Page 6 - Bihar

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

JDU's Sanjay Jha mocks Rahul Gandhi for 'missing' after Bihar voter yatra

The 16-day-long 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', led by Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, was conducted from August 17 to September 1

RJD expels 27 leaders, including two MLAs for working against party

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Monday expelled 27 leaders including two MLAs, four former legislators and an MLC for anti-party activities and defying the organisation's ideology in the Bihar assembly elections. According to a statement by RJD state chief Mangani Lal Mandal, the expelled leaders have also been suspended from the party's primary membership. The RJD took disciplinary action against the leaders after it found that they were indulging in anti-party activities against the RJD or Mahagathbandhan nominees", the statement said. The expelled MLAs are Chote Lal Rai (Parasa) and Mohammad Kamran (Govindpur). Four former legislators Ram Prakash Mahto, Anil Sahni, Saroj Yadav and Anil Yadav and ex-MLC Ganesh Bharti have also been suspended. Other prominent leaders expelled include Ritu Jaiswal, Akshay Lal Yadav, Ram Sakha Mahto, Avneesh Kumar, Bhagat Yadav, Mukesh Yadav, Sanjay Rai, Kumar Gaurav and Rajeev Kushwaha, among others. Reacting to this, a senior RJD leader sai

Tejashwi slams Centre over shortage of Bihar-bound trains during Chhath

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday criticised the BJP-led central government for "not running adequate number of Bihar-bound trains" to cater to the rush of passengers during Chhath Puja and alleged that people were being forced to travel in "inhumane conditions." In a video statement, Yadav alleged, "The railway minister and the other ministers of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government blatantly lied that 12,000 out of 13,000 festive special trains are being operated for Bihar on the occasion of Chhath festival." Assuring jobs for migrant workers if the opposition INDIA bloc is voted to power, the RJD leader said, "This is my promise to all people who have come to celebrate Chhath that next year we will provide them employment here, and they will celebrate the festival with their families in Bihar itself. Yadav said, "I urge all those who have come to Bihar for Chhath to have thekua' and not go back to their workplaces without casting their votes. They must vote for us as we ..

BJP expels Bihar MLA Pawan Yadav, five others for 'anti-party activities'

The Bihar unit of the BJP expelled six party leaders, including Kahalgaon MLA Pawan Yadav, for indulging in "anti-party activities". According to a party statement issued on Sunday evening, the expelled leaders, including the MLA, have also been suspended from the party's primary membership. "The party took disciplinary action against them after it found that all six leaders were indulging in anti-party activities against the NDA nominees during the ongoing assembly elections in the state. The sitting MLA of the outgoing assembly, Pawan Yadav, who was denied a ticket by the party this time, is contesting against the NDA nominee from Kahalgaon seat as an Independent candidate," it said. Others expelled from the party were Sunny Yadav, Shravan Kushwaha, Uttam Choudhary, Maruti Nandan Maruti and Pawan Choudhary. Reacting to the development, a senior BJP leader said, "These expelled leaders were working against the officially declared candidates of the NDA nominee, and against the ...

Two decades of Nitish Kumar: How 'Sushasan babu' reshaped Bihar's story

As he seeks another term as chief minister, let's revisit Nitish Kumar's long tenure at the post which saw reforms in infrastructure, education, and law and order

Being Bihari matter of pride for people of state now: Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday asserted that law and order has remarkably improved in the state after his government came to power in November 2005 and claimed that "being Bihari is a matter of pride now" for its residents. In a lengthy post on X, the CM wrote, "People can't forget Bihar before 2005, when crime and corruption were at their peak in the state. When our government came to power in 2005, we prioritised the restoration of law and order above all else and established the rule of law. A policy of zero tolerance was adopted for crime and corruption. Now, there is no atmosphere of fear or terror in the state. Now, being Bihari is a matter of pride for the people of the state." Hitting out at the INDIA bloc, without taking names of the Opposition leaders, the CM said that before 2005 (when the RJD was in power), there was complete anarchy in the state. "It had become difficult for people to step out of their homes after 6 pm. Our sisters and daughters were not ..

