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India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
What rivals ideate, Nitish inks: The script behind the Bihar election sop story
In Bihar's humid July heat, domestic consumers can now let their fans and fridges hum guilt-free. On July 17, chief minister Nitish Kumar announced a waiver of up to 125 electricity units each month for 18.7 million households—a timely gust of cool relief that the Janata Dal (United) hopes will translate into electoral capital this fact, no welfare docket has been left untouched as Nitish is trying to position himself, once again, as the indispensable steward of Bihar's politics. Backed by a state subsidy of Rs 19,792 crore for the current financial year, the electricity waiver ensures zero billing on the first 125 units consumed—enough to power the basic needs of challenger Tejashwi Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) may have pledged 200 units of free electricity should the Opposition mahagathbandhan come to power, but Nitish's offering is no longer speculative; it has cabinet approval and will reflect in the power bills for August. He has transformed a rival's populist script into state policy, handing voters immediate relief as against one assembly elections barely months away, Nitish has absorbed and actualised key welfare ideas mooted by the Opposition—higher pension, job quota for women, subsidised electricity—demonstrating that in Bihar, at least, it is the doer, not the dreamer, who may have the edge. DOMICILE-ONLY WOMEN'S QUOTAIn a subtle but significant move on July 8, the Bihar cabinet amended its flagship government jobs scheme, tightening eligibility criteria so that the 35 per cent quota for women applies only to domiciled residents of the the first time, the gates have been shut for 'bahari' aspirants. What may seem an administrative recalibration is, in essence, a finely tuned electoral calculation: only those who cast their lot in Bihar can now share its spoils. Politically, it underscores a reciprocal logic—if only Biharis can vote, only Biharis should benefit. The subtext is unmistakable: women voters, no longer passive participants, now take UP PENSIONIn mid-June, the Nitish cabinet sanctioned a sweeping increase in social security pensions, raising monthly payments for widows, senior citizens and people with disabilities from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100. The measure immediately benefitted 11 million July 11, Nitish presided over a transfer ceremony where Rs 1,227.27 crore worth of pensions were electronically disbursed. It was a subtle but unmistakable stroke of oneupmanship: Tejashwi had promised similar hikes but Nitish had already enacted OR CAPABLE?Critics in the RJD have derided Nitish's latest moves as 'copycat politics'—a borrowing of Tejashwi's vision. Yet this critique underestimates the potency of execution. While Tejashwi's pledges remain parked in manifestos, Nitish has mobilised bureaucracies, secured budget lines and rolled out Nitish truly excels is in compressing the distance between announcement and implementation. Pension increases were credited within days. The 35 per cent women's quota change moved seamlessly from cabinet resolution to revised recruitment rules. The electricity subsidy arrived with operational clarity, including a plan to install rooftop solar systems, fully subsidised for BPL (below poverty line) families and partially supported for others. It's not merely optics. It's a bureaucratic ballet orchestrated to perfection, offering both relief and ELECTORAL ARITHMETICIn Bihar, electoral success hinges increasingly on women voters, who now consistently outvote their male counterparts. From 1951 to 2005, male voter turnout exceeded female turnout in every assembly changed in 2010, when 54.49 per cent of women voted as against 51.12 per cent of men. In 2015, women led again: 60.54 per cent to 53.30 per cent. The 2020 polls followed the same trend—59.68 per cent women's turnout against 54.45 per cent men. Even in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the divide endured: 59.45 per cent women, 53 per cent numbers mark a profound shift. Bihar's women no longer arrive at the ballot box in their husbands' or fathers' shadow—they come early and vote independently. In a state traditionally defined by caste affiliations, gender has emerged as an autonomous axis of sensing the direction of the wind, the Opposition is scrambling to shore up its pitch. The Congress, taking a page out of Hemant Soren's Jharkhand playbook, has promised a Maa-Bahan Maan Yojana, a monthly entitlement of Rs 2,500 to vulnerable women. The RJD has backed the Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party, on its part, has committed to fielding at least 40 women candidates—a recognition, perhaps, of a changing electorate that cares more about representation than STRATEGIST'S EDGEIn reserving the job quota for domiciled women and delivering on pensions and free power, Nitish isn't simply doling out benefits—he's redrawing Bihar's political map. By targeting welfare towards women, he is both rewarding loyalty and cementing future even if some of the ideas weren't originally his, so be it. As with his rooftop solar plan, Nitish is proving that borrowed light can still power a home, especially if you switch it on before anyone else does. In the upcoming high-stakes election, it is not the originality of an idea but the speed and success of its execution that may decide the direction of the to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pappu Yadav says, 'SIR, attacks on Biharis must be addressed: Govt must answer in Monsoon Session
Independent MP Pappu Yadav slams the Centre, claiming constitutional and democratic rights are being eroded ahead of the Monsoon Session. He vows the House won't function until the government addresses key issues like attacks on Bihar, Biharis, the poor, and poverty. Show more Show less
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Chirag Paswan recalls RJD's rule, blamed Lalu-Rabri for Bihar's backwardness
Ahead of the Assembly election, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) national president and Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Saturday (July 19, 2025) targeted the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) by recalling the day of 90s during this rally at Polo Ground in Munger district of Bihar. Attacking the rule of Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi, the LJP (RV) leader said that their regime put the State in back gear and that's the reason even today, Bihar is rated a backward State. Accompanied by senior leaders of his party and MPs, he pointed out that the State of Bihar is at the bottom in different parameters in terms of development. Mr. Paswan urged the people that time has come that will shape their future for the next five year and can put Bihar on the top rank in the country. 'In the coming few months, Bihar election will be held, which will determine our next five years' future. In the 90s, we wasted so many such five years, due to which Bihar ranks at the bottom in terms of development. But this time, we have the opportunity to build a Bihar that is counted not only in the country but among the developed states of the entire world. Where Bihar, along with every Bihari, is first,'Mr. Paswan said while addressing the Nav Sankalp ((New Resolution)) Mahasabha. Attacking the Opposition parties, Hajipur MP said that the path towards the development of the State is not easy and plenty of obstacles will come. 'As the election approaches, leaders of RJD, Congress, and all opposition parties will come to present their views. Then you should ask them when their coalition had a long opportunity, why they did not make Bihar a developed state. In the 90s, a deep divide was created, which forced Biharis to migrate to other states and countries,' Mr. Paswan said. Criticising the earlier government, he added when he visits the other State and country, he sees the pain in the eyes of the people of Bihar who have migrated from their own state leaving the families back home to earn their livelihood. He also said that many even have settled there. He promised that he will not allow youths to go outside the State in search of employment and education. He pledged to create such opportunities in Bihar itself. 'The Opposition parties in Bihar do not want any Bihari to become educated. They do not want better employment opportunities to be established in Bihar. Because they know that the day Bihar's youth become educated and start asking questions, like Chirag Paswan does, their politics of caste and religion will come to an end,' Mr. Paswan said. Mr. Paswan claimed that many political parties are afraid of him and they cannot tolerate him and his campaign of Bihar First Bihari First. Without naming anyone, the Union Minister alleged that there are people who want to end his political career. 'Those who want to keep my Bihar backward, I stand tall and firm before them. I too will see how my Bihar does not progress, how my Bihar does not become number one. I am not afraid of anyone because I am the son of lion Ram Vilas Paswan who has never bowed down in front of anyone,' Mr. Paswan said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bihar elections: Is BJP using Chirag Paswan to checkmate chief minister Nitish Kumar?
