Page 4 - Bihar

Priyanka confident of INDIA bloc's win in Bihar, slams NDA's poll promises

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday dismissed promises made by the ruling NDA in poll-bound Bihar and exuded confidence that the INDIA bloc will win the assembly elections. She briefly interacted with journalists at the Patna airport before launching her election campaign in the state. When her views were sought on promises like "1 crore jobs" in the manifesto released by the BJP-led coalition a day ago, Vadra said, "Why now? What have they been doing all these years?" Notably, CM Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) president, has been in power in alliance with the BJP since 2005, barring a few brief hiatuses on account of his own stepping down or short-lived alliances with arch rival Lalu Prasad's RJD and Congress.

Nitish Kumar urges voters to back NDA again, cites improved law and order

Asserting that "being a Bihari is now a matter of pride", Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday urged people to once again vote for the NDA in the upcoming assembly polls for faster development of the state. In a video message uploaded by his party, JD(U), on social media on Saturday, Kumar claimed that he has not done anything for his family and the state's growth has always been his priority. Kumar also said that law and order have "remarkably improved" in the state after his government came to power in November 2005. "People knew Bihar's situation before we came to power in 2005. We prioritised the restoration of law and order and established the rule of law in the state. Now, being a Bihari is a matter of pride for the residents of the state," the chief minister said. The JD (U) supremo said his government has taken several measures for the empowerment of women, Hindus, Muslims, upper castes, Dalits and those belonging to the weaker section of society and backward ...

Datanomics: Election looms in Bihar, but who's been asking tough questions?

As Bihar heads for polls on Nov 6 and 11, data shows active questioning by opposition MLAs and fluctuating assembly sittings under the NDA-Mahagathbandhan tenure

Best of BS Opinion: The night, the noise, and the need for balance

Today's pieces look at public debt and economic stability, trade as strategic leverage, the continuing unemployment crisis in Bihar, and how pollution has turned the Milky Way's light into an irritant

If elected, INDIA bloc to restore Old Pension Scheme in Bihar: Himachal CM

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday said if the INDIA bloc forms the government in Bihar, it will reintroduce the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) on the lines of his state. Talking to reporters here, Sukhu said, "There has been no sign of development in the 20 years of NDA rule in Bihar. This is evident from the fact that 64 per cent of people in Bihar live on Rs 66 per day." He asserted that there was a need to "change for good" in the state, adding that Bihar, which could have emerged as a major tourism hub, "has been left in a dismal state by the NDA government". Sukhu said the OPS was restored in Himachal Pradesh in the first cabinet meeting of his government, resulting in a tenfold increase in the pension amount for state employees. "Nearly 1.36 lakh government employees have benefitted from the scheme," he claimed. The chief minister clarified that the move was made as part of Rahul Gandhi's commitment to fulfil the Congress' promises, and not for ...

INDIA bloc to be wiped out in Bihar as Rahul insulted Chhathi Maiyya: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the INDIA bloc will be "wiped out" in Bihar polls as people will "take revenge" for Congress workers allegedly insulting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother and Rahul Gandhi "deriding" the PM and 'Chhathi Maiyya'. Addressing a rally in Lakhisarai district, he claimed that Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, insulted 'Chhathi Maiyya' while criticising Modi, saying those worshipping the goddess were doing drama. In a jibe at Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, he called upon people to press on EVM buttons having NDA symbols with such rage that the tremors are "felt in Italy". Shah claimed that Bihar witnessed 'jungle raj' during the chief ministership of Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi, while asserting that every vote to NDA will bring development to the state. He alleged that the UPA government indulged in scams worth Rs 12 lakh crore during 10 years of rule, whereas nobody could point fingers at Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar f

Tejashwi accuses NDA of exploiting Bihar, urges voters to 'drive them out'

Earlier, Tejashwi slammed Union Home Minister Amit Shah, asserting that he had never seen a home minister who cited the lack of land as the reason for not setting up industries in Bihar

