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Tag: Nitish Kumar

  • Strict action to be taken against those found guilty in bridge collapse: CM Nitish Kumar 

    By PTI

    PATNA: A day after the collapse of an under-construction bridge over the Ganga river in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said strict action would be taken against those found guilty in the incident.

    He also said the bridge that collapsed on Sunday had also caved in last year.

    “The bridge is not being constructed properly and that is why it collapsed twice since April 2022. It’s a serious matter. The department concerned has already initiated a thorough probe into it. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty,” Kumar said while talking to reporters here.

    He also wondered why the bridge construction work that started in 2014 has not been completed so far.

    “Why is it running behind the schedule? I have asked the department concerned to probe this also. The deputy CM is also monitoring the developments,” Kumar said.

    The 3.16-km bridge being built since 2014 collapsed twice in 14 months – first on the Bhagalpur’s Sultanganj side in April 2022 and the second time on Sunday evening on the Khagaria side.

    The incident attracted public outrage, prompting the Chief Minister to order an investigation with instructions to punish those guilty for the disaster.

    Immediately after the incident, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, who also holds the portfolio of the Road Construction Department, on Sunday said that the state government was planning to demolish the under-construction bridge because of structural flaws.

    “It may be recalled that a portion of this bridge had collapsed on April 30 last year. We had, thereafter, approached IIT-Roorkee, which is esteemed for its expertise in construction matters, to conduct a study. It is yet to come up with a final report but experts who had studied the structure had informed us that there were serious defects,” Yadav had said.

    An under construction bridge on the river Ganga collapsed in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district. @NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/GhkhlsnQsv
    — Ramashankar Mishra (@ramashankar68) June 4, 2023

    “Last year, a portion of this bridge had been given away in a thunderstorm, when the BJP was in power in the state. It was an incident which was widely talked about and I strongly raised it in my capacity as the then Leader of the Opposition. Upon coming to power, we ordered an inquiry and sought expert opinion,” said Yadav, in an apparent riposte to the BJP, now in opposition, which sought the CM’s resignation over the issue.

    At least 30 slabs placed on three pillars of the four-lane Sultanganj-Aguani Ghat bridge caved in and fell on the river on Sunday. No casualties were reported in the incident, the district administration said. The bridge was said to have involved an estimated cost of Rs 1,700 crore.

    A Haryana-based company has got the contract for the construction of the bridge, against which the BJP is now seeking action.

    The bridge would be the sixth on the Ganga river to connect northern Bihar with its south, reducing travel time to Sultanagnj, Khagaria, Saharsa, Madhepura and Supaul.

    PATNA: A day after the collapse of an under-construction bridge over the Ganga river in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said strict action would be taken against those found guilty in the incident.

    He also said the bridge that collapsed on Sunday had also caved in last year.

    “The bridge is not being constructed properly and that is why it collapsed twice since April 2022. It’s a serious matter. The department concerned has already initiated a thorough probe into it. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty,” Kumar said while talking to reporters here.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    He also wondered why the bridge construction work that started in 2014 has not been completed so far.

    “Why is it running behind the schedule? I have asked the department concerned to probe this also. The deputy CM is also monitoring the developments,” Kumar said.

    The 3.16-km bridge being built since 2014 collapsed twice in 14 months – first on the Bhagalpur’s Sultanganj side in April 2022 and the second time on Sunday evening on the Khagaria side.

    The incident attracted public outrage, prompting the Chief Minister to order an investigation with instructions to punish those guilty for the disaster.

    Immediately after the incident, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, who also holds the portfolio of the Road Construction Department, on Sunday said that the state government was planning to demolish the under-construction bridge because of structural flaws.

    “It may be recalled that a portion of this bridge had collapsed on April 30 last year. We had, thereafter, approached IIT-Roorkee, which is esteemed for its expertise in construction matters, to conduct a study. It is yet to come up with a final report but experts who had studied the structure had informed us that there were serious defects,” Yadav had said.

    An under construction bridge on the river Ganga collapsed in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district. @NewIndianXpress @TheMornStandard @santwana99 pic.twitter.com/GhkhlsnQsv
    — Ramashankar Mishra (@ramashankar68) June 4, 2023

    “Last year, a portion of this bridge had been given away in a thunderstorm, when the BJP was in power in the state. It was an incident which was widely talked about and I strongly raised it in my capacity as the then Leader of the Opposition. Upon coming to power, we ordered an inquiry and sought expert opinion,” said Yadav, in an apparent riposte to the BJP, now in opposition, which sought the CM’s resignation over the issue.

    At least 30 slabs placed on three pillars of the four-lane Sultanganj-Aguani Ghat bridge caved in and fell on the river on Sunday. No casualties were reported in the incident, the district administration said. The bridge was said to have involved an estimated cost of Rs 1,700 crore.

    A Haryana-based company has got the contract for the construction of the bridge, against which the BJP is now seeking action.

