News Analysis India

Tag: RJD

  • Allies of JD(U)-RJD government in Bihar seek bigger piece of power pie; to meet Nitish soon

    By PTI

    PATNA: Smaller constituents of the ruling ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in Bihar are seeking top positions in commissions, boards and other entities under the state government to ensure ‘effective functioning’ of the Nitish Kumar-led dispensation.

    A team of representatives of all the allies will soon meet the chief minister to discuss the issue, CPI-ML (L) Legislature party leader Mehboob Alam told PTI.

    “I recently met Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and demanded that elected representatives or leaders of the alliance partners must be given space in various commissions, boards and corporations for the effective functioning of the government,” he said.

    There are several bodies under the Bihar government, such as commissions for human rights, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, women and public service, in which leaders of allies of the grand alliance can be offered responsible posts, said the CPIML(L) leader, whose party is part of the ruling coalition but supports the government from outside.

    “The proposal, if implemented, will ensure effective functioning of a government at all levels. We are not seeking these posts for benefits attached to members or chairpersons of such bodies. A delegation of leaders of all partners of the Mahagathbandhan will soon meet the CM in this regard,” Alam, the party’s central committee member, said.

    With 12 legislators, the CPI-ML (L) is the fourth largest constituent of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’, formed after stripping the BJP of power in the state in August.

    Atul Kumar Anjan, a senior leader of the CPI, a minor ally of the grand alliance with just two MLAs, said that there must be a ‘participative feeling among all partners of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in Bihar’.

    “There are several important corporations and commissions. Some of these have quasi-judicial power. Leaders of alliance partners should be given a decisive role,” the Left leader told PTI.

    He also stated that since leaders of Left parties are “associated with several organisations and fighting for the cause of workers, tribals, farmers and landless people”, their accommodation in government bodies as members or chairpersons will “certainly improve the functioning of the administration”.

    “This is the need of the hour and politics with commitment is very much required,” he said.

    Another grand alliance ally Congress said that all stakeholders of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ government must be involved in all levels of its functioning.

    Commenting on the issue, All India Congress Committee’s Bihar in-charge Bhakta Charan Das told PTI, “The proposal to bring in leaders of ruling allies in state bodies or agencies will be implemented soon. It has been delayed because of certain reasons. For a healthy political dialogue and to make the Mahagathbandhan government stronger, participation of alliance partners at all levels should be ensured.”

    After the RJD and Nitish Kumar’s JD (U), the Congress with 19 MLAs is the third largest ally of the seven-member ruling alliance.

    Lalu Prasad’s RJD with 78 MLAs is the largest constituent of it, while the JD(U) has 45 legislators.

    Two other partners of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ are former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM with four MLAs and the CPI(M), which just has two members in the 243-strong Bihar assembly.

    PATNA: Smaller constituents of the ruling ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in Bihar are seeking top positions in commissions, boards and other entities under the state government to ensure ‘effective functioning’ of the Nitish Kumar-led dispensation.

    A team of representatives of all the allies will soon meet the chief minister to discuss the issue, CPI-ML (L) Legislature party leader Mehboob Alam told PTI.

    “I recently met Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and demanded that elected representatives or leaders of the alliance partners must be given space in various commissions, boards and corporations for the effective functioning of the government,” he said.

    There are several bodies under the Bihar government, such as commissions for human rights, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, women and public service, in which leaders of allies of the grand alliance can be offered responsible posts, said the CPIML(L) leader, whose party is part of the ruling coalition but supports the government from outside.

    “The proposal, if implemented, will ensure effective functioning of a government at all levels. We are not seeking these posts for benefits attached to members or chairpersons of such bodies. A delegation of leaders of all partners of the Mahagathbandhan will soon meet the CM in this regard,” Alam, the party’s central committee member, said.

    With 12 legislators, the CPI-ML (L) is the fourth largest constituent of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’, formed after stripping the BJP of power in the state in August.

    Atul Kumar Anjan, a senior leader of the CPI, a minor ally of the grand alliance with just two MLAs, said that there must be a ‘participative feeling among all partners of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in Bihar’.

    “There are several important corporations and commissions. Some of these have quasi-judicial power. Leaders of alliance partners should be given a decisive role,” the Left leader told PTI.

    He also stated that since leaders of Left parties are “associated with several organisations and fighting for the cause of workers, tribals, farmers and landless people”, their accommodation in government bodies as members or chairpersons will “certainly improve the functioning of the administration”.

    “This is the need of the hour and politics with commitment is very much required,” he said.

    Another grand alliance ally Congress said that all stakeholders of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ government must be involved in all levels of its functioning.

