Indian minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Giriraj Singh was attacked on Saturday (Aug 31) by a man during a Janta Darbar in Balia town of Begusarai district in the state of Bihar.

Indian minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Giriraj Singh was attacked on Saturday (Aug 31) by a man during a Janta Darbar in Balia town of Begusarai district in the state of Bihar. A man named Mohammad Saifi attempted to punch the union minister in the face during the Janta Darbar proceedings. According to media reports, the accused first grabbed the microphone and started saying offensive things to which the BJP members present there protested. During the chaos, Saifi attempted to punch Singh. However, the Begusarai MP narrowly escaped and left unhurt. As per reports, Mohd Saifi is a ward councillor from a village in the Balia subdivision and a public representative. The police held the accused in their custody. "I am Giriraj and I will always speak and fight for the interests of the society. I am not going to be scared by these attacks," the BJP leader said in his statement after the attack on X. Also read: PM Modi urges 'faster decisions' on cases related to atrocities against women "Those who pamper and caress them on seeing their beard and cap should see today how land jihad, love jihad and communal tension is being created in the entire country including Begusarai, Bihar," he said along with a video. Earlier, the union minister welcomed the abolition of “Friday namaz break” in the Assam legislative assembly, where it had been in force since the British era. Talking to journalists in Bihar’s Begusarai district, his Lok Sabha constituency, Singh also slammed leaders of the INDIA bloc for raising objections to the move in the northeastern state ruled by the BJP. “I thank the Speaker of the assembly in Assam as well as the government of the state for taking the step. It is essential to have uniformity in law and no preferential treatment should be given to any religious community,” Singh said. He added, “Leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav are champions of the Muslim vote bank. If they had their way, there would be holidays across the country every Friday.” (With inputs from agencies)

India's Union Minister attacked during a public meeting, barely avoids punch

With Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray taking oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have sharpened their attacks on their past ally in the NDA.

With several leaders including cabinet ministers and spokespersons coming out openly against the former ally, it is now likely that the attacks on the Maharashtra alliance will intensify in the coming days. The BJP is seemingly upset with the fact that it lost out on forming a government in the state despite being the largest political party with 105 MLAs in the 288 member state Assembly.

Speaking to ANI, cabinet minister and senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh targeted the Shiv Sena for its alleged attempts at getting a secular certification from the Congress, while at the same time deserting the NDA alliance."There are two people who give a certificate of secularism in this country. One is Congress and second is one who can abuse Hindus. Those who want the certificate should do the same," Singh said while alleging that Shiv Sena was desperate to seek validation from the Congress in its lust for power.

The minister also claimed that he had not compared the party with the Mughals in his tweets. "All I have said is that in lust for power, princely states and kings joined hands with Mughals. Mughal expanded in India through some princely states. Likewise, the Maharashtra government was formed with Congress," he clarified.

Further targeting the Shiv Sena, Singh said, "How can he (Uddhav Thackeray) get upset when asked about secularism. It is running on all TV channels. Definition of secular came here in 1976 but in Sanatan dharma, it has been there for ages. Secularism is in our DNA.''

The party is seemingly peeved at the attempt by the new Maharashtra alliance that had led to the removal of Devendra Fadnavis government, within days of BJP leaders taking oath as Maharashtra CM for a second time.

Another BJP leader and spokesperson of the party, GVL Narasimha Rao also tweeted taking a dig at the alliance of the erstwhile Hindu nationalist party with the Congress."Congratulations to 'Godse Bhakt'&nbsp;Uddhav Thackeray on taking over as CM of Maharashtra. You and your MLAs have pledged loyalty to Sultanete. Complete this surrender by renaming Saamna 'Sonia Nama'. They won't tolerate your nonsensical editorials dished out in your third rate paper," he tweeted soon after the oath taking ceremony," Rao wrote.

&nbsp;

With Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray taking oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have sharpened their attacks on their past ally in the NDA.

With Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray taking oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have sharpened their attacks on their past ally in the NDA. With several leaders including cabinet ministers and spokespersons coming out openly against the former ally, it is now likely that the attacks on the Maharashtra alliance will intensify in the coming days. The BJP is seemingly upset with the fact that it lost out on forming a government in the state despite being the largest political party with 105 MLAs in the 288 member state Assembly. Speaking to ANI, cabinet minister and senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh targeted the Shiv Sena for its alleged attempts at getting a secular certification from the Congress, while at the same time deserting the NDA alliance."There are two people who give a certificate of secularism in this country. One is Congress and second is one who can abuse Hindus. Those who want the certificate should do the same," Singh said while alleging that Shiv Sena was desperate to seek validation from the Congress in its lust for power. The minister also claimed that he had not compared the party with the Mughals in his tweets. "All I have said is that in lust for power, princely states and kings joined hands with Mughals. Mughal expanded in India through some princely states. Likewise, the Maharashtra government was formed with Congress," he clarified. Further targeting the Shiv Sena, Singh said, "How can he (Uddhav Thackeray) get upset when asked about secularism. It is running on all TV channels. Definition of secular came here in 1976 but in Sanatan dharma, it has been there for ages. Secularism is in our DNA.'' The party is seemingly peeved at the attempt by the new Maharashtra alliance that had led to the removal of Devendra Fadnavis government, within days of BJP leaders taking oath as Maharashtra CM for a second time. Another BJP leader and spokesperson of the party, GVL Narasimha Rao also tweeted taking a dig at the alliance of the erstwhile Hindu nationalist party with the Congress."Congratulations to 'Godse Bhakt' Uddhav Thackeray on taking over as CM of Maharashtra. You and your MLAs have pledged loyalty to Sultanete. Complete this surrender by renaming Saamna 'Sonia Nama'. They won't tolerate your nonsensical editorials dished out in your third rate paper," he tweeted soon after the oath taking ceremony," Rao wrote.

BJP leaders slams Uddhav Thackeray over 'secularism', allying with Congress

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Saturday claimed that he will retire from politics once a population control law is initiated.&nbsp;

He referred to the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya and population control as the basic tenets of his political career.&nbsp;

"My task to build Ram Temple in Ayodhya has come to an end. The time has come to retire for people like me. I will retire from politics once a rule to control population growth kicks in," the minister said.

Singh, 67, is infamous for making controversial remarks and had strongly favoured legislation to control the population in the country.

The BJP has a policy of not fielding leaders into elections who are older than 75 years. By that logic, he has eight years before his position in the party is invalidated.&nbsp;

In October this month, Singh participated in a yatra organised to spread awareness regarding population control and called for checking it.

Earlier, in January, the minister suggested that certain communities were especially responsible for the population explosion.

(With inputs from ANI)

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Saturday claimed that he will retire from politics once a population control law is initiated. He referred to the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya and population control as the basic tenets of his political career.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Saturday claimed that he will retire from politics once a population control law is initiated. He referred to the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya and population control as the basic tenets of his political career. "My task to build Ram Temple in Ayodhya has come to an end. The time has come to retire for people like me. I will retire from politics once a rule to control population growth kicks in," the minister said. Singh, 67, is infamous for making controversial remarks and had strongly favoured legislation to control the population in the country. The BJP has a policy of not fielding leaders into elections who are older than 75 years. By that logic, he has eight years before his position in the party is invalidated. In October this month, Singh participated in a yatra organised to spread awareness regarding population control and called for checking it. Earlier, in January, the minister suggested that certain communities were especially responsible for the population explosion. (With inputs from ANI)

Will retire from politics as soon as population explosion is curbed: Giriraj Singh

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday said that he is not a candidate for chief minister`s post in the state and now the time has come for him to retire from politics.

"I am not a candidate for the chief minister`s post in Bihar. Now the time has come for me that I should bid adieu to politics," Singh told ANI.

In a nostalgic tone, the Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries said, "I saw a great leader like Narendra Modi becoming the Prime Minister of the country."

In reference to abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, Singh said, "When I joined politics, I came with the call for the integration of Kashmir with India. For the same our ideologue Syama Prasad Mookerjee gave up his life."

