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Indian Express
26 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Patna, Siwan killings put Nitish govt on back foot, give ammo to Oppn on poll eve
Political temperature in poll-bound Bihar soared following the murder of Gopal Khemka, a prominent businessman and owner of Magadh Hospital, who was gunned down late Friday night by bike-borne assailants near his house in the Gandhi Maidan area in Patna. Barely a few hours before Khemka's killing, in a separate incident, three people were killed and two others injured in a violent clash between two groups in Siwan. These killings gave ammunition to the RJD-led Opposition Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) which targeted the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government, alleging that there has been 'a surge in lawlessness across Bihar under the Nitish government'. Bihar is headed to the Assembly polls in October-November this year, which gave urgency to the Opposition's attack while putting the NDA dispensation on the defensive. Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav questioned how could such a high-profile murder occur near a police station in the state capital. 'A prominent businessman in Patna has been shot dead just a few steps away from the police station! Every month, hundreds of traders are being killed in Bihar, but we still can't call it 'jungle raj'? Because this is what the scriptures call media management, perception management, and image management,' Tejashwi alleged in a social media post. CM Nitish held an urgent meeting with the Director General of Police and other senior officials to take stock of the state's law and order situation, following which he tweeted, 'Law and order is the government's top priority. Whoever commits a crime, regardless of who they are, will not be spared under any circumstances. I have instructed that investigations into criminal incidents be expedited and that swift action be taken against the guilty. The police and administration have been directed to work with full alertness and strictness to maintain law and order.' Khemka's killing came about seven years after his son Gunjan Khemka was also shot dead in Hajipur. Gunjan was said to be a BJP worker. RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari alleged that the Bihar-based businessman's killing in one of Patna's most upscale neighbourhoods indicated that law and order situation has collapsed in the state and that the Nitish government has lost its 'moral authority' to remain in power, claiming that 'criminals were emboldened while the police appeared helpless'. Independent MP from Purnea, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, who is associated with the Congress, said in an X post: 'No one is safe… Criminals are being protected by the current NDA government in the state. Nitish ji, please spare Bihar.' BJP spokesperson Manoj Sharma, however, said, 'The police are actively working on this case. Whoever is responsible won't go unpunished.' Following the Siwan killings, Tejashwi had alleged in an X post: 'Massacre in Bihar! Six people shot in Siwan! Three died on the spot! Under the leadership of an unconscious Chief Minister, law and order have collapsed!'
Hans India
37 minutes ago
- Hans India
‘Bullets speak louder than law': Bihar Gov must convene special session, says Congress
New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar, accusing it of turning the state into a haven for criminals and pushing it into a state of "lawlessness". Addressing a press briefing at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh said that under NDA rule, Bihar has transformed from a land of peace and knowledge into one where 'bullets speak louder than law'. His remarks came as a prominent Bihar-based businessman, Gopal Khemka, was shot dead outside his residence in Patna by a bike-borne assailant. 'This wasn't just a murder, it was an open challenge to the state machinery,' Singh said, slamming the administration for failing to act promptly. 'He lives right in front of Gandhi Maidan, near Maurya Hotel, and yesterday, when he was returning at 11:00 pm, he was murdered by dreaded criminals as soon as he got out of the car. The SSP Sahab lives there, the entire police department lives there…', said Singh. Quoting data from NCRB and Bihar Police Headquarters, Singh alleged that Bihar has seen a 323 per cent rise in total crimes since 2005, with over 53,000 murders and nearly 5.6 lakh heinous crimes registered in the last 17 years. Rape cases, child crimes, and atrocities against Dalits have surged alarmingly, he added, calling the state a "free zone for criminals." He further criticised the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, alleging a conspiracy to delete 2 crore voters, mostly from marginalised communities. Calling Bihar's current state "a tragedy", he demanded that the Governor convene a two-day special Assembly session to address the deteriorating law and order situation and discuss the controversial SIR process. However, when asked if Congress was demanding President's Rule, Singh clarified, 'We are not asking for President's Rule, but for accountability and urgent corrective measures.' He accused the BJP of rendering CM Nitish Kumar a 'puppet' and said, 'If this was the old Nitish Kumar, he would have resigned on moral grounds by now.'
The Hindu
41 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Congress seeks CBI probe into infrastructure projects executed under AINRC-BJP government
The Congress has demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into major projects undertaken by the All India N R Congress - Bharatiya Janata Party government in Puducherry. Talking to reporters after inspecting the reconstructed Rajiv Gandhi Bus Terminus along with Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and Pradesh Congress Committee chief V. Vaithilingam, former Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy said the bus stand has been opened without providing any facility for the passengers. While the shops inside the commercial complex have not been opened yet, there have been complaints from the commuters about lack of other amenities as well inside the bus terminus, he said. 'We have been complaining about the huge expenditure involved in the construction of the bus terminus. There are also complaints about other infrastructure projects implemented by the present government. An inquiry by the CBI only will bring out the truth,' he said. Mr. Vaithilingam said the Congress would approach the investigating agency demanding a probe into various infrastructure projects undertaken by the AINRC-BJP government. If the CBI failed to initiate inquiry, the party would certainly approach the High Court, he added. In a separate press briefing at the Pradesh Congress Committee office along with the AICC media in-charge Dolly Sharma, Mr. Vaithilingam said the recent election of the BJP president in Puducherry was just a 'sham.' 'The new president V. P. Ramalingam was earlier a nominated legislator of the BJP. His elevation as president of the party was also a nomination by the leadership. Mr. Ramalingam has never faced an election. No election was conducted at the party level. There is no internal democracy in the BJP,' the PCC chief said. The AICC media-in charge said the BJP central leadership was controlling Chief Minister N. Rangasamy. 'The AINRC-BJP government is involved in corrupt practices and even a ruling party member was involved in the encroachment of a temple land. The ruling combine has failed to obtain Statehood for Puducherry,' she said.