    Commenting on the issue, All India Congress Committee’s Bihar in-charge Bhakta Charan Das told PTI, “The proposal to bring in leaders of ruling allies in state bodies or agencies will be implemented soon. It has been delayed because of certain reasons. For a healthy political dialogue and to make the Mahagathbandhan government stronger, participation of alliance partners at all levels should be ensured.”

    After the RJD and Nitish Kumar’s JD (U), the Congress with 19 MLAs is the third largest ally of the seven-member ruling alliance.

    Lalu Prasad’s RJD with 78 MLAs is the largest constituent of it, while the JD(U) has 45 legislators.

    Two other partners of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ are former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM with four MLAs and the CPI(M), which just has two members in the 243-strong Bihar assembly.

  • Boost for Bihar BJP ahead of two bypolls in Bihar

    Express News Service

    PATNA: The opposition BJP is elated over the joining of two influential leaders of the ruling grand alliance ahead of the by-election to be held in two assembly seats Gopalganj and Mokama in Bihar on November 3. A senior JD(U) functionary Sadanand Singh, who was associated with chief minister Nitish Kumar since the formation of the Samata Party, resigned from the primary membership of JD(U) and joined BJP in the presence of state chief Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal and other senior leaders here. 

    Singh, who had earlier served as JD(U) district chief of Gopalganj, exuded confidence that BJP would retain the Gopalganj seat in a by-election scheduled to be held on November 3. The saffron party has fielded Kusum Devi, wife of Subhash Singh, from Gopalganj.

    The Gopalganj seat fell vacant after the death of Subhash Singh. BJP leaders are elated over joining of Sadanand Singh ahead of the by-poll in Gopalganj. “Singh’s joining has given a jolt to RJD, which has fielded Mohan Gupta from the seat,” said an RJD source.

    RJD has been trying to win this seat for a long time but even during the slide victory for the grand alliance in 2015 assembly polls, the seat had gone to BJP’s Subhash Singh. A major chunk of voters is likely to shift from JD(U) to BJP following Sadanand Singh’s resignation.

    On Sunday, former RJD MLA Amarnath Gami joined BJP in the presence of BJPfunctionaries in Patna. Gami, a two-term MLA from Hayaghat in Darbhanga, had left JD(U) and joined RJD after being denied ticket from JD(U) in 2020 assembly election.

    Jolt to RJD, JD(U)Sadanand Singh, who was associated with chief minister Nitish Kumar since the formation of Samata Party, resigned and joined BJP.  Former RJD MLA Amarnath Gami joined the BJP on Sunday

    PATNA: The opposition BJP is elated over the joining of two influential leaders of the ruling grand alliance ahead of the by-election to be held in two assembly seats Gopalganj and Mokama in Bihar on November 3. A senior JD(U) functionary Sadanand Singh, who was associated with chief minister Nitish Kumar since the formation of the Samata Party, resigned from the primary membership of JD(U) and joined BJP in the presence of state chief Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal and other senior leaders here. 

    Singh, who had earlier served as JD(U) district chief of Gopalganj, exuded confidence that BJP would retain the Gopalganj seat in a by-election scheduled to be held on November 3. The saffron party 
    has fielded Kusum Devi, wife of Subhash Singh, from Gopalganj.

    The Gopalganj seat fell vacant after the death of Subhash Singh. BJP leaders are elated over joining of Sadanand Singh ahead of the by-poll in Gopalganj. “Singh’s joining has given a jolt to RJD, which has fielded Mohan Gupta from the seat,” said an RJD source.

    RJD has been trying to win this seat for a long time but even during the slide victory for the grand alliance in 2015 assembly polls, the seat had gone to BJP’s Subhash Singh. A major chunk of voters is likely to shift from JD(U) to BJP following Sadanand Singh’s resignation.

    On Sunday, former RJD MLA Amarnath Gami joined BJP in the presence of BJPfunctionaries in Patna. Gami, a two-term MLA from Hayaghat in Darbhanga, had left JD(U) and joined RJD after being denied ticket from JD(U) in 2020 assembly election.

    Jolt to RJD, JD(U)
    Sadanand Singh, who was associated with chief minister Nitish Kumar since the formation of Samata Party, resigned and joined BJP.  Former RJD MLA Amarnath Gami joined the BJP on Sunday

  • BJP’s journey from 2 to 303 seats will start reversing from 2024: RJD

    The national executive endorsed party founder Lalu Prasad's re-election as the national president for the 12th time.

  • Bihar ex-minister Sudhakar Singh takes battle to CM turf, says will flag farmer issues

    Express News Service

    PATNA: A day after his resignation as Bihar agriculture minister, RJD leader Sudhakar Singh on Monday said he would continue to raise issues concerning farmers both inside and outside the Assembly. 