"Slowly all our wishes are getting fulfiled and I hope it will continue in the future. And after that what is the scope left for me to remain in politics," he added.&nbsp;

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday said that he is not a candidate for chief minister`s post in the state and now the time has come for him to retire from politics.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday said that he is not a candidate for chief minister`s post in the state and now the time has come for him to retire from politics. "I am not a candidate for the chief minister`s post in Bihar. Now the time has come for me that I should bid adieu to politics," Singh told ANI. In a nostalgic tone, the Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries said, "I saw a great leader like Narendra Modi becoming the Prime Minister of the country." In reference to abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, Singh said, "When I joined politics, I came with the call for the integration of Kashmir with India. For the same our ideologue Syama Prasad Mookerjee gave up his life." "Slowly all our wishes are getting fulfiled and I hope it will continue in the future. And after that what is the scope left for me to remain in politics," he added.

Not a candidate for Bihar's CM post, time has come for me to retire: Giriraj Singh

Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah on Tuesday reprimanded <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/giriraj-singh-modi-loyalist-who-wears-hindutva-on-his-sleeve-222886">Union Minister Giriraj Singh</a> for his remarks against NDA leaders on attending Iftar parties, news agency PTI reported.

The development follows Singh's remark wherein he had said that it would have been "beautiful" to see similar get-togethers and fruit feasts organised during the Navratras as well.

"How beautiful would the picture have emerged, had phalaahaar (a fruit feast) been organized during Navaratra with the same fervour with splendid photographs taken. Why do we lag behind in observance of our own karm-dharm (religious customs) in public, while staying ahead in making a show for those of others," Singh tweeted in Hindi.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
कितनी खूबसूरत तस्वीर होती जब इतनी ही चाहत से नवरात्रि पे फलाहार का आयोजन करते और सुंदर सुदंर फ़ोटो आते??...अपने कर्म धर्म मे हम पिछड़ क्यों जाते और दिखावा में आगे रहते है??? <a href="https://t.co/dy7s1UgBgy">pic.twitter.com/dy7s1UgBgy</a>
— Shandilya Giriraj Singh (@girirajsinghbjp) <a href="https://twitter.com/girirajsinghbjp/status/1135770253416206336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Singh's tweeted his comment along with pictures of Iftaar parties hosted in Patna, Bihar by Janata Dal (United), former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM and NDA ally Lok Janshakti Party which is headed by Ram Vilas Paswan.

In the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, Singh retained Begusarai for the BJP and defeated CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar by a margin of over four lakh votes.

Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah on Tuesday reprimanded Union Minister Giriraj Singh for his remarks against NDA leaders on attending Iftar parties, news agency PTI reported.

Union Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah on Tuesday reprimanded Union Minister Giriraj Singh for his remarks against NDA leaders on attending Iftar parties, news agency PTI reported. The development follows Singh's remark wherein he had said that it would have been "beautiful" to see similar get-togethers and fruit feasts organised during the Navratras as well. "How beautiful would the picture have emerged, had phalaahaar (a fruit feast) been organized during Navaratra with the same fervour with splendid photographs taken. Why do we lag behind in observance of our own karm-dharm (religious customs) in public, while staying ahead in making a show for those of others," Singh tweeted in Hindi. कितनी खूबसूरत तस्वीर होती जब इतनी ही चाहत से नवरात्रि पे फलाहार का आयोजन करते और सुंदर सुदंर फ़ोटो आते??...अपने कर्म धर्म मे हम पिछड़ क्यों जाते और दिखावा में आगे रहते है??? pic.twitter.com/dy7s1UgBgy — Shandilya Giriraj Singh (@girirajsinghbjp) June 4, 2019 × Singh's tweeted his comment along with pictures of Iftaar parties hosted in Patna, Bihar by Janata Dal (United), former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM and NDA ally Lok Janshakti Party which is headed by Ram Vilas Paswan. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, Singh retained Begusarai for the BJP and defeated CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar by a margin of over four lakh votes.

Amit Shah reprimands Union Minister Giriraj Singh for remarks on iftar parties

A staunch loyalist of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/narendra-modi-takes-oath-as-prime-minister-for-second-time-222847">Narendra Modi</a> since the days he was the chief minister of Gujarat, BJP leader Giriraj Singh has seen his political stock rise dramatically in the past one decade.

The 66-year-old Singh, who has won the Begusarai seat in Bihar defeating CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar by a margin of over four lakh votes, belongs to the influential Bhumihar community - earlier supporters of the Congress, but since the Mandal era forming the BJP's backbone in the state.

