Bihar election news Archives - Odisha Connect

History Repeats? Record Polling Boosts Tejashwi’s CM Dreams

OdishaConnect — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 11:24:35 +0000

Bihar Records Highest-Ever Voter Turnout

In a historic first round of assembly elections, Bihar witnessed an unprecedented 64.66 percent voter turnout across 121 constituencies in 18 districts — the highest ever in the state’s electoral history.
This surpasses the previous record of 62.57 percent in 2000, sparking widespread speculation about a potential comeback for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-Congress alliance, reminiscent of past high-turnout victories.

Political Stakes and Key Contenders

The high participation has set off a political storm, with 1,314 candidates in the fray, including major figures like Tejashwi Yadav, the Mahagathbandhan’s chief ministerial aspirant, and the NDA’s Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, along with several ministers.
As the next round of polling for 122 seats approaches, political parties are intensifying campaigns across Bihar.

Election Commission’s Enthusiasm Amid Controversy

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has expressed satisfaction over the enthusiastic voter turnout, though the process hasn’t been free from controversy.
Debates continue around the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, which opposition parties have condemned as flawed and biased. Despite these challenges, the high turnout signals a renewed public engagement in the democratic process.

History Suggests High Turnout Favors RJD

Historically, Bihar’s voter turnout exceeding 60 percent has often favored Lalu Prasad Yadav’s political lineage.

1990: With 62.04% turnout, Janata Dal under Lalu Yadav won 122 seats, riding on the Mandal wave.
1995: Another 61.79% turnout gave the Janata Dal 167 seats, consolidating Lalu’s power.
2000: RJD, led by Rabri Devi, benefited again with a 62.57% turnout, securing power even after the state’s bifurcation.

In contrast, lower turnouts in later years marked the rise of Nitish Kumar and the NDA’s dominance, with figures between 46% and 57% from 2005 to 2020.

The Return of RJD’s Golden Days?

This massive voter engagement has rejuvenated hopes in the RJD camp, with Tejashwi Yadav reportedly confident of turning the tide.
Many political observers see this as a potential return to the party’s “golden days,” which could challenge Nitish Kumar’s two-decade hold on Bihar’s politics.

However, as the state awaits counting on November 14, the final outcome remains uncertain. The mood on the ground, though, is clear — Bihar’s electorate wants change, accountability, and a government that addresses migration, employment, and governance issues.

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NDA Cracks in Bihar: CM Nitish Kumar’s Discontent Over Seats Puts Alliance Under Strain

OdishaConnect — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 11:32:57 +0000

Just four days before the first phase of the Bihar assembly elections, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is grappling with a new internal crisis over seat distribution. Reports indicate that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, leader of the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], is dissatisfied with the proposed allocation, sparking heated discussions among alliance partners.

Key Contested Seats

The deadlock revolves around four constituencies: Tarapur, Sonbarsa, Rajgir, and Morwa. Tarapur has emerged as the main point of contention. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had planned to field Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, one of its prominent state leaders, in this seat. However, Nitish Kumar has raised objections, prompting the BJP to consider alternative constituencies like Kumhrar or Patna Sahib for Choudhary.

The remaining three seats—Rajgir, Morwa, and Sonbarsa—are slated for Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas). Nitish Kumar is particularly displeased with Sonbarsa, where he is backing Ratnesh Sada, a JD(U) minister, aiming to wrest the seat from LJP control.

Countdown to the Nomination Deadline

With the October 17 nomination deadline fast approaching, the NDA is still deliberating on the final allocations. This indecision contrasts sharply with the impending two-phase polls on November 6 and 11.

Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan (RJD-Congress alliance) is also facing seat-sharing disputes, though leaders maintain that all is under control.

Unstable Dynamics in Bihar Politics

Political analysts suggest that the impasse may be resolved by tomorrow, but the ongoing tussle highlights the fragile balance of power within the NDA. All eyes are now on Patna, as Bihar’s high-stakes electoral battle edges closer to a resolution.

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Lalu Family Faces Corruption Blow in IRCTC Scam: Charges Framed Amid Bihar Poll Heat

OdishaConnect — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:11:52 +0000

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family have been hit with a major legal blow as a Delhi court has formally filed charges against him, his wife Rabri Devi, his son Tejashwi Yadav, and 11 others in the IRCTC hotel tender scam case. The decision, delivered by Special CBI Judge Vishal Gogne at Rouse Avenue Court, comes at a politically sensitive time, just months before the Bihar assembly elections. The ruling BJP-JD(U) alliance has welcomed the verdict, viewing it as an opportunity to highlight alleged corruption in opposition parties.

Court Proceedings and Charges

All 14 accused attended the hearing, where the court rejected their pleas citing insufficient evidence. Lalu faces serious charges, including IPC 420 (cheating), Section 120B IPC (criminal conspiracy), and provisions under the Prevention of Corruption Act (Sections 13(1)(d) and 13(2)) for misuse of office in manipulating hotel tenders. Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav are charged under IPC 420 and 120B for forgery and conspiracy, though they are not yet implicated under anti-corruption provisions.

