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Man, grandson die in Purnia road accident

The Times of India 30 Apr 2024 5:14 am

Bihar's people will ensure grand alliance's victory: Tejashwi Yadav

Bihar's people will ensure grand alliance's victory: Tejashwi Yadav Former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday expressed confidence in the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) winning the Lok Sabha election in the state, stating that the people of Bihar will ensure the Grand Alliance's victory. The Mahagathbandhan is an opposition coalition in Bihar, which includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left parties. Tejashwi Yadav also took a swipe at Prime Minister Modi, accusing him of not delivering on the promises he made to the people of Bihar. The environment is favourable. The process of nomination has begun in many places... This election is very important. It is to save the Constitution and the democracy. The people of Bihar are going to make the grand alliance win... The Prime Minister made promises to the people of Bihar but did not deliver anything, he said. The 40 seats in Bihar are undergoing polls in all seven phases. In 2019, BJP-led NDA swept the state by winning 39 out of 40 seats, while Congress won just one seat. RJD, a formidable force in the state failed to open its account. The Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), recently announced that the RJD, its largest constituent, will contest 26 out of the state's 40 Lok Sabha seats. As part of the NDA, BJP and JD(U) will contest on 17 and 16 seats, respectively. Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will contest five seats, and Jitan Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha will contest one seat each. Five Lok Sabha constituencies Bhagalpur, Banka, Purnia, Kishanganj, and Katihar went through polls in the second phase of voting on Friday. Out of 40 Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar, four seats Jamui, Nawada, Gaya, and Aurangabad went to polls during the first phase of voting on April 19. (ANI)

devdiscourse 29 Apr 2024 12:10 pm

Bihar: The Election That Was Purnia

Swarajaya 28 Apr 2024 5:06 pm

Litmus test for Nitish switchover to NDA again

NEW DELHI: The prestige of the ruling JD(U), a constituent of the NDA, and the principal opposition RJD the key constituent of Mahagathbandhan in Bihar is at stake in the second phase of voting on Friday in states Seemanchal-based five prominent seats. As many as 86 candidates are in the fray for five seats Purnia, Kishanganj, Bhagalpur, Banka and Katihar. The ruling JD(U), led by CM Nitish Kumar, has fielded NDA-supported candidates against RJD and Congress. These constituencies have witnessed tough contests between the NDA and the grand alliance on issues such as inflation, unemployment and developments. We hope to win all these seats, said a senior JD(U) leader. Purnia, Kishanganj and Bhagalpur LS seats are prominent among the five on which both the alliances have done vigorous campaigning with Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav attending massive public gatherings. The Congress has fielded candidates in the three seats while the ally RJD in two of them. The JD (U) has campaigned in all five seats. In Purnia and Kishanganj, the NDA candidates are in a triangular contest while in Bhagalpur, Katihar and Banka, JD(U) candidates face a direct contest with Congress and RJD candidates. All the five candidates, including an MP in Purnia, have been selected by CM Nitish Kumar, who is aware of a tougher contest than in 2019, said a party functionary. Tejashwi Yadav has done marathon campaigning for his party candidate in Purnia and camped there for three days. The real test of Tejashwis leadership would be in Purnia from where Lalu Prasad has fielded his daughter Bima Bharti. Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav too has jumped into the fray as an independent making the contest triangular. A win in Punia will mean trust in Tejashwis leadership, which is the political buzz. In Kishanganj, Congress candidate Mohamed Javed is pitted against JDUs Mujahid Alam and AIMIM Akhtarul Imam in a triangular contest. In 2019, Congress candidate Javed won this seat defeating Imam. The second prestigious seat for JDU and RJD is Bhagalpur LS seat where JD(U) MP Ajay Mandal is pitted against Congress Ajeet Sharma. In Banka, JDUs Girdhari Yadav is pitted against RJDs Jay Prakash Yadav in a direct contest. Yadav won the seat in 2014 defeating BJPs Putul Kumari by 10,000 votes. Girdhari Yadav defeated Jay Prakash Yadav in 2019 and he is the sitting JDU MP. In Katihar, which is one of the important Seemanchal LS seta in Bihar, JDUs Dular Chanda Goswami faces Congress Tariq Anwar in a direct fight. Goswami is MP form this seat and Tariq Anwar has represented it five times. Marathon campaign Tejashwi Yadav has done marathon campaigning for his party candidate in Purnia and camped there for three days. The real test of his leadership would be in Purnia from where Lalu Prasad has fielded his daughter Bima Bharti. Pappu Yadav too has jumped into the fray as an independent making the contest triangular. A win will mean trust in Tejashwis leadership.

