The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Thursday staged protests across Bihar against the use of abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his mother during the Oppositions Voter Adhikar Yatra, even as RJD chief Lalu Prasad launched a counter, asking the PM whether he ordered BJP members to insult women during the agitation. While the BJP and its allies claimed that the bandh was successful, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav said it was a flop and accused BJP workers of indulging in hooliganism. RJD, as well as Congress, posted several videos showing how bandh protagonists allegedly physically assaulted common people during the agitation. The protests are in response to a man identified as Rizvi alias Raja allegedly hurling abuses at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his mother, the late Heeraben, from the stage in Darbhanga during Congress leader Rahul Gandhi`s Yatra. During the five-hour shutdown, essential services, including emergency facilities and rail operations, remained unaffected. The BJP Mahila Morcha led the protest. Senior BJP leaders, including Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal, MPs Ravi Shankar Prasad and Dharmshila Gupta, along with state ministers and MLAs, staged sit-ins. Similar protests were organised in districts such as Nawada, Muzaffarpur, Katihar, and Darbhanga. However, RJD chief Lalu Prasad questioned the PM, saying, Did Prime Minister Modi order BJP members to insult the mothers, sisters, and daughters of Bihar and Biharis today? Should Gujaratis take Biharis so lightly? This is Bihar. Are BJP goons and ruffians abusing respected teachers, women walking on the streets, students, pregnant women, the elderly, and journalists, engaging in physical altercations and mistreating them? Is this appropriate? Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor claimed that the bandh did not garner peoples support and stated that they would be rid of both Lalu (RJD) and Nitish (JD(U)) after the assembly elections.
Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav define distinct roles during Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar
PATNA: A clear division of roles between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)s Tejashwi Prasad Yadav was evident throughout the Voter Adhikar Yatra that concluded on Monday after covering nearly 1,300 km distance, 110 assembly constituencies spread over 25 districts of Bihar. While Rahul mainly targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP through his vote chori allegations, Tejashwi attacked Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and his government, accusing it of copying his programmes and policies. Tejashwi also indirectly sought to project himself as the chief ministerial candidate of the INDIA bloc. Do you want a duplicate CM or original CM?, he asked the people during the Yatra at Ara, the district headquarters of Bhojpur, even as the Congress leader evaded to reply to a media query on the issue of CM face of the opposition alliance for the upcoming assembly polls. Tejashwi also accused Nitish Kumar of copying policies that he had announced for the elections. Moreover, while Rahuls speeches mainly centred around the alleged vote theft, SIR (special intensive revision of electoral rolls) and its implications in the days to come, Tejashwi raised other issues like migration, unemployment, lack of health facilities, substandard education and issues related to farmers. They have defined their roles. Rahul is a leader of national repute and PM face of the Opposition, Tejashwi has his role in Bihar, said Gangeshwar Sahni, a resident of Gaighat in Muzaffarpur, who came to Patna to participate in the concluding event of the Voter Adhikar Yatra. The 16-day Yatra has indicated that the Opposition alliance will centre around its campaign over alleged vote theft by the BJP in collusion with the Election Commission of India. Vote chori slogan has become more popular among people who have been left out from the draft electoral rolls published on August 1, said Amit Kumar Yadav, a resident of Madhepura in north Bihar. Amit, 46, who runs a mobile repairing shop in Madhepura, came to Patna to participate in the concluding event of Voter Adhikar Yatra. Be it youth, women, farmers or elderly people, all have supported the Yatra, which is a clear reflection of peoples anger against the double-engine government, he said, adding that the BJP and its allies will bite its dust in the coming Bihar assembly election. Sixty-five-year-old Rajendra Das of Bhojpur, a carpenter by profession, said, For the first time, the united face of the Opposition has become evident on ground level. This will certainly benefit the Opposition alliance in the coming election. All top leaders of the INDIA bloc, including Tejashwi Yadav, Dipankar Bhattacharya of CPI-ML and Mukesh Sahani of VIP travelled along with Rahul in the same vehicle. Rahuls Voter Adhikar Yatra has also given his party a chance to come out of the shadow of RJD to some extent as his initiative has definitely energised the grand old partys rank and file. This became evident when hundreds of enthusiastic Congress workers with party flags in their hands and chanting slogan like Chot Chor, Gaddi Chor participated in the concluding event of the Yatra on Monday. Rahuls vitriolic attack against the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners has also created a buzz in the political circles, as now he has added a new flavour to the forthcoming election through his Voter Adhikar Yatra, remarked a senior Congress leader. This has increased the bargaining power of Congress, and it would demand more number of seats in the coming Bihar assembly elections, he pointed out. The kind of response Rahul got throughout the Yatra has reminded people of AICC Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavarus statement that Congress will be on the front seat and will no longer play second fiddle to the RJD.
