#Bihar Assembly polls

[bhaskarlive]

NDA to contest Bihar Assembly polls under leadership of CM Nitish Kumar: State BJP chief

Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal has clarified that the NDA will contest elections under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the Assembly elections scheduled to be held next year.

Source: bhaskarlive.in

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] GG News Bureau New Delhi, 1st Feb. Ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls later this year, the Centre has unveiled several significant offerings for the state, where it shares power with its key ally, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) [JDU]. These initiatives come in the wake of JDU’s critical support to the BJP after it fell short of the majority mark in the 2024 general elections. Presenting her eighth consecutive Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the establishment of a Makhana board in Bihar. This board aims to provide Makhana farmers in the region with access to various Centre-led schemes, benefiting farmers, particularly in north Bihar. The announcement was met with enthusiastic cheers from the treasury benches. Further expanding the state’s infrastructure, Sitharaman declared plans for greenfield airports in Bihar as part of the Centre’s civil aviation push. Additionally, the Finance Minister confirmed a canal project in the Mithilanchal region and outlined plans to increase the capacity of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Patna. These announcements come just months before the crucial Assembly election in Bihar, where Nitish Kumar’s JDU is preparing for another electoral battle. Despite his political shifts, Kumar has held onto the Chief Minister’s position and is now poised to reap the rewards of the BJP’s support. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, JDU secured 12 seats, and its alliance with the BJP helped form the ruling government at the Centre. However, the BJP’s announcements for Bihar have drawn sharp criticism from the opposition. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned the Centre’s focus on Bihar, pointing out that Andhra Pradesh, another key state, has been left out of similar attention. “Bihar appears to have received a bonanza of announcements. It’s natural, given the elections. But why has Andhra Pradesh been so cruelly ignored?” Ramesh remarked. As the state prepares for a pivotal election, these moves are seen as a strategic push by the Centre to bolster its prospects in Bihar, while facing growing opposition concerns over the fairness of such allocations. The post Centre’s Major Announcements for Bihar Ahead of State Elections Spark Political Debate appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates. [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] GG News Bureau New Delhi, 1st Feb. Ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls later this year, the Centre has unveiled several significant offerings for the state, where it shares power with its key ally, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) [JDU]. These initiatives come in the wake of JDU’s critical support to the BJP after it fell short of the majority mark in the 2024 general elections. Presenting her eighth consecutive Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the establishment of a Makhana board in Bihar. This board aims to provide Makhana farmers in the region with access to various Centre-led schemes, benefiting farmers, particularly in north Bihar. The announcement was met with enthusiastic cheers from the treasury benches. Further expanding the state’s infrastructure, Sitharaman declared plans for greenfield airports in Bihar as part of the Centre’s civil aviation push. Additionally, the Finance Minister confirmed a canal project in the Mithilanchal region and outlined plans to increase the capacity of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Patna. These announcements come just months before the crucial Assembly election in Bihar, where Nitish Kumar’s JDU is preparing for another electoral battle. Despite his political shifts, Kumar has held onto the Chief Minister’s position and is now poised to reap the rewards of the BJP’s support. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, JDU secured 12 seats, and its alliance with the BJP helped form the ruling government at the Centre. However, the BJP’s announcements for Bihar have drawn sharp criticism from the opposition. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned the Centre’s focus on Bihar, pointing out that Andhra Pradesh, another key state, has been left out of similar attention. “Bihar appears to have received a bonanza of announcements. It’s natural, given the elections. But why has Andhra Pradesh been so cruelly ignored?” Ramesh remarked. As the state prepares for a pivotal election, these moves are seen as a strategic push by the Centre to bolster its prospects in Bihar, while facing growing opposition concerns over the fairness of such allocations. The post Centre’s Major Announcements for Bihar Ahead of State Elections Spark Political Debate appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates. [ad_2] Source link

[digihindnews]