    “When I talk about farmers’ problems and oppose corruption, some people feel bad. People sitting in power become restless. Officers and employees have become masters,” he remarked while addressing a ‘kisan sabha’ at Adhaura in Kaimur district. 

    “If necessary, I will also raise farmers’ issues on the floor of the House besides doing so on road,” he added. According to sources Singh, who is the son of Bihar RJD president Jagdanand Singh, was asked to resign from the ministerial post by Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav when he was in his assembly constituency of Ramgarh in Kaimur district.

    This is despite the fact that Jagdanand is known for his close proximity to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. Sudhakar’s exit shows that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi are not ready to allow a situation of mistrust to develop between the alliance partners.

    Nitish was also disturbed by the way Singh was raising the issue of corruption in the agriculture department, and questioning the benefits derived from the second and third agricultural roadmaps, which were prepared with much enthusiasm by his government.

    Sudhakar himself is allegedly involved in a rice scam. When he was inducted into the state cabinet, former deputy chief minister and BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi said that Sudhakar faced the accusation of siphoning Rs 5.31 crore in the 2013 rice scam. 

    PATNA: A day after his resignation as Bihar agriculture minister, RJD leader Sudhakar Singh on Monday said he would continue to raise issues concerning farmers both inside and outside the Assembly. 

    “When I talk about farmers’ problems and oppose corruption, some people feel bad. People sitting in power become restless. Officers and employees have become masters,” he remarked while addressing a ‘kisan sabha’ at Adhaura in Kaimur district. 

    “If necessary, I will also raise farmers’ issues on the floor of the House besides doing so on road,” he added. According to sources Singh, who is the son of Bihar RJD president Jagdanand Singh, was asked to resign from the ministerial post by Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav when he was in his assembly constituency of Ramgarh in Kaimur district.

    This is despite the fact that Jagdanand is known for his close proximity to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. Sudhakar’s exit shows that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi are not ready to allow a situation of mistrust to develop between the alliance partners.

    Nitish was also disturbed by the way Singh was raising the issue of corruption in the agriculture department, and questioning the benefits derived from the second and third agricultural roadmaps, which were prepared with much enthusiasm by his government.

    Sudhakar himself is allegedly involved in a rice scam. When he was inducted into the state cabinet, former deputy chief minister and BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi said that Sudhakar faced the accusation of siphoning Rs 5.31 crore in the 2013 rice scam. 

  • Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad to meet Sonia Gandhi in Delhi today after 5 years

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: With an aim to unite the entire Opposition to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad will meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi in the national capital on Sunday.

    It is pertinent to mention that it will be the first meeting between the three parties in more than five years.

    Both the leaders are arriving in Delhi to attend a rally to be held in Fatehabad district on the birth anniversary of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) founder late Chaudhary Devi Lal by INLD leader OP Chautala.

    Earlier on Tuesday, Lalu had said he, along with Nitish Kumar, will meet Sonia in Delhi.

    “Everyone needs to be alert, BJP needs to be uprooted in 2024. I will go to Delhi and meet Sonia Gandhi soon. I will also meet Rahul Gandhi after the completion of his padyatra,” said the RJD supremo.

    However, Poll strategist Prashant Kishor said there is a need for a “credible face” and mass movement to seek people’s vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and opined that meeting leaders of various political parties “would not make much of a difference”.

    He said such meetings cannot be seen as Opposition unity or political development.

    He further said, “Those who don’t believe this need to wait and watch. It will certainly happen. I won’t comment on whatever someone says”.

    During his last visit to Delhi, Nitish Kumar met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

    Kumar met with the Opposition leaders after he broke his alliance with the BJP and joined hands with Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Congress and other parties to form a ‘Mahagathbandhan’ government in Bihar.

    Earlier Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao had also visited Bihar and met Nitish Kumar, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as part of efforts toward forging opposition unity.

    Meanwhile, various posters of Nitish Kumar projecting him as a prime ministerial candidate in the 2024 Lok Sabha election were seen in Patna last month.

    The posters put up by JD(U) promised good governance, and gave the slogan ‘Pradesh mein dikha, desh mein dikhega’.

    Taking a swipe at BJP, another poster carried the caption, “Jumla Nahi Haqiqat Hai” (No lies only reality).

    Additionally, Tejashwi Yadav had earlier stated that Kumar could be a “strong candidate” for the Prime Minister’s post in the 2024 elections.

    In 2020, the BJP-JD(U) fought election in an alliance and went on to form the government with Nitish Kumar being given the Chief Minister’s post.

    In less than two years’ time, Nitish Kumar flipped his choices and in a surprise move went on to stitch an alliance with RJD and Congress to form a ‘Grand Alliance’ government in Bihar.