PM Modi, Rahul, Shah, and Nadda to address public rallies in Bihar today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and BJP president J P Nadda will hold several public rallies in poll-bound Bihar on Thursday. Modi will address two public rallies in Muzaffarpur and Saran districts. The PM kicked off the NDA campaign for the Bihar assembly elections by addressing rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai on October 24. In a post on X, he wrote, "My family members in Bihar are contesting in the elections to ensure a huge victory for BJP-NDA. In this atmosphere of enthusiasm, I will have the privilege to interact with the public at around 11 am in Muzaffarpur and at 12.45 PM in Chhapra." "I am confident that in the assembly elections, my brothers and sisters of the state will once again herald a grand victory," he wrote. The poll temperature has already shot up in Bihar as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, are set to address several public rallies in favour of their

BJP running Bihar govt through remote control using Nitish's face: Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday charged the BJP with running the government in Bihar "through remote control", using the face of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha made the remark in Muzaffarpur district, where he addressed his maiden election rally in the state. "I agree with Tejashwi Yadav, who spoke just before me, that the government in Bihar is being run through remote control. They are simply using the face of Nitish Kumar," claimed Gandhi. The former Congress president also lambasted the ruling BJP at the Centre for being "against social justice" and pointed out that it was at the opposition party's insistence that the Narendra Modi government agreed to a caste census. Gandhi alleged, "Two Indias are emerging. One belongs to the common people, and the other to five or 10 billionaires. This is the reason that places like Bihar suffer in poverty, with its vast potential remaining untapped." "You all must have seen the drama th

Amit Shah accuses RJD, Congress of pushing dynastic politics in Bihar

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday attacked the INDIA bloc, alleging that RJD supremo Lalu Prasad wants to make his son Tejashwi the chief minister of Bihar and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi her son Rahul the PM, while asserting that "both posts were not vacant". Addressing a rally in Darbhanga district of Bihar, Shah termed the Mahagathbandhan as 'thug bandhan', alleging that Lalu Prasad is involved in fodder, bitumen and land-for-jobs scams, while Congress was involved in corruption cases worth Rs 12 lakh crore. Shah said that the Centre has put a ban on radical outfit PFI and arrested its members, asserting that the NDA will not let them come out of prison. "Do you think RJD will let PFI members remain in prison if they come to power in Bihar?" he questioned. Shah said that the NDA government provides free ration to 8.52 crore people of Bihar, constituted Makhana Board, and provides 125 units of free power to domestic consumers. "Darbhanga will get a metro rail soon... a

UP CM Adityanath greets Bihar voters in Bhojpuri ahead of campaign rallies

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday greeted the people of Bihar in a distinct Bhojpuri style ahead of addressing three election rallies in the poll-bound state later in the day. In a post on X, he said, "Bihar ke sab bhai-bahin logan ke pranam ba. Aaj Raghunathpur, Shahpur evam Buxar Vidhan Sabha kshetra wasiyon se samvad ka avsar praapt hoga" (Greetings to all brothers and sisters of Bihar... Today I will get the opportunity to interact with the people of Raghunathpur, Shahpur, and Buxar assembly constituencies). Referring to Bihar as the land of "knowledge, revolution and devotion", the chief minister said the state continues to stand with the NDA, which he described as a symbol of good governance and nationalism. "The people of Bihar must respond unitedly to corrupt and divisive forces. Bihar is ready, once again, for an NDA government," Adityanath said in his post. This marks the Uttar Pradesh chief minister's second election-related visit to Bihar, where

INDIA bloc manifesto a commitment, promises will be fulfilled: Tejashwi

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday asserted that the manifesto of the INDIA bloc, released on the previous day, is the alliance's resolution and commitment, and that every promise would be fulfilled if the Mahagathbandhan is voted to power. Speaking to reporters here, Yadav, the INDIA bloc's chief ministerial candidate, said, "The manifesto is our resolution and commitment and all promises that have been made will be fulfilled. This is our 'pran' (resolution) patra (document)". "We have promised a government job to one member of every household, implementation of Old Pension Scheme (OPS), regularisation of contractual workers in government departments and framing of a consistent policy to ensure transfer and posting of teachers, police personnel, healthcare workers and other employees within a 70 km radius of their home district," he said. "We will also construct press clubs for journalists in all divisions in the state," he said, adding that hostels would also be opened for ...

