News Analysis India

Tag: Tejashwi Yadav

  • JD(U) giving political colour to ED’s action against Lalu’s family, says BJP’s Sushil Modi

    Express News Service

    PATNA: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday accused Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and JD(U) president Lalan Singh of giving political colour to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) action against RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and his family in connection with land-for-job scam.

    BJP MP and former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said that JD(U) leaders were trying to give political colour to the operation launched by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and ED against Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi and deputy chief minister son Tejashwi Yadav to divert people’s attention from corruption charges levelled against them.

    Referring to the ED’s search operation and Lalu’s allegations that his pregnant daughter-in-law Rajshree Yadav was harassed, Sushil said that the question of harassing anybody during the operation didn’t arise.

    When she (Rajshree, wife of Tejashwi) and ‘nati-natini’ (grandsons and granddaughters) are not accused in the IRCTC scam case, the question of investigation didn’t arise, he remarked.

    “RJD chief is playing emotional card by spreading rumours about his daughter-in-law’s torture by the central agency to take political mileage,” he asserted.

    Moreover, the BJP leader said that Nitish should formulate a policy that no pregnant woman will be questioned by any investigating agency even if charges levelled against her were serious in nature.

    ALSO READ | Rs 1 cr cash, Rs 600 cr crime proceeds found in raids on Lalu’s family: ED

    The former deputy chief minister also sought to know how Lalu’s family acquired property worth Rs.600 crore, which came to light during an investigation carried out by central agencies.

    Tejashwi should explain how he became the owner of his New Friends’ Colony residence worth Rs.200 crore when he had no other sources of income, he added.

    The BJP MP also questioned why Hridayanand Choudhary and Lallan Choudhary gifted property at a prime location to Lalu’s daughter Hema Yadav. The property was later sold off for Rs.350 crore. Earlier, Lalu and his wife Rabri were interrogated by CBI in connection with the land-for-jobs scam.

    During the search operation, Modi claimed that Rs.1 crore in cash besides one and a half kilogram of gold jewellery and half kilogram of gold biscuit were seized from the residential premises of Lalu’s family members on Friday. Altogether 24 locations in Patna, Mumbai, Ranchi and New Delhi were simultaneously searched.

    PATNA: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday accused Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and JD(U) president Lalan Singh of giving political colour to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) action against RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and his family in connection with land-for-job scam.

    BJP MP and former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said that JD(U) leaders were trying to give political colour to the operation launched by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and ED against Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi and deputy chief minister son Tejashwi Yadav to divert people’s attention from corruption charges levelled against them.

    Referring to the ED’s search operation and Lalu’s allegations that his pregnant daughter-in-law Rajshree Yadav was harassed, Sushil said that the question of harassing anybody during the operation didn’t arise.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    When she (Rajshree, wife of Tejashwi) and ‘nati-natini’ (grandsons and granddaughters) are not accused in the IRCTC scam case, the question of investigation didn’t arise, he remarked.

    “RJD chief is playing emotional card by spreading rumours about his daughter-in-law’s torture by the central agency to take political mileage,” he asserted.

    Moreover, the BJP leader said that Nitish should formulate a policy that no pregnant woman will be questioned by any investigating agency even if charges levelled against her were serious in nature.

    ALSO READ | Rs 1 cr cash, Rs 600 cr crime proceeds found in raids on Lalu’s family: ED

    The former deputy chief minister also sought to know how Lalu’s family acquired property worth Rs.600 crore, which came to light during an investigation carried out by central agencies.

    Tejashwi should explain how he became the owner of his New Friends’ Colony residence worth Rs.200 crore when he had no other sources of income, he added.

    The BJP MP also questioned why Hridayanand Choudhary and Lallan Choudhary gifted property at a prime location to Lalu’s daughter Hema Yadav. The property was later sold off for Rs.350 crore. Earlier, Lalu and his wife Rabri were interrogated by CBI in connection with the land-for-jobs scam.