    NEW DELHI: With an aim to unite the entire Opposition to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad will meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi in the national capital on Sunday.

    It is pertinent to mention that it will be the first meeting between the three parties in more than five years.

    Both the leaders are arriving in Delhi to attend a rally to be held in Fatehabad district on the birth anniversary of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) founder late Chaudhary Devi Lal by INLD leader OP Chautala.

    Earlier on Tuesday, Lalu had said he, along with Nitish Kumar, will meet Sonia in Delhi.

    “Everyone needs to be alert, BJP needs to be uprooted in 2024. I will go to Delhi and meet Sonia Gandhi soon. I will also meet Rahul Gandhi after the completion of his padyatra,” said the RJD supremo.

    However, Poll strategist Prashant Kishor said there is a need for a “credible face” and mass movement to seek people’s vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and opined that meeting leaders of various political parties “would not make much of a difference”.

    He said such meetings cannot be seen as Opposition unity or political development.

    He further said, “Those who don’t believe this need to wait and watch. It will certainly happen. I won’t comment on whatever someone says”.

    During his last visit to Delhi, Nitish Kumar met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

    Kumar met with the Opposition leaders after he broke his alliance with the BJP and joined hands with Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Congress and other parties to form a ‘Mahagathbandhan’ government in Bihar.

    Earlier Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao had also visited Bihar and met Nitish Kumar, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as part of efforts toward forging opposition unity.

    Meanwhile, various posters of Nitish Kumar projecting him as a prime ministerial candidate in the 2024 Lok Sabha election were seen in Patna last month.

    The posters put up by JD(U) promised good governance, and gave the slogan ‘Pradesh mein dikha, desh mein dikhega’.

    Taking a swipe at BJP, another poster carried the caption, “Jumla Nahi Haqiqat Hai” (No lies only reality).

    Additionally, Tejashwi Yadav had earlier stated that Kumar could be a “strong candidate” for the Prime Minister’s post in the 2024 elections.

    In 2020, the BJP-JD(U) fought election in an alliance and went on to form the government with Nitish Kumar being given the Chief Minister’s post.

    In less than two years’ time, Nitish Kumar flipped his choices and in a surprise move went on to stitch an alliance with RJD and Congress to form a ‘Grand Alliance’ government in Bihar.

  • RJD chief Lalu Yadav slams Home Minister Shah for ‘jungle raaj’ jibe at Bihar govt 

    By PTI

    DELHI/ PATNI: RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav on Saturday lashed out at Home Minister Amit Shah over his “jungle raaj” jibe on Bihar’s ruling alliance and stressed on the need for Opposition unity, a day before he meets Congress leader Sonia Gandhi along with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

    “Amit Shah has totally gone crazy. His government has been removed there (Bihar). It (BJP) will face a rout in 2024 as well. That is why he is going there running and speaking of ‘jungle raaj’ and all those things. What did he do when he was in Gujarat,” Yadav told reporters in the national capital.” 

    “Jungle raaj was in Gujarat when he was there,” the former Bihar chief minister alleged.

    “Amit Shah bilkul paglaye hue hain,” he said, speaking in Hindi, when asked about Shah’s ‘jungle raaj’ barb at the state government on Friday in his Purnea rally where he went hammer and tongs after Kumar and Yadav.

    Asked about the home minister’s claim that the BJP will form the government at the Centre in 2024 again and then in Bihar the next year, he quipped, “We will see that.”

    With the BJP saying that Kumar will dump the RJD later in his pursuit of power, Yadav asserted they are together now.

    Kumar and Yadav have scheduled to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday evening.

    “We are making every effort for Opposition unity,” Yadav, who has been battling poor health, said, adding this will be the agenda of their meeting.

    Earlier in Patna, Yadav predicted a wipeout for the BJP in the 2024 polls.

    “Don’t worry, the BJP will be wiped out (safaya ho jaega),” he said.

    His legal troubles and falling health have kept the charismatic leader mostly away from the daily grind of active politics as his son and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav has emerged as the RJD’s de facto leader.

    Shah on Friday had flayed former ally Nitish Kumar, accusing the Bihar chief minister of backstabbing the BJP and trying to fulfil his prime ministerial ambitions while “sitting in the laps of Congress and RJD”.

    At a rally held in Purnea, Shah asserted the combine of Kumar and RJD president Lalu Prasad will be “wiped out (soopda saaf)” in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and, a year later, the BJP will win a majority on its own in the state assembly elections.

    Bihar does not want the grand alliance’s “jungle raaj”, he had said.

