Tejashwi meets Congress netas in Delhi to strike seat deal
Patna: RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Monday met senior Congress leaders in New Delhi to finalise the seat-sharing arrangement among INDIA bloc allies ahead of the Bihar assembly elections. Insiders in the Congress said Yadav held discussions with Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal and the party’s incharge for Bihar, Krishna Allavaru, in the national capital. Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram was also present at the meeting. Tejashwi was expected to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, though the meeting did not take place. Meanwhile, Rajesh Ram and Congress leaders Shakeel Ahmad Khan and Syed Naseer Hussain met Kharge separately and briefed him on their discussions with Yadav.The two principal allies — RJD and Congress — are in talks to finalise the distribution of seats among Mahagathbandhan partners amid claims and counterclaims over stronghold constituencies. Sources said despite multiple rounds of discussions between Congress, RJD and Left leaders, the INDIA bloc has not yet settled its seat-sharing formula. “Tejashwi and Congress leaders may finalise seat-sharing in the next few days and could announce their candidates along with a joint manifesto this week,” an RJD functionary said. Bihar Congress incharge Krishna Allavaru said, “Seat distribution is being finalised. The list of candidates will be released soon. Our effort is to form a good govt for the people of Bihar so that the alliance is not harmed and Bihar benefits.” The Congress is expected to receive fewer seats this time, given its poor performance in the 2020 assembly polls when it won 19 of the 70 seats it contested. The RJD had contested 144 seats, winning 75 in the 243-member assembly. Earlier on Monday, the Congress held its Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting in New Delhi to discuss Bihar seat-sharing. Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, K C Venugopal, and BPCC chief Rajesh Ram attended the meeting. Rajesh Ram said, “All issues were discussed in the INDIA alliance meeting, in which Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders participated. The discussions were positive, and preparations for seat announcements are underway. There is a possibility of a meeting with Tejashwi Yadav soon.” According to sources, VIP chief Mukesh Sahni has been offered 18 seats by the RJD, of which 10 would have RJD’s own candidates contesting on the VIP symbol. Meanwhile, the RJD has asked its likely candidates to start filing nominations for the first phase of polling. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Rahiman dhaaga prem ka … ‘: Politics takes a poetic turn in Bihar; seat-sharing talks drag on in INDIA bloc
NEW DELHI: The seesaw in the Bihar seat-sharing saga seems to continue in the Mahagathbandhan as no party in the bloc appears to get off first without squeezing out every last seat possible. In the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, allies are busy balancing ambition and arithmetic, each hoping to tip the scale in their favour before the final deal is struck. In Bihar’s opposition camp, the tension isn’t just political. It’s poetic. As seat-sharing talks appear to hit a rough patch, RJD’s Manoj Jha and Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi traded shayaris that spoke volumes about the unease simmering between the allies. After RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav met Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on the seat-sharing agreement, Manoj Jha wrote on X: “Rahiman dhaaga prem ka, mat todo chhitkaay, toote se phir na mile, mile gaanth parijaay. Har avsar ke liye prasangik. Jai Hind”. (“Don’t snap the thread of love, Rahim says — once broken, it may be tied again, but the knot will always remain”.) Replying to ally Manoj Jha’s post, Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi wrote: “Paani aankh mein bhar kar laaya ja sakta hai, Ab bhi jalta shehar bachaya ja sakta hai.” (Tears can still be brought to the eyes; even a burning city can still be saved.) — ShayarImran (@ShayarImran) The rhyme didn’t just reveal the rift, but it sparked the question: Can the Mahagathbandhan stay united, or are its allies gearing up to go solo? The seat-sharing puzzle in Bihar’s Mahagathbandhan continues to test tempers and timing. Despite several rounds of talks between the Congress, RJD and Left leaders, the INDIA bloc is yet to crack the final formula. “Tejashwi and Congress leaders may finalise seat-sharing in the next few days and could announce their candidates along with a joint manifesto this week,” an RJD functionary said. Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru sounded cautious yet confident: “Seat distribution is being finalised. The list of candidates will be released soon. Our effort is to form a good govt for the people of Bihar so that the alliance is not harmed and Bihar benefits.” But the Congress may have to settle for a smaller slice this time, given its poor 2020 performance, bagging only 19 of the 70 seats it contested. The RJD, by contrast, had fought 144 seats and won 75 in the 243-member Assembly. Earlier on Monday, the Congress held its Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting in New Delhi to fine-tune its Bihar strategy. Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal, and BPCC chief Rajesh Ram were among those present. Rajesh Ram said, “All issues were discussed in the INDIA alliance meeting, in which Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders participated. The discussions were positive, and preparations for seat announcements are underway. There is a possibility of a meeting with Tejashwi Yadav soon.” Meanwhile, sources said VIP chief Mukesh Sahni has been offered 18 seats by the RJD, of which 10 would have RJD’s own candidates contesting on the VIP symbol. The RJD, not waiting for last-minute chaos, has already asked its likely candidates to begin filing nominations for the first phase of polling. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul, Chirag to visit Kumar’s family
CHANDIGARH: IPS officer Y Puran Kumar’s suicide is reverberating beyond Haryana’s borders. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is due to visit the family on Tuesday. So will Union minister from Bihar, Chirag Paswan, reports Ajay Sura. Politicians from across the country are making a beeline to visit the Kumar household in Chandigarh to console the grieving family. Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment Ramdas Athawale and Telangana deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka met the deceased officer’s wife, IAS officer Amneet P Kumar, in the morning. After meeting the family, Athawale said he has assured them of all support and that the entire country’s SC community is awaiting action against the officers responsible for Kumar’s suicide. Later, Athawale also met Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini and discussed the case. Both Athawale and Paswan are allies of ruling BJP. The Telangana deputy CM criticized Haryana govt for ‘inaction’ in the case. Puran Kumar was a native of Telangana. K Raju, AICC in charge of Jharkhand Congress, alleged that authorities are not complying with the constitutional provision that provides for equality before law. Punjab ministers Harbhajan Singh, Harpal Singh Cheema, Mohinder Bhagat and Dr Ravjot Singh visited the family. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rajya Sabha polls: Congress refuses ‘unsafe’ seat in J&K; puts ball in ally NC’s court
NEW DELHI: The Congress will not contest the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections to four seats in Jammu and Kashmir from the “unsafe” fourth seat, the party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit announced on Sunday. J&K Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra said the party’s central leadership had sought one of the two Rajya Sabha seats that will go to polls separately. However, ally National Conference (NC) offered Congress one of the other two seats, for which polls will be held under a common notification. “All the participants were of the opinion that seat four is not safe (un)like seat one or two. It was unanimously decided that we will not put up our candidate for seat number four. We will leave it to our alliance partners to see what they think about that,” Karra told reporters after a party meeting in Srinagar, according to PTI. “Since the safe seat was not offered to us, we don’t want to contest on seat four,” he added. Karra further said the Congress would open its “channels” with the NC to resolve the impasse. “The inputs from our members will be sent to our central leadership for guidance,” the J&K Congress chief stated. The NC has already named its three candidates for the Rajya Sabha polls, indicating it will use its strength in the assembly to ensure all three emerge victorious. While all three NC nominees are assured of victory even without the support of allies, the fourth candidate of the ruling alliance would need every anti-BJP vote to ensure a clean sweep. The three MLAs of the PDP and one each from the People’s Conference, Awami Ittehad Party, and AAP would have to vote for the ruling alliance’s candidate to secure the fourth seat. Last year, the Congress decided not to be part of the Jammu and Kashmir government despite the NC-Congress alliance winning the September 2024 assembly polls — the region’s first since it became a Union territory in 2019. The upcoming Rajya Sabha polls will be held on October 24. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar elections: All eyes on seat-sharing deal; internal tussle delaying INDIA bloc’s announcement?
