Chirag Paswan makes it official, throws his hat in Bihar Assembly Poll ring
New Delhi: Union minister and LJP (RV) leader
Chirag Paswan
announced at a '
Nav Sankalp Rally
' in Arrah, Bihar, on Sunday that he will contest the upcoming assembly elections, heeding to his party leaders' demand and putting to rest speculations on this which have been going on for some time.
"A question is being asked whether Chirag Paswan will contest assembly elections from Bihar. My answer is yes! I will contest from every seat in Bihar to make Bihar first and
Biharis first
. The biggest thing is that I will contest elections for Bihar and will contest elections for Biharis," he said amid loud cheers from people present at the rally.
Sources told ET that Paswan had taken a decision on this much earlier and wanted to announce it at a public event. He has been maintaining that the NDA will contest the upcoming assembly elections under the leadership of
Nitish Kumar
and that Kumar would be made the chief minister.
But now, he has positioned himself quite differently. Clearly, Paswan is eyeing a major role post-elections. A few days ago, his party leader announced that if Paswan decided to contest elections, he would contest from a general seat rather than an SC seat to show that he is a state leader acceptable to all.
Recently, he has been quite vocal over issues concerning Bihar. On Wednesday, Paswan expressed regret over the death of a minor rape victim from Muzaffarpur and in his letter to Kumar, he called it an abject failure of the state's law and order system.
Live Events
A BJP leader told ET that anyone, including Paswan, can contest from the seats allotted to his party after seat sharing. "Paswan has said that he is working under the leadership of Nitish Kumar and is committed to making him the CM. Kumar and we are contesting 243 seats with the same goal," JDU spokesman
Rajeev Ranjan
told ET.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Bhoomipuja often carried out for political gain than execution: Gadkari
1 2 3 4 Nagpur: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said that regardless of which party is in power, dozens of project bhoomipujans are carried out, often driven by political optics than execution. "MLA saheb wins the first election with the bhoomipujan announcement, the second after the actual bhoomipujan is done, and the third election based on budget provisions and pending work," Gadkari said, citing the example of the Gosikhurd project. Speaking on the second day of the Vidarbha Water Conference held at Vanamati, the Union minister added, "The Gosikhurd project started at ₹360 crore. Today, over ₹12,500 crore has been spent, out of which over ₹6,000 crore was allocated when I was the water resources minister. Yet, the project remains stagnant. Rehabilitation issues in the region are still unresolved." Citing another example, Gadkari addressed the status of Central Road Fund (CRF) allocations, clarifying that the entire Rs7,000 crore budgeted amount had already been approved for projects. "MLAs fly to Delhi requesting approvals. Against proposals worth Rs7,000 crore, we've sanctioned the full amount. But beyond that, I can't approve more unless new provisions are made," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo He stressed that govt processes inherently take time and are bound by budgetary limits. "People get excited when big projects are announced, photos are clicked during bhoomipujans, coconuts are broken — and then projects remain stuck for 25 years," Gadkari remarked. Referring to the ongoing crisis of farmer suicides in Vidarbha, Gadkari pointed to water scarcity as one of the main causes, especially in districts like Akola, Washim, Buldhana, Yavatmal, Amravati, and Wardha. "In the past few years, many farmers died by suicide. Several studies were conducted, and one of the major reasons found was water scarcity. The second key factor was the cotton price mechanism. We need to increase production, and for that, water conservation is essential. Until irrigation is secured, farmer suicides will not stop," he said. Speaking further on conservation, Gadkari said, "Major and medium-scale projects will continue, but what individuals can do at their level matters most. Water that runs should be slowed, water that slows should be stopped, and the water that stops should seep into the ground — only then will groundwater levels rise." He also emphasised the role of educational institutions in building agricultural self-sufficiency. Citing the late Dr Shrikant Jichkar, Gadkari said universities should focus on seed development, branding, and selling agricultural produce. "The income generated should go toward paying teachers' salaries. If the revenue doesn't come in one season, it will come in the next. Without such accountability, institutions risk becoming colourless, tasteless, and odourless," he warned, urging alignment of academic research with field-level agricultural needs. Gadkari also advocated for the creation of a regional water grid to address unequal water availability across basins. "Some basins receive excess rainfall and flood, while others remain dry. Just like roads and power grids, a water grid is needed to move surplus water from one basin to another," he said. He added that while large projects require land acquisition, environmental clearances, and funding, basin-to-basin transfers could be launched faster through proper planning and community-led initiatives. Gadkari cited upcoming projects in Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh that aim to channel sufficient water into the Yamuna, ensuring Delhi won't face shortages at least until 2090. Drawing comparisons, he pointed out that Telangana implemented a Rs80,000 crore water project, along with 49 other previously planned projects in the southern parts, saving a significant amount of water that would have otherwise flowed directly into the sea.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Somanna urges Karnataka govt to reconsider dropped railways projects