    During the search operation, Modi claimed that Rs.1 crore in cash besides one and a half kilogram of gold jewellery and half kilogram of gold biscuit were seized from the residential premises of Lalu’s family members on Friday. Altogether 24 locations in Patna, Mumbai, Ranchi and New Delhi were simultaneously searched.

  • Land for jobs ‘scam’: CBI summons Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav for questioning 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The CBI has summoned Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav to appear for questioning in connection with the alleged land for jobs scam on Saturday, officials said.

    Yadav was earlier called for questioning on March 4 but he had not appeared before the CBI sleuths, following which a fresh date was given for Saturday, they said.

    The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader was asked to appear for questioning on Saturday forenoon but he is yet to arrive at the headquarters of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) here, they said.

    The federal agency recently questioned RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi in Delhi and Patna respectively.

    The case pertains to people allegedly given employment in the railways in return for land parcels gifted or sold at cheap rates to the Yadav family and its associates, the officials said.

    NEW DELHI: The CBI has summoned Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav to appear for questioning in connection with the alleged land for jobs scam on Saturday, officials said.

    Yadav was earlier called for questioning on March 4 but he had not appeared before the CBI sleuths, following which a fresh date was given for Saturday, they said.

    The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader was asked to appear for questioning on Saturday forenoon but he is yet to arrive at the headquarters of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) here, they said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The federal agency recently questioned RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi in Delhi and Patna respectively.

    The case pertains to people allegedly given employment in the railways in return for land parcels gifted or sold at cheap rates to the Yadav family and its associates, the officials said.

  • Ask Tejashwi about cabinet expansion, says Bihar CM Nitish amid Congress’ demands

    Express News Service

    PATNA: Close on the heels of Bihar Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh’s fresh demand for cabinet expansion, chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday threw the ball in the court of his deputy and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

    “You should ask this question from him (Tejashwi),” said Nitish while responding to queries by media persons about much-awaited cabinet expansion.

    CM Nitish was on his ‘Samadhan Yatra’ in Jamui on Saturday. When reminded of Congress’ repeated demand for cabinet expansion, the chief minister said that they (Congress) should speak to Tejashwi Yadav on the issue. However, he also revealed that Congress leaders had talked to him about a possible expansion of the cabinet.

    Earlier in the day, Akhilesh Prasad Singh said that he had talked to the chief minister about cabinet expansion. “Nitish ji has assured that cabinet expansion will take place after ‘Samadhan Yatra’,” he added. The state Congress chief’s statement assumed significance in the wake of recent remarks of Tejashwi who had ruled out the possibility of cabinet expansion in near future.

    Akhilesh, who is also a Rajya Sabha member, said that he was hopeful of getting at least two ministerial berths during cabinet expansion. At present grand old party has two ministers—Afaque Alam and Murari Gautam after the grand alliance government was formed in the state last August.

    At a function held in Patna on Thursday, Tejashwi had said, “There will be no cabinet expansion now. I do not understand at first how the discussion on it started. No proposal for the cabinet expansion is not under consideration.”

    Tejashwi’s remark on the cabinet expansion came in the backdrop of speculation over the cabinet expansion with Congress getting two ministerial berths. Tejaswhi’s point-blank refusal of the cabinet expansion had, however, come as a rude shock for Congress legislators who were hopeful of being inducted into the council of ministers.

    Nitish had also said that the cabinet would be expanded after ‘Kharmas’ (considered an inauspicious period in the Hindu calendar) that ended on January 14. In addition to Congress, two leaders from RJD can also be inducted into the state cabinet.

    The grand alliance in Bihar is facing turmoil from within as JD (U) parliamentary board chairman Upendra Kushwaha has raised a banner against Nitish by accusing him of not giving him proper respect in the party even as he had merged his own political outfit, Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) with JD(U). The controversy that erupted over the remarks against Ramcharitmanas has also yet to be settled.