Waqf Act to be 'thrown into dustbin' if INDIA bloc wins Bihar: Tejashwi

If the INDIA bloc is voted to power in Bihar, the Waqf (Amendment) Act would be "thrown into the dustbin", the opposition coalition's CM candidate Tejashwi Yadav said on Sunday. Addressing a public rally in the Muslim-dominated Katihar district, Yadav said his father, Lalu Prasad, the RJD chief, never compromised with communal forces in the country. "But Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has always supported such forces, and it is because of him that the RSS and its affiliates are spreading communal hatred in the state as well as in the country. The BJP should be called 'Bharat Jalao Party'. If the INDIA bloc comes to power in the state, we will throw the Waqf Act into the dustbin," he said. The Waqf (Amendment) Act was passed by Parliament in April. The ruling BJP-led NDA has described the law as a force for transparency and empowerment of backward Muslims and women from the community, but the opposition claimed that it infringes on the rights of Muslims. On Saturday, RJD MLC Mohammad Q

Congress to launch Bihar poll campaign after Chhath; Rahul to lead

The Congress's poll campaign in Bihar will kick off soon after Chhath Puja with Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi canvassing for the INDIA bloc, senior party leader KC Venugopal said on Sunday. Venugopal, the Congress national general secretary (organisation), said that other party leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and national president Mallikarjun Kharge, will also campaign in the state, where the Voter Adhikar Yatra in August gave the party the much-needed momentum. "Our campaign will kick off soon after Chhath Puja. I think Rahul Gandhi will be here on October 29 and 30. Tours of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge are also on the cards," he told PTI video. Venugopal, who is a close aide of Gandhi, is among a number of senior Congress leaders who are camping in the poll-bound state to fine-tune the party's strategy, besides diffusing the crisis in its rank and file, which has come to the fore with many workers alleging that tickets were "put up for sale". Wh

Rahul Gandhi slams Centre, criticises 'overcrowded' Chhath trains to Bihar

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday claimed that trains to Bihar are "packed" and tickets impossible to get with the journey becoming "inhuman" during the festive season, as he asserted that "helpless travellers" are a living proof of the "NDA's deceitful policies and intentions". The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said safe and respectable travel is a right, not a favour. "It's a month of festivals - ?Diwali, Bhai Dooj, and Chhath. In Bihar, these festivals mean more than just faith, but also a yearning to return home -? the fragrance of the soil, the affection of family, the warmth of the village," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. But this yearning has now become a struggle, Gandhi said. "Trains to Bihar are packed, tickets are impossible to get, and the journey has become inhuman. Many trains are 200% overloaded -? people are hanging onto doors and roofs," the former Congress leader said. The "failed double-engine" government's claims are hollow, he said. "Wher

RJD leader Pratima Kushwaha joins BJP ahead of Bihar Assembly elections

Ahead of the Bihar assembly polls, RJD leader Pratima Kushwaha, who had earlier served as the chief of its state women's wing, joined the BJP on Saturday, claiming that "grassroots leaders are not respected" in the opposition party. BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal welcomed her to the saffron party. Talking to reporters here, Jaiswal said, "The environment of nepotism and dynastic politics is so prevalent within the RJD and the Congress that their leaders are feeling disenchanted. This is the reason why several of their leaders are joining the BJP." He claimed that the NDA will form a government in Bihar with a two-thirds majority this time under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Kushwaha said, "The RJD is no longer the party it used to be under the leadership of Lalu Prasad Yadav." She alleged that "grassroots leaders are not respected" under the party, which, along with the family heading it, "stands deeply fragmented". Kushwaha ..

