RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's wholehearted support to the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 general election drew snide remarks on Monday from the ruling NDA in Bihar which wondered whether it was part of "strong-arm tactics" against the Congress, its ally in the 'mahagathbandhan'.

The NDA's reaction came after Tejashwi Yadav greeted Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav for forging an alliance and dumping the Congress out of it.

"This step of the BSP and the SP is going to be hailed in later stages," Tejashwi Yadav said in Lucknow Monday.

A mortified Congress evaded a direct reply when it was asked about Yadav's Lucknow visit, where he touched Mayawati's feet and declared the RJD's full support to the alliance at a press conference he jointly addressed with Akhilesh Yadav.

BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand asserted it is actually a "posturing, a strong arm tactic by the RJD" which, he added, has an inflated sense of its importance and treats its alliance partners with contempt.

"Tejashwi Yadav is indirectly trying to show his party's alliance in Bihar that the RJD will dictate the terms in the alliance here," Anand said.

"Whatever Tejashwi Yadav's Lucknow tour may mean for UP politics, in Bihar it is clearly indicative of the clash of egos that the Grand Alliance is witnessing. The clash of egos has come in the way of finalising a seat-sharing arrangement among its too many constituents. We are looking at a situation where they would not be able to reach any understanding till the date of voting and end up fighting each other," he claimed.

Media reports suggest that the Congress is demanding a large number of seats out of the total 40 in Bihar to be a part of the 'mahagathbandhan.'&nbsp;It has cited its recent victory in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh to assert its claim, but the RJD, the main force behind the anti-NDA coalition, is unwilling to accept the demand.

Reacting to the developments, LJP leader Chirag Paswan said, "We wonder what type of Grand Alliance the opposition in Bihar had been talking about. In UP, the Congress, which was supposed to lead the so-called 'mahagathbandhan', has been left out".

"Tejashwi Yadav and his party are in dire straits so, maybe, he is on an expedition to make as many political friends as possible... The SP-BSP alliance may be a strong one, but there is nothing grand about it," Paswan, son of LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan and chairman of the party's parliamentary board, said.

Similar views were expressed by JD(U) MLC and spokesman Neeraj Kumar who questioned whether Tejashwi Yadav had no concern for the "insult" meted out to the Congress by the formation of SP-BSP alliance.

Congress MLC Prem Chandra Mishra tried to side-step a question on the alliance, saying Tejashwi Yadav has family relations with Akhilesh Yadav. "Maybe he has gone there in a personal capacity, to celebrate Makar Sankranti."

However, when the queries persisted, he said until and unless the RJD comes out with a statement explaining why it is lending support to a formation which has not taken the Congress on board, "we would not like to say anything on the matter".

At his Lucknow press conference, Tejashwi Yadav, who has emerged as the de facto leader of his party in the absence of his father and RJD supremo

Lalu Prasad claimed even Congress president Rahul Gandhi has said that it does not matter who is in an alliance as long as it serves the purpose of defeating the BJP.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's wholehearted support to the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 general election drew snide remarks on Monday from the ruling NDA in Bihar which wondered whether it was part of "strong-arm tactics" against the Congress, its ally in the 'mahagathbandhan'.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's wholehearted support to the SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 general election drew snide remarks on Monday from the ruling NDA in Bihar which wondered whether it was part of "strong-arm tactics" against the Congress, its ally in the 'mahagathbandhan'. The NDA's reaction came after Tejashwi Yadav greeted Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav for forging an alliance and dumping the Congress out of it. "This step of the BSP and the SP is going to be hailed in later stages," Tejashwi Yadav said in Lucknow Monday. A mortified Congress evaded a direct reply when it was asked about Yadav's Lucknow visit, where he touched Mayawati's feet and declared the RJD's full support to the alliance at a press conference he jointly addressed with Akhilesh Yadav. BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand asserted it is actually a "posturing, a strong arm tactic by the RJD" which, he added, has an inflated sense of its importance and treats its alliance partners with contempt. "Tejashwi Yadav is indirectly trying to show his party's alliance in Bihar that the RJD will dictate the terms in the alliance here," Anand said. "Whatever Tejashwi Yadav's Lucknow tour may mean for UP politics, in Bihar it is clearly indicative of the clash of egos that the Grand Alliance is witnessing. The clash of egos has come in the way of finalising a seat-sharing arrangement among its too many constituents. We are looking at a situation where they would not be able to reach any understanding till the date of voting and end up fighting each other," he claimed. Media reports suggest that the Congress is demanding a large number of seats out of the total 40 in Bihar to be a part of the 'mahagathbandhan.' It has cited its recent victory in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh to assert its claim, but the RJD, the main force behind the anti-NDA coalition, is unwilling to accept the demand. Reacting to the developments, LJP leader Chirag Paswan said, "We wonder what type of Grand Alliance the opposition in Bihar had been talking about. In UP, the Congress, which was supposed to lead the so-called 'mahagathbandhan', has been left out". "Tejashwi Yadav and his party are in dire straits so, maybe, he is on an expedition to make as many political friends as possible... The SP-BSP alliance may be a strong one, but there is nothing grand about it," Paswan, son of LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan and chairman of the party's parliamentary board, said. Similar views were expressed by JD(U) MLC and spokesman Neeraj Kumar who questioned whether Tejashwi Yadav had no concern for the "insult" meted out to the Congress by the formation of SP-BSP alliance. Congress MLC Prem Chandra Mishra tried to side-step a question on the alliance, saying Tejashwi Yadav has family relations with Akhilesh Yadav. "Maybe he has gone there in a personal capacity, to celebrate Makar Sankranti." However, when the queries persisted, he said until and unless the RJD comes out with a statement explaining why it is lending support to a formation which has not taken the Congress on board, "we would not like to say anything on the matter". At his Lucknow press conference, Tejashwi Yadav, who has emerged as the de facto leader of his party in the absence of his father and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad claimed even Congress president Rahul Gandhi has said that it does not matter who is in an alliance as long as it serves the purpose of defeating the BJP.

Tejashwi Yadav extends support to SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh

A local court on Friday awarded life sentence to suspended RJD MLA Raj Ballabh Yadav and two others convicted in a case related to raping a minor girl over two years ago. 
 
Three others were sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment in the case. 
 
The court had convicted Yadav and the five others, including four women, on December 15 for the rape of the minor girl at his residence in Bihar Sharif on February 6, 2016. 
 
Special MP and MLA court Judge-cum-Additional District and Sessions Judge Parshuram Singh Yadav awarded life imprisonment to Raj Ballabh Yadav under sections 376 (rape) and 120(B) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act. 
 
Yadav, who is an MLA from Nawada, now stands to lose his membership of the Bihar Assembly. 
 
According to section 8(3) of Representation of People Act, 1951, a person convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years shall be disqualified from the date of such conviction and shall continue to be disqualified for a further period of six years since his release. 
 
The court also slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 on Yadav. 
 
The two others who were also awarded life imprisonment were ordered to pay a fine of Rs 20,000 each. A fine of Rs 10,000 was imposed on the remaining three. 
 
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) suspended Yadav from the party on February 14, 2016, after he was named as accused in the rape case. 
 
In its charge sheet, the Bihar police had also named a woman and her relatives as accused on the ground that they were supplying women and girls to the MLA. 
 
Yadav had evaded arrest for a considerable time and finally surrendered after a local court issued a proclamation notice and an order to attach his properties. 
 
He had later secured bail from Patna High Court, which was cancelled by the Supreme Court on November 24, 2016.

A local court on Friday awarded life sentence to suspended RJD MLA Raj Ballabh Yadav and two others convicted in a case related to raping a minor girl over two years ago.

A local court on Friday awarded life sentence to suspended RJD MLA Raj Ballabh Yadav and two others convicted in a case related to raping a minor girl over two years ago. Three others were sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment in the case. The court had convicted Yadav and the five others, including four women, on December 15 for the rape of the minor girl at his residence in Bihar Sharif on February 6, 2016. Special MP and MLA court Judge-cum-Additional District and Sessions Judge Parshuram Singh Yadav awarded life imprisonment to Raj Ballabh Yadav under sections 376 (rape) and 120(B) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act. Yadav, who is an MLA from Nawada, now stands to lose his membership of the Bihar Assembly. According to section 8(3) of Representation of People Act, 1951, a person convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years shall be disqualified from the date of such conviction and shall continue to be disqualified for a further period of six years since his release. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 on Yadav. The two others who were also awarded life imprisonment were ordered to pay a fine of Rs 20,000 each. A fine of Rs 10,000 was imposed on the remaining three. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) suspended Yadav from the party on February 14, 2016, after he was named as accused in the rape case. In its charge sheet, the Bihar police had also named a woman and her relatives as accused on the ground that they were supplying women and girls to the MLA. Yadav had evaded arrest for a considerable time and finally surrendered after a local court issued a proclamation notice and an order to attach his properties. He had later secured bail from Patna High Court, which was cancelled by the Supreme Court on November 24, 2016.

Bihar RJD MLA Raj Ballabh Yadav sentenced to life for raping a minor girl

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

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday refuted reports of rift within his family and alleged that the rumours were being spread at the instance of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to demoralise party cadre and supporters.

The younger son of Lalu Prasad was responding to a query by reporters about the family facing frequent grilling and raids by investigating agencies, besides reports that his elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav and eldest sister Misa Yadav were miffed over having been politically overshadowed by him.