    On the other hand, RJD has yet to take action against former agriculture minister Sudhakar Singh for making uncharitable remarks against Nitish although a show cause notice was issued to the minister. Singh, who is the son of state RJD president Jagdanand Singh has already replied to the notice but ithas to be seen how the party leadership acts on it.

    In the given situation, the cabinet expansion was already looking like a remote possibility, remarked a political analyst.

    PATNA: Close on the heels of Bihar Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh’s fresh demand for cabinet expansion, chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday threw the ball in the court of his deputy and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

    “You should ask this question from him (Tejashwi),” said Nitish while responding to queries by media persons about much-awaited cabinet expansion.

    CM Nitish was on his ‘Samadhan Yatra’ in Jamui on Saturday. When reminded of Congress’ repeated demand for cabinet expansion, the chief minister said that they (Congress) should speak to Tejashwi Yadav on the issue. However, he also revealed that Congress leaders had talked to him about a possible expansion of the cabinet.

    Earlier in the day, Akhilesh Prasad Singh said that he had talked to the chief minister about cabinet expansion. “Nitish ji has assured that cabinet expansion will take place after ‘Samadhan Yatra’,” he added. The state Congress chief’s statement assumed significance in the wake of recent remarks of Tejashwi who had ruled out the possibility of cabinet expansion in near future.

    Akhilesh, who is also a Rajya Sabha member, said that he was hopeful of getting at least two ministerial berths during cabinet expansion. At present grand old party has two ministers—Afaque Alam and Murari Gautam after the grand alliance government was formed in the state last August.

    At a function held in Patna on Thursday, Tejashwi had said, “There will be no cabinet expansion now. I do not understand at first how the discussion on it started. No proposal for the cabinet expansion is not under consideration.”

    Tejashwi’s remark on the cabinet expansion came in the backdrop of speculation over the cabinet expansion with Congress getting two ministerial berths. Tejaswhi’s point-blank refusal of the cabinet expansion had, however, come as a rude shock for Congress legislators who were hopeful of being inducted into the council of ministers.

    Nitish had also said that the cabinet would be expanded after ‘Kharmas’ (considered an inauspicious period in the Hindu calendar) that ended on January 14. In addition to Congress, two leaders from RJD can also be inducted into the state cabinet.

    The grand alliance in Bihar is facing turmoil from within as JD (U) parliamentary board chairman Upendra Kushwaha has raised a banner against Nitish by accusing him of not giving him proper respect in the party even as he had merged his own political outfit, Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) with JD(U). The controversy that erupted over the remarks against Ramcharitmanas has also yet to be settled.

    On the other hand, RJD has yet to take action against former agriculture minister Sudhakar Singh for making uncharitable remarks against Nitish although a show cause notice was issued to the minister. Singh, who is the son of state RJD president Jagdanand Singh has already replied to the notice but it
    has to be seen how the party leadership acts on it.

    In the given situation, the cabinet expansion was already looking like a remote possibility, remarked a political analyst.

  • Caste-based headcount begins in Bihar; Tejashwi terms it ‘historic step’ 

    By PTI

    PATNA: Terming the caste-based head count that began in Bihar on Saturday as a “historic step”, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said the exercise will provide scientific data for carrying out welfare schemes for weaker sections of the society.

    Noting that all the parties of the ruling ‘Mahagathbandhan’ were in favour of the exercise, the RJD leader claimed that the BJP was “critical” about the survey.

    “The enumeration exercise began in Bihar today. It is a historic step taken by the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ government in the state.

    Once the exercise is completed, it will provide scientific data to the state government for carrying out developmental work for people, including those who are deprived,” Yadav said, while speaking to media persons here.

    He also said, “The BJP is an anti-poor party which always opposed this exercise and has always been critical about the caste-based headcount.”

    Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had on Friday said that the caste-based enumeration exercise could be beneficial for all.