NEW DELHI: Is Chirag Paswan setting the stage for Round 2 of his "targeted" tussle with Nitish Kumar ahead of assembly elections? In the 2020 assembly elections, Chirag played a key role in making Nitish Kumar's JD(U) the junior partner of the BJP in the ruling NDA. Five years later, as the election approaches, he is back to targeting the Bihar chief minister, this time over the deteriorating law and order situation in the backdrop of several high-profile murders in the state. Here's a look at some of the statements Chirag has made targeting his own government in the poll-bound state over law and order: "The law-and-order situation in the state has become a matter of "grave concern" as murders are happening daily, the morale of criminals is "sky-high" and the functioning of police and overall administration defies reason." "How many Biharis will be murdered? It is beyond understanding what is the responsibility of the Bihar Police?" "It is a matter of worry the way crime has risen and law and order have collapsed in Bihar. If such an incident has happened in a posh locality of Patna, then we can only imagine what is happening in villages. It is worrying to see such incidents occur under a government that was known for good governance; then the opposition will have a chance to speak up. Strict action needs to be taken to set a precedent so that such a thing is not repeated." "Such incidents aggravate our concerns ... If the family (of Gopal Khemka) is scared, it is justified. This is a family that has faced this earlier as well. Did the local administration provide security to the family? It was the responsibility of the administration." Clearly, a no-holds-barred attack on the Bihar police, which functions under the direct watch of CM Nitish Kumar, as he also holds the home portfolio. The LJP chief's attack is completely justified given the recent murder incidents -- first the killing of a prominent businessman Gopal Khemka, who was shot outside his residence in Patna by a bike-borne assailant in broad daylight and then the killing of a convict in a hospital by four assailants, caught on CCTV. But the only catch is: Chirag Paswan is part of the NDA -- which includes the BJP and has ruled Bihar for most of the last 20 years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The present Nitish government has two deputy chief ministers from the BJP. So, who is Chirag targeting? The NDA government in the state, or only chief minister Nitish Kumar, with whom he shares a bitter, uneasy relationship? Well, the LJP (RV) chief is certainly not attacking the BJP, as his latest tweet on deteriorating law and order in Bihar was hours after he had held a meeting with BJP chief J P Nadda. In 2020, when Chirag had walked out of the NDA ahead of the assembly elections over seat sharing, he had kept his ties with the BJP while targeting Nitish Kumar. He had then strategically fielded candidates to divide the NDA votes and ensure the defeat of JD(U) candidates in several assembly seats. Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) contested 137 seats in 2020, but mostly in constituencies where Nitish Kumar's JD(U) was fighting and not the BJP. JD(U)'s seat count fell from 71 in 2015 to 43 in 2020. The party lost 72 seats of the total 115 it contested. In 27 of these, the LJP's vote share exceeded the margin of defeat. In 64 seats where the party failed to win, LJP's vote tally exceeded the margin of victory, effectively altering the final outcome. This time around, Chirag is a Union minister and very much a part of the NDA at the Centre, but he is still playing the guessing game. While announcing his decision to contest elections, he slammed the lack of development in the state till now and announced that he is contesting elections to improve the condition of the people of Bihar. Interestingly, this is also what the opposition parties claim. Chirag had earlier announced that he would be contesting elections on all 243 seats to ensure that the NDA wins and forms a government again. Now, here is a catch. Perhaps, Chirag, whose party has no members in the state assembly at present, is preparing the ground to ensure that his party gets a good number of seats to contest. But that may be difficult as the JD(U) considers itself a key player and is unlikely to give up its claims despite the party's poor show in 2020. So, if Chirag is not satisfied with seat sharing, he may yet again, with perhaps tacit approval of the BJP, decide to contest alone even while continuing to be a part of the NDA at the Centre. His aim possibly would be to ensure again that the BJP does not suffer electorally while Nitish bears the brunt. If that indeed happens, Nitish will be left in the lurch. Already battling negative reports around his health, Nitish, who has dominated politics in Bihar for the last 20 years, faces one of the most challenging elections. He has already sworn again and again that he will make no more flip-flops, something that gave him the dubious distinction of being called the "Paltu Ram". CM Nitish is likely to be wary of Chirag's plans. The Bihar chief minister knows that if his party's tally plunges further, it will be the end of the road for him, especially when it comes to leading the NDA in the state. And the mantle would naturally pass on to the BJP.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bihar rally: Men waive black flags at PM Modi during speech; three detained
NEW DELHI: Three people were detained in Bihar for allegedly waiving black flags at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in East Champaran district on Friday, the police said. "Yes, three persons were caught at the venue of the rally, carrying pieces of black cloth. We will examine the nature of the disruption they might have caused. Further action would take these into account", DIG (Champaran Range) Harkishore Rai told PTI. The opposition, Rashtriya Janata Dal, shared the video of the rally which showed men clinging to a pole under the canopy and waving black flags in protest. "At Prime Minister Modi's rally in Motihari, he was shown black flags!For 20 years, the interests of Bihar's youth have been grossly neglected, 80% of young people are unemployed, and they lack sufficient means and resources for income and employment! Despite this, the incompetent government's focus is solely on misleading Bihar's people with false promises to grab power and, in doing so, depriving poor Biharis of their right to vote!" RJD said, sharing the video on X. According to East Champaran SP Swarn Prabhat, "the trio was trying to draw attention towards the moribund sugar industry in the region". Town Police Station in-charge Inspector Rajiv Ranjan said the three detainees, Jitendra Tiwari, Vikrant Gautam, and Ravikant Ravi, hail from various areas within the district.