    DELHI/ PATNI: RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav on Saturday lashed out at Home Minister Amit Shah over his “jungle raaj” jibe on Bihar’s ruling alliance and stressed on the need for Opposition unity, a day before he meets Congress leader Sonia Gandhi along with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

    “Amit Shah has totally gone crazy. His government has been removed there (Bihar). It (BJP) will face a rout in 2024 as well. That is why he is going there running and speaking of ‘jungle raaj’ and all those things. What did he do when he was in Gujarat,” Yadav told reporters in the national capital.” 

    “Jungle raaj was in Gujarat when he was there,” the former Bihar chief minister alleged.

    “Amit Shah bilkul paglaye hue hain,” he said, speaking in Hindi, when asked about Shah’s ‘jungle raaj’ barb at the state government on Friday in his Purnea rally where he went hammer and tongs after Kumar and Yadav.

    Asked about the home minister’s claim that the BJP will form the government at the Centre in 2024 again and then in Bihar the next year, he quipped, “We will see that.”

    With the BJP saying that Kumar will dump the RJD later in his pursuit of power, Yadav asserted they are together now.

    Kumar and Yadav have scheduled to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday evening.

    “We are making every effort for Opposition unity,” Yadav, who has been battling poor health, said, adding this will be the agenda of their meeting.

    Earlier in Patna, Yadav predicted a wipeout for the BJP in the 2024 polls.

    “Don’t worry, the BJP will be wiped out (safaya ho jaega),” he said.

    His legal troubles and falling health have kept the charismatic leader mostly away from the daily grind of active politics as his son and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav has emerged as the RJD’s de facto leader.

    Shah on Friday had flayed former ally Nitish Kumar, accusing the Bihar chief minister of backstabbing the BJP and trying to fulfil his prime ministerial ambitions while “sitting in the laps of Congress and RJD”.

    At a rally held in Purnea, Shah asserted the combine of Kumar and RJD president Lalu Prasad will be “wiped out (soopda saaf)” in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and, a year later, the BJP will win a majority on its own in the state assembly elections.

    Bihar does not want the grand alliance’s “jungle raaj”, he had said.

  • Jharkhand crisis: Not announcing EC ruling may fuel horse-trading, UPA tells governor

    By PTI

    RANCHI: As the suspense over whether Hemant Soren can remain the Jharkhand chief minister continues, UPA charged the governor with encouraging political horse-trading by “deliberately delaying” announcing a decision on the CM’s membership of the legislature.

    After a series of meetings, coalition partners JMM, Congress and RJD in a joint press conference urged Governor Ramesh Bais to clear the confusion prevailing in the state for the past few days.

    “If there is any report from the Election Commission (ruling Soren should lose legislature membership on account of a mining lease renewal during his last term as CM), the governor should make it public and announce his decision. Developmental works are being hampered due to the confusion,” senior JMM MLA and minister Champai Soren told reporters on Sunday.

    Stating that the ruling coalition is ready to face any situation, Congress leader and minister Banna Gupta requested the Governor to clear the confusion.

    Later, in a joint statement, the UPA MLAs said, “Does Raj Bhavan want to fuel horse-trading by buying time (in making the decision public)? What is the legal advice that he is not able to take? This is an insult to democracy and the people.”

    Raj Bhavan sources maintained that Bais is likely to take a call on the matter on Monday.

    The CM’s party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha suspects that the BJP may make a serious attempt to poach MLAs from it and the Congress in a bid to topple the government in a manner “similar to Maharashtra”.

    “We have seen how the dignity of the post of governor was degraded in Maharashtra and other states. This is unfortunate”.

    “It is very sad that an outside gang is operating in the state,” the statement read. The UPA legislators also claimed that the BJP was unable to digest a tribal chief minister.

    The statement urged the governor to “avoid pushing the state towards chaos. The Constitution has given the responsibility of protecting the rights of Adivasi-Dalit on your shoulders.”

    Reacting to the statement, BJP state president and MP Deepak Prakash said, “Law will take its own course.”

    The ruling coalition has 49 MLAs in the 81-member Assembly. Following a petition by the BJP seeking the CM’s disqualification from the Assembly in an office of profit case, the EC has sent its decision to the state governor on August 25.

    Though the EC’s decision is not yet made official, there was a buzz that the poll panel has recommended Hemant Soren’s disqualification as an MLA.

    The BJP has sought Soren’s disqualification for violating Section 9 (A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which deals with disqualification for government contracts.

    The clause states that “a person shall be disqualified if, and for so long as, there subsists a contract entered into by him in the course of his trade or business with the appropriate government for the supply of goods to, or for the execution of any works undertaken by, that government.”

    The issue was referred to the governor and by him to the EC, as Article 192 of the Constitution states that on rulings regarding an MLA’s disqualification, the question shall be referred to the governor who in turn “shall obtain the opinion of the Election Commission and shall act according to such opinion”.

