The newly inducted Narendra Modi government will hold its first Cabinet meeting on Friday. According to reports, the cabinet meeting will be held around 5 PM on Friday. Watch this video to know more.

All-new Narendra Modi govt to hold its first Cabinet meet

Get set, count! EC has begun with the process that would ultimately decide which party and alliance could form the next government in the country. Nitish Kumar says, ''People have expressed what they were having in their heart.''

Lok Sabha Election 2019: Nitish Kumar Says, ''People Expressed What They Had In Their Heart''

Get set, count! EC has begun with the process that would ultimately decide which party and alliance could form the next government in the country. Nitish kumar secures all 17 LS seats in Bihar.

Lok Sabha Election 2019: Nitish kumar secures all 17 LS seats in Bihar

With exit polls forecasting NDA's return to power, top leaders of the BJP-led alliance will meet on Tuesday over dinner to be hosted by party president Amit Shah where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be present, party sources said on Monday.

Amit Shah to meet allies, host dinner on Tuesday ahead of 23rd May results

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will be attending the dinner hosted by Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah for NDA leaders on Tuesday. Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar will also be attending the dinner today.&nbsp;

Other leaders who are likely to be present at the dinner tonight include Lok Jan Shakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan and AIADMK leaders EK Palaniswamy and O Pannerselvam.&nbsp;

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The dinner is being hosted by the BJP chief for NDA allies in the national capital as a strategy session before the official results are declared on May 23.&nbsp;

The development comes just a couple of days after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/exit-polls-2019-pm-modi-returning-to-power-with-300-plus-seats-say-pollsters-219927">exit polls predicted</a> a landslide victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Lok Sabha polls 2019. &nbsp;

Pollsters predicted the BJP and its allies to get a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

The opposition parties dubbed the exit polls as wrong.&nbsp;

The seven-phased Lok Sabha polls were conducted from Aprill 11 to May 19. As many as 542 seats went to polls.

The counting of votes will be held on May 23, the result will be declared subsequently on the same day.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will be attending the dinner hosted by Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah for NDA leaders on Tuesday. Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar will also be attending the dinner today.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will be attending the dinner hosted by Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah for NDA leaders on Tuesday. Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar will also be attending the dinner today. Other leaders who are likely to be present at the dinner tonight include Lok Jan Shakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan and AIADMK leaders EK Palaniswamy and O Pannerselvam. Delhi: Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray to attend dinner hosted by Amit Shah for NDA leaders today (file pics) pic.twitter.com/Kj3zzrbPJp — ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2019 × The dinner is being hosted by the BJP chief for NDA allies in the national capital as a strategy session before the official results are declared on May 23. The development comes just a couple of days after the exit polls predicted a landslide victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Lok Sabha polls 2019. Pollsters predicted the BJP and its allies to get a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha elections. The opposition parties dubbed the exit polls as wrong. The seven-phased Lok Sabha polls were conducted from Aprill 11 to May 19. As many as 542 seats went to polls. The counting of votes will be held on May 23, the result will be declared subsequently on the same day.

Amit Shah to hold dinner for NDA allies today; Uddhav Thackeray, Nitish Kumar, Paswan to attend

The seven-phase long Lok Sabha elections, one of the most bitterly fought in recent memory, will come to an end today.&nbsp;

As the one and a half month-long dance of democracy ends today, former Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said that there was a long gap between each phase of voting.&nbsp;

At booth number 326 in Raj Bhawan, after casting his vote Patna Nitish Kumar said that elections should not be held over such a long duration, there was a long gap between each phase of voting. I will write to leaders of all parties to build a consensus on this.&nbsp;

The battle for a total of 543 seats had started with elections in 91 constituencies across 20 states on April 11 in the first phase. The final vote count will be done May 23 and seal the fate of Indian politics when it will be finally decided if the incumbent BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi secure another term in the office or the anti-incumbency factor swings the tide.

Nearly 90 crore voters were eligible to vote for 543 Lok Sabha constituencies across the country.&nbsp;

This year Election Commission established approximately 10 lakh polling stations in 2019, compared to 9 lakh in 2014.

The seven-phase long Lok Sabha elections, one of the most bitterly fought in recent memory, will come to an end today. As the one and a half month-long dance of democracy ends today, former Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said that there was a long gap between each phase of voting.

The seven-phase long Lok Sabha elections, one of the most bitterly fought in recent memory, will come to an end today. As the one and a half month-long dance of democracy ends today, former Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said that there was a long gap between each phase of voting. At booth number 326 in Raj Bhawan, after casting his vote Patna Nitish Kumar said that elections should not be held over such a long duration, there was a long gap between each phase of voting. I will write to leaders of all parties to build a consensus on this. The battle for a total of 543 seats had started with elections in 91 constituencies across 20 states on April 11 in the first phase. The final vote count will be done May 23 and seal the fate of Indian politics when it will be finally decided if the incumbent BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi secure another term in the office or the anti-incumbency factor swings the tide. Nearly 90 crore voters were eligible to vote for 543 Lok Sabha constituencies across the country. This year Election Commission established approximately 10 lakh polling stations in 2019, compared to 9 lakh in 2014.

Polls shouldn't be held over such a long duration, says Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar says that 'NDA will come to power, JDU will definitely be a part of it'. The 7th phase of lok Sabha election is underway

'NDA will come to power, JDU will definitely be a part of it': Nitish Kumar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination papers for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat on Friday, accompanied by a galaxy of top BJP and NDA leaders in a massive show of strength for the country's ruling alliance. Watch this video to know more.

India Election Watch: PM Modi files nomination paper from Varanasi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi files his nomination from Varanasi, earlier today PM Modi visited Kal Bhairav temple. Watch this video to know more.

General Election 2019: PM Modi files his nomination from Varanasi

Accompanied by a galaxy of top NDA leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday will file his nomination papers from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat. Watch full video to know more.

General Election 2019: PM Modi files nomination from Varanasi parliamentary constituency

After PM Modi filed his nomination papers from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat today, he also appealed that maximum number of people should come out and vote. Watch full video to know more.#PMModiInVaranasi#ModiNomination#Varanasi #LokSabhaElections2019

'We should make the government and the nation stronger by casting votes.': PM Modi

Accompanied by top NDA leaders, PM modi on Friday will file his nomination papers from the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat. Watch full video to know more.#PMModiInVaranasi#ModiNomination#Varanasi #LokSabhaElections2019

General Election 2019: PM Modi files poll papers in Varanasi, shows off NDA strength

Accompanied by top NDA leaders, PM Narendra Modi to file nomination from Varanasi

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Wednesday congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and its scientists for the success of ‘Mission Shakti’.&nbsp;

Praising the DRDO and its scientists associated with “Mission Shakti”, Kumar expressed happiness on India becoming the fourth country in the world to join the exclusive club of space superpowers after the US, Russia and China, an official release said.&nbsp;

“I extend my greetings to them (DRDO and scientists) as the entire nation is proud of their achievements,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that India had demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite, describing it as a rare achievement that puts the country in an exclusive club of space superpowers.

“In the journey of every nation, there are moments that bring utmost pride and have a historic impact on generations to come. One such moment is today,” he said in an unprecedented broadcast to the nation on television, radio and social media.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Wednesday congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and its scientists for the success of ‘Mission Shakti’.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Wednesday congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and its scientists for the success of ‘Mission Shakti’. Praising the DRDO and its scientists associated with “Mission Shakti”, Kumar expressed happiness on India becoming the fourth country in the world to join the exclusive club of space superpowers after the US, Russia and China, an official release said. “I extend my greetings to them (DRDO and scientists) as the entire nation is proud of their achievements,” he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that India had demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite, describing it as a rare achievement that puts the country in an exclusive club of space superpowers. “In the journey of every nation, there are moments that bring utmost pride and have a historic impact on generations to come. One such moment is today,” he said in an unprecedented broadcast to the nation on television, radio and social media.

Mission Shakti: Nitish Kumar calls it a historic moment, hails DRDO

Lok Sabha polls: A closer look at the key constituents of the National Democratic Alliance

He is honest and nice, let's go with Nitish says the new poll catchphrase coined by the Bihar chief ministers party which is seeking to reinvent itself as an ally of the NDA, the coalition which it had dumped ahead of the previous Lok Sabha elections.

‘Sacha hai, acha hai, chalo Nitish ke saath’ is the message of the posters released at the JD(U) state headquarters here on Wednesday. The subtext ‘Sankalp hamara NDA dobara (our resolve, NDA again) is also there but relegated to a corner, in smaller fonts.’

