As the NDA alliance prepares for the oath-taking ceremony on Sunday (June 9) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital, reports have emerged that&nbsp;JD (U) chief Nitish Kumar was&nbsp;offered the post of the prime minister by the INDIA bloc in exchange of shifting loyalties.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi said, "Such is the game of politics that those who had refused to make Nitish Kumar INDIA bloc’s national convenor have been now making offers to make Nitish PM."

The senior JD(U) leader&nbsp;accused Congress and other parties of ‘ill-treating’ Kumar. He added that his party will not return to the INDIA bloc.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-30-cabinet-nitish-kumars-jd-u-to-get-two-ministries-tdp-seeks-four-report-729915">Modi 3.0 Cabinet: Nitish Kumar's JD (U) to get two ministries, TDP seeks four: report</a>

Kumar played an instrumental role in the INDIA bloc's formation in 2023. He changed sides in January and joined NDA before the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

<h2>Here's how Congress reacted to Tyagi's statement</h2>

On Saturday (June 8), the Congress refuted the claims made by KC Tyagi that Nitish Kumar was offered the post of the prime minister. “We don't have any such information,” said Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, at the press conference after the Congress Working Committee meeting.&nbsp;

While addressing NDA's parliamentary meeting on Friday (June 7), Kumar proposed to name Narendra Modi as the leader of the coalition and said, "Those who have won this time will lose the next elections. I'm confident about it. They never worked for the nation. They never served the country. The country will progress under your (PM Modi) leadership."

Watch:&nbsp;PM Narendra Modi swearing-in ceremony: Three-layered security to be put in place

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“All the pending works of Bihar will be done. It is a very good thing that all of us have come together and we will all work together with you (PM Modi). You will be swearing in as the Prime Minister on Sunday, but I wanted you to do it today itself. Whenever you take the oath, we will be with you…We will all work together under your leadership," he added.

Nitish Kumar's JD(U), after clinching 12 seats, became a crucial ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

As the NDA alliance prepares for the oath-taking ceremony on Sunday (June 9) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital, reports have emerged that JD (U) chief Nitish Kumar was offered the post of the prime minister by the INDIA bloc in exchange of shifting loyalties.

As the NDA alliance prepares for the oath-taking ceremony on Sunday (June 9) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the national capital, reports have emerged that JD (U) chief Nitish Kumar was offered the post of the prime minister by the INDIA bloc in exchange of shifting loyalties. Speaking to The Indian Express, Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi said, "Such is the game of politics that those who had refused to make Nitish Kumar INDIA bloc’s national convenor have been now making offers to make Nitish PM." The senior JD(U) leader accused Congress and other parties of ‘ill-treating’ Kumar. He added that his party will not return to the INDIA bloc. Also Read: Modi 3.0 Cabinet: Nitish Kumar's JD (U) to get two ministries, TDP seeks four: report Kumar played an instrumental role in the INDIA bloc's formation in 2023. He changed sides in January and joined NDA before the Lok Sabha elections. Here's how Congress reacted to Tyagi's statement On Saturday (June 8), the Congress refuted the claims made by KC Tyagi that Nitish Kumar was offered the post of the prime minister. “We don't have any such information,” said Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, at the press conference after the Congress Working Committee meeting. While addressing NDA's parliamentary meeting on Friday (June 7), Kumar proposed to name Narendra Modi as the leader of the coalition and said, "Those who have won this time will lose the next elections. I'm confident about it. They never worked for the nation. They never served the country. The country will progress under your (PM Modi) leadership." Watch: PM Narendra Modi swearing-in ceremony: Three-layered security to be put in place “All the pending works of Bihar will be done. It is a very good thing that all of us have come together and we will all work together with you (PM Modi). You will be swearing in as the Prime Minister on Sunday, but I wanted you to do it today itself. Whenever you take the oath, we will be with you…We will all work together under your leadership," he added. Nitish Kumar's JD(U), after clinching 12 seats, became a crucial ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition. (With inputs from agencies)

INDIA bloc offered PM post to Nitish Kumar, claims JD (U) leader; Congress reacts