    The caste-based headcount process has been a major issue in Bihar, as Kumar’s JD(U) and all constituents of the ruling ‘Mahagathbandhan’ were demanding that the exercise be undertaken at the earliest.

    The state government embarked on the exercise in the wake of the Centre expressing its inability to undertake a caste-based enumeration other than SCs and STs.

    The exercise will be conducted in two phases across Bihar, an official said.

    “All households will be covered in the first phase, which will continue till January 21. In the second one which will start in March, data on people, belonging to all castes, sub-castes and religions, will be collected. Enumerators will gather information about the financial status of all people,” Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh told PTI.

    Earlier in the day, he inspected the ongoing exercise being conducted by the state government employees in the Bank road area in Patna.

    “The exercise is being conducted in all 12,696 blocks in Patna district,” he said.

    The caste-based survey will be completed by May in 2023, and the state government will spend Rs 500 crore from its contingency fund for the exercise.

    The general administration department is the nodal authority for the survey.

    PATNA: Terming the caste-based head count that began in Bihar on Saturday as a “historic step”, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said the exercise will provide scientific data for carrying out welfare schemes for weaker sections of the society.

    Noting that all the parties of the ruling ‘Mahagathbandhan’ were in favour of the exercise, the RJD leader claimed that the BJP was “critical” about the survey.

    “The enumeration exercise began in Bihar today. It is a historic step taken by the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ government in the state.

    Once the exercise is completed, it will provide scientific data to the state government for carrying out developmental work for people, including those who are deprived,” Yadav said, while speaking to media persons here.

    He also said, “The BJP is an anti-poor party which always opposed this exercise and has always been critical about the caste-based headcount.”

    Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had on Friday said that the caste-based enumeration exercise could be beneficial for all.

    The caste-based headcount process has been a major issue in Bihar, as Kumar’s JD(U) and all constituents of the ruling ‘Mahagathbandhan’ were demanding that the exercise be undertaken at the earliest.

    The state government embarked on the exercise in the wake of the Centre expressing its inability to undertake a caste-based enumeration other than SCs and STs.

    The exercise will be conducted in two phases across Bihar, an official said.

    “All households will be covered in the first phase, which will continue till January 21. In the second one which will start in March, data on people, belonging to all castes, sub-castes and religions, will be collected. Enumerators will gather information about the financial status of all people,” Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh told PTI.

    Earlier in the day, he inspected the ongoing exercise being conducted by the state government employees in the Bank road area in Patna.

    “The exercise is being conducted in all 12,696 blocks in Patna district,” he said.

    The caste-based survey will be completed by May in 2023, and the state government will spend Rs 500 crore from its contingency fund for the exercise.

    The general administration department is the nodal authority for the survey.

  • Illegal infiltration, transborder smuggling among issues discussed at EZC meet 

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Illegal infiltration, transborder smuggling and other issues related to the India-Bangladesh boundary were discussed at the 25th Eastern Zonal Council (EZC) meeting, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at the West Bengal secretariat near here, a senior official said.

    Talks on transportation facilities and water-sharing among the states were also held at the 25th EZC meeting, which was attended by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her counterpart from Jharkhand Hemant Soren, Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav and Odisha minister Pradeep Amat, the official said.

    Shah, who is the chairman of the council, was accompanied by five home ministry officials at the meeting that began around 11 am and lasted for a little over two hours.

    Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Odisha’s Naveen Patnaik skipped Saturday’s session.

    Shah later met the Bengal CM at her chamber on the 14th floor of the secretariat, the official said.

    The Union minister is likely to leave for Shillong from here, the official added.

    KOLKATA: Illegal infiltration, transborder smuggling and other issues related to the India-Bangladesh boundary were discussed at the 25th Eastern Zonal Council (EZC) meeting, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at the West Bengal secretariat near here, a senior official said.

