News Analysis India

Tag: Bihar

  • Hooch tragedy strikes again in dry Bihar; two dead, several taken ill

    Express News Service

    PATNA: A hooch tragedy has claimed at least two lives while 10 persons were taken ill after consuming spurious liquor in Bihar’s Siwan district on Sunday. 

    Five of the victims were admitted to Siwan sadar hospital for treatment.

    A district board member Ramesh Kumar told the police that some people from Bela village under Nabiganj police outpost complained of severe stomach pain, loss of eye sight and vomiting.

    On being inquired, family members revealed that they all had consumed alcohol at a local vend, which used to supply illicit country liquor. 

    The deceased were identified as Janak Prasad alias Janak Bind (40) and Naresh Bind (35), stated to be residents Bala village. 

    A police team attached to Nabiganjpolice station rushed to the village and started investigation.

    Nabiganj station house officer (SHO) Suraj Prasad said that a police team has been to the village after information about death of two people reached the police station late on Sunday evening.

    In December last year, more than 60 people had died in Saran district. The district authority, however, confirmed the death of 42 persons in the incident.

    Bihar came under total prohibition in April 2016. Since then 20 major incidents of hooch have been reported in which 200 persons lost their lives.

    PATNA: A hooch tragedy has claimed at least two lives while 10 persons were taken ill after consuming spurious liquor in Bihar’s Siwan district on Sunday. 

    Five of the victims were admitted to Siwan sadar hospital for treatment.

    A district board member Ramesh Kumar told the police that some people from Bela village under Nabiganj police outpost complained of severe stomach pain, loss of eye sight and vomiting.

    On being inquired, family members revealed that they all had consumed alcohol at a local vend, which used to supply illicit country liquor. 

    The deceased were identified as Janak Prasad alias Janak Bind (40) and Naresh Bind (35), stated to be residents Bala village. 

    A police team attached to Nabiganj
    police station rushed to the village and started investigation.

    Nabiganj station house officer (SHO) Suraj Prasad said that a police team has been to the village after information about death of two people reached the police station late on Sunday evening.

    In December last year, more than 60 people had died in Saran district. The district authority, however, confirmed the death of 42 persons in the incident.

    Bihar came under total prohibition in April 2016. Since then 20 major incidents of hooch have been reported in which 200 persons lost their lives.

  • Liquor smuggler held with 56 boxes of liquor in UP

    By PTI

    BALLIA: Police here have arrested one liquor smuggler and recovered 56 boxes of liquor from a truck going to Bihar, police said on Monday.

    According to the police, the arrest was made on Sunday during the checking of vehicles near Pipardhala village, when 56 boxes (peti) of liquor were recovered from the mini-truck.

    The arrested person has been identified as Amajeet Yadav, a resident of Patna, who has been sent to jail.

    SHO of Kotwali police station Rajiv Singh said that the liquor was going from Ghazipur district (in UP) to Bihar.

    BALLIA: Police here have arrested one liquor smuggler and recovered 56 boxes of liquor from a truck going to Bihar, police said on Monday.

    According to the police, the arrest was made on Sunday during the checking of vehicles near Pipardhala village, when 56 boxes (peti) of liquor were recovered from the mini-truck.

    The arrested person has been identified as Amajeet Yadav, a resident of Patna, who has been sent to jail.

    SHO of Kotwali police station Rajiv Singh said that the liquor was going from Ghazipur district (in UP) to Bihar.

  • Hooch tragedy: Eight more die in two other Bihar districts

    By PTI

    PATNA: Close on the heels of the hooch tragedy in dry Bihar that left 30 people dead in Saran district, eight more died allegedly after consuming some spurious liquor in two other districts, officials said on Saturday.

    Six people died in the Siwan district adjoining Saran, while Begusarai witnessed two other deaths.

    Unconfirmed reports claimed that up to 60 people died by drinking illicitly brewed country liquor in the Saran district. Even the official toll of 30 there is the biggest since Bihar went dry more than six years ago.

    About the six deaths in the Bhagwanpur division of Siwan district since Thursday, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sanjay Kumar said the administration has initiated an investigation. “We are also carrying searches in the area to nab those who indulge in the sale and purchase of liquor,” Kumar said.

