Bihar polls LIVE: Nitish Kumar slams RJD over its 15 years of misgovernance

Stay tuned for LIVE updates on Bihar election 2020

8:58 PM

BJP chief J P Nadda chides Tejashwi over his persistent landlocked Bihar jibe on Nitish

BJP president JP Nadda Friday threw "mind lock" jibe at RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, chastising him over his constant "landlocked Bihar" swipe at NDA ally and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

 

Addressing a poll rally here, Nadda also assailed the Lalu Prasad-led RJD, saying the party has a history of conducting "Tail Piyawan, Danda Bhanjan" rally, underlining its reputation of preferring muscle power to education. "These days even Tejashwi Yadav has started saying we will do this, we will do that. But who can trust you in an election?" he asked.

 

"Those who have done something good in the past will do so in the future. They (RJD) had in the past held 'Tel Piyawan, Danda Bhanjan' rally and in future too they will only wield lathis and do nothing else," Nadda wryly said.

 

Naddas reference to 'Tel Piyawan, Danda Bhanjan' (dipping lathis in oil and wielding them to assert power) was a throwback to an RJD rally in 2003, two years before the party was ousted from power in Bihar. READ ON...

 

8:36 PM

Bihar polls: Our govt provided 600,000 jobs in 15 years, says Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday said that his government provided over 6 lakh jobs during its 15-year regime as compared to 95,000 people getting jobs during the RJD regime from 1990 to 2005.

 

"They (RJD) were in power for 15 years and Bihar and Jharkhand were one for 10 of these. Between 1990 and 2005, only 95,000 people were given jobs. In our administration, over 6 lakh jobs were given and besides this many others were enrolled in other services," Nitish Kumar said.

 

The Bihar CM further said that if voted to power, his government would install solar street lights in every village of the state.

 

"We have brought electricity to every house. If we are given a chance again, we will install solar street lights in every village. You can switch off your bulbs but the entire village will stay illuminated the entire night. It will be done by the state government," he said. READ ON...

 

7:52 PM

Bihar polls 2020: Focus shifts to Seemanchal for second phase of elections

After completion of the first phase of elections in Bihar, the focus has now shifted to Seemanchal where elections for the second phase are scheduled to be held on November 3. Districts such as West Champaran, East Champaran, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, Katihar etc. fall under Seemanchal. Besides, elections for the second phase will also be held in districts like Samastipur, Patna, Vaishali and Muzaffarpur. Polling will done for 91 seats.

 

These elections hold great prominence for the political parties as districts like Kishanganj have over 60 per cent Muslim population followed by Araria with 45 per cent, Katihar with 40 per cent and Purnia with over 30 per cent. These four districts gives stability to Mahagathbandhan rather than NDA because of its secular image.

 

Leaders like Tariq Anwar of Congress, Asrarul Haque and Shahnawaz Hussain are prominent political figures in the region who are responsible for polarisation of votes. The supporters of late bahubali leader Mohammed Taslimuddin also have great influence on voters, especially in Kishanganj. READ ON...

7:28 PM

Shouldn't Nitish Kumar speak on issues of unemployment, migration: Tejashwi Yadav

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Friday asked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to speak on issues of unemployment and migration.

 

In a tweet in Hindi, Tejashwi Yadav said, "Respected Nitishji accepts that in 15 years of his government he has destroyed education, health and industries of the state. He also ruined the present and future of two generations. This is the reason why he does not speak anything about unemployment, jobs industries, investment and migration. Shouldn't he speak on these issues ?"

 

On October 27, Tejashwi Yadav had said that by commenting on my family, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is targeting Prime Minister Modi and moreover he can only indulge in abusing me but he won't speak on the real issues like inflation and corruption that affects people.

 

"By commenting on my family, Nitish Kumar is targeting PM Modi as he also has 6 siblings. Using such language, Nitish Kumar has insulted women and my mother's sentiments. They don't speak on main issues including inflation, corruption, unemployment etc, he can only abuse us," said Yadav reacting to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's 'nine children' jibe at RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav. READ ON...

7:04 PM

Bihar Phase-II polls: Retaining seats challenging task for RJD, JD-U

With the second phase of Bihar Assembly elections slated to be held next week in 94 segments, both the ruling Janata Dal-United of the National Democratic Alliance and the opposition RJD of the Grand Alliance will have to sweat it out as they face a tough battle to retain their respective seats.

 

Elections for 243 Assembly seats were slated to be held in three phases. Polling for 71 seats has already taken place on October 28. Voting for 94 seats will be done on November 3 and the remaining 78 seats on November 7. The results will be announced on November 10, according to an IANS report.

 

The RJD has fielded 56 candidates in the second phase of elections, wherein it is in direct contest with the BJP on 27 seats and with the ally turned foe JD-U on 25 seats. The BJP is contesting 46 seats and the JD-U 43 seats.

 

The prestige of 27 MLAs of the Grand Alliance is on stake in the November 3 elections.

