Bihar Council polls: Nitish Kumar chairs JD-U strategy meet

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Patna, June 2 (IANS) With elections to 10 seats of the Bihar Legislative Council scheduled for June 18, discussions over candidate selection and seat-sharing arrangements within the ruling alliance are underway.

A key meeting of Janata Dal (United) leaders was held on Tuesday at the official residence of former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at 7 Circular Road in Patna. Party leaders deliberated on potential candidates for the upcoming elections and discussed organisational strategy.

Sources indicate that Health Minister Nishant Kumar is widely considered a strong contender for one of the Legislative Council seats expected to be allotted to JD(U). Several other party leaders are also actively seeking nominations for the remaining seats.

Among those who met Nitish Kumar was Vidyanand Vikal, former Chairman of the Bihar State Food Commission. Party spokespersons and other senior leaders also reportedly met the JD(U) leadership to present their claims for nomination.

After his meeting, Vidyanand Vikal stated that he had discussed his candidature with the party’s senior leadership and expressed confidence in light of the assurances he received.

The meeting at Nitish Kumar’s residence came shortly after another strategy session held on Sunday at the residence of JD(U) Working President Sanjay Jha.

Despite the ongoing discussions, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary clarified that the party has not yet finalised either the number of seats it will contest or the names of its candidates. He said that once the decision-making process is complete, the party will formally announce all details to the media.

Building Construction Minister Leshi Singh also visited Nitish Kumar’s residence on Tuesday. The timing of the visit fuelled discussions; however, the minister later described the meeting as a routine interaction and denied any special agenda.

As the June 18 Legislative Council elections draw closer, both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and opposition parties are expected to accelerate internal consultations and finalise their candidates in the coming days.

–IANS

ajk/dan

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Dhananjay Munde resigned on moral grounds: Ajit Pawar

Mumbai, March 4 (IANS) NCP president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Tuesday that NCP legislator Dhananjay Munde resigned as Maharashtra Minister on moral grounds.

Deputy CM Pawar had taken a firm stand amid the chorus for Munde’s resignation that the party will take a call after the completion of ongoing investigations by the CID, special investigation team and judicial committee in the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.

Deputy CM Pawar remained with Munde through thick and thin, however, after CID named his close associate Walmik Karad as the mastermind in the brutal killing of Santosh Deshmukh, he asked Munde to resign.

However, Munde’s cousin and BJP minister Pankaja Munde from Beed district said that Dhananjay Munde should have resigned much earlier.

“Dhananjay Munde’s resignation has been accepted, it should be welcomed. This resignation should have come much earlier. He should not have taken the oath of office. If he had done so, perhaps we would not have had to face the following things,” she added.

“Had Dhananjay Munde resigned earlier, the dignity could have been maintained. Resignation is nothing compared to the pain of that family (family of deceased sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh),” said Pankaja Munde.

“Some videos related to the killing of Santosh Deshmukh went viral on social media. I saw one of the posts. I did not dare to open that video. Those who killed the sarpanch, they did it inhumanly. They killed him and made a video of him. I do not dare to see the inhumanity that is in them. After the murder of Deshmukh, I first wrote a letter to the Chief Minister and on December 12, I gave my full speech on this. Today, you can see it online. I have expressed my opinion. Now, only the investigation machinery knows who is involved in this and who is not. I have no reason to interfere in it,” she said.

“There has been anger against the manner in which sarpanch was killed,” she said.

She added there is no need to rake up the issue of caste conflict.

Meanwhile, Congress slammed the Mahayuti government, saying that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Pawar have lost the moral right to remain in office and should resign.

“The whole of Maharashtra has been crying since the photos of the brutal killing of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh went viral. Despite the police and the government having these photos and videos, the government was saving Dhananjay Munde. Due to this act of the government, the dignity of Maharashtra has been brought down. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar have lost the moral right to remain in office. They should immediately step down,” said state Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal.

Sapkal said the government cannot pat on its back just because Dhananjay Munde has resigned.

“The real question is why the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister did not dismiss Dhananjay Munde. All the photos, videos, and evidence of these inhuman acts were with the police from the beginning, that is, with the Home Minister and the government. Seriously, the government was trying to save Dhananjay Munde for two months despite having complete knowledge of the inhuman acts of this gang of devils. This means that this gang had the support of the government and it was clear that the Santosh Deshmukh murder case was to be suppressed,” he alleged.