Bihar polls: Shah, Rahul among political leaders set to hold rallies today

Poll temperature has shot up in Bihar as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, are set to address several public rallies on Wednesday in favour of their NDA and INDIA bloc nominees, respectively, in various parts of the poll-bound state. Union minister Rajnath Singh and several chief ministers of BJP-ruled states will also hold rallies in support of NDA candidates in different parts of Bihar. During the day, Shah will address public rallies in Darbhanga, Samastipur and Begusarai in favour of the NDA nominees, while Rahul Gandhi will join other INDIA bloc leaders, including RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, at two programmes in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga. The 243-member Bihar assembly will go to polls in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with results set to be announced on November 14. Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will also address a number of rallies separately in favour of NDA nominees in assembly segments of ..

Bihar assembly election: Key faces defining the 2025 Bihar state polls | RJD | JDU | Jan Suraaj

As Bihar heads to polls in November 2025, the political battlefield is alive with old legacies, new ambitions, and unexpected faces. From Tejashwi Yadav’s bid to lead the Mahagathbandhan

Silk threads, sugar dreams: What remains of Bihar's industrial past

Once a significant industrial state of eastern India, Bihar now stands as a sobering tale of unrealised potential and faded fortunes. Factories that once buzzed with activity now lie silent

'Last 20 yrs were about infra growth, next five will be about prosperity'

Bihar Minister Ashok Chaudhary says there's no anti-incumbency against Nitish Kumar and that the next five years will focus on prosperity after two decades of infrastructure-led growth

Tejashwi Yadav vows to lift toddy ban; says NDA failed Bihar for 20 years

At a rally in Saran, Tejashwi Yadav campaigned for Tej Pratap's sister-in-law, promising to lift the toddy ban if elected; he even accused CM Nitish Kumar of copying his development plans for Bihar

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Prashant Kishor listed as voter in both Bihar and West Bengal: EC official

Poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor figures in the electoral rolls of both Bihar and West Bengal, an election official said on Tuesday. Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party is contesting the assembly elections in Bihar. According to official records, Kishor is enrolled as a voter in West Bengal at 121, Kalighat Road, the address of the Trinamool Congress headquarters in Kolkata's Bhabanipur assembly constituency, which is Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee's seat, he said. "His polling station is listed as St Helen School on B Ranishankari Lane," the official added. During the 2021 assembly elections in West Bengal, Kishor had worked as a political consultant for the TMC. Kishor is registered at Kargahar assembly segment under Sasaram parliamentary constituency in Rohtas district of Bihar, the poll official said, adding that his polling booth is Madhya Vidyalaya, Konar. Further talking about the matter, the poll official referred to Section 17 of the Representation o

Law and order has collapsed in Bihar ahead of polls, says Tejashwi Yadav

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday alleged that the law and order situation has completely collapsed in Bihar, and the NDA government in the state was least bothered about the situation. Addressing a poll rally at Marhaura in Saran, Yadav asserted that the INDIA bloc needs to be voted to power in the assembly elections for redressal of people's grievances. Saran is witnessing murder, dacoity, abduction and loot every day. But, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is least bothered about it he never comes to console the victims. This is sheer insensitivity on the part of the government, he claimed. Vote for the INDIA bloc to ensure improved law and order, jobs and redressal of grievances, Yadav said. The opposition coalition's chief ministerial candidate also reiterated his promise of one government job to every family in the state if it comes to power. The 243-member Bihar Assembly will go to polls in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with results set to be announced on November