5:25 PM

Shiv Sena, Congress attack BJP for 'silence' over Munger firing

The Shiv Sena on Friday hit out at the BJP for its "silence" on the firing on people during Durga idol immersion in Munger in Bihar, where the latter is in power along with the Nitish Kumar-led JD(U). The Sena, in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', said the BJP was, however, quick to pounce on and "communalise" the killing of two sadhus by a mob in Palghar district of Maharashtra in April this year.

 

One person was killed and over two dozen people, including security personnel, injured in firing and stone- pelting during goddess Durga idol immersion late Monday night in Munger's Deen Dayal Upadhyay Chowk.

 

"If this incident had happened in Maharashtra or West Bengal (opposition ruled states), the BJP would have raised a hue and cry. Why are those who tried to communalise the Palghar lynching quiet over Munger?" the editorial asked.

12:21 PM

Politics underway on Munger incident as election heat takes over

It won't be right to comment on Munger firing incident before the findings of the probe are out. But Bihar govt has taken swift action into the incident & is doing what is required: Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi on Munger firing incident

11:01 AM

Reservation should be proportionate to population, says Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said that reservation should be proportionate to population. Speaking at a public rally on Thursday, Kumar said, "As far as the question of population is concerned, that is decided only after the census and that decision is not in our hands. We would like to say that reservation should be proportionate to the population, there is no second opinion about it." "You have given us the chance to work in the past and if you give the same in future, we will continue to work. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working for the whole country and is providing special assistance for the development of Bihar," he added.

 

9:07 AM

Watch | Nitish Kumar slam RJD over its 15 years of misgovernance

8:25 AM

Tejashwi Yadav takes on Nitish Kumar

RJD CM candidate Tejaswi Yadav on Friday attacked Nitish Kumar and asked him to speak on issues of health, migration, jobs, unemployment. 

8:12 AM

Congress attacks Nitish government in Bihar

7:41 AM

Our govt provided 6 lakh jobs in 15 years: Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday said that his government provided over 6 lakh jobs during its 15-year regime as compared to 95,000 people getting jobs during the RJD regime from 1990 to 2005. "They (RJD) were in power for 15 years and Bihar and Jharkhand were one for 10 of these. Between 1990 and 2005, only 95,000 people were given jobs. In our administration, over 6 lakh jobs were given and besides this many others were enrolled in other services," Nitish Kumar said. The Bihar CM further said that if voted to power, his government would install solar street lights in every village of the state.

 

7:29 AM

Rajnath Singh to campaign for BJP in Bihar today

7:18 AM

Focus shifts to Seemanchal for second phase of elections

Districts such as West Champaran, East Champaran, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, Katihar etc. fall under Seemanchal. Besides, elections for the second phase will also be held in districts like Samastipur, Patna, Vaishali and Muzaffarpur. Polling will done for 91 seats. These elections hold great prominence for the political parties as districts like Kishanganj have over 60 per cent Muslim population followed by Araria with 45 per cent, Katihar with 40 per cent and Purnia with over 30 per cent. These four districts gives stability to Mahagathbandhan rather than NDA because of its secular image.

 

8:30 PM

55.69% final voter turnout recorded in first phase of Bihar assembly elections: EC

The first phase of the Assembly elections in Bihar recorded 55.69 per cent voter turnout, the Election Commission said on Thursday. A total of 71 assembly constituencies of Bihar went to polls on Wednesday in the first of the three-phase elections amid tight security and with COVID-19 guidelines in place.

 

As compared to corresponding assembly constituencies which went to poll in the 2015 assembly elections and the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the turnout this time was higher. In the 2015 assembly elections, the turnout was 54.94 per cent in the corresponding constituencies. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls -- with the same assembly seats mapped to parliamentary seats -- the turnout was 53.54 per cent.

 

"So turnout in phase one is higher than both the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections," a spokesperson said.

8:24 PM

Munger firing incident: Congress demands dismissal of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

8:07 PM

55.69% final voter turnout recorded in first phase of Bihar assembly elections yesterday: EC

8:02 PM

BJP's dream of expanding footprints in eastern India will be ended in Bihar Elections 2020: Sachin Pilot

7:50 PM

Terrorism wiped out from Kashmir, now it s turn of Naxalism from entire country: Yogi Adityanath

After ending terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, it's time to wipe out Naxalism from across the country, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said here Thursday. In the ongoing Bihar polls, he attacked the opposition Grand Alliance for allegedly trying to bring "jungle raj" in the state once again.

 

Addressing an election rally at Daraunda here, the BJP star campaigner mentioned the beginning of construction of a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya, enactment of a law against instant triple talaq and abrogation of provision of Article 370.

 

Coming back to Bihar, he said "Who had created the jungle raj situation? These casteist and nepotistic forces have to be defeated".

Rivals describe the RJD's 15 years rule in Bihar from 1990 to 2005 as "jungle raj" for bad law and order situation. Siwan was firmly in control of muscleman-politician Mohd Shahabuddin during the RJD rule.