As India enters the era of coalition government and BJP-led NDA prepares to form government likely on Sunday (June 9) after winning 293 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, speculation remain rife over what ministries will be demanded by the allies.&nbsp;

Narendra Modi will most likely take oath as India's prime minister for a historic third consecutive term on June 9 (Sunday), according to reports citing sources.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maldives-president-muizzu-invited-to-indian-pm-modis-oath-taking-ceremony-729372">Maldives President Muizzu invited to Indian PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Here are the top updates on politics revolving around India's government formation:&nbsp;</h2>

1)&nbsp;The swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as India's prime minister has been rescheduled to June 9, as per sources cited by Zee news. It was earlier reported to be held on June 8.

2) According to the sources, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jdu-places-its-demands-for-unconditional-support-to-nda-details-here-729366">JD(U) has made some huge demands</a> as its leader Nitish Kumar has emerged as a kingmaker. Kumar has demanded not only railways and finance ministry but also agriculture ministry, according to the sources cited in media reports. Nitish is likely to remain in the capital Delhi till oath ceremony.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-how-two-independent-candidates-rose-to-win-parliamentary-seats-in-jk-and-ladakh-729363">Lok Sabha polls: How two independent candidates rose to win parliamentary seats in JK and Ladakh</a>&nbsp;

3) Amid speculation of allies potential changing their sides, Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar gave written support to Modi. Naidu's TDP clinched victory on 16 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh and Nitish Kumar's JDU won 12 seats in Bihar.

4)&nbsp;Reports citing sources said&nbsp;that TDP is also likely to make tall demands. The party may seek Lok Sabha speaker’s post, the ministries of road transport, rural development, health, housing &amp; urban affairs, agriculture, jal shakti, IT &amp; communications, education, finance (MoS) as well as five to six cabinet ministers and MoS. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;India Elections: Slight dip in number of women in Lok Sabha

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5)&nbsp;NDA MPs will have a meeting on June 7 (Friday) at Parliament Central Hall. This will be their first meeting after the announcement of the results on June 4. The NDA leaders will then meet Narendra Modi on June 5 to plan their strategy for government formation.&nbsp;

6)&nbsp;In the NDA parliamentary party meeting on Friday (June 7), PM Modi will be elected the leader of the NDA parliamentary party. The senior leaders of BJP and NDA will hold a meeting with the president and inform her about the development. PM Modi will then stake claim to form the government as the NDA's leader.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

As India enters the era of coalition government and BJP-led NDA prepares to form government likely on Sunday (June 9) after winning 293 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, speculation remain rife over what ministries will be demanded by the allies.

As India enters the era of coalition government and BJP-led NDA prepares to form government likely on Sunday (June 9) after winning 293 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, speculation remain rife over what ministries will be demanded by the allies. Narendra Modi will most likely take oath as India's prime minister for a historic third consecutive term on June 9 (Sunday), according to reports citing sources. Also read: Maldives President Muizzu invited to Indian PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony Here are the top updates on politics revolving around India's government formation: 1) The swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as India's prime minister has been rescheduled to June 9, as per sources cited by Zee news. It was earlier reported to be held on June 8. 2) According to the sources, JD(U) has made some huge demands as its leader Nitish Kumar has emerged as a kingmaker. Kumar has demanded not only railways and finance ministry but also agriculture ministry, according to the sources cited in media reports. Nitish is likely to remain in the capital Delhi till oath ceremony. Also read: Lok Sabha polls: How two independent candidates rose to win parliamentary seats in JK and Ladakh 3) Amid speculation of allies potential changing their sides, Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar gave written support to Modi. Naidu's TDP clinched victory on 16 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh and Nitish Kumar's JDU won 12 seats in Bihar. 4) Reports citing sources said that TDP is also likely to make tall demands. The party may seek Lok Sabha speaker’s post, the ministries of road transport, rural development, health, housing & urban affairs, agriculture, jal shakti, IT & communications, education, finance (MoS) as well as five to six cabinet ministers and MoS. Watch: India Elections: Slight dip in number of women in Lok Sabha × 5) NDA MPs will have a meeting on June 7 (Friday) at Parliament Central Hall. This will be their first meeting after the announcement of the results on June 4. The NDA leaders will then meet Narendra Modi on June 5 to plan their strategy for government formation. 6) In the NDA parliamentary party meeting on Friday (June 7), PM Modi will be elected the leader of the NDA parliamentary party. The senior leaders of BJP and NDA will hold a meeting with the president and inform her about the development. PM Modi will then stake claim to form the government as the NDA's leader. (With inputs from agencies)