    The bridge would be the sixth on the Ganga river to connect northern Bihar with its south, reducing travel time to Sultanagnj, Khagaria, Saharsa, Madhepura and Supaul.

  • Road to 2024: Meeting of opposition parties to be held in Patna on June 12

    Express News Service

    PATNA: A much-awaited meeting of Opposition parties to chalk out strategy to counter the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is set to be held in Patna on June 12. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar will chair the meeting.

    Nitish hinted at the proposed meeting of Opposition parties to be held in the state capital on June 12 while speaking on the concluding day of the two-day conclave of the JD(U) office bearers in Patna on Sunday.

    Kumar, the JD(U)’s supremo, has been pitching for “opposition unity” ever since he snapped ties with the BJP in August last year, following accusations that the ally was trying to create fissures in his party and diminish his standing. Leaders from several parties have thanked him on the occasion and appreciated his step.

    “We have been working for Opposition unity ever since the grand alliance government was formed in Bihar. The positive result of our efforts for uniting Opposition parties against BJP will be visible soon,” he asserted.

    He said the date of the meeting has been finalised after consultation with leaders from Opposition parties across the country. On May 22, Nitish had called on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.

    At the joint press conference, both Rahul and Nitish had said that the date of the meeting of Opposition parties would be finalised in two-three days. The leaders of over two dozen non-BJP parties will attend the meeting.

    Earlier, Nitish had met his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and leaders from the Left parties.

    As part of the “opposition unity” drive, Kumar has held parleys with not only Congress allies like Uddhav and Pawar but also its opponents like Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao.

    A meeting with Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, ostensibly to seek land for a Bihar government guest house in that state, is being used by BJP to mock Kumar as the Biju Janata Dal supremo has virtually ruled out joining any broader formation.

    In fact, the idea of hosting a meeting of opposition leaders in Patna was floated by Banerjee, who had invoked the memory of Jayaprakash Narayan upon meeting Kumar in Kolkata last month.

    All eyes would now be on which parties agree to be represented in the meeting, given faultlines like Congress’ mistrust of Kejriwal and KCR and Banerjee’s famed rivalry with the Left.

    (With additional inputs from PTI)

    PATNA: A much-awaited meeting of Opposition parties to chalk out strategy to counter the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is set to be held in Patna on June 12. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar will chair the meeting.

    Nitish hinted at the proposed meeting of Opposition parties to be held in the state capital on June 12 while speaking on the concluding day of the two-day conclave of the JD(U) office bearers in Patna on Sunday.

    Kumar, the JD(U)’s supremo, has been pitching for “opposition unity” ever since he snapped ties with the BJP in August last year, following accusations that the ally was trying to create fissures in his party and diminish his standing. Leaders from several parties have thanked him on the occasion and appreciated his step.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    “We have been working for Opposition unity ever since the grand alliance government was formed in Bihar. The positive result of our efforts for uniting Opposition parties against BJP will be visible soon,” he asserted.

    He said the date of the meeting has been finalised after consultation with leaders from Opposition parties across the country. On May 22, Nitish had called on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.

    At the joint press conference, both Rahul and Nitish had said that the date of the meeting of Opposition parties would be finalised in two-three days. The leaders of over two dozen non-BJP parties will attend the meeting.

    Earlier, Nitish had met his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and leaders from the Left parties.

    As part of the “opposition unity” drive, Kumar has held parleys with not only Congress allies like Uddhav and Pawar but also its opponents like Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao.

    A meeting with Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, ostensibly to seek land for a Bihar government guest house in that state, is being used by BJP to mock Kumar as the Biju Janata Dal supremo has virtually ruled out joining any broader formation.

    In fact, the idea of hosting a meeting of opposition leaders in Patna was floated by Banerjee, who had invoked the memory of Jayaprakash Narayan upon meeting Kumar in Kolkata last month.

    All eyes would now be on which parties agree to be represented in the meeting, given faultlines like Congress’ mistrust of Kejriwal and KCR and Banerjee’s famed rivalry with the Left.

    (With additional inputs from PTI)

  • Bihar CM likely to convene Opposition leaders’ meet in Patna ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls

    Express News Service

    PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar who is himself a product of the JP movement is set to convene a meeting of Opposition leaders at the historic Gandhi Maidan in the state capital from where once revolutionary leader Jayaprakash Narayan had raised his famous slogan, ‘Sampoorn Kranti’ (Total Revolution) on June 5, 1974.

    Although the date for the rally of Opposition parties has not been decided, it is expected that it would be held in the third week of this month. The sources attributed the reason for extending the date of the meeting of Opposition parties to results of just concluded Karnataka assembly polls, which were declared on May 13.

    Earlier, the meeting was to be held on May-16-17. Earlier when Nitish had met his West Bengal counterpart and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata to hold deliberations on Opposition unity ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha election, she had advised Bihar CM and JD (U) chieft to hold a meeting of all the Opposition leaders in Patna. Mamata had said that future courses of action could be decided if a panel of Opposition leaders was held in Bihar.