Mayawati positions BSP as alternative in Delhi polls, targets migrant voters

On her 69th birthday, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president and former four-time Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati outlined her party’s roadmap for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, focusing on migrant voters from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Speaking at a press conference in Lucknow, she urged voters to recall the hardships faced during the COVID-19 crisis and support a party that prioritizes…

[nationalistbharat]

Bihar Assembly By poll 2024 : बिहार में विधानसभा की चार सीटों पर उपचुनाव के लिए तारीखों का ऐलान

Bihar Assembly By Poll:बिहार विधानसभा उपचुनाव की तारीखों का ऐलान हो गया है। चुनाव आयोग के मुताबिक, राज्य की चार विधानसभा सीटों – इमामगंज, रामगढ़, बेलागंज और तरारी – पर 13 नवंबर को उपचुनाव होंगे, जबकि 23 नवंबर को वोटों की गिनती की जाएगी। आज, 15 अक्टूबर को, भारत निर्वाचन आयोग ने महाराष्ट्र और झारखंड के विधानसभा चुनावों के साथ-साथ बिहार की इन चार सीटों पर उपचुनाव की तारीखों की घोषणा की है। आपको…

[freepressjournals]

Prashant Kishor Prepares for Political Comeback with Jan Suraaj: Leadership Plans and New Directions

Prashant Kishor, the renowned poll strategist and founder of Jan Suraaj, is gearing up for a significant political re-entry. With his party set to launch on October 2, Kishor has unveiled his plans for the party’s leadership structure and laid out a vision for proportional representation across social groups.

Leadership Roadmap and Party Launch

In a recent announcement, Kishor confirmed that he would not be seeking the top leadership role in Jan Suraaj. Instead, he emphasized that a Dalit will be appointed as the party’s first president. This decision underscores Kishor’s commitment to inclusivity and equal representation from the outset. The Jan Suraaj founder made this revelation after engaging with delegates from across Bihar, who convened in Patna to discuss the upcoming launch and the structure of the new political entity.

The party’s inaugural launch, set for October 2, 2023, marks the one-year anniversary of Kishor’s padayatra, which began with the promise of proportional representation and regional development. The padayatra was centered on the idea of creating opportunities within the state so residents would not need to migrate for education, employment, or medical care.

Leadership Selection and Representation

Kishor has announced that the leadership selection process will be inclusive and merit-based. Candidates aspiring to become the party president must demonstrate the ability to bring in at least 5,000 new members. The final decision will be made by a seven-member empowered committee, which includes prominent figures like Dr. Bhupendra Yadav, former IAS officers Suresh Sharma and Arvind Singh, and several other distinguished members.

The leadership plan involves rotational representation among various social groups, ensuring broad-based inclusion. Initially, a Dalit will hold the position, followed by a candidate from either the EBC (Extremely Backward Classes) or Muslim communities, then an OBC (Other Backward Class) and a general category representative. This rotation aims to ensure that all major social groups are represented over a five-year term.

Qualification Criteria and Caste-Based Politics

One notable aspect of Kishor’s approach is the flexibility regarding the educational qualifications required for the party president’s post. Kishor has hinted at a minimum qualification between Class 10 and 12, rejecting the traditional requirement of a graduate degree. This decision reflects his intent to challenge the existing political norms and address the educational disparities left by previous administrations.

Kishor’s strategy involves addressing the political landscape along caste lines but with a fresh approach. He plans to field candidates based on population proportions, ensuring fair representation for all communities. For example, despite the strong presence of EBCs in Bihar, Kishor plans to field approximately 70 candidates from this community in the upcoming Assembly elections.

New Faces and Political Reactions

The Jan Suraaj party has been bolstered by notable new entrants. Jagriti Thakur, granddaughter of the socialist icon and former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, has joined the party, along with retired IPS officer Anand Mishra and former RJD MLC Rambali Singh Chandravanshi. While Jagriti is making her political debut, her father, Dr. Birendra Thakur, remains outside the political arena, although her elder brother Ramnath Thakur is a prominent Union Minister.