India govt formation: Modi's swearing-in ceremony likely to be held on June 9: Reports

Janata Dal (Secular) announced on Tuesday (Apr 30) that Prajwal Revanna was suspended from the party amid a sex scandal,&nbsp;allegedly showing the parliamentarian from south Indian state of Karnataka&nbsp;sexually assaulting multiple women.

Revanna, 33, is the BJP-JD (S) alliance candidate for the Lok Sabha elections&nbsp;from the Hassan constituency, which went to the polls on Friday (Apr 26).

The scandal involves hundreds of explicit videos that were reportedly recorded by Revanna, the grandson of JD (S) chief and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, which were widely circulated in his Hassan constituency.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/deve-gowdas-grandson-sex-scandal-woman-alleges-used-to-sexually-assault-in-storeroom-remove-saree-pins-716157" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/deve-gowdas-grandson-sex-scandal-woman-alleges-used-to-sexually-assault-in-storeroom-remove-saree-pins-716157&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiJhqeEuOmFAxU9cmwGHZyWD8QQFnoECAAQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0B58M-es9iwcOePxX7qRuI&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/deve-gowdas-grandson-sex-scandal-woman-alleges-used-to-sexually-assault-in-storeroom-remove-saree-pins-716157" target="_blank">Deve Gowda's grandson&nbsp;Prajwal Revanna&nbsp;sex scandal</a>

A woman filed a police complaint against Prajwal Revanna, accusing him of sexual assault. She claimed she had been sexually abused on several occasions between 2019 and 2022.

The complainant&nbsp;claimed that Prajwal Revanna misbehaved with her daughter over a video call and had vulgar conversations&nbsp;with her.&nbsp;

As per the complaint, the women has claimed that both Prajwal Revanna and his father HD Revanna had sexually assaulted her.

The case against Revanna has been registered under sections 354A, 354D, 506, and 509 of the IPC on charges of sexual harassment, intimidation and outraging the dignity of a woman.

An SIT or special investigation team has started probe into the case.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognizance in the Prajwal Revanna case and has asked the Karnataka director general of police to submit a detailed report.

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Revanna left for Germany on Saturday morning, after the videos of him emerged online.

Earlier on Monday,&nbsp; JD (S)&nbsp;supremo HD Kumaraswamy announced that the party has decided to suspend his nephew Prajwal Revanna over allegations of sexual abuse.

Prajwal Revanna: Who is the Karnataka MP embroiled in the sex scandal?

After completing his education, Revanna embarked on a journey into the political field.

In 2015, he was selected as one of the 10 young politicians in India by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, UK, offering him exposure to the British governance system.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-election-2024/lok-sabha-elections-2024-live-updates-716513">Lok Sabha elections 2024 LIVE: Karnataka MP Prajwal Revanna suspended from JDS</a>

Prajwal faced a setback in 2018 when his uncle, HD Kumaraswamy, denied him a ticket in the elections, leading to a familial dispute.&nbsp;

In 2019, Revanna contested and won the Hassan Lok Sabha seat, previously held by Deve Gowda.

(With inputs from agencies)

Janata Dal (Secular) announced on Tuesday (Apr 30) that Prajwal Revanna was suspended from the party amid a sex scandal, allegedly showing the parliamentarian from south Indian state of Karnataka sexually assaulting multiple women.