Bihar polls: Police warn against posting caste-tinged songs on social media

Police in poll-bound Bihar cautioned people against posting songs with provocative caste overtones on social media and said strict action would be taken against those trying to disrupt peace and violate the model code of conduct' in the state, DGP Vinay Kumar said. No misuse of social media platforms will be tolerated, he said. The comment comes after supporters of several political parties are posting songs and short videos to spread "caste-based messages", another officer said. Police will take strict action against those who post objectionable and double-meaning songs with provocative caste overtones, including those of Bhojpuri, on social media platforms. Such acts are considered attempts to disrupt peace and violations of the model code of conduct in the poll-bound Bihar," the DGP told PTI. The guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI) are very clear in this regard, he said. Several agencies are ensuring that EC guidelines are strictly enforced in the state, the DG

PM Modi shares Chhath songs, extends greetings to devotees across India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended greetings on the occasion of Chhath, a four-day festival to worship the Sun god celebrated across the country, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern UP. "With the sacred ritual of 'Nahay-Khay', the four-day grand festival of Chhath begins today. I extend my heartfelt wishes to devotees across Bihar and the entire nation. My respect and salute to all those observing the fast," the prime minister said in a post on X. He also shared a song by noted singer Sharda Sinha, whose soulful renditions add to the festival fervour. Modi said he was in Begusarai on Friday, a place with which Sinha shared a soulful connection. "This magnificent festival of our culture symbolises simplicity and restraint, whose sanctity and adherence to rules are unparalleled. The sights at the Chhath ghats on this auspicious occasion inspire wonderful familial and social harmony. The ancient tradition of Chhath has had a profound impact on our society," Modi

CM Nitish promises 10 mn job opportunities for Bihar youth in next 5 yrs

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar highlighted the challenges faced by the state during the previous government's term, further underscoring the development brought by the BJP-led NDA in Bihar

PM Modi urges sharing Chhath songs, says melodies add divine essence

Encouraging citizens to send their favourite Chhath songs, PM Modi said he would share them on his social media platforms over the next few days

PM Modi, Amit Shah to address public rallies in poll-bound Bihar today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address public rallies separately in various parts of poll-bound Bihar on Friday. The PM will address two poll rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai districts, while Shah will participate in such programmes in Siwan and Buxar. Before addressing the public rally in Samastipur, the PM will visit Karpurigram, the birthplace of socialist icon and former Bihar CM late Karpoori Thakur, who was conferred the Bharat Ratna last year by the NDA government. "Four mega public rallies, which will be addressed by the PM and Shah in different parts of the state on Friday, will energise the BJP. The party is fully prepared for the assembly polls," its Bihar unit spokesperson Niraj Kumar told PTI. The 243-member Bihar Assembly will go to polls in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results set to be announced on November 14. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who has been declared chief ministerial candidate of the 'Mahagathbandhan' for t

Jan Sangh toppled Karpoori govt over OBC quota in Bihar: Congress jabs PM

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the birthplace of socialist icon Karpoori Thakur, the Congress on Friday took a swipe at the PM and asked whether it is not an acknowledged fact that the Jan Sangh brought down Thakur's government in Bihar in April 1979 when the-then CM introduced reservation for OBCs. The opposition party also asked whether it is not a fact that the PM and his "trouble-engine sarkar" in the state did nothing to provide protection to Bihar's 65% reservation law for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBCs, and EBCs under the Constitution. The attack came ahead of PM Modi addressing two poll rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai districts. Before addressing the public rally in Samastipur, the PM will visit Karpurigram, the birthplace of socialist icon and former Bihar CM late Karpoori Thakur, who was conferred the Bharat Ratna last year by the NDA government. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh posed questions to the PM and

Mithilanchal's rich heritage struggles amid decay and limited employment

Mithilanchal, Bihar's most distinctive region, boasts Maithili culture, Madhubani art and Dhrupad music but suffers from industrial decline, migration and limited economic opportunities

Bihar Assembly polls: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav is Opposition's CM face

PM Modi invokes Bihar's 'jungle raj' hours after the INDIA bloc names Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate; Congress hopes move will end alliance rifts