He had been associated with the Sangh Parivar since his days as a student of Magadh University during which he was an active member of the ABVP.&nbsp;

He, however, remained in political wilderness until his election to the state legislative council in 2002 and his induction into the Nitish Kumar cabinet three years later.

Kumar was perceived to have an overbearing presence by his detractors in the BJP and Singh, by his acts of defiance, endeared himself to hardliners as well as members of his own community, who saw in his blunt support of Modi a caste-man asserting himself before an OBC boss.

After it became clear that Modi will be the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP and Kumar parted ways, Singh - who had lost his ministerial berth in the state - was rewarded with a Lok Sabha ticket from Nawada, a seat he won while earning the ignominy of having been banned from campaigning in Bihar and Jharkhand by the Election Commission, which took exception to his pronouncement that those opposed to his leader deserved to be sent to Pakistan.

Six months after Modi assumed power in May, 2014, Singh was made the Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in a cabinet expansion exercise and he continued to hold the post till the government lasted.

While his tenure as a Union minister, like his stint in the state, remained free of blemishes he kept making headlines through acts like prefixing his "gotra" - Shandilya - to his name and urging others to follow the example in the interests of Hindu traditions.

Many of his utterances verged on Hindutva hardline as he repeatedly raised the issue of rising Muslim population in the country and underscored that a decline in the proportion of Hindus in a region invariably led to social strife.

At times he also went against the government line of awaiting the Supreme&nbsp;Court verdict on Ayodhya saying "Hindus were running out of patience". He drew flak when he visited riot-accused Bajrang Dal activists in Nawada last year and lambasted the Nitish Kumar government for the same though his party had come to share power in the state again.

Ahead of a massive rally in the Bihar capital before the elections were announced, Singh once again proclaimed that those who did not attend the same would be deemed to be standing with Pakistan, but ended up missing it himself on account of ill-health, evoking much ridicule.

Electioneering saw him warning Muslims that their reluctance to chant "Vande Mataram" could be detrimental to their own interests as unlike the Hindus who were cremated upon death, they needed "three yards of land for burial". An FIR was lodged in this connection at Begusarai upon the EC's directive and the case of model code of conduct has not been closed, though Singh has secured bail.

A staunch loyalist of Narendra Modi since the days he was the chief minister of Gujarat, BJP leader Giriraj Singh has seen his political stock rise dramatically in the past one decade.

A staunch loyalist of Narendra Modi since the days he was the chief minister of Gujarat, BJP leader Giriraj Singh has seen his political stock rise dramatically in the past one decade. The 66-year-old Singh, who has won the Begusarai seat in Bihar defeating CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar by a margin of over four lakh votes, belongs to the influential Bhumihar community - earlier supporters of the Congress, but since the Mandal era forming the BJP's backbone in the state. He had been associated with the Sangh Parivar since his days as a student of Magadh University during which he was an active member of the ABVP. He, however, remained in political wilderness until his election to the state legislative council in 2002 and his induction into the Nitish Kumar cabinet three years later. Kumar was perceived to have an overbearing presence by his detractors in the BJP and Singh, by his acts of defiance, endeared himself to hardliners as well as members of his own community, who saw in his blunt support of Modi a caste-man asserting himself before an OBC boss. After it became clear that Modi will be the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP and Kumar parted ways, Singh - who had lost his ministerial berth in the state - was rewarded with a Lok Sabha ticket from Nawada, a seat he won while earning the ignominy of having been banned from campaigning in Bihar and Jharkhand by the Election Commission, which took exception to his pronouncement that those opposed to his leader deserved to be sent to Pakistan. Six months after Modi assumed power in May, 2014, Singh was made the Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in a cabinet expansion exercise and he continued to hold the post till the government lasted. While his tenure as a Union minister, like his stint in the state, remained free of blemishes he kept making headlines through acts like prefixing his "gotra" - Shandilya - to his name and urging others to follow the example in the interests of Hindu traditions. Many of his utterances verged on Hindutva hardline as he repeatedly raised the issue of rising Muslim population in the country and underscored that a decline in the proportion of Hindus in a region invariably led to social strife. At times he also went against the government line of awaiting the Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya saying "Hindus were running out of patience". He drew flak when he visited riot-accused Bajrang Dal activists in Nawada last year and lambasted the Nitish Kumar government for the same though his party had come to share power in the state again. Ahead of a massive rally in the Bihar capital before the elections were announced, Singh once again proclaimed that those who did not attend the same would be deemed to be standing with Pakistan, but ended up missing it himself on account of ill-health, evoking much ridicule. Electioneering saw him warning Muslims that their reluctance to chant "Vande Mataram" could be detrimental to their own interests as unlike the Hindus who were cremated upon death, they needed "three yards of land for burial". An FIR was lodged in this connection at Begusarai upon the EC's directive and the case of model code of conduct has not been closed, though Singh has secured bail.