–IANS

sj/svn

6 killed as car falls into 800-foot ravine in Maharashtra’s Nashik; PM Modi expresses grief

Nashik, Dec 7 (IANS) Six members of a family were killed after their vehicle plunged into an 800-feet ravine on the stretch leading to a famous shrine in Maharashtra’s Nashik district on Sunday, an official said.

The car was headed towards the Saptashrungi Mata temple when the driver reportedly lost control while attempting to overtake near the Bhavari waterfall, a stretch known for its sharp curves and narrow road.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident.

“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Nashik, Maharashtra. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover soon,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a post on X.

According to officials, the vehicle involved in the accident veered off the edge and fell into the deep valley below, killing all occupants on the spot.

Police said that all the victims belonged to the Patel family and were travelling together for a temple visit.

The victims were identified as Kirti Patel (50), Rasila Patel (50), Vitthal Patel (65), Lata Patel (60), Pachan Patel (60) and Maniben Patel (60). The police officers confirmed that all of them were closely related.

Personnel from the local police station, the Saptashrungi Gad Disaster Management Team and the Saptashrungi Gad Gram Panchayat rushed to the site soon after being alerted.

However, the steep fall and dense terrain have made rescue efforts extremely challenging, they said.

The wreckage lies roughly 800 feet below the road, and teams have been struggling to reach the spot.

The residents of the region have expressed anger over the condition of the ghat road.

Locals alleged that the accident took place because of poor maintenance and inadequate safety measures at the curve where the vehicle skidded.

They blamed the Public Works Department for failing to repair the damaged stretch despite repeated complaints.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident and are examining whether speeding, road conditions or driver error led to the accident.

–IANS

uk/pgh

Delhi Police arrest two snatchers in Dhaula Kuan case; recover stolen phones, scooty

New Delhi, Feb 11 (IANS) The Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested two snatchers from East Mehram Nagar and recovered two mobile phones, including one snatched and one stolen handset, along with a scooty used in the commission of the crime.

The arrests were made by the staff of PP Subroto Park under Police Station Delhi Cantt in the South-West District. The accused have been identified as Rinku Khan alias Kotal (24) and Ajay alias Banty (24), both residents of East Mehram Nagar, Delhi.

According to the South-West District Police, the staff of PP Subroto Park carried out a swift operation and apprehended the accused in connection with a mobile phone snatching incident reported near the Dhaula Kuan Metro Station.

Police said a PCR call was received at PS Delhi Cantt on February 9, at around 10:45 p.m. regarding the snatching of a mobile phone. A police team reached the spot and found the victim, Tarooshra Singh (20), a resident of Lucknow.

The victim told police that he is pursuing engineering and was heading to Lucknow after taking a week’s leave from his campus. He was supposed to catch a bus from Dhaula Kuan. At around 10:40 p.m., while he was standing outside the Dhaula Kuan Metro Station waiting for the bus, two boys arrived on a scooty and snatched his mobile phone before fleeing from the spot.

Based on the complaint, a case vide FIR No. 157/26 under Sections 304(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered at PS Delhi Cantt and an investigation was initiated.

During the investigation, one of the snatchers, identified as Rinku Khan alias Kotal, was apprehended by the team of PP Subroto Park. The snatched mobile phone was recovered from his possession. Police also recovered the scooty used in the incident from the spot.

Police said the scooty was found to be registered in the name of Rinku Khan’s father.

Following sustained investigation and scrutiny of CCTV camera footage from the area, the second accused was identified as Ajay alias Banty, also a resident of East Mehram Nagar. He was subsequently arrested in the case.

During further interrogation of both accused, police claimed to have worked out another case of mobile theft and recovered an additional stolen mobile phone.

Police also shared the criminal background of both accused. Rinku Khan is allegedly involved in eight previous criminal cases related to theft, robbery and offences under the Arms Act registered at various police stations in Delhi. Ajay alias Banty is allegedly involved in six previous criminal cases of theft and robbery.

The recoveries made from the accused include one snatched mobile phone, one stolen mobile phone, and the scooty used in the commission of the crime.

Police said two cases have been worked out so far: FIR No. 157/26 under Sections 304(2) and 3(5) BNS, and E-FIR No. 80110078/24 under Section 303(2) BNS, both registered at PS Delhi Cantt, Delhi.

Further investigation is underway.

–IANS

jk/rad