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India.com
2 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Trouble For Tejashwi? Mukesh Sahani's VIP Announces To Contest 60 Seats In Bihar Assembly Polls
PATNA: In a significant political announcement, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani declared on Monday that his party will contest 60 seats in the upcoming 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. This announcement, made via a social media post, has stirred fresh speculation and strategic recalculations in the state's dynamic political landscape. 'VIP will contest on 60 seats in 2025, candidates of our allies will contest on all the remaining seats,' the post stated. It is indicating VIP is growing in ambition and potential plans for a broader alliance. Often referred to as the 'Son of Mallah', Mukesh Sahani has emerged as a prominent voice for the Nishad community in Bihar. His latest statement signals a shift from being a kingmaker in state politics to aspiring for a commanding position. In the 2020 Assembly elections, VIP contested under the NDA banner and managed to secure four seats, but the relationship soured soon after, with Sahani eventually drifting away from the BJP-led alliance. His party's base, particularly among the Mallah (fisherfolk) community, has expanded in recent years, and this new electoral claim is being seen as a move to consolidate that base into a larger political force. Sahani's declaration comes at a time when the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) is in the process of finalising its pre-poll arithmetic. The VIP's intention to contest 60 seats introduces a new challenge in alliance negotiations. If VIP aligns with the Grand Alliance, this demand could compel partners like RJD, Congress, and Left parties to reconsider their seat-sharing formulas, possibly triggering intra-alliance tension. 'Fielding candidates on 60 seats is a bold move and shows Sahani's intent to be more than a support player,' a senior political analyst commented. Sahani has consistently championed reservation for the Nishad community, a key demand that resonates with his core support base. His political rhetoric and outreach efforts have largely focused on issues affecting Extremely Backward Castes (EBCs), and his increasing appearances alongside Tejashwi Yadav in recent months hint at his strong ties with RJD.
Hans India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Bihar SIR: VIP chief clarifies over ‘house burning threat' to BLOs, pitches for one-month bonus
Patna: The Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani on Wednesday clarified his threatening remarks of violence at the houses of Booth Level Officers (BLOs), and stated that his statement has been taken out of context. He went a step further, urging the Centre and state governments to 'reward' the BLOs with a bonus for putting in extra hours, a remark showing his U-turn from his previous 'provocative' stand. The VIP chief, speaking to IANS, stated that the residents of Bihar are serious and sensitive about their right to vote, and if they are denied voting rights after the voter verification drive and publication of new electoral rolls, this may lead to a precarious situation. 'Since BLOs remain at the forefront of the distribution, collection and uploading of enumeration forms on the ECI (Election Commission of India) portal, it is they who will face the brunt of people's anger. People will confront the BLOs and not the higher officers, and this may lead to a situation where things go out of control,' he explained. Mukesh Sahani, who previously served as minister in the Bihar government, also came down heavily on the ECI's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and stated that the entire procedure was faulty and defective. He said that such an intensive drive isn't possible in a short period. Questioning the timing of 'SIR', he said, 'This should have been conducted either before the Lok Sabha polls or after the upcoming Assembly elections. What kind of message is EC giving by introducing such an extensive campaign in such a short time?' 'Were the Lok Sabha elections inappropriate? Should the elected MPs be disqualified because of faulty voter ID cards?' he asked. He claimed that the BLOs are working under intense pressure and are stretching for long hours, and this calls for enhanced enumeration and a one-month bonus for them. A day ago, his remarks stirred major political uproar in Bihar, with many parties, including the BJP and JD(U), denouncing his remarks as 'provocative and inflammatory'. A Bihar BJP leader said that VIP remains a non-player in the state's political arena and hence it was resorting to such stunts to grab public attention, while JD(U) called it an after-effect of the alliance partner (read RJD). The VIP chief's comments that sparked furore read, 'If people are deprived of their voting rights, this will create widespread chaos and spiral out of control, even the Election Commission would find it difficult to contain. Those facing the brunt of this unjust and discriminatory policy will storm the houses of BLOs and even go to the extent of torching them. And, for all this, EC will be accountable.'
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rs 51 cr sanctioned to support EC exercise
Patna: Cabinet on Tuesday sanctioned Rs 51.68 crore to support the roll revision exercise undertaken by the EC. The opposition alleged that the exercise was an attempt to implement NRC in the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now They targeted the ECI after the latter on Monday revealed that around 35 lakh of the 7.90 crore electors already enrolled in the list will be removed. Reacting over the ECI statistics, VIP founder Mukesh Sahani said, "If people's names are struck off the rolls, they will resort to violence." Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha said they are the people who don't have faith in any constitutional body in the country.