Releasing the posters, the party's national general secretary Ram Chandra Prasad Singh said: “We want to convey the message to the voters that Nitish Kumar is a man who fulfils the promises he makes and does not lie.”

Kumar has called the shots in the party ever since it came into being a couple of decades ago but formally took over as its president only in 2016 when he relieved Sharad Yadav, now in a sulk and out of the party and struggling to find a foothold in the opposition Grand Alliance, of the post.

A year before he assumed the top post in the party, Kumar had made a record of sorts by romping home as chief minister for the third consecutive term. He had fought the elections in alliance with Lalu Prasad's RJD and the Congress but remained in the centre stage as the 2015 slogan ‘Bihar mein bahar hai Nitish Kumar hai’ (Bihar blossoms under the leadership of Nitish Kumar) reverberated through the landscape.

The shift of focus from the celebration of the states economic turnaround to the chief ministers “honesty” comes at a time when Kumar faces a trust deficit in the wake of his volte-face of 2017 when he resigned guided by his “inner voice” but formed a new government less than 24 hours later, dumping his pre-poll allies and joining hands with the BJP, which he had bitterly fought. The dramatic turnaround has earned him the unsavoury epithet “Palturam” though Kumar has been at pains to explain that he took the drastic step keeping the best interests of Bihar in mind given that the BJP was also in power at the Centre and in keeping with his “zero tolerance of corruption”.

However, it seemed to be an insufficient explanation to critics and surprisingly to his confidant Prashant Kishor, who occupies the post of national vice-president in the JD(U). Kishor ruffled many feathers in the party when in a recent interview to a news portal he said he “disagreed” with the method adopted by Kumar for realigning with the BJP and that ideally, the chief minister “should have sought a fresh mandate”. Although the BJP is expected to highlight issues such as national security and the need for a strong government at the Centre, the alliance as a whole – is likely to go with the JD(U) line by focusing on the performance of its government in Bihar and clean image of Kumar.

He is honest and nice, let's go with Nitish says the new poll catchphrase coined by the Bihar chief ministers party which is seeking to reinvent itself as an ally of the NDA, the coalition which it had dumped ahead of the previous Lok Sabha elections.

He is honest and nice, let's go with Nitish says the new poll catchphrase coined by the Bihar chief ministers party which is seeking to reinvent itself as an ally of the NDA, the coalition which it had dumped ahead of the previous Lok Sabha elections. ‘Sacha hai, acha hai, chalo Nitish ke saath’ is the message of the posters released at the JD(U) state headquarters here on Wednesday. The subtext ‘Sankalp hamara NDA dobara (our resolve, NDA again) is also there but relegated to a corner, in smaller fonts.’ Releasing the posters, the party's national general secretary Ram Chandra Prasad Singh said: “We want to convey the message to the voters that Nitish Kumar is a man who fulfils the promises he makes and does not lie.” Kumar has called the shots in the party ever since it came into being a couple of decades ago but formally took over as its president only in 2016 when he relieved Sharad Yadav, now in a sulk and out of the party and struggling to find a foothold in the opposition Grand Alliance, of the post. A year before he assumed the top post in the party, Kumar had made a record of sorts by romping home as chief minister for the third consecutive term. He had fought the elections in alliance with Lalu Prasad's RJD and the Congress but remained in the centre stage as the 2015 slogan ‘Bihar mein bahar hai Nitish Kumar hai’ (Bihar blossoms under the leadership of Nitish Kumar) reverberated through the landscape. The shift of focus from the celebration of the states economic turnaround to the chief ministers “honesty” comes at a time when Kumar faces a trust deficit in the wake of his volte-face of 2017 when he resigned guided by his “inner voice” but formed a new government less than 24 hours later, dumping his pre-poll allies and joining hands with the BJP, which he had bitterly fought. The dramatic turnaround has earned him the unsavoury epithet “Palturam” though Kumar has been at pains to explain that he took the drastic step keeping the best interests of Bihar in mind given that the BJP was also in power at the Centre and in keeping with his “zero tolerance of corruption”. However, it seemed to be an insufficient explanation to critics and surprisingly to his confidant Prashant Kishor, who occupies the post of national vice-president in the JD(U). Kishor ruffled many feathers in the party when in a recent interview to a news portal he said he “disagreed” with the method adopted by Kumar for realigning with the BJP and that ideally, the chief minister “should have sought a fresh mandate”. Although the BJP is expected to highlight issues such as national security and the need for a strong government at the Centre, the alliance as a whole – is likely to go with the JD(U) line by focusing on the performance of its government in Bihar and clean image of Kumar.

‘Sacha hai, acha hai, chalo Nitish ke saath’: JD-U launches slogan for Lok Sabha polls, banks on Nitish’s ‘honest’ image

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share the stage with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday at NDA's Sankalp rally in Patna. The rally will sound the bugle for NDA's Lok Sabha election campaign.&nbsp;

The rally will be a witness to thousands thronging Patna's Gandhi Maidan. PM Modi will be sharing the state Kumar after 9 years since they last conducted a joint rally in Bihar in 2005. &nbsp;

The Sankalp rally will be aimed at taking a resolve to make a new and secure India under the leadership of PM Modi, BJP General Secretary Bhupendra Yadav said Saturday.

The ruling coalition's Sankalp rally at Gandhi Maidan will be also addressed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union minister Ramvilas Paswan, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

"Tomorrows NDAs Sankalp rally is being organized to take a resolve to make a new, strong, prosperous, safe and secured India We are proud of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan who returned to India yesterday (from Pakistan). We thank the government and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this," Yadav, a Rajya Sabha member, told reporters on Saturday.

Workers and leaders of all the three NDA constituents- BJP, JD(U) and LJP- have been working hard to make the rally a grand success, Yadav said.

(With inputs from PTI)

 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share the stage with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday at NDA's Sankalp rally in Patna. The rally will sound the bugle for NDA's Lok Sabha election campaign.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share the stage with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday at NDA's Sankalp rally in Patna. The rally will sound the bugle for NDA's Lok Sabha election campaign. The rally will be a witness to thousands thronging Patna's Gandhi Maidan. PM Modi will be sharing the state Kumar after 9 years since they last conducted a joint rally in Bihar in 2005. The Sankalp rally will be aimed at taking a resolve to make a new and secure India under the leadership of PM Modi, BJP General Secretary Bhupendra Yadav said Saturday. The ruling coalition's Sankalp rally at Gandhi Maidan will be also addressed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union minister Ramvilas Paswan, news agency PTI reported. "Tomorrows NDAs Sankalp rally is being organized to take a resolve to make a new, strong, prosperous, safe and secured India We are proud of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan who returned to India yesterday (from Pakistan). We thank the government and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this," Yadav, a Rajya Sabha member, told reporters on Saturday. Workers and leaders of all the three NDA constituents- BJP, JD(U) and LJP- have been working hard to make the rally a grand success, Yadav said. (With inputs from PTI)

Bihar: PM Modi, Nitish Kumar to share stage after 9 years at NDA's Sankalp rally today 

Bihar Chief Minister<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-nitish-kumar-share-stage-after-9-years-both-remember-pulwama-martyrs-at-sankalp-rally-200875"> Nitish Kumar and NDA leaders from Bihar </a>Sunday resolved to win all the 40 Lok Sabha seats from the state in order to bring back Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of the country.

"People have turned up at the rally in very large numbers. The Lok Sabha polls are impending...I want to assure you 'Pradhan Mantri jee' (Prime Minister) that we will win 40 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar in the general elections. "This is our Sankalp (resolve)," Kumar said while addressing NDAs 'Sankalp' rally at Gandhi Maidan in Patna.

Kumar also congratulated the Prime Minister, the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force for taking action against terror outfits and those who promote terrorism.

Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot, deep inside Pakistan early Tuesday. The Indian strike on the JeM camp came 12 days after the terror outfit claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing over 40 soldiers.&nbsp;

There is no question of compromising on the issue of terrorism, he said, adding that the government would ensure all possible and necessary steps to counter it.

He also praised the Modi government and the armed forces for forcing Pakistan to release Wing Commander Abhinandan Vardhaman.

