Menstrual leave in Karnataka: Check policies and benefits across Indias other states as well
Karnataka has approved 12 paid menstrual leave days annually for women employees, a first for both government and private sectors in India. This policy aims to create supportive work environments by recognizing women's health needs. Other states like Bihar, Odisha, and Kerala have also implemented similar initiatives for employees and students, highlighting menstrual leave as a health necessity.
SC grants bail to former Ranchi DC Chhavi Ranjan in money laundering case
RANCHI: The Supreme Court on Friday granted conditional bail to former Ranchi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Chhavi Ranjan in a money laundering case linked to a land scam. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on May 4, 2023, and has been in judicial custody since then. Chhavi Ranjan, a 2011 batch IAS officer, has served as the Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi and was posted at the Department of Social Welfare when he was arrested by the ED. The bail plea was heard in the Supreme Court by the Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. Accused of fraudulent sale-purchase of land in Ranchi, Ranjan had approached the Supreme Court after the Jharkhand High Court rejected his bail plea on August 6 this year. Earlier, the Ranchi PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court had also refused to grant bail to Chhavi Ranjan, prompting him to move the High Court seeking relief. The case involves the fraudulent purchase and sale of land located in Bariatu under the Bargai circle in Ranchi, which was under the possession of the Army. Ranjan was Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi from July 15, 2020, to July 11, 2022. Notably, the Enforcement Directorate had conducted raids on April 13 on 21 locations linked to Chhavi Ranjan spread across Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal and had unearthed a huge land scam by a gang of scamsters having expertise in preparing fake documents, falsifying and forging original documents in Ranchi. Ranjan was the Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi when a stone mining lease was granted to Chief Minister Hemant Soren for stone mining at Angara in the outskirts of Ranchi. Apart from former Deputy Commissioner and IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan, the ED has also named prominent businessman Vishnu Agrawal, revenue sub-inspector of Bargai circle Bhanu Pratap Prasad, Pradeep Bagchi, land dealers Afsar Ali, Imtiaz Khan, Talha Khan, Faiyaz Khan, Mohammad Saddam, Amit Agrawal, and Dilip Ghosh as accused in the case.
Barely days after its inauguration, Patna Metro stations are already marred by red gutka stains. A viral video highlights the widespread vandalism, with walls, stairs, and platforms defaced. A frustrated citizen expressed dismay at the public's disregard for the new infrastructure, questioning civic sense.
Nomination begins for first phase of Bihar polls; seat-sharing talks intensify in NDA, INDIA bloc
PATNA: Filing of nomination papers began on Friday for the elections to 121 seats in the first phase of the Bihar assembly polls, officials said. The first round of the elections will be held on November 6. Candidates can file their nomination papers til October 17, and the scrutiny of such documents will be held on the next day, according to a notification. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 20 for the first phase of the assembly polls. Patna, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Saharsa, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Sheikhpura, Nalanda, Buxar, and Bhojpur districts will go for polls in the first phase. The second and final phase of the poll will take place on November 11 in 122 assembly seats. The counting of votes will take place on November 14. The ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc have not declared their list of candidates so far. Constituents of the NDA and the INDIA bloc are grappling with differences over seat-sharing, with smaller allies in both camps jostling for more seats. However, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party declared a list of 51 candidates on Thursday. Amid growing unease in the ruling NDA over the seat sharing, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reached Patna on Friday and will hold meetings with senior party leaders. Sources in the BJP said that the seat-sharing arrangements within the NDA will be finalised in a day or two, and the party will release its first list of candidates soon after that. Bihar polls: Left parties smoothen seat-sharing deal with RJD, Congress The JD(U), another alliance partner of the NDA, is also expected to announce its list of candidates very soon, party sources said. According to sources in the NDA, the allies - JD (U) and BJP - are likely to contest 102 and 101 seats, respectively. Union minister Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), which had earlier settled for around 20-22 seats, is now asking for 45 segments, they said. In the opposition bloc, sources said the RJD is likely to contest 135-140 seats. The party has offered the Congress 50-52 seats, lower than the party's demand for 70 assembly segments. Sources in the RJD said a meeting of senior party leaders will take place in Patna later in the day to finalise the list of its candidates. In the 2020 assembly polls, the Congress had fought 70 seats but won only 19. The other big constituent of the INDIA bloc, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, also appeared unhappy with the reportedly 20-25 seats being offered to it. Five years ago, the CPI (ML) Liberation won 12 of the 19 seats it contested, and is reportedly demanding 40 this time. Tejashwi makes mega poll promise: Law to ensure one government job for every family in Bihar
Bihar Assembly polls: Filing of nomination papers for first phase begins
The first round of the elections will be held on November 6.