    The JMM, the largest party, has 30 MLAs, the Congress 18 legislators, and the RJD one. The main opposition BJP has 26 MLAs in the House.

    RANCHI: As the suspense over whether Hemant Soren can remain the Jharkhand chief minister continues, UPA charged the governor with encouraging political horse-trading by “deliberately delaying” announcing a decision on the CM’s membership of the legislature.

    After a series of meetings, coalition partners JMM, Congress and RJD in a joint press conference urged Governor Ramesh Bais to clear the confusion prevailing in the state for the past few days.

    “If there is any report from the Election Commission (ruling Soren should lose legislature membership on account of a mining lease renewal during his last term as CM), the governor should make it public and announce his decision. Developmental works are being hampered due to the confusion,” senior JMM MLA and minister Champai Soren told reporters on Sunday.

    Stating that the ruling coalition is ready to face any situation, Congress leader and minister Banna Gupta requested the Governor to clear the confusion.

    Later, in a joint statement, the UPA MLAs said, “Does Raj Bhavan want to fuel horse-trading by buying time (in making the decision public)? What is the legal advice that he is not able to take? This is an insult to democracy and the people.”

    Raj Bhavan sources maintained that Bais is likely to take a call on the matter on Monday.

    The CM’s party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha suspects that the BJP may make a serious attempt to poach MLAs from it and the Congress in a bid to topple the government in a manner “similar to Maharashtra”.

    “We have seen how the dignity of the post of governor was degraded in Maharashtra and other states. This is unfortunate”.

    “It is very sad that an outside gang is operating in the state,” the statement read. The UPA legislators also claimed that the BJP was unable to digest a tribal chief minister.

    The statement urged the governor to “avoid pushing the state towards chaos. The Constitution has given the responsibility of protecting the rights of Adivasi-Dalit on your shoulders.”

    Reacting to the statement, BJP state president and MP Deepak Prakash said, “Law will take its own course.”

    The ruling coalition has 49 MLAs in the 81-member Assembly. Following a petition by the BJP seeking the CM’s disqualification from the Assembly in an office of profit case, the EC has sent its decision to the state governor on August 25.

    Though the EC’s decision is not yet made official, there was a buzz that the poll panel has recommended Hemant Soren’s disqualification as an MLA.

    The BJP has sought Soren’s disqualification for violating Section 9 (A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which deals with disqualification for government contracts.

    The clause states that “a person shall be disqualified if, and for so long as, there subsists a contract entered into by him in the course of his trade or business with the appropriate government for the supply of goods to, or for the execution of any works undertaken by, that government.”

    The issue was referred to the governor and by him to the EC, as Article 192 of the Constitution states that on rulings regarding an MLA’s disqualification, the question shall be referred to the governor who in turn “shall obtain the opinion of the Election Commission and shall act according to such opinion”.

    The JMM, the largest party, has 30 MLAs, the Congress 18 legislators, and the RJD one. The main opposition BJP has 26 MLAs in the House.

  • ‘He is anti-woman’: Sushil Modi demands Surendra Yadav’s removal from Nitish Cabinet

    By PTI

    PATNA: Senior BJP leader, Sushil Kumar Modi, on Sunday demanded the removal of Bihar Co-operative minister, Surendra Prasad Yadav, from the Nitish Kumar Cabinet for his alleged involvement in criminal cases.

    Modi, a former deputy chief minister of Bihar, had recently demanded the resignation of state Agriculture minister Sudhakar Singh for his alleged involvement in the rice scam.

    Talking to media persons here on Sunday, Modi, said, “Yadav, an accused in a case registered on June 15, 2018, under the relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, must be dismissed from the Nitish Kumar cabinet”.

    Yadav, an RJD MLA, was recently charge-sheeted by a Pocso court for revealing the identity of a gang rape victim, he alleged.

    A person like Yadav, who is “anti-woman”, does not deserve to be a minister at all, said the BJP Rajya Sabha member.

    “On July 13, 1998, when the then Union home minister L K Advani stood up to speak on the Women’s Reservation Bill, Surendra Yadav, as the then RJD MP, entered the well of the House and tore the copy of the Bill into pieces after snatching it from him. He is anti-woman”, said Modi.

    Reacting to Modi’s comments, the RJD said the allegations were “baseless”.

    RJD spokesperson, Mrityunjay Tiwary, told PTI, “This Mahagathbandhan government has given employment to Modi. Since he has been sidelined by the central leadership of the saffron party, he is keeping himself engaged by making such baseless allegations.”