Union ministers Ram Vilas Paswan, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Radha Mohan Singh, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, Bihar BJP in-charge Bhupendra Yadav, Bihar BJP chief Nityanand Rai, Bihar JD(U) chief Bashishtha Narayan Singh, Bihar minister and state president of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) Pashupati Kumar Paras, ministers Mangal Pandey, Nand Kishore Yadav and a host of other NDA leaders also attended the 'Sankalp rally'.

The weather was initially sunny but later turned out to be rainy. It continued to drizzle throughout the PM's speech.

Kumar also assured the PM that work on providing toilet facility to every household in the state will be completed by October 2, 2019, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

PM Modi, later during his speech, appreciated Nitish Kumar for his resolve to complete the construction of toilets by October 2.

Earlier, people attending the rally started raising slogans as they were getting impatient to hear the PM.

Invoking 'seven social sins' as enumerated by Mahatma Gandhi, Kumar apparently attacked the opposition RJD saying there are people who amassed properties after coming to power, though Mahatma Gandhi termed "acquiring assets without work as sin".

Without naming anyone, Kumar said, "What we did after coming to power and what they did after coming to power is known to people."

Kumar said people should be aware of such persons who are more interested in getting 'mewa' (power, position and money) instead of doing 'sewa' (service).

Lauding the work done by both the NDA governments at the Centre and in the state, the CM enumerated various schemes and projects meant for the welfare of the poor.

Giving LPG connections under the Ujjwala scheme, Rs 5 lakh medical cover to 10.74 crore families as identified on the basis of Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data, PM-KISAN scheme which envisage Rs 6,000 per year as assistance to the farmers, are among the few schemes which Kumar named besides enumerating his much talked about 'Saat Nischay' scheme and 10 per cent reservation to the economically weaker sections of unreserved category after getting the necessary amendments passed by the state legislature.

The central government has been quite helpful and cooperative in Bihar's development, he said.&nbsp;

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and NDA leaders from Bihar Sunday resolved to win all the 40 Lok Sabha seats from the state in order to bring back Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of the country.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and NDA leaders from Bihar Sunday resolved to win all the 40 Lok Sabha seats from the state in order to bring back Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of the country. "People have turned up at the rally in very large numbers. The Lok Sabha polls are impending...I want to assure you 'Pradhan Mantri jee' (Prime Minister) that we will win 40 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar in the general elections. "This is our Sankalp (resolve)," Kumar said while addressing NDAs 'Sankalp' rally at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. Kumar also congratulated the Prime Minister, the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force for taking action against terror outfits and those who promote terrorism. Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot, deep inside Pakistan early Tuesday. The Indian strike on the JeM camp came 12 days after the terror outfit claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing over 40 soldiers. There is no question of compromising on the issue of terrorism, he said, adding that the government would ensure all possible and necessary steps to counter it. He also praised the Modi government and the armed forces for forcing Pakistan to release Wing Commander Abhinandan Vardhaman. Union ministers Ram Vilas Paswan, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Radha Mohan Singh, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, Bihar BJP in-charge Bhupendra Yadav, Bihar BJP chief Nityanand Rai, Bihar JD(U) chief Bashishtha Narayan Singh, Bihar minister and state president of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) Pashupati Kumar Paras, ministers Mangal Pandey, Nand Kishore Yadav and a host of other NDA leaders also attended the 'Sankalp rally'. The weather was initially sunny but later turned out to be rainy. It continued to drizzle throughout the PM's speech. Kumar also assured the PM that work on providing toilet facility to every household in the state will be completed by October 2, 2019, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. PM Modi, later during his speech, appreciated Nitish Kumar for his resolve to complete the construction of toilets by October 2. Earlier, people attending the rally started raising slogans as they were getting impatient to hear the PM. Invoking 'seven social sins' as enumerated by Mahatma Gandhi, Kumar apparently attacked the opposition RJD saying there are people who amassed properties after coming to power, though Mahatma Gandhi termed "acquiring assets without work as sin". Without naming anyone, Kumar said, "What we did after coming to power and what they did after coming to power is known to people." Kumar said people should be aware of such persons who are more interested in getting 'mewa' (power, position and money) instead of doing 'sewa' (service). Lauding the work done by both the NDA governments at the Centre and in the state, the CM enumerated various schemes and projects meant for the welfare of the poor. Giving LPG connections under the Ujjwala scheme, Rs 5 lakh medical cover to 10.74 crore families as identified on the basis of Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data, PM-KISAN scheme which envisage Rs 6,000 per year as assistance to the farmers, are among the few schemes which Kumar named besides enumerating his much talked about 'Saat Nischay' scheme and 10 per cent reservation to the economically weaker sections of unreserved category after getting the necessary amendments passed by the state legislature. The central government has been quite helpful and cooperative in Bihar's development, he said.

Nitish Kumar assures PM of winning all 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed NDA's Sankalp rally at Patna's Gandhi Maidan in Bihar. The Prime Minister started his address by paying homage to the martyrs of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-terror-attack-pakistans-denial-mode-on-jaish-involvement-continues-200626">Pulwama terror attack</a>. He said that the "new India" will not tolerate the killings of its jawaans.&nbsp;

"I salute the martyrs of Pulwama, and the sons of Bihar who laid their lives down for the country. The whole nation is with the families of the jawans," he stated. &nbsp;

PM Modi slammed the Congress and its allies, accusing them of making statements that "demoralises our security forces".&nbsp;

"Why are they giving statements which are benefitting our enemies?" he asked.&nbsp;

"While I want to eliminate terror, opposition parties are conspiring to finish me," he noted.&nbsp;

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PM Narendra Modi in Patna: I salute the martyrs of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pulwama?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pulwama</a>, the whole nation is standing with the families of the jawans <a href="https://t.co/p8wDSGtPUx">pic.twitter.com/p8wDSGtPUx</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1102112918739607552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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During the rally, the Prime Minister took a jibe at those who criticise him and call&nbsp;him 'Chowkidar'. He said that "this chowkidar will always be alert" for the service of the nation. He also told the people of Bihar that the BJP government "dared to end the culture of corruption and middlemen which had been a normal practice in the country for decades."

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PM Narendra Modi in Patna: These days a competition is underway to abuse the 'Chowkidaar', but you be assured, this 'Chowkidaar' of yours is as alert as ever. <a href="https://t.co/uK1iNR0nuw">pic.twitter.com/uK1iNR0nuw</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1102115492054122498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also spoke at the rally, sharing the stage with PM Modi after 9 years.&nbsp;

Kumar lauded PM Modi's effort in taking action against terror.&nbsp;

"The way investigations have been done against the perpetrators of terror is commendable, also <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-deal-was-negotiated-to-get-back-abhinandan-government-sources-to-wion-200766">the way they got our pilot back</a>," the Bihar CM stated.&nbsp;

The Sankalp rally is aimed at taking a resolve to make a new and secure India under the leadership of PM Modi, BJP General Secretary Bhupendra Yadav said Saturday.&nbsp;The rally sounded the bugle for NDA's Lok Sabha election campaign.&nbsp;

The ruling coalition's Sankalp rally at Gandhi Maidan will also be addressed by Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

Workers and leaders of all the three NDA constituents - BJP, JD(U) and LJP- worked tirelessly to make the rally a grand success, Yadav said on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed NDA's Sankalp rally at Patna's Gandhi Maidan in Bihar. The Prime Minister started his address by paying homage to the martyrs of the Pulwama terror attack.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed NDA's Sankalp rally at Patna's Gandhi Maidan in Bihar. The Prime Minister started his address by paying homage to the martyrs of the Pulwama terror attack. He said that the "new India" will not tolerate the killings of its jawaans. "I salute the martyrs of Pulwama, and the sons of Bihar who laid their lives down for the country. The whole nation is with the families of the jawans," he stated. PM Modi slammed the Congress and its allies, accusing them of making statements that "demoralises our security forces". "Why are they giving statements which are benefitting our enemies?" he asked. "While I want to eliminate terror, opposition parties are conspiring to finish me," he noted. PM Narendra Modi in Patna: I salute the martyrs of #Pulwama, the whole nation is standing with the families of the jawans pic.twitter.com/p8wDSGtPUx — ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2019 × During the rally, the Prime Minister took a jibe at those who criticise him and call him 'Chowkidar'. He said that "this chowkidar will always be alert" for the service of the nation. He also told the people of Bihar that the BJP government "dared to end the culture of corruption and middlemen which had been a normal practice in the country for decades." PM Narendra Modi in Patna: These days a competition is underway to abuse the 'Chowkidaar', but you be assured, this 'Chowkidaar' of yours is as alert as ever. pic.twitter.com/uK1iNR0nuw — ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2019 × Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also spoke at the rally, sharing the stage with PM Modi after 9 years. Kumar lauded PM Modi's effort in taking action against terror. "The way investigations have been done against the perpetrators of terror is commendable, also the way they got our pilot back," the Bihar CM stated. The Sankalp rally is aimed at taking a resolve to make a new and secure India under the leadership of PM Modi, BJP General Secretary Bhupendra Yadav said Saturday. The rally sounded the bugle for NDA's Lok Sabha election campaign. The ruling coalition's Sankalp rally at Gandhi Maidan will also be addressed by Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, news agency PTI reported. Workers and leaders of all the three NDA constituents - BJP, JD(U) and LJP- worked tirelessly to make the rally a grand success, Yadav said on Saturday.

