Patna / The Times of India
Following Rahul Gandhi's allegations of voter data manipulation in Karnataka, the BJP launched a strong counter-attack, dismissing his claims as baseless and comparing them to a 'water-filled balloon.' BJP leaders accused Gandhi of a history of making false accusations and disrespecting public mandate, while JD(U) questioned the clarity and relevance of his statements
Tejashwi's 'Bihar Adhikar Yatra' faces an internal RJD squabble as a photo of his aide, Sanjay Yadav, occupying the front seat of rath sparks controversy. Rohini Acharya, Lalu Prasad's daughter, subtly criticised Sanjay's action, fuelling whispers of family unease. The front seat is traditionally a symbol of authority reserved for the family.
In West Champaran district, a 21-year-old named Dhananjay Kumar tragically died after being struck by an unidentified speeding vehicle near Nainaha Dhala. The incident occurred late Wednesday night on the Chautarwa-Dhanaha main road. Police are investigating the hit-and-run, working to identify the vehicle and apprehend the responsible driver, promising strict legal action upon identification.
In a remarkable act of bravery, a 35-year-old housewife caught two chain snatchers in Danapur, Patna. The incident occurred as she was returning from the market when the criminals attempted to steal her gold chain. Displaying immense courage, she grabbed the pillion rider, causing them to fall.
Bihar's government, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has expanded the 'Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayta Bhatta Yojana' to include unemployed graduates. Eligible youths aged 20-25 will receive Rs 1,000 monthly for two years to aid in job preparation.
The Patna High Court has directed Congress to remove an AI-generated video from its social media platforms that allegedly portrays Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother in a derogatory manner. The court also issued notices to Facebook, X, and Google, seeking their responses within three weeks.
Patna High Court has ordered Congress to remove an AI-generated video from social media platforms featuring PM Modi and his late mother, Heeraben Modi. The video, shared by Bihar Congress, depicted Modi's mother criticizing his politics, sparking outrage from BJP leaders who condemned it as disrespectful and shameful.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has sanctioned a 39-member Pradesh Election Committee (PEC) for the Bihar Congress to shortlist candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in October-November. The committee includes key functionaries and will prepare panels for constituencies based on seat-sharing within the grand alliance. The final list will undergo further review before central approval.
BJP leaders criticised Tejashwi Yadav's Bihar Adhikar Yatra, suggesting it's a forced response to Rahul Gandhi's earlier campaign. They asserted that real development in Bihar occurred under the BJP and NDA governments, dismissing Tejashwi's efforts as political drama. JD(U) echoed these sentiments, highlighting Nitish Kumar's contributions and accusing Tejashwi of spreading misinformation and promoting corruption during his party's rule.
A Bikramganj SDM employee was arrested by the vigilance department for allegedly accepting a 1.60 lakh bribe to settle a land dispute. This arrest is part of a series of anti-corruption drives in Kaimur and Rohtas, with investigations ongoing to determine if senior officials were involved. The accused was caught after a complaint and a trap was set.
Nalanda University is set to host the East Asia Summit conference of higher education heads from September 17-19. Initiated by PM Modi, the conference aims to foster knowledge sharing on energy conservation among EAS countries. The event will strengthen educational ties, promote collaborative research, and address climate change through sustainable lifestyles, aligning with India's Mission LiFE.
A juvenile in Bhojpur district has been sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment with the possibility of release for a murder committed in May 2022. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1.02 lakh for victim's family. The judgment emphasizes reformation and rehabilitation, allowing for review and early release based on good conduct during the sentence.
CPI (ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya released Dumraon MLA Ajit Kumar Singh's performance report, emphasizing accountability and criticizing anti-poor policies. He accused the BJP of suppressing rights and targeting marginalized voters, while praising the INDIA bloc's resistance to the SIR process. Bhattacharya urged youth to uphold democratic values, recalling the sacrifices of freedom fighters and denouncing the Nitish Kumar government's failures.
Following Rahul Gandhi's successful Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar, the Congress party appears to be gaining momentum, creating a shift in the INDIA bloc's dynamics. While RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was initially seen as the leading figure, Congress's reluctance to endorse him as the CM face has caused friction.
Chirag Paswan, LJP (Ram Vilas) chief, has dismissed any ambition for Bihar's CM post in 2025, setting his sights on 2030 and 2035. He affirmed his party's commitment to strengthening the NDA alliance and highlighted their potential to significantly boost NDA candidates' vote share in the upcoming assembly polls. Paswan also ruled out any alliance with Prashant Kishor's party.