NEW DELHI: With the Bihar Assembly elections fast approaching, seat-sharing negotiations within both the ruling NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan have intensified, but while the NDA seems close to sealing its deal, uncertainties continue to plague the INDIA bloc in the state. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and Left, partners in the INDIA bloc, have yet to finalise seat allocation, even as the nomination process for the first phase of polling ends on October 17. On Sunday, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, along with son and heir-apparent Tejashwi Yadav, left for Delhi, triggering speculation of high-level talks with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to resolve the deadlock. The RJD recently “authorised” Prasad to decide seat distribution and candidate selection. The party holds the dominant position in the alliance, which was known as the Mahagathbandhan before the formation of the nationwide INDIA bloc. When the father-son duo, accompanied by Rabri Devi, left their residence in Patna, disappointed aspirants gathered outside, hoping for a final word on ticket distribution. At the airport, Tejashwi Yadav maintained that “all is well,” though reports suggest otherwise. Congress’s assertiveness, boosted by its recent Voter Adhikar Yatra, has annoyed the RJD, as the party now seeks to contest 70 seats like it did in 2020, despite winning only 19. A close aide of Lalu Prasad, speaking on condition of anonymity, downplayed the political tension, saying, “Lalu ji and Tejashwi ji have left for Delhi because tomorrow is the date of hearing in the land-for-jobs scam. Of course, while in the national capital, meetings with senior leaders cannot be ruled out.” He added, “Our mind is made up. We will keep for ourselves not less than half of the 243 seats. Compared with 2020, when we contested more than 140 seats, that is still somewhat of a sacrifice to accommodate new allies. It is not just for the Congress, but for all smaller parties to realise that there is a need to keep vaulting ambitions in check. Only then can a credible challenge be posed to the ruling NDA.” Congress leader Pawan Khera, however, dismissed reports of friction within the Mahagathbandhan over seat-sharing arrangements for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, asserting that the BJP’s hopes of a rift are being “dashed.” His remarks came in response to the BJP’s claims that internal disagreements were delaying the INDIA bloc’s seat-sharing announcement in Bihar. Speaking to reporters in Ranchi, Khera said, “There is no complication or snag. Discussions will happen first, and only then will the seat announcement be made. So, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s hope that there is some complication is getting dashed. Everyone has the right to express their views, and all parties do so. There is no complication on our side.” Meanwhile, the NDA has almost completed its seat-sharing exercise. Janata Dal (United) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan said on Sunday there was “a huge turmoil within the Mahagathbandhan over the Chief Minister’s post,” adding confidently that “the alliance knows that the NDA will form a government in Bihar.” He dismissed Tejashwi Yadav’s claim that the JD(U) might merge with the BJP after the elections, saying, “Now he has started making prophecies. He will have plenty of time after the elections. We believe that after the elections, there are very good politicians who need to make alternative arrangements, so they have found a solution.” Ranjan asserted that the JD(U) under Nitish Kumar remains strong and united. “The JD(U) is known for its values. Just as Nitish Kumar ran the coalition government in Bihar effectively for 20 years, the party grew and flourished. Today, the party’s base has become the largest in the state. Our workers are the most dedicated, and the people’s support remains firmly with Nitish Kumar,” he said, calling Tejashwi’s remarks a “reflection of mental bankruptcy.” Within the NDA, the JD(U) is likely to contest 103 of the 243 seats, while the BJP is expected to field candidates in 102. Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has demanded more than the 20-22 seats earlier offered, while allies like Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM and Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha are negotiating respectable numbers, reported news agency PTI. “Everything is fine in the NDA… seat-sharing arrangements and list of candidates will be decided by the party’s central leadership in a day or two,” a BJP leader said. On the opposition front, Congress leader Akhilesh Prasad Singh admitted that “the seat allocation is almost done, but at the last moment, some difficulties arise in all parties, these are there in the NDA as well and here too. Everything will be announced in 1-2 days.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Op Bluestar a ‘mistake’: Chidambaram; BJP says he’s right
