All articles tagged with #bihar
Originally Published 6 months ago — by Al Jazeera
India's Election Commission is re-scrutinizing nearly 80 million voters in Bihar to verify their documents, citing concerns over illegal immigrants, but critics fear this move could lead to mass disenfranchisement, especially among marginalized communities, and is seen as a potential step towards implementing a nationwide NRC.
Originally Published 6 months ago — by CBS News
Five family members in Bihar, India, were brutally murdered by a mob after being accused of witchcraft, with three suspects arrested; the incident highlights ongoing violence rooted in superstitions in the region.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NDTV
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he will remain with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) forever, expressing confidence in the alliance's success in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Kumar, who recently returned to the NDA, made the statement during the unveiling of projects worth Rs 21,400 crore in Aurangabad district. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary praised PM Modi's government for fulfilling its promises, claiming it to be a first in 75 years.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NDTV
The Bihar assembly session has begun with the trust vote for the renewed Nitish Kumar-BJP alliance government, which is expected to easily cross the majority mark with 128 members in the 243-member assembly. The no-confidence motion against the RJD-led Speaker is another hurdle the NDA is likely to overcome, amid rumours of missing RJD MLAs. Nitish Kumar's decision to form a new government with the BJP after leaving the Grand Alliance has sparked political upheaval in Bihar.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Hindustan Times
Legislators of the Grand Alliance in Bihar are strategically staying in different parts of Patna to ensure their numbers remain intact ahead of a crucial trust vote, with the opposition determined not to give a walkover to the ruling alliance. Amid speculation, police visited former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav’s residence after a complaint was filed about a missing RJD leader, but it was clarified that the lawmakers were staying there voluntarily. The Bihar assembly speaker is facing a no-confidence motion, and the state assembly is set to decide on the motion before the floor test, where 122 out of 243 MLAs are needed for the speaker's removal.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Times of India
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to prove his government's majority in the assembly on Monday, with the NDA appearing poised to secure victory during the trust vote. Both camps have been corralling lawmakers amid fears of MLA poaching, and the fate of the speaker remains uncertain as a no-trust proposal has been submitted against him. The political drama unfolds as Nitish Kumar seeks to solidify his position after severing ties with the RJD-Congress-Left Grand Alliance and joining the NDA.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Times of India
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar is set to prove his government's majority in the assembly on Monday, with NDA appearing poised to secure victory during the trust vote. Both camps have corralled MLAs amid fears of poaching, and the fate of the speaker remains uncertain as a no-trust proposal has been submitted against him. The political drama intensifies as preparations for the crucial vote are underway, with NDA emphasizing procedural clarity and GA vowing not to give NDA a walkover.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Hindustan Times
RJD MLA Chetan Anand, who was reported missing by his family, was found at Tejashwi Yadav's residence where he had gone willingly. The family had raised concerns about him being under house arrest ahead of the Bihar government's floor test. The NDA government, led by Nitish Kumar, is set to face a trust vote, with JD(U) expressing confidence despite the absence of a few MLAs. Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan fears poaching and aims to show unity during the crucial vote.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Hindustan Times
Ahead of the February 12 floor test of the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar, the JD(U) issued a whip to its legislators to be present in the assembly during the vote, while the opposition RJD moved all its MLAs and MLCs to Tejashwi Yadav’s residence in Patna. The NDA government, with a wafer-thin majority, has the support of 128 legislators, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan has the support of 115 MLAs. The RJD's move to shift its legislators was to prevent "horse-trading" attempts by the ruling alliance, while the BJP accused the RJD of keeping its leaders under "house arrest" and expressed confidence in the NDA's position.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Indian Express
Nitish Kumar's return to the BJP in Bihar is expected to bolster the party's prospects in the upcoming elections, while diminishing his own authority. The BJP's attention is now turning towards Maharashtra, where it aims to secure 40-plus seats in the Lok Sabha elections. However, the power struggle within the BJP-led government in Maharashtra, coupled with the OBC agitation over Maratha quotas, presents challenges for the party. The political landscape in Maharashtra is rife with possibilities, including potential realignments within the ruling MVA alliance and the role of Sharad Pawar.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Indian Express
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar criticized Rahul Gandhi's comments on the caste survey and Tejashwi Yadav's claims about job creation, stating that the Mahagathbandhan government had already initiated the caste survey and job push. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the achievements of the INDIA alliance and emphasized his decision to join the NDA. Nitish refuted Rahul's assertion that they had made him agree to the caste survey, highlighting his prior support for it. Additionally, he defended himself against allegations of the Central government targeting opposition leaders and emphasized the developmental progress made during his tenure as CM.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Indian Express
Rahul Gandhi breaks his silence on Nitish Kumar's switch to the BJP, alleging that Nitish was pressured to do a caste survey and subsequently made a U-turn. He spoke at a Mahagathbandhan rally in Bihar, criticizing Nitish's move and highlighting the importance of a caste census. The Congress, RJD, and Left leaders put up a united front at the rally, with Rahul addressing economic justice for farmers and criticizing the BJP's political maneuvers. Meanwhile, in West Bengal, Congress and TMC tensions continue as the TMC questions the Congress's silence over probes against its leaders, and Congress accuses TMC of creating hurdles for Rahul's Yatra.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by IndiaTimes
BJP has named Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha as deputy CMs in Bihar, disregarding Nitish Kumar's preferences and asserting its influence in the coalition. This move signals BJP's decision not to be swayed by Nitish's sensitivities and to play a more assertive role in the alliance. The appointments reflect BJP's aim to expand support among different castes and assert its influence in the coalition government.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by IndiaTimes
Cracks in Bihar's Grand Alliance began to show as early as November 2, when signs of discomfort between RJD and JD(U) emerged. Nitish Kumar's unilateral decisions and public appearances without Tejashwi Yadav, along with other events, indicated growing tensions. The final straw came when Nitish launched a scathing attack on "dynastic politics" on Jan 24, leading to the formal announcement of the alliance's breakup.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Indian Express
Nitish Kumar has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the 9th time, with BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha named as Deputy Chief Ministers. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by BJP president J P Nadda, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the new team, expressing confidence in their commitment to serve the people. Kumar's resignation from the Mahagathbandhan government was followed by the formation of a new alliance, INDIA bloc, which also did not work out well. RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav expressed respect for Kumar but asserted that the game was not over yet. This marks the fifth time since 2013 that Kumar has changed political alliances, with the current NDA government having the support of 123 MLAs, while the opposition has 114 MLAs.