However, Kishor’s re-entry into politics has been met with mixed reactions from established parties. K.C. Tyagi, JD(U) chief spokesperson, dismissed Jan Suraaj as having little chance in Bihar’s entrenched political environment, arguing that Kishor’s experience in strategy does not necessarily translate into political success. Conversely, the BJP has welcomed Kishor’s return, with spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan noting that Bihar’s political landscape might benefit from new perspectives, especially given recent developmental projects.

The RJD has expressed concerns, labeling Kishor’s approach as a threat to democratic politics, suggesting that his “Bazaar canteen” model may not adequately address the needs of marginalized communities.

Conclusion

Prashant Kishor’s re-entry into the political arena with Jan Suraaj signifies a new chapter in Bihar’s political landscape. By prioritizing proportional representation and introducing a unique leadership selection process, Kishor aims to challenge existing norms and offer a fresh approach to politics. As the launch date approaches, all eyes will be on how Jan Suraaj navigates the complexities of Bihar’s political environment and whether it can bring about meaningful change.

[townpostin]

Saryu Roy Meets Nitish Kumar, Signals Political Shift in Jharkhand

Jamshedpur East MLA explores alliance with JD(U) for upcoming assembly elections Potential partnership could reshape political landscape in Jharkhand ahead of polls JAMSHEDPUR – Saryu Roy, MLA from Jamshedpur East, has made a significant political move by meeting Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar in Patna on Saturday. The meeting, which included Bihar Minister…

[cavenewstimes]

Assembly bypolls: INDIA bloc wins 9 seats; BJP bags Hamirpur, independent candidate wins Bihar seat

NEW DELHI: The opposition INDIA bloc on Saturday won 10 out of the 13 assembly seats that went to polls on Wednesday across seven states. While the TMC swept West Bengal, winning all four seats, the Congress secured two out of the three seats in Himachal Pradesh. The grand old party also claimed victory in two seats in Uttarakhand that went to polls. The Aam Aadmi Party emerged victorious in the…

[market-news-24]

Today’s Current Affairs: Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Phase 5 Unfolds Today's Current Affairs bring you the latest updates from the crucial fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024. With a voter turnout of 56.68% recorded by 5 PM, this phase has seen the most active participation in West Bengal at 73%, while Maharashtra had the least with 48.66%. Voting is ongoing for 49 seats across six states and two Union Territories, including Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir. The Election Commission has reported 1036 complaints in West Bengal alone, concerning malfunctioning EVMs and voter intimidation. Meanwhile, simultaneous state assembly elections in Odisha are also capturing public interest. Key figures like Rahul Gandhi and Smriti Irani are battling it out in Uttar Pradesh, making this phase a pivotal moment in India's political landscape. [ad_2] Download Latest Movies in HD Quality Downloading In 15 seconds Scroll Down to End of This Post const downloadBtn = document.getElementById('download-btn'); const timerBtn = document.getElementById('timer-btn'); const downloadLinkBtn = document.getElementById('download-link-btn'); downloadBtn.addEventListener('click', () => downloadBtn.style.display = 'none'; timerBtn.style.display = 'block'; let timeLeft = 15; const timerInterval = setInterval(() => if (timeLeft === 0) clearInterval(timerInterval); timerBtn.style.display = 'none'; downloadLinkBtn.style.display = 'inline-block'; // Add your download functionality here console.log('Download started!'); else timerBtn.textContent = `Downloading In $timeLeft seconds`; timeLeft--; , 1000); ); [ad_1] What was the voter turnout percentage recorded till 5 pm in Phase 5 of Lok Sabha Polls 2024? - 48.66% - 56.68% - 73% - 65.42% Answer: 56.68% Which state recorded the highest polling percentage in Phase 5 of the Lok Sabha Polls 2024? - Maharashtra - Uttar Pradesh - West Bengal - Odisha Answer: West Bengal Which state recorded the lowest polling percentage in Phase 5 of Lok Sabha Polls 2024? - Jammu and Kashmir - Maharashtra - Bihar - Jharkhand Answer: Maharashtra For how many Lok Sabha seats was polling conducted in phase 5? - 13 seats - 49 seats - 31 seats - 52 seats Answer: 49 seats In which area were 1036 complaints received from various political parties related to malfunctioning EVMs? - Maharashtra - West Bengal - Uttar Pradesh - Odisha Answer: West Bengal How many Lok Sabha seats are being contested in Odisha in Phase 5, along with the second phase of state assembly elections? - 7 seats - 3 seats - 5 seats - 10 seats Answer: 5 seats Which BJP candidate accused TMC’s Partha Bhowmick of distributing money ahead of the polls? - Narendra Modi - Arjun Singh - Amit Shah - Smriti Irani Answer: Arjun Singh How many constituencies are voting in the second and final phase in Maharashtra? - 13 - 14 - 6 - 7 Answer: 13 Which Congress leader is contesting from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh? - Priyanka Gandhi - Sonia Gandhi - Rahul Gandhi - Manmohan Singh Answer: Rahul Gandhi For which place is the lone seat in polling being contested in the Union Territory of Ladakh? - Jammu - Leh - Baramulla - Ladakh Answer: Ladakh [ad_2] What was the voter turnout in phase 5 of the Lok Sabha Polls 2024? In phase 5 of the Lok Sabha Polls 2024, a voter turnout of 56.68 per cent was recorded till 5 pm, according to the Election Commission's Voter Turnout App. Which state had the highest and lowest polling percentages? West Bengal had the highest polling percentage at 73%, while Maharashtra had the lowest at 48.66%. How many Lok Sabha seats were being voted on in phase 5? Polling was underway for 49 Lok Sabha seats across six states and two Union Territories. Which states and Union Territories were included in this phase? The states and Union Territories included were Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla, Odisha, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Ladakh.