    On the Begusari incident, Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandramohan Prasad told reporters that two youths died after consuming “some poisonous chemical” in the Teghra division on Friday. “We have sent bodies for post-mortem examination. Investigations are on,” he said.

    ALSO READ | BJP intensifies attack on Nitish over hooch tragedy

    The sale and consumption of alcohol were banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April 2016. However, the smuggling of liquor continues unabated in the state, notwithstanding the ongoing drive against bootleggers.

    The police on early Saturday recovered several cartons of liquor from a truck in the Sadar police station area in Muzaffarpur district. The cartons were hidden below wooden planks.

    In Siwan, the district which shares its border with Saran, four people died in Brahmsthan village on Friday and another person died in Sondhani village on Thursday. One more person, a resident of the Saran district, also died in Siwan on Friday.

    Leader of Opposition in the Bihar assembly, Vijay Kumar Sinha, who had visited the affected Mashrak block in Saran on Thursday, claimed inside the Assembly on Friday that the hooch tragedy has “claimed more than 100 lives.”

    Saran District Magistrate Rajesh Meena said that the deaths were “caused by suspected consumption of spurious liquor” which would be confirmed after the viscera of the deceased are examined at forensic labs.

    The National Human Rights Commission issued notices to the Bihar government and the state’s police chief over the Saran hooch tragedy on Friday.

    ALSO READ | Plea in SC seeks SIT probe into Bihar hooch tragedy, compensation for victims’ kin

    PATNA: Close on the heels of the hooch tragedy in dry Bihar that left 30 people dead in Saran district, eight more died allegedly after consuming some spurious liquor in two other districts, officials said on Saturday.

    Six people died in the Siwan district adjoining Saran, while Begusarai witnessed two other deaths.

    Unconfirmed reports claimed that up to 60 people died by drinking illicitly brewed country liquor in the Saran district. Even the official toll of 30 there is the biggest since Bihar went dry more than six years ago.

    About the six deaths in the Bhagwanpur division of Siwan district since Thursday, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sanjay Kumar said the administration has initiated an investigation. “We are also carrying searches in the area to nab those who indulge in the sale and purchase of liquor,” Kumar said.

    On the Begusari incident, Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandramohan Prasad told reporters that two youths died after consuming “some poisonous chemical” in the Teghra division on Friday. “We have sent bodies for post-mortem examination. Investigations are on,” he said.

    ALSO READ | BJP intensifies attack on Nitish over hooch tragedy

    The sale and consumption of alcohol were banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government in April 2016. However, the smuggling of liquor continues unabated in the state, notwithstanding the ongoing drive against bootleggers.

    The police on early Saturday recovered several cartons of liquor from a truck in the Sadar police station area in Muzaffarpur district. The cartons were hidden below wooden planks.

    In Siwan, the district which shares its border with Saran, four people died in Brahmsthan village on Friday and another person died in Sondhani village on Thursday. One more person, a resident of the Saran district, also died in Siwan on Friday.

    Leader of Opposition in the Bihar assembly, Vijay Kumar Sinha, who had visited the affected Mashrak block in Saran on Thursday, claimed inside the Assembly on Friday that the hooch tragedy has “claimed more than 100 lives.”

    Saran District Magistrate Rajesh Meena said that the deaths were “caused by suspected consumption of spurious liquor” which would be confirmed after the viscera of the deceased are examined at forensic labs.

    The National Human Rights Commission issued notices to the Bihar government and the state’s police chief over the Saran hooch tragedy on Friday.

    ALSO READ | Plea in SC seeks SIT probe into Bihar hooch tragedy, compensation for victims’ kin

  • Bihar hooch deaths: Now, spurious liqour kills five in Siwan, one in Begusarai

    By ANI

    SIWAN (Bihar): Days after the hooch tragedy in Bihar’s Chhapra (Saran district) claimed over 50 lives, at least 5 people died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in the adjoining Siwan district in the state.

    All five deceased are residents of Brahsthan and Sondhani villages of Bhagwanpur Police Station area.

    Angry family members of the deceased obstructed the Siwan-Chapra Malmalia main road and undertook a protest.

    The distance between Siwan and Chhapra is around 10 kilometres.

    The deceased have been identified as Mahesh Rai (40), Sambhu Yadav (36), Amir Manjhi (45), and Awadh Manjhi (36) of Brahmasthan Village while Ramendra Pandit hailed from Sondhani village.

