
What happens in Tej Pratap's dreams?
Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant kishor got an admirer from an unexpected quarter. Union Minister and LJP (RV) chief Chirag Paswan appreciated kishor's 'honest role' in Bihar politics. Paswan, who is also known as the PM's 'Hanuman', however, dismissed the allegation that Kishor was trying to 'hijack' his 'Bihar first, Bihari first' plank. Paswan said no one can hijack another's agenda. He said it's the beauty of democracy that people have many options to choose from. 'In democracy, it's better to have many options,' he quipped. Notably, Kishor misses no chance to criticize Modi for his failure to keep promises made to the people of Bihar.
'Let Tejashwi contest polls from Bangladesh'
Everyone was taken by surprise when a BJP minister in the Nitish Kumar cabinet asked RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who is also the leader of the opposition in the State Assembly, to contest elections from Bangladesh if the latter has any objection to the deletion of names of Bangladeshi infiltrators from the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision in Bihar. The minister, Nitin Nabin, took a potshot at Tejashwi's comment on the possible boycott of elections over the SIR. 'Let him contest the election from Bangladesh,' the BJP minister said.
Ramashankar
Our correspondent in Bihar
ramashankar@newindianexpress.com
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Hans India
27 minutes ago
- Hans India
Bihar's SIR row: Supreme Court declines to stay publication of draft electoral rolls
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to issue an interim stay on the publication of the draft electoral rolls by the Election Commission of India (ECI) following its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in poll-bound Bihar. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi observed that since the petitioners did not seek interim relief during the initial hearing, it could not be granted at this stage, and the matter would be interpreted once and for all. Due to paucity of time, the Justice Surya Kant-led Bench adjourned the hearing, stating that the schedule for the final hearing would be determined on July 29. In a short hearing, the apex court emphasised that the ECI should consider Aadhaar cards and Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) for voter verification. As senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing on ECI's behalf, raised reservations about the documents, adding that many fake ration cards have been issued, the court said: "As far as ration cards are concerned, we can say they can be forged easily, but Aadhaar and voter cards have some sanctity and have a presumption of genuineness. You proceed with these two documents (Aadhaar and EPIC). Wherever you find forgery, that's on case-to-case basis." Several petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court claiming that if the June 26 decision of the ECI directing SIR is not set aside, it can "arbitrarily" and "without due process" disenfranchise lakhs of voters, disrupt free and fair elections and democracy. The petitioners have questioned the timing and legality of the revision exercise, arguing that the poll body initiated an extensive revision process in a poll-bound state without sufficient safeguards or public clarity. In an earlier hearing, the apex court advised the ECI to consider accepting Aadhaar cards, ration cards, or previously issued voter ID cards as valid identification for electoral rolls verification. In its order passed on July 10, the Supreme Court outlined three core issues to be addressed in the hearing: The legal authority of the EC to conduct a special revision, the validity of its procedures, and the timing of the exercise, given its proximity to a crucial state election. As per the SIR schedule released by the poll body, every elector who has submitted the enumeration form — with or without supporting documents — will be included in the draft electoral roll set to be published on August 1. Electors who have not submitted their forms will still be entitled to seek inclusion in the final roll by filing a claim in the prescribed form along with the required declaration. "Therefore, any person excluded from the draft roll has another opportunity to be included by submitting the form with the necessary declaration and documents. This claims period will remain open for 31 days following the publication of the draft roll, i.e., until September 1, 2025," the Commission said in an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court. After the completion of the entire process, the final roll will be published on September 30, the reply document added. The ECI also submitted that even after the final roll is published, new electors may still be enrolled up to the last date for filing nominations for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.


News18
29 minutes ago
- News18
Rijiju slams Opposition after its demand on SIR holds up Op Sindoor debate in LS
Agency: New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) The Opposition's demand on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar held up the scheduled discussion on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha for a couple of hours on Monday, prompting the government to accuse it of betrayal after initially agreeing to the debate. The Congress, however, said all they wanted was '30 seconds" to speak on the SIR, adding that it is difficult for opposition leaders to get even a few moments to raise an important issue. The 'Special discussion on India's strong, successful and decisive Operation Sindoor in response to terrorist attack in Pahalgam' finally began at 2 pm instead of the noon after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told the House that the government is open to discussion on any issue subject to rules and the Chair's permission. He, however, made no direct mention of the SIR and said members of the ruling alliance and the Opposition have given notices on many issues. The Lok Sabha's Business Advisory Committee, which includes leaders from different parties and is chaired by Speaker Om Birla, will take a final decision, Rijiju added. Opposition members began raising the SIR issue as soon as the House met and then again protested after it reconvened at noon for the discussion on Operation Sindoor, forcing another adjournment. Rijiju told reporters following the adjournment that a few minutes before the discussion was to start, the Opposition wanted the government to give an assurance that it would allow a debate on the SIR in Bihar after the discussion on Operation Sindoor is over. The Opposition, he said, is running away from a discussion on Operation Sindoor after an initial agreement and is now putting preconditions. Rijiju said Parliament runs in accordance with rules and accused the Opposition of going back on its commitment and of betrayal . 'The Opposition is looking at ways to run away from the debate on Operation Sindoor," he claimed. Opposition members, however, rejected the charge. Congress MP K C Venugopal told reporters that the SIR is one of the most important issues related to democracy as every citizen is 'worried" if he can lose his voting rights on some ground. 'There should be discussion on the SIR also. We wanted permission to speak for 30 seconds and then government can share its view. It is difficult for the Opposition to get mic even for 30 seconds," he told reporters, insisting that it was due to the Opposition's demand that a debate on Operation Sindoor is taking place. RSP MP N K Premachandran, an opposition member, said all they wanted was an assurance from the government that it will consider their demand for discussion on the SIR. PTI KR SKU KR KVK KVK (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 18:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
41 minutes ago
- News18
Amit Malviya Questions Mamata Over 'You Work For State Govt' Remark: 'Threatening EC'
Last Updated: BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya criticized West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for allegedly threatening the Election Commission and relying on fake voters, undermining democracy. BJP's IT cell head Amit Malviya on Monday criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her recent comments, accusing her of threatening the Election Commission. Malviya questioned Banerjee's remarks, saying, 'You work for the state government, not the EC." Malviya's comments underscore the BJP's ongoing criticism of Mamata Banerjee's governance and her party's stance on electoral processes. The party alleged that Banerjee's remarks are aimed at shielding her party's alleged reliance on fake voters, including Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants. 'Mamata Banerjee knows that without bogus votes, TMC will collapse. This isn't just political arrogance — it's a direct assault on India's Constitution and democracy!" Malviya posted on X. This comes after the West Bengal CM emphasised that the Election Commission's role is crucial after the election dates are announced, but before and after that, it's the state government's responsibility. After the election also it is the state government. Hence, remember you all work for the state government. She accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of beginning the process of training the booth-level officers (BLOs) in the state without giving prior intimation to the state government. She also accused a section of the District Magistrates of allotting duties for such BLO training without informing their higher authorities. 'I did not even know that they took 1000 people from West Bengal for training in Delhi. The District Magistrate should have at least informed us. They did not inform me, fine, but they could inform the Chief Secretary (CS). The Booth Level Officers who have the waiting list, I'm requesting them to ensure that nobody's name goes off the list. Always remember that Election Commission's role is crucial after the election dates are announced, but before and after that, it's the state government's responsibility," she said. view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 17:55 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.