What kinds of complaints did the Election Commission receive in West Bengal? The Election Commission received about 1036 complaints from various political parties in West Bengal. These included issues related to malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), agents being stopped from entering polling booths, and voters being threatened or stopped from casting their votes. What additional voting took place in Odisha during phase 5? In addition to the five Lok Sabha seats in Odisha, voters also cast their ballots for the second phase of simultaneous state assembly elections. What allegations were made by BJP MP Arjun Singh in West Bengal? BJP MP Arjun Singh from West Bengal's Barrackpore accused TMC candidate Partha Bhowmick of distributing money on the night before the polling day. He stated that a complaint had been made to the Election Commission and warned that if such activities continued, it would not be good for Partha Bhowmick. Singh mentioned that the government would be responsible for any disruptions in holding peaceful elections. In which constituencies were people voting in Maharashtra for phase 5? In Maharashtra, people were voting in 13 constituencies, including six in Mumbai. Which constituencies were included in West Bengal for phase 5? Seven seats in the southern part of West Bengal went to polls during this phase. How many seats were contested in Uttar Pradesh and who were the significant candidates? Fourteen seats in Uttar Pradesh were contested. Significant candidates included Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, contesting from Rae Bareli, a stronghold of his mother Sonia Gandhi, and BJP MP Smriti Irani, contesting in Amethi, another traditional Gandhi-family bastion. What was the situation in Ladakh and Jharkhand? Voting also took place for a lone seat in Ladakh and three seats in Jharkhand, along with a by-poll in Jharkhand's Gandey assembly seat. How many seats were contested in Bihar, and which political alliance held them? Five seats in Bihar were contested, all of which were currently held by the BJP-led NDA alliance. What was significant about the polls in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir? The polls in Baramulla were significant as it marked the first major political battle post the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, with former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (National Conference) being a notable figure in the fray. [ad_1] Download Movies Now Searching for Latest movies 20 seconds Sorry There is No Latest movies link found due to technical error. Please Try Again Later. function claimAirdrop() document.getElementById('claim-button').style.display = 'none'; document.getElementById('timer-container').style.display = 'block'; let countdownTimer = 20; const countdownInterval = setInterval(function() document.getElementById('countdown').textContent = countdownTimer; countdownTimer--; if (countdownTimer < 0) clearInterval(countdownInterval); document.getElementById('timer-container').style.display = 'none'; document.getElementById('sorry-button').style.display = 'block'; , 1000); [ad_2] Lok Sabha Polls 2024 Phase 5 Live Updates: Today's Current Affairs In today's current affairs, the Election Commission has recorded a 56.68% voter turnout for the phase 5 Lok Sabha polls by 5 pm. Leading with the highest turnout is West Bengal at 73%, while Maharashtra lags behind with the lowest at 48.66%. The voting process is ongoing for 49 Lok Sabha seats spread across six states and two Union Territories, including the pivotal Baramulla seat in Jammu and Kashmir. West Bengal has been particularly contentious, with 1036 complaints reported about malfunctioning EVMs, polling booth entry restrictions, and voter intimidation. In Odisha, voters are also participating in the second phase of simultaneous state assembly elections alongside the Lok Sabha polls.