    According to locals, the death toll is expected to go up and the condition of some people is stated to be serious.

    Meanwhile, in the Begusarai district, the administration swung into action after one person reportedly died allegedly after consuming liquor. Two persons identified as Deepak Kumar and Shivam Kumar – who consumed alcohol with the deceased, are being interrogated by police. A third person Sandeep, who drank with them has been referred to Patna hospital in a critical condition.

    The death toll in the Chhapra Hooch tragedy went up to 53 on Friday after 11 more people succumbed.

    ALSO READ | Crores of people drink in country, should they die: Sushil Modi asks Nitish Kumar

    The deaths have created an uproar both at the state and national levels as the sale and consumption of alcohol have been banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government since April 2016.

    Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday during Assembly proceedings reiterated his “piyoge to maroge” remark which means those who will drink spurious liquor would die. Addressing the state assembly, the chief minister stated that no compensation will be given to people who died after drinking and repeated that “if you drink alcohol, you will die”.

    The Chhapra hooch tragedy was one of the issues raised in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, leading to the adjournment of the House thrice within a short span of 40 minutes as both the Treasury benches and the opposition raised their issues together with the commencement of the Zero Hour.

    SIWAN (Bihar): Days after the hooch tragedy in Bihar’s Chhapra (Saran district) claimed over 50 lives, at least 5 people died after allegedly consuming spurious liquor in the adjoining Siwan district in the state.

    All five deceased are residents of Brahsthan and Sondhani villages of Bhagwanpur Police Station area.

    Angry family members of the deceased obstructed the Siwan-Chapra Malmalia main road and undertook a protest.

    The distance between Siwan and Chhapra is around 10 kilometres.

    The deceased have been identified as Mahesh Rai (40), Sambhu Yadav (36), Amir Manjhi (45), and Awadh Manjhi (36) of Brahmasthan Village while Ramendra Pandit hailed from Sondhani village.

    According to locals, the death toll is expected to go up and the condition of some people is stated to be serious.

    Meanwhile, in the Begusarai district, the administration swung into action after one person reportedly died allegedly after consuming liquor. Two persons identified as Deepak Kumar and Shivam Kumar – who consumed alcohol with the deceased, are being interrogated by police. A third person Sandeep, who drank with them has been referred to Patna hospital in a critical condition.

    The death toll in the Chhapra Hooch tragedy went up to 53 on Friday after 11 more people succumbed.

    ALSO READ | Crores of people drink in country, should they die: Sushil Modi asks Nitish Kumar

    The deaths have created an uproar both at the state and national levels as the sale and consumption of alcohol have been banned in Bihar by the Nitish Kumar government since April 2016.

    Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday during Assembly proceedings reiterated his “piyoge to maroge” remark which means those who will drink spurious liquor would die. Addressing the state assembly, the chief minister stated that no compensation will be given to people who died after drinking and repeated that “if you drink alcohol, you will die”.

    The Chhapra hooch tragedy was one of the issues raised in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, leading to the adjournment of the House thrice within a short span of 40 minutes as both the Treasury benches and the opposition raised their issues together with the commencement of the Zero Hour.

  • Bihar bypoll: 53 per cent votes cast till 5 pm in Kurhani assembly seat 

    By PTI

    PATNA: A total of 53 per cent of  3.11 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 5 pm in the by-election to the Kurhani assembly seat in Bihar, officials said.

    Polling began at 7 am across 320 booths in the constituency. Tight security arrangements are in place across all the booths, which are manned by central paramilitary forces besides the local police, and the casting of votes will continue till 6 pm.

    “Polling has been peaceful and no untoward incident has been reported so far,” the official said.

    By-poll to the assembly segment in Muzaffarpur district has been necessitated due to the disqualification of RJD MLA Anil Kumar Sahani.

    Altogether 13 candidates, including five Independents, are in the fray.

    The main contenders are former MLAs Kedar Gupta and Manoj Singh Kushwaha, fielded by the BJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), respectively.

    Gupta had lost to Sahani in the 2020 assembly polls by a slender margin of about 700 votes.

    The RJD is backing the JD(U) in this by-election. The counting of votes will take place on Thursday.