Nomination Filing Begins for First Phase of Bihar Polls
The first round of the elections will be held on November 6
JMM eyes 12 seats in Bihar polls, final decision after talks with INDIA bloc partners
RANCHI: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is willing to contest at least 12 assembly seats in the upcoming Bihar polls as an ally of the INDIA bloc, a party leader said on Friday. The final decision on the number of seats where the party will field candidates will be made only after a meeting with the INDIA bloc partners, he said. The seat-sharing deal among the INDIA bloc constituents will be finalised in a day or two, JMM general secretary Vinod Kumar Pandey said. We have conveyed our intention to the leaders of the INDIA bloc constituents in Bihar during a recent meeting in Patna. We have also informed our party leader and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren about the outcome of the meeting. Now, the CM will take the final call on seats that the JMM will contest in Bihar after a discussion with the INDIA bloc partners, Pandey told PTI . During the meeting, held on Tuesday, the JMM claimed around 12 seats in the tribal-dominated border areas, adjacent to Jharkhand, he said. Tarapur, Katoria, Manihari, Jhajha, Pirpainti, Thakurganj, Banka, Rupauli, Chakai, Jamalpur, Banmankhi, and Ramnagar are the seats that the JMM is willing to contest, Pandey said. The elections to 243 seats of the Bihar assembly will be held on November 6 and 11, and votes will be counted on November 14. The Rashtriya Janata Dal is, however, contemplating offering up to five seats to the JMM, a RJD leader in Jharkhand said. In the 2024 Jharkhand assembly polls, the JMM-led alliance had offered six of the 81 seats to the RJD. The RJD had won four seats in Jharkhand.
JMM intends to contest 12 seats in Bihar polls as INDIA bloc partner
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha plans to contest at least 12 seats in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. The party is an ally of the INDIA bloc. A final decision on the exact number of seats will be made after discussions with INDIA bloc partners. The seat-sharing deal is expected to be finalized soon.
JMM to Contest 12 Seats in Bihar Polls as INDIA Bloc Partner
The final decision on the number of seats where the party will field candidates will be made only after a meeting with the INDIA bloc partners, he said.
Bihar: Pappu Yadav Booked for Poll Code Violation in Vaishali
The case was registered against YadavPappu Yadav Booked for Poll Code Violation in Vaishali at the Sahdei police station on Thursday night on the basis of a complaint filed by the district administration
Bihar MP Pappu Yadav faces a case for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by distributing money to flood victims in Vaishali. The complaint, based on CCTV footage and an official's statement, was filed by the district administration. The matter is currently under investigation.
EC says Anganwadi workers to help verify identity of burqa-clad voters at polling stations in Bihar
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Friday said special arrangements will be made at polling stations in Bihar for dignified identification of women voters in burqa or purdah. In a statement, the poll authority said to encourage participation of 'purdanasheen' (in burqa or purdah) women, special arrangements will be made at the polling stations as per its instructions for their dignified identification in the presence of lady polling officers or attendants while ensuring their privacy. Addressing a press conference here on Monday to announce schedule for Bihar elections, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had said Aanganwadi workers will be present at all polling booths in Bihar to help verify the identity of burqa-clad voters. Responding to a question about 'ghungat' and burqa clad women during a press conference, Kumar said there are clear guidelines of the Election Commission about the verification of identity inside polling booths and they will be strictly followed. Our anganwadi workers will be deployed at all polling booths for verifying the identity of burqa-clad women. The guidelines of the commission are very clear about this -- that how identity is verified inside a polling station and they will be strictly followed, he said. On Thursday, the poll authority had said up to 90,712 Anganwadi Sevikas will be deployed on poll duty. Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal had on Saturday last urged the Commission to ensure that faces of women turning up at booths in burqas were tallied with voter cards. The elections for 243 assembly constituencies in Bihar will be held in two phases -- November 6 and 11 -- while the counting of votes will be on November 14.
In its press note, for the convenience of voters who cannot produce their EPIC on polling day, ECI has issued a notification on October 7, 2025, permitting the use of 12 alternative photo ID documents.
Bihar Polls: Anganwadi Workers to Verify Burqa-Clad Voters Identity
Gyanesh Kumar had said Aanganwadi workers will be present at all polling booths in Bihar to help verify the identity of burqa-clad voters
New Delhi, Oct 10 (PTI) The Election Commission on Friday said special arrangements will be made at polling stations in Bihar for dignified identification of women voters in burqa or purdah. In a statement, the poll authority said to encourage participation of purdanasheen (in burqa or purdah) women, special arrangements will be made at the polling stations as per its instructions for their dignified identification in the presence of lady polling officers or attendants while ensuring their privacy. Addressing a press conference here on Monday to announce schedule for Bihar elections, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had said Aanganwadi workers
Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party unveiled its first 51 candidates for Bihar polls, prioritizing individuals from non-political backgrounds. The list features doctors, academics, retired officers, a singer, and Karpoori Thakur's granddaughter, aiming to offer a fresh alternative. Caste equations were considered, with representation from EBC, OBC, general, and Muslim communities, alongside women and a transgender candidate.
Jan Suraaj movement to transform Bihar in the final stage: Prashant Kishor
Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor announced his party's 3.5-year-old effort to create a better Bihar has reached its decisive stage. The party released its first list of 51 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, chosen for their capability to improve the state without caste, religion, or financial pressures.