The New Indian Express 26 Apr 2024 8:33 am

Polling underway in Bihar for five Lok Sabha seats

Polling underway in Bihar for five Lok Sabha seats Voting for the five Lok Sabha seats in Bihar to decide the fate of 50 candidates began, amid tight security on Friday morning. Polling started at 7 am in Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia, Bhagalpur and Banka and will continue till 6 pm, a senior official said. Over 93 lakh voters, including 45.15 lakh women and 306 belonging to the third gender, will decide the fate of 50 nominees, including three women, in these five seats. Young voters form more than one-third of the electorate, with 13.77 lakh in the age group of 18-19 years and another 20.86 lakh aged between 20 and 29 years. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U), a BJP ally, is contesting all the five seats, including Kishanganj, which it seeks to wrest from the Congress, while its MPs in the remaining four constituencies are trying to retain their turf. More than 150 companies of paramilitary forces are assisting the local police in ensuring free and fair polls, the official said. The elections are taking place at a time when the state is reeling under an intense heat wave, with the mercury shooting past the 40-degrees Celsius mark in most parts. Arrangements for tents and drinking water have been made at the polling centres, he said.

devdiscourse 26 Apr 2024 7:25 am

What did you give to Bihar in 10 years: Tejashwi Yadav asks PM Modi

What did you give to Bihar in 10 years: Tejashwi Yadav asks PM Modi A day before 2nd phase of voting, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday levelled a series of allegations against the prime minister and asked, What PM Modi has given to Bihar in last 10 years? Five Lok Sabha constituencies Bhagalpur, Banka, Purnia, Kishanganj, and Katihar will go to polls in the second phase of voting on Friday. I want to ask Prime Minister Modi, why do you want to end the Constitution and democracy? Why do you want to snatch away the reservation and jobs of Dalits, backwards, deprived and poor? Yadav said in Hindi in a post on 'X.' Why do you (PM Modi) want to make the poor poorer and the rich richer? Bihar gave you 39 out of 40 MPs but what did you give to Bihar in 10 years? Why don't you come to Bihar and talk about work? he further asked. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the NDA won 39 out of 40 seats in Bihar. Earlier, Yadav has alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party president JP Nadda brought five bags of cash to distribute among the voters during his recent visit to Bihar ahead of the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 26. Speaking to reporters in Patna on Wednesday, Tejashwi Yadav said, I have received news that he (BJP chief JP Nadda) has brought several bags with him. He is distributing them at places where elections are taking place. Get this checked, the allegations are true. I am not lying. Agencies are helping him openly. He is coming from Delhi and bringing five bags with him. Out of 40 Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar, four seats Jamui, Nawada, Gaya, and Aurangabad went to polls during the first phase of voting on April 19. The rest of the seats will go to polls in the remaining six phases of the general elections, with 2nd phase on April 26. Overall, the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections will witness voting in 89 constituencies spread across 13 states and union territories. (ANI)

devdiscourse 25 Apr 2024 12:10 pm

Nitish invokes jungle raj in emotional letter to voters

PATNA : Ahead of the second phase of the Lok Sabha election, Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar wrote an open letter to the people of Bihar, appealing to them to cast their votes in favour of NDA candidates in the ongoing Lok Sabha election. Nitishs letter assumes special significance in view of the fact that JD(U) has fielded its candidates on all five seats going to the polls in the second phase. Votes will be cast in Kishanganj, Purnia, Katihar, Bhagalpur, and Banka in the second phase of the Lok Sabha election. Nitish repeated what he has been saying in his numerous election rallies, but its importance cannot be undermined as it is the first such letter addressed to the people of the state. JD(U) leader highlighted how the state was transformed after the formation of the NDA government in 2005, leaving behind the past Jungle Raj. He also appealed to the voters to ensure the victory of NDA candidates in all 40 Lok Sabha constituencies by casting votes in their favour. He also mentioned how the states coffers were depleted, basic amenities like roads, electricity, and hospitals were absent, and the state was afflicted with problems like rampant corruption, crime, kidnappings, murders, dacoities, and mafia dominance. Likewise, he also assured the people of the state to continue to work for the development of the state and provide jobs to youths.

