Politics

Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Shakeel Ahmed has triggered a major political controversy in Bihar after alleging a threat to his life and property following sharp criticism of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Ahmed claimed that the party’s top leadership had allegedly instructed Bihar Congress and Youth Congress workers to target his residences in Patna and Madhubani. The controversy erupted after Ahmed described Rahul Gandhi as an “insecure” and “fearful” leader during a recent podcast, questioning his leadership style and decision-making within the Congress party. Following these remarks, Ahmed took to social media to issue an alert, stating that he had received confidential information about a possible attack on his homes under the pretext of a protest. In a post on...

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday launched the second phase of his ambitious ‘Samriddhi Yatra’, beginning from Madhubani district in the Mithila region. During the three-day tour from January 27 to 29, the Chief Minister will review the progress of government schemes and announce major development projects across several districts. On the first day of the tour in Madhubani, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for 101 new projects worth ₹298 crore and inaugurated 294 completed projects costing ₹93 crore, taking the total value of development initiatives announced in the district to ₹391 crore. The visit aims to assess the on-ground implementation of flagship programmes under ‘Saat Nishchay–2’ and ‘Saat Nishchay–3’, while also ensuring accountability by reviewing th...

Patna: The ticket denial of Vijay Mandal from the Dinara constituency in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections has deepened internal disputes within the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). MLA Bhai Virendra’s public questions regarding the decision have given the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) an opportunity to attack RJD, alleging that tickets were distributed in exchange for money rather than based on merit. BJP spokesperson Neeraj Kumar stated on Saturday that the fact that an experienced leader like Bhai Virendra is questioning his own party’s decisions highlights internal conflict within RJD. It also exposes the methods RJD, under Tejashwi Yadav, employed during ticket distribution. “Tickets in RJD were given based on money, not the capability of workers or leaders. Bhai Virendra himself is admi...

Patna: In Bihar’s politics, electoral success is rarely determined by performance alone. Social and caste equations continue to play a decisive role, often outweighing development work and administrative achievements. Former health minister and RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav’s political journey is a striking example of this reality. Lalu Prasad Yadav’s elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, faced a major setback when he was expelled from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for six years. He later floated a separate political platform and contested elections independently. However, the experiment failed to yield any significant political gains. His crushing defeat in the 2025 Mahua Assembly election exposed his growing political isolation and inability to consolidate a winning social coalition. Why Did...

Vaishali: During Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Samriddhi Yatra in Vaishali, District Magistrate Varsha Singh drew attention as she warmly welcomed the Chief Minister with a bouquet of red roses. A 2016-batch IAS officer of the Bihar cadre, Varsha Singh is widely known for her efficient administration, zero tolerance towards corruption and strong commitment to social welfare. Originally hailing from Khagaria district of Bihar, Varsha Singh’s family is now settled in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Coming from a middle-class background, she cracked the prestigious UPSC examination while simultaneously teaching children, a journey that reflects her determination and dedication. Currently serving as the District Magistrate of Vaishali, Varsha Singh has earned a reputation not only as a capabl...

Patna, Bihar: The investigation into the Patna Girls Hostel case is still ongoing, with the SIT report yet to be submitted. Amidst the developments, Rohini Acharya, daughter of RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav, has launched a sharp attack on the Bihar government, directly targeting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Rohini Acharya, who contested the last Lok Sabha elections from Saran on an RJD ticket, expressed outrage over the death of a girl preparing for NEET in Patna, questioning the state government’s claims about women’s safety. Rohini Acharya Criticizes Government ApathyOn Saturday, Rohini posted on the social networking platform X (formerly Twitter), addressing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. She wrote: "Chief Minister, it is a matter of shame that despite all your claims of rule o...

New Delhi: Following a recent Bihar Congress meeting in Delhi, MLA Abhishek Ranjan has firmly dismissed rumors suggesting that six Congress MLAs in Bihar are planning to leave the party for JDU or the NDA. The meeting, led by Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram, focused on strategies to strengthen the party in Bihar. Ranjan clarified that the gathering was a routine discussion involving not only MLAs but also MPs, MLCs, and senior party leaders. “The focus of the meeting was on organizational matters and key state issues. Every leader shared their views, and all suggestions were considered carefully,” he said. When asked about the circulating reports of potential defections, Ranjan dismissed them as baseless. “These claims are unnecessary and unf...

Buxar: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Sudhakar Singh has launched a sharp attack on the Bihar government over the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state, alleging that Bihar is currently witnessing a phase of “rakshas raj” (rule of demons). Targeting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the RJD leader accused the government of shielding criminals and failing to ensure safety, especially for women and children. Referring to the infamous Muzaffarpur shelter home case, Sudhakar Singh alleged that the manner in which the case was allegedly covered up has emboldened criminals involved in sexual crimes against minors. “When those accused of heinous crimes are protected, it only strengthens the confidence of mafias and offenders,” he said. Allegations of Proximity to Criminals Taking ...