Latest news with #BiharAssemblyElections
Mint
3 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
NDA vs NDA twist in Bihar Election? Nitish Kumar may face hurdle from THIS ally in 2025 assembly polls. Here's why
The poll bugle has been sounded in Bihar, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announcing a slew of welfare initiatives to woo voters in the state. He is eyeing another term as the Bihar CM and aims to strenghthen his party's position in the state. If all goes well in his favour, he will take oath for the record 10th time as the chief minister. But the road may not be so easy for Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United). The party faces some grave challenges – not just from the Opposition, but also from within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). A threat to the JD(U) may come from Chirag Paswan and his party Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). Chirag Paswan, who is an ally of the JD(U) and the BJP and is part of the NDA in Bihar, recently expressed his desire to contest the Bihar Assembly Elections on all 243 seats. This may have alarmed the JDU. Paswan said on June 8, 'For those who ask from where I will contest, I want to tell you that my party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and I will contest on 243 seats to make NDA candidates win and strengthen the NDA alliance. My goal is that the NDA moves towards victory...' But will Chirag Paswan himself contest the polls? He has left this decision to the people of the state. In an interview with Times Now, Paswan further clarified that it's upon his party to take a decision after analysing the pros and cons of him contesting the Bihar polls. "Will it benefit the gathbandhan (NDA)? What overall impact will it have on the NDA's poll campaign? LJP-Ram Vilas MP Arun Bharti had earlier informed that the party is conducting a survey, and the result will eventually ascertain whether Chirag Paswan would 'think about coming to Bihar and contesting elections.' Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) had fielded candidates on 137 of 243 seats in the 2020 Bihar Assembly Elections. The party had won just one seats, but significantly cut into the JD(U)'s vote share. For the unversed, the JDU and the BJP contested the 2020 polls in alliance (NDA). The undivided LJP was not part of it then. The LJP official split into two parties – Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party – in 2021. In 2020, The LJP pitted all its 137 candidates against the contenders of the JD(U) after it decided to quit the NDA. As many as 25 BJP rebel leaders had also joined the LJP after the party denied them a ticket. The result was such that the JD(U)'s seat share fell much below the BJP's figures for the first time since 2005. Nitish Kumar's party, which won 71 seats in the 2015 state polls, secured just 43 seats in the 2020 election. Meanwhile, the BJP gained significantly, increasing its seat share from 53 in 2015 to 74 in 2020. The JD(U) had then lost its position as the second-largest party in the state, only to be replaced by the BJP. Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) maintained its single-largest party status. Once the senior partner in the NDA in Bihar, the JD(U) found itself falling behind its junior ally, the BJP, after the 2020 polls. Several JDU leaders had then blamed the BJP for the party's loss. They started believing that Chirag Paswan had acted as the BJP's proxy to cut the party's votes. JD(U) lawmakers had told The New Indian Express, "... the BJP changed its colours once the assembly polls of 2020 approached." "It [BJP] was clearly behind the rebellion of Chirag Paswan who openly spoke of dislodging Nitish Kumar and fielded his candidates, many of them so-called rebels of the BJP, in all seats the JD(U) contested," the sources reportedly said. Today, Chirag Paswan's LJP (Ram Vilas) is part of the NDA. Despite this, he doesn't fall short of criticising Nitish Kumar's governance. In early July, Chirag Paswan said that law and order in Bihar has completely collapsed, while raising concerns over the murder of two youths in Nalanda. In a post on X on July 7, Chirag Paswan said, 'Yesterday, in Biharsharif, Nalanda, criminals brutally murdered 16-year-old Himanshu Paswan and 20-year-old Anu Kumar by shooting them. This incident is extremely unfortunate and condemnable. This heinous event not only shakes humanity but also shows that law and order in Bihar have completely collapsed.' He also referred to the CM Nitish Kumar in his X post, saying, "Crime in the state is at its peak, and the fact that such an incident was carried out by criminals in the home district of the honourable Chief Minister clearly indicates that the morale of criminals is at its highest." "I have spoken with the local administration over the phone and have directed them to identify the criminals and take strict action," he added. His comments raised speculations around his equation with the JDU and Nitish Kumar. The LJP (Ram Vilas) is part of the ruling NDA, with Janata Dal (United) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The LJP is expected to keep on allying with the NDA for the upcoming Bihar polls, however Paswan has not yet confirmed his stance on it.