Crowd favourite: UP CM Yogi Adityanath to address 20 rallies in Bihar on candidates request
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath is set to address around 20 rallies in Bihar, leveraging his popularity, particularly in central and north Bihar. His aggressive, Hindutva-centric campaign is expected to counter past governments and energize the BJP's core base, mirroring his success in other states.
The EC has directed political parties to refrain from misusing AI-based tools to create deepfakes that distort information or spread misinformation on social media
Who Is Preeti, Jan Suraaj's Transgender Candidate For Bihar Assembly Polls
Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj fielded Preeti from Bhorey, a constituency in Bihar's Gopalganj.
Amid allies bargain, NDA seats deal likely by October 13
NEW DELHI/PATNA : The BJP has shortlisted candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections for seats falling under its quota, sources in the party said on Thursday. This followed a series of party meetings in Patna. The final approval of these candidates is likely to take place on October 11 during the BJPs Central Election Committees expected meeting, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other key members. According to the sources, the BJP central leadership will also hold a final meeting with the heads of its Bihar-based NDA partners before announcing the seat-sharing with them jointly after the meeting of BJP Central Election Committee. The BJPs Central Election Committee will review the shortlisted names, as the party is initially understood to have shortlisted three to five names for each Assembly seat it had contested and won in 2020 Assembly election. A senior BJP source on Thursday hinted that the seat-sharing agreement finalised with NDA allies will be announced jointly by leaders of the alliance at a media briefing, most likely on Monday. This will likely be followed by the release of the names of BJP candidates for the seats that remain in the BJPs share. Sources also indicated that the BJP and quite possibly other NDA allies as well, will announce the names of their candidates for both phases of the elections, given the shorter timeframe between the notification date, filing of nominations, and final scrutiny. Meanwhile, the stalemate over seat-sharing within the ruling NDA for the election seems to be easing with Union Minister of State for Home and senior BJP leader Nityanand Rai holding a meeting with Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan in New Delhi on Thursday. Rai visited union minister Chirags Delhi residence twice as BJP wanted to clear the air as soon as possible. Rai couldnt meet Chirag when he visited his residence for the first time as he returned after meeting his mother. However, Rai went again and held the crucial meeting with him. After the meeting, both leaders interacted with the media with Rais vibrant smile dropping ample hints that he succeeded in his mission and was able to end the deadlock over seat sharing. Rai said, Smile on my face says it all as Chirag, standing nearby, was also seen smiling. Everything is positive. Chirag will tell everything himself when the time comes. After meeting Chirag, he also called on Bihar BJP election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan at his residence, apparently to brief him about the outcome of the meeting. Jan Suraaj Party releases first list of 51 candidates Prashant Kishors Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) on Thursday announced the first list of its 51 candidates for the Bihar Assembly polls. Out of 51 seats, seven seats are reserved for SCs. In the first list, 11 candidates are from OBC community, 17 from extremely backward communities and seven candidates are Muslims.
Morning Brief Podcast: Caste, Controversy and Campaigns: Inside Bihars Big Poll
Supreme Court to ADR: Seems there is too much passion and little reason
The Supreme Court questioned the veracity of an NGO's affidavits alleging voter list deletions in Bihar, with the Election Commission pointing out falsehoods. While directing an inquiry into deletions, the court expressed skepticism about the NGO's claims due to unsubstantiated allegations and a perceived lack of reason.
Delhi HC directs EC to allot election symbol to Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh for Bihar polls
The party in its plea said that the non-allotment of a symbol will take away its opportunity to contest elections
BJP likely to finalise candidates in PM Modis presence on Sunday
The BJP's central election committee is set to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior leaders to finalize candidates for the Bihar polls. Amidst ongoing hard-bargaining with allies, the party's first list of nominees is expected soon. Seat-sharing talks with allies, including the LJP, are progressing positively, with the BJP and JD(U) likely to contest around 101-102 seats each.
Tejashwi Yadavs big poll pledge: A government job for every household
Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, RJD leader and INDIA bloc chairman, has pledged a government job for every household in Bihar. He promises to introduce the legislation within 20 days of forming the government and ensure its implementation within 20 months. This move aims to address the significant unemployment issue in the state.
All Is Well, Says NDA on Bihar Poll Alliances
Nityanand Rai and Chirag Paswan report positive talks amid NDA preparations for November Assembly elections
Data entry operator held for accepting bribe in Jehanabad
Tejashwis unrealistic govt job promise for every family faces backlash from NDA
The NDA has criticised RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav's promise of a govt job for every family in Bihar. Leaders highlighted CM Nitish Kumar's pledge of one crore jobs over five years, questioning the feasibility and sincerity of Yadav's claims.
Bihar Assembly Elections: NDA, INDIA Bloc go into overdrive in Patna over seats, candidates
As the nomination deadline looms, NDA and INDIA bloc parties held extensive meetings in Patna to finalize seat-sharing and candidates for the Bihar assembly elections. JDU leaders strategized on candidate finalization and seat allocation with BJP and HAM, while LJP (RV) staked claims on several existing NDA seats.