    PATNA: Senior BJP leader, Sushil Kumar Modi, on Sunday demanded the removal of Bihar Co-operative minister, Surendra Prasad Yadav, from the Nitish Kumar Cabinet for his alleged involvement in criminal cases.

    Modi, a former deputy chief minister of Bihar, had recently demanded the resignation of state Agriculture minister Sudhakar Singh for his alleged involvement in the rice scam.

    Talking to media persons here on Sunday, Modi, said, “Yadav, an accused in a case registered on June 15, 2018, under the relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, must be dismissed from the Nitish Kumar cabinet”.

    Yadav, an RJD MLA, was recently charge-sheeted by a Pocso court for revealing the identity of a gang rape victim, he alleged.

    A person like Yadav, who is “anti-woman”, does not deserve to be a minister at all, said the BJP Rajya Sabha member.

    “On July 13, 1998, when the then Union home minister L K Advani stood up to speak on the Women’s Reservation Bill, Surendra Yadav, as the then RJD MP, entered the well of the House and tore the copy of the Bill into pieces after snatching it from him. He is anti-woman”, said Modi.

    Reacting to Modi’s comments, the RJD said the allegations were “baseless”.

    RJD spokesperson, Mrityunjay Tiwary, told PTI, “This Mahagathbandhan government has given employment to Modi. Since he has been sidelined by the central leadership of the saffron party, he is keeping himself engaged by making such baseless allegations.”

  • In Opposition ruled states, BJP sends its Sons-in-law, CBI, ED, IT for raids: Tejashwi Prasad Yadav

    By PTI

    PATNA: Stung by raids on a number of RJD leaders, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Wednesday called the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Income Tax (IT) department “three jamaai” (sons-in-law), which the BJP sent to states where it was not in power.

    Taking part in a debate on the motion of confidence moved by the new ‘Mahagathbandhan’ government, Yadav accused the BJP of having tried to “break” Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s party in a bid to “wipe out socialist ideology”.

    “My father Lalu Prasad, mother Rabri Devi, my sisters and I are all paying the price for our commitment to socialism. The CM and I have the same ideology. You (BJP) cannot reap what we socialists have sown,” said Yadav.

    The RJD heir apparent also expressed dismay over a section of the media saying that a mall being raided by CBI in Gurugram belonged to him.

    “These media outlets should do some research. It belongs to someone based in Haryana, and was inaugurated by a BJP MP,” said Yadav.

    “People sitting in Delhi do not understand the spirit of Bihar. Intimidation does not work here. Sending three ‘jamaai’ is not going to scare us. The BJP is looking like a wedding procession without the groom,” remarked the young leader in an apparent dig at the saffron party’s inability to decide on who would now be the leader of the opposition.

    Yadav also said that Nitish Kumar has taken a “courageous decision” and that brought a “new ray of hope” for the people of the country.

    BJP leaders should also remember that the CM was called a socialist by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he remarked.

    “You are all scared of facing 2024 polls as the united opposition in Bihar will trounce the BJP. Hence the three ‘jamaai’ are being sent,” he added.

    BJP leaders rose in protest against the repeated use of the word “jamaai”.

    They were told by Deputy Speaker Maheshwar Hazari that he will look into the rulebook and if the term was unparliamentary, it would be expunged.

    PATNA: Stung by raids on a number of RJD leaders, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Wednesday called the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Income Tax (IT) department “three jamaai” (sons-in-law), which the BJP sent to states where it was not in power.

    Taking part in a debate on the motion of confidence moved by the new ‘Mahagathbandhan’ government, Yadav accused the BJP of having tried to “break” Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s party in a bid to “wipe out socialist ideology”.

    “My father Lalu Prasad, mother Rabri Devi, my sisters and I are all paying the price for our commitment to socialism. The CM and I have the same ideology. You (BJP) cannot reap what we socialists have sown,” said Yadav.

    The RJD heir apparent also expressed dismay over a section of the media saying that a mall being raided by CBI in Gurugram belonged to him.

    “These media outlets should do some research. It belongs to someone based in Haryana, and was inaugurated by a BJP MP,” said Yadav.

    “People sitting in Delhi do not understand the spirit of Bihar. Intimidation does not work here. Sending three ‘jamaai’ is not going to scare us. The BJP is looking like a wedding procession without the groom,” remarked the young leader in an apparent dig at the saffron party’s inability to decide on who would now be the leader of the opposition.

    Yadav also said that Nitish Kumar has taken a “courageous decision” and that brought a “new ray of hope” for the people of the country.

    BJP leaders should also remember that the CM was called a socialist by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he remarked.

    “You are all scared of facing 2024 polls as the united opposition in Bihar will trounce the BJP. Hence the three ‘jamaai’ are being sent,” he added.

