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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.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tejashwi will be CM if GA wins: Sahani
Patna: In a strong political pitch ahead of the assembly elections, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) founder Mukesh Sahani on Friday declared that if the Grand Alliance forms the govt in Bihar, RJD's Tejashwi Prasad Yadav will become CM and a leader from the fishermen (Mallah) community will be appointed deputy CM. Speaking at a function alongside Tejashwi on the death anniversary of former MP Phoolan Devi, Sahani said, "Her sacrifice will not go in vain. She showed that women are not just meant to wear bangles, but to fight injustice. Her life is an inspiration for all women." Tejashwi echoed the call for change, urging voters to give him a chance. "Nitish Kumar's govt has ruled Bihar for 20 years and Narendra Modi's govt has been at the Centre for 11 years. But unemployment, inflation, poverty and migration have only increased. Farmers' incomes in Bihar have fallen and the state continues to lag behind others in every area," he said. Sahani also raised the issue of reservation for his Nishad community. "If we can get quotas in other states, why not in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand? Nishads are no longer just a fishing community. We know how to govern. They took four of our MLAs now we will take 40. This is a fight for respect," he said. In 2022, three of VIP's four MLAs joined the BJP. After Bochahan MLA Musafir Paswan passed away, RJD gave the bypoll ticket to his son Amar Paswan, who went on to win the seat.
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)
Hindustan Times
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'Seat-sharing talks have begun': Tejashwi after 6-hour-long meeting of INDIA bloc on Bihar
INDIA bloc partners in Bihar on Saturday held a marathon brainstorming session here to discuss, among other things, sharing of seats in the state assembly polls due later this year. File photo of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.(ANI) The meeting, held at the residence of Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, continued for nearly six hours. Later, Yadav, who heads the coalition's coordination committee, briefly interacted with journalists. "Yes, seat-sharing talks have begun. But I cannot divulge more details now. The deliberations are an internal matter and we will make things public when things are finalised," said the RJD leader, who is likely to be the INDIA bloc's chief ministerial candidate. Also Read: 'Unless you win, it won't matter': Salman Khurshid on Bihar SIR row The former deputy chief minister also alleged that the NDA government headed by JD(U) president Nitish Kumar was a "copycat" which was "stealing" his ideas like setting up of a youth commission (yuva aayog) and hiking old age pension. "I am sure 'Mai Bahin Samman Yojana' will also be copied by them soon," said the young leader, who has promised to pay the state's women a monthly stipend of ₹2,500 if his party was voted to power. Yadav claimed that the people were fed up with the NDA government which lacked "vision" and was unable to keep law and order under control. When his attention was drawn to the fact that NDA partners like Union minister Chirag Paswan have also started voicing concern over deteriorating law and order, the RJD leader shot back, "He should go and tell the Centre that 'jungle raj' is prevailing in Bihar." Notably, 'jungle raj', an expression indicative of lawlessness, is a colloquialism often used by BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to underscore the RJD's poor track record in controlling crime while it ruled Bihar. The INDIA bloc meeting was attended by Congress' Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, Vikassheel Insaan Party president Mukesh Sahani and leaders of three Left parties. Sahani interacted with journalists after the meeting and said, "Yes, seat-sharing talks have begun. We cannot share details about the same right now. But it must be added that there were other issues, like setting up of a coordination committee and the strategy to ensure no foul play takes place during special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls." "We are opposed to the SIR per se. But until the Supreme Court comes out with a final ruling, we must ensure that all directives are followed during the exercise," said Sahani, who had contested the 2020 assembly polls as a BJP ally but ended up burning his bridges with the saffron party within a year. The former Bollywood set designer was also asked about whether a decision has been taken on who would be the deputy chief minister if Yadav landed the top job. Sahani, who has made no secret of his ambitions, responded with a wide grin, "who else, but me", and sped away.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bihar elections: INDIA bloc kicks off strategy meet at Tejashwi's house; focus on seat allocation
NEW DELHI: The INDIA bloc allies held a strategic meeting on Saturday at Rashtriya Janata Dal 's chief Tejashwi Yadav 's house, primarily focusing on seat allocation for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. The schedule for the Bihar election is still not out, but all the parties are trying their bit to convince the voters that they are better than the others. The discussions, which lasted nearly six hours, were led by Yadav, who heads the coalition's coordination committee. In a brief media interaction afterwards, he confirmed the commencement of seat-sharing talks but maintained discretion about specific details. The RJD leader, anticipated to be the INDIA bloc's chief ministerial nominee, criticised the NDA administration under Nitish Kumar, accusing it of imitating his initiatives, including the youth commission and increased old age pension. He stated, "Mai Bahin Samman Yojana will also be copied by them soon." Yadav expressed confidence in his promise to provide women with a monthly stipend of Rs 2,500 if his party assumes power. He highlighted the NDA government's perceived ineffectiveness in maintaining law and order. Responding to NDA partner Chirag Paswan's concerns about deteriorating security, Yadav suggested he should inform the Centre about the 'jungle raj' in Bihar. The term 'jungle raj' is frequently used by BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to reference RJD's previous governance record. The meeting included Congress' Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, VIP president Mukesh Sahani, and Left party representatives. Sahani later confirmed the discussions about seat-sharing and mentioned plans regarding the coordination committee and special intensive revision of electoral rolls. When questioned about the deputy chief minister position under a potential Yadav leadership, Sahani, a former Bollywood set designer who previously aligned with BJP, responded with a smile, "who else, but me," before departing.