Lalu Denies Allegations

After the charges were read, Lalu termed them “absolute lies,” pledging to contest the case. He, along with Rabri and Tejashwi, denied all allegations. However, the court referred to the CBI’s evidence linking Lalu’s direct involvement in granting hotel contracts to friends and associates. Allegations also suggest that local Bihar residents, in exchange for donating prime land to Lalu’s companies, benefited from Group D railway jobs, generating “unfair” profits.

Other Accused and Crime Details

Ex-IRCTC officials VK Asthana and RK Goyal, along with Sujata Hotels directors Vijay and Vinay Kochar, are among the accused. According to the CBI, the scam, uncovered in 2017, involved fraudulent transactions in Mumbai, Ranchi, and Jaipur, resulting in the diversion of public funds.

Political Implications for Bihar Elections

The RJD, once a stronghold of the Yadav family, now faces severe political scrutiny. With Bihar elections approaching, BJP and JD(U) are expected to aggressively target the RJD, framing the Yadavs as symbols of corruption. The trial marks a critical juncture for the family’s political legacy — whether it leads to collapse or revival remains to be seen.

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PM Modi Pumps Rs 10K into Bihar Women’s Accounts, Slams RJD’s ‘Lantern Raj’ Chaos

OdishaConnect — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 09:47:57 +0000

In a significant pre-election announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday declared that ₹10,000 each will be transferred to the bank accounts of 75 lakh women under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana. The virtual launch coincided with the holy days of Navratri. Modi described the scheme as a “game changer” and a “source of infinite joy” for the sisters and daughters of Bihar.

PM Modi Highlights Women’s Power During Navratri

Expressing his gratitude during the festive occasion, Modi said:

“In the middle of Navratri’s sacred days, I am privileged to experience the delight of Bihar’s women power.”

He further stressed that the blessings received during Navratri give him strength. Modi praised the scheme led by CM Nitish Kumar, saying it opened employment and self-employment opportunities for women while uplifting their dignity in society.

Criticism of RJD and the “Lantern Era”

Taking a dig at the opposition RJD, Modi recalled the so-called “lantern era” marked by corruption and lawlessness.

“In those days, no house was safe, and women were the ones who suffered the most from the RJD leaders’ anarchy and atrocities,” he remarked.

In contrast, he applauded the Nitish-led government for improving women’s safety, enabling daughters to move freely without fear.

Citing Past Women-Centric Initiatives

PM Modi highlighted several existing welfare schemes for women, including:

Ujjwala Yojana – which provided clean cooking gas to millions of households.
Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar campaign – under which more than 4.25 lakh health camps were organized across villages and towns for screening anaemia, blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer.

Narendra–Nitish Duo Pitch for Women’s Support

Reaffirming his political partnership with CM Nitish Kumar, Modi told the people of Bihar:

“Both of us are like your siblings, Narendra and Nitish. We have promised to carry Bihar to greater heights.”

He appealed to the women of Bihar not to withdraw their support, stressing that their backing has played a crucial role in the state’s development after years of instability.

Women’s Welfare Becomes a Political Battleground

The announcement comes at a time when Bihar’s political landscape is heating up ahead of the upcoming elections. With women emerging as a decisive force, their welfare has now become the new frontier of political competition.

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Supreme Court Orders ECI to Publish Names of 65 Lakh Removed Bihar Voters

OdishaConnect — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 13:01:14 +0000

Court Questions Transparency in Special Intensive Revision
The Supreme Court has issued a strong directive to the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the exclusion of 65 lakh voters from Bihar’s electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). In a hearing led by Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, the court ordered the ECI to publish, within 48 hours, the names of all removed voters along with reasons for their removal on its official website.

Concern Over Wrongful Deletions
Justice Kant questioned why this information was not already public, stressing that citizens must know if their names were removed due to death or other reasons. The bench expressed alarm that living voters had been wrongly marked as deceased in draft rolls released in August. The court insisted the ECI clarify its verification procedures and ensure affected families are informed.

ECI Commits to Publishing Data
Representing the ECI, senior counsel Rakesh Dwivedi assured the court that the list would be uploaded constituency-wise on the ECI website and at district election offices. He emphasised that no voter could be removed without prior notice or an opportunity to respond, and that the process aimed to maintain accuracy and transparency. According to the ECI, out of 7.89 crore registered voters in Bihar, 7.24 crore had completed verification, with 22 lakh marked deceased and others removed due to duplication or migration.

Push for Online Access and Past Records
Justice Bagchi called for easy public access to the data, suggesting that voters should be able to verify their status online using EPIC numbers or Aadhaar, without depending solely on local officials. The bench also sought details on the documents used during the 2003 voter list revision and questioned why current procedures differed.

Debate Over Cutoff Dates and Scale of Removals
Petitioners’ counsel Nizam Pasha argued that using January 1, 2003, as a cutoff could unfairly exclude millions of voters. Justice Kant acknowledged the ECI’s authority under Article 324 and the Representation of the People Act, 1950, but expressed concern over the timing and scale of the deletions, calling 65 lakh removals “a massive number” given Bihar’s rural and poor demographics.

Political Reaction and Election Timeline
Opposition parties have accused the SIR of being a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise voters ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, expected in October or November. The final voter list is scheduled for release on September 30. While the ECI maintains that the revision is a lawful effort to cleanse the rolls—citing urban migration, unreported deaths, and ineligible entries—the court’s order aims to ensure that no eligible voter is wrongly excluded before the polls.

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