    PATNA: A total of 53 per cent of  3.11 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 5 pm in the by-election to the Kurhani assembly seat in Bihar, officials said.

    Polling began at 7 am across 320 booths in the constituency. Tight security arrangements are in place across all the booths, which are manned by central paramilitary forces besides the local police, and the casting of votes will continue till 6 pm.

    “Polling has been peaceful and no untoward incident has been reported so far,” the official said.

    By-poll to the assembly segment in Muzaffarpur district has been necessitated due to the disqualification of RJD MLA Anil Kumar Sahani.

    Altogether 13 candidates, including five Independents, are in the fray.

    The main contenders are former MLAs Kedar Gupta and Manoj Singh Kushwaha, fielded by the BJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), respectively.

    Gupta had lost to Sahani in the 2020 assembly polls by a slender margin of about 700 votes.

    The RJD is backing the JD(U) in this by-election. The counting of votes will take place on Thursday.

  • Bihar to conduct two-phase caste census from January 7

    Express News Service

    PATNA:  The much-hyped caste-based census in Bihar, which is likely to give a major push to Mandal politics, will begin in Bihar from January 7. The exercise will be held in two phases. In the first phase, the number of all households will be counted in the state. In the second phase, starting from March, enumerators will collect data related to people of all castes and sub castes and religions. They will also record information about the financial status of all people.

    On the basis of the caste basis headcount, the state government will formulate policies considering their population and economic status, government sources said. According to a notification issued by the state general administration department, the first phase of the census will be completed by January 21. Enumerators will also undergo training for the purpose from December 15.

    The Bihar cabinet has extended the deadline for completing the exercise of caste-based headcount in the state by three months, to May 2023. The state government will spend 500 crore from its contingency fund for the exercise. The issue of caste-based census in Bihar snowballed into a major political plank after the Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai had made it clear in Lok Sabha in July 2021 that no caste-wise census except for SCs and STs would be conducted.

    In the seven censuses conducted so far since independence, data related to only SCs and STs have been published. In the absence of data related to other castes, it becomes difficult to estimate the population of OBCs correctly. The former VP Singh government which had given reservation to OBCs had also fixed reservation quota for them on the basis of the 1931 census, the last caste-based census in the country. 

    In the 1931 census, the population of OBCs was estimated to be 52 per cent. The Congress-led UPA government at the Centre had conducted the socio-economic and caste census in 2011 but the caste data was not released. The state legislature had passed two unanimous resolutions, in 2018 and 2019, in favour of a caste-based count.

    Those demanding caste-based census contend that SCs and STs were given the benefits of reservation on the basis of their population but the reservation quota for OBCs had not been fixed similarly. They argue that on the basis of findings of the caste-based census, the reservation quota fixed for the OBCs could be accordingly revised.

    In an all-party meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on June 1, 2022, on the issue of caste census, it was unanimously decided that the castes and sub-castes of all religions will be counted in Bihar. The Chief Minister had said that the purpose of conducting caste-based enumeration is to take people forward so that no one in the state is neglected.

    Included: Religion, caste and sub-caste In the first phase, the number of all households will be counted in the state. In the second phase, starting from March, enumerators will collect data related to people of all castes and sub-castes and religions. They will also record information about the financial status of all people. 

    PATNA:  The much-hyped caste-based census in Bihar, which is likely to give a major push to Mandal politics, will begin in Bihar from January 7. The exercise will be held in two phases. In the first phase, the number of all households will be counted in the state. In the second phase, starting from March, enumerators will collect data related to people of all castes and sub castes and religions. They will also record information about the financial status of all people.

    On the basis of the caste basis headcount, the state government will formulate policies considering their population and economic status, government sources said. According to a notification issued by the state general administration department, the first phase of the census will be completed by January 21. Enumerators will also undergo training for the purpose from December 15.

    The Bihar cabinet has extended the deadline for completing the exercise of caste-based headcount in the state by three months, to May 2023. The state government will spend 500 crore from its contingency fund for the exercise. The issue of caste-based census in Bihar snowballed into a major political plank after the Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai had made it clear in Lok Sabha in July 2021 that no caste-wise census except for SCs and STs would be conducted.