The New Indian Express 24 Apr 2024 7:25 am

Purnia Pappu Yadav | Bihar Politics

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NDTV 23 Apr 2024 8:15 pm

Purnia Lok Sabha Seat: Pappu Yadav`s Independent Bid Sets Tone For Triangular Contest With RJD`s Bima Bharti And JDU`s Santosh Kumar

RJD leader Tejashvi Yadav urged the people to support his party candidate Beema Bharati and said there is a direct fight between the INDIA alliance and NDA.

Zee News 23 Apr 2024 5:25 pm

Nothing to do with Pappu Yadav's candidature: Congress

Congress supports RJD's Bharti over Pappu Yadav in Purnia, causing coalition tension. EBC candidate Bharti nominated for JDU seat. Left parties and Rahul Gandhi campaign add to coalition unity test.

The Economic Times 19 Apr 2024 11:16 pm

Purnia Lok Sabha Election 2024: Check polling date, candidates list, past election results

The counting and announcement of results for the Erode Lok Sabha Constituency Election 2024 will take place on June 4.

DNA India 19 Apr 2024 3:24 pm

I am indebted to Constitution framed by Babasaheb Ambedkar, says PM Modi

PM Modi added that 2025 is the 75th year of the Indian Constitution and the government will celebrate it on a similar scale as 75 years of Independence. Modi addressed rallies in Gaya and Purnia in Bihar in favour of the NDA candidates.

The Economic Times 17 Apr 2024 12:23 am

Modi govt gave Bihar raw deal: Cong

Modi govt gave Bihar raw deal: Cong The Congress attacked the Modi government on Tuesday over key issues of Bihar, and asked why has the state not been granted special category status as promised. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh hit out at the prime minister ahead of his poll rallies in Bihar. ''Today's questions for PM Modi as he heads to Bihar: Why hasn't Bihar been granted Special Category Status as the PM had promised?'' Ramesh said on X. When will the Modi government address the flooding of the Kosi river and what happened to the airports that the PM promised, he asked. ''Jumla details below: After 10 years in power at the Centre, and 15 years in power in Bihar, why has the Modi Sarkar failed to deliver Special Category Status in the state? As per the Centre's own Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Report, Bihar ranked as the poorest state in India, and 52% of the state's population lacks access to requisite health, education and living standards,'' Ramesh said. In 2013, the Raghuram Rajan Committee recommended a new methodology for devolving funds that is based on a multi-dimensional index instead of SCS to account for a state's economic backwardness, he pointed out. ''In 2014, when campaigning for his current position, Mr. Modi effectively promised special state status for Bihar. Ten years later, what is the Modi Sarkar waiting for? Why has the PM forgotten the people of Bihar?'' he said. Noting that every monsoon, the Kosi river floods its banks, completely devastating the surrounding area, Ramesh said millions of people are affected by the Kosi's flooding - standing crops are regularly ruined and families are displaced for months on end. ''The double-engine sarkar builds and rebuilds embankments, only for them to be inevitably washed away during the next flood. Residents have likened this to the 'goose that lays the golden eggs' -- popular sentiment holds that the BJP's favoured contractors are receiving kickbacks each time an embankment is rebuilt,'' he alleged. ''Apart from this, the BJP government loves to blame upstream Nepal for opening the barrage gates, without making any diplomatic efforts to find a solution. Why is the Modi Sarkar ignoring the plight of millions of flood victims?'' he said. Has the misery of people in Mithilanchal and Kosi become another opportunity for the BJP's monetary gain, Ramesh asked. ''PM Modi promised an airport in Purnia on 18th August, 2015. Six years and three Nitish Kumar U-turns later, his government is yet to fulfil the promise. In Muzaffarpur, the Modi Sarkar promised a fully operational airport by Diwali 2023. Today, not a single flight lands in the airport. In Bhagalpur, the Administration has barely started the process to set up a commercially viable airport - after years of empty promises from the BJP and JDU,'' he said. For a Government that claims to have focused on infrastructure development, why has the Modi government given Bihar such a poor deal, Ramesh asked. ''Why have these three airport projects been neglected for the last ten years?'' Ramesh said and asked the PM to break his ''silence'' on these issues.