While I want to eliminate terror, opposition is conspiring to finish me: PM Modi during Sankalp rally in Patna

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday in Barauni, Bihar that the anger in the hears of the Indian people <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-government-withdraws-security-cover-of-5-separatist-leaders-including-mirwaiz-umar-farooq-197880">after the Pulwama attack</a> is in his heart too.&nbsp;

Modi was in Barauni to inaugurate the Patna metro rail project. He was accompanied by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.&nbsp;

"I can feel how much anger there is in your hearts," Modi said Sunday. "The anger in your heart is in mine too," he added.&nbsp;

Over 40 jawans died in the Pulwama attack on Thursday after a local youth, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/adil-ahmad-dar-the-man-who-carried-out-the-pulwama-attack-197476">Adil Ahmad Dar</a>, rammed a car filled with explosives into a bus carrying CRPF personnel. The bus was part of a convoy of 78 vehicles transporting 2,500 CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar.&nbsp;

The attack was later claimed by the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed which is headed by Masood Azhar who is based out of Pakistan.&nbsp;

Azhar is one of the three terrorists released by India after the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 in Kathmandu.&nbsp;

"I pay my tributes to martyr Constable Sanjay Kumar Sinha from Patna and Bhagalpur's martyr Ratan Kumar Thakur who sacrificed their lives for the country. I express my sympathies with their families," Modi said on Sunday.&nbsp;

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Barauni, Bihar: I pay my tributes to martyr Constable Sanjay Kumar Sinha from Patna and Bhagalpur's martyr Ratan Kumar Thakur who sacrificed their lives for the country. I express my sympathies with their families. <a href="https://t.co/Wa8Fruh9fM">pic.twitter.com/Wa8Fruh9fM</a>
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The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pulwama-attack-outpouring-of-grief-anger-as-india-says-final-goodbye-to-slain-crpf-jawans-197851">Pulwama attack</a> has baffled Indian intelligence agencies considering the losses Jaish has suffered recently in Kashmir.&nbsp;

Since the attack, India has raised customs duties on Pakistani imports by 200 per cent, making trade with its neighbour virtually impossible.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also announced that he has given Indian security forces a free hand to respond to the Pulwama attack at a time and place of their choosing. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has promised India will give a "muh-tod" (befitting) reply to the attack.&nbsp;

Modi is also expected to inaugurate a slew of development projects today in Jharkhand.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday in Barauni, Bihar that the anger in the hears of the Indian people after the Pulwama attack is in his heart too. Modi was in Barauni to inaugurate the Patna metro rail project.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday in Barauni, Bihar that the anger in the hears of the Indian people after the Pulwama attack is in his heart too. Modi was in Barauni to inaugurate the Patna metro rail project. He was accompanied by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. "I can feel how much anger there is in your hearts," Modi said Sunday. "The anger in your heart is in mine too," he added. Over 40 jawans died in the Pulwama attack on Thursday after a local youth, Adil Ahmad Dar, rammed a car filled with explosives into a bus carrying CRPF personnel. The bus was part of a convoy of 78 vehicles transporting 2,500 CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar. The attack was later claimed by the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed which is headed by Masood Azhar who is based out of Pakistan. Azhar is one of the three terrorists released by India after the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 in Kathmandu. "I pay my tributes to martyr Constable Sanjay Kumar Sinha from Patna and Bhagalpur's martyr Ratan Kumar Thakur who sacrificed their lives for the country. I express my sympathies with their families," Modi said on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Barauni, Bihar: I pay my tributes to martyr Constable Sanjay Kumar Sinha from Patna and Bhagalpur's martyr Ratan Kumar Thakur who sacrificed their lives for the country. I express my sympathies with their families. pic.twitter.com/Wa8Fruh9fM — ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2019 × The Pulwama attack has baffled Indian intelligence agencies considering the losses Jaish has suffered recently in Kashmir. Since the attack, India has raised customs duties on Pakistani imports by 200 per cent, making trade with its neighbour virtually impossible. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also announced that he has given Indian security forces a free hand to respond to the Pulwama attack at a time and place of their choosing. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has promised India will give a "muh-tod" (befitting) reply to the attack. Modi is also expected to inaugurate a slew of development projects today in Jharkhand.

Anger in your hearts after Pulwama attack is in mine too: PM Narendra Modi in Bihar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday ordered to provide a solatium of Rs. four lakh each to the kin of the six deceased after nine coaches of the Delhi-bound <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/6-die-as-9-coaches-of-seemanchal-express-derail-in-bihar-194666">Seemanchal Express</a> derailed in Vaishali district of Bihar.&nbsp;

The CM also announced a compensation of Rs. 50,000 to the injured.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the loss of lives due to the derailment of coaches of the Seemanchal Express.

''Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the derailment of coaches of the Seemanchal Express. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. Railways, NDRF, and local authorities are providing all possible assistance in the wake of the accident,'' tweeted on Sunday morning.&nbsp;

The accident took place at 3:58 am at Sahadai Buzurg.&nbsp;

One general coach, one AC coach B3, three sleeper coaches and four more coaches derailed, said East Central Railway spokesperson Rajesh Kumar.

At least seven&nbsp;people lost their lives. Bodies of the six victims have been identified while one is yet to be identified.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday ordered to provide a solatium of Rs. four lakh each to the kin of the six deceased after nine coaches of the Delhi-bound Seemanchal Express derailed in Vaishali district of Bihar.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday ordered to provide a solatium of Rs. four lakh each to the kin of the six deceased after nine coaches of the Delhi-bound Seemanchal Express derailed in Vaishali district of Bihar. The CM also announced a compensation of Rs. 50,000 to the injured. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the loss of lives due to the derailment of coaches of the Seemanchal Express. ''Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the derailment of coaches of the Seemanchal Express. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. Railways, NDRF, and local authorities are providing all possible assistance in the wake of the accident,'' tweeted on Sunday morning. The accident took place at 3:58 am at Sahadai Buzurg. One general coach, one AC coach B3, three sleeper coaches and four more coaches derailed, said East Central Railway spokesperson Rajesh Kumar. At least seven people lost their lives. Bodies of the six victims have been identified while one is yet to be identified.

Bihar train accident: Nitish Kumar announces Rs 4 lakh to kin of deceased  

The Bihar Cabinet has approved the Centre`s scheme of 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker general candidates in government jobs and educational institutions in the state on Friday.

The cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also passed 58 agendas placed before it.

Earlier on January 22, Nitish Kumar chaired a high-level meeting at his 1 Anne Marg residence here in Patna in which he discussed the issue with Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar and Secretary to the Chief Minister Manish Kumar Varma along with others.

Gujarat, Jharkhand, Uttar-Pradesh are the other states that have implemented the centre`s scheme.

The Lok Sabha recently passed the Constitution Bill, 2019 in Parliament to grant 10 per cent reservation in education and government jobs to economically weaker individuals belonging to the general category across religions.

The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha, with 165 votes in favour and seven against.

The Bihar Cabinet has approved the Centre`s scheme of 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker general candidates in government jobs and educational institutions in the state on Friday.

The Bihar Cabinet has approved the Centre`s scheme of 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker general candidates in government jobs and educational institutions in the state on Friday. The cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also passed 58 agendas placed before it. Earlier on January 22, Nitish Kumar chaired a high-level meeting at his 1 Anne Marg residence here in Patna in which he discussed the issue with Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar and Secretary to the Chief Minister Manish Kumar Varma along with others. Gujarat, Jharkhand, Uttar-Pradesh are the other states that have implemented the centre`s scheme. The Lok Sabha recently passed the Constitution Bill, 2019 in Parliament to grant 10 per cent reservation in education and government jobs to economically weaker individuals belonging to the general category across religions. The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha, with 165 votes in favour and seven against.