Giriraj Singh: A firebrand leader, who trounced Kanhaiya Kumar by over 4 lakh votes

In Lok Sabha Polls 2019, 17 seats of Maharashtra are in the fray in fourth phase.

LS Polls: 17 seats of Maharashtra in the fray in fourth phase of Lok Sabha Polls

In this video, know which candidates' fate is on claim in Phase 4 of LS Polls 2019.

LS Polls 2019: Know which candidates' fate on claim in Phase 4

Bihar's Begusarai is set for an interesting electoral battle in the fourth phase of election scheduled for April 29. While the BJP has fielded Union minister Giriaj Singh, the Left Front has pitted Kanhaiya Kumar against him.

Begusarai is referred to as Leningrad of Bihar - Leftists equate the city with Leningrad as the cradle of revolution.

Begusarai, though with the BJP now, has seen a very long association with the Left - starting in the 1930s when the landless villagers revolted against the land owners and seized their land. The association continued for decades.

This is the same reason why the Left is backing Kanhaiya Kumar who, in 2016, spoke against the establishment (the Centre) vowing to free the society of various social evils as a Jawaharlal Nehru student. The Left is determined to oust the BJP government at the Centre and have found their 'Che' in the form of Kanhaiya. The Communist Party of India (CPI) has claimed that Kanhaiya was getting "excellent" support from all segments of the society.

An energetic campaign has propelled Kanhaiya Kumar into the centrestage of electoral contest in Begusarai but many see his rising graph posing a bigger threat to the opposition RJD than the ruling BJP.

Speculations have been rife that RJD founding president Lalu Prasad had initially thought of backing Kanhaiya whom he had applauded for having displayed fortitude while he was accused of sedition and put behind bars. But, he retracted at the instance of his younger son Tejashwi Yadav who said the CPI nominee belonged to the Bhumihar caste and hence supporting him may anger the party's own cadre which is dominated by Yadavs and Muslims.

Interestingly, Giriraj Singh also belongs to the Bhumihar caste. Known for his hardline views that have often triggered controversies, Singh said his fight from this parliamentary constituency is against a "gang" working for "breaking up" India, and asserted that he represents the agenda of cultural nationalism and development.

Singh had publicly expressed his anguish over the shift but was placated by the central leadership with party president Amit Shah himself reaching out to him.

Singh asserted the BJP-led NDA would improve its 2014 tally of 31 seats in Bihar (which has total 40 Lok Sabha seats) and it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself who is the alliance candidate on every seat and all contesting leaders "are his symbols".

The BJP supporters in Begusarai and other Lok Sabha seats in the region assert that the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains a big draw for voters, while the opposition's alliance is hoping to counter it with its social arithmetic at several places.

If the Modi factor is powering the BJP's campaign, the alliance of the Lalu Prasad's RJD, Upendra Kushwaha's RLSP and the Congress is betting on a formidable social equation in these seats, including Ujiarpur, where Kushwaha is taking on Bihar BJP chief Nityanand Rai to make the going difficult for the saffron party.

Both Ujiarpur and Begusarai were won by the BJP in 2014.

In the 2014 polls, BJP's Bhola Singh, who died in October last year, had defeated Lalu Prasad-led RJD's Tanveer Hasan, who is again in the fray, with a margin of 5.4 per cent votes (more than 58,000). The JD(U)-backed CPI had finished a distant third with near 93,000 votes. Singh had got over 4.29 lakh votes.