"All these reports of a rift within our family are planted at the instance of Nitish Kumar. Attempts are being made to psychologically affect our dedicated workers and supporters," Tejashwi Yadav said.

"It appears that those in power wish to seek votes in the name of what is happening to my family instead of speaking about their own performance. This is new India under Narendra Modi for you," he said.

To a query about Union minister and RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha's possibility of joining the RJD, Congress, HAM combine in Bihar, he said, "We had invited him long back and the invitation stands. But it is for him to take the decision."

About Pappu Yadav, who had won the Madhepura seat in 2014 Lok Sabha polls on RJD ticket and has floated Jan Adhikar Party upon being expelled from the Lalu Prasad-led party, Tej Pratap Yadav said, "For him it is no entry. Period."

Pappu Yadav's wife Ranjeet Ranjan is a Congress MP.&nbsp;

About disgruntled BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha, who has off late been highly appreciative of Tejashwi Yadav and Lalu Prasad, besides turning up at functions held at the RJD leaders' place, he said, "There are no talks with him. There cannot be any until and unless the BJP takes a clear decision about him."

Accusing the Nitish Kumar government of failing to effectively maintain law and order and implement its own welfare schemes, Tejashwi Yadav said that he would embark on his next phase of public awareness campaign after Dussehra.

To a query about when was he planning to get married, he replied shyly that it was likely to be after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday refuted reports of rift within his family and alleged that the rumours were being spread at the instance of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to demoralise party cadre and supporters.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday refuted reports of rift within his family and alleged that the rumours were being spread at the instance of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to demoralise party cadre and supporters. The younger son of Lalu Prasad was responding to a query by reporters about the family facing frequent grilling and raids by investigating agencies, besides reports that his elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav and eldest sister Misa Yadav were miffed over having been politically overshadowed by him. "All these reports of a rift within our family are planted at the instance of Nitish Kumar. Attempts are being made to psychologically affect our dedicated workers and supporters," Tejashwi Yadav said. "It appears that those in power wish to seek votes in the name of what is happening to my family instead of speaking about their own performance. This is new India under Narendra Modi for you," he said. To a query about Union minister and RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha's possibility of joining the RJD, Congress, HAM combine in Bihar, he said, "We had invited him long back and the invitation stands. But it is for him to take the decision." About Pappu Yadav, who had won the Madhepura seat in 2014 Lok Sabha polls on RJD ticket and has floated Jan Adhikar Party upon being expelled from the Lalu Prasad-led party, Tej Pratap Yadav said, "For him it is no entry. Period." Pappu Yadav's wife Ranjeet Ranjan is a Congress MP. About disgruntled BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha, who has off late been highly appreciative of Tejashwi Yadav and Lalu Prasad, besides turning up at functions held at the RJD leaders' place, he said, "There are no talks with him. There cannot be any until and unless the BJP takes a clear decision about him." Accusing the Nitish Kumar government of failing to effectively maintain law and order and implement its own welfare schemes, Tejashwi Yadav said that he would embark on his next phase of public awareness campaign after Dussehra. To a query about when was he planning to get married, he replied shyly that it was likely to be after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Nitish Kumar behind rumours of rift within my family: Tejashwi Yadav

The ruling BJP described as a "stunt" the Congress decision to stake claim to form the government in Goa and said the opposition party's "dream" to acquire power in the coastal state will never be fulfilled.

&nbsp;Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/goa-congress-to-stake-claim-to-form-government-after-karnataka-governors-invite-to-bjp--137692">Now, Goa Congress, RJD in Bihar to stake claim to form </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/goa-congress-to-stake-claim-to-form-government-after-karnataka-governors-invite-to-bjp--137692">government</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/goa-congress-to-stake-claim-to-form-government-after-karnataka-governors-invite-to-bjp--137692"> after Karnataka Governor's invite to BJP</a>

Seeking adoption of the Karnataka example in Goa, the Congress decided to stake claim to form government in the coastal state, where it had emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly polls held last year.

On Thursday Congress Legislature Party chief Chandrakant Kavlekar said, "the party will stake claim tomorrow by submitting to Governor Mridula Sinha a formal letter containing signatures of all the 16 MLAs that the party has now".

"The Congress had a chance to form the government after 2017 assembly results. But their legislators and party's national leaders were busy enjoying stay at a hotel," BJP state unit president Vinay Tendulkar said.

He said the Congress should have staked their claim to form government one and half year back after the outcome of the polls.

"Why are they doing it now?" he said.

Tendulkar said the Congress was "dreaming: about forming the government in the coastal state, but their "dream" will not be fulfilled.

"The BJP had staked the claim to form government successfully (in 2017), as the party had the majority with more than 21 (MLAs) supporting it," he said, adding that the Congress move was just a "stunt".

Meanwhile, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), one of the constituents of the BJP-led NDA government, dared the Congress to parade all the 16 MLAs of the party in public before meeting the governor.

MGP chief Dipak Dhavalikar said the Congress had already missed the bus and was trying in vain to gain power.

"Do they have 16 MLAs with them? They should parade them before people before going to meet the governor," he said.

Dhavlikar said it would be a different matter altogether if the Congress had to stake claim for power in case the incumbent government runs into minority.

The BJP-led government in Goa is headed by Manohar Parrikar, who is currently undergoing treatment in the US for a pancreatic ailment.

In the Assembly elections held in February last year, the Congress had bagged 17 seats, becoming the single largest party in the 40-member House but fell short of the majority mark by four seats.

The BJP, which had bagged 13 seats, firmed up an alliance with the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), both of which had secured three seats each, and also took the support of three Independents.

Subsequently, the Goa governor had invited the BJP-led coalition to form the government.

The Congress currently has 16 members in the Goa Assembly as one of its legislators Vishwajeet Rane joined the BJP last year. Rane later won the bypoll from Valpoi Assembly constituency on a BJP ticket.

The BJP, which emerged as the single largest party with 104 seats in the Karnataka Assembly, was invited by the governor despite the JD(S)-Congress combine staking claim, citing the support of 117 MLAs.

Seeking adoption of the Karnataka example in Goa, the Congress decided to stake claim to form government in the coastal state, where it had emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly polls held last year

The ruling BJP described as a "stunt" the Congress decision to stake claim to form the government in Goa and said the opposition party's "dream" to acquire power in the coastal state will never be fulfilled. Also read: Now, Goa Congress, RJD in Bihar to stake claim to form government after Karnataka Governor's invite to BJP Seeking adoption of the Karnataka example in Goa, the Congress decided to stake claim to form government in the coastal state, where it had emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly polls held last year. On Thursday Congress Legislature Party chief Chandrakant Kavlekar said, "the party will stake claim tomorrow by submitting to Governor Mridula Sinha a formal letter containing signatures of all the 16 MLAs that the party has now". "The Congress had a chance to form the government after 2017 assembly results. But their legislators and party's national leaders were busy enjoying stay at a hotel," BJP state unit president Vinay Tendulkar said. He said the Congress should have staked their claim to form government one and half year back after the outcome of the polls. "Why are they doing it now?" he said. Tendulkar said the Congress was "dreaming: about forming the government in the coastal state, but their "dream" will not be fulfilled. "The BJP had staked the claim to form government successfully (in 2017), as the party had the majority with more than 21 (MLAs) supporting it," he said, adding that the Congress move was just a "stunt". Meanwhile, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), one of the constituents of the BJP-led NDA government, dared the Congress to parade all the 16 MLAs of the party in public before meeting the governor. MGP chief Dipak Dhavalikar said the Congress had already missed the bus and was trying in vain to gain power. "Do they have 16 MLAs with them? They should parade them before people before going to meet the governor," he said. Dhavlikar said it would be a different matter altogether if the Congress had to stake claim for power in case the incumbent government runs into minority. The BJP-led government in Goa is headed by Manohar Parrikar, who is currently undergoing treatment in the US for a pancreatic ailment. In the Assembly elections held in February last year, the Congress had bagged 17 seats, becoming the single largest party in the 40-member House but fell short of the majority mark by four seats. The BJP, which had bagged 13 seats, firmed up an alliance with the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), both of which had secured three seats each, and also took the support of three Independents. Subsequently, the Goa governor had invited the BJP-led coalition to form the government. The Congress currently has 16 members in the Goa Assembly as one of its legislators Vishwajeet Rane joined the BJP last year. Rane later won the bypoll from Valpoi Assembly constituency on a BJP ticket. The BJP, which emerged as the single largest party with 104 seats in the Karnataka Assembly, was invited by the governor despite the JD(S)-Congress combine staking claim, citing the support of 117 MLAs.

Congress decision to stake claim to form govt in Goa a stunt: BJP

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and other alliance leaders met with the Bihar Governor Satyapal Malik today&nbspto prove their majority in&nbspthe state assembly.&nbsp

The parties handed over letters to the governor showing RJD as the single largest party in the assembly.&nbsp

The meeting was organised&nbspto demand&nbspan invitation from the governor for forming the&nbspgovernment in the state.&nbsp

The parties which joined the RJD in the meeting included Congress and CPI (ML).

RJD's Tejashwi Yadav had said yesterday that their party will hold a one-day protest against the ''murder of democracy''. He also said he will request Bihar Governor to dissolve the state government and like Karnataka invite the single largest party which in Bihar is RJD. &nbsp

A similar meeting was organised by the Congress MLAs in Goa where they met the Goa governor and handed over a memorandum to her stating their majority.