Bihar cabinet approves Centre's 10% quota for economically weaker general category

The importance of Karnataka government does not lie in unrelenting ambition of former chief minister Yeddyurappa. Its importance lies in the impact it will create nationally, if the JDS-Congress alliance comes apart. Karnataka today sells the idea of coalition being a stable entity which BJP wants to discredit at the national level.

Secondly, if the alliance continues, BJP will find very difficult to retain 17 seats in the state. The matter becomes more acute as SP-BSP alliance has firmed up in Uttar Pradesh which means that BJP’s numbers in the north will also come down substantially. If this is to happen in every state then BJP would lose Lok Sabha elections even before the campaign begins. It is for this reason, BJP wants the Congress-JDS government to fall in Karnataka.

If coalition gets discredited in Karnataka, then&nbsp;the BJP will be able to discredit the idea of a Grand Alliance in the run-up&nbsp;to the Lok Sabha elections. The sudden desperation on part of BJP to topple the government also stems from triple victory of the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

If the government in Karnataka falls either from internal sabotage or external pressure, the ultimate benefit would accrue to the BJP and it will be on three counts.

BJP will go to the town saying that Grand Alliance against BJP is a dead idea and squabbling leaders have nothing in common except hatred against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The fall will also impact the ability of the Congress to manage regional satraps and regional players. BJP has been running successful coalition in states like Goa, Meghalaya and Bihar, showcasing its ability to snatch allies and run the government in states where it does not have the number. Lastly, the message would go out that BJP is down but not out and unlike them, Congress cannot manage political contradictions under Rahul Gandhi.

BJP did this with élan in Bihar. When they realised that Nitish Kumar could emerge as a fulcrum around whom the entire Opposition could come together, they ran away with the face itself. In a day, the Opposition lost its most acceptable face.

Such was the situation then that Congress would have found it very difficult not to support Nitish Kumar’s candidature as the Prime Minister in case elections threw a hung Parliament. If Congress does well in the Lok Sabha election, the credibility of Rahul Gandhi will get further solidified and depending on the number, Congress would project him as the Prime Ministerial candidate. Right now, Rahul Gandhi has emerged a challenger but not entirely in an avatar of acceptable Opposition leader.

In case of Karnataka, it will showcase the ability of the Congress to carry regional leaders with them. The occasional outburst of CM Kumarswamy should not be taken lightly. Even if he does not come out the alliance, he would definitely make the government end up looking weak and mismanaged. The only thing Congress can hope for is that prolonged interference results in negative political return where people start to see BJP as a disruptive force in the state.

On the other hand, Congress as an organization is also responsible for the crisis. Some of the MLAs have a running feud with sitting ministers. Local MLA Umesh Jadhav has a running feud with Priyang Kharge, minister in Karnataka government and son of Mallikarjun Kharge.

Similarly, Chikabalapur MLA Dr Sudhakar is also in the list of disgruntled lawmakers as certain of his local demands have not been met. Sum total of the Karnataka affair is that and political development in Karnataka will have a national impact. In Bihar, BJP was able to rob the face of an emerging coalition and in Karnataka they have the chance to discredit the idea of a coalition.

&nbsp;(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The importance of Karnataka government does not lie in unrelenting ambition of former chief minister Yeddyurappa. Its importance lies in the impact it will create nationally, if the JDS-Congress alliance comes apart.

The importance of Karnataka government does not lie in unrelenting ambition of former chief minister Yeddyurappa. Its importance lies in the impact it will create nationally, if the JDS-Congress alliance comes apart. Karnataka today sells the idea of coalition being a stable entity which BJP wants to discredit at the national level. Secondly, if the alliance continues, BJP will find very difficult to retain 17 seats in the state. The matter becomes more acute as SP-BSP alliance has firmed up in Uttar Pradesh which means that BJP’s numbers in the north will also come down substantially. If this is to happen in every state then BJP would lose Lok Sabha elections even before the campaign begins. It is for this reason, BJP wants the Congress-JDS government to fall in Karnataka. If coalition gets discredited in Karnataka, then the BJP will be able to discredit the idea of a Grand Alliance in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. The sudden desperation on part of BJP to topple the government also stems from triple victory of the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. If the government in Karnataka falls either from internal sabotage or external pressure, the ultimate benefit would accrue to the BJP and it will be on three counts. BJP will go to the town saying that Grand Alliance against BJP is a dead idea and squabbling leaders have nothing in common except hatred against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The fall will also impact the ability of the Congress to manage regional satraps and regional players. BJP has been running successful coalition in states like Goa, Meghalaya and Bihar, showcasing its ability to snatch allies and run the government in states where it does not have the number. Lastly, the message would go out that BJP is down but not out and unlike them, Congress cannot manage political contradictions under Rahul Gandhi. BJP did this with élan in Bihar. When they realised that Nitish Kumar could emerge as a fulcrum around whom the entire Opposition could come together, they ran away with the face itself. In a day, the Opposition lost its most acceptable face. Such was the situation then that Congress would have found it very difficult not to support Nitish Kumar’s candidature as the Prime Minister in case elections threw a hung Parliament. If Congress does well in the Lok Sabha election, the credibility of Rahul Gandhi will get further solidified and depending on the number, Congress would project him as the Prime Ministerial candidate. Right now, Rahul Gandhi has emerged a challenger but not entirely in an avatar of acceptable Opposition leader. In case of Karnataka, it will showcase the ability of the Congress to carry regional leaders with them. The occasional outburst of CM Kumarswamy should not be taken lightly. Even if he does not come out the alliance, he would definitely make the government end up looking weak and mismanaged. The only thing Congress can hope for is that prolonged interference results in negative political return where people start to see BJP as a disruptive force in the state. On the other hand, Congress as an organization is also responsible for the crisis. Some of the MLAs have a running feud with sitting ministers. Local MLA Umesh Jadhav has a running feud with Priyang Kharge, minister in Karnataka government and son of Mallikarjun Kharge. Similarly, Chikabalapur MLA Dr Sudhakar is also in the list of disgruntled lawmakers as certain of his local demands have not been met. Sum total of the Karnataka affair is that and political development in Karnataka will have a national impact. In Bihar, BJP was able to rob the face of an emerging coalition and in Karnataka they have the chance to discredit the idea of a coalition. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Karnataka grand alliance: BJP's final push

The last rites of George Fernandes will be performed after his son arrives from the US, the former defence minister's wife Leila Kabir said on Tuesday.

A number of leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajanth Singh, BJP president Amit Shah and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, visited the bereaved family at their residence in New Delhi's upscale Panchsheel Park to pay their respects.

"I wish to inform my fellow countrymen that George Fernandes, my husband who was former defence minister and Member of Parliament, passed away today in the early hours. He was suffering from Alzheimer's," she said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/george-fernandes-minister-who-drove-coca-cola-out-of-india-193654">George Fernandes,&nbsp;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/george-fernandes-minister-who-drove-coca-cola-out-of-india-193654">minister</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/george-fernandes-minister-who-drove-coca-cola-out-of-india-193654">&nbsp;who drove Coca-Cola out of India</a>

A lifelong socialist despite his political adventurism that included cabinet posts in two ideologically opposite governments where he ousted Coca-Cola in 1977 and oversaw the Kargil war in 1999, Fernandes died at his home on Tuesday. He was 88.

His body was taken to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for embalming, Kabir said in a statement.

She said the last rites will be conducted soon "after our son, Sean Fernandes, arrives in India (from the US). As soon as Sean arrives, we will finalise the timing of the last rites and will inform all".

In pics:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-life-and-times-of-george-fernandes-193711">&nbsp;Life and times of former defence minister George Fernandes</a>

The body has been kept at our house in Panchsheel Park for friends and associates to pay their last respects, she added.

"I and my son are grateful to everyone who has come or messaged us to share our grief," Kabir said.

Rajanth Singh, interacting with reporters, said, "I had the opportunity to work with him in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. I pay my sincerest tributes to him."&nbsp;

BJP chief Amit Shah termed Fernandes' death an "irreparable loss" to Indian politics. He dedicated his entire to the nation and welfare of the poor and always fought for democratic values.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/president-kovind-pm-modi-hail-george-fernandes-as-fearless-indefatigable-fighter-193723">President Kovind, PM Modi hail George Fernandes as </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/president-kovind-pm-modi-hail-george-fernandes-as-fearless-indefatigable-fighter-193723">fearless</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/president-kovind-pm-modi-hail-george-fernandes-as-fearless-indefatigable-fighter-193723">, indefatigable fighter</a>

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman paid her respects to Fernandes at AIIMS by laying a wreath.