Janata Dal (Secular) announced on Tuesday (Apr 30) that Prajwal Revanna was suspended from the party amid a sex scandal, allegedly showing the parliamentarian from south Indian state of Karnataka sexually assaulting multiple women. Revanna, 33, is the BJP-JD (S) alliance candidate for the Lok Sabha elections from the Hassan constituency, which went to the polls on Friday (Apr 26). The scandal involves hundreds of explicit videos that were reportedly recorded by Revanna, the grandson of JD (S) chief and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, which were widely circulated in his Hassan constituency. Also read: Deve Gowda's grandson Prajwal Revanna sex scandal A woman filed a police complaint against Prajwal Revanna, accusing him of sexual assault. She claimed she had been sexually abused on several occasions between 2019 and 2022. The complainant claimed that Prajwal Revanna misbehaved with her daughter over a video call and had vulgar conversations with her. As per the complaint, the women has claimed that both Prajwal Revanna and his father HD Revanna had sexually assaulted her. The case against Revanna has been registered under sections 354A, 354D, 506, and 509 of the IPC on charges of sexual harassment, intimidation and outraging the dignity of a woman. An SIT or special investigation team has started probe into the case. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognizance in the Prajwal Revanna case and has asked the Karnataka director general of police to submit a detailed report. Also read: India: Prajwal Revanna accused of 'sexual assault' Revanna left for Germany on Saturday morning, after the videos of him emerged online. Earlier on Monday, JD (S) supremo HD Kumaraswamy announced that the party has decided to suspend his nephew Prajwal Revanna over allegations of sexual abuse. Prajwal Revanna: Who is the Karnataka MP embroiled in the sex scandal? After completing his education, Revanna embarked on a journey into the political field. In 2015, he was selected as one of the 10 young politicians in India by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, UK, offering him exposure to the British governance system. Also read: Lok Sabha elections 2024 LIVE: Karnataka MP Prajwal Revanna suspended from JDS Prajwal faced a setback in 2018 when his uncle, HD Kumaraswamy, denied him a ticket in the elections, leading to a familial dispute. In 2019, Revanna contested and won the Hassan Lok Sabha seat, previously held by Deve Gowda. (With inputs from agencies)

Prajwal Revanna suspended from JD (S) over sexual abuse allegations

The ruling National Democractic Alliance has reached seat-sharing agreement in Bihar for the Lok Sabha polls with the BJP set to contest 17 seats and JD-U 16.

The seat-sharing agreement was announced by BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde on Monday. He said LJP (Ram Vilas) will contest five seats and Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha will fight one seat each.

"The NDA alliance will fight the polls collectively. We will put our full force on all 40 seats in the state. We will win on all the 40 seats. It is my belief," he said.

The BJP has got one seat more than the JD-U, according to the seat arrangement.

He said the BJP will field candidates in Pashchim Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Aurangabad, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Maharajganj, Saran, Begusarai, Nawada, Patna Sahib, Patliputra, Aara, Buxar, and Sasaram.

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will contest Vaishali, Hajipur, Samastipur, Khagaria and Jamui. Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha on Gaya and Karakat seats respectively.

Bihar will see polling in seven phases. The first phase of polling will be held on April 19, the second phase on April 26, the third phase on May 7, the fourth phase on May 13, the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25, and the seventh phase on June 1.

The Election Commission on Saturday announced the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The polling will be conducted in seven phases across the nation from April 19 to June 1. Votes will be counted on June 4.&nbsp;

The ruling National Democractic Alliance has reached seat-sharing agreement in Bihar for the Lok Sabha polls with the BJP set to contest 17 seats and JD-U 16. The seat-sharing agreement was announced by BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde on Monday.

The ruling National Democractic Alliance has reached seat-sharing agreement in Bihar for the Lok Sabha polls with the BJP set to contest 17 seats and JD-U 16. The seat-sharing agreement was announced by BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde on Monday. He said LJP (Ram Vilas) will contest five seats and Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha will fight one seat each. "The NDA alliance will fight the polls collectively. We will put our full force on all 40 seats in the state. We will win on all the 40 seats. It is my belief," he said. The BJP has got one seat more than the JD-U, according to the seat arrangement. He said the BJP will field candidates in Pashchim Champaran, Purvi Champaran, Aurangabad, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Maharajganj, Saran, Begusarai, Nawada, Patna Sahib, Patliputra, Aara, Buxar, and Sasaram. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will contest Vaishali, Hajipur, Samastipur, Khagaria and Jamui. Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha on Gaya and Karakat seats respectively. Bihar will see polling in seven phases. The first phase of polling will be held on April 19, the second phase on April 26, the third phase on May 7, the fourth phase on May 13, the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25, and the seventh phase on June 1. The Election Commission on Saturday announced the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The polling will be conducted in seven phases across the nation from April 19 to June 1. Votes will be counted on June 4.