In Maharashtra, voters in 13 constituencies including Mumbai are casting their ballots. Key battlegrounds in Uttar Pradesh, such as Rae Bareli and Amethi, feature prominent candidates like Rahul Gandhi and Smriti Irani. For additional updates, notably, former CM Omar Abdullah from National Conference faces his first major political fight post the abrogation of Article 370 in Baramulla, J-K. This critical phase of the election sets the stage for the larger outcome of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. [ad_1]

[niharranjannayak]

My #Vote My Duty

#election #loksabha #vidhansabha #fourthphase

13th May :- Around 17.7 crore people will be eligible to vote in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha #elections in 96 seats spread across ten states and Union Territories.

#Polling will also be held in 175 Assembly seats in #AndhraPradesh and 28 seats in #Odisha where the term of #assemblies are ending in June.

According to the #ElectionCommission, 1,717 candidates trying their luck in 96 #LokSabha seats. All Lok Sabha seats in #Andhra Pradesh (25) and #Telangana (17) will go to #polls on 13th May besides #constituencies in #UttarPradesh (13), #Maharashtra (11), #MadhyaPradesh and #WestBengal (8 each), #Bihar (5), #Odisha and #Jharkhand (4 each) and #Jammu&Kashmir (1).

#Advocate #niharranjan #medicolegal #pharma #legal #trademark #election #fourthphase

Over 19 lakh polling officials have been deployed across 1.92 lakh polling stations for phase 4 polls. The EC said 364 Observers -- 126 General Observers, 70 Police Observers, 168 Expenditure Observers -- for the phase 4 have already reached their constituencies days before the polls.

[iobnewsnetwork]

Lok Sabha polls: Congress fields YS Sharmila from Andhra Pradesh’s Kadapa

The Congress on Tuesday released a new list of 17 candidates from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar and West Bengal for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The party has fielded YS Sharmila, the sister of YSR Congress Party founder and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, from the state’s Kadapa constituency. The seat is currently represented by Sharmila’s cousin Avinash Reddy from the YSR Congress Party. कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष श्री @kharge की अध्यक्षता में आयोजित 'केंद्रीय चुनाव समिति' की बैठक में लोकसभा चुनाव, 2024 के लिए कांग्रेस उम्मीदवारों के नाम की 11वीं लिस्ट। pic.twitter.com/TpMaGKiSdD — Congress (@INCIndia) April 2, 2024 On January 4, Sharmila joined the Congress and merged her outfit, the YSR Telangana Party, with the party. Subsequently, she was appointed chief of the party’s Andhra Pradesh unit. Sharmila launched the YSR Telangana Party in June 2021 on the birth anniversary of her father and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy. In November, the YSR Telangana Party announced unconditional support to the Congress for the state polls. On Tuesday, the Congress also released two other lists, containing the names of 114 candidates for the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections and 49 names for Assembly polls in Odisha. The Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. The results will be announced on June 4. Read the full article

[bhaskarlive]

Will contest all 243 seats in Bihar polls 2025: Prashant Kishor announces Jan Suraaj’s political foray

Political strategist Prashant Kishor made a significant announcement regarding his political campaign, Jan Suraaj, on Sunday, revealing that the party will contest all 243 seats in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, with at least 40 women candidates in the fray.