The opposition's move has come after the BJP staked claim of the Karnataka state after emerging as the single largest party,&nbspless than the majority mark.&nbsp

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&nbsp

The meeting was organised to demand an invitation from the governor for forming the government in the state

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and other alliance leaders met with the Bihar Governor Satyapal Malik today&nbspto prove their majority in&nbspthe state assembly. The parties handed over letters to the governor showing RJD as the single largest party in the assembly. The meeting was organised&nbspto demand&nbspan invitation from the governor for forming the&nbspgovernment in the state. The parties which joined the RJD in the meeting included Congress and CPI (ML). RJD's Tejashwi Yadav had said yesterday that their party will hold a one-day protest against the ''murder of democracy''. He also said he will request Bihar Governor to dissolve the state government and like Karnataka invite the single largest party which in Bihar is RJD. A similar meeting was organised by the Congress MLAs in Goa where they met the Goa governor and handed over a memorandum to her stating their majority. The opposition's move has come after the BJP staked claim of the Karnataka state after emerging as the single largest party,&nbspless than the majority mark. RJD and other alliance parties-Congress and CPI(ML) hand over letters to Governor Satyapal Malik stating that RJD is the single largest party hence should be invited to form Government pic.twitter.com/NdTSuvBsB0 — ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2018 × Patna: Tejashwi Yadav and other alliance leaders met Bihar Governor Satyapal Malik, hand over letters stating that RJD is the single largest party and hence should be invited to form Government pic.twitter.com/K24yHxu3nH — ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2018 ×

RJD, alliance parties meet Bihar governor, submit letter proving majority

Chaos prevailed at the wedding of Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, as an unruly crowd breached the cordon separating the pandal meant for VIPs and the media and started looting food items.&nbsp

Yadav tied the nuptial knot with Aishwarya Rai, who is the daughter of RJD MLA Chandrika Rai. Preparations were made for thousands of people gathered for the wedding.

Shortly after Tej Pratap and Aishwarya exchanged garlands, a horde of people – believed to be RJD supporters — broke the cordon and started looting food items.&nbsp

Soon the entire area was strewn with broken crockery and upturned tables and chairs, while a number of party leaders made a vain attempt to chase away intruders by wielding sticks.

Several media persons, including cameramen, complained of having been manhandled and their equipment damaged. Caterers said the unruly crowd looted some of their utensils and other items.&nbsp

Organisers had earlier said that arrangement of food had been made for around 7,000 people, but it appeared that no adequate attention had been paid towards regulating such a huge number of people.

Yadav tied the nuptial knot with Aishwarya Rai, who is the daughter of RJD MLA Chandrika Rai. Preparations were made for thousands of people gathered for the wedding.

Chaos prevailed at the wedding of Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, as an unruly crowd breached the cordon separating the pandal meant for VIPs and the media and started looting food items. Yadav tied the nuptial knot with Aishwarya Rai, who is the daughter of RJD MLA Chandrika Rai. Preparations were made for thousands of people gathered for the wedding. Shortly after Tej Pratap and Aishwarya exchanged garlands, a horde of people – believed to be RJD supporters — broke the cordon and started looting food items. Soon the entire area was strewn with broken crockery and upturned tables and chairs, while a number of party leaders made a vain attempt to chase away intruders by wielding sticks. Several media persons, including cameramen, complained of having been manhandled and their equipment damaged. Caterers said the unruly crowd looted some of their utensils and other items. Organisers had earlier said that arrangement of food had been made for around 7,000 people, but it appeared that no adequate attention had been paid towards regulating such a huge number of people.

Chaos at Tej Pratap’s wedding; RJD supporters loot food items, crockery

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Prasad's daughter Misa Bharti and her husband Shailesh Kumar were produced before the Patiala House Court, on Monday, in connection with a money laundering case worth Rs. 8,000 crore.

At the hearing, the Special CBI judge Arvind Kumar issued a production warrant against another accused, Santosh Jha, and listed the next date of hearing on June 4.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has charged Misa Bharti and her husband with converting black money into white money through the shell company of businessmen, Surendra Jain and Virender Jain.

The accused businessmen were also produced before the court.&nbsp

They were granted bail in January on a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh each.

The couple was also granted bail by a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in the aforementioned case, on the condition that they cannot leave the country without the Court's permission.&nbsp

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Prasad's daughter Misa Bharti and her husband Shailesh Kumar were produced before the Patiala House Court, on Monday, in connection with a money laundering case worth Rs. 8,000 crore.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Prasad's daughter Misa Bharti and her husband Shailesh Kumar were produced before the Patiala House Court, on Monday, in connection with a money laundering case worth Rs. 8,000 crore. At the hearing, the Special CBI judge Arvind Kumar issued a production warrant against another accused, Santosh Jha, and listed the next date of hearing on June 4. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has charged Misa Bharti and her husband with converting black money into white money through the shell company of businessmen, Surendra Jain and Virender Jain. The accused businessmen were also produced before the court. They were granted bail in January on a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh each. The couple was also granted bail by a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in the aforementioned case, on the condition that they cannot leave the country without the Court's permission.

Money laundering: Misa Bharti produced before Delhi court

Hours after former Union minister Yashwant Sinha quit Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), his ex-party colleague Shatrughan Sinha has clarified that he will stay in the BJP only and will not join Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

"There were rumours that I would quit the party because I had not been given the ticket. But, I am clarifying it today that I am here to stay and I am not going to go anywhere," said actor-turned-politician Sinha, who has criticised top BJP leadership and its decisions on multiple occasions, on Saturday.

The actor-turned-politician has previously hinted that he may contest the next Lok Sabha election on a different party ticket, saying leaders like him were "unfairly treated" from the day the Modi government was formed.

The speculations triggered after Sinha on Friday described jailed RJD supremo Lalu Prasad as his "best friend".

Sinha recently met Lalu Prasad's wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi and his younger son Tejashwi Yadav.

Severing ties with the BJP, former Union minister Yashwant Sinha, who has been critical of the current party leadership, today announced that he is quitting party politics, and will now work for "saving democracy in the country".

"I have had a long association with the BJP. Today I am severing my ties with the BJP," the 80-year-old leader announced at a meeting here attended by opposition leaders from the Congress and the RJD besides dissident BJP leader and Patna Sahib MP Shatrughan Sinha. &nbsp;

Severing ties with the BJP, former Union minister Yashwant Sinha, who has been critical of the current party leadership, today announced that he is quitting party politics

Hours after former Union minister Yashwant Sinha quit Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), his ex-party colleague Shatrughan Sinha has clarified that he will stay in the BJP only and will not join Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). "There were rumours that I would quit the party because I had not been given the ticket. But, I am clarifying it today that I am here to stay and I am not going to go anywhere," said actor-turned-politician Sinha, who has criticised top BJP leadership and its decisions on multiple occasions, on Saturday. The actor-turned-politician has previously hinted that he may contest the next Lok Sabha election on a different party ticket, saying leaders like him were "unfairly treated" from the day the Modi government was formed. The speculations triggered after Sinha on Friday described jailed RJD supremo Lalu Prasad as his "best friend". Sinha recently met Lalu Prasad's wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi and his younger son Tejashwi Yadav. Severing ties with the BJP, former Union minister Yashwant Sinha, who has been critical of the current party leadership, today announced that he is quitting party politics, and will now work for "saving democracy in the country". "I have had a long association with the BJP. Today I am severing my ties with the BJP," the 80-year-old leader announced at a meeting here attended by opposition leaders from the Congress and the RJD besides dissident BJP leader and Patna Sahib MP Shatrughan Sinha.

Won't quit BJP,  I am here to stay: Shatrughan Sinha

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said he had not given up the demand for grant of special status to Bihar &quot;for even one second&quot; since he first raised the issue 13 years ago.

He also hit out at the RJD for questioning his &quot;silence&quot; after the TDP pulled out of the NDA seeking similar benefits for Andhra Pradesh.

Kumar declined to comment on the fresh conviction of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad in the fourth fodder scam case but said the claims of the former chief minister and his family members of being &quot;framed&quot; in corruption cases &quot;could convince only hardcore supporters&quot;.

&quot;I had written to the then prime minister for a special status to Bihar in 2005, shortly after assuming power in the state. A year later, we got a resolution passed in the state assembly to the effect.

&quot;Since then, the demand has been raised by us relentlessly and I have not strayed for even a second. I&#39;m amused to see those who were never concerned about the issue have suddenly started questioning my silence&quot;, Kumar told reporters at party headquarters here.

He also indicated that the issue of special status for Bihar would be raised before the 15th Finance Commission.

Kumar, who is the JD(U) national chief, had made a surprise appearance at a press conference convened by state chief Bashishth Narain Singh to announce merger of a breakaway faction of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) founded by former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.

Senior JD(U) leader and state minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh was also present on the occasion.

Kumar was responding to queries about the relentless attacks by Lalu Prasad and Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Tejashwi Yadav.

They have been challenging him to speak up on the issue of special status for Bihar in the backdrop of the TDP walking out of the NDA over a similar demand for Andhra Pradesh. 
&quot;Special status is a need for Bihar. We will work towards ensuring that it is fulfilled. But we are not going to issue statements about the matter every now and then. We have always placed interests of the voters above their votes, unlike our detractors,&quot; he said.

About Prasad&#39;s conviction in the Dumka treasury case , Kumar said, &quot;It is a judicial verdict and I have never spoken about a judgement passed by a court of law&quot;.

A special CBI court in Ranchi today convicted Lalu Prasad in the fourth case of multi-crore fodder scam related to fradulent withdrawal of Rs 3.13 crore from Dumka treasury in 1990s.