    Talks on transportation facilities and water-sharing among the states were also held at the 25th EZC meeting, which was attended by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her counterpart from Jharkhand Hemant Soren, Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav and Odisha minister Pradeep Amat, the official said.

    Shah, who is the chairman of the council, was accompanied by five home ministry officials at the meeting that began around 11 am and lasted for a little over two hours.

    Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Odisha’s Naveen Patnaik skipped Saturday’s session.

    Shah later met the Bengal CM at her chamber on the 14th floor of the secretariat, the official said.

    The Union minister is likely to leave for Shillong from here, the official added.

  • Lalu Prasad Yadav’s kidney transplant surgery in Singapore successful: Tejashwi

    The 74-year-old RJD president, who has been suffering from multiple health problems, was advised a kidney transplant.

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

    Express News Service

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Nitish-Tejashwi bonhomie reaches next level as Chirag makes entry

    By Express News Service

    PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar who is not campaigning in favour of RJD candidates in the state’s by-elections on Monday sought to clear all doubts ahead of the poll date by promising his full support to deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav for his rise even as LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan to begin campaigning for BJP candidates.

    “I will now promote him”, remarked Nitish during his interaction with media while pointing towards Tejashwi even as he launched a blistering attack on another young leader Chirag by calling him ‘baccha’ (child) in politics. Tejashwi equally reciprocated Nitish’s gesture by modestly smiling when the CM was making a generous remark about him. He also posted a video clip in social media, showing how Nitish was promising to lend his support for his growth in politics.

    Nitish is not campaigning in favour of RJD candidates in Mokama and Gopalganj after he was hurt when his boat hit a pillar of JP Setu while he was inspecting Chhath ghats in the state capital. Nitish, however, was unsparing in his criticism of Chirag, who will be campaigning in favour of BJP candidates in Mokama and Gopalganj by-elections, scheduled on November 3.

    Chirag is likely to campaign in favour of BJP candidate Kusum Devi in Gopalganj on Tuesday. “It is fine that Chirag will campaign for BJP candidates, people will know his strength,” he remarked. Continuing his diatribe against Chirag, Nitish said, “Chirag was already in BJP. He had contested the last state assembly election against my party as he fielded his candidates where my candidates were in fray.” Before JD (U) had snapped ties with NDA, it had accused Chirag of fielding its candidates against JD(U) candidates at the behest of BJP to damage their electoral prospects in the last assembly election.

    Nitish said that his relationship with Chirag`s father late Ram Vilas Paswan was very good and old.“I did not only support him but also gave him respect,” he added. This boy (Chirag Paswan) is a ‘bachha’, what he knows,” he remarked. Nitish said that as per inputs received from people, RJD was going to win both seats.

    Meanwhile, Tejashwi said that JD (U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, JD(U) parliamentary board chairman Upendra Kushwaha and several other senior leaders were campaigning on behalf of the grand alliance in both constituencies. He said that the video message from Nitish would be played before the electorate in both seats. BJP`s condition is bad without Nitish, he added.

    PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar who is not campaigning in favour of RJD candidates in the state’s by-elections on Monday sought to clear all doubts ahead of the poll date by promising his full support to deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav for his rise even as LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan to begin campaigning for BJP candidates.

    “I will now promote him”, remarked Nitish during his interaction with media while pointing towards Tejashwi even as he launched a blistering attack on another young leader Chirag by calling him ‘baccha’ (child) in politics. Tejashwi equally reciprocated Nitish’s gesture by modestly smiling when the CM was making a generous remark about him. He also posted a video clip in social media, showing how Nitish was promising to lend his support for his growth in politics.

    Nitish is not campaigning in favour of RJD candidates in Mokama and Gopalganj after he was hurt when his boat hit a pillar of JP Setu while he was inspecting Chhath ghats in the state capital. Nitish, however, was unsparing in his criticism of Chirag, who will be campaigning in favour of BJP candidates in Mokama and Gopalganj by-elections, scheduled on November 3.