LJP(RV) authorises Chirag to take key decisions amid NDA seat-sharing talks
LJP(RV) has authorised party president Chirag Paswan to make all decisions regarding seat-sharing and candidates for the Bihar assembly elections. Despite past actions, party sources confirm Chirag is not unhappy and will remain with the NDA. The party is seeking specific seats from allies, including JD(U), HAM(S), and BJP.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav pledged that if the INDIA bloc forms the government in Bihar, a law will be enacted within 20 days to ensure at least one government job per family. He stated that his party has conducted scientific research and possesses data to support the feasibility of this promise, aiming for implementation within 20 months.
Too much passion, too little reason: SC flags false Bihar voter roll affidavit
The Election Commission of India is undertaking a Special Intensive Revision across the country. This initiative aims to protect the integrity of electoral rolls. Bihar has already commenced this process. The Election Commission will announce schedules for other states soon. The Supreme Court is also directing Bihar's legal body to help voters excluded from the final list file appeals.
When Leader Withdrew From Bihar Election After Rival Called Him Brother, Sought Blessings
In today's politics, where ideology has been replaced by caste and individualism, and debates on election platforms often turn into accusations and counter-accusations, some stories from the past still offer solace.
Postal ballots arranged for elderly, PwD voters
Patna district is facilitating postal ballots for 32,036 electors with disabilities and 34,260 voters aged over 85 to ensure their participation in the assembly election. This initiative, under Section 60 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, allows absentee voters to cast their vote via postal ballot, with dedicated teams to visit their residences.
Cong says states double-engine govt out of fuel, promises change
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has slammed Bihar's current government. He called it a double engine govt without fuel and released a chargesheet against the ruling alliance. Ramesh stated the state is at a decisive turn, urging people to choose development. He also accused the RSS-BJP of toppling governments over reservation demands.
Development, jobs in Ara to be my priorities: Jan Suraaj candidate
Jan Suraaj has nominated Dr. Vijay Kumar Gupta, a local laparoscopic surgeon, as its candidate for the Ara assembly constituency. Dr. Gupta, emphasizing his deep roots in the town, aims to develop Ara as a state capital periphery region to boost employment and curb migration. He expressed confidence in strong local support for his candidature.
36 arrested in Buxar police crackdown
Buxar police apprehended 36 individuals in a special drive, seizing significant quantities of illicit liquor and illegal firecrackers. The operation also led to the execution of 42 warrants and a district-wide traffic enforcement campaign, collecting substantial fines. This initiative aims to bolster law and order and combat illegal activities.
19-year-old shot at near home in Siwan district
A 19-year-old youth, Ahmad Hussain, is in critical condition after being shot in the face near his home in Siwan district. The incident occurred while he was returning from delivering food. Police are investigating the attack and examining CCTV footage, with villagers demanding increased security and swift arrests.
NDA partners reach consensus on seats, announcement next week
NDA partners are nearing a seat-sharing consensus for the Bihar elections, with a joint announcement expected soon. While JD(U) and BJP are likely to contest around 100 seats each, LJP(RV) is set to get 25, and HAM(S) and RLM are also finalizing their allocations. Candidate finalization is underway.
Teenage boy detained, mother arrested after rape and murder of minor girl in Patna
A 17-year-old boy and his mother were arrested in Patna after an eight-year-old girl was found raped and murdered, her body stuffed in a sack. The accused allegedly lured the child to an under-construction house, assaulted her, and then electrocuted her. His mother reportedly helped conceal the crime. Both face serious charges.
Rice mill workers body reaches Khagaria village after his death in Telangana
NCRB: Bihar reports 4,450 cybercrime cases in 2023, tops nation in ATM fraud
Bihar experienced a dramatic surge in cybercrime in 2023, with cases more than doubling to 4,450. The state now ranks fourth nationally in cybercrime chargesheet rates and leads in ATM fraud. Fraud remains the dominant motive, highlighting growing online vulnerabilities for citizens across the nation.
Karpooris granddaughter among 51 on PKs first list
Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party unveiled its first 51 candidates for Bihar polls, featuring professionals and leaders' kin, notably Karpoori Thakur's granddaughter. Aiming to offer an alternative, the list includes doctors, academics, retired officers, a lawyer, singer, and a transgender candidate, balancing caste equations and community representation to surprise voters.
Independent MLAs dwindle as states political arena polarises
Independent MLAs in Bihar are facing a tough battle for relevance amidst intense political polarization. Historically significant numbers have dwindled, with major alliances like INDIA and NDA dominating the landscape. Even prominent figures are now seeking party tickets, suggesting a challenging future for lone voices in the upcoming 2025 assembly elections.
