Wednesday, July 1

Politics

From ‘Murderer Shankar’ to ‘Saint Shankar Giri’: 15-Year Sentence Transforms Life
Madhya Pradesh, Politics, State

From ‘Murderer Shankar’ to ‘Saint Shankar Giri’: 15-Year Sentence Transforms Life

Indore: The walls of a prison do more than confine—they can transform lives. Nowhere was this more evident than at Indore Central Jail on Republic Day, when nine convicts completed their sentences and stepped out into the world, each carrying a new beginning. Among them, one story stood out: that of Shankar, who arrived behind bars on a murder charge in 2012 and emerged 15 years later as “Saint Shankar Giri,” a man devoted to spirituality and meditation. Republic Day Release of Nine Convicts On Monday, Indore Central Jail released nine prisoners who had served life sentences for serious crimes, including murder arising from disputes or personal conflicts. While some had taken the lives of acquaintances, others had committed fatal acts over trivial matters. Over years behind bars, the...
Following Amit Shah’s Strategy, Bihari Leader Nitin Nabin Launches Mission Bengal from Durgapur-Asansol, Skipping Kolkata
Politics, State, West Bengal

Following Amit Shah’s Strategy, Bihari Leader Nitin Nabin Launches Mission Bengal from Durgapur-Asansol, Skipping Kolkata

Following the plan laid out by BJP strategist Amit Shah, the party’s national president, Nitin Nabin, has launched the “Mission Bengal” campaign from Durgapur and Asansol. Notably, Nabin has chosen to stay away from Kolkata during his first visit. After this initial phase, Amit Shah himself will take charge of organizational activities in West Bengal. Nitin Nabin has been deployed primarily to engage Bihari voters. Mission Bengal Begins from Durgapur-Asansol After assuming the role of BJP national president, Nitin Nabin has started working on the party’s Mission Bengal strategy under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and political mentor Amit Shah. Nabin’s two-day West Bengal visit begins today, with Durgapur and Asansol chosen over Kolkata as these areas have a significan...
Nitish Kumar Launches Second Phase of ‘Samriddhi Yatra’ from Madhubani, Signals Political Strength in Mithilanchal
Bihar, Politics, State

Nitish Kumar Launches Second Phase of ‘Samriddhi Yatra’ from Madhubani, Signals Political Strength in Mithilanchal

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has inaugurated the second phase of his ‘Samriddhi Yatra’ from Madhubani, underlining his political strategy and consolidating the Janata Dal (United)’s stronghold in Mithilanchal. The district, which saw the NDA winning 9 out of 10 assembly seats in the 2025 elections, demonstrates the party’s robust political performance, with JD(U) matching BJP in strike rate across key constituencies. Political Performance in Madhubani In the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, the NDA secured a near-sweep in Madhubani, winning 9 of 10 seats. JD(U) won four seats, BJP also won four, while RLM and RJD claimed one seat each. Notable wins for JD(U) included Phulparash, Harlakhi, and Babubarhi, while BJP secured Laukaha, Khajauli, and Rajnagar. RLM won Madhubani Assembly,...
Is Meeting Rahul Gandhi Really Difficult—or Just a Rumour? Congress Faces Questions Over Muslim Leadership
Bihar, Politics, State

Is Meeting Rahul Gandhi Really Difficult—or Just a Rumour? Congress Faces Questions Over Muslim Leadership

The Congress party has once again found itself grappling with internal discord after a series of statements by senior leaders raised questions about access to Rahul Gandhi and alleged neglect of Muslim leaders within the party. The debate has intensified following sharp remarks by former Union Minister Shakeel Ahmad and senior leader Rashid Alvi, prompting a measured response from Congress MP Tariq Anwar. Tariq Anwar Urges Dialogue, Defends Party Leadership Responding to the controversy in New Delhi, Tariq Anwar, Congress MP from Bihar’s Katihar constituency, advised party leaders to engage directly with the top leadership if they feel marginalised. “These are personal perceptions,” Anwar said. “If any senior leader believes that certain sections or leaders are being ignored, they...
How Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Learned Maithili and Once Spoke Fluently for Eight Minutes
Bihar, Politics, State

How Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Learned Maithili and Once Spoke Fluently for Eight Minutes

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s deep emotional bond with Mithila and the Maithili language is neither recent nor political convenience. Though he hails from Nalanda in the Magadh region, his association with Mithila dates back to his student days—long before he entered active politics. This lesser-known connection came into the spotlight in December 2017, when Nitish Kumar surprised a large gathering by delivering a fluent eight-minute speech in Maithili at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the All India Mithila Association held at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi. Of his nearly eleven-minute address, most was delivered seamlessly in Maithili, leaving the audience of Maithili speakers visibly delighted. The moment went viral and sparked curiosity across Bihar: How did a leader from ...
Former Union Minister Shakeel Ahmed Claims Threat to His Safety After Criticising Rahul Gandhi
Bihar, Politics, State

Former Union Minister Shakeel Ahmed Claims Threat to His Safety After Criticising Rahul Gandhi

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...
Nitish Kumar Begins Second Phase of ‘Samriddhi Yatra’ in Mithila, Announces Projects Worth ₹391 Crore
Bihar, Politics, State

Nitish Kumar Begins Second Phase of ‘Samriddhi Yatra’ in Mithila, Announces Projects Worth ₹391 Crore

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...
Congress Suffers Major Blow: Naseemuddin Siddiqui Resigns, Political Circles Abuzz
Politics, State, Uttar Pradesh

Congress Suffers Major Blow: Naseemuddin Siddiqui Resigns, Political Circles Abuzz

Lucknow: Former minister and senior Congress leader Naseemuddin Siddiqui has resigned from the party, sending ripples through political circles in Uttar Pradesh. On Saturday, he announced his resignation from all party positions as well as from primary membership. In his resignation letter, Siddiqui did not cite any specific political or organizational reasons, instead attributing his decision to “unavoidable circumstances.” Sources indicate that he had long been dissatisfied with the party’s functioning, feeling that his suggestions were not given due importance and that he was not assigned a proper role within the organization. Impact on State Politics Siddiqui, who has played an active and influential role in Uttar Pradesh politics for many years, has previously served as a min...
RJD MLA’s Statement Gives BJP an Opportunity, Sparks Questions Over Ticket Distribution
Bihar, Politics, State

RJD MLA’s Statement Gives BJP an Opportunity, Sparks Questions Over Ticket Distribution

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...
Tej Pratap Yadav Fails to Fit into Caste Equations: Lalu Prasad’s Son Confronts Political Reality in Bihar
Bihar, Politics, State

Tej Pratap Yadav Fails to Fit into Caste Equations: Lalu Prasad’s Son Confronts Political Reality in Bihar

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...