India.com
4 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Masterstroke by Nitish Kumar ahead of Bihar assembly polls, makes THIS BIG announcement for all households, JD(U) chief says...
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Patna: In a major move ahead of the Bihar Assembly Elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced free power up to 125 units to all domestic consumers in the state. The chief minister made the announcement on the social media, stating that the benefit will reach 1.67 crore households. He also said the free power benefit will be effective from August 1. 'This means that no charges will be levied for 125 units in the bills for July itself,' said Kumar, who also claimed 'we have already been providing cheap electricity to all consumers'. Notably, the longest-serving CM of the state has for long been a votary of 'one nation, one tariff', claiming that under the present circumstances, Bihar was getting electricity from the grid at a high rate. Nitish Kumar Pitches For Promoting Solar Power In his social media post, the JD(U) supremo also made a strong pitch for promoting solar power in Bihar, stating that an estimated 10,000 MW will be produced in the state through the alternative source of energy in the next three years. He spoke of 'Kutir Jyoti Yojana', a fully state-funded scheme, which entails the installation of solar panels at public places as well as the rooftops of poor people's houses with their consent. Kumar's latest move comes in the backdrop of the promise of '200 units of free electricity' by his rival and former deputy Tejashwi Yadav, whose RJD helms the opposition INDIA bloc in the state. Prime Minister Modi to Visit Bihar on July 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Bihar on Friday when he is scheduled to address a public rally in East Champaran district, besides launching development projects worth over Rs 7,000 crore. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation development projects catering to Rail, Road, Rural Development, Fisheries, Electronics and Information Technology sectors. PM Modi will dedicate to the nation multiple rail projects. He will lay the foundation stone for 4-laning of Ara bypass of NH-319 that connects Ara-Mohania NH-319 and Patna-Buxar NH-922 providing seamless connectivity and reducing travel time. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the 4-lane Parariya to Mohania section of NH-319, worth over Rs 820 crore, part of NH-319 which connects Ara Town to NH-02 (Golden Quadrilateral) that will improve freight and passenger movement. PM Modi will inaugurate New Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) facility at Darbhanga He will inaugurate a series of fisheries development projects sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Prime Minister Modi will flag off four new Amrit Bharat trains: Prime Minister will flag off four new Amrit Bharat trains between Rajendra Nagar Terminal (Patna) to New Delhi, Bapudham Motihari to Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal), Darbhanga to Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) and Malda Town to Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) via Bhagalpur improving connectivity in the region. Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for multiple rail projects. Rail projects include development of infrastructure for maintenance of Vande Bharat trains at Patliputra. Automatic signalling on Bhatni-Chhapra Gramin rail line (114 km) to enable streamlined train operations. Upgradation of traction system in Bhatni-Chhapra Gramin section to enable higher train speeds by strengthening the traction system infrastructure and optimising energy efficiency. Darbhanga-Narkatiaganj rail line doubling project worth around Rs 4,080 crore to increase sectional capacity, enable operation of more passenger and freight trains, strengthen connectivity between North Bihar and the rest of the country.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rahul Gandhi to lead Bihar Mahagathbandhan protest: Tyres burnt, roads blocked; what the electoral roll row is about