    Chirag is likely to campaign in favour of BJP candidate Kusum Devi in Gopalganj on Tuesday. “It is fine that Chirag will campaign for BJP candidates, people will know his strength,” he remarked. Continuing his diatribe against Chirag, Nitish said, “Chirag was already in BJP. He had contested the last state assembly election against my party as he fielded his candidates where my candidates were in fray.” Before JD (U) had snapped ties with NDA, it had accused Chirag of fielding its candidates against JD(U) candidates at the behest of BJP to damage their electoral prospects in the last assembly election.

    Nitish said that his relationship with Chirag`s father late Ram Vilas Paswan was very good and old.
    “I did not only support him but also gave him respect,” he added. This boy (Chirag Paswan) is a ‘bachha’, what he knows,” he remarked. Nitish said that as per inputs received from people, RJD was going to win both seats.

    Meanwhile, Tejashwi said that JD (U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, JD(U) parliamentary board chairman Upendra Kushwaha and several other senior leaders were campaigning on behalf of the grand alliance in both constituencies. He said that the video message from Nitish would be played before the electorate in both seats. BJP`s condition is bad without Nitish, he added.

  • IRCTC scam: Delhi court refuses to cancel bail of Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI:  A Delhi court on Tuesday refused to cancel the bail of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on a plea moved by the CBI in connection with the IRCTC scam.

    Special Judge Geetanjali Goel, however, asked Yadav to be more careful and choose appropriate words.

    The CBI had claimed that at a recent press conference, Yadav had attempted to subvert the process of law and thwart the entire investigation as well as the consequent trial, and “blatantly abused the liberty granted to him.”

    The court passed the directions after hearing arguments during which Yadav claimed that he did not violate any condition set in the bail granted to him earlier.

    “I (Yadav) am in opposition parry and raising questions on wrongdoing is my duty. The CBI and ED are being ‘misused’ by the present government. All opposition parties are feeling this,” Yadav’s counsel told the court.

    The court said a detailed order will be passed later.

    The court had in October 2018 granted bail to Yadav after he appeared before it in pursuance to summons issued against him in the matter related to alleged irregularities in granting operational contract of two Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotels to a private firm.

    NEW DELHI:  A Delhi court on Tuesday refused to cancel the bail of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on a plea moved by the CBI in connection with the IRCTC scam.

    Special Judge Geetanjali Goel, however, asked Yadav to be more careful and choose appropriate words.

    The CBI had claimed that at a recent press conference, Yadav had attempted to subvert the process of law and thwart the entire investigation as well as the consequent trial, and “blatantly abused the liberty granted to him.”

    The court passed the directions after hearing arguments during which Yadav claimed that he did not violate any condition set in the bail granted to him earlier.

    “I (Yadav) am in opposition parry and raising questions on wrongdoing is my duty. The CBI and ED are being ‘misused’ by the present government. All opposition parties are feeling this,” Yadav’s counsel told the court.

    The court said a detailed order will be passed later.

    The court had in October 2018 granted bail to Yadav after he appeared before it in pursuance to summons issued against him in the matter related to alleged irregularities in granting operational contract of two Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) hotels to a private firm.

  • ‘After CBI, I am expecting ED’: Tejashwi on fresh charge sheet against parents

    By PTI

    PATNA: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, whose parents Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi were named in a fresh CBI charge sheet, on Saturday sought to link the development to the BJP’s loss of power in the state where it is now pitted against a formidable multi-party ‘Mahagathbandhan’.

    The RJD heir apparent, who had earlier mockingly asked central investigating agencies to open their offices at his residence, added tongue in cheek that after the CBI, he expected the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to swing into action.