Bihar's Begusarai is set for an interesting electoral battle in the fourth phase of election scheduled for April 29. While the BJP has fielded Union minister Giriaj Singh, the Left Front has pitted Kanhaiya Kumar against him.

Bihar's Begusarai is set for an interesting electoral battle in the fourth phase of election scheduled for April 29. While the BJP has fielded Union minister Giriaj Singh, the Left Front has pitted Kanhaiya Kumar against him. Begusarai is referred to as Leningrad of Bihar - Leftists equate the city with Leningrad as the cradle of revolution. Begusarai, though with the BJP now, has seen a very long association with the Left - starting in the 1930s when the landless villagers revolted against the land owners and seized their land. The association continued for decades. This is the same reason why the Left is backing Kanhaiya Kumar who, in 2016, spoke against the establishment (the Centre) vowing to free the society of various social evils as a Jawaharlal Nehru student. The Left is determined to oust the BJP government at the Centre and have found their 'Che' in the form of Kanhaiya. The Communist Party of India (CPI) has claimed that Kanhaiya was getting "excellent" support from all segments of the society. An energetic campaign has propelled Kanhaiya Kumar into the centrestage of electoral contest in Begusarai but many see his rising graph posing a bigger threat to the opposition RJD than the ruling BJP. Speculations have been rife that RJD founding president Lalu Prasad had initially thought of backing Kanhaiya whom he had applauded for having displayed fortitude while he was accused of sedition and put behind bars. But, he retracted at the instance of his younger son Tejashwi Yadav who said the CPI nominee belonged to the Bhumihar caste and hence supporting him may anger the party's own cadre which is dominated by Yadavs and Muslims. Interestingly, Giriraj Singh also belongs to the Bhumihar caste. Known for his hardline views that have often triggered controversies, Singh said his fight from this parliamentary constituency is against a "gang" working for "breaking up" India, and asserted that he represents the agenda of cultural nationalism and development. Singh had publicly expressed his anguish over the shift but was placated by the central leadership with party president Amit Shah himself reaching out to him. Singh asserted the BJP-led NDA would improve its 2014 tally of 31 seats in Bihar (which has total 40 Lok Sabha seats) and it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself who is the alliance candidate on every seat and all contesting leaders "are his symbols". The BJP supporters in Begusarai and other Lok Sabha seats in the region assert that the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains a big draw for voters, while the opposition's alliance is hoping to counter it with its social arithmetic at several places. If the Modi factor is powering the BJP's campaign, the alliance of the Lalu Prasad's RJD, Upendra Kushwaha's RLSP and the Congress is betting on a formidable social equation in these seats, including Ujiarpur, where Kushwaha is taking on Bihar BJP chief Nityanand Rai to make the going difficult for the saffron party. Both Ujiarpur and Begusarai were won by the BJP in 2014. In the 2014 polls, BJP's Bhola Singh, who died in October last year, had defeated Lalu Prasad-led RJD's Tanveer Hasan, who is again in the fray, with a margin of 5.4 per cent votes (more than 58,000). The JD(U)-backed CPI had finished a distant third with near 93,000 votes. Singh had got over 4.29 lakh votes.

Lok Sabha polls phase 4: Kanhaiya Kumar vs Giriraj Singh in Bihar's Begusarai

Condemning the remark made by Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Giriraj Singh on Sunday said Tharoor would have been silenced if he had made the remark in Pakistan.

"Had Tharoor been in Pakistan, he would have been made to shut his mouth. He has not only insulted the Prime Minister but crores of Hindus and followers of Lord Shiva in this country. How can Rahul Gandhi claim to be a follower of Lord Shiva when his party man can say such a thing? He should come out and apologise on behalf of Tharoor. The Congress has crossed all limits now," Singh told ANI.

Accusing the Congress of practising politics of "division and hatred," senior BJP leader Anil Vij added, "It (Tharoor's remark) is extremely condemnable. The Congress party is strategically imparting a politics of division and hatred. On one hand, Rahul Gandhi claims to be a devout follower of Lord Shiva, on the other hand, the Congress leaders, in some way or the other, are humiliating the Hindus of this country. It's time we reject this."

Earlier in the day, Tharoor, while speaking at an event in Bengaluru, had said Prime Minister Modi was, in a way, like a "scorpion sitting on a Shivling."