Kumar, who arrived here on Tuesday from Patna, said Fernandes was a "great man, he was a 'margdarshak' (guide), and we are in pain after loosing a personality like him".

"He had strong will power. He was keeping unwell for several years. He was also our 'abhibwawak' (guardian)," Kumar told reporters after visiting his residence.

Senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said, "Fernandes was another name for struggle. We lost a guardian. He was our guide. He was very close to local people. We lost a great leader."

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav described his death as a "big loss".

"Fernandes and my father (Lalu Prasad) have worked together in politics. He had deep ties with Bihar. He fought elections from there. I have seen him from childhood days," he said.

Ajay Singh, former deputy railway minister in the V P Singh government and ex-Member of Parliament in a statement said, "George Sahab had always been an elder brother like figure to him. He was a person who believed in utmost simplicity and was a great fighter for people's rights."

The last rites of George Fernandes will be performed after his son arrives from the US, the former defence minister's wife Leila Kabir said on Tuesday. A number of leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajanth Singh, BJP president Amit Shah and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, visited the bereaved family at their residence in New Delhi's upscale Panchsheel Park to pay their respects.

The last rites of George Fernandes will be performed after his son arrives from the US, the former defence minister's wife Leila Kabir said on Tuesday. A number of leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajanth Singh, BJP president Amit Shah and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, visited the bereaved family at their residence in New Delhi's upscale Panchsheel Park to pay their respects. "I wish to inform my fellow countrymen that George Fernandes, my husband who was former defence minister and Member of Parliament, passed away today in the early hours. He was suffering from Alzheimer's," she said. Also read: George Fernandes, minister who drove Coca-Cola out of India A lifelong socialist despite his political adventurism that included cabinet posts in two ideologically opposite governments where he ousted Coca-Cola in 1977 and oversaw the Kargil war in 1999, Fernandes died at his home on Tuesday. He was 88. His body was taken to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for embalming, Kabir said in a statement. She said the last rites will be conducted soon "after our son, Sean Fernandes, arrives in India (from the US). As soon as Sean arrives, we will finalise the timing of the last rites and will inform all". In pics: Life and times of former defence minister George Fernandes The body has been kept at our house in Panchsheel Park for friends and associates to pay their last respects, she added. "I and my son are grateful to everyone who has come or messaged us to share our grief," Kabir said. Rajanth Singh, interacting with reporters, said, "I had the opportunity to work with him in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. I pay my sincerest tributes to him." BJP chief Amit Shah termed Fernandes' death an "irreparable loss" to Indian politics. He dedicated his entire to the nation and welfare of the poor and always fought for democratic values. Also read: President Kovind, PM Modi hail George Fernandes as fearless, indefatigable fighter Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman paid her respects to Fernandes at AIIMS by laying a wreath. Kumar, who arrived here on Tuesday from Patna, said Fernandes was a "great man, he was a 'margdarshak' (guide), and we are in pain after loosing a personality like him". "He had strong will power. He was keeping unwell for several years. He was also our 'abhibwawak' (guardian)," Kumar told reporters after visiting his residence. Senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said, "Fernandes was another name for struggle. We lost a guardian. He was our guide. He was very close to local people. We lost a great leader." RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav described his death as a "big loss". "Fernandes and my father (Lalu Prasad) have worked together in politics. He had deep ties with Bihar. He fought elections from there. I have seen him from childhood days," he said. Ajay Singh, former deputy railway minister in the V P Singh government and ex-Member of Parliament in a statement said, "George Sahab had always been an elder brother like figure to him. He was a person who believed in utmost simplicity and was a great fighter for people's rights."

George Fernandes' last rites after son arrives from the US: Wife Leila Kabir

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nobody-has-power-to-abolish-reservation-nitish-kumar-174763">Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar </a>attended a meeting of his JD(U) here on Saturday, in which the top leaders of the party discussed the ways and means to improve its prospects in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/shivpal-yadav-willing-to-join-hands-with-congress-to-defeat-bjp-in-lok-sabha-polls-186646">2019 Lok Sabha polls.</a>

The meeting was held at the residence of Janata Dal (United) state president and Rajya Sabha member Vashishtha Narayan Singh. A host of senior leaders, including the party's national general secretary Ram Chandra Prasad Singh, spokesperson Sanjay Singh, minister Jai Kumar Singh and MLA Lesi Singh, were among those present.

JD(U) sources said the meeting that lasted for nearly three hours focussed on making the party more popular among the upper castes, who have traditionally supported the BJP or, earlier, the Congress.

The JD(U) enjoys tremendous popularity among the Extremely Backward Classes and the Mahadalits — numerically large but politically submissive social groups — thanks to the schemes of Kumar's government that have aimed at the betterment of these segments.

The support base of the JD(U) remained intact in the worst of times, but the votes failed to translate into seats whenever the party decided to go it alone like the 2014 Lok Sabha polls when it managed to win only two of the 40 seats in<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-government-collected-38-more-tax-than-last-year-sushil-modi-187104"> Bihar.</a>

The JD(U) is looking forward to putting up a sterling performance in next year's general election, which it will be contesting in an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).

Last week, BJP president Amit Shah had announced the seat-sharing formula of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, wherein his party and the JD(U) will contest 17 seats each while the LJP will fight the remaining six.

Kumar had said at Shah's press conference that in 2019, the NDA would better its previous record of 32 seats in Bihar, which was achieved in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls.

Being at the helm of affairs in Bihar for long, Kumar has the responsibility to ensure that the NDA romps home successfully in the 2019 polls.

However, opposition parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) have mocked the claim, saying Paswan's decision not to contest the Lok Sabha polls but enter Parliament through the Rajya Sabha was "out of fear that the NDA may not be able to open its account in Bihar".

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attended a meeting of his JD(U) here on Saturday, in which the top leaders of the party discussed the ways and means to improve its prospects in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attended a meeting of his JD(U) here on Saturday, in which the top leaders of the party discussed the ways and means to improve its prospects in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The meeting was held at the residence of Janata Dal (United) state president and Rajya Sabha member Vashishtha Narayan Singh. A host of senior leaders, including the party's national general secretary Ram Chandra Prasad Singh, spokesperson Sanjay Singh, minister Jai Kumar Singh and MLA Lesi Singh, were among those present. JD(U) sources said the meeting that lasted for nearly three hours focussed on making the party more popular among the upper castes, who have traditionally supported the BJP or, earlier, the Congress. The JD(U) enjoys tremendous popularity among the Extremely Backward Classes and the Mahadalits — numerically large but politically submissive social groups — thanks to the schemes of Kumar's government that have aimed at the betterment of these segments. The support base of the JD(U) remained intact in the worst of times, but the votes failed to translate into seats whenever the party decided to go it alone like the 2014 Lok Sabha polls when it managed to win only two of the 40 seats in Bihar. The JD(U) is looking forward to putting up a sterling performance in next year's general election, which it will be contesting in an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). Last week, BJP president Amit Shah had announced the seat-sharing formula of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, wherein his party and the JD(U) will contest 17 seats each while the LJP will fight the remaining six. Kumar had said at Shah's press conference that in 2019, the NDA would better its previous record of 32 seats in Bihar, which was achieved in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. Being at the helm of affairs in Bihar for long, Kumar has the responsibility to ensure that the NDA romps home successfully in the 2019 polls. However, opposition parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) have mocked the claim, saying Paswan's decision not to contest the Lok Sabha polls but enter Parliament through the Rajya Sabha was "out of fear that the NDA may not be able to open its account in Bihar".

Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Nitish holds JD(U) meeting in Patna

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said "nobody has the power" to abolish reservation for repressed classes and those who make statements to this effect wish to give rise to tensions in society, reported news agency PTI.

Kumar was addressing Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) workers of his party, Janata Dal (United), from the Magadh region at a conclave.

"Some people wish to give rise to tensions and differences in the society. Ambedkar's (draft of) Constitution was approved by the Constituent Assembly. The provision for reservation was made to help the marginalised sections join the social mainstream," he said.