devdiscourse 16 Apr 2024 11:31 am

Lalu Yadav corrupt, lives only for family: Bihar's Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary rips into former CM

Lalu Yadav corrupt, lives only for family: Bihar's Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary rips into former CM Launching a no-hokds-barred attack on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former chief minister, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday said the latter was a 'corrupt' leader who lives only for his family. Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, the BJP leader said, Lalu Yarad no longer holds sway over people with what he says or does. He tries to spread communal discord...it is an old habit with him. He has been doing it for a long time. The people of Bihar know that he is corrupt and lives only for his family. He can never work for anyone outside his family. Meanwhile, the RJD, on Wednesday, released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Lalu's daughter, Bima Bharti, was fielded from the Purnia seat while Rohini Acharya will contest the Saran seat, where she will fight with sitting BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy. The party also fielded Misa Bharti from the Patliputra constituency. Jai Prakash Yadav will contest from Banka and Vijay Kumar Shukla from Vaishali. The list features the names of 22 candidates for the upcoming seven-phased elections. Earlier, on April 2, Choudhary asked whether Lalu knew what a policy was, while daring him to name one policy that was started by him and discontinued by the present chief minister, Nitish Kumar. Speaking to ANI, Choudhary added, Does Lalu Yadav know what a policy is? Name one policy that he started in his 15-year rule as chief minister. Name one policy that was started by him and discontinued by Nitish Kumar? Meanwhile, on RJD Chief Lalu Yadav's recent visit to Hariharnath temple in Bihar's Saran district, Choudhary on April 1, said it was the 'fear' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that was making the politicians in the Opposotion camp turn to God. It was the fear of PM Modi that drove him to the temple and seek divine refuge. I wish Lalu-ji stays healthy. However, his defeat is inevitable, he said. Exuding confidence in the BJP's victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Bihar deputy chief minister said, earlier, Nitish Kumar and PM Modi pair will bring victory to the BJP in all 40 seats in Bihar. Bihar will see polling for 40 Lok Sabha seats across all seven phases. In Phase 1, voting will be held in four seats. Another 5 seats will go to polls between phases 2 and 5. In Phases 6 and 7, polling will be held for 8 seats each. The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will be held in seven phases, starting April 19. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4. (ANI)

devdiscourse 10 Apr 2024 8:10 am

PM Modi to address rally in Bihar's Nawada

PM Modi to address rally in Bihar's Nawada With only a fortnight to go for the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public rally in Bihar's Nawada on Sunday in a bid to woo the voters of the constituency. A large number of people are expected to attend the rally. This will be the second visit by the PM within a week. Voting for Nawada will take place in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 19 and the BJP has fielded Vivek Thakur from the seat. Vivek Thakur, the son of former union minister CP Thakur, will be contesting against RJD candidate Shrawan Kushwaha. Chirag Paswan, National President of Lok Janshakti Party that is party of the BJP-led NDA exuded his confidence in the alliance of winning all 40 parliamentary seats in the state. It's not just Bihar, but the whole country and even the world have full faith in PM Modi's guarantee...On one side, we have PM's guarantee and on the other side, we have a strong alliance (NDA), which assure that we are going to win 40/40 seats in Bihar... Paswan said. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said, We welcome PM Modi to the land of Bihar. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi came to Jamui on April 4 and addressed the rally. PM Modi appealed to the voters to vote for Arun Bharti, candidate of NDA's ally in the state Lok Janshakti Patry (Ramvilas). The Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), the opposition coalition in Bihar, including Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress and Left parties, recently announced that the RJD, its largest constituent, will contest 26 out of the state's 40 Lok Sabha seats, including Purnia, in the upcoming elections. The Congress will contest nine seats, followed by CPI (ML) on 3 seats, and CPI and CPI (M) with one seat each. Bihar will see polling in seven phases. The first phase of polling will be held on April 19, the second phase on April 26, the third phase on May 7, the fourth phase on May 13, the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25, and the seventh phase on June 1. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA, consisting of BJP, JDU ( (Janata Dal-United), and LJP (Lok Janshakti Party), secured victory by taking the lead on 39 out of 40 seats. Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), INC (Indian National Congress), and RLSP (Rashtriya Lok Samta Party), only managed to secure one seat. The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will be held in seven phases from April 19. Counting of votes on June 4. (ANI)

devdiscourse 7 Apr 2024 11:22 am

2024 Polls: Pappu Yadav`s Independent Bid From Purnia May Hurt Congress-RJD

Pappu Yadav had won the Purnea seat thrice in the 1990s.