    Going one step further, Nitish is likely to rally the Opposition parties in the state capital to kickstart a campaign against ruling BJP at the centre in view of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. In addition to meeting Mamata, Nitish has already met NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thakre, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, Samajwadi Party supremo and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren.

    Before that, he had met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI general secretary D Raja in New Delhi in April this year.

    On April 11, Nitish called on NCP chief Sharad Pawar and former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thakre in Mumbai.

    Nitish had hinted at Sharad leading the Opposition unity campaign. Leaders of 12 political parties are expected to attend the meeting. In the Patna conclave, Opposition leaders are expected to hold talks on the probable formula to be set for ticket distribution arrangement for the parliamentary election.

    When asked about Nitish’s efforts for Opposition unity, JD(U) chief Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh said, “Nitish ji is doing everything that is required. He is meeting leaders of Opposition parties and holding discussions with them over the issue and most importantly the response from those leaders are very positive.”

    Although Nitish has been successful in persuading a number of Opposition leaders, including those from Congress and Left parties to agree to come to the state capital for deliberations, the Opposition’s most challenging task is expected to be identifying a joint candidate to be pitted against a BJP candidate in 2024 Lok Sabha election so that anti-BJP votes do not get divided.

    Apart from RJD which is set to join the anti-BJP front, JMM, AAP, DMK and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) are also likely to join it. Meanwhile, newly appointed Bihar BJP chief Samrat Choudhary dared Opposition parties to declare Bihar CM Nitish Kumar as PM candidate in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

    “Though we know that no leader from the Opposition camp can match PM Narendra Modi, we dare Opposition leaders to declare Nitish as their PM candidate,” he told the media. BJP state president, however, reiterated that as of now there is no vacancy for the PM’s post.

    PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar who is himself a product of the JP movement is set to convene a meeting of Opposition leaders at the historic Gandhi Maidan in the state capital from where once revolutionary leader Jayaprakash Narayan had raised his famous slogan, ‘Sampoorn Kranti’ (Total Revolution) on June 5, 1974.

    Although the date for the rally of Opposition parties has not been decided, it is expected that it would be held in the third week of this month. The sources attributed the reason for extending the date of the meeting of Opposition parties to results of just concluded Karnataka assembly polls, which were declared on May 13.

    Earlier, the meeting was to be held on May-16-17. Earlier when Nitish had met his West Bengal counterpart and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata to hold deliberations on Opposition unity ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha election, she had advised Bihar CM and JD (U) chieft to hold a meeting of all the Opposition leaders in Patna. Mamata had said that future courses of action could be decided if a panel of Opposition leaders was held in Bihar.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Going one step further, Nitish is likely to rally the Opposition parties in the state capital to kickstart a campaign against ruling BJP at the centre in view of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. In addition to meeting Mamata, Nitish has already met NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thakre, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, Samajwadi Party supremo and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren.

    Before that, he had met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI general secretary D Raja in New Delhi in April this year.

    On April 11, Nitish called on NCP chief Sharad Pawar and former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thakre in Mumbai.

    Nitish had hinted at Sharad leading the Opposition unity campaign. Leaders of 12 political parties are expected to attend the meeting. In the Patna conclave, Opposition leaders are expected to hold talks on the probable formula to be set for ticket distribution arrangement for the parliamentary election.

    When asked about Nitish’s efforts for Opposition unity, JD(U) chief Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh said, “Nitish ji is doing everything that is required. He is meeting leaders of Opposition parties and holding discussions with them over the issue and most importantly the response from those leaders are very positive.”

    Although Nitish has been successful in persuading a number of Opposition leaders, including those from Congress and Left parties to agree to come to the state capital for deliberations, the Opposition’s most challenging task is expected to be identifying a joint candidate to be pitted against a BJP candidate in 2024 Lok Sabha election so that anti-BJP votes do not get divided.

    Apart from RJD which is set to join the anti-BJP front, JMM, AAP, DMK and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) are also likely to join it. Meanwhile, newly appointed Bihar BJP chief Samrat Choudhary dared Opposition parties to declare Bihar CM Nitish Kumar as PM candidate in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

    “Though we know that no leader from the Opposition camp can match PM Narendra Modi, we dare Opposition leaders to declare Nitish as their PM candidate,” he told the media. BJP state president, however, reiterated that as of now there is no vacancy for the PM’s post.

  • Opposition unity: Nitish to have lunch with Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar ahead of LS polls

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Janata Dal (U) chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will arrive in Mumbai on Thursday morning as part of his Opposition unity efforts. 

    Nitish Kumar will meet and hold meetings with top Maharashtra leaders including Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray over lunch at ‘Matoshri’ in Bandra, before meeting Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar over tea at the latter’s ‘Silver Oaks’ home in south Mumbai.

    Nitish Kumar has taken the lead to unite all smaller and secular alliance parties against the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. As a part of it, he has been cementing ties and ironing out the differences with the Opposition.

    Kapil Patil, MLC and general secretary of JD (U) said that their leader Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has been receiving overwhelming support from the Opposition parties against the BJP.

    He said in 1977, all non-Congress parties came together against the Congress to protest and anger against the emergency and to save democracy, In the same way, the Opposition needs to unite today against the BJP if they want to save the constitution.

    “The constitutional federal structure has been disturbed. The central government is ushering all power while weakening the respective state government and non-BJP-ruled states are deprived of the central government-allotted funds. Besides, the central agencies and institutions are to target the Opposition and remain in power. So, all smaller and bigger parties of the Opposition have to come together against the BJP in 2024. Otherwise, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be the last elections in India,” Patil said.

    He added Nitish Kumar has got huge and rich political and administrative experience and there are no stains in his political career. 

    Patil added that the Bihar CM is the man that can unite everyone and Congress will also be the main stakeholder. 

    NCP chief Sharad Pawar earlier extended support to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar saying if someone is taking an effort, then as an Opposition, they have to extend all possible support. “We as NCP are with Nitish Kumar,” Pawar added.

    Interestingly, Bihar CM Eknath Shinde earlier met Odisha Chief Minister Navin Patnaik, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi party leader Akhilesh Yadav.

    MUMBAI: Janata Dal (U) chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will arrive in Mumbai on Thursday morning as part of his Opposition unity efforts. 

    Nitish Kumar will meet and hold meetings with top Maharashtra leaders including Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray over lunch at ‘Matoshri’ in Bandra, before meeting Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar over tea at the latter’s ‘Silver Oaks’ home in south Mumbai.

    Nitish Kumar has taken the lead to unite all smaller and secular alliance parties against the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. As a part of it, he has been cementing ties and ironing out the differences with the Opposition.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Kapil Patil, MLC and general secretary of JD (U) said that their leader Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has been receiving overwhelming support from the Opposition parties against the BJP.

    He said in 1977, all non-Congress parties came together against the Congress to protest and anger against the emergency and to save democracy, In the same way, the Opposition needs to unite today against the BJP if they want to save the constitution.

    “The constitutional federal structure has been disturbed. The central government is ushering all power while weakening the respective state government and non-BJP-ruled states are deprived of the central government-allotted funds. Besides, the central agencies and institutions are to target the Opposition and remain in power. So, all smaller and bigger parties of the Opposition have to come together against the BJP in 2024. Otherwise, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be the last elections in India,” Patil said.

    He added Nitish Kumar has got huge and rich political and administrative experience and there are no stains in his political career. 

    Patil added that the Bihar CM is the man that can unite everyone and Congress will also be the main stakeholder. 

    NCP chief Sharad Pawar earlier extended support to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar saying if someone is taking an effort, then as an Opposition, they have to extend all possible support. “We as NCP are with Nitish Kumar,” Pawar added.

    Interestingly, Bihar CM Eknath Shinde earlier met Odisha Chief Minister Navin Patnaik, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi party leader Akhilesh Yadav.

  • Patna HC stays Bihar govt’s caste survey, says state has no power to carry out the census

    By PTI

    PATNA: The Patna High Court on Thursday ordered a stay on the caste survey being conducted by the state government.

    Hearing a bunch of petitions, a division bench of Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Madhuresh Prasad directed the government to immediately stop the caste-based survey, and ensure that the data already collected are secured and not shared with anybody till final orders are passed.

    The court fixed July 7 as the next date for the hearing.

    “We are of the considered opinion that the petitioners have made out a prima facie case against the continuation of the process of caste-based survey, as attempted by the State of Bihar. There is also the question raised of data integrity and security which has to be more elaborately addressed by the State,” the court said.

    “Prima facie, we are of the opinion that the State has no power to carry out a caste-based survey, in the manner in which it is fashioned now, which would amount to a census, thus impinging upon the legislative power of the Union Parliament,” it added.

    ALSO READ | Can Bihar’s caste survey prove a headache for PM Modi?

    Expressing concern, the court noted the government’s intention to share data from the survey with the leaders of different parties in the state assembly.

    “There definitely arises the larger question of the right to privacy, which the Supreme Court has held to be a facet of the right to life,” it said.

    The first round of caste surveys in Bihar was conducted between January 7 and 21.

    The second round started on April 15 and was supposed to continue till May 15.

    The petitions before the high court was filed by a social outfit and some individuals, who had last month moved the Supreme Court after their request for an ‘interim relief’ in the form of a stay on the survey was turned down.

    The apex court refused to interfere as well and referred them back to the high court with directions that their petition be decided expeditiously.

    Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has maintained that the state is not conducting a caste census but only collecting information related to people’s economic status and their caste so that specific steps could be taken by the government to serve them better.

    PATNA: The Patna High Court on Thursday ordered a stay on the caste survey being conducted by the state government.

    Hearing a bunch of petitions, a division bench of Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Madhuresh Prasad directed the government to immediately stop the caste-based survey, and ensure that the data already collected are secured and not shared with anybody till final orders are passed.

    The court fixed July 7 as the next date for the hearing.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “We are of the considered opinion that the petitioners have made out a prima facie case against the continuation of the process of caste-based survey, as attempted by the State of Bihar. There is also the question raised of data integrity and security which has to be more elaborately addressed by the State,” the court said.

    “Prima facie, we are of the opinion that the State has no power to carry out a caste-based survey, in the manner in which it is fashioned now, which would amount to a census, thus impinging upon the legislative power of the Union Parliament,” it added.

    ALSO READ | Can Bihar’s caste survey prove a headache for PM Modi?

    Expressing concern, the court noted the government’s intention to share data from the survey with the leaders of different parties in the state assembly.

    “There definitely arises the larger question of the right to privacy, which the Supreme Court has held to be a facet of the right to life,” it said.

    The first round of caste surveys in Bihar was conducted between January 7 and 21.

    The second round started on April 15 and was supposed to continue till May 15.

    The petitions before the high court was filed by a social outfit and some individuals, who had last month moved the Supreme Court after their request for an ‘interim relief’ in the form of a stay on the survey was turned down.

    The apex court refused to interfere as well and referred them back to the high court with directions that their petition be decided expeditiously.

    Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has maintained that the state is not conducting a caste census but only collecting information related to people’s economic status and their caste so that specific steps could be taken by the government to serve them better.

  • Bihar: Notification to free don-turned-politician creates a rift in Mahagathbandhan  

    Express News Service

    PATNA: Bihar government’s move to release former MP Anand Mohan has led to a crack in the state’s ruling Grand Alliance (GA) or Mahagathbandhan. 

    The notification was issued on Monday to free Anand Mohan, who was serving a sentence in the then Gopalganj district magistrate G Krishnaiah murder case.

    While RJD, JD(U) and HAM, three major constituents of GA, supported the government’s decision, CPI-ML opposed it describing it as an act of discrimination.

    “Our men booked under TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention)Act are still behind the bar. On the other hand, 27 prisoners convicted for serious crimes are being set free after tweaking Bihar Prison Manual 2012,” said Kunal, office secretary of CPI-ML.

    All CPI-ML MLAs will stage a dharna on April 28 as a mark of protest. CPI-ML is a part of the seven-party GA in Bihar. It has, however, not joined the government led by Nitish Kumar.

    On the other hand, RJD spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwari hailed the government’s move and said that the former MP was being released as per the rule. “There is nothing wrong in it. I don’t know why there is a hue and cry over his release,” he said.

    Defending the government JD(U) MLC Neeraj Kumar said, “Let it be clarified that the amendment has been done in Prison Manual. It is not to benefit any individual. Half of the prisoners, whose names figured in the list, were over 75 years of age and one of them is about 95 year-old.”

    Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said that the release of 27 convicted prisoners would create fear and psychosis among people. Toeing similar lines, former BJP state president Sanjay Jaiswal said that those being released from jail were ‘booth grabbers’ of RJD.

    PATNA: Bihar government’s move to release former MP Anand Mohan has led to a crack in the state’s ruling Grand Alliance (GA) or Mahagathbandhan. 

    The notification was issued on Monday to free Anand Mohan, who was serving a sentence in the then Gopalganj district magistrate G Krishnaiah murder case.

    While RJD, JD(U) and HAM, three major constituents of GA, supported the government’s decision, CPI-ML opposed it describing it as an act of discrimination.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “Our men booked under TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention)Act are still behind the bar. On the other hand, 27 prisoners convicted for serious crimes are being set free after tweaking Bihar Prison Manual 2012,” said Kunal, office secretary of CPI-ML.

    All CPI-ML MLAs will stage a dharna on April 28 as a mark of protest. CPI-ML is a part of the seven-party GA in Bihar. It has, however, not joined the government led by Nitish Kumar.

    On the other hand, RJD spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwari hailed the government’s move and said that the former MP was being released as per the rule. “There is nothing wrong in it. I don’t know why there is a hue and cry over his release,” he said.

    Defending the government JD(U) MLC Neeraj Kumar said, “Let it be clarified that the amendment has been done in Prison Manual. It is not to benefit any individual. Half of the prisoners, whose names figured in the list, were over 75 years of age and one of them is about 95 year-old.”

    Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said that the release of 27 convicted prisoners would create fear and psychosis among people. Toeing similar lines, former BJP state president Sanjay Jaiswal said that those being released from jail were ‘booth grabbers’ of RJD.

  • Lok sabha polls 2024: Nitish denies being in race for PM post

    By Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar accompanied by his deputy Tejaswi Yadav met Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav here on Monday. 

    While pitching for the opposition’s unity, Nitish Kumar made it clear yet again that he was a contender neither for the leadership of the opposition coalition nor the Prime Ministership.

    “Humko nahi banna hai … yeh baat achchi tarah se jaan lijiye. Hum sabko khali ek jut karne mein lage hain (I am not there to become the leader (of the opposition parties), I am only working to bring everyone together),” Nitish told the media at a brief press conference which he addressed with Akhilesh and Tejaswi. 

    He was replying to a query if the opposition had made their decision over their leader for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

    Nitish Kumar said once the entire opposition came together, the leader would also be decided. 

    Asked if he had the plan to meet Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati as well, Nitish dodged the question saying that as of now he had come to meet the SP’s national president. 

    The three leaders had a closed-door meeting at SP headquarters for 4 minutes. 

    In his welcome address, Akhilesh announced that he was a part of Bihar CM’s endeavour to bring the opposition parties together to take on the ruling BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

    “Indian democracy and the Constitution are under threat. We are with you in this campaign to oust BJP out of power and save the constitution, the democracy and the country,” he said.

    Nitish stressed the synchronised unification of as many opposition parties as possible to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. 

    Asked if he planned to play the role that Jayaprakash Narayan had played to lead a movement against Indira Gandhi during the Emergency, Nitish said he was a disciple of JP.

    Accusing BJP of doing nothing but false publicity, Nitish said, “People are planning to change India’s history. We have to come together to help India get rid of BJP rule,” he said, adding that he has had constructive and positive discussions with the SP chief. 

    He expressed hope that the unity among the socialist parties in UP and Bihar will have a vast impact on the election results in 2024 as the two states account for a total of 120 seats. 

    Earlier, the SP chief deputed a delegation of senior leaders led by national general secretary Shivpal Yadav to receive Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav at Lucknow airport and accompany them to the party headquarters.

    The delegation comprised state president Naresh Uttam Patel and MLA Arman Khan among others. Nitish Kumar along with Tejashwi had reached Kolkata earlier in the day where they called on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. 

    LUCKNOW: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar accompanied by his deputy Tejaswi Yadav met Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav here on Monday. 

    While pitching for the opposition’s unity, Nitish Kumar made it clear yet again that he was a contender neither for the leadership of the opposition coalition nor the Prime Ministership.

    “Humko nahi banna hai … yeh baat achchi tarah se jaan lijiye. Hum sabko khali ek jut karne mein lage hain (I am not there to become the leader (of the opposition parties), I am only working to bring everyone together),” Nitish told the media at a brief press conference which he addressed with Akhilesh and Tejaswi. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    He was replying to a query if the opposition had made their decision over their leader for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

    Nitish Kumar said once the entire opposition came together, the leader would also be decided. 

    Asked if he had the plan to meet Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati as well, Nitish dodged the question saying that as of now he had come to meet the SP’s national president. 

    The three leaders had a closed-door meeting at SP headquarters for 4 minutes. 

    In his welcome address, Akhilesh announced that he was a part of Bihar CM’s endeavour to bring the opposition parties together to take on the ruling BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

    “Indian democracy and the Constitution are under threat. We are with you in this campaign to oust BJP out of power and save the constitution, the democracy and the country,” he said.

    Nitish stressed the synchronised unification of as many opposition parties as possible to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. 

    Asked if he planned to play the role that Jayaprakash Narayan had played to lead a movement against Indira Gandhi during the Emergency, Nitish said he was a disciple of JP.

    Accusing BJP of doing nothing but false publicity, Nitish said, “People are planning to change India’s history. We have to come together to help India get rid of BJP rule,” he said, adding that he has had constructive and positive discussions with the SP chief. 

    He expressed hope that the unity among the socialist parties in UP and Bihar will have a vast impact on the election results in 2024 as the two states account for a total of 120 seats. 

    Earlier, the SP chief deputed a delegation of senior leaders led by national general secretary Shivpal Yadav to receive Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav at Lucknow airport and accompany them to the party headquarters.

    The delegation comprised state president Naresh Uttam Patel and MLA Arman Khan among others. 
    Nitish Kumar along with Tejashwi had reached Kolkata earlier in the day where they called on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. 

  • Poll talks: Nitish Kumar to meet Akhilesh, Mamata in a bid to realise opposition unity  

    Express News Service

    PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is expected to meet Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for holding talks relating to forging a broader opposition front ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

    Sources claimed that Nitish along with JD (U) national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh would leave for Lucknow by a special plane to meet Akhilesh on Monday. Similarly, he is also likely to meet Mamata in Kolkata on Tuesday. 

    Nitish is looking confident about the opposition unity with Congress on board after his recent ‘meaningful’ discussions with the opposition leaders including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Delhi chief minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI general secretary D Raja in New Delhi. 

    From the meetings, it has emanated that Nitish will hold discussions with leaders of various regional parties like TMC, Samajwadi Party, K Chandrashekar Rao’s BRS, Mamata Banerjee’s TMC, and Kejriwal’s AAP, BJD and YSRCP. It has also been decided to field a single opposition candidate against BJP in the 2024 election to improve the victory chances.

    It is interesting that Nitish will be meeting the West Bengal chief minister despite Mamata’s outbursts against Congress following the TMC defeat in the Sagardighi by-election. Mamata had termed the victory of the Congress at Sagardighi by-elections as “immoral”, alleging that the Congress, besides the CPI (M), had entered into an understanding with the BJP to defeat her party in the election.

    Despite Congress and TMC having bitter verbal duels in the past, Nitish can still hope of taking TMC on board by using his persuasive skills. “Nitish has a good relationship with both Congress and TMC and in such a situation, he can definitely succeed in at least creating a workable relationship between both parties in view of the huge electoral challenge likely to be posed by the BJP election once again in the 2024 Lok Sabha election,” a political analyst said. 

    Nitish has a long experience working with leaders of both Janata Parivar and also with former NDA allies such as TDP and TMC. In such a situation, Nitish can make valuable contributions in the drive to bring as many opposition parties on one platform before the next parliamentary election.

    On the other hand, Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had met with Mamata in Kolkata for holding discussions on creating a third front comprising non-BJP and non-Congress parties. It is in complete contrast to Nitish`s repeated emphasis on taking Congress on board for countering BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. His oft-repeated contention is that there will be only the main front comprising Congress against BJP. 

    Later, Mamata had also gone to Odisha and held a meeting with her counterpart Naveen Patnaik. Similarly, JD (S) leader HD Kumaraswamy had met with Mamata in Kolkata followed by the TMC leader`s call to Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin.

    PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is expected to meet Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for holding talks relating to forging a broader opposition front ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

    Sources claimed that Nitish along with JD (U) national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh would leave for Lucknow by a special plane to meet Akhilesh on Monday. Similarly, he is also likely to meet Mamata in Kolkata on Tuesday. 

    Nitish is looking confident about the opposition unity with Congress on board after his recent ‘meaningful’ discussions with the opposition leaders including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Delhi chief minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and CPI general secretary D Raja in New Delhi. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    From the meetings, it has emanated that Nitish will hold discussions with leaders of various regional parties like TMC, Samajwadi Party, K Chandrashekar Rao’s BRS, Mamata Banerjee’s TMC, and Kejriwal’s AAP, BJD and YSRCP. It has also been decided to field a single opposition candidate against BJP in the 2024 election to improve the victory chances.

    It is interesting that Nitish will be meeting the West Bengal chief minister despite Mamata’s outbursts against Congress following the TMC defeat in the Sagardighi by-election. Mamata had termed the victory of the Congress at Sagardighi by-elections as “immoral”, alleging that the Congress, besides the CPI (M), had entered into an understanding with the BJP to defeat her party in the election.

    Despite Congress and TMC having bitter verbal duels in the past, Nitish can still hope of taking TMC on board by using his persuasive skills. “Nitish has a good relationship with both Congress and TMC and in such a situation, he can definitely succeed in at least creating a workable relationship between both parties in view of the huge electoral challenge likely to be posed by the BJP election once again in the 2024 Lok Sabha election,” a political analyst said. 

    Nitish has a long experience working with leaders of both Janata Parivar and also with former NDA allies such as TDP and TMC. In such a situation, Nitish can make valuable contributions in the drive to bring as many opposition parties on one platform before the next parliamentary election.

    On the other hand, Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had met with Mamata in Kolkata for holding discussions on creating a third front comprising non-BJP and non-Congress parties. It is in complete contrast to Nitish`s repeated emphasis on taking Congress on board for countering BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. His oft-repeated contention is that there will be only the main front comprising Congress against BJP. 

    Later, Mamata had also gone to Odisha and held a meeting with her counterpart Naveen Patnaik. Similarly, JD (S) leader HD Kumaraswamy had met with Mamata in Kolkata followed by the TMC leader`s call to Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin.

  • Hooch tragedy: Bihar govt announces to provide Rs 4 lakh as compensation to victims

    Express News Service

    PATNA: Bihar government, on Monday, announced to provide compensation to the Hooch tragedy victims in Bihar’s East Champaran district.

    Talking to media persons on sidelines of his weekly ‘janata ke darbaar mein mukhya mantri’, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said that dependents of each victim of hooch tragedies in the state will be provided Rs 4 lakh as compensation from the CM relief fund.

    He said that letters were being sent to all district magistrates informing them about the government’s decision on compensation. “The compensation will be given to the affected families after collecting all information about the victims,” he added.

    The development came after the main Opposition party BJP demanded an all-party meeting on the new prohibition policy to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol in Bihar in April 2016. The DMs of respective districts will send the list after verification of relevant documents from their end.

    Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Sushil Modi claimed that over 300 people have died in hooch tragedies and others lost their vision due to consumption of alleged spurious liquor since the state was declared ‘dry’.