    “The BJP, having lost power in Bihar, obviously has a problem with us. It also knows that it stands no chance against the Mahagathbandhan. So, in keeping with its strategy of misusing institutions, it has let loose the CBI,” Yadav told reporters in reply to queries about the fresh charge sheet against Prasad, the RJD president, and Rabri Devi who is a former chief minister.

    The CBI has filed the charge sheet against Prasad, Rabri Devi and 14 others in connection with an alleged land-for-jobs scam during his tenure as the railway minister.

    “I do not attach much importance to CBI action now. Though I would like to add that soon ED will be sent after us,” said the young leader, who has himself been named in the IRCTC land for hotels scam as an accused.

    He was also asked about the by-elections to Gopalganj and Mokama assembly seats, which have been necessitated by the demise of the sitting BJP MLA and disqualification of the incumbent RJD legislator, respectively.

    “We will hold discussions with allies and decide which party will field its candidates for the respective seats. I can, however, assure you that the Mahagathbandhan will win the by-polls hands down,” said Yadav, whose RJD is the largest constituent of the seven-party coalition that includes Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), the Congress and three Left parties.

    The RJD leader was also asked about speculations that the unceremonious exit from the state cabinet of Sudhakar Singh, who frequently embarrassed the government with his outspokenness, has left the latter’s father Jagadanand Singh, the party’s state unit chief, in a sulk.

    “I do not think Jagadanand Singh is upset. Had it been so he would have told me,” said Yadav, who will be spending the next few days in Delhi to attend the RJD’s national executive meeting on Monday, which will be followed, a day later, by the national council’s open session where Lalu Prasad will be formally declared as re-elected to the party president’s post for yet another term.

    However, when asked whether Jagadanand Singh will be present at the meeting, Yadav replied cryptically, “It is for him to decide whether he will attend the meeting.”

    PATNA: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, whose parents Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi were named in a fresh CBI charge sheet, on Saturday sought to link the development to the BJP’s loss of power in the state where it is now pitted against a formidable multi-party ‘Mahagathbandhan’.

    The RJD heir apparent, who had earlier mockingly asked central investigating agencies to open their offices at his residence, added tongue in cheek that after the CBI, he expected the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to swing into action.

    “The BJP, having lost power in Bihar, obviously has a problem with us. It also knows that it stands no chance against the Mahagathbandhan. So, in keeping with its strategy of misusing institutions, it has let loose the CBI,” Yadav told reporters in reply to queries about the fresh charge sheet against Prasad, the RJD president, and Rabri Devi who is a former chief minister.

    The CBI has filed the charge sheet against Prasad, Rabri Devi and 14 others in connection with an alleged land-for-jobs scam during his tenure as the railway minister.

    “I do not attach much importance to CBI action now. Though I would like to add that soon ED will be sent after us,” said the young leader, who has himself been named in the IRCTC land for hotels scam as an accused.

    He was also asked about the by-elections to Gopalganj and Mokama assembly seats, which have been necessitated by the demise of the sitting BJP MLA and disqualification of the incumbent RJD legislator, respectively.

    “We will hold discussions with allies and decide which party will field its candidates for the respective seats. I can, however, assure you that the Mahagathbandhan will win the by-polls hands down,” said Yadav, whose RJD is the largest constituent of the seven-party coalition that includes Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), the Congress and three Left parties.

    The RJD leader was also asked about speculations that the unceremonious exit from the state cabinet of Sudhakar Singh, who frequently embarrassed the government with his outspokenness, has left the latter’s father Jagadanand Singh, the party’s state unit chief, in a sulk.

    “I do not think Jagadanand Singh is upset. Had it been so he would have told me,” said Yadav, who will be spending the next few days in Delhi to attend the RJD’s national executive meeting on Monday, which will be followed, a day later, by the national council’s open session where Lalu Prasad will be formally declared as re-elected to the party president’s post for yet another term.

    However, when asked whether Jagadanand Singh will be present at the meeting, Yadav replied cryptically, “It is for him to decide whether he will attend the meeting.”