Elaborating on his party’s plans, Prashant Kishor stated, “In 2025, Jan Suraaj will contest on 243 seats, and at least 40 women candidates will be nominated. We have also pledged that by 2030, 70-80 women leaders will emerge from our party.”

Source: bhaskarlive.in

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday came up with a cryptic response to RJD president Lalu Prasad's offer to return to the INDIA bloc."Kya bol rahe hain (What are you saying)" was all the JD(U) boss said in reply to queries from journalists about Prasad's fresh offer. Kumar had aligned twice with the RJD, a constituent of the INDIA bloc, in the last one decade.Prasad's son and heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav, however, sought to downplay the remarks made by his father, in an interview to a local news channel, claiming that the RJD supremo had merely tried to satisfy the curiosity of the prying media.Prasad had said, "Our doors are open (for Nitish). He should also unbolt his gates. This would facilitate movement of people from both sides".The remark, coming in the backdrop of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's stance on projecting the JD(U) supremo as NDA's face in the assembly polls due in less than a year, triggered intense speculations in a section of the media here.Kumar was approached with queries by journalists at Raj Bhavan, where he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Arif Mohammad Khan as the new governor.Flanked by Khan and Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary (BJP on either side, Kumar folded his hands and smiled when his comments were sought on the offer from Prasad. Pressed further, he asked, "What are you saying".When a pointed query was made, as to whether the state government would be able to complete its term, Khan intervened and said, "This is not the occasion for a question of this type. Today is a happy day. Let us only talk about good things".Later, the posse of journalists approached Yadav, a former Deputy CM and the current leader of the opposition, who had also come to attend the function.The young leader, who had on Wednesday declared that the new year will see "departure" of the NDA government headed by Nitish Kumar, said: "I have already made my stand clear".When probed further, with reference to the utterances of his father, Yadav said, "What would he do if people like you keep coming to him with the same question? Whatever he said must have been aimed at putting an end to curiosity of you journalists." Meanwhile, when questions about Prasad were posed to Union minister and former JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh "Lalan", he snapped."The NDA is strong. JD(U) and BJP are united. It is a free society and anybody can say whatever he pleases. It is for Lalu ji to say more on his own utterances", he said.Lalan was perceived to have grown very close to the RJD supremo when Nitish Kumar was out of NDA. It was rumoured to have been the reason why the de facto JD(U) chief chose to take over as the president of the party. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed.) [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday came up with a cryptic response to RJD president Lalu Prasad's offer to return to the INDIA bloc."Kya bol rahe hain (What are you saying)" was all the JD(U) boss said in reply to queries from journalists about Prasad's fresh offer. Kumar had aligned twice with the RJD, a constituent of the INDIA bloc, in the last one decade.Prasad's son and heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav, however, sought to downplay the remarks made by his father, in an interview to a local news channel, claiming that the RJD supremo had merely tried to satisfy the curiosity of the prying media.Prasad had said, "Our doors are open (for Nitish). He should also unbolt his gates. This would facilitate movement of people from both sides".The remark, coming in the backdrop of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's stance on projecting the JD(U) supremo as NDA's face in the assembly polls due in less than a year, triggered intense speculations in a section of the media here.Kumar was approached with queries by journalists at Raj Bhavan, where he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Arif Mohammad Khan as the new governor.Flanked by Khan and Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary (BJP on either side, Kumar folded his hands and smiled when his comments were sought on the offer from Prasad. Pressed further, he asked, "What are you saying".When a pointed query was made, as to whether the state government would be able to complete its term, Khan intervened and said, "This is not the occasion for a question of this type. Today is a happy day. Let us only talk about good things".Later, the posse of journalists approached Yadav, a former Deputy CM and the current leader of the opposition, who had also come to attend the function.The young leader, who had on Wednesday declared that the new year will see "departure" of the NDA government headed by Nitish Kumar, said: "I have already made my stand clear".When probed further, with reference to the utterances of his father, Yadav said, "What would he do if people like you keep coming to him with the same question? Whatever he said must have been aimed at putting an end to curiosity of you journalists." Meanwhile, when questions about Prasad were posed to Union minister and former JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh "Lalan", he snapped."The NDA is strong. JD(U) and BJP are united. It is a free society and anybody can say whatever he pleases. It is for Lalu ji to say more on his own utterances", he said.Lalan was perceived to have grown very close to the RJD supremo when Nitish Kumar was out of NDA. It was rumoured to have been the reason why the de facto JD(U) chief chose to take over as the president of the party. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed.) [ad_2] Source link