    ALSO READ | In ‘dry’ Bihar, another hooch tragedy claims 20 lives

    Former chief minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha patron Jitan Ram Manjhi had also said that the majority of the victims belonged to poor strata of society.

    “The poor were the worst suffers from new prohibition policy,” he had told the media.

    At least 30 people are suspected to have died after consuming spurious liquor since Friday. The district administration, however, put the figures at 14 only.

    ALSO READ | Slugfest resurfaces in Bihar over hooch tragedy as death toll rises to 28

    The national human rights commission, earlier,  had slammed the state government for hiding facts about the death of hooch victims in the Saran district in December last year. More than 43 people, as per official records, died.

    PATNA: Bihar government, on Monday, announced to provide compensation to the Hooch tragedy victims in Bihar’s East Champaran district.

    Talking to media persons on sidelines of his weekly ‘janata ke darbaar mein mukhya mantri’, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said that dependents of each victim of hooch tragedies in the state will be provided Rs 4 lakh as compensation from the CM relief fund.

    He said that letters were being sent to all district magistrates informing them about the government’s decision on compensation. “The compensation will be given to the affected families after collecting all information about the victims,” he added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The development came after the main Opposition party BJP demanded an all-party meeting on the new prohibition policy to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol in Bihar in April 2016. The DMs of respective districts will send the list after verification of relevant documents from their end.

    Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Sushil Modi claimed that over 300 people have died in hooch tragedies and others lost their vision due to consumption of alleged spurious liquor since the state was declared ‘dry’.

    ALSO READ | In ‘dry’ Bihar, another hooch tragedy claims 20 lives

    Former chief minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha patron Jitan Ram Manjhi had also said that the majority of the victims belonged to poor strata of society.

    “The poor were the worst suffers from new prohibition policy,” he had told the media.

    At least 30 people are suspected to have died after consuming spurious liquor since Friday. The district administration, however, put the figures at 14 only.

    ALSO READ | Slugfest resurfaces in Bihar over hooch tragedy as death toll rises to 28

    The national human rights commission, earlier,  had slammed the state government for hiding facts about the death of hooch victims in the Saran district in December last year. More than 43 people, as per official records, died.

  • Rioters will be hung upside down if BJP forms govt in Bihar in 2025: Amit Shah

    By PTI

    HISUA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday tore into the Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar for “failing to check” communal violence in Sasaram and Bihar Sharif towns and asserted that rioters will be hung upside down if the BJP forms the government in the state in 2025.

    Addressing a rally in Hisua in Nawada district, Shah, widely regarded as the BJP’s principal strategist, asserted that the people of Bihar have decided to ensure the victory of party candidates in all the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 general elections.

    “People of the country have decided that Narendra Modi will become the prime minister for the third consecutive term. Once that happens, Nitish Kumar will go back on his promise of handing over the mantle to his deputy Tejashwi Yadav as his dreams of becoming the PM will be shattered,” he said.

    Shah alleged that Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar have practiced politics of appeasement which has helped terrorism flourish, while Modi has scrapped Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “The BJP can never join hands with Nitish Kumar, who spreads venom of casteism, and ‘Jungle Raj’ pioneer Lalu Prasad,” Shah said, while reiterating that BJP’s doors are always closed for the Bihar CM.

    He claimed that Congress, JD(U), RJD, TMC opposed the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, while “one fine morning, Modi laid the foundation of a sky-high temple there”.

    On the communal violence in the state, he added, “I pray to God that normalcy returns soon.When I spoke to the governor in the morning, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh became angry and asked why I was bothered about Bihar. I am the Union home minister and Bihar’s law and order situation is my concern as well.”

    HISUA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday tore into the Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar for “failing to check” communal violence in Sasaram and Bihar Sharif towns and asserted that rioters will be hung upside down if the BJP forms the government in the state in 2025.

    Addressing a rally in Hisua in Nawada district, Shah, widely regarded as the BJP’s principal strategist, asserted that the people of Bihar have decided to ensure the victory of party candidates in all the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 general elections.

    “People of the country have decided that Narendra Modi will become the prime minister for the third consecutive term. Once that happens, Nitish Kumar will go back on his promise of handing over the mantle to his deputy Tejashwi Yadav as his dreams of becoming the PM will be shattered,” he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Shah alleged that Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar have practiced politics of appeasement which has helped terrorism flourish, while Modi has scrapped Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “The BJP can never join hands with Nitish Kumar, who spreads venom of casteism, and ‘Jungle Raj’ pioneer Lalu Prasad,” Shah said, while reiterating that BJP’s doors are always closed for the Bihar CM.

    He claimed that Congress, JD(U), RJD, TMC opposed the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, while “one fine morning, Modi laid the foundation of a sky-high temple there”.

    On the communal violence in the state, he added, “I pray to God that normalcy returns soon.When I spoke to the governor in the morning, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh became angry and asked why I was bothered about Bihar. I am the Union home minister and Bihar’s law and order situation is my concern as well.”