Zee News 4 Apr 2024 7:58 pm

PM Modi lets down people of Bihar by not fulfilling special status promise : Tejashwi

Patna, April 3 (UNI) Leader of the opposition in Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Wednesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has let down people of Bihar by not fulfilling his special status promise to the state. Yadav, while addressing a public meeting in Purnia after RJD candidate Beema Bharti filed her nomination papers... The post PM Modi lets down people of Bihar by not fulfilling special status promise : Tejashwi first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

Central Chronicle 3 Apr 2024 9:29 pm

There's a difference between what he says and what he does: Tejashwi Yadav targets PM Modi

There's a difference between what he says and what he does: Tejashwi Yadav targets PM Modi Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding his first rally in Bihar. He questioned whether the PM would speak against nepotism in his election campaign in the state. Yadav pointed out that the PM was supporting a dynastic candidate from his alliance, highlighting a significant difference between the PM's words and actions. PM Modi in his election campaigns always talks about dynastic politics. But, in his very first campaign in Bihar, he rallied for the candidate, who himself is a dynastic politician. This shows the difference between what he says and how he acts, he said. Tejashwi Yadav, while speaking about the misuse of government agencies, alleged that when leaders join the BJP, cases against them by agencies like the ED and CBI are closed, and they are made ministers. It has been observed that as soon as leaders join the BJP, cases against them by agencies like the ED and CBI are closed. It's evident to everyone that cases against those who join the BJP are dismissed. Whether someone has been involved in a scam of Rs 70,000 crore or any other case, they are made ministers, and their cases are closed, he said. While speaking about Congress leader Pappu Yadav's decision to file a nomination from Purnea, Tejashwi Yadav said, We have our own party and our own alliance. I am going to Purnea for my own candidate, and I believe that Bima Bharti will win by a big margin. It is worth noting that the former MP Rajesh Ranjan, alias Pappu Yadav, who merged his Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) with the Congress, is adamant about contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Purnia constituency, the seat given to the RJD as per the agreement reached by the alliance. His stand has put pressure on the Grand Alliance in Bihar. The Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), the opposition coalition in Bihar, including Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left parties, recently announced that the RJD, its largest constituent, will contest 26 out of the state's 40 Lok Sabha seats, including Purnia, in the upcoming elections. Pappu Yadav has even urged RJD supremo Lalu Yadav to reconsider his decision regarding Purnia and give it to the Congress since the RJD announced that it would field former minister and Rupauli MLA Bima Bharati from the seat. Bihar will see polling in seven phases. The first phase of polling will be held on April 19, the second phase on April 26, the third phase on May 7, the fourth phase on May 13, the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25, and the seventh phase on June 1. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA, which included the BJP, JDU (Janata Dal-United), and LJP (Lok Janshakti Party), won 39 out of 40 seats. In contrast, the Mahagathbandhan, led by the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), INC (Indian National Congress), and RLSP (Rashtriya Lok Samta Party), only managed to secure one seat. The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will be held in seven phases from April 19. Counting of votes on June 4. (ANI)

devdiscourse 3 Apr 2024 6:02 pm

With no takers, smaller parties feel left out this election season

During Bihar and UP elections, smaller parties aim for NDA or INDIA bloc. Pappu Yadav merges with Congress but loses Purnia. Pashupati Kumar Paras resigns over Hajipur seat issue.

The Economic Times 1 Apr 2024 11:37 pm

'Request Lalu to leave Purnia for Congress': Pappu Yadav insists on Purnia seat raising questions on Bihar alliance

Pappu Yadav merges JAP with Congress, vying for Purnia seat in Lok Sabha elections, intensifying Grand Alliance tension. RJD leads Mahagathbandhan in Bihar with 26 seats. Nomination filing delayed to April 4.