The court acquitted former chief minister Jagannath Mishra in the same case.

To a query about allegations of political vendetta and that the RJD supremo was being &quot;framed&quot;, he said, &quot;When we were sharing power in Bihar, they said the same thing. I had said this could convince only hardcore supporters.&quot;

The chief minister also said his government had ensured communal harmony and betterment of all communities and that he strongly believed in &quot;taking all sections of the society along&quot;.

He, however, replied in the negative when asked whether he would advise the same to his ally BJP which has often been accused of triggering communal tension. &quot;Every party has to decide its own course of action&quot;, he said.

To another query, the JD(U) chief said he did not attach much importance to bypoll results and &quot;had decided to stay away in keeping with our policy not to contest a bypoll necessitated by incumbent&#39;s death. We relented following the

BJP&#39;s demands, though we knew what would be the outcome&quot;.

The JD(U) had contested the Jahanabad assembly segment in bypolls, where its candidate lost by a margin of over 35,000 votes.

About the Supreme Court order dismissing a PIL seeking his disqualification from the Legislative council on the ground that he did not disclose his criminal records, he said, &quot;I was not made a party and not even served with a notice&quot;.

Kumar declined to comment on the fresh conviction of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad in the fourth fodder scam case but said the claims of the former chief minister and his family members of being 'framed' in corruption cases 'could convince only hardcore supporters'

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said he had not given up the demand for grant of special status to Bihar "for even one second" since he first raised the issue 13 years ago. He also hit out at the RJD for questioning his "silence" after the TDP pulled out of the NDA seeking similar benefits for Andhra Pradesh. Kumar declined to comment on the fresh conviction of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad in the fourth fodder scam case but said the claims of the former chief minister and his family members of being "framed" in corruption cases "could convince only hardcore supporters". "I had written to the then prime minister for a special status to Bihar in 2005, shortly after assuming power in the state. A year later, we got a resolution passed in the state assembly to the effect. "Since then, the demand has been raised by us relentlessly and I have not strayed for even a second. I'm amused to see those who were never concerned about the issue have suddenly started questioning my silence", Kumar told reporters at party headquarters here. He also indicated that the issue of special status for Bihar would be raised before the 15th Finance Commission. Kumar, who is the JD(U) national chief, had made a surprise appearance at a press conference convened by state chief Bashishth Narain Singh to announce merger of a breakaway faction of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) founded by former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. Senior JD(U) leader and state minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh was also present on the occasion. Kumar was responding to queries about the relentless attacks by Lalu Prasad and Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Tejashwi Yadav. They have been challenging him to speak up on the issue of special status for Bihar in the backdrop of the TDP walking out of the NDA over a similar demand for Andhra Pradesh. "Special status is a need for Bihar. We will work towards ensuring that it is fulfilled. But we are not going to issue statements about the matter every now and then. We have always placed interests of the voters above their votes, unlike our detractors," he said. About Prasad's conviction in the Dumka treasury case , Kumar said, "It is a judicial verdict and I have never spoken about a judgement passed by a court of law". A special CBI court in Ranchi today convicted Lalu Prasad in the fourth case of multi-crore fodder scam related to fradulent withdrawal of Rs 3.13 crore from Dumka treasury in 1990s. The court acquitted former chief minister Jagannath Mishra in the same case. To a query about allegations of political vendetta and that the RJD supremo was being "framed", he said, "When we were sharing power in Bihar, they said the same thing. I had said this could convince only hardcore supporters." The chief minister also said his government had ensured communal harmony and betterment of all communities and that he strongly believed in "taking all sections of the society along". He, however, replied in the negative when asked whether he would advise the same to his ally BJP which has often been accused of triggering communal tension. "Every party has to decide its own course of action", he said. To another query, the JD(U) chief said he did not attach much importance to bypoll results and "had decided to stay away in keeping with our policy not to contest a bypoll necessitated by incumbent's death. We relented following the BJP's demands, though we knew what would be the outcome". The JD(U) had contested the Jahanabad assembly segment in bypolls, where its candidate lost by a margin of over 35,000 votes. About the Supreme Court order dismissing a PIL seeking his disqualification from the Legislative council on the ground that he did not disclose his criminal records, he said, "I was not made a party and not even served with a notice".

Not given up demand for special status: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar

Two people have been arrested in Bihar in connection with the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/police-files-fir-against-men-involved-in-anti-india-pro-pakistan-sloganeering-in-bihar-35975" target="_blank">&#39;anti-India and pro-Pakistan&#39;&nbsp;sloganeering in the state&#39;s Araria district</a>.

The police have arrested Sultan Aazmi and Shehjad over a viral video that showed&nbsp;three men raising pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans in the district.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bihar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bihar</a>: 2 men, named Sultan Aazmi &amp; Shehjad, arrested over viral video from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Araria?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Araria</a>, that showed people raising anti-India slogans.
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/974494041436979200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The police were on a look out of the absconding men involved in such sloganeering after the video surfaced on the internet.

The locals of the district had staged a protest against the alleged chanting of such slogans. They also took out a rally demanding an action against the men involved.

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Araria: Locals take out protest rally demanding action in the case where a video surfaced online showing three men raising pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans in Araria. FIR has been registered and police is on the look-out of the three men who are absconding. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bihar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bihar</a> <a href="https://t.co/AwYJXjCRmI">pic.twitter.com/AwYJXjCRmI</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/974329210738274310?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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According to media reports, the sloganeering was carried out by the supporters of the&nbsp;newly elected representative in Araria.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/apologise-to-people-of-araria-rabri-devi-to-bjp-35954" target="_blank">RJD&#39;s Sarfaraz Alam&nbsp;was declared the&nbsp;winner of the region</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday beating&nbsp;his opponent Pradip Kumar Singh of BJP.

The bypoll for Araria seat was necessitated following the death of RJD MP Mohammed Taslimuddin.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The police were on a look out of the absconding men involved in 'anti-India, pro-Pakistan' sloganeering in Araria, Bihar after a video surfaced on the internet showing three men raising such slogans

Two people have been arrested in Bihar in connection with the 'anti-India and pro-Pakistan' sloganeering in the state's Araria district. The police have arrested Sultan Aazmi and Shehjad over a viral video that showed three men raising pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans in the district. #Bihar: 2 men, named Sultan Aazmi & Shehjad, arrested over viral video from #Araria, that showed people raising anti-India slogans. — ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 × The police were on a look out of the absconding men involved in such sloganeering after the video surfaced on the internet. The locals of the district had staged a protest against the alleged chanting of such slogans. They also took out a rally demanding an action against the men involved. Araria: Locals take out protest rally demanding action in the case where a video surfaced online showing three men raising pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans in Araria. FIR has been registered and police is on the look-out of the three men who are absconding. #Bihar pic.twitter.com/AwYJXjCRmI — ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2018 × According to media reports, the sloganeering was carried out by the supporters of the newly elected representative in Araria. RJD's Sarfaraz Alam was declared the winner of the region on Wednesday beating his opponent Pradip Kumar Singh of BJP. The bypoll for Araria seat was necessitated following the death of RJD MP Mohammed Taslimuddin.

2 arrested in 'anti-India, pro-Pakistan' sloganeering in Bihar

The Bihar police have registered an FIR against absconding men involved in the chanting of pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/araria-will-become-hub-for-terrorism-due-to-rjd-win-giriraj-singh-35947" target="_blank">Araria district of </a>the state on Thursday.

A video surfaced on the internet showing three men raising pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans in the district.

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We have received the information. FIR has been registered and arrests are yet to be made. As far as the people who are circulating the video are concerned, they will be traced &amp; action will be taken: KD Singh, SDPO Araria <a href="https://t.co/UqDmlzDHfn">pic.twitter.com/UqDmlzDHfn</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/974344849880244224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The locals of the district had demonstrated against the alleged chanting of such slogans. They also took out a rally demanding an action against the men involved.

The police have conducted a search operation against the absconding men.&nbsp;

Media reports have said that the supporters of the&nbsp;newly elected representative in Araria were involved in the chanting.&nbsp;

The bypoll for Araria seat was necessitated following the death of RJD MP Mohammed Taslimuddin.&nbsp;

&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/apologise-to-people-of-araria-rabri-devi-to-bjp-35954" target="_blank">RJD&#39;s Sarfaraz Alam&nbsp;was declared the&nbsp;winner of the region</a> on Wednesday beating&nbsp;his opponent Pradip Kumar Singh of BJP.

Araria is a Muslim-dominated area with over 40 per cent of the population belonging to the religion.