NEW DELHI: The Mahagathbandhan alliance on Wednesday kicked off a "Bihar Bandh" protesting against the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by the Election Commission . Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, will lead a protest rally in Patna and plan to encircle the Chief Electoral Office in the state capital. Earlier, the former deputy chief minister said that the opposition had called for the Bihar Bandh to vent their ire against the ongoing voter list revision ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. 'We will enforce a 'chakka jam' on July 9. Both the Election Commission and the government will be targeted by the Opposition. It is quite surprising that the EC is changing its orders every hour. As a result, BLOs and other officials engaged in the verification exercise are confused,' Tejashwi said. Why is the opposition protesting ? The Opposition has alleged that the Election Commission, through its special intensive revision of electoral rolls, is snatching voting rights from migrants, Dalits, Mahadalits, and poor voters, calling the campaign a 'conspiracy to block votes' ahead of the Bihar Assembly Elections , which are due in three months. Train halted, tyres Burnt Workers from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and CPM burnt tyres and blocked roads in support of the Bihar Bandh on NH-30 in Patna's Maner. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Party workers were seen raising banners and shouting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Election Commission. Meanwhile, RJD's student wing blocked train tracks and NH-82 in Jehanabad. RJD workers also stopped the Namo Bharat train in Darbhanga. 'We have called this Bandh against the Election Commission, which is working as per someone's agenda… The public is tired of the government. RJD and the entire INDIA alliance have called for the Bandh,' an RJD worker said. Supporters of Independent MP Pappu Yadav also stopped an express train in Narpatganj, Araria. 'SIR a normal exercise' The poll body has claimed that the exercise is a standard procedure to update the voter list before every election as mandated by law. It has also undertaken a drive to weed out foreign illegal migrants from the electoral rolls in six states, starting with Bihar. The poll panel reminded the constitutional provision that says only Indian citizens can vote. "The Constitution of India is supreme. All citizens, political parties, and the Election Commission of India follow the Constitution," EC said in a statement. The poll panel already has nearly 78,000 booth-level officers (BLOs) and is appointing over 20,000 more for new polling stations, it said. More than one lakh volunteers will be assisting genuine electors, particularly the old, sick, persons with disabilities, poor, and other vulnerable groups during the special intensive revision. Out of the existing 7,89,69,844 electors, 4.96 crore electors, whose names are already in the last intensive revision of the Electoral Roll on January 1, 2003, have to "simply verify so, fill the Enumeration Form and submit it." The enumeration form should be filled between 25 June and 26 July, after which the draft voter list will be published on 1 August 2025; the period for filing claims and objections will be from 1 August to 1 September, and the final voter list will be published on 30 September.
India Today
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Nobody can stop me: Defiant Tej Pratap seen meeting 'partner' after RJD ouster
A month after a high-voltage drama over his alleged relationship with Anushka Yadav became the talk of the town in Bihar, former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tej Pratap Yadav on Monday met his friend and was seen coming out of her house in Patna. "Nobody can stop me," he told reporters before sitting in his car and leaving the Pratap was expelled from the party and disowned by his father Lalu Prasad Yadav after making his relationship with Anushka public last month. A day after his expulsion, Tej Pratap's estranged wife, Aishwarya Rai, called the RJD supremo's action an eyewash to mislead the people of Bihar."I keep meeting everyone. Nobody can stop me. We have family relations and this how things are," Tej Pratap said as he walked out of Anushka's Patna home. The elder son of Lalu Yadav, who had announced a "long-standing relationship with Anushka Yadav" and later clarified saying that his Instagram account was hacked, said on Monday that he had indeed shared the post. He admitted that he was the one who deleted it as May 24, 2025, Tej Pratap declared that he has been in love with Anushka Yadav for over 12 years and that they are in a relationship. But he later claimed that his account had been hacked, and the photos edited to defame him and his claim of an account hack and the deletion of the post did not deter his father and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadav from announcing that he was expelling Tej Pratap from the party for six years, citing his "irresponsible conduct" and deviation from the family's values and public his estranged wife rejected the seriousness of the action and said both father and son were in cahoots."It is a poll season drama enacted by the family. I am sure he will be taken back