The Times of India 1 Apr 2024 4:38 pm

BSEB 10th Result 2024 Announced: Purnia District's Shivankar Kumar Secures Top Rank with 97.80%

The Bihar Board has announced the matriculation results for the year 2024, with a total of 13,79,542 students out of 16,64,252 who appeared for the exam passing successfully. This marks a pass percentage of 82.91%, which is slightly higher compared to the previous year's pass percentage of 81.04%.

Naukrinama 31 Mar 2024 8:00 pm

One day after I.N.D.I. Alliance agreed seat sharing in Bihar, Congress leader Pappu Yadav announces he will file nomination from RJD allocated Purnia

Pappu Yadav said that he was assured a ticket from Purnia by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

OpIndia 30 Mar 2024 2:12 pm

RJD gets 26, Congress 9, LF 5 in Bihar Mahagathbandhan seat deal

The grand alliance of RJD, Congress, and Left Front in Bihar disclosed their seat-sharing plan for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. RJD secured 26 seats, Congress maintained 9, and Left parties got 5. Purnia caused a rift as RJD claimed it, leading to Pappu Yadav's independent candidacy. The alliance aims to challenge NDA, gaining new territories like Gaya and Munger.

The Times of India 30 Mar 2024 1:04 am

Pappu Yadav hints at rebellion; Congress deeply unhappy with seat sharing in Bihar

Denying Purnia seat to Pappu Yadav is being seen as a direct snub of Gandhis who brought him on board; Congress is also unhappy with both the quantity and quality of seats allotted

The Hindu 29 Mar 2024 9:45 pm

Mahagathbandhan announces LS seat-sharing for Bihar; RJD to contest 26, Cong 9

Mahagathbandhan announces LS seat-sharing for Bihar; RJD to contest 26, Cong 9 The RJD-led Mahagathbandhan in Bihar on Friday announced its formula for seat-sharing, with Lalu Prasad's party laying claim on nearly two-thirds of the state's 40 parliamentary constituencies, virtually steamrolling allies - the Congress and three Left parties. The RJD will be contesting 26 seats, nine more than it had fought in 2019 when it drew a blank. The Congress has got nine seats, as many as it had contested in the last elections, followed by CPI(ML) Liberation (three) and CPI and CPI(M) (one each). The belated announcement, coming a day after filing of nomination papers for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls was over, was made at a press conference here addressed by RJD national spokesman and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha, state Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh and state-level leaders of CPI(ML) Liberation, CPI and CPI(M). Tejashwi Yadav, the Mahagathbandhan's leader in the state legislature, was scheduled to address the press conference but remained conspicuous by his absence. Jha said names of candidates would be announced soon and claimed: ''We have arrived at a unanimous decision, demonstrating a cohesiveness that you may not find in the NDA. We will defeat them at the hustings''. Notably, the RJD had fielded its candidates for the four seats of Gaya, Aurangabad, Jamui and Nawada, which go to polls in the first phase, much to the annoyance of its allies, particularly the Congress which wanted to give ticket to former MP Nikhil Kumar. Moreover, CPI and CPI(M) have already announced their candidates for Begusarai and Khagaria seats. According to the seat-sharing formula, the RJD has also wrested from the Congress Purnia, a seat the latter has been contesting in the past few Lok Sabha polls. Recently, Lalu Prasad, the RJD president, gave party ticket for the seat to JD(U) turncoat Bima Bharti, stopping short of making a formal announcement. The Congress had last week inducted Pappu Yadav, a three-term former MP from Purnea, whose wife is also a Rajya Sabha MP of the party. Yadav had been hopeful of getting the ticket from the seat claiming that an assurance to the effect was given to him by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. There were murmurs that Prasad, whose ''blessings'' Yadav had sought before he went to Delhi and merged his Jan Adhikar Party with the Congress, was suggesting that the former Purnea MP try his luck from Madhepura, which he had won on an RJD ticket in 2014, or Supaul which his wife had represented more than once. However, that option, too, seems closed as both seats have been claimed for itself by the RJD and it remains to be seen what is going to be the next move of Yadav who has been dropping hints that he will not flinch from fighting as an Independent from Purnea if the need arose. Among the seats given to the Congress are Kishanganj, Bihar's lone Muslim-majority constituency that the party has been winning for some time, and adjoining Katihar where senior leader Tariq Anwar lost by a thin margin in 2019, having won in 2014 on an NCP ticket. Other seats given to Congress include Patna Sahib, where the BJP has been seemingly invincible, Bhagalpur, where party MLA Ajeet Sharma wanted to field Bollywood actress daughter Neha Sharma, who has refused, and reserved constituency Sasaram, a bastion of late Deputy Prime Minister Jagjivan Ram, whose daughter and former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, has won the seat a few times but reportedly excused herself this time on account of old age. Other seats assigned to the Congress are Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, West Champaran and Maharajganj. The CPI(ML) Liberation has been given Nalanda, a pocket borough of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose JD(U) has had an uninterrupted run on the seat for decades. The Left party has also been given Arrah, where the sitting BJP MP is Union minister RK Singh, and Karakat, which the NDA has assigned to former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Morcha. However, the RJD has denied the CPI(ML) Liberation Siwan, where the Left party has for long been involved in a bloody feud with late strongman Mohammed Shahabuddin. Having fielded Shahabuddin's widow Hina Shahab in the last two general elections, without success, the RJD is now understood to have given up on her and looking for other candidates. Hina Shahab has, meanwhile, received support from Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM which has said it will campaign for her if she contested as an Independent or on ticket of ''a like-minded party''. The RJD has also kept with itself Saran, formerly represented by Lalu Prasad, where his Singapore-based daughter Rohini Acharya is likely to make her debut. Also in the RJD kitty is Pataliputra, where his eldest daughter Misa Bharti may again try her luck after tasting defeat two times on the trot. A high-decibel contest seems on the cards in Hajipur, where the RJD will be challenging Chirag Paswan's bid to claim his late father Ram Vilas Paswan's political legacy, amid fears that estranged uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras, the sitting MP, could play spoilsport. RJD will also contest Munger, which it seeks to wrest from former JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh ''Lalan''. The party has given ticket to the wife of gangster Ashok Mahto for the seat. Other RJD seats are Buxar, Banka, Valmiki Nagar, Purvi Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Vaishali, Gopalganj, Ujiyarpur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Jhanjharpur and Araria.