(With inputs from ANI)

A video surfaced on the internet showing three men raising pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans in the district. Media reports have said that the supporters of the newly elected RJD representative in Araria were involved in the chanting

The Bihar police have registered an FIR against absconding men involved in the chanting of pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans in Araria district of the state on Thursday. A video surfaced on the internet showing three men raising pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans in the district. We have received the information. FIR has been registered and arrests are yet to be made. As far as the people who are circulating the video are concerned, they will be traced & action will be taken: KD Singh, SDPO Araria pic.twitter.com/UqDmlzDHfn — ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2018 × The locals of the district had demonstrated against the alleged chanting of such slogans. They also took out a rally demanding an action against the men involved. The police have conducted a search operation against the absconding men. Media reports have said that the supporters of the newly elected representative in Araria were involved in the chanting. The bypoll for Araria seat was necessitated following the death of RJD MP Mohammed Taslimuddin. RJD's Sarfaraz Alam was declared the winner of the region on Wednesday beating his opponent Pradip Kumar Singh of BJP. Araria is a Muslim-dominated area with over 40 per cent of the population belonging to the religion. (With inputs from ANI)

Police files FIR against men involved in 'anti-India, pro-Pakistan' sloganeering in Bihar

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/let-bygones-be-bygones-says-akhilesh-on-past-rivalry-with-bsp-speculation-grows-if-they-will-join-hands-for-2019-35928">Let bygones be bygones, says SP&#39;s Akhilesh on past rivalry with BSP. Speculation grows if they will join forces for 2019</a>

Enthused by his party&#39;s strong showing in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur bypolls, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav indicated today that his party was keen on burying its bitter rivalry with Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party saying sometimes &quot;past incidents have to be forgotten&quot;.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbse-says-paper-not-leaked-have-approached-police-about-fake-news-35918">CBSE says paper not leaked, has approached police about &#39;fake&#39; news</a>

The CBSE today denied allegations of paper leak of its Class 12 Accountancy examination, asserting that all seals were found intact in the examination centres.The board also said that it has approached the police against those spreading &quot;false&quot; news.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/routine-not-recall-mea-on-pak-high-commissioner-to-india-being-called-back-35936">Routine, not recall: MEA on Pak High Commissioner to India being called back</a>

It is pretty normal for any High Commissioner to go back for consultation and &#39;&#39;We have no comments to offer on why he has gone back,&#39;&#39; said Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson for Ministry of External Affairs on Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hillary-clinton-a-series-of-unfortunate-events-in-india-35938">Hillary Clinton: A series of unfortunate events in India</a>

Hillary&#39;s India tour is becoming a series of unfortunate events for her due to one after another injury.In Madhya Pradesh, she had fallen on the steps of a mosque on Monday and after that, She fractured her wrist after she slipped in the bathtub of Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, Rajasthan on Tuesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/araria-will-become-hub-for-terrorism-due-to-rjd-win-giriraj-singh-35947">Araria will become </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/araria-will-become-hub-for-terrorism-due-to-rjd-win-giriraj-singh-35947">hub</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/araria-will-become-hub-for-terrorism-due-to-rjd-win-giriraj-singh-35947"> of terrorism: Giriraj Singh&nbsp;</a>

Union minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday claimed that the victory of RJD&#39;s Sarfaraz Alam from Araria Lok Sabha seat would make the place a hub of terrorism, which would be a danger to not only Bihar but also the country.

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

WION Evening News Brief, March 15, 2018

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on&nbsp; Wednesday won the Jehanabad assembly seat bypoll.&nbsp;

The seat had fallen vacant after death of RJD MLA Mundrika Singh Yadav.&nbsp;

RJD had fielded his son Uday Yadav is the seat who beat the JD(U) candidate by over 35,000 votes.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, BJP&#39;s Rinky Rani Pandey has won the Bhabhua Assembly seat in Bihar.&nbsp;

The result of the Araria Lok Sabha constituency is also out, RJD&#39;s Sarfaraz Alam has won the Araria Lok Sabha seat.

In Bihar, the ruling JD(U)-BJP combine and the opposition RJD-Congress alliance was locked in a battle in Araria Lok seat and the two Assembly constituencies.

According to election office sources, a total of 28 rounds of counting took place for results of Araria Lok Sabha seat bypoll necessitated due to the demise of RJD MP Mohammad Taslimuddin.&nbsp;

Alam, who crossed over from JD(U) to Lalu Prasad&#39;s party RJD to contest the bypoll, is son of Taslimuddin.&nbsp;

While Araria recorded 57 per cent voter turnout, Bhabua and Jehanabad Assembly constituencies recorded 54.03 per cent and 50.06 per cent voting in March 11 elections.&nbsp;

Bypoll in Araria Lok Sabha constituency is was a test for the ruling Janata Dal-United-BJP combine in Bihar as well as the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal-Congress alliance.

There were reports of police resorting to the mild use of force outside the counting centre in Jehanabad as young RJD supporters indulged in boisterous jubilations over the news of their candidate Suday Yadav establishing an unassailable lead over former MLA and JD(U) nominee Abhiram Sharma.

In Bihar, the ruling JD(U)-BJP combine and the opposition RJD-Congress alliance were locked in a battle in Araria Lok seat and the two Assembly constituencies

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Wednesday won the Jehanabad assembly seat bypoll. The seat had fallen vacant after death of RJD MLA Mundrika Singh Yadav. RJD had fielded his son Uday Yadav is the seat who beat the JD(U) candidate by over 35,000 votes. Meanwhile, BJP's Rinky Rani Pandey has won the Bhabhua Assembly seat in Bihar. The result of the Araria Lok Sabha constituency is also out, RJD's Sarfaraz Alam has won the Araria Lok Sabha seat. In Bihar, the ruling JD(U)-BJP combine and the opposition RJD-Congress alliance was locked in a battle in Araria Lok seat and the two Assembly constituencies. According to election office sources, a total of 28 rounds of counting took place for results of Araria Lok Sabha seat bypoll necessitated due to the demise of RJD MP Mohammad Taslimuddin. Alam, who crossed over from JD(U) to Lalu Prasad's party RJD to contest the bypoll, is son of Taslimuddin. While Araria recorded 57 per cent voter turnout, Bhabua and Jehanabad Assembly constituencies recorded 54.03 per cent and 50.06 per cent voting in March 11 elections. Bypoll in Araria Lok Sabha constituency is was a test for the ruling Janata Dal-United-BJP combine in Bihar as well as the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal-Congress alliance. There were reports of police resorting to the mild use of force outside the counting centre in Jehanabad as young RJD supporters indulged in boisterous jubilations over the news of their candidate Suday Yadav establishing an unassailable lead over former MLA and JD(U) nominee Abhiram Sharma.

Bihar bypolls: RJD wins Araria, Jehanabad; BJP retains Bhabua

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-bypolls-up-shocker-sp-wins-both-yogi-bastion-of-gorakhpur-and-phulpur-seat-35824" target="_blank">Uttar Pradesh </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-bypolls-up-shocker-sp-wins-both-yogi-bastion-of-gorakhpur-and-phulpur-seat-35824" target="_blank">bypolls</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-bypolls-up-shocker-sp-wins-both-yogi-bastion-of-gorakhpur-and-phulpur-seat-35824" target="_blank">: UP shocker; SP wins both Yogi bastion of Gorakhpur and Phulpur seat</a>

The Samajwadi Party&#39;s Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel won the Phulpur Lok Sabha bypoll by 59,613 votes Wednesday evening. The BJP came in second.&nbsp;

In the Gorakhpur bypoll meanwhile, the SP&#39;s Praveen Kumar Nishad won by 21,881 votes

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-accept-the-verdict-of-the-people-yogi-after-deafeat-in-bypolls-35825" target="_blank">Watch: We accept people&#39;s verdict, says Yogi Adityanath after BJP&#39;s defeat in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-accept-the-verdict-of-the-people-yogi-after-deafeat-in-bypolls-35825" target="_blank">bypolls</a>

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has reacted after the shocking defeat of BJP on his home-turf Gorakhpur, and Phulpur &ndash; both seats previously represented by him and his deputy in Uttar Pradesh government Keshav Prasad Maurya respective

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-bypolls-rjd-wins-araria-lok-sabha-seat-jehanabad-assembly-seat-and-bjp-retains-bhabua-35816" target="_blank">Bihar </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-bypolls-rjd-wins-araria-lok-sabha-seat-jehanabad-assembly-seat-and-bjp-retains-bhabua-35816" target="_blank">bypolls</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-bypolls-rjd-wins-araria-lok-sabha-seat-jehanabad-assembly-seat-and-bjp-retains-bhabua-35816" target="_blank">: RJD wins Araria Lok Sabha seat and Jehanabad assembly seat while BJP retains Bhabua</a>

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on &nbsp;Wednesday won the Jehanabad assembly seat bypoll.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, BJP&#39;s Rinky Rani Pandey has won the Bhabhua Assembly seat in Bihar.&nbsp;

The result of the Araria Lok Sabha constituency is also out, RJD&#39;s Sarfaraz Alam has won the Araria Lok Sabha seat.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-rejects-all-interim-pleas-to-intervene-in-ayodhya-dispute-35810" target="_blank">Supreme Court rejects all interim pleas to intervene in Ayodhya dispute</a>

The Supreme Court today rejected all interim pleas seeking to intervene as parties in the sensitive Babri masjid- Ram temple land dispute case.

The court, however, ordered revival of Swamy&#39;s disposed of writ petition in which he had sought enforcement of his fundamental right to worship at Ram temple on the disputed site in Ayodhya.