[college-buz]

7 Union Ministers Not Renominated To Rajya Sabha By BJP: What It Means

Seven union ministers whose Rajya Sabha terms end in April have not been re-nominated by the ruling BJP, prompting speculation Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party may field them in the Lok Sabha election that is expected later the same month.

Among the big names absent are Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya (Gujarat), Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan (Madhya Pradesh), and junior IT Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar (Karnataka).

Also absent are Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav (Rajasthan), and Fisheries Minister Parshottam Rupala (Gujarat), as well as Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Minister Narayan Rane and junior External Affairs Minister V Muraleedharan, both of whom represented Maharashtra.

Sources have told NDTV all seven could now be fielded from Lok Sabha constituencies in various states.

Sources indicate Mr Pradhan may be fielded from Sambalpur or Dheknal in his home state of Odisha, while Mr Yadav may run from Rajasthan's Alwar or Mahendragarh, and Mr Chandrashekhar could contest one of the four seats in Bengaluru; three of these - Central, North, and South - are held by the BJP.

Similarly, Mr Mandaviya may run from Bhavnagar or Surat in Guajrat, while Mr Rupala may get Rajkot. Mr Muraleedharan, meanwhile, may be fielded from his home state of Kerala; the BJP has no presence there, and may look to high-profile names to revive its fortunes.

The BJP has retained only a few big names, in fact, only two union ministers from the Rajya Sabha have been retained - Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw (Odisha) and junior Fisheries Minister L Murugan (Madhya Pradesh). No outgoing MP who has served two or more terms has been repeated.

The only exception is party boss JP Nadda. He though, has been shifted - from Himachal Pradesh, which the Congress won in 2022, to Gujarat. It has also found space for new entrants, including former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who quit the Congress this week.

Overall, it is all change for the BJP, with only four of 28 outgoing Rajya Sabha MPs renominated. The remaining 24 have reportedly been asked for their preference of Lok Sabha seats.

The party has named 28 candidates to the 56 seats that will fall vacant in April, with the focus on new faces and emphasising - to its leadership structure and the voters - its determination to recognise grassroots workers, even those who not known to the public, while also factoring in social equations.

A notable point is that three of the BJP's new Rajya Sabha MPs - Dharmshila Gupta (Bihar), Medha Kulkarni (Maharashtra), and Maya Naroliya (Madhya Pradesh) - are associated with the women's wing, in keeping with the PM's emphasis on the higher approval the party enjoys among women voters.

The BJP's strategy for the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha elections appears to mirror that for the five Assembly polls in November last year, when the party focused on "collective leadership" and selecting high-profile candidates - including fielding Lok Sabha MPs for state elections - to maximise outreach.

The plan worked well. The BJP swept to power in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, winning the latter two back from the Congress as it dominated its Hindi heartland stronghold.

The BJP is well into its Lok Sabha election prep mode. Party sources said, as early as last month, that National General Secretaries had begun meeting every week (on Tuesdays) to develop strategies, including candidate placement. At one such meet, attended by Home Minister Amit Shah and party boss JP Nadda, the party said it would target first-time voters, beneficiaries of central schemes, and voters from backward classes, as well as young people and women, as it bids for a third consecutive term.