7:35 PM

55.69% final voter turnout was recorded in first phase of Bihar assembly elections yesterday: Election Commission

5:57 PM

Bihar Police conducts flag march against vandalisation of SDO, SP office in Munger

The Bihar Police conducted a flag march in Munger on Thursday after a mob vandalised the office of Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) and Superintendent of Police (SP) while protesting against a man's death during Durga idol immersion clashes on October 26. A man was shot during the Durga idol immersion ceremony in Munger after clashes broke out due to the slow pace of the procession.

 

"Munger incident is under investigation. Clashes erupted due to the pace of idol immersion," Jitendra Kumar, Additional Director General of Police, said.

 

"Prima facie, it seems that someone from within the crowd shot the bullet but I will request everyone to wait for further investigation in the matter before arriving at any conclusion," he added.

 

Earlier today, the Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered the immediate removal of SP and District Magistrate (DM) of Munger over arson in the district of poll-bound Bihar. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident by Asangba Chuba AO, Divisional Commissioner, Magadh that has to be completed with the next seven days. New District Magistrate and the SP will be posted in Munger today itself.

4:46 PM

Bihar election 2020 LIVE: EC orders removal of SP, DM of Munger over arson

The Election Commission Thursday ordered immediate removal of the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police of Munger over violence during goddess Durga idol immersion that had left one dead and scores injured, officials said. The poll panel has also ordered inquiry into the entire incident by Magadh Divisional Commissioner Asangba Chuba Ao, an election commission statement said. The probe has to be completed within a week.

 

Rajesh Meena is District Magistrate and Lipi Singh is SP of Munger. The EC statement said Munger will get a new DM and a Superintendent of Police Thursday itself.

 

One person was killed and over two dozen others, including security personnel, were injured in firing and stone-pelting during goddess Durga idol immersion late Monday night. Meanwhile, Munger witnessed violent protest Thursday too when agitators ransacked the SP office and torched a police outpost over the Monday incident. The office of Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) was also allegedly targeted by the protestors, PTI reported.

4:15 PM

Firing and lathi-charge on devotees of Maa Durga in Munger done at the behest of Nitish Kumar-Sushil Modi govt: Randeep Singh Surjewala

3:32 PM

Bihar Police conduct flag march in Munger after a mob vandalised SDO & SP office

3:19 PM

Stage collapses during Congress candidate's political rally in Bihar's Darbhanga

3:02 PM

Choosing PM Modi changed nature of Indian politics: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath in Bihar

Fifteen years ago, some people had put Bihar in an identity crisis but choosing Prime Minister Narendra Modi has changed the nature of Indian politics, said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday.

 

"Fifteen years ago, some people put Bihar in an identity crisis. Recall their 'jungle raj' when corruption was rampant...6 years ago, choosing PM Modi changed the nature of Indian politics. Now, no poor has religion or caste. Development is for all," said Yogi in Siwan.

 

"People of Bihar stepped out amid COVID-19 pandemic to vote and I would like to thank all of you for that. I would like to thank PM Modi who announced 'gareeb kalyan package' for the welfare of poor people," he added.

2:17 PM

Election Commission of India orders immediate removal of SP & DM of Munger

12:13 PM

Rahul Gandhi has no political 'aukaat' left, says Ravi Shankar Prasad

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying that the latter does not have a political stature now and nobody takes him seriously.

 

Prasad's comment comes after the Congress leader, during his rally in Valmiki Nagar earlier today, had said effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi were burnt on Dussehra instead of Raavan's.

 

"Rahul Gandhi ki rajnitik aukat itni bhi nahi bachi hai, woh roz kuch na kuch ul jalool bolte hai. Nobody takes him seriously. He was the president of the Congress party. Is this how he should speak? This shows how desperate the Congress is. When results will be out, you'll see what is the condition of the party," Prasad said during a press conference. Read on...

9:12 AM

Bihar election live: This time people voted for change & development, says Chirag Paswan

This time people voted for change & development. The feedback I am getting from my party candidates & workers clearly indicates that CM Nitish Kumar won't be able to retain his position after November 10. BJP-LJP will form a new government in Bihar: Chirag Paswan, LJP

8:25 PM

Bihar records 53.54% polling in first phase: State Chief Electoral Officer

Bihar recorded a 53.54 per cent polling in the first phase of assembly polls on Wednesday, according to a release by the Chief Electoral Officer Bihar. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora earlier addressed a press conference here and said the final figures will come later on the basis of all the votes cast by the electorate.

 

"Till 5 pm the voter turnout in Bihar phase one election was 52.24 per cent. In 2015 elections, Phase one turnout was 54.94 per cent and in Lok Sabha elections it was 53.54 per cent. The voting is still underway in some places and the final figures will be out soon," Arora said.

 

The CEC said 12 out of the 16 districts where polling was held are affected by left Wing Extremism (LWE). He said that the polling time had to be extended in 12 polling stations owing to the late start of the process. He thanked the voters, political parties and the local administration for the smooth conduct of elections.