Latest news with #Tejashwi
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Fearing defeat, oppn raising poll boycott threat: NDA
Patna: NDA leaders on Thursday reacted sharply to the opposition threat that they may boycott assembly elections in Bihar over the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Union minister of state for home, Nityanand Rai, said the RJD already is fearing defeat and its leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has already started looking for an excuse. "Tejashwi knows very well that in the upcoming assembly elections, RJD is going to be defeated again and the public is going to bless the NDA again," Rai said. The Union minister said in a democratic process, it is the decision of a party whether or not to participate in the election. "The Grand Alliance has been constantly trying to mislead the people, who, in fact, are participating in the ongoing correction in the voter list. So, Tejashwi is nervous about this," Rai added. Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief Upendra Kushwaha said the opposition has no agenda and they are trying to make whatever they think could be a poll issue. "Chunav ke baad munh chupane ki jagah dhoond rahe hai ki is karan se haar gaye. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Most Beautiful Women in the World Undo Bhumika bana rahe hain pehle se kyonki unki haar nischit hai (they are staring at defeat and trying to find an excuse)," said Kushwaha, who met Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) patron and Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi in Delhi a day before. JD(U) also took a swipe at the opposition boycott threat. JD(U) state chief spokesperson and MLC, Neeraj Kumar, said the opposition has become a political "rudali" nowadays. "There is a tradition of rudali in Rajasthan, where women are called to cry when someone dies. The opposition is playing a similar role," Kumar said. Kumar said RJD leader Tejashwi and the entire opposition is insulting the Constitution and the Election Commission of India (ECI), which is a constitutional body. "The Supreme Court is also hearing the cases on SIR. So, creating a ruckus and disrupting the House proceedings on this issue is an insult to constitutional institutions," he added. BJP leader and road construction department minister Nitin Nabin said if Tejashwi trusts Bangladeshi infiltrators, he should contest elections in Bangladesh. "The opposition uproar over the SIR and subsequent talk of boycotting elections clearly reflects their loss of faith in democracy. In reality, they are rattled by the development agenda of the NDA govt and has now resorted to baseless allegations and undemocratic rhetoric in frustration," Nabin said.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Rs 57,946.25cr first supplementary budget passed amid din in House
Patna: State legislative assembly on Thursday witnessed chaos on Thursday as MLAs from both the ruling and opposition parties clashed, leading to a brief scuffle before marshals intervened to restore order in the House. It led to adjournment of the house for around 40 minutes by Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav. The house again met at 4pm and passed the first supplementary budget worth Rs 57,946.25 crore for the current 2025-26 fiscal and the allied appropriation Bill, by voice vote amid the pandemonium. Marshals formed stoppd a group of RJD members, who were heading towards a BJP lawmaker and the party's chief whip Janak Singh, who attacked the leader of opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav with allegedly using abusive language against his parents— Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi, both former CMs. In between, someone from the treasury benches occupied by the ruling BJP, JD(U) and other alliance partners, mocked at the RJD members and Tejashwi for wearing black clothes again, at which Tejashwi said, "It is a sign of protest." Prior to that, deputy CMs Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha also had hot exchange of barbs and personal attacks with Tejashwi. Janak Singh, without taking permission from the Speaker, had interrupted the speech of Tejashwi by making objectionable remarks, targeting him and his parents. Within seconds, the RJD members moved towards him, but were blocked by the marshals. Meanwhile, another BJP member Sanjay Singh uprooted and broke the microphone on the desk, but was prevented from jumping into the ring. At this point, the Speaker adjourned the House at 2.40pm for around one and half hours to meet again at 4pm to finish the day's official business of the govt. The House debate was on the allotment made for the social welfare department, on which the cut motion had been moved by Congress member Ajay Kumar Singh. CM Nitish Kumar was present in the House. Later, when the House met at 4pm, the din did not subside, and the budget was passed by voice vote amid pandemonium. Tejashwi, who initiated the House debate on the first supplementary budget, tore into the achievements of the Nitish Kumar govt. Referring to the recent decisions of the govt, Tejashwi said it had adopted all the future policies that he had announced at his public meetings. "Now, I have decided not to make any new announcement for the fear that it might also be imitated and adopted," Tejashwi said, adding that the Niti Ayog report had shown that Bihar had failed on all its parameters. Tejashwi further said PM Narendra Modi failed to give special package for Bihar, and the CM Nitish Kumar had now abandoned his demand for special category status to Bihar. "Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu has been taking projects from the Centre for extending support to PM Modi. Just count and compare how many projects have gone to Gujarat and Bihar in the last 11 years," Tejashwi said, and also faulted the state govt on the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral roll being conducted by the Election Commission.
Mint
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Bihar Election 2025, a battle of fish fry, mutton rogan josh and biryani?
Bihar Election 2025: These days, 'Fish fry', 'mutton rogan josh', and 'biryani' are more talked about in Bihar than the state's own speciality 'litti chokha', for all political reasons. The controversy over "mutton rogan josh" being served at a meeting of NDA leaders in Bihar, Patna, is the latest showdown in which culinary preferences have triggered political debates. For RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, "mutton rogan josh" is not just a non-veg delicacy but a jibe and revenge against those who accused him of being "seasonal sanatani" for eating fish fry, apparently during Navratri. New entrant Prashant Kishor's biryani also makes a mention on the menu of controversies. Here's how food choices are giving Bihar politicians a taste of politics. Last year, just ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Tejashwi Yadav was embroiled in controversy over a video showing him grabbing a bite of fish fry in between election campaigns. "Kuch logon ko bahut mirchi lagega," Tejashwi's ally Mukesh Sahani said as he enjoyed the meal alongside the former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. While many, including several BJP leaders, slammed Tejashwi for eating a non-vegetarian meal during Navratri, the RJD leader claimed that the footage was shot before Navratri festival -- when the Hindu community observe austerities. Top BJP leaders Rajnath Singh and Giriraj Singh had accused Tejashwi of "appeasement politics." Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also said the INDIA bloc leaders were inspired by a 'Mughal' mindset and they enjoy hurting the sentiments of the people. But Tejashwi claimed that he deliberately posted the video late to check the 'IQ' of BJP leaders, who have 'no knowledge and never talked about real issues..." He launched another video of himself enjoying oranges in a helicopter. He took the potshots at the BJP and questioned if anyone would be offended by the color orange. The latest dish on Bihar's political controversy menu is Mutton Rogan Josh. Tejashwi Yadav, who has repeatedly drawn flak from the ruling NDA for consuming non-vegetarian food during Navratra and Saawan, hit back at NDA leaders for savouring mutton in the holy month of Saawan -- that too on a Monday. Saawan Mondays, also known as Saawan Somwars, are the Mondays that fall during the Hindu month of Saawan (also known as Shravan). This month is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and observing fasts and performing puja on these Mondays is considered highly auspicious. Yadav posted an undated video on X, showing a container with a label "mutton rogan josh" written on it. The Times of India reported that the video was shot in the central hall of the Bihar Assembly on Monday. Yadav wrote, "With the boundless blessings and grace of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, BJP ministers and MLAs are relishing mutton 🥩 on the Mondays of Saawan." "We have no objection to anyone's food choice, but the PM should not be 'selective' in his attacks. While he finds it pleasing that his party leaders eat mutton during Shravan, he doesn't hesitate to attack opposition leaders even though they avoid non-vegetarian foods," Tejashwi posted on social media. "Maybe the caterer also arranged for the mutton dish along with vegetarian food, but did Tejashwi only watch who ate the mutton?" state BJP spokesperson Manoj Sharma was quoted by TOI as saying on Tuesday. Last week, Union minister Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh triggered a similar controversy when he hosted a mutton party for his supporters in Lakhisarai In a video that went viral, Lalan — a former national president of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) - is heard saying that he arranged both "vegetarian and non-vegetarian" foods. Speaking to PTI Video, Tejashwi took a dig at Singh, saying, 'We have been called anti-Sanatan by them. I hope Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Motihari tomorrow, will be full of appreciation for Lalan.' Recently, reports claimed that Jan Suraaj leader Prashant Kishor's rally in Kishanganj, Bihar, saw a sudden rush of people after news spread that biryani was being brought for those who attended the gathering. Zee News reported on the incident, claiming that as Kishor spoke at the rally, the audience was sparse, but once the food distribution began, the crowd swelled, leading to chaos and a "mad scramble" for the biryani. A viral video, that captured the chaos, reportedly showed how some people stood on the wall to get biryani. Many people were seen jumping over the wall and bringing biryani from the other side, NDTV reported. Mint could not verify the authenticity of the video. We have been called anti-Sanatan by them. I hope Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Motihari tomorrow, will be full of appreciation for Lalan. Local organisers reportedly claimed that provisions were made for around 5,000 people, but the situation, eventually, spiralled out of control. The incident left many wondering if Jan Suraaj's message of change can resonate with voters beyond the lure of free food, the report added.