Illegal weapons recovered from former Mukhiyas house in Raghopur
Bihar polls: Left parties smoothen seat-sharing deal with RJD, Congress
NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (CPI) has been offered six seats as part of the seat-sharing arrangement within the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections though the party had demanded 10 seats. With disagreement over seat allocation continuing among alliance partners, CPI General Secretary D Raja departed for Patna on Thursday to hold final negotiations regarding the deal. An official announcement is expected to be made on Friday, said the Left party sources. The CPI leaders said that they were expecting at least 10 seats while it wanted to contest 24 assembly constituencies. In the previous elections, it fielded candidates on six seats and could win two. Its vote share was 0.83 percent vote share. We have conveyed our demand. Raja is reaching Patna tonight. We are hopeful. Final decision will be announced on Friday, said sources. Another member of the Left combine, the CPI-Marxist (CPM) has also not reached a consensus on seat-sharing with its alliance partners yet. Its general secretary MA Baby is already in Patna. He met the alliance coordinator and RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Thursday to discuss seat allocation. Though nothing has been finalised, we have a feeling that the number of seats to be contested by the CPM will be amicably settled. The Left parties will get as much as seats they contested in 2020. However, we are expecting more seats in this election, said CPM leaders. Top Congress leaders in Patna to hold direct talks with RJD supremo Lalu Yadav on seat sharing The CPM had demanded 11 seats. It had fought on four seats in the previous elections and managed to bag two with a vote share of 0.65 percent. This time, the Left parties are posing a challenge before the RJD, the largest constituent of the coalition, as they are eying a significantly larger share. The CPI, CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, and CPI-Marxist collectively sought at least 75 assembly seats. The CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, the most electorally successful Left party, submitted its claims for 40 seats. It was offered 19 seats; the same number it contested in the 2020 Assembly elections, while it won 12 as part of the alliance. However, the CPI-ML (Liberation) rejected the offer on Tuesday; lodged its protest to both; the number of seats and the proposed swapping of several constituencies it had contested last time. The party submitted a revised list of 30 preferred constituencies and was awaiting a formal response. A CPI-ML (Liberation) leader said that deadlock is still continuing and there has been no development since the 19-seat offer made by the RJD. The party secured 3.16 percent of vote share. The Mahagathbandhan, which includes the RJD, Congress, and other Left parties, fell just short of a majority in the last election with 110 out of 243 seats.
Top Congress leaders in Patna to hold direct talks with RJD supremo Lalu Yadav on seat sharing
NEW DELHI: A day after the Central Election Committee (CEC) of the Congress party finalised the names of 25 candidates for the upcoming Bihar elections, top leaders of the party landed in Patna on Thursday to hold direct talks with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Yadav on the seat-sharing formula. According to sources, the direction to hold talks with Yadav came from senior leader Rahul Gandhi, who is currently on a four-nation visit to South America. The fresh negotiations are aimed at bargaining for more seats, though Congress had earlier settled for 5758 seats. The party is now looking for 10 more seats, said leaders aware of the development. The leaders who met Yadav include Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh, former chief ministers Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel, and former Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. The party has appointed Gehlot, Baghel, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury as senior observers for the Bihar Assembly elections. TNIE had on Wednesday reported that Congress may get 57 seats in the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), while it will spare two seats for the Indian Inclusive Party (IIP). Sources said that Congress decided to harden its position after the RJD reportedly allotted 28 seats to the Mukesh Sahni-led Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP). Though the VIP had been negotiating for around 30 seats, it has settled for 28 seats and will be contesting on the RJD symbolsomething Congress leaders fear could affect their prospects in the post-election scenario. The VIP got only four seats in the last election. If the VIP is contesting in 28 seats, our leaders feel that Congress must be allotted 6065 seats, said a leader involved in the talks. The VIP was part of the BJP-led alliance in the 2020 election. Though it contested 11 seats as part of the NDA, it won only four. Sahni is reportedly keeping his options open, said a leader. However, the grand alliance is keen to rope in the VIP, which commands influence among the Nishad community. In the 2020 assembly elections, Congress contested in 70 seats but managed to win only 19, inviting sharp criticism from within the party and its allies. The much-awaited assembly polls in Bihar, where the opposition bloc led by the RJD will strive to unseat the ruling NDA, will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, with votes to be counted on November 14.
With Jobs Promise, Tejashwi Yadav Hopes To Cash In On Bihar's Aspirations
At the heart of Bihar, where the Ganges weaves its stories through a tapestry of dreams and despair, a figure stands, hoping to redefine the narrative of a state marked by promise and peril.