Tejashwi Prasad Yadav launched his Bihar Adhikar Yatra, with the RJD projecting him as their chief ministerial candidate through a campaign song. While Tejashwi downplayed any uncertainty within the opposition alliance regarding the CM face, he emphasized the public's desire for change and promised a crime and corruption-free govt focused on development, jobs, and improved public services.
Patna DM Thiyagarajan S M has established multiple cells to enforce the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and oversee election activities. These include units for MCC monitoring, law and order, and expenditure tracking. To ensure compliance, 49 flying squads and numerous surveillance teams will be deployed.
Jayprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna is set to observe 'Yatri Sewa Diwas' on Sept 17, as directed by the ministry of civil aviation and AAI headquarters. The event will feature a traditional welcome for passengers, a sapling plantation drive, folk dance performances, and competitions for schoolchildren.
Buxar district observed National Deworming Day on Tuesday, with a goal to protect children and adolescents from parasitic worm infections. District Magistrate Vidyanand Singh launched the campaign at Rajkiya Buniyadi School, administering Albendazole tablets. The initiative aims to reach 10,40,434 children across various schools and anganwadi centres.
Persistent rainfall in Patna has disrupted Durga Puja preparations, impacting pandal construction and idol making, with artisans working extended hours to meet deadlines. Despite the weather challenges, the festive spirit remains strong, as some residents brave the rain to experience the vibrant markets, while others opt for online shopping. The India Meteorological Department predicts continued heavy rainfall during the festival.
A bus conductor from Madhya Pradesh tragically died, and nine passengers were injured when their bus, carrying pilgrims to Gaya for Pitripaksh rituals, was struck by a truck on National Highway-19 in Kaimur district. The truck driver's sudden braking and turn into a service lane after descending the Mahuaria overbridge led to the collision.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar announced interest-free education loans for students passing Class XII, aiming to boost higher education enrollment. The Student Credit Card Scheme, launched in 2016, initially offered loans at subsidized rates. Repayment terms have also been eased, extending the tenure for loans up to Rs 4 lakh to encourage more students to pursue their academic goals.
Danapur division commercial officials conducted surprise raids on express trains at Ara and Danapur railway stations, seizing 90 cartons of unauthorised packaged water. The raids on Patliputra-Lokmanya Tilak Express and Danapur-Anand Vihar Jansadharan Express revealed large-scale violations of catering norms. Rail Neer is the only approved brand, and investigations are underway to identify the source of the unauthorised supplies.
Bihar BJP launched 243 'Chalo Jeete Hain' raths, equipped with LED screens showcasing PM Modi's childhood, to traverse all assembly constituencies ahead of the Oct-Nov elections. Flagged off by key leaders, the campaign aims to emotionally connect with the public through stories of Modi's early life and achievements.
Govt Engineering College held a two-day orientation for new BTech students, introducing them to the college's academic and cultural environment. Principal Ram Naresh Rai and Dean A K Tiwari detailed the academic structure and values. The programme included sessions on exams, placements, library resources, anti-ragging measures and a virtual campus tour.
The railways announced the regular operation of two new Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Jogbani-Erode and Saharsa-Chheharta (Amritsar), flagged off by PM Narendra Modi. The Erode-Jogbani Express will start on Sept 25, while the Saharsa-Chheharta Express begins Sept 20. These trains aim to improve speed, safety, and comfort, enhancing connectivity for long-distance passengers.
The Jogbani-Danapur Vande Bharat train's inaugural run was met with enthusiastic celebrations in Madhepura with locals welcoming the new service connecting the region to Patna. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier flagged off the train from Purnia. Passengers on the first journey received free passes, expressing delight at the opportunity to ride the 'dream train'.
In a shocking incident in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, Tannu Kumari, a 22-year-old BEd student, was murdered in her rented home. Unidentified criminals broke into the house in Bahwal Bazar and slit her throat, also injuring her mother. Police investigation suggests the attack was targeted, not a robbery. The forensic team is gathering evidence, and the body has been sent for postmortem.
To ease conveyance issues for daily commuters, the railways has partnered with a ride-hailing platform to provide last-mile connectivity at Patna Junction. Starting Sept 30, bike taxis, autorickshaws and four-wheelers will be available at standardised fares.