devdiscourse 29 Mar 2024 3:26 pm

INDIA Block to announce seat sharing in Bihar on today

Sources tell ET that there is possibility that RJD can exchange Supaul giving Madhepura to Congress from where Pappu Yadav can fight the election. Pappu Yadav on the other hand is still adamant on Purnia seat. Congress will get Sasaram, Katihar, Patna Sahib, Bettiah, Valmiki Nagar, Maharajganj among others. Congress is also likely to get one seat between Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur.

The Economic Times 29 Mar 2024 12:29 pm

Pappu Yadav raises banner of revolt as grand alliance list to be out today

PATNA: Former MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, who merged his Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) with the Congress, reiterated his resolve to contest election from Purnia even as the grand alliance in Bihar is set to announce seat-sharing deal for Lok Sabha election on Friday. It will be suicidal for me if I contest election from somewhere else, Yadav told the media in response to a query on RJD fielding turncoat Bima Bharti as its official candidate from the seat, which Pappu wanted to contest. A consensus on the seat-sharing was reached after two major allies of the alliance - RJD and Congress- held hectic parleys on several seats, which were a bone of contention between them. RJD sources said that former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and other senior leaders of the grand alliance would declare seat sharing pact at a press conference in the state party headquarters. Sources claimed that RJD would contest on 26 seats while Congress on nine seats. Seats from which the Congress is likely to contest are Sasaram, Kishanganj, Katihar, Motihari, West Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Patna Saheb, Supaul and Bhagalpur seats. The CPM may contest Karakat, Ara and Nalanda seats while the CPI is likely to field its candidates from Begusarai seat and CPI(M-L) Khagaria seat. In the remaining seats, the RJD will field its candidates. A clear picture on Purnia and Katihar seats from where Congress wanted to field Pappu Yadav and Tariq Anwar will emerge on Friday. Both Congress and RJD are staking claims to these seats. The sources claimed that RJD agreed to give nine seats to Congress only after the latter conceded to give Chatra and Palamu seats in neighbouring Jharkhand.

