
RSS' critics are labelled as traitors since 2014: Priyank
Inaugurating 'Yuva Dhwani' event organised for the newly elected officebearers of Gadag district Youth Congress, Kharge said organisations which did not contribute to nation-building are now handing out certificates of patriotism.
"While Mahatma Gandhi's statues are found from Gujarat to Germany, the BJP prefers statues of Godse and Savarkar," he alleged.
Kharge claimed Savarkar awarded himself the title 'Veer', and received a pension of Rs 60 from the British, and was the first to demand a separate nation for Muslims.
Claiming that under PM Narendra Modi, no new scheme was announced in the past 11 years, Priyank said Atal Pension Yojana was merely a rebranding of Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana from the Manmohan Singh govt.
Swachh Bharat initiative was a renaming of Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan. "Youth should be aware of these issues and critically evaluate content on social media," he advised.
Law and tourism minister HK Patil said Congress always walks the talk. "During Indira Gandhi's regime, a 20-point programme was announced to eradicate poverty. Now, chief minister Siddaramaiah is working to uplift the poor above the poverty line through schemes like the Yuva Nidhi and the five guarantee schemes. Opposition parties believe they can win elections by dividing people on caste and religious lines, but it is not possible," he opined.

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Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
UK launched secret scheme to relocate Afghans after data leak, documents show
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Britain set up a secret scheme to relocate thousands of Afghans to the UK after a soldier accidentally disclosed the personal details of more than 33,000 people, putting them at risk of reprisals from the Taliban, court documents showed on Tuesday.A judge at London's High Court said in a May 2024 judgment first made public on Tuesday that about 20,000 people may have to be offered relocation to Britain, a move that would likely cost "several billion pounds".Britain's current defence minister John Healey said that around 4,500 affected people "are in Britain or in transit ... at a cost of around 400 million pounds".The government is also facing lawsuits from those affected by the breach, further adding to the ultimate cost of the incident.A Ministry of Defence-commissioned review of the data breach, a summary of which was also published on Tuesday, said more than 16,000 people affected by it had been relocated to the UK as of May this British government was forced to act after the breach revealed the names of Afghans who had helped British forces in Afghanistan before they withdrew from the country in chaotic circumstances in details emerged on Tuesday after a legal ruling known as a superinjunction was lifted. The injunction had been granted in 2023 after the MoD argued that a public disclosure of the breach could put people at risk of extra-judicial killing or serious violence by the dataset contained personal information of nearly 19,000 Afghans who had applied to be relocated to Britain and their was released in error in early 2022, before the MoD spotted the breach in August 2023, when part of the dataset was published on former Conservative government obtained the injunction the following Minister Keir Starmer's centre-left government, which was elected last July, launched a review into the injunction, the breach and the relocation scheme, which found that although Afghanistan remains dangerous, there was little evidence of intent by the Taliban to conduct a campaign of retribution.
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Business Standard
40 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Bihar elections 2025: What's at stake, who's competing, and why it counts
As Bihar prepares for Assembly elections later this year, the state's political landscape is being readied like a chessboard, with every block, every region, every demographic under strategic scrutiny. The 2025 polls come at a pivotal moment: Nitish Kumar, the most enduring face of Bihar politics in the 21st century, finds himself once again repositioned. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is out to reclaim lost ground. Meanwhile, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) under Tejashwi Yadav seeks to convert momentum into a mandate, and smaller players, including the CPI(ML), Congress, and regional outfits forming the INDI alliance, are eyeing specific pockets to punch above their weight. What makes Bihar unique is not just the political personalities, but the deeply regionalised and caste-segmented structure of its polity. To understand Bihar, one must understand its geography, its social structure, and its political past. Who are the big players in Bihar Assembly polls 2025? Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] Historically led by Nitish Kumar, Bihar's longest-serving chief minister, the JD(U) has formed the core of the alliance in Bihar for the last two decades. While its popularity has waned and it has shifted alliances, from NDA to Mahagathbandhan and back, the Nitish brand still resonates strongly, especially among Kurmi voters and selected EBC segments. His repeated realignments, however, have raised questions about where his political loyalties truly lie. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Long positioned as a junior partner in Bihar's political landscape, the BJP is now aiming to assert its dominance independently post-2020. Its core Hindutva base, upper-caste support (notably Bhumihars, Rajputs), urban communities, and growing overtures to Pasmanda Muslims are all part of its refresh strategy. Riding on the Modi effect and raising the banner of a younger leadership, however, the party still lacks a cross-caste chief ministerial candidate with mass appeal. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) The largest vote-share earner in the 2020 Assembly, the RJD relies heavily on the combined support of Muslims and Yadavs. Tejashwi Yadav's appeal among the youth and marginalised communities has sharpened the party's focus on job creation. Still, its challenge lies in broadening its base beyond the MY belt, reaching out to Dalits and other backward castes. Indian National Congress A minor but pivotal partner in the Mahagathbandhan, Congress still holds strategic value in alliance arithmetic. Though its traditional influence over upper-caste Muslims and Dalits is diminishing, the party remains strong in specific districts like Kishanganj, Supaul, and Katihar, thanks to organisational depth and local networks. Communist Parties (CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML)) The CPI(ML) has made a comeback in central Bihar, especially in the Bhojpur and Arrah belt, where it won 12 seats in 2020. With a base among landless Dalits, deprived EBCs, and agrarian communities, it campaigns on labour rights, land reform, and social justice. Often seen as the Left's moral compass, its continued influence reflects persistent regional discontent. Smaller caste-based parties, like the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), can tip close contests. Newer entrants, such as those led by Upendra Kushwaha or the JSP, could disrupt established calculations by pulling in votes across the ideological spectrum. What is the electoral roll revision fiasco and how it may impact the Bihar polls? The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has sparked a fiery political and legal dispute ahead of the 2025 state assembly polls. At the heart of the controversy are rigid documentation requirements by the Election Commission- pushing millions of people, especially those registered after 2003, to show proof of birth and proof of residence, and for anyone born after 1987, parental documents, something many migrants, Dalits, and impoverished people do not have. Critics warn of potential mass exclusion, fearing lakhs may lose their voting rights, particularly among rural and migrant populations. The process's timing, during Bihar's monsoon and migration season, and its rushed execution just months before polls have only added to the concerns. Initial refusal to accept common IDs like Aadhaar or ration cards sparked further backlash until the Supreme Court intervened, ordering the Election Commission to