India elections 2024: NDA decides seat-sharing for Lok Sabha seats in Bihar; BJP to contest 17, JD-U 16

Nitish Kumar, leader of Janata Dal (United) (JD-U), took oath as Bihar’s chief minister on Wednesday (August 10) for the eight time after announcing a new ‘grand alliance’ with Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other opposition parties. Tejashwi Yadav has been sworn in as the deputy chief minister. Kumar recently resigned as Bihar’s chief minister after breaking alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). After Kumar’s resignation, Nitish and other leaders addressed a joint press conference and announced their&nbsp;new ‘Mahagathbandhan’ or grand alliance, consisting of seven parties, and claimed support of 165 MLAs, including an Independent.

On a day of quick and sudden political developments in Bihar, Kumar earlier met the governor, Phagu Chauhan, twice: once to submit his resignation as CM, and the second time to stake claim for a new government after being chosen as the leader of the grand alliance.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nitish-kumar-resigns-as-bihar-cm-snaps-ties-with-bjp-505166">India politics: Nitish Kumar resigns as Bihar chief minister, snaps ties with BJP</a>

BJP&nbsp;attacked Kumar for snapping the pre-poll alliance&nbsp;and accused him of having disrespected the mandate given by the people of Bihar. 
 
Kumar, who is being trolled on social media for switching sides frequently,&nbsp;had earlier severed ties with the BJP in 2013 but had aligned again with it in 2017. He claimed that the decision to break ties was taken by a unanimous vote. JD-U members&nbsp;claimed that ties with the BJP deteriorated due to a number of instances, including RCP Singh’s exit from the party.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-unsc-india-slams-china-pakistan-for-double-standards-on-terrorism-505306">At UNSC, India slams China, Pakistan for double standards on terrorism</a>

In&nbsp;the joint press conference, Tejashwi criticised the BJP and accused it of destroying parties with whom it formed an alliance. He said, “Across the Hindi heartland, BJP does not have any alliance partner. History shows that the BJP destroys the parties with whom it makes alliances. We did see that happening in Punjab and Maharashtra.”

Kumar has worked with the BJP several times in the last 20 years and had even served as a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government at the Centre in 1996. JD-U is the third major ally to snap ties with the BJP in the last three years&nbsp;after Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Nitish Kumar, leader of Janata Dal (United) (JD-U), took oath as Bihar’s chief minister on Wednesday (August 10) for the eight time after announcing a new ‘grand alliance’ with Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other opposition parties.

Nitish Kumar, leader of Janata Dal (United) (JD-U), took oath as Bihar’s chief minister on Wednesday (August 10) for the eight time after announcing a new ‘grand alliance’ with Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other opposition parties. Tejashwi Yadav has been sworn in as the deputy chief minister. Kumar recently resigned as Bihar’s chief minister after breaking alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). After Kumar’s resignation, Nitish and other leaders addressed a joint press conference and announced their new ‘Mahagathbandhan’ or grand alliance, consisting of seven parties, and claimed support of 165 MLAs, including an Independent. On a day of quick and sudden political developments in Bihar, Kumar earlier met the governor, Phagu Chauhan, twice: once to submit his resignation as CM, and the second time to stake claim for a new government after being chosen as the leader of the grand alliance. Also read | India politics: Nitish Kumar resigns as Bihar chief minister, snaps ties with BJP BJP attacked Kumar for snapping the pre-poll alliance and accused him of having disrespected the mandate given by the people of Bihar. Kumar, who is being trolled on social media for switching sides frequently, had earlier severed ties with the BJP in 2013 but had aligned again with it in 2017. He claimed that the decision to break ties was taken by a unanimous vote. JD-U members claimed that ties with the BJP deteriorated due to a number of instances, including RCP Singh’s exit from the party. Also read | At UNSC, India slams China, Pakistan for double standards on terrorism In the joint press conference, Tejashwi criticised the BJP and accused it of destroying parties with whom it formed an alliance. He said, “Across the Hindi heartland, BJP does not have any alliance partner. History shows that the BJP destroys the parties with whom it makes alliances. We did see that happening in Punjab and Maharashtra.” Kumar has worked with the BJP several times in the last 20 years and had even served as a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government at the Centre in 1996. JD-U is the third major ally to snap ties with the BJP in the last three years after Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Nitish Kumar takes oath as Bihar CM for the 8th time, Tejashwi Yadav becomes deputy