&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-former-wonder-woman-lynda-carter-says-she-was-sexually-harassed-35823" target="_blank">I was sexually harassed too, says Wonder Woman</a>

Former &quot;Wonder Woman&quot; superhero Lynda Carter who played the iconic character in the 1970s TV series revealed that she was sexually harassed during her career.&nbsp;

Uttar Pradesh bypolls: UP shocker; SP wins both Yogi bastion of Gorakhpur and Phulpur seat The Samajwadi Party's Nagendra Pratap Singh Patel won the Phulpur Lok Sabha bypoll by 59,613 votes Wednesday evening. The BJP came in second. In the Gorakhpur bypoll meanwhile, the SP's Praveen Kumar Nishad won by 21,881 votes Watch: We accept people's verdict, says Yogi Adityanath after BJP's defeat in bypolls Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has reacted after the shocking defeat of BJP on his home-turf Gorakhpur, and Phulpur – both seats previously represented by him and his deputy in Uttar Pradesh government Keshav Prasad Maurya respective Bihar bypolls: RJD wins Araria Lok Sabha seat and Jehanabad assembly seat while BJP retains Bhabua The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Wednesday won the Jehanabad assembly seat bypoll. Meanwhile, BJP's Rinky Rani Pandey has won the Bhabhua Assembly seat in Bihar. The result of the Araria Lok Sabha constituency is also out, RJD's Sarfaraz Alam has won the Araria Lok Sabha seat. Supreme Court rejects all interim pleas to intervene in Ayodhya dispute The Supreme Court today rejected all interim pleas seeking to intervene as parties in the sensitive Babri masjid- Ram temple land dispute case. The court, however, ordered revival of Swamy's disposed of writ petition in which he had sought enforcement of his fundamental right to worship at Ram temple on the disputed site in Ayodhya. I was sexually harassed too, says Wonder Woman Former "Wonder Woman" superhero Lynda Carter who played the iconic character in the 1970s TV series revealed that she was sexually harassed during her career.

WION Evening News Brief, March 14, 2018

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today rubbished the RJD&#39;s allegation that Lalu Prasad was &quot;framed&quot; in the fodder scam cases by the NDA regimes at the Centre and in the state.

RJD chief Prasad has been lodged in Ranchi&#39;s Birsa Munda jail since December 23 last, following his conviction in a fodder scam case. Subsequently, he was convicted in another case related to the scam.

&quot;What role did (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi or I have to play in the matter? It is an over-20-year-old case lodged by the CBI, which has been probing the matter following a Patna High Court order,&quot; Kumar told reporters here on the sidelines of his &quot;Lok Samvad&quot; (public interaction) programme.

&quot;In fact, I was not even one of the petitioners, on whose PIL the court had directed the CBI to take up the matter. (Deputy CM) Sushil Modi was, so was (state minister) Lalan Singh and (Jharkhand minister) Saryu Rai,&quot; the Janata Dal (United) president said.

Kumar&#39;s retort came in the backdrop of the repeated allegations levelled against him and the NDA by Prasad and his party, blaming them for the RJD chief going to jail again in the multi-crore-rupee fodder scam cases.

The chief minister also took potshots at RJD vice- president Shivanand Tiwary, without taking his name, saying, &quot;One of the petitioners (in the fodder scam cases) is now in their camp and I feel amused to see his reactions.&quot;

Tiwary, who was expelled from the JD(U) prior to the 2014 general election, has been saying that he regrets filing the PIL against Prasad.

&quot;I never comment on any judicial verdict. I did not do so in 2013 either,&quot; Kumar said, referring to Prasad&#39;s first conviction in a fodder scam case that also saw him getting disqualified from contesting elections.

Prasad and Kumar had joined hands to contest the 2015 Bihar Assembly polls, after which the latter returned as chief minister while the former&#39;s son, Tejashwi Yadav, became the deputy chief minister.

However, the JD(U) leader walked out of the coalition, following corruption cases filed against Tejashwi. Kumar then formed a new government with the BJP in the state in July last year.

&quot;I had not asked them (RJD) to declare me as the chief ministerial candidate, nor did my party make any such demand. They took the decision themselves, realising its poll prospects. They keep accusing me of betraying the mandate. We had got the mandate to govern, not to indulge in corruption,&quot; Kumar said.

Ever since the Grand Alliance, comprising the RJD, JD(U) and Congress, got dismantled, the RJD has gone on the offensive against Kumar. The attacks got sharpened after Prasad was sentenced to jail in the two fodder scam cases.

The over-Rs 900-crore fodder scam is related to irregularities in the animal husbandry department in combined Bihar in the early 90s when Prasad was the chief minister.&nbsp;

RJD chief Prasad has been lodged in Ranchi's Birsa Munda jail since December 23 last

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today rubbished the RJD's allegation that Lalu Prasad was "framed" in the fodder scam cases by the NDA regimes at the Centre and in the state. RJD chief Prasad has been lodged in Ranchi's Birsa Munda jail since December 23 last, following his conviction in a fodder scam case. Subsequently, he was convicted in another case related to the scam. "What role did (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi or I have to play in the matter? It is an over-20-year-old case lodged by the CBI, which has been probing the matter following a Patna High Court order," Kumar told reporters here on the sidelines of his "Lok Samvad" (public interaction) programme. "In fact, I was not even one of the petitioners, on whose PIL the court had directed the CBI to take up the matter. (Deputy CM) Sushil Modi was, so was (state minister) Lalan Singh and (Jharkhand minister) Saryu Rai," the Janata Dal (United) president said. Kumar's retort came in the backdrop of the repeated allegations levelled against him and the NDA by Prasad and his party, blaming them for the RJD chief going to jail again in the multi-crore-rupee fodder scam cases. The chief minister also took potshots at RJD vice- president Shivanand Tiwary, without taking his name, saying, "One of the petitioners (in the fodder scam cases) is now in their camp and I feel amused to see his reactions." Tiwary, who was expelled from the JD(U) prior to the 2014 general election, has been saying that he regrets filing the PIL against Prasad. "I never comment on any judicial verdict. I did not do so in 2013 either," Kumar said, referring to Prasad's first conviction in a fodder scam case that also saw him getting disqualified from contesting elections. Prasad and Kumar had joined hands to contest the 2015 Bihar Assembly polls, after which the latter returned as chief minister while the former's son, Tejashwi Yadav, became the deputy chief minister. However, the JD(U) leader walked out of the coalition, following corruption cases filed against Tejashwi. Kumar then formed a new government with the BJP in the state in July last year. "I had not asked them (RJD) to declare me as the chief ministerial candidate, nor did my party make any such demand. They took the decision themselves, realising its poll prospects. They keep accusing me of betraying the mandate. We had got the mandate to govern, not to indulge in corruption," Kumar said. Ever since the Grand Alliance, comprising the RJD, JD(U) and Congress, got dismantled, the RJD has gone on the offensive against Kumar. The attacks got sharpened after Prasad was sentenced to jail in the two fodder scam cases. The over-Rs 900-crore fodder scam is related to irregularities in the animal husbandry department in combined Bihar in the early 90s when Prasad was the chief minister.

Nitish Kumar rubbishes RJD allegation Lalu was 'framed' in fodder scam

A bill to make instant triple talaq illegal and void and awarding a jail term of three years for the husband was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, calling it a &quot;historic day&quot; amid opposition to its introduction by members of different parties, including RJD, AIMIM, BJD and All India Muslim League.

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This law is for women&#39;s rights &amp; justice &amp; not regarding any prayer, ritual or religion: Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in Lok Sabha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> <a href="https://t.co/feFU2W3faF">pic.twitter.com/feFU2W3faF</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946278525421600768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The law is about justice and respect for women and is not about any religion or community, he said, adding that the practice of instant triple has continued despite the Supreme Court order terming it void.

Parliament has to decide whether the victims of triple talaq have fundamental rights or not, he said after some opposition members claimed it violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

&quot;It is a historic day. We are making history today,&quot; Prasad said.

The proposed law would only be applicable on instant triple talaq or &#39;talaq-e-biddat&#39; and give power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking &quot;subsistence allowance&quot; for herself and minor children.

The woman can also seek the custody of her minor children from the magistrate who will take a final call on the issue.

Under the law, instant triple talaq in any form -- spoken, in writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp -- would be bad or illegal and void.

According to the proposed law which would be applicable to the entire country except for Jammu and Kashmir, giving instant talaq would attract a jail term of three years and a fine. It would be a non-bailable offence.

Meanwhile, the Opposition termed the&nbsp;bill as flawed.

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This bill violates fundamental rights &amp; lacks legal coherence: Asaduddin Owaisi in Lok Sabha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> <a href="https://t.co/ch48CGIUvm">pic.twitter.com/ch48CGIUvm</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946275812327636992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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This bill is flawed, there are many internal contradictions in the Bill :BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab in Lok Sabha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TripleTalaqBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TripleTalaqBill</a> <a href="https://t.co/525aKIKrpD">pic.twitter.com/525aKIKrpD</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946277149861752832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The proposed law would give power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking subsistence allowance for herself and minor children

A bill to make instant triple talaq illegal and void and awarding a jail term of three years for the husband was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, calling it a "historic day" amid opposition to its introduction by members of different parties, including RJD, AIMIM, BJD and All India Muslim League. This law is for women's rights & justice & not regarding any prayer, ritual or religion: Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in Lok Sabha #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/feFU2W3faF — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × The law is about justice and respect for women and is not about any religion or community, he said, adding that the practice of instant triple has continued despite the Supreme Court order terming it void. Parliament has to decide whether the victims of triple talaq have fundamental rights or not, he said after some opposition members claimed it violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. "It is a historic day. We are making history today," Prasad said. The proposed law would only be applicable on instant triple talaq or 'talaq-e-biddat' and give power to the victim to approach a magistrate seeking "subsistence allowance" for herself and minor children. The woman can also seek the custody of her minor children from the magistrate who will take a final call on the issue. Under the law, instant triple talaq in any form -- spoken, in writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp -- would be bad or illegal and void. According to the proposed law which would be applicable to the entire country except for Jammu and Kashmir, giving instant talaq would attract a jail term of three years and a fine. It would be a non-bailable offence. Meanwhile, the Opposition termed the bill as flawed. This bill violates fundamental rights & lacks legal coherence: Asaduddin Owaisi in Lok Sabha #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/ch48CGIUvm — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × This bill is flawed, there are many internal contradictions in the Bill :BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab in Lok Sabha #TripleTalaqBill pic.twitter.com/525aKIKrpD — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 ×

Law about justice for women, not religion, says government as it tables triple talaq bill in Lok Sabha

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lalu-prasad-found-guilty-in-fodder-scam-case-27532">Fodder scam convict</a> and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has again been put it the upper division cell at the Birsa Munda&nbsp;jail where he had stayed after the 2013 conviction and has also got access to TV and newspaper among other things.&nbsp;

The upper division cell will comprise of one mosquito net, one newspaper to read every day, and a television set apart from the usual cell bed.&nbsp;

Moreover, media reports said that he is also entitled to get home food and is also allowed to cook for himself.&nbsp;

The former Bihar chief minister can meet guests between 8 am and 12 noon during weekdays in line with the jail manual, Birsa Munda Jail Superintendent Ashok Kumar Choudhary said.