Jalandhar: Former Union finance and home minister P Chidambaram has become the first central leader of his stature within the Congress to brand Operation Bluestar a “mistake” and a “wrong way” to retrieve the Golden Temple in 1984. The statement, delivered at a literary festival in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, on Saturday, comes after decades of ambiguous silence from the central Congress leadership regarding the controversial military action at Darbar Sahib, which led to the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the subsequent anti-Sikh riots in Nov 1984. Speaking during a discussion, Chidambaram said, “No disrespect to any military officers here, but that (Bluestar) was the wrong way to retrieve the Golden Temple…There was a way to retrieve and capture all the militants, but the Bluestar was the wrong way.” “I agree that Mrs. Gandhi paid with her life for that mistake. But that mistake was a cumulative decision of the army, the police, the intelligence, and the civil service. You cannot blame it only on Mrs Gandhi,” he said. Chidambaram’s comments provided the rival BJP with fresh ammunition to attack the party over the 1984 events. In a post on X on Sunday, BJP national spokesperson R P Singh wrote, “As a nationalist, I strongly believe that Operation Blue Star was completely avoidable, as rightly mentioned by former home minister P Chidambaram.” “A more strategic approach like Operation Black Thunder, where electricity and water supply to the Golden Temple were cut off and militants were compelled to surrender, could have achieved the objective without desecrating the sanctity of Sri Harmandir Sahib and the Akal Takht, and without the tragic loss of innocent devotees’ lives,” he added. A couple of Punjab Congress leaders had earlier criticised the operation. Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi was one of them. Last year, the Congress MP had termed the Army action an “attack” and “wrong,” claiming the Congress had apologised for it. He made the statement on Sept 13 last year during a joint press conference at the Congress headquarters with Punjab’s Congress legislature party leader Partap Singh Bajwa to support Rahul Gandhi’s comment on Sikhs in the US, which had led to a huge controversy. However, the Congress neither endorsed nor contradicted Channi’s claims, and the party has never officially apologised for the June 1984 Army action. The only other high-profile party figure to maintain a consistent critical position has been former Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh, who resigned from both the Congress and his Lok Sabha seat in protest against the action, a stance he held even after his return to the party fold. Until Chidambaram’s remarks, however, no other central leader had publicly dared to adopt such a position. ‘Attack on Akal Takht’: Modi said in 2023 Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a departure from the past and from the Govt of India’s position on Operation Bluestar, referred to it as “an attack on Akal Takht” during his reply to the no-confidence motion in Parliament in Aug 2023. “Akal Takht was attacked, and it is still in our memory. They became habituated from Mizoram, and due to this, they went on to attack Akal Takht. This happens in our own country, and here they are sermonising us,” the PM had said. He was addressing the Congress and the actions by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s govt, including the use of air raids by the Indian Air Force on “helpless citizens in Mizoram” in 1966. MSID:: 124502138 413 | Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Women have equal rights in our country’: Rahul Gandhi slams PM Modi over Taliban presser; oppn flags empty Nari Shakti slogans