If there won't be reservation then how will those at the margins come to the mainstream? We will sacrifice whatever required, if needed, but no one has the power to scrap reservation, he added.&nbsp;

Kumar said his party introduced reservation for SCs in village panchayats in 2006 and reserved 50 per cent quota for women.&nbsp;

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said "nobody has the power" to abolish reservation for repressed classes and those who make statements to this effect wish to give rise to tensions in society, reported news agency PTI.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said "nobody has the power" to abolish reservation for repressed classes and those who make statements to this effect wish to give rise to tensions in society, reported news agency PTI. Kumar was addressing Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) workers of his party, Janata Dal (United), from the Magadh region at a conclave. "Some people wish to give rise to tensions and differences in the society. Ambedkar's (draft of) Constitution was approved by the Constituent Assembly. The provision for reservation was made to help the marginalised sections join the social mainstream," he said. If there won't be reservation then how will those at the margins come to the mainstream? We will sacrifice whatever required, if needed, but no one has the power to scrap reservation, he added. Kumar said his party introduced reservation for SCs in village panchayats in 2006 and reserved 50 per cent quota for women.

Nobody has power to abolish reservation: Nitish Kumar

The opposition RJD in Bihar on Friday sought to fish in troubled waters, scoffing at the BJP for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-bjp-jdu-to-contest-equal-number-of-seats-in-bihar-173681">agreeing to treat the JD(U) as its equal in terms of seat-sharing</a> while "neglecting trusted allies" like Ram Vilas Paswan and Upendra Kushwaha in order to woo an "undependable" Nitish Kumar.

RJD heir-apparent Tejashwi Yadav made the statement hours after BJP national president Amit Shah, in a press conference in New Delhi, said that his party and the JD(U) will be assigned "an equal number" of seats and the remaining two allies will be "duly represented".

"The BJP had won 22 out of 40 seats in Bihar in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Its willingness to treat Kumar as an equal partner, whose JD(U) had won only two seats and lost its deposit in most, shows the desperation on part of Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the leader of the opposition in the state assembly told reporters here.

"Moreover, the meeting between Shah and Kumar gives the impression that the BJP has made up its mind to go with the JD(U) chief, who is undependable having cheated both them (BJP) and us (RJD), and given a short shrift to Paswan and Kushwaha, who have been firmly with the NDA," the former deputy Bihar Chief Minister said.

About his meeting with Kushwaha&nbsp;who heads the RLSP earlier in the day at Arwal district, Yadav said, "People are free to draw their own conclusions. I can only say that the meeting was not pre-planned. It was a coincidence that he and I were at the Circuit House at the same time and hence it was natural for us to exchange pleasantries."

Pressed further, he said, "It is probably the first time that I have met Kushwaha in person. As far as prospects of his joining our Mahagathbandhan is concerned, we had invited him to do so long ago and the invitation stands. It is for him to accept it or ignore it."

Speculations have been rife, for quite some time that Kushwaha might gravitate towards the Grand Alliance which at present comprises the RJD, the Congress and former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha.

The speculations have gained ground since RJD national vice president and state unit chief Shivanand Tiwary and Ram Chandra Purve respectively turned up at a "human chain" organised by the RLSP and got photographed holding Kushwaha's hands even as leaders of the BJP and the JD(U) remained conspicuous by their absence.

A couple of months ago Kushwaha, despite having repeatedly said that he will remain with the NDA, said that he looked forward to preparing a "kheer" -- cooked with the help of rice grown traditionally by members of his caste and milk, produced by Yadavs -- which was seen as an indication of his willingness to form an alliance with the RJD.

Yadav, on his part, has been claiming that Kushwaha will leave the NDA and join the Grand Alliance following in the footsteps of Manjhi, who had quit the BJP-led coalition in February this year.

Like Manjhi, Kushwaha is a former JD(U) leader, who had formed his own party after falling out with Nitish Kumar and joined the NDA while the Bihar Chief Minister was out of the BJP-led coalition.

Kumar's return to the NDA last year was understood to have caused a lot of consternation among the likes of Kushwaha and Manjhi.

The opposition RJD in Bihar on Friday sought to fish in troubled waters, scoffing at the BJP for agreeing to treat the JD(U) as its equal in terms of seat-sharing while "neglecting trusted allies" like Ram Vilas Paswan and Upendra Kushwaha in order to woo an "undependable" Nitish Kumar.

The opposition RJD in Bihar on Friday sought to fish in troubled waters, scoffing at the BJP for agreeing to treat the JD(U) as its equal in terms of seat-sharing while "neglecting trusted allies" like Ram Vilas Paswan and Upendra Kushwaha in order to woo an "undependable" Nitish Kumar. RJD heir-apparent Tejashwi Yadav made the statement hours after BJP national president Amit Shah, in a press conference in New Delhi, said that his party and the JD(U) will be assigned "an equal number" of seats and the remaining two allies will be "duly represented". "The BJP had won 22 out of 40 seats in Bihar in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Its willingness to treat Kumar as an equal partner, whose JD(U) had won only two seats and lost its deposit in most, shows the desperation on part of Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the leader of the opposition in the state assembly told reporters here. "Moreover, the meeting between Shah and Kumar gives the impression that the BJP has made up its mind to go with the JD(U) chief, who is undependable having cheated both them (BJP) and us (RJD), and given a short shrift to Paswan and Kushwaha, who have been firmly with the NDA," the former deputy Bihar Chief Minister said. About his meeting with Kushwaha who heads the RLSP earlier in the day at Arwal district, Yadav said, "People are free to draw their own conclusions. I can only say that the meeting was not pre-planned. It was a coincidence that he and I were at the Circuit House at the same time and hence it was natural for us to exchange pleasantries." Pressed further, he said, "It is probably the first time that I have met Kushwaha in person. As far as prospects of his joining our Mahagathbandhan is concerned, we had invited him to do so long ago and the invitation stands. It is for him to accept it or ignore it." Speculations have been rife, for quite some time that Kushwaha might gravitate towards the Grand Alliance which at present comprises the RJD, the Congress and former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha. The speculations have gained ground since RJD national vice president and state unit chief Shivanand Tiwary and Ram Chandra Purve respectively turned up at a "human chain" organised by the RLSP and got photographed holding Kushwaha's hands even as leaders of the BJP and the JD(U) remained conspicuous by their absence. A couple of months ago Kushwaha, despite having repeatedly said that he will remain with the NDA, said that he looked forward to preparing a "kheer" -- cooked with the help of rice grown traditionally by members of his caste and milk, produced by Yadavs -- which was seen as an indication of his willingness to form an alliance with the RJD. Yadav, on his part, has been claiming that Kushwaha will leave the NDA and join the Grand Alliance following in the footsteps of Manjhi, who had quit the BJP-led coalition in February this year. Like Manjhi, Kushwaha is a former JD(U) leader, who had formed his own party after falling out with Nitish Kumar and joined the NDA while the Bihar Chief Minister was out of the BJP-led coalition. Kumar's return to the NDA last year was understood to have caused a lot of consternation among the likes of Kushwaha and Manjhi.

BJP-JD(U) seat sharing: RJD scoffs at saffron party for 'neglecting trusted allies' in Bihar

Union minister and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) president Upendra Kushwaha on Friday met RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in Arwal district.

The meeting assumes significance as earlier in the day BJP president Amit Shah and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced in the national capital that their parties will contest equal number of Lok Sabha seats in the state and the RLSP and LJP will remain with the NDA.&nbsp;

A picture of Kushwaha and Tejashwi Yadav's meeting has been shared by the RJD on its mobile app.

Though the details were not immediately available, Kushwaha meeting the top leader of rival combination on a day Shah talked about seat-sharing arrangements in the NDA assumes political significance.&nbsp;

Shah told reporters in New Delhi that an announcement on the number of seats of NAD allies in Bihar, including Upendra Kushwaha's RLSP and Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP, will be declared in two-three days.

To a question about whether Kushwaha, whose equation with Kumar is far from cordial, will remain a part of the NDA, Shah answered in affirmative and asserted the alliance will do better than the last polls when it had won 31 seats.

"All four parties will remain part of the NDA," he said.&nbsp;

Union minister and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) president Upendra Kushwaha on Friday met RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in Arwal district. The meeting assumes significance as earlier in the day BJP president Amit Shah and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced in the national capital that their parties will contest equal number of Lok Sabha seats in the state and the RLSP and LJP will remain with the NDA.