However, the Congress leader later clarified that the comment was made by an unnamed member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) six years ago, and not by him.&nbsp;

Condemning the remark made by Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Giriraj Singh on Sunday said Tharoor would have been silenced if he had made the remark in Pakistan.

Condemning the remark made by Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Giriraj Singh on Sunday said Tharoor would have been silenced if he had made the remark in Pakistan. "Had Tharoor been in Pakistan, he would have been made to shut his mouth. He has not only insulted the Prime Minister but crores of Hindus and followers of Lord Shiva in this country. How can Rahul Gandhi claim to be a follower of Lord Shiva when his party man can say such a thing? He should come out and apologise on behalf of Tharoor. The Congress has crossed all limits now," Singh told ANI. Accusing the Congress of practising politics of "division and hatred," senior BJP leader Anil Vij added, "It (Tharoor's remark) is extremely condemnable. The Congress party is strategically imparting a politics of division and hatred. On one hand, Rahul Gandhi claims to be a devout follower of Lord Shiva, on the other hand, the Congress leaders, in some way or the other, are humiliating the Hindus of this country. It's time we reject this." Earlier in the day, Tharoor, while speaking at an event in Bengaluru, had said Prime Minister Modi was, in a way, like a "scorpion sitting on a Shivling." However, the Congress leader later clarified that the comment was made by an unnamed member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) six years ago, and not by him.

Had this been Pakistan, Tharoor would've been silenced: Giriraj Singh

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Enthused by his party&#39;s strong showing in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur bypolls, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav indicated today that his party was keen on burying its bitter rivalry with Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party saying sometimes &quot;past incidents have to be forgotten&quot;.

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The CBSE today denied allegations of paper leak of its Class 12 Accountancy examination, asserting that all seals were found intact in the examination centres.The board also said that it has approached the police against those spreading &quot;false&quot; news.

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It is pretty normal for any High Commissioner to go back for consultation and &#39;&#39;We have no comments to offer on why he has gone back,&#39;&#39; said Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs on Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood.

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Hillary&#39;s India tour is becoming a series of unfortunate events for her due to one after another injury.In Madhya Pradesh, she had fallen on the steps of a mosque on Monday and after that, She fractured her wrist after she slipped in the bathtub of Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, Rajasthan on Tuesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/araria-will-become-hub-for-terrorism-due-to-rjd-win-giriraj-singh-35947">Araria will become </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/araria-will-become-hub-for-terrorism-due-to-rjd-win-giriraj-singh-35947">hub</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/araria-will-become-hub-for-terrorism-due-to-rjd-win-giriraj-singh-35947"> of terrorism: Giriraj Singh&nbsp;</a>

Union minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday claimed that the victory of RJD&#39;s Sarfaraz Alam from Araria Lok Sabha seat would make the place a hub of terrorism, which would be a danger to not only Bihar but also the country.

Let bygones be bygones, says SP's Akhilesh on past rivalry with BSP. Speculation grows if they will join forces for 2019 Enthused by his party's strong showing in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur bypolls, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav indicated today that his party was keen on burying its bitter rivalry with Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party saying sometimes "past incidents have to be forgotten". CBSE says paper not leaked, has approached police about 'fake' news The CBSE today denied allegations of paper leak of its Class 12 Accountancy examination, asserting that all seals were found intact in the examination centres.The board also said that it has approached the police against those spreading "false" news. Routine, not recall: MEA on Pak High Commissioner to India being called back It is pretty normal for any High Commissioner to go back for consultation and ''We have no comments to offer on why he has gone back,'' said Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs on Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood. Hillary Clinton: A series of unfortunate events in India Hillary's India tour is becoming a series of unfortunate events for her due to one after another injury.In Madhya Pradesh, she had fallen on the steps of a mosque on Monday and after that, She fractured her wrist after she slipped in the bathtub of Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, Rajasthan on Tuesday. Araria will become hub of terrorism: Giriraj Singh Union minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday claimed that the victory of RJD's Sarfaraz Alam from Araria Lok Sabha seat would make the place a hub of terrorism, which would be a danger to not only Bihar but also the country.

WION Evening News Brief, March 15, 2018

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