    BJP leaders rose in protest against the repeated use of the word “jamaai”.

    They were told by Deputy Speaker Maheshwar Hazari that he will look into the rulebook and if the term was unparliamentary, it would be expunged.

  • Nitish as opposition’s PM face? Can be an option if parties want, says senior JDU leader

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Amid the buzz that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may emerge as the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate, his party Janata Dal (United) said on Friday that this is an option if other parties want.

    JD(U) president Lalan Singh said Kumar’s main focus is on uniting opposition parties to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and he will visit the national capital to meet leaders from various parties after the vote of confidence in the Bihar assembly next week.

    Kumar, Bihar’s longest-serving chief minister and the main face of the JD(U), is not a contender for the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate, his close aide Singh told PTI.

    Asked for the party’s view in case of other opposition parties backing him to take on the mantle, he said, “If other parties decide and want so, then it’s an option.”

    The JD(U) president and Lok Sabha MP noted that many opposition leaders, including Sharad Pawar and Arvind Kejriwal, called up Kumar to congratulate him after he snapped ties with the BJP and allied with its rivals to form a new government in Bihar.

    Singh asserted that Kumar has all the required attributes to be a prime minister while stressing that he is not a contender for the job.

    He said all opposition parties should sit together to decide on the leadership to take on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP in the next Lok Sabha polls.

    “Or, all parties should fight unitedly to defeat the BJP and decide later who will be their leader. Both options are there. Nitish Kumar will work on bringing all other parties fighting the BJP on one platform to pose a united challenge to its rule,” he said.

    Kumar’s decision to break ties with the BJP, his ally since 1996 except for the period between 2013-17, has fuelled speculation about his prime ministerial bid.

    BJP leaders have claimed that it was this ambition which was behind his decision to join hands with the RJD-Congress-Left alliance.

    Kumar has rejected such claims.

    There is a view that his image untainted by allegations of corruption and nepotism — twin planks of the BJP to target most opposition parties including the Congress — makes him a strong choice for the leadership role of the joint opposition.

    Coming from Kurmi caste, which falls in Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, Kumar also ticks right boxes in terms of his social profile, his supporters say.

    Lalan Singh also made light of the BJP’s target of winning at least 35 of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, and claimed the party will lose 40 seats from its 2019 tally in Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand alone.

    Losing 40 seats will reduce the BJP’s tally to below the majority mark, he noted, saying the ruling party should worry about its fate across the country in such a scenario.

    In the 2019 polls, the BJP had won 303 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha.

    NEW DELHI: Amid the buzz that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may emerge as the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate, his party Janata Dal (United) said on Friday that this is an option if other parties want.

    JD(U) president Lalan Singh said Kumar’s main focus is on uniting opposition parties to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and he will visit the national capital to meet leaders from various parties after the vote of confidence in the Bihar assembly next week.

    Kumar, Bihar’s longest-serving chief minister and the main face of the JD(U), is not a contender for the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate, his close aide Singh told PTI.

    Asked for the party’s view in case of other opposition parties backing him to take on the mantle, he said, “If other parties decide and want so, then it’s an option.”

    The JD(U) president and Lok Sabha MP noted that many opposition leaders, including Sharad Pawar and Arvind Kejriwal, called up Kumar to congratulate him after he snapped ties with the BJP and allied with its rivals to form a new government in Bihar.

    Singh asserted that Kumar has all the required attributes to be a prime minister while stressing that he is not a contender for the job.

    He said all opposition parties should sit together to decide on the leadership to take on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP in the next Lok Sabha polls.

    “Or, all parties should fight unitedly to defeat the BJP and decide later who will be their leader. Both options are there. Nitish Kumar will work on bringing all other parties fighting the BJP on one platform to pose a united challenge to its rule,” he said.

    Kumar’s decision to break ties with the BJP, his ally since 1996 except for the period between 2013-17, has fuelled speculation about his prime ministerial bid.

    BJP leaders have claimed that it was this ambition which was behind his decision to join hands with the RJD-Congress-Left alliance.

    Kumar has rejected such claims.

    There is a view that his image untainted by allegations of corruption and nepotism — twin planks of the BJP to target most opposition parties including the Congress — makes him a strong choice for the leadership role of the joint opposition.

    Coming from Kurmi caste, which falls in Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, Kumar also ticks right boxes in terms of his social profile, his supporters say.

    Lalan Singh also made light of the BJP’s target of winning at least 35 of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, and claimed the party will lose 40 seats from its 2019 tally in Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand alone.

    Losing 40 seats will reduce the BJP’s tally to below the majority mark, he noted, saying the ruling party should worry about its fate across the country in such a scenario.

    In the 2019 polls, the BJP had won 303 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha.