Bihar / The Times of India
Buxar authorities intercepted a truck at Veer Kunwar Singh checkpost, seizing 2,655 litres of liquor valued at approximately Rs 40 lakh. The consignment, originating from Haryana and destined for Patna, was discovered during a routine inspection. A Haryana resident, Ajit Singh, was arrested and is being interrogated to expose the smuggling network.
Bihar's health department has ordered a re-examination of cough syrups supplied in the state following child deaths elsewhere. While government hospitals' medicines passed NABL tests, the decision was prompted by national concerns. Separately, a private firm's ORS was banned due to seal failures, leading to its blacklisting.
Patliputra University is set to commence undergraduate and postgraduate semester examinations from November 20, involving over 2.90 lakh students. The entire examination process is slated for completion by December 20. To ensure fairness, exams will be held at designated centres across Patna and Nalanda districts under strict surveillance. Detailed schedules and guidelines will be released soon.
Patna police, bolstered by CAPF, have intensified security measures following the model code of conduct's implementation. Authorities are actively monitoring wanted criminals and individuals with outstanding warrants to ensure a disruption-free election. Proposals to extern 184 individuals have been approved, with 32 border checkposts and surveillance teams now operational across the district.
To manage the surge in passengers during Diwali and Chhath festivals, Indian Railways has announced the operation of two special Vande Bharat trains between Patna and New Delhi. These semi-high-speed trains will run on a temporary basis from October 11 to November 17, offering enhanced travel experience with modern amenities.
Patna MP-MLA court granted bail to RJD MLA Ritlal Yadav in the 2003 murder of BJP leader Satyanarayan Sinha. Despite this relief, Yadav will remain incarcerated due to other ongoing cases. The politician, with a criminal past, surrendered recently in a separate extortion case, leading to his transfer between jails amid security concerns.
Patna Municipal Corporation is undertaking extensive preparations for the Chhath festival, with Commissioner Yashpal Meena overseeing a spot inspection of ghats. Over Rs 13 crore has been allocated for arrangements, focusing on the safety and convenience of devotees at 91 Ganga ghats and 62 ponds. Efforts include enhanced lighting, sanitation, and security measures.
CPI General Secretary D. Raja met with RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav in Patna to resolve a deadlock over seat allocation for the upcoming assembly elections. The CPI is demanding more than the six seats it received in 2020, while the Grand Alliance coordination committee is reportedly pushing to maintain the current combined share for Left parties.
A farmer tragically died from electrocution in Buxar after touching a live wire while cutting fodder. Locals are protesting, citing the electricity department's alleged negligence and unaddressed complaints about hazardous power lines. Police have initiated an investigation and sent the body for post-mortem, as villagers demand urgent wire replacement to avert future tragedies.
A revenue official, Avinash Kumar Nalin, was apprehended by the Vigilance Investigation Bureau in Jehanabad for accepting a Rs 5,000 bribe. He had demanded the payment from a retired Air Force officer to expedite land mutation. The arrest followed a verified complaint, with further investigations ongoing to uncover any potential accomplices or further corruption.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad has predicted the end of the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government's 20-year rule in Bihar, referencing the upcoming assembly election dates. His cryptic social media post, alluding to the November 6 and 11 polling, has sparked debate, with some users bringing up past fodder scandals.
Patna District Magistrate Thiyagarajan SM reviewed election preparations, issuing guidelines for nominations, campaigning, and polling. He emphasized expenditure limits, the prohibition of government vehicle use for campaigns, and voter education. Auxiliary polling stations will be established in constituencies with large electorates to ensure smooth conduct.
The INDIA bloc in Bihar is intensifying seat-sharing talks for the upcoming assembly elections, aiming to resolve last-minute disagreements. Key partners like the CPI-ML and CPI are seeking a larger share of seats based on past performance, while the RJD aims to retain the majority. The alliance is also expected to welcome two new allies soon.
International flights from Bangkok to Gaya have resumed, welcoming 118 tourists and devotees to Bodh Gaya. Over 1,250 monks and nuns participated in a robe offering ceremony, marking the end of their rainy retreat. This renewed connectivity is set to boost Buddhist tourism and India-Thailand relations, with a significant influx of visitors anticipated this season.
Buxar district administration has intensified measures for the upcoming assembly elections on November 6, focusing on free, fair, and peaceful polling. Preventive actions have been taken against potential threats, and flying squads and surveillance teams are deployed. Efforts are underway to boost voter turnout among the 12.85 lakh registered voters.
Bihar's Chief Electoral Officer met with political parties to enforce the model code of conduct. Candidates with criminal records must be disclosed publicly, and parties must submit star campaigner lists within seven days. The Rs 40 lakh expenditure limit for assembly elections was also reiterated, emphasizing transparency and fair practices.
Bhagalpur district has increased its polling stations to 2,678 to accommodate a maximum of 1,200 voters per station, as mandated by the Election Commission. Nominations will be filed from October 13-20, with polling scheduled for November 11. Extensive surveillance teams and sector officials have been deployed to ensure free and fair elections.
Chanakya National Law University has partnered with Prayas JAC Society to launch a postgraduate diploma in child rights, protection, and juvenile justice. This initiative aims to train professionals in law, social work, and governance, strengthening India's child protection framework. The collaboration bridges academic learning with practical field experience, fostering a new era of academia-civil society partnership.
The RJD has expressed serious concern over a large-scale transfer of officials in Bihar just before the assembly election dates were announced. The party has urged the Election Commission to investigate these transfers, calling them a well-hatched conspiracy to influence the poll process and demanding action against those who spread misinformation about foreign infiltrators.
The ruling NDA is set to announce its Bihar seat-sharing deal on Thursday after extensive negotiations. Allies like JD(U), BJP, LJP(RV), and HAM(S) are reportedly finalizing candidates, considering their influence and reach. Disagreements over specific seats, particularly between LJP(RV) and HAM(S), are being ironed out, with a comprehensive announcement expected soon.
Popular singer Maithili Thakur has hinted at a political debut in Bihar. She expressed a desire to serve her hometown Benipatti. Thakur met with BJP leaders, fueling speculation about her electoral contest. Her father cited past caste issues as a reason for migration. The Bihar assembly elections are scheduled for November 6 and 11.
Popular folk singer Maithili Thakur has hinted at entering politics ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, expressing a desire to contest from her hometown Benipatti. The 25-year-old artist, who recently met with BJP leaders, stated her willingness to contribute to Bihar's development and learn by interacting with people in her village.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is deploying a series of welfare schemes, including free electricity, unemployment stipends, and increased social security pensions, to counter anti-incumbency and opposition criticism. These initiatives, alongside targeted programs for women and development projects, aim to secure electoral support.
Congress's Voter Adhikar Yatra, aimed at protesting electoral roll revisions, gained traction and boosted the party's profile, even upstaging its ally RJD. Despite the exercise leading to deletions, the subdued opposition response suggests limited impact, while the focus on the Yatra potentially allowed Nitish Kumar to address other issues.
Poll strategist Prashant Kishor, now leading Jan Suraj, is challenging Bihar's established political players, including RJD and NDA. He targets their role in the state's backwardness, aiming to appeal to unemployed youth. Kishor faces the challenge of appearing viable in a bipolar contest and needs winnable candidates to avoid being a spoiler.
The INDIA bloc faces an uphill battle in Bihar, aiming to regain national momentum after recent BJP victories. Despite opposition efforts and a statewide campaign, the BJP-JD(U) combine leverages incumbency and caste engineering. The opposition hopes to capitalize on discontent among Muslim voters and doubts about Nitish Kumar's leadership.
Seven individuals, including a woman and a top criminal, were arrested in Patna for a house burglary, with most stolen items recovered. In a separate incident, two people were arrested in connection with the murder of Bharat Sharma, who was shot on October 4 and died during treatment.