BJP, JD (U) and LJP announce list of constituencies in Bihar for 2019 Lok Sabha polls

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi has claimed that Loktantrik Janata Dal founder Sharad Yadav is siding with the RJD as he finds nothing wrong in the alleged benami properties owned by its president Lalu Prasad's family.

The remarks of Modi, who is also a senior BJP leader, followed Yadav's meeting with Prasad, who is currently lodged at a hospital in Ranchi on account of ill-health. 
 
Prasad is serving sentences in fodder scam cases. 
 
"<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-regret-if-my-words-have-hurt-her-sharad-yadav-over-body-shaming-remark-on-raje-182446">Sharad Yadav</a> finds the benami wealth of Lalu family as legitimate and therefore, he rebelled against the JD(U) and started siding with the RJD," Modi tweeted on Saturday. 
 
The Income Tax department and Enforcement Directorate have attached properties allegedly belonging&nbsp;to Prasad's family earlier this year. 
 
The Deputy CM's remark was a reference to the former JD(U) national&nbsp;president walking out of the party, which is now headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and siding with the opposition camp in Bihar. 
 
Yadav formed his own outfit, Loktantrik Janata Dal, in April this year after he was disqualified from the Rajya Sabha following a petition filed by the JD(U) before the Chairman of the Upper House. 
 
A former NDA convener himself, Yadav had refused to toe the party line when Kumar walked out of the Grand Alliance comprising the JD(U), the RJD and the Congress, and formed a new government with the BJP. 
 
Sushil Modi also criticised Yadav for "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vasundhara-raje-slams-sharad-yadav-for-body-shaming-her-says-election-commission-must-take-cognisance-182221">making an inappropriate comment against Rajasthan Chief Minister</a> Vasundhara Raje Scindia, but keeping mum on the extradition of Christian Michel, who is involved in the Rs 255-crore<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agustawestland-chopper-case-christian-michel-appears-in-delhi-court-security-tightened-181662"> Augusta Westland helicopter scam </a>of which the Gandhi family was a beneficiary". 
 
After drawing flak over his remarks against the Rajasthan CM a couple of days ago, he expressed regret and said he would write a letter to her. 
 
"Sharad Yadav is becoming a part of a front opposed to the NDA government, which has curbed black money, and ending up helping the Lalu-Gandhi families in protecting their ill-gotten wealth," Sushil Modi alleged.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi has claimed that Loktantrik Janata Dal founder Sharad Yadav is siding with the RJD as he finds nothing wrong in the alleged benami properties owned by its president Lalu Prasad's family.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi has claimed that Loktantrik Janata Dal founder Sharad Yadav is siding with the RJD as he finds nothing wrong in the alleged benami properties owned by its president Lalu Prasad's family. The remarks of Modi, who is also a senior BJP leader, followed Yadav's meeting with Prasad, who is currently lodged at a hospital in Ranchi on account of ill-health. Prasad is serving sentences in fodder scam cases. "Sharad Yadav finds the benami wealth of Lalu family as legitimate and therefore, he rebelled against the JD(U) and started siding with the RJD," Modi tweeted on Saturday. The Income Tax department and Enforcement Directorate have attached properties allegedly belonging to Prasad's family earlier this year. The Deputy CM's remark was a reference to the former JD(U) national president walking out of the party, which is now headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and siding with the opposition camp in Bihar. Yadav formed his own outfit, Loktantrik Janata Dal, in April this year after he was disqualified from the Rajya Sabha following a petition filed by the JD(U) before the Chairman of the Upper House. A former NDA convener himself, Yadav had refused to toe the party line when Kumar walked out of the Grand Alliance comprising the JD(U), the RJD and the Congress, and formed a new government with the BJP. Sushil Modi also criticised Yadav for "making an inappropriate comment against Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia, but keeping mum on the extradition of Christian Michel, who is involved in the Rs 255-crore Augusta Westland helicopter scam of which the Gandhi family was a beneficiary". After drawing flak over his remarks against the Rajasthan CM a couple of days ago, he expressed regret and said he would write a letter to her. "Sharad Yadav is becoming a part of a front opposed to the NDA government, which has curbed black money, and ending up helping the Lalu-Gandhi families in protecting their ill-gotten wealth," Sushil Modi alleged.