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"Dil Jeet Liya": RLD Leader As PM Announces Bharat Ratna For Charan Singh

Former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh has been awarded a posthumous Bharat Ratna — India’s highest civilian award — the government said Friday afternoon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the award on X (formerly Twitter) hailing Mr Singh for his “incomparable contributions”.

���He dedicated his life to the welfare of farmers… whether as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh or Home Minister of the country, and even as MLA, he always gave impetus to nation-building. He stood against the Emergency (and) his dedication to our farmer brothers and sisters is inspiring…” Mr Modi said.

The Bharat Ratna for Chaudhary Charan Singh comes amid reports of a seat-sharing deal between the BJP and the Rashtriya Lok Dal — founded by his son and now led by his grandson, Jayant Chaudhary.

Sources told NDTV the BJP will give the RLD — which has substantial support among Jats and farmers in western Uttar Pradesh, which sends 80 MPs to Parliament’s Lower House, the most of any state — two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat in return for its support. NDTV was also told the RLD had made awarding a Bharat Ratna for Chaudhary Charan Singh a key condition for any agreement.

Jayant Chaudhary’s party is likely to get the Baghpat and Bijnor seats, and his wife may be made a Rajya Sabha candidate, sources have said. There was also talk of ministerial berths for the RLD.

Sources said the BJP had offered two berths in UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s cabinet, but the RLD also wanted a seat in Prime Minister Modi’s cabinet at the centre.

The RLD only last month confirmed an alliance with Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party, under which it was to contest seven Lok Sabha seats. Faced with possibly losing the RLD’s backing, Akhilesh Yadav yesterday told reporters Mr Chaudhary is a “very well-educated person… (who) understands politics”.

The former UP Chief Minister also said he hoped he would not weaken the struggle against the BJP “for the welfare of farmers and prosperity of the state”. His party was more explicit; General Secretary Shivpal Yadav said “Jayant will not go anywhere”, and accused the BJP of “spreading confusion”.

This morning too Akhilesh Yadav downplayed buzz of the RLD leaving, saying, “There have been no talks. Whatever it is, (it) is being published in newspapers,..am getting information through you.”

Mr Yadav, meanwhile, welcomed the award for Charan Singh but also took a swipe at the BJP, remarking it is only right someone “who spent his life” helping poor farmers get the Bharat Ratna”.

“I want to congratulate all farmers. Chaudhary Charan Singhji fought for farmers all his life… We are happy a farmer leader got Bharat Ratna,” he said in the UP Assembly.

The jab comes as the BJP faces yet another wave of protesting farmers; on Thursday farmers from UP’s Noida and Greater Noida amassed on Delhi’s border to agitate for better land prices.

The sight of farmers penned behind police barricades, with riot control vehicles at the ready, were a replay of images from three years ago — when tens of thousands of farmers and their supporters marched on Delhi to protest the “black farm laws”, triggering a massive image crisis for the BJP.

Chaudhary Charan Singh’s Bharat Ratna is the fifth announced this year; the government has also recognised Congress leader and former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, and the BJP’s LK Advani, as well as world-renowned agronomist MS Swaminathan.

The awards come weeks before a general election and a number of Assembly polls, including one in Andhra Pradesh, which is Mr Rao’s home state and one in which Mr Modi’s BJP is scrambling for grip.

Equally significant, Karpoori Thakur’s award came shortly before Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar — his protege — executed (yet another) flip-flop, dumping the INDIA bloc and realigning with the BJP.

Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) has declared its “appreciation” to the Prime Minister for “honouring the real India”; “We are proud of it…” JDU leader KC Tyagi told news agency ANI.

The Bharat Ratna for Mr Advani — who has labelled himself the “charioteer” who steered the controversial ‘rath yatra’ to Ayodhya in UP — came days after the consecration of the Ram Temple.

The sole non-political Bharat Ratna this year was to MS Swaminathan — the ‘father of India’s Green Revolution’ and who was hailed by the Prime Minister as “a true farmers’ scientist”.