Union minister and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) president Upendra Kushwaha on Friday met RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in Arwal district. The meeting assumes significance as earlier in the day BJP president Amit Shah and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced in the national capital that their parties will contest equal number of Lok Sabha seats in the state and the RLSP and LJP will remain with the NDA. A picture of Kushwaha and Tejashwi Yadav's meeting has been shared by the RJD on its mobile app. Though the details were not immediately available, Kushwaha meeting the top leader of rival combination on a day Shah talked about seat-sharing arrangements in the NDA assumes political significance. Shah told reporters in New Delhi that an announcement on the number of seats of NAD allies in Bihar, including Upendra Kushwaha's RLSP and Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP, will be declared in two-three days. To a question about whether Kushwaha, whose equation with Kumar is far from cordial, will remain a part of the NDA, Shah answered in affirmative and asserted the alliance will do better than the last polls when it had won 31 seats. "All four parties will remain part of the NDA," he said.

RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav meets Union minister Upendra Kushwaha

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav Thursday disapproved of the posters put up outside his residence and the party office a day ago, depicting him as Lord Ram and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as demon king Ravana.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Yadav, however, urged the chief minister to introspect as to why "there is so much public anger against him and which are the promises he did not keep".

Sharing a news report about the posters put up by a junior party functionary, the RJD heir apparent said in a Tweet that he did not endorse this.

"But Nitish too should spare a thought as to why the people are so angry with him. He must pay heed to his 'inner voice' and introspect as to which are the promises he has not kept. He must ponder over the public outrage," said Yadav, the leader of the Opposition in the state assembly.

Yadav's "inner voice" remark was an apparent dig at the chief minister's stance of resigning last year after corruption cases had surfaced against the RJD leader, triggering demands of his removal.

Kumar had then said he was putting in his papers in accordance with his "inner voice" but formed a new government within less than 24 hours after forging an alliance with the BJP which was in the opposition till then.

The RJD has been vehemently criticising Kumar ever since, accusing him of negating the 2015 assembly polls mandate, which the Grand Alliance of RJD and JD(U) had won handsomely.

An RJD spokesman had said Wednesday that the posters were not put up as per directions of any senior leader but by "over-enthusiastic workers" who were enraged over the betrayal of mandate by Kumar last year.

He had also insisted that depiction of Kumar as ten-headed Ravana was not a personal attack on him but was to criticise his government which, he said, has failed on all fronts.

A controversy erupted here Wednesday over the posters put up by an RJD leader.

Besides attracting criticism from the ruling JD(U), which Kumar heads, the posters were also disapproved of by the RJD ally Congress.&nbsp;

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav Thursday disapproved of the posters put up outside his residence and the party office a day ago, depicting him as Lord Ram and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as demon king Ravana.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav Thursday disapproved of the posters put up outside his residence and the party office a day ago, depicting him as Lord Ram and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as demon king Ravana. Former Deputy Chief Minister Yadav, however, urged the chief minister to introspect as to why "there is so much public anger against him and which are the promises he did not keep". Sharing a news report about the posters put up by a junior party functionary, the RJD heir apparent said in a Tweet that he did not endorse this. "But Nitish too should spare a thought as to why the people are so angry with him. He must pay heed to his 'inner voice' and introspect as to which are the promises he has not kept. He must ponder over the public outrage," said Yadav, the leader of the Opposition in the state assembly. Yadav's "inner voice" remark was an apparent dig at the chief minister's stance of resigning last year after corruption cases had surfaced against the RJD leader, triggering demands of his removal. Kumar had then said he was putting in his papers in accordance with his "inner voice" but formed a new government within less than 24 hours after forging an alliance with the BJP which was in the opposition till then. The RJD has been vehemently criticising Kumar ever since, accusing him of negating the 2015 assembly polls mandate, which the Grand Alliance of RJD and JD(U) had won handsomely. An RJD spokesman had said Wednesday that the posters were not put up as per directions of any senior leader but by "over-enthusiastic workers" who were enraged over the betrayal of mandate by Kumar last year. He had also insisted that depiction of Kumar as ten-headed Ravana was not a personal attack on him but was to criticise his government which, he said, has failed on all fronts. A controversy erupted here Wednesday over the posters put up by an RJD leader. Besides attracting criticism from the ruling JD(U), which Kumar heads, the posters were also disapproved of by the RJD ally Congress.

Tejashwi Yadav disapproves of posters depicting him as Ram and Nitish as Ravan

A student allegedly&nbsp;hurled a sandal at Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar&nbsp;but it missed the target by a few metres in Patna on Thursday, according to police.

The student was protesting against reservation. &nbsp;

The Chief Minister along with his senior ministers was present at a public function in Bapu Sabhgar when Chandan Kumar Tiwari threw the footwear at him.

Tiwari was thrashed by some Janata Dal-United workers before he was taken away and detained by the police, the report said.&nbsp;

Tiwari told the media he was against reservation and has been protesting against the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

A student allegedly hurled a sandal at Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar but it missed the target by a few metres in Patna on Thursday, according to police. The student was protesting against reservation.

A student allegedly hurled a sandal at Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar but it missed the target by a few metres in Patna on Thursday, according to police. The student was protesting against reservation. The Chief Minister along with his senior ministers was present at a public function in Bapu Sabhgar when Chandan Kumar Tiwari threw the footwear at him. Tiwari was thrashed by some Janata Dal-United workers before he was taken away and detained by the police, the report said. Tiwari told the media he was against reservation and has been protesting against the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar.

Student throws sandal at Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

&nbsp;A day after the JD(U) demanded that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar be projected as the BJP-led NDA's face in Bihar, the Janata Dal (United) president today declined to comment on the issue over who will be the 'face' of the NDA in the state when Lok Sabha polls are held next year.

Earlier in the day, Deputy CM and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said Nitish Kumar is the ruling alliance' leader in the state and the NDA will seek votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in the name of the JD(U) chief and that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's works.

"This is a special occasion when I would like to see the happiness on all faces. Please do not ask about any other face right now," Kumar quipped in response to queries by reporters.

The journalists gathered at his official residence of the chief minister to attend the Iftaar party organised by him.

When pressed further, he said, "All your queries would be answered at an appropriate time. Right now, let us pray that the holy month of Ramadan brings peace and prosperity to Bihar."

The JD(U) has asserted that the chief minister is the face of the NDA in the state, which is being speculated as an indirect demand for greater share of seats in the parliamentary polls.

Out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, the BJP has 22 in addition to nine others held by allies like the LJP and the RLSP.

The BJP and JD(U) fought separately in the 2014 general election.

The JD(U) registered victories in only two seats but has the largest number of MLAs among all coalition partners in the state Assembly. 
"May the followers of all religions live together in peace and may mutual respect flourish. Let us also pray that our state, which suffers the wrath of nature almost every year, does not face drought or floods", Kumar added.

A host of dignitaries, including state Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Deputy Chairman of Legislative Council Haroon Rashid, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and cabinet ministers Nand Kishore Yadav and Mangal Pandey attended the Iftaar party.

The journalists gathered at his official residence of the chief minister to attend the Iftaar party organised by him

A day after the JD(U) demanded that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar be projected as the BJP-led NDA's face in Bihar, the Janata Dal (United) president today declined to comment on the issue over who will be the 'face' of the NDA in the state when Lok Sabha polls are held next year. Earlier in the day, Deputy CM and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said Nitish Kumar is the ruling alliance' leader in the state and the NDA will seek votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in the name of the JD(U) chief and that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's works. "This is a special occasion when I would like to see the happiness on all faces. Please do not ask about any other face right now," Kumar quipped in response to queries by reporters. The journalists gathered at his official residence of the chief minister to attend the Iftaar party organised by him. When pressed further, he said, "All your queries would be answered at an appropriate time. Right now, let us pray that the holy month of Ramadan brings peace and prosperity to Bihar." The JD(U) has asserted that the chief minister is the face of the NDA in the state, which is being speculated as an indirect demand for greater share of seats in the parliamentary polls. Out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, the BJP has 22 in addition to nine others held by allies like the LJP and the RLSP. The BJP and JD(U) fought separately in the 2014 general election. The JD(U) registered victories in only two seats but has the largest number of MLAs among all coalition partners in the state Assembly. "May the followers of all religions live together in peace and may mutual respect flourish. Let us also pray that our state, which suffers the wrath of nature almost every year, does not face drought or floods", Kumar added. A host of dignitaries, including state Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Deputy Chairman of Legislative Council Haroon Rashid, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and cabinet ministers Nand Kishore Yadav and Mangal Pandey attended the Iftaar party.

Bihar: Nitish Kumar declines to comment on NDA 'face' issue

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