The New Indian Express 29 Mar 2024 6:23 am

'I Will Leave The World, Not Purnia...', Pappu Yadav Beats After Getting Bima Bharti Ticket | News18

''I Will Leave The World, Not Purnia...', Pappu Yadav Beats After Getting Bima Bharti Ticket | News18I will leave the world, not Purnia...', Pappu Yadav beats after getting Bima Bharti ticket, know the political equation of this seat

News18 28 Mar 2024 9:49 am

RJD, Congress likely to announce seat-sharing formula on March 28

According to sources, RJD is likely to offer nine seats to Congress, except Purnia, which the latter had sought for Pappu Yadav

The Hindu 27 Mar 2024 9:52 pm

RJD, Congress likely to announce seat-sharing formula today

According to sources, RJD is likely to offer nine seats to Congress, except Purnia, which the latter had sought for Pappu Yadav

The Hindu 27 Mar 2024 9:52 pm

Purnia Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar: Check present MP, polling date, candidates list and other details

Lok Sabha elections to the 40 seats in Bihar will be held in all seven phases.

DNA India 27 Mar 2024 4:48 pm

Analysis | RJD-led Mahagatbandhan on the brink with Pappu Yadavs entry into Congress

According to leaders involved in negotiations, the RJD has set a deadline of today evening for the Congress to decide and has threatened to go alone, if the Congress continues to press for Pappu Yadavs candidature from Purnia Lok Sabha seat.

The Hindu 21 Mar 2024 11:24 am

Seven-phase LS polls in Bihar from Apr 19

Seven-phase LS polls in Bihar from Apr 19 Lok Sabha polls to 40 constituencies in Bihar will be conducted in seven phases, the Election Commission said on Saturday. Voting will take place in the state on April 19, 26, May 7, 13, 20, 25 and June 1, it said. The results will be declared on June 4. The bye election for Agiaon (Bhojpur) assembly constituency will also be held on June 1. In the first phase on April 19, the Lok Sabha constituencies that will go to polls include Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, whereas elections will be held in Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia, Bhagalpur, Banka in the second phase on April 26. In the third phase on May 7, Jhanjharpur, Supaul, Araria, Madhepura and Khagaria will go to polls, and on May 13, elections would be conducted in Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai and Munger Lok Sabha seats, the EC said. While the Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Saran and Hajipur seats will go to polls in the fifth phase on May 20, Valmiki Nagar, Paschim Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Sheohar, Vaishali, Gopalganj, Siwan and Maharajganj will see voting on May 25 (sixth phase). Nalanda, Patna Sahib, Pataliputra, Arrah, Buxar, Sasaram, Karakat and Jahanabad will go to polls in the seventh and final phase on June 1, the commission said. The by-poll in Agiaon (Bhojpur) has been necessitated following the disqualification of sitting CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation MLA Manoj Manzil. The total number of electorate in Bihar is 7,67,77,731, including 3,65,97,674 females.

devdiscourse 16 Mar 2024 8:11 pm

We have decided to contest on 11 seats in Bihar, says AIMIM MLA Akhtarul Iman

We have decided to contest on 11 seats in Bihar, says AIMIM MLA Akhtarul Iman AIMIM will contest 11 out of 40 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Bihar. The announcement was made by party MLA Akhtarul Iman at a media interaction on Wednesday in Bihar. We have decided to contest 11 seats in Bihar, the AIMIM MLA said. We tried a lot to save the secular votes in Bihar and at the national level. But these people stabbed us in the back and took away our people But in the interest of the nation, minorities, and Dalits, it is important to support them, he said. The seats are Araria, Purnia, Katihar, Kishanganj, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Ujiarpur, Karakat, Buxar, Gaya and Bhagalpur. The announcement came months after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was at the forefront of the INDIA bloc, joined hands with the BJP-led NDA. Nitish Kumar, after parting ways with the BJP in 2022, took on the initiative of uniting all opposition forces to jointly take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling party in the national election. Taking a swipe at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, he said, Nitish ji did the work by mistake (by joining the NDA). And he wrote the story of his hundreds of offences. Responding to a query, he said, Our fight is not for power. But for the deprived class of the state and the nation. AIMIM had won 5 seats in the 2020 Assembly elections in Bihar, but in 2022 four of its legilsators left the party and joined hands with the RJD. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election AIMIM contested just 1 seat of Kishanganj in Bihar. The AIMIM had contested on 3 seats across India winning from Aurangabad and Hyderabad. The Lok Sabha elections are expected to be held in April-May. (ANI)

devdiscourse 13 Mar 2024 2:05 pm