Former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav was on Saturday convicted by a special CBI court in the 1996 fodder scam case along with 14 others co-accused in the case.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/fodder-scam-verdict-how-politicians-reacted-to-lalu-prasads-conviction-27541">Fodder scam verdict: How politicians reacted to Lalu Prasad&#39;s conviction</a>

Lalu along with 15 others was convicted by the special CBI court in the case which involved the fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89 lakh from the Deoghar treasury between 1991 and 1994.

The quantum of punishment will be pronounced by the court on January 3.

(With inputs from PTI)

The former Bihar CM can meet guests between 8 am and 12 noon during weekdays in line with the jail manual, Birsa Munda Jail Superintendent Ashok Kumar Choudhary said

Fodder scam convict and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has again been put it the upper division cell at the Birsa Munda jail where he had stayed after the 2013 conviction and has also got access to TV and newspaper among other things. The upper division cell will comprise of one mosquito net, one newspaper to read every day, and a television set apart from the usual cell bed. Moreover, media reports said that he is also entitled to get home food and is also allowed to cook for himself. The former Bihar chief minister can meet guests between 8 am and 12 noon during weekdays in line with the jail manual, Birsa Munda Jail Superintendent Ashok Kumar Choudhary said. Former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav was on Saturday convicted by a special CBI court in the 1996 fodder scam case along with 14 others co-accused in the case. Also read: Fodder scam verdict: How politicians reacted to Lalu Prasad's conviction Lalu along with 15 others was convicted by the special CBI court in the case which involved the fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89 lakh from the Deoghar treasury between 1991 and 1994. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced by the court on January 3. (With inputs from PTI)

In jail, Lalu Prasad gets access to TV, newspaper: Report

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, today, said that Sharad Yadav, who has questioned the party&#39;s alliance with the BJP, is free to take his own decisions.

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Party has taken a decision with everyone&#39;s consensus, he is free to make his own decisions: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Sharad Yadav <a href="https://t.co/LHpb2ZvnXm">pic.twitter.com/LHpb2ZvnXm</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/895934836493344769">August 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The Bihar chief minister also said that the decision to go with the BJP had the nod of the entire party.

&quot;He (Yadav) is free to take his decision. As far as the party is concerned, it has already taken its decision. The decision was not mine alone and it was taken with the consent of the party. If he keeps a different opinion, then he is free to do so,&quot; Nitish said.

He was speaking to reporters after meeting the Prime Minister on his first visit to Delhi after breaking ties with the RJD and the Congress.

Sharad Yadav, who is on a tour of Bihar, has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/i-continue-to-stand-for-the-gathbandhan-sharad-yadav-18834" target="_blank">hit out at the decision of the Nitish Kumar to go with the BJP</a>.

The Rajya Sabha member of parliament (MP) from JD(U) had earlier said that the&nbsp;decision to ally with the BJP and split the Mahagathbandhan has betrayed the trust of those who voted for us and it has hurt him. 
&nbsp;

He said that the decision to ally with the BJP had the entire party's nod

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, today, said that Sharad Yadav, who has questioned the party's alliance with the BJP, is free to take his own decisions. Party has taken a decision with everyone's consensus, he is free to make his own decisions: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Sharad Yadav pic.twitter.com/LHpb2ZvnXm — ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2017 × The Bihar chief minister also said that the decision to go with the BJP had the nod of the entire party. "He (Yadav) is free to take his decision. As far as the party is concerned, it has already taken its decision. The decision was not mine alone and it was taken with the consent of the party. If he keeps a different opinion, then he is free to do so," Nitish said. He was speaking to reporters after meeting the Prime Minister on his first visit to Delhi after breaking ties with the RJD and the Congress. Sharad Yadav, who is on a tour of Bihar, has hit out at the decision of the Nitish Kumar to go with the BJP. The Rajya Sabha member of parliament (MP) from JD(U) had earlier said that the decision to ally with the BJP and split the Mahagathbandhan has betrayed the trust of those who voted for us and it has hurt him.

Rift in JD(U) widens as Nitish Kumar says Sharad Yadav free to take own decisions

The Lalu Prasad-led RJD moved the Patna High Court on Friday challenging Nitish Kumar&#39;s appointment as chief minister, a day after he resigned in a sudden move and joined hands with the BJP.

The court admitted the petition but refused to stay today&#39;s trust vote - won by Nitish Kumar - and said it will hear the case on Monday.

The RJD said yesterday that it moving court to appeal the Bihar governor&#39;s invitation to the JD(U) and the NDA to form a government in the state, which it called a &quot;blatant violation&quot; of a Supreme Court judgement.

&quot;The governor&#39;s decision amounts to the murder of the spirit of the SR Bommai judgement,&quot; RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha told the press outside the residence of Lalu Prasad Yadav&#39;s wife and former chief minister Rabri Devi.

&quot;According to the S R Bommai case judgement it is mandatory to call the single largest party or electoral block first to explore the formation of a government,&quot; he said on Thursday.

The court admitted the petition but refused to stay today's trust vote - won by Nitish Kumar - and said it will hear the case on Monday

The Lalu Prasad-led RJD moved the Patna High Court on Friday challenging Nitish Kumar's appointment as chief minister, a day after he resigned in a sudden move and joined hands with the BJP. The court admitted the petition but refused to stay today's trust vote - won by Nitish Kumar - and said it will hear the case on Monday. The RJD said yesterday that it moving court to appeal the Bihar governor's invitation to the JD(U) and the NDA to form a government in the state, which it called a "blatant violation" of a Supreme Court judgement. "The governor's decision amounts to the murder of the spirit of the SR Bommai judgement," RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha told the press outside the residence of Lalu Prasad Yadav's wife and former chief minister Rabri Devi. "According to the S R Bommai case judgement it is mandatory to call the single largest party or electoral block first to explore the formation of a government," he said on Thursday.

Lalu's RJD moves court against Nitish's appointment as chief minister

Lalu Prasad said on Thursday that he was considering appealing to the Supreme Court against the governor&#39;s decision to invite the JD(U)&#39;s Nitish Kumar and the BJP to form a government in Bihar considering the RJD is the largest party in the state.&nbsp;

The RJD has 81 MLAs, the JD(U) 71, the BJP 53, and the Congress 27.&nbsp;

He added that efforts to cobble together a combined Opposition would continue.&nbsp;

&quot;Mayawati, Akhilesh, Mamata, we will get them all together, so what if Nitish has gone to the BJP?&quot; ANI quoted Lalu as saying.&nbsp;

When asked if he had been asked to break the mahagatbandhan -- the former JDU-RJD-Congress alliance that was ruling the state -- he said that was fake news emanating from Delhi.&nbsp;

&quot;This is all fake news from Delhi,&quot; ANI quoted him as saying.&nbsp;

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Amit Shah is the Super Editor, he decides how news should be &amp; he tells owners of media, who tells editors, not reporters fault: Lalu Yadav <a href="https://t.co/3xVbAEIMqk">pic.twitter.com/3xVbAEIMqk</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/890467520141967360">July 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Some media who we had thought were good, they took supari. See how the US media is fighting Trump, here media fights opposition: Lalu Yadav <a href="https://t.co/gp58ASzg3b">pic.twitter.com/gp58ASzg3b</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/890467221301977088">July 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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He added that Wednesday&#39;s breakneck developments -- Nitish&#39;s sudden resignation, the announcement that he was joining hands with the BJP -- had been fixed in advance. &nbsp;

&quot;On many occasions, Nitish met PM Modi, had lunch. The timing of whatever happened was already fixed,&quot; he said.