    In the seven censuses conducted so far since independence, data related to only SCs and STs have been published. In the absence of data related to other castes, it becomes difficult to estimate the population of OBCs correctly. The former VP Singh government which had given reservation to OBCs had also fixed reservation quota for them on the basis of the 1931 census, the last caste-based census in the country. 

    In the 1931 census, the population of OBCs was estimated to be 52 per cent. The Congress-led UPA government at the Centre had conducted the socio-economic and caste census in 2011 but the caste data was not released. The state legislature had passed two unanimous resolutions, in 2018 and 2019, in favour of a caste-based count.

    Those demanding caste-based census contend that SCs and STs were given the benefits of reservation on the basis of their population but the reservation quota for OBCs had not been fixed similarly. They argue that on the basis of findings of the caste-based census, the reservation quota fixed for the OBCs could be accordingly revised.

    In an all-party meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on June 1, 2022, on the issue of caste census, it was unanimously decided that the castes and sub-castes of all religions will be counted in Bihar. The Chief Minister had said that the purpose of conducting caste-based enumeration is to take people forward so that no one in the state is neglected.

    Included: Religion, caste and sub-caste 
    In the first phase, the number of all households will be counted in the state. In the second phase, starting from March, enumerators will collect data related to people of all castes and sub-castes and religions. They will also record information about the financial status of all people.
     

  • Bihar accident: PM announces Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for next of kin of deceased

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in a road accident in Bihar’s Vaishali and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.

    At least 12 people, including women and children, were killed when a speeding truck rammed into a religious procession in the state, officials said on Sunday.

    “The accident in Vaishali, Bihar is saddening. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon,” Modi was quoted as saying in a tweet by his office.

    “An ex-gratia of Rs.2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs.50,000,” he said.

    ALSO READ: At least 12 die as truck ploughs into religious procession in Bihar

    The incident took place around 9 PM in Vaishali district, about 30 km from state capital Patna, and local RJD MLA Mukesh Roushan, who had rushed to the spot, said “12 people died”.

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in a road accident in Bihar’s Vaishali and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.

    At least 12 people, including women and children, were killed when a speeding truck rammed into a religious procession in the state, officials said on Sunday.

    “The accident in Vaishali, Bihar is saddening. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon,” Modi was quoted as saying in a tweet by his office.

    “An ex-gratia of Rs.2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs.50,000,” he said.

    ALSO READ: At least 12 die as truck ploughs into religious procession in Bihar

    The incident took place around 9 PM in Vaishali district, about 30 km from state capital Patna, and local RJD MLA Mukesh Roushan, who had rushed to the spot, said “12 people died”.

  • Tejashwi praises Union Minister Gadkari for assuring help in Bihar’s road construction

    Express News Service

    PATNA: Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari on Monday assured the Centre`s all possible help to Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav in the implementation of road projects in the state.

    Tejashwi who is in charge of Bihar’s road construction department heaped praise on the Union Minister by saying another name for development was Gadkari. He said Gadkari did not consider political affiliation when it came to development.

    “Gadkari increased the Central Road Fund (CRF) for Bihar by Rs 200 crore. I have learnt a lot from the Union Minister as impediments coming in the construction of 53 ROBs were removed during his tenure,” he added.

    Tejaswhi also requested Gadkari to extend Eastern Expressway up to Bhagalpur and also approve the elevated road project from Kachchi Dargah to AIIMS to decongest road traffic in the state capital. 

    Gadkari remarked while laying the foundation for a 1.5 km long two-lane elevated RCC bridge near Panduka on Son river in Rohtas district, “We keep development and politics separate while considering issues related to various projects.”

    It will be built at a cost of Rs 210 crores. The minister said that with the construction of this bridge, NH-19 and NH-39 would be directly connected, reducing the distance between Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

    With the construction of the Panduka RCC bridge, one will be able to reach from Nauhatta in Rohtas district to Garhwa district in Jharkhand by covering a distance of only 2-3 km. Previously, one had to cover a distance of 150 km. Similarly, the distance between Panduka bridge and the border of Sonbhadra district in Uttar Pradesh is now only 13 km. Sonbhadra city is now only a 55 km drive from the bridge instead of 185 km.

    PATNA: Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari on Monday assured the Centre`s all possible help to Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav in the implementation of road projects in the state.

    Tejashwi who is in charge of Bihar’s road construction department heaped praise on the Union Minister by saying another name for development was Gadkari. He said Gadkari did not consider political affiliation when it came to development.