Sharad Yadav finds Lalu Prasad's benami wealth legitimate: Sushil Modi

In a highly caste-ridden state like Karnataka, all election debates centre around&nbsp;caste. The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led ruling Congress is confident of retaining the government while the BJP is also ready with its own data and hopeful of a win.&nbsp;

The JD (S), trying hard to create a badly hung Assembly, claiming that it will come to power is making its own calculations.

The stakes are high for everyone in the high-octane election largely being seen as a semi-final ahead of the final showdown in 2019. The&nbsp;caste equation plays an important role in any election in the country and Karnataka is no different. All parties of the southern state are baking on caste-centric approach, as is evident in their campaign, to win the polls.

Siddaramaiah government conducted a caste census in the state in 2015. Though official results of the same have not been made public, &nbsp;various media outlets reported on the caste divisions in the state, claiming to be from the survey.&nbsp;

According to the census data, Dalits and Muslims outnumber Lingayats and Vokkaligas. The Scheduled Castes (SCs) account for 19.5 per cent of the total population in the state, making it the single-largest caste entity. Muslims come next, making up 16 per cent. These two groups are followed by the Lingayats and Vokkaligas, who make up 14 per cent and 11 per cent of the population, respectively.

Among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the Kurubas alone account for 7 per cent of the state’s population. Overall, the OBCs make up 20 per cent of Karnataka’s population.&nbsp;

As per the data, SCs, STs, Muslims and Kurubas together form 47.5 per cent of the total population, making it the strongest combination. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s AHINDA (Minorities, Backward Classes and Dalits) group would be the most formidable one in the state, forcing Lingayats and Vokkaligas to play second fiddle to them.&nbsp;

The revelations of the survey punched holes in the earlier claims of Lingayats and Vokkaligas that their communities are the majority in the state.&nbsp;

Since Independence, Lingayats and Vokkaligas have been controlling the levers of power, claiming to be the ‘top communities’ in the state. The two castes have always accounted for 50 per cent of the MP and MLA seats from the state, irrespective of the party in power.&nbsp;

Nevertheless, about 80 percent of the 6.5 crore population of Karnataka belongs to Minorities, OBCs, SCs and STs.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah belongs to the backward caste Kurubas, who popularly proclaims himself to be following socio-political philosophy ‘Ahinda’ (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits). Among the crucial election promises of Congress party in the state is to enhance the reservation quota for SCs, STs and OBCs from 50 per cent to 70 per cent, thus wooing voters from minority and vulnerable communities seem to be Congress line of approach.

Siddaramaiah-led Congress government recently accepted an expert committee’s recommendation, and accorded the status of a religion (a minority one) to the Lingayat sect, until now considered a part of Hinduism.

The move, which analysts see as an astute political move and opponents as an opportunistic one with an eye on the forthcoming state elections in Karnataka, acknowledges an almost four-decade-long demand by the Lingayats.

Lingayats currently have 5 per cent reservation and are classified as an Other Backward Class.

BS Yeddyurappa, BJP state president and party’s chief ministerial candidate belongs to Lingayat community, the dominant caste in the state. Despite corruption charges, BJP made him the chief ministerial candidate as his support base among the Lingayat voters remains intact. &nbsp;

The BJP, which has largely been seen as a ‘Lingayat’ party has failed to win the support of the Vokkaliga community. But with former Congressman SM Krishna joining the BJP, the party is trying to win the Vokkaliga votes and make inroads into the Old Mysore region.