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi on Saturday led a wave of opposition outrage after women journalists were barred from a Taliban press conference in New Delhi. Taking direct aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress MP addressed PM Modi and said, “you are telling every woman in India that you are too weak to stand up for them.” The remark came as several opposition leaders condemned the government for allowing such an event, calling it a shameful affront to women’s rights and democratic values. Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, voiced his disappointment over the incident and criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, writing on X, “Mr. Modi, when you allow the exclusion of women journalists from a public forum, you are telling every woman in India that you are too weak to stand up for them.” He added, “In our country, women have the right to equal participation in every space. Your silence in the face of such discrimination exposes the emptiness of your slogans on Nari Shakti.” — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) BJP hits back at Rahul BJP responded sharply to Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the Taliban press conference, denying the allegations and linking him to Pakistan, while calling Congress the “best friend of Pakistan.” BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said, “Yet again Rahul Gandhi is batting for Pakistan by spreading fake news!” He also fact-checked Rahul on X, noting, “Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 Article 22 declares embassy land as ‘inviolable’ and belonging to the embassy.” — pradip103 (@pradip103) Oppn slams Centre It was not just Rahul Gandhi, but several other opposition leaders also targeted PM and Centre. Lok Sabha member Priyanka Gandhi also addressed the issue, asking the prime minister to clarify the government’s position. She wrote on X, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, please clarify your position on the removal of female journalists from the press conference of the representative of the Taliban on his visit to India.” — priyankagandhi (@priyankagandhi) Priyanka added, “If your recognition of women’s rights isn’t just convenient posturing from one election to the other, then how has this insult to some of India’s most competent women been allowed in our country, a country whose women are its backbone and its pride.” Former home minister P Chidambaram expressed shock over the exclusion, writing, “I am shocked that women journalists were excluded from the press conference addressed by Mr Amir Khan Muttaqi of Afghanistan. In my personal view, the men journalists should have walked out when they found that their women colleagues were excluded (or not invited).” — PChidambaram_IN (@PChidambaram_IN) TMC MP Mahua Moitra also targeted the Modi-led government, saying, “The government has dishonoured every single Indian woman by allowing Taliban minister to exclude women journalists from presser. Shameful bunch of spineless hypocrites.” — MahuaMoitra (@MahuaMoitra) She added in another post on X, “How dare our government allow Taliban foreign minister Amir Muttaqi to exclude women journalists & hold a ‘male-only’ news conference on Indian soil with full protocol? How dare EAM Jaishankar agree to this? & why did our emasculated spineless male journos remain in room?” — MahuaMoitra (@MahuaMoitra) Taliban presser in New Delhi The press conference was held at the Afghanistan embassy hours after Taliban FM talks with external affairs minister S Jaishankar, where women journalists were barred from entry. The forum was only opened to a few male journalists, reflecting the Taliban’s ongoing record of gender discrimination. Sources say the decision on journalist invitations was made by Taliban officials accompanying Muttaqi. The Taliban government in Kabul has faced sustained global condemnation, including from the United Nations, for its restrictions on women’s rights, education, and participation in public life. Amid backlash, the ministry of external affairs clarified to ANI that India had “no involvement” in the press interaction held by Muttaqi. When asked about the condition of women in Afghanistan, Muttaqi sidestepped the question, saying, “Every country has its own customs, laws and principles, and there should be respect for them.” He claimed Afghanistan’s situation had improved since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, contrasting current conditions with previous years. “Some 200 to 400 people died in Afghanistan every day before Taliban started ruling the country,” he said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar polls: Tejashwi new Rahul? Prashant Kishor says RJD leader could meet Amethi fate on Raghopur seat