India Gazette
14-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"If anyone has votes in Bihar after RJD, it is Vikassheel Insaan Party," claims party founder Mukesh Sahani
Patna (Bihar) [India], July 14 (ANI): Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) founder Mukesh Sahani on Monday claimed that after the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), his party comes second on the list in terms of votes in Bihar. He further claimed that his party has more capital than Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his party. Speaking to ANI, Mukesh Sahani said, '... The core voters of Congress are supporting the BJP now... If after RJD, anyone has votes in Bihar, it is VIP... In terms of capital, we have more capital than Nitish Kumar...' Sahani suggested Chief Minister Kumar to leave his chair and stated only Tejashwi Yadav, Chirag Paswan, or him are able to carry forward the legacy of Nitish Kumar. '... Whether it is Tejashwi Yadav, Chirag Paswan, or me, only we can carry forward Nitish Kumar's legacy. Others want to rule Bihar. We want to break the chains of slavery here... Nitish Kumar should bless us and leave his chair,' the VIP leader said. His remarks comes ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections which are expected to be held later this year in October or November; however, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not announced an official date. Earlier on Sunday, following the Supreme Court's approval for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls, Mukesh Sahani, leader of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), called for the resignation of the Union Home Minister and Bihar's Chief Minister. Sahani's demand comes in the wake of reports alleging the infiltration of foreign nationals, including individuals from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal, into Bihar's voter list. The VIP leader criticised the government for its failure to secure the state's borders and protect the integrity of the electoral process ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Speaking to ANI, Sahani said, 'When the Election Commission was doing these things without preparation, questions started raising on them. Then they started saying things like these--that people of Bangladesh, Myanmar, and other countries are saying all these things just to mislead people.' 'If these things are true, then the Home Minister of the nation and the state CM should resign. It is the responsibility of the government to protect the border and make sure that no person from another nation resides in Bihar,' he added. (ANI)
India Gazette
13-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Home Minister, Bihar CM should resign": VIP's Mukesh Sahani on Bihar electoral roll tampering
Patna (Bihar) [India], July 13 (ANI): Following the Supreme Court's approval for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls, Mukesh Sahani, leader of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), has called for the resignation of the Union Home Minister and Bihar's Chief Minister. Sahani's demand comes in the wake of reports alleging the infiltration of foreign nationals, including individuals from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal, into Bihar's voter list. The VIP leader criticised the government for its failure to secure the state's borders and protect the integrity of the electoral process ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Speaking to ANI, Sahani said, 'When the Election Commission was doing these things without preparation, questions started raising on them. Then they started saying things like these--that people of Bangladesh, Myanmar, and other countries are saying all these things just to mislead people.' 'If these things are true, then the Home Minister of the nation and the state CM should resign. It is the responsibility of the government to protect the border and make sure that no person from another nation resides in Bihar,' he added. Meanwhile, a large number of individuals from Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar have been found by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) with Aadhaar cards, domicile certificates and ration cards during house-to-house visits carried out as part of the SIR of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, according to sources. The state will have Assembly polls later in the year. ECI sources said that after a proper enquiry is conducted from 1 Aug to 30 Aug, if found true, such names shall not be included in the final list to be published on 30 September 2025. The Election Commission of India (ECI) said that till Saturday evening, 80.11 per cent of electors in Bihar submitted their forms, adding that the commission is moving ahead to complete the collection of Enumeration Forms (EFs) before the stipulated time of July 25. 'With 77,895 BLOs, an additional 20,603 newly appointed BLOs on the ground, ECI is moving ahead to complete the collection of Enumeration Forms before the stipulated time of 25th July, 2025. Field-level teams, including 38 District Election Officers (DEOs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) across all 243 Assembly Constituencies, and 963 Assistant EROs (AEROs), are being closely monitored by the CEO for this purpose,' the ECI said. These efforts of ECI are being supplemented by 1.5 lakh BLAs appointed by all political parties who are also visiting door to door, leaving no stone unturned to ensure inclusion of every existing elector whose name is in the Electoral Roll in Bihar as on 24 June, 2025. Special efforts are also being made to assist senior citizens, PwD electors, and other vulnerable groups by over our lakh volunteers. 'Having completed 100 per cent printing and near completion of distribution of EFs to all electors who were found at their addresses, as of 6 pm today, collection crossed 6,32,59,496 or 80.11 per cent. This means that four out of every five electors in Bihar have submitted the EF. With this pace, the majority of EFs are likely to be collected much before 25th July, 2025,' ECI said. To be included in the draft electoral rolls to be published on 1st August, electors must submit their EFS, preferably along with their eligibility documents. Suppose any elector requires additional time to submit their eligibility documents. In that case, they can do so separately until 30 August, the last date for filing claims and objections, and may also seek assistance from volunteers. Achieving yet another milestone, BLOs have already digitised and uploaded 4.66 crore Enumeration Forms in ECINet, as on Sunday evening. ECINet is the newly developed integrated software that has subsumed all the different 40 ECI Apps that had existed earlier. (ANI)