And, perhaps optimistically, he added that this was the end of Nitish Kumar.&nbsp;

Most political commentators however were on Wednesday (when the news first broke that Nitish was joining hands with the BJP) and Thursday saying the opposite -- that it is Lalu who is going to find the going lonely.&nbsp;

He added that efforts to cobble together a combined Opposition would continue

Lalu Prasad said on Thursday that he was considering appealing to the Supreme Court against the governor's decision to invite the JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar and the BJP to form a government in Bihar considering the RJD is the largest party in the state. The RJD has 81 MLAs, the JD(U) 71, the BJP 53, and the Congress 27. He added that efforts to cobble together a combined Opposition would continue. "Mayawati, Akhilesh, Mamata, we will get them all together, so what if Nitish has gone to the BJP?" ANI quoted Lalu as saying. When asked if he had been asked to break the mahagatbandhan -- the former JDU-RJD-Congress alliance that was ruling the state -- he said that was fake news emanating from Delhi. "This is all fake news from Delhi," ANI quoted him as saying. Amit Shah is the Super Editor, he decides how news should be & he tells owners of media, who tells editors, not reporters fault: Lalu Yadav pic.twitter.com/3xVbAEIMqk — ANI (@ANI_news) July 27, 2017 × Some media who we had thought were good, they took supari. See how the US media is fighting Trump, here media fights opposition: Lalu Yadav pic.twitter.com/gp58ASzg3b — ANI (@ANI_news) July 27, 2017 × He added that Wednesday's breakneck developments -- Nitish's sudden resignation, the announcement that he was joining hands with the BJP -- had been fixed in advance. "On many occasions, Nitish met PM Modi, had lunch. The timing of whatever happened was already fixed," he said. And, perhaps optimistically, he added that this was the end of Nitish Kumar. Most political commentators however were on Wednesday (when the news first broke that Nitish was joining hands with the BJP) and Thursday saying the opposite -- that it is Lalu who is going to find the going lonely.

Lalu: Considering appealing to Supreme Court

Nitish Kumar has been sworn in as the chief minister of Bihar.&nbsp;

The BJP&#39;s Sushil Modi&nbsp;will be deputy chief minister.

Nitish had unexpectedly resigned on Wednesday dumping his former alliance partners the RJD and Congress, only to return a few hours later partnering this time with the BJP. &nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> Nitish Kumar&#39;s swearing-in ceremony as Bihar CM at Raj Bhawan in Patna <a href="https://t.co/kHgjRs8gjD">https://t.co/kHgjRs8gjD</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/890426442776838144">July 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The BJP's Sushil Modi was sworn in as deputy chief minister

Nitish Kumar has been sworn in as the chief minister of Bihar. The BJP's Sushil Modi will be deputy chief minister. Nitish had unexpectedly resigned on Wednesday dumping his former alliance partners the RJD and Congress, only to return a few hours later partnering this time with the BJP. #WATCH Nitish Kumar's swearing-in ceremony as Bihar CM at Raj Bhawan in Patna https://t.co/kHgjRs8gjD — ANI (@ANI_news) July 27, 2017 ×

WATCH LIVE: Nitish Kumar's swearing in

Chief of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday rubbished rumours of a breakup with Janata Dal (United), stressing that all is well with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.

Lalu Prasad Yadav also ruled out resignation of son and Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. He said that Nitish Kumar had not asked for Tejashwi&rsquo;s resignation.&nbsp;

&quot;Mahagathbandhan is intact and Nitish never asked for resignation from Tejashwi&quot; Lalu Prasad told the media at a conference in Patna.&nbsp;

Lalu Prasad Yadav also said he was aware of Nitish Kumar&rsquo;s growing friendship with the BJP.&nbsp;

&quot;I am aware of the growing bonhomie between Nitish Kumar and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). I know BJP is desperate to ally with Janata Dal (United)(JD(U)).&quot;

He also took a jibe at Nitish by saying the alliance was forged because of him, and that the RJD made him Chief Minister.

Rumours had been rife about tensions between the &#39;Grand Alliance&#39; of Congress and RJD as Nitish Kumar was said to be facing pressure to oust Tejashwi after charges of corruption against him were proved.&nbsp;

Nitish Kumar also backed BJP-nominee Ram Nath Kovind in the presidential election, irking the rest of the alliance members.&nbsp;

The Central Bureau of Investigation had filed a corruption case against Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi and son Tejashwi on allegations of awarding the tender for development, maintenance and operation of hotels in Ranchi and Puri in 2006.

Lalu Prasad has denied these allegations and called it a political conspiracy by the BJP.

 
 
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Lalu Prasad Yadav also said he was aware of Nitish Kumar?s growing friendship with the BJP

Chief of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday rubbished rumours of a breakup with Janata Dal (United), stressing that all is well with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. Lalu Prasad Yadav also ruled out resignation of son and Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. He said that Nitish Kumar had not asked for Tejashwi’s resignation. "Mahagathbandhan is intact and Nitish never asked for resignation from Tejashwi" Lalu Prasad told the media at a conference in Patna. Lalu Prasad Yadav also said he was aware of Nitish Kumar’s growing friendship with the BJP. "I am aware of the growing bonhomie between Nitish Kumar and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). I know BJP is desperate to ally with Janata Dal (United)(JD(U))." He also took a jibe at Nitish by saying the alliance was forged because of him, and that the RJD made him Chief Minister. Rumours had been rife about tensions between the 'Grand Alliance' of Congress and RJD as Nitish Kumar was said to be facing pressure to oust Tejashwi after charges of corruption against him were proved. Nitish Kumar also backed BJP-nominee Ram Nath Kovind in the presidential election, irking the rest of the alliance members. The Central Bureau of Investigation had filed a corruption case against Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi and son Tejashwi on allegations of awarding the tender for development, maintenance and operation of hotels in Ranchi and Puri in 2006. Lalu Prasad has denied these allegations and called it a political conspiracy by the BJP.

Lalu Prasad Yadav rules out son, Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi's resignation

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Friday said his son Tejashwi,&nbsp;accused of corruption,&nbsp;would not resign as Bihar deputy chief minister. He also dismissed reports of a rift in the &#39;mahagatbandhan&#39;, the JD(U), RJD, and Congress alliance that rules the state.&nbsp;

&quot;The Vidhan Mandal of our party has taken a decision that Tejashwi Yadav will not resign,&quot; Lalu told ANI.

&quot;An FIR is not sufficient reason for the resignation,&quot; he said.

The RJD chief said the raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on himself and his son were&nbsp;an attempt by the BJP to break the grand alliance.

&quot;For us the priority is the Presidential elections. There are reports of rift in the alliance. Media reports are showing that Sonia ji has held talks with me and Nitish ji, all this is false. Our alliance is unbreakable. The RJD will not give the BJP and the RSS any space to enter&nbsp;Bihar.&nbsp;This song and dance with the CBI reports and the ED reports is an attempt by the BJP to break our alliance in Bihar,&quot; Lalu Prasad said.

&quot;All tangible and intangible assets of Lalu Yadav and his family are in public domain. The RJD will not let anybody break our alliance,&quot; he added.

The RJD chief added that he and his family have already issued their clarification on the corruption charges that have been filed by the Central Bureau of investigation (CBI).

&quot;Whatever accusations have been made against me and my family, we have already issued a clarification in the press conference. We will give our responses to the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate whenever they call us,&quot; said Lalu.

Sonia Gandhi on Friday called Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad, news reports said.&nbsp;

The calls were made, the reports said, to save the &#39;mahagatbandhan&#39;.&nbsp;

The news reports quoted Congress sources as saying they thought that now that Sonia had spoken to Nitish and Lalu, things would be alright in a few days.&nbsp;

The alliance has come under severe strain ever since Lalu, his wife Rabri, and his son Tejashwi were booked by the CBI on corruption charges.&nbsp;

The CBI alleges Lalu had accepted a bribe in return for an IRCTC contract that he awarded to a hotel company. Lalu was railway minister at the time.&nbsp;

The JD(U) meanwhile has been calling for Tejashwi&#39;s resignation as deputy chief minister of Bihar. There is increased&nbsp;pressure on chief minister Nitish Kumar to sack Tejashwi to protect an image of clean governance.

&nbsp;

The JD(U) has been calling for Tejashwi's, Lalu's son, resignation as deputy chief minister of Bihar

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Friday said his son Tejashwi, accused of corruption, would not resign as Bihar deputy chief minister. He also dismissed reports of a rift in the 'mahagatbandhan', the JD(U), RJD, and Congress alliance that rules the state. "The Vidhan Mandal of our party has taken a decision that Tejashwi Yadav will not resign," Lalu told ANI. "An FIR is not sufficient reason for the resignation," he said. The RJD chief said the raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on himself and his son were an attempt by the BJP to break the grand alliance. "For us the priority is the Presidential elections. There are reports of rift in the alliance. Media reports are showing that Sonia ji has held talks with me and Nitish ji, all this is false. Our alliance is unbreakable. The RJD will not give the BJP and the RSS any space to enter Bihar. This song and dance with the CBI reports and the ED reports is an attempt by the BJP to break our alliance in Bihar," Lalu Prasad said. "All tangible and intangible assets of Lalu Yadav and his family are in public domain. The RJD will not let anybody break our alliance," he added. The RJD chief added that he and his family have already issued their clarification on the corruption charges that have been filed by the Central Bureau of investigation (CBI). "Whatever accusations have been made against me and my family, we have already issued a clarification in the press conference. We will give our responses to the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate whenever they call us," said Lalu. Sonia Gandhi on Friday called Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad, news reports said. The calls were made, the reports said, to save the 'mahagatbandhan'. The news reports quoted Congress sources as saying they thought that now that Sonia had spoken to Nitish and Lalu, things would be alright in a few days. The alliance has come under severe strain ever since Lalu, his wife Rabri, and his son Tejashwi were booked by the CBI on corruption charges. The CBI alleges Lalu had accepted a bribe in return for an IRCTC contract that he awarded to a hotel company. Lalu was railway minister at the time. The JD(U) meanwhile has been calling for Tejashwi's resignation as deputy chief minister of Bihar. There is increased pressure on chief minister Nitish Kumar to sack Tejashwi to protect an image of clean governance.

Bihar 'mahagatbandhan' unbreakable, son Tejashwi will not resign: Lalu

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