NEW DELHI: Jan Suraj founder Prashant Kishor on Saturday took a dig at RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, saying Tejashwi would have to contest from two seats if Kishor decided to fight from Raghopur. He also predicted that Tejashwi would lose Raghopur, drawing a comparison with Rahul Gandhi’s loss in Amethi. “If I contest from Raghopur, Tejashwi Yadav will face the same situation Rahul Gandhi faced in Amethi,” Kishor told journalists. “Tejashwi Yadav, who was voted by the people of Raghopur – they made his parents the CM, and him the deputy CM. Now, the people there are in trouble, but Tejashwi doesn’t care about it. He must be scared because of this,” he added. — PTI_News (@PTI_News) Kishor’s remarks come amid recent reports that Tejashwi may contest from two seats and the talk of Kishor himself contesting from Raghopur. Raghopur has long been an RJD stronghold. Tejashwi Yadav won the seat in 2015 and 2020. The seat was earlier represented by his father Lalu Prasad Yadav and mother Rabri Devi. Kishor was speaking in Patna before launching his party’s campaign in Raghopur. “I am going to Raghopur to get feedback from the people, who want an end to the supremacy of one family. Despite being represented by Tejashwi, a second-term MLA, and earlier by Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi, the constituency still lacks basic amenities,” he alleged. Kishor, who had earlier said he would not contest elections, recently hinted that he may do so if CM Nitish Kumar, whom he alleges has deteriorated mentally, contests this year’s elections. “If he contests, I will definitely contest against him, even confronting party leaders,” he had said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Tejashwi will meet Rahul’s Amethi fate: PK at Raghopur
Patna: Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Saturday kicked off his party’s poll campaign from Raghopur assembly constituency in Bihar but the poll strategist appeared “vague” on whether he will contest elections from this high-profile seat which has given two chief ministers–Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi. Currently, Raghopur is represented by RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, scion of the Yadav family and widely perceived to be the opposition’s CM face. Tejashwi has been representing this seat since 2015 but Raghopur further attracted attention with reports that Kishor, more popular as PK, could join the poll fray from there this time. “Agar ladenge toh Tejashwi ke khilaf hi ladenge. Dusre jagah se ladane ka kya matlab hai (If I contest elections, it will be against Tejashwi only. What is the point in contesting from a place other than Raghopur)?” he asked, talking to reporters last month. On Saturday, however, he ducked all questions on joining the poll fray against Tejashwi. He said he is rushing to Raghopur to interact with the people on ground and hear their opinion about who could be a suitable candidate against Tejashwi. “Jan Suraaj Party’s central election committee (CEC) meeting is scheduled for Sunday, and the feedback I receive from Raghopur will also be up for discussion. Based on that, the most suitable candidate will be decided. The decision will be taken by the party. I do not decide,” Kishor told reporters before kickstarting his campaign. On reaching Raghopur, he sounded a little bit “forthright” but again kept his card close to his chest. On being asked if PK’s name could also be discussed as a candidate at the CEC meeting, he said, “Bilkul charcha hogi…Charcha hai tabhi aaye hain (There will definitely be a discussion at the CEC meeting… I have come because there is a discussion), he said. Taking potshots at Tejashwi for mulling the options of contesting from two assembly seats this time, Kishor said the former is working on this idea because he is scared of JSP. “Tejashvi is running away from Raghopur just after the speculation that PK or Jan Suraaj will contest from the seat,” Kishor ridiculed, adding the RJD leader would also meet the same fate as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. “Tejashwi’s fate in Raghopur will be the same as that of Rahul Gandhi in 2019 Lok Sabha polls when the Congress leader fought two seats, but ended up losing his stronghold of Amethi,” PK said. “The game has just begun…Aage-aage dekhiye hota hai kya (Let’s see what happens next),” Jan Suraaj founder hinted. PK’s derisive comments come amid reports that Tejashwi may contest from two assembly seats in Bihar this time. So far, he has contested the elections from one seat only—Raghopur (Vaishali), considered his family turf, but now there are reports that he could also contest from Phulparas seat in Madhubani district in the light of a suggestion provided by party leadership. Sources said Tejashwi’s candidature from Phulparas could send a strong message to the EBC community and bolster the RJD’s prospects in the region and also establish his presence in the Mithilanchal region where the NDA has traditionally held its dominance. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Why did Mayawati target Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi? Understand the meaning of the BSP supremo’s message from the Lucknow stage.