Hans India
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Tejashwi Yadav running away from polls in desperation: BJP leader Amit Malviya
New Delhi: BJP leader Amit Malviya lashed out at Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday for doubting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral roll in Bihar, claiming the RJD leader's hints at possible boycott of the Assembly elections amount to conceding defeat and 'running away in desperation'. Malviya, who is the BJP's IT cell chief, wrote on X, 'Now with four days left, more than 98 per cent of the voter revision work has been completed. 'This is a big blow to Tejashwi and Rahul Gandhi.' 'Tejashwi Yadav's idea of boycotting the elections proves that he has accepted that the voters of Bihar have completely rejected his campaign against SIR (Special Intensive Revision),' said Malviya. 'There is a saying, 'As soon as the head is shaved, hail falls.' There are still two-three months left for the elections, but Tejashwi, sensing his slipping ground, has already started running away in desperation,' said Malviya. The BJP leader went on to hit out at the former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister, saying, 'Earlier, Tejashwi boycotted the voter revision, thinking that the people of Bihar would stand with him. But the exact opposite happened - the people are enthusiastically participating in this SIR festival of democracy.' Now with four days left, more than 98 per cent of the voter revision work has been completed. This is a big blow to Tejashwi and Rahul Gandhi, he said. 'All their hard work has gone to waste. Not a single voter from Bihar joined them in their campaign against SIR. This is a clear indication that Tejashwi and Rahul are hyping a baseless issue,' he said. Earlier, Tejashwi Yadav hinted on Wednesday at the possibility of boycotting the upcoming Assembly elections to protest a 'deliberate' disenfranchisement of voters. 'When elections are not being conducted honestly, then why are we conducting elections? The elections have been compromised,' Yadav said in Patna. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader alleged that under the guise of voter list revision, the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI) are working together to clean opposition voters rather than cleansing the democratic process. On Thursday afternoon, the student wing of the Congress -- National Students' Union of India -- clashed with law enforcers in Patna while protesting alleged irregularities in SIR. In Delhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi accused the ECI of not doing its job and called it a 'serious issue'. Gandhi warned that poll panel officials cannot get away with lapses as 'we are going to come for you'. Refraining from answering media queries on the possibility of boycotting Bihar Assembly elections, Gandhi hit out at the ECI while addressing reporters outside Parliament and said, 'Today they have made a statement, and this is complete nonsense. The fact of the matter is that the ECI is not doing its job.'
Hans India
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
‘We are going to come for you': Rahul warns EC officials on alleged lapses
New Delhi: Accusing the Election Commission of India (ECI) of not doing its job, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called it a 'serious issue', warning that poll panel officials can't get away with this as "we are going to come for you". Speaking on the possibility of boycotting Bihar Assembly elections over alleged lapses in Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament, 'Today they have made a statement, and this is complete nonsense.' Claiming to have caught 100 per cent cheating by the ECI in one seat in Karnataka while adding new voters aged 45, 50, and 60, Gandhi said, 'I want to give a message to the Election Commission that if you think you are going to get away with this or if your officials think that they are going to get away with this, then you are mistaken. We are going to come for you.' Gandhi said, now we have 100 per cent proof of EC allowing cheating at a seat in Karnataka by way of voter deletion and addition. Earlier, BJP leader Amit Malviya lashed out at INDIA bloc leaders for raising doubts over the SIR of electoral roll in Bihar, claiming its success and public response is a big blow to Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav. He said that INDIA bloc leaders' comments amount to conceding defeat before Assembly elections in Bihar. 'Tejashwi Yadav's idea of boycotting the elections proves that he has accepted that the voters of Bihar have completely rejected his campaign against SIR (Special Intensive Revision),' said Malviya, who is the BJP's IT cell chief. The BJP leader said on X, 'Earlier, Tejashwi boycotted the voter revision, thinking that the people of Bihar would stand with him. But the exact opposite happened -- the people are enthusiastically participating in this SIR festival of democracy.' More than 98 per cent of the voter revision work has already been completed. This is a big blow to Tejashwi and Rahul Gandhi, he said. All their hard work has gone to waste. Not a single voter from Bihar joined them in their campaign against SIR. This is a clear indication that Tejashwi and Rahul are hyping a baseless issue, Malviya said. There is a saying, 'As soon as the head is shaved, hail falls.' There are still two-three months left for the elections, but Tejashwi, sensing his slipping ground, has already started running away in desperation, said Malviya. "These failed sons of Lalu, fearing the electoral test, are now seen looking for a way to boycott," Malviya added.