    “Gadkari increased the Central Road Fund (CRF) for Bihar by Rs 200 crore. I have learnt a lot from the Union Minister as impediments coming in the construction of 53 ROBs were removed during his tenure,” he added.

    Tejaswhi also requested Gadkari to extend Eastern Expressway up to Bhagalpur and also approve the elevated road project from Kachchi Dargah to AIIMS to decongest road traffic in the state capital. 

    Gadkari remarked while laying the foundation for a 1.5 km long two-lane elevated RCC bridge near Panduka on Son river in Rohtas district, “We keep development and politics separate while considering issues related to various projects.”

    It will be built at a cost of Rs 210 crores. The minister said that with the construction of this bridge, NH-19 and NH-39 would be directly connected, reducing the distance between Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

    With the construction of the Panduka RCC bridge, one will be able to reach from Nauhatta in Rohtas district to Garhwa district in Jharkhand by covering a distance of only 2-3 km. Previously, one had to cover a distance of 150 km. Similarly, the distance between Panduka bridge and the border of Sonbhadra district in Uttar Pradesh is now only 13 km. Sonbhadra city is now only a 55 km drive from the bridge instead of 185 km.

  • Won’t contest elections myself: Prashant Kishor 

    By PTI

    BETTIAH: Political strategist turned activist Prashant Kishor ruled out the possibility of contesting elections himself, but reiterated his pledge to build a “better alternative” for his home state of Bihar.

    Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, he also lambasted JD(U) leaders for alleging that he was a “dhandhebaaz” (trader) with little political acumen, and challenged them to ask Chief Minister Nitish Kumar “why he had me put up at his residence for two years”.

    “Why would I contest polls? I have no such aspirations,” snapped the I-PAC founder on being asked repeatedly whether he planned to enter the electoral arena himself.

    He was speaking on the eve of the district convention, for West Champaran, scheduled on Sunday when people’s opinions will be sought as to whether the “Jan Suraaj” campaign should be made a political party.

    Kishor, who is on a 3,500-km-long “padayatra” of the state, said similar people’s polls will be held in all districts of the state based on which the next course of action will be decided.

    Kisor claimed Kumar will once again shower encomiums on him if he joins his “political enterprise”.

    “Since I have charted an independent course for myself, he and his lackeys are unhappy with me,” he said.

    “JD(U) leaders like to berate me. They should ask Nitish Kumar what was I doing at his residence for two years if I had no political understanding,” he added.

    ALSO READ | Friends turn foes: Prashant Kishor, RCP Singh slam CM over governance

    Replying to a query, Kishor said he did not repent for having worked with Kumar in the past.

    “There is a world of difference between what he (Kumar) was 10 years ago and what he is now. He had given up his chair in 2014 owning moral responsibility for his party’s drubbing in Lok Sabha polls. Now, he is willing to make any type of compromise to stay in power,” Kishor said.

    Mocking the grand alliance government’s promise of 10 lakh jobs a year, Kishor said, “I have said it many times and I say it again — if they fulfil the promise I will give up my campaign.

    BETTIAH: Political strategist turned activist Prashant Kishor ruled out the possibility of contesting elections himself, but reiterated his pledge to build a “better alternative” for his home state of Bihar.

    Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, he also lambasted JD(U) leaders for alleging that he was a “dhandhebaaz” (trader) with little political acumen, and challenged them to ask Chief Minister Nitish Kumar “why he had me put up at his residence for two years”.

    “Why would I contest polls? I have no such aspirations,” snapped the I-PAC founder on being asked repeatedly whether he planned to enter the electoral arena himself.

    He was speaking on the eve of the district convention, for West Champaran, scheduled on Sunday when people’s opinions will be sought as to whether the “Jan Suraaj” campaign should be made a political party.

    Kishor, who is on a 3,500-km-long “padayatra” of the state, said similar people’s polls will be held in all districts of the state based on which the next course of action will be decided.

    Kisor claimed Kumar will once again shower encomiums on him if he joins his “political enterprise”.

    “Since I have charted an independent course for myself, he and his lackeys are unhappy with me,” he said.

    “JD(U) leaders like to berate me. They should ask Nitish Kumar what was I doing at his residence for two years if I had no political understanding,” he added.