Students leader to contest poll as independent candidate
Vacuum assisted breast biopsy launched at Mahavir Cancer Sansthan
The top court directs paralegal volunteers and legal aid lawyers in Bihar to assist all 3.66 lakh persons removed from the voter list to file appeals
Bihar polls: Chirag Paswan remains tight-lipped as BJP claims labels the talks as positive
The LJP (Ram Vilas) chief says he has responsibilities of the Ministry as long as he remains a Union Minister, delivering a subtle message to BJP amid talks about seat-sharing for Bihar polls
Bihar polls: EC identifies 14K voters over the age of 100
Vaishali (Bihar): With wrinkles on her face and her frail body wrapped in a multicoloured sari, Sona Devi sits alongside her centenarian husband, Rameshwar Das, in Dullalpur village. Eager to vote in the upcoming elections, she declares, If I remain alive, I will definitely vote. Sona Devis commitment to participating in this grand festival of Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
SIR in Bihar: SC directs BSLSA to assist excluded voters in filing appeals
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Bihar State Legal Service Authority (BSLSA) to issue directions to its district-level bodies for assisting 3.66 lakh voters excluded from the final electoral rolls in filing appeals with the Election Commission. The top court said that it expected the political parties to come out with their Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Nearly 8.5 lakh election personnel to be deployed for Bihar polls: EC
New Delhi: Seeking to ensure smooth conduct of assembly polls in Bihar, the Election Commission will deploy nearly 8.5 lakh election personnel, including 2.5 lakh police officials. The poll authority said on Thursday that out of the around 8.5 lakh election officials, 4.53 lakh will be polling personnel, 2.5 lakh police officials, 28,370 counting personnel, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Don't misuse AI-based tools to spread misinformation in Bihar poll campaigning: EC
Political parties in Bihar have been warned by the Election Commission against using AI for deepfakes or spreading misinformation during the upcoming polls. The EC stressed the need for prominent labeling of AI-generated or synthetic campaign content, emphasizing transparency and accountability to maintain electoral integrity. Strict monitoring of social media is underway.
Video: Woman accuses TC of harassment after being caught without ticket
A woman caught travelling without a ticket in an AC coach on a Bihar-bound train on October 7 accused the ticket collector (TC) of harassment, sparking a heated argument that escalated with her relatives getting involved. The TC captured the incident, the footage of which has since gone viral. Many have accused the woman of Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
The Congress leaders, however, did not speak on seat-sharing arrangements in the INDIA bloc, which includes, besides Congress and RJD, the Left and a few other smaller parties
Ahead of Bihar assembly polls, Congress releases 42-page 'charge-sheet' against Nitish govt
The Congress has released a detailed 'charge-sheet' against the Nitish Kumar government. The party alleges that twenty years of NDA rule have caused significant 'destruction' in Bihar. Leaders claim corruption is rampant and the state has regressed in key areas like health and education. They also criticize the government's stance on social justice and caste surveys.
The breakthrough came after a series of coordinated operations by seven special investigation teams led by Vijayapura SP Laxman Nimbargi under the supervision of Additional SP Ramanagouda Hatti.
Election Commission cautions parties against misuse of AI deepfakes in Bihar elections
Commission issues advisory on labelling synthetic content; 8.5 lakh officials to be deployed for transparent elections
Inside Details Of NDA Bihar Seat-Sharing Talks, BJP Candidate Selection
The BJP's core team that is finalising the names of party candidates for the Bihar election will meet on Saturday, sources said. Following this, a meeting of the BJP's central election committee will be held the next day, they said.
Bihar elections 2025: It's AK vs PK - AAPs next big bet explained
Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will contest all 243 seats in Bihar, aiming to offer its governance model as an alternative to existing alliances. This move introduces a new dynamic alongside Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj, both vying for space created by voter fatigue with traditional politics.
Bihar elections 2025: NDA seat-sharing talks - is BJP in a bind after 2024 Lok Sabha majority miss?
Indian elections on June 4, 2024, brought back coalition politics. The BJP did not secure a majority. This has made seat-sharing talks in Bihar challenging. Allies like Nitish Kumar's JD(U) now hold significant power. Smaller allies are testing the alliance's strength. The BJP must balance keeping allies happy with its own interests.
Ahead of Bihar Assembly Polls, Cong Releases 42-Page Charge-sheet against Nitish Govt
Jairam Ramesh alleged that the BJP, which rules the Centre, has been opposed to social justice and had a role in litigation challenging the caste survey in Bihar
RJD, Congress workers have exposed Rahul Gandhi's campaign against Bihar SIR: BJP
Now Rahul Gandhi is sitting abroad amid the Bihar elections as he has turned out to be a flop show even in the eyes of his alliance workers, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari claimed
Jan Suraaj Party releases first list of 51 candidates for Bihar Assembly polls
Party fields candidates across communities; Prashant Kishor to launch campaign from Raghopur on October 11
SC directs Bihar legal service authority to assist voters excluded from final electoral rolls
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Bihar State Legal Service Authority (BSLSA) to issue directions to its district-level bodies for assisting voters excluded from the final electoral rolls in filing appeals with the Election Commission. The top court said the question of deciding appeals by voters who have been excluded after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise within the stipulated time and with a reasoned order will be considered on the next date of hearing on October 16 in response to pleas challenging the EC's exercise. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said the district legal service authority will release a list of para-legal volunteers for assisting the excluded voters by filing appeals and ensuring that they have detailed orders of their name's rejection. We want everyone to be given a fair chance to appeal and they should have detailed orders with them on why their names have been excluded. It should not be a one-line cryptic order, the bench said. At the outset, a drama unfolded in the top court when senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi pointed out that the petitioner NGO, 'Association for Democratic Reforms', which challenged the Bihar SIR exercise, has given fake details of a person, who claimed that his name had been excluded from the final list. Dwivedi pointed out that the name of the person referred to in the NGO's affidavit did not feature in the draft roll and the details he had given were of some woman. The bench, after perusing the details, said, We wonder if such a person even exists. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the NGO, said that the details have been given to him by a very responsible person. The name of the elector, who claimed that his name did not feature in the final electoral roll of Bihar, can be ascertained by the district legal service authority. The bench expressed annoyance, saying this was not expected and clarified that it may pass some remarks. Dwivedi said that the NGO and other petitioner Yogendra Yadav have filed their affidavits till late afternoon and the poll panel needs to file its response.