On the other hand, JD(S) had earlier announced that its CM candidate as HD Kumaraswamy, son of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, belongs to Vokkaligas, another dominant caste in the state.

On 8 February, JD(S) had officially forged an alliance with Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) for the upcoming elections. Therefore hoping support from upper caste Vokkaligas and Dalits. 
&nbsp;

Caste equation plays an important role in any election in the country and Karnataka is no different.

In a highly caste-ridden state like Karnataka, all election debates centre around caste. The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led ruling Congress is confident of retaining the government while the BJP is also ready with its own data and hopeful of a win. The JD (S), trying hard to create a badly hung Assembly, claiming that it will come to power is making its own calculations. The stakes are high for everyone in the high-octane election largely being seen as a semi-final ahead of the final showdown in 2019. The caste equation plays an important role in any election in the country and Karnataka is no different. All parties of the southern state are baking on caste-centric approach, as is evident in their campaign, to win the polls. Siddaramaiah government conducted a caste census in the state in 2015. Though official results of the same have not been made public, various media outlets reported on the caste divisions in the state, claiming to be from the survey. According to the census data, Dalits and Muslims outnumber Lingayats and Vokkaligas. The Scheduled Castes (SCs) account for 19.5 per cent of the total population in the state, making it the single-largest caste entity. Muslims come next, making up 16 per cent. These two groups are followed by the Lingayats and Vokkaligas, who make up 14 per cent and 11 per cent of the population, respectively. Among the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the Kurubas alone account for 7 per cent of the state’s population. Overall, the OBCs make up 20 per cent of Karnataka’s population. As per the data, SCs, STs, Muslims and Kurubas together form 47.5 per cent of the total population, making it the strongest combination. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s AHINDA (Minorities, Backward Classes and Dalits) group would be the most formidable one in the state, forcing Lingayats and Vokkaligas to play second fiddle to them. The revelations of the survey punched holes in the earlier claims of Lingayats and Vokkaligas that their communities are the majority in the state. Since Independence, Lingayats and Vokkaligas have been controlling the levers of power, claiming to be the ‘top communities’ in the state. The two castes have always accounted for 50 per cent of the MP and MLA seats from the state, irrespective of the party in power. Nevertheless, about 80 percent of the 6.5 crore population of Karnataka belongs to Minorities, OBCs, SCs and STs. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah belongs to the backward caste Kurubas, who popularly proclaims himself to be following socio-political philosophy ‘Ahinda’ (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits). Among the crucial election promises of Congress party in the state is to enhance the reservation quota for SCs, STs and OBCs from 50 per cent to 70 per cent, thus wooing voters from minority and vulnerable communities seem to be Congress line of approach. Siddaramaiah-led Congress government recently accepted an expert committee’s recommendation, and accorded the status of a religion (a minority one) to the Lingayat sect, until now considered a part of Hinduism. The move, which analysts see as an astute political move and opponents as an opportunistic one with an eye on the forthcoming state elections in Karnataka, acknowledges an almost four-decade-long demand by the Lingayats. Lingayats currently have 5 per cent reservation and are classified as an Other Backward Class. BS Yeddyurappa, BJP state president and party’s chief ministerial candidate belongs to Lingayat community, the dominant caste in the state. Despite corruption charges, BJP made him the chief ministerial candidate as his support base among the Lingayat voters remains intact. The BJP, which has largely been seen as a ‘Lingayat’ party has failed to win the support of the Vokkaliga community. But with former Congressman SM Krishna joining the BJP, the party is trying to win the Vokkaliga votes and make inroads into the Old Mysore region. On the other hand, JD(S) had earlier announced that its CM candidate as HD Kumaraswamy, son of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, belongs to Vokkaligas, another dominant caste in the state. On 8 February, JD(S) had officially forged an alliance with Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) for the upcoming elections. Therefore hoping support from upper caste Vokkaligas and Dalits.

Karnataka elections: Caste arithmetic explained

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