Mysuru: Union minister of state for railways V Somanna, on Sunday urged Karnataka govt to reconsider its decision to drop the Chamarajanagar–Hejjala and Mysuru–Kushalnagar railway projects. Following a review meeting with Mysuru division railway officials, Somanna said he wrote to the state urging it to take up both projects and plans to personally follow up with chief minister Siddaramaiah in the next 15 days. "State govt earlier returned both proposals citing an inability to implement them," the Union minister said. "I've since written requesting a reconsideration. I also spoke to Chamarajanagar MP Sunil Bose and Mysuru district minister HC Mahadevappa, but there has been no progress so far. I will increase pressure and ensure that these projects are approved at the earliest. Developmental initiatives should go beyond party lines. " On electrification progress between Mysuru and Chamarajanagar, he said only a 1.2km stretch near Kadakola, close to Mysuru airport, remains incomplete. He said this is due to "technical challenges". "We are working on obtaining an online NOC, and once cleared, that final stretch will be completed soon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Capital Gains Exemptions for Seniors SmartAsset Learn More Undo Across the country, 99% of electrification is complete, and we aim to reach 100% by the end of the year," he said. Additionally, Somanna announced that Union govt sanctioned Rs 200 crore for the Yadgir Railway coach factory expansion, where currently only 50 employees are working. Somanna emphasised the importance of timely project execution, high-quality construction standards, and enhanced passenger amenities. He expressed satisfaction with the current pace of work and reaffirmed the central govt's commitment to improving regional connectivity. He praised chief minister Siddaramaiah for his cooperation in land acquisition matters, which enabled significant railway infrastructure progress in Karnataka. "Karnataka is seeing the implementation of 13 major projects worth around Rs 39,000 crore, including the Rayadurga–Tumakuru, Tumakuru–Davanagere, Kuduchi–Gadag, and Gadag–Wadi lines," he said. "Under the Viksit Bharat initiative, a greenfield corridor is being planned in Tumakuru, which will connect major factories directly via rail. This move is expected to drastically reduce transportation costs—from Rs 13/km by road to Rs 6–7/km by rail."
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Andhra Pradesh government calls for tenders to fast track river linking project
1 2 3 Vijayawada: State govt is determined to launch the dream river linking project by initiating Godavari-Banakacharla major irrigation scheme. Notwithstanding the objections and uproar from the neighbouring Telangana, Andhra Pradesh govt has decided to put the project on fast track by calling tenders. The project will be taken up under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). The Centre has raised several doubts about the economical feasibility of Godavari-Banakacherla project. However, the State has decided to prepare the detailed project report (DPR) in order to secure further clearances from the Centre for the Godavari diversion scheme. State-level technical committee and oversight committees will be appointed to screen the project DPR. The Polavaram–Banakacherla linkage project is being undertaken under the Jalaharathi Corporation, a special purpose vehicle (SPV). The project is expected to cost 81,900 crore. Govt requested the Centre to arrange financial assistance through external aided projects (EAP) from the multinational lending agencies and also from the Union budget. It requested the Centre to ensure that at least 50% of the project cost (₹40,950 crore) is raised as EAP loans. It requested the Centre to spare another 20% (₹16,380 crore) as grant. AP govt is getting ready to take burden to the tune of ₹8,190 crore which is 10% of the total project cost. It proposed to involve private players to share the remaining 20% load, which is around ₹16,380 crore, under the hybrid annuity model (HAM). A high-level delegation from state govt visited New Delhi and shared the details of Godavari-Banakacherla project with the senior officials from the Union finance ministry. However, Sajjan Singh Yadav, additional secretary of finance ministry,reportedly asked the state officials to explain as to how the project could be technically and financially feasible when so many lift schemes are part of it. He had also wanted to know from state govt as to what would be the fate of existing projects on Krishna river when it is proposed to divert 200 tmc ft of Godavari water to Krishna basin. He reportedly asked about the power required to operate the lift schemes, included as part of the scheme, and as to how the State wanted to generate such a huge quantum of energy. It was also said that Yadav asked the state team how they wanted to utilise the flood waters from both Krishna and Godavari simultaneously, since flood hits both the rivers either simultaneously or with little gap. Former agriculture minister and social activist, Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao objected the proposal to take up Godavari-Banakacherla without completion of ongoing irrigation projects. "Several projects launched during NTR regime between1983-89 could not be completed even after 40 years and also his grandson Lokesh became minister. How could we expect Godavari-Banakacharla, proposed with Rs.1 lakh crore, would be completed anytime soon?" fumed Vadde. He alleged that state govt is proposing the projects only to benefit the contractors, and not the state.