    ALSO READ | Friends turn foes: Prashant Kishor, RCP Singh slam CM over governance

    Replying to a query, Kishor said he did not repent for having worked with Kumar in the past.

    “There is a world of difference between what he (Kumar) was 10 years ago and what he is now. He had given up his chair in 2014 owning moral responsibility for his party’s drubbing in Lok Sabha polls. Now, he is willing to make any type of compromise to stay in power,” Kishor said.

    Mocking the grand alliance government’s promise of 10 lakh jobs a year, Kishor said, “I have said it many times and I say it again — if they fulfil the promise I will give up my campaign.

  • Nitish kumar wary of helping RJD win bypolls

    Express News Service

    PATNA:  By-elections to two seats in Bihar where polling is due on November 3, was billed as a test of strength of the ruling grand alliance in the state led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. But Nitish doesn’t appear interested, as RJD candidates are in the fray from both the seats and he fears the power of 81. 

    For, whenever RJD’s strength in the Assembly reaches 81, it will not need Nitish’s crutches to stay in power. It will reach the halfway mark of 122 with support from all the other parties in the  ruling coalition. Look at the math: 81 (RJD) + 19 (Congress) + 16 (Left parties) + 4 (HAM) + 1 (AIMIM) + 1 (Independent) = 122. In other words, in just a few months, RJD leader and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav could hypothetically claim chief ministership, cutting Nitish off like an unwanted appendage. That is reason enough to make Nitish upset, political analysts reckon.

    If RJD manages to win both the seats where bypolls are due, Mokama and Gopalganj, its tally would touch 80. One seat held by the RJD has just fallen vacant after its member was disqualified following conviction in a fraud case. If the RJD manages to hold that seat in the subsequent bypoll, it would reach 81. 

    BJP has 77 and JD(U) 45 MLAs. Nitish cited an injury to stay off campaigning in Mokama and Gopalganj. But he actually may be wanting to avoid a bigger political injury to his career. The JD(U), too, is not showing great enthusiasm in campaigning for the RJD, though JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh a.k.a Lalan Singh has hit the campaign trail.

    In Mokama, muscleman Anant Singh’s wife and RJD candidate Neelam Devi is pitted against BJP’s Sonam Devi, wife of another muscleman Lalan Singh.  In Gopalganj, RJD’s Mohan Gupta is in the fray against BJP’s Kusum Devi. The bypoll was necessitated following the death of sitting MLA and Kusum’s husband Subhash Singh.

    PATNA:  By-elections to two seats in Bihar where polling is due on November 3, was billed as a test of strength of the ruling grand alliance in the state led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. But Nitish doesn’t appear interested, as RJD candidates are in the fray from both the seats and he fears the power of 81. 

    For, whenever RJD’s strength in the Assembly reaches 81, it will not need Nitish’s crutches to stay in power. It will reach the halfway mark of 122 with support from all the other parties in the  ruling coalition. Look at the math: 81 (RJD) + 19 (Congress) + 16 (Left parties) + 4 (HAM) + 1 (AIMIM) + 1 (Independent) = 122. In other words, in just a few months, RJD leader and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav could hypothetically claim chief ministership, cutting Nitish off like an unwanted appendage. That is reason enough to make Nitish upset, political analysts reckon.

    If RJD manages to win both the seats where bypolls are due, Mokama and Gopalganj, its tally would touch 80. One seat held by the RJD has just fallen vacant after its member was disqualified following conviction in a fraud case. If the RJD manages to hold that seat in the subsequent bypoll, it would reach 81. 

    BJP has 77 and JD(U) 45 MLAs. Nitish cited an injury to stay off campaigning in Mokama and Gopalganj. But he actually may be wanting to avoid a bigger political injury to his career. The JD(U), too, is not showing great enthusiasm in campaigning for the RJD, though JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh a.k.a Lalan Singh has hit the campaign trail.

    In Mokama, muscleman Anant Singh’s wife and RJD candidate Neelam Devi is pitted against BJP’s Sonam Devi, wife of another muscleman Lalan Singh.  In Gopalganj, RJD’s Mohan Gupta is in the fray against BJP’s Kusum Devi. The bypoll was necessitated following the death of sitting MLA and Kusum’s husband Subhash Singh.