In a major announcement by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, weeks ahead of the high-voltage election in Bihar, the former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister has announced that if the Opposition alliance gains power, a member of every family in the state will get a government job.
Bihar polls: Prashant Kishor`s Jan Suraaj releases first list of 51 candidates
Addressing a press conference in Patna, partys national president, Udai Singh, said Kishor is likely to hit the campaign trail on Saturday from Raghopur, the constituency of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav
Bihar Assembly elections: Jan Suraaj Party releases first list of 51 candidates
Among the names in the list of party candidates, senior JSP leader R.K. Mishra will be contesting from the Darbhanga town Assembly seat, while noted Patna High Court lawyer and JSP member Y.V. Giri will be the party candidate from Manjhi constituency of Saran district
Chidambaram seeks answers on Bihar SIR, asks EC if duplicate entries in voter rolls are 5.2 lakh
NEW DELHI, Oct 9: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Thursday posed questions to the Election Commission over the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, asking what proportion of the states adult population has been included in the voter list and whether the number of duplicate entries is about 5.2 lakh. Chidambaram said he is not accusing the Election Commission of any wrongdoing, but the people of India and Bihar are entitled to answers to [] The post Chidambaram seeks answers on Bihar SIR, asks EC if duplicate entries in voter rolls are 5.2 lakh appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Bihar: LJP(RV) MPs authorise Chirag Paswan to take final call on seat-sharing
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MPs have authorized party chief Chirag Paswan to make the final decision on seat-sharing for the Bihar assembly elections. Party officials have reached a consensus that Paswan's decision on all 243 assembly seats will be acceptable.
Jan Suraaj announces 51 candidates for Bihar polls, Prashant Kishors contest still unclear
PATNA: Jan Suraaj Party on Thursday released its first list of 51 candidates for the Bihar assembly elections, but did not confirm whether its founder Prashant Kishor will be contesting the polls. Addressing a press conference here, party national president Udai Singh said Kishor is likely to hit the campaign trail on October 11 from Raghopur, the constituency of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. We will soon release a list of candidates for other seats. If you find Kishor Ji's name on the list, then he will be contesting. It's quite clear. Kishor Ji will launch the party's election campaign from Raghopur on October 11, Singh said. Among the prominent candidates named by the party are popular Bhojpuri singer Ritesh Ranjan Pandey, who will contest from Kargahar assembly seat, and Pritti Kinnar from the third gender community, who will contest from Bhorey seat in Gopalganj.
Jan Suraaj releases first list of 51 candidates for Bihar polls
The Suraaj Party has unveiled its initial slate of 51 candidates for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. While founder Prashant Kishor's own electoral participation remains unconfirmed, the party announced he will kick off the campaign on October 11 from Raghopur. Notable nominees include Bhojpuri singer Ritesh Ranjan Pandey and Pritti Kinnar, representing the third gender community.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan says, Discussions on seat sharing underway in NDA
Union Minister Chirag Paswan said that discussions are ongoing within the NDA over the seat-sharing formula ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections 2025. The LJP (RV) has called an emergency meeting in Patna to finalise its poll strategy
P Chidambaram seeks answers on Bihar SIR, asks EC if duplicate entries in voter rolls are 5.2 lakh
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram questioned the Election Commission regarding Bihar's electoral rolls, seeking clarity on the adult population's inclusion and the number of duplicate entries. He highlighted concerns about unincluded citizens, gibberish names, and invalid house numbers, urging transparency from the EC.
Tejashwi Promises Govt Job for Every Household Law Within 20 Days of Forming Mahagathbandhan Govt
The Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly announced that within 20 months, no family in Bihar will be left without a government job
Delhi HC directs ECI to allot common election symbol to Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh for Bihar election
The Delhi High Court has ordered the Election Commission of India to provide a common election symbol to Akhil Bharatiya Jan Sangh. This decision comes as the party prepares to contest the upcoming Bihar State elections. The court's directive follows the Election Commission's earlier rejection of the party's representation.
Tejashwi makes mega poll promise: Law to ensure one government job for every family in Bihar
PATNA:RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday promised that if the INDIA bloc helmed by his party comes to power in Bihar, it will ring an Act to ensure every family in the state has a member with a government job. Announcing it at a press conference, he said the proposed Act will be brought within 20 days of formation of the new government. The NDA could not provide jobs to the youth in 20 years. We will bring the Act within 20 days of coming to power, and implementation will be ensured in 20 months, said the former deputy chief minister. I had promised government jobs in the last assembly polls as well. During my brief stint in power, five lakh jobs were provided. You can imagine what could be possible had I got a five-year term, said the 35-year-old leader. Yadav, who is seen as the INDIA bloc's de facto chief ministerial candidate, has repeatedly described the Nitish Kumar government as a copycat, noting that several populist measures in recent months appeared to have taken a cue from the RJD leader's earlier poll promises. Vowing not to be outwitted, Yadav, who is often shown as the most preferred chief ministerial candidate in opinion polls, had earlier said he would speak more about his agenda for Bihar only after polls are announced, and the ruling NDA was left constrained by the model code of conduct. Recently, the government has provided 125 units of free power per month for consumers, waived examination fees for candidates, introduced a domicile quota in seats reserved for women, and hiked social security pensions. About a week ahead of the announcement of polls, the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana' was rolled out, as part of which Rs 10,000 each has been paid to more than one crore women of the state through direct cash transfer. The scheme, introduced to encourage entrepreneurship among women, has been decried by critics as an attempt to ribe voters ahead of elections. Yadav, however, refused to take questions on the fluid political situation, with issues like seat-sharing and formal declaration of a chief ministerial candidate hanging fire. Today's press conference had been called to make just this one big announcement. If there are questions relating to this, I am ready to answer. For other issues, we will talk later, said Yadav.
EC Warns Parties Against AI Misuse in Bihar Polls
Election Commission cautions against deepfakes, mandates clear labelling of AI-generated political content
Opinion: Opinion | Nitish Kumar Is Still The 'X' Factor In Bihar - And NDA Knows It
His brand value has certainly depreciated, his party has weakened, and political fatigue has set in. Yet, he retains crucial vote banks, a relatively clean image, and the ability to influence outcomes in a fragmented electoral landscape.
RJD MLA Bharat Bind resigns from state assembly, to join BJP
Bharat Bind, RJD MLA from Bhabhua, has resigned from the Bihar Assembly. He announced his decision to contest the upcoming assembly polls on a BJP ticket. Bind was elected on an RJD ticket. His move follows his alignment with the treasury bench after JD(U) returned to the NDA. The RJD had sought his disqualification.
Will bring Act to ensure every family in Bihar has a member with govt job: Tejashwi Yadav
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has pledged that if the INDIA bloc wins the Bihar Assembly elections, they will enact a law within 20 days of forming the government to guarantee at least one government job per family. He highlighted the NDA's failure to provide jobs over two decades and claimed his previous tenure saw five lakh jobs created.
Bihar Congress finalises seats, to announce poll candidates soon, says party state chief
Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar said the party has finalised the seats it will contest in the upcoming assembly elections, with approval from alliance partners and the central election committee. A formal announcement is expected in a day or two. The INDIA bloc, led by RJD, includes Congress, Left parties, VIP, and may add JMM and RLJP, with seat-sharing adjustments for new allies.
Bihar elections 2025: Chirag Paswan demands 36 seats, BJP offers 22 amid crucial seat-sharing talks
PATNA: Even as the assembly election process in Bihar formally begins with the issuance of the notification for the first phase on Friday, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar and Union Minister Chirag Paswans Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) are holding separate meetings in Patna to discuss the seat-sharing deal for the polls. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar convened a meeting of senior JD(U) leaders at his official residence, 1 Anne Marg, to finalize the list of candidates. Meanwhile, Union Minister and LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan called an emergency meeting of his partys core team at the state office to discuss seat distribution and election preparedness. Although Chirag is not attending the meeting as he has left for New Delhi, LJP (RV) MP from Jamui, Arun Bharti, will participate in the deliberations on seat sharing. Bharti has also been appointed in charge of the Bihar assembly election. Sources claim that Chirag is demanding 36 seats, while the BJP is willing to allot only 22 seats to his party. Before leaving for New Delhi, Chirag stated that the partys election strategies would be discussed in the meeting, and a final decision would be made after the central parliamentary board meeting. Meanwhile, JD(U) has reportedly taken a firm stand on retaining several constituencies currently held by its sitting MLAs. Chirag Paswans party reportedly wants to contest seats like Manhar in Vaishali, Matihani in Begusarai, and Chakai in Jamui, which are presently represented by JD(U) legislators. Lok Janshakti Party (RV) MP Arun Bharti told this reporter that the partys poll strategy will be decided at a meeting being held at its office in Patna on Thursday. Amid the seat-sharing talks, HAM leader BK Singh has already declared that he will file his nomination from the Morwa assembly constituency in Samastipur district on October 13, claiming the backing of party national president Santosh Manjhi. Singh also made serious allegations against former JD(U) leader Vidyasagar Singh Nishad, accusing him of amassing disproportionate assets. Meanwhile, Congress, a major ally of the opposition INDIA bloc, has cleared the names of 25 candidates for the upcoming assembly election. These seats are considered traditional strongholds, sources within the grand old party said. The names of the candidates were cleared at a meeting of Congress partys Central Election Committee (CEC) held in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Bihar SIR hearing LIVE updates: EC to submit info on excluded voters in SC today
The Supreme Court asked the Election Commission to provide details of 3.66 lakh voters who were excluded from the final electoral roll prepared after Bihars Special Intensive Revision exercise