to the party once the Assembly elections are over," Roy said while speaking to the media two days after Tej Pratap's WOES SOON AFTER WEDDING VOWSTej Pratap Yadav's marriage to Aishwarya Rai, granddaughter of ex-Bihar Chief Minister Daroga Rai, collapsed within months, with Aishwarya accusing her husband and in-laws of throwing her out. Her father, Chandrika Roy — himself a former minister, quit the RJD in protest, pledging to fight the battle "politically and legally".Their divorce case remains stuck in court, with both sides lobbing serious allegations at each other. Tej Pratap claims Aishwarya demanded a hefty alimony; she, in turn, has accused him of drug use and cross-dressing in the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections, Tej Pratap Yadav is preparing to contest for the Mahua seat in Vaishali district this year, leaving the Hasanpur seat in Samastipur. It may be noted that he won the Mahua seat in 2015, and now he is strategising a return to the same constituency once again.- EndsWith inputs by ShashiTrending Reel IN THIS STORY#Bihar
NDTV
30-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
NDTV Exclusive - What Nitish Kumar Asked Chirag Paswan On Stage During PM Rally
New Delhi: At a rally in Bihar's Siwan earlier this month, several leaders were seen gathered on stage, waiting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrive. Amid this, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was seen deep in conversation with Union Minister Chirag Paswan. NDTV now knows what transpired between the two. Nitish Kumar asked Mr Paswan if he was going to contest the Bihar Assembly Elections, and if he was, then from where. In a conversation with NDTV, Mr Paswan said, "When the PM was about to come on the stage, we were standing together. Chief Minister Nitish (Kumar) was there, Lalan Singh ji was there, and other leaders were also present. He never asked not to contest the elections. When we were talking, he was also sharing his experience of how he worked at the centre, and then he came to the state." Chirag Paswan 's desire, which he revealed recently, to contest polls in his home state was not well received by the Chief Minister's party. "I definitely want to contest the elections, and I have said this everywhere. Whether I will contest the elections or not will be decided by my party. The party itself will deliberate on whether the party will benefit from me contesting the elections," he said. The 42-year-old said that Nitish Kumar also asked him about his wish to contest the assembly elections - likely in November - even as he was already a Union Minister. Nitish Kumar also said that in the coming days, Mr Paswan was going to have a big role in Bihar politics. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president told Nitish Kumar that he would contest the assembly elections only if the party and the people of Bihar wanted him to. He also said that if that happens, he would come to seek the blessings of the Chief Minister of Bihar. The conversation can be read in many ways - 1st, Nitish Kumar's party JD(U) was unable to understand why Chirag Paswan wants to contest the upcoming elections - could it spoil their poll calculation? There's also another speculation that Mr Paswan was playing the politics of pressure in the NDA so that he could get more seats. However, the Hajipur MP has insisted that he wasn't concerned about the number of seats, and he only wants winnable seats. Mr Kumar's question for Mr Paswan is evidence of sorts that Chirag Paswan remains a puzzle for the JDU. Especially, since he has been saying that he wanted to contest the Bihar assembly elections, but hasn't even revealed his cards and has been putting the onus on the party. This will also be the first assembly election when Mr Paswan and his party will seek votes for Nitish Kumar. The LJP leader is part of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition that runs the federal government. His party has five Lok Sabha MPs. In the last election, Chirag Paswan fought alone and ruined the poll plan of the JDU. In the last election, Nitish Kumar's JDU and Lalu Prasad's RJD fought the polls together. Mr Paswan was a BJP ally at that time, too. But this time around, he would have to convince the voters to vote for Nitish Kumar. In the Lok Sabha polls, Mr Paswan sought votes in the name of PM Modi, but in the Bihar assembly polls, he will have to seek votes in the name of the Chief Minister. On a surface level, what seems like a non-issue could translate into a problem. Mr Paswan has been vocal about the policies of the Bihar government, especially on the issues of Dalits and law and order - issues that could inconvenience the JD(U).