Mayawati Attacks Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi: On the occasion of Kanshi Ram’s Mahaparinirvan Diwas, the BSP chief held a major rally in Lucknow. In this, she directly attacked Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi. Lucknow: After nine years, Mayawati held a major rally in Lucknow on Kanshi Ram’s death anniversary. The BSP supremo had held a major rally in Lucknow on October 9, 2016. Mayawati had demonstrated her strength before the 2017 UP Assembly elections. Now, ahead of the 2027 election season, Mayawati appears to be trying to increase her strength once again. Indeed, the Modi wave did not give opposition parties a chance to stand up in the 2017 UP elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party won a landslide victory in this election. Since then, the BSP has not achieved any significant success in the two Lok Sabha and one Assembly elections held in the state. Therefore, this rally by Mayawati was considered significant ahead of the 2027 UP elections. The large crowds cheered Mayawati. She then directly targeted the Samajwadi Party and the Congress. India Block, raising the issue of changing the Constitution in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, cornered the Bharatiya Janata Party. They succeeded in wooing the Dalit vote bank. Mayawati has now launched a scathing attack on this issue. Akhilesh, Rahul in the crosshairs Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi were among Mayawati’s targets. Mayawati sarcastically said that a drama is being enacted with the Constitution in one hand. These are the same people who have consistently ignored it. Mayawati also targeted Akhilesh Yadav’s “Political Democracy and Dalit Minority” (PDA) politics. She clearly stated that a large section of the society is being deceived through the PDA. It is a weapon to gain power. Addressing the Dalit vote bank, Mayawati, following the path shown by Kanshi Ram, called for a share in power, not participation in power, for the Bahujan Samaj. She called for unity to pave the way for the BSP’s victory in the Bihar and Uttar Pradesh elections. Mayawati made a major political announcement on Thursday at a massive rally held in the capital, Lucknow, on the death anniversary of party founder Kanshi Ram. She announced the appointment of her nephew, Akash Anand, as the party’s national vice president. This decision is being seen as a major step towards bringing forward a new generation of leadership within the BSP. Given the unprecedented turnout at the rally and the formal appointment of Akash Anand, it is clear that Mayawati is now gradually preparing to hand over the reins of the BSP to a new generation. The ground resounded with a crowd of millions. The rally, held at the Kanshi Ram Memorial in Lucknow, drew a large crowd of BSP supporters from Uttar Pradesh, as well as Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. A large number of women, elderly people, and children also participated. The ground echoed with slogans of “Jai Bhim, Mayawati Zindabad, Akash Anand Zindabad.” For the first time, Mayawati appeared on such a large stage with her nephew, Akash Anand. Mayawati and Akash Anand waved to their supporters from the stage. Mayawati said that Akash Anand will now be given greater responsibilities within the party to further strengthen the BSP’s organization. Indicating Election Preparation Political analysts view this rally as a preparation for the 2027 assembly elections. The BSP has been steadily weakening since losing power in 2012. In the 2017 UP elections, the party won only 19 seats. In the 2022 assembly elections, the BSP won only one seat. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BSP failed to even open its account. This was the second time since the party entered the electoral fray, after the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, that the BSP was not represented in Parliament. Consequently, this rally is being seen as an attempt at political revival for the party. Mayawati’s Sharp Attack In her address, Mayawati sharply targeted the Samajwadi Party. She said that when she was in power, Kasganj district was named ‘Kanshi Ram Nagar’, but the name was changed as soon as the SP government came to power. She said that the Samajwadi Party has always insulted Bahujan leader Kanshi Ram and the Dalit community. Now, Dalits and backward classes must become aware. Mayawati also launched an indirect attack on the Congress party, saying that the Constitution was trampled upon during the Emergency. Babasaheb Ambedkar was not allowed to enter Parliament, and even the Bharat Ratna was delayed in his award. Praising the Yogi Government Interestingly, Mayawati also praised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in her speech. She said that she is grateful to the current BJP government for not suppressing the funds collected from visitors to the memorial, unlike the Samajwadi Party government. The BJP government has adopted appropriate policies for the maintenance of the Kanshi Ram Memorial and other parks. Mayawati said that the repair work on this memorial, built during the BSP regime, is now almost complete. She said that all of you have broken all records, and lakhs of people have come here to pay their respects. This shows that Kanshi Ram’s mission is still alive. Curated by: Rahul Parashar About the Author Rahul Parashar is a senior journalist at Navbharat Times Online. He has 20 years of experience covering politics, current affairs, development, bureaucracy, education, health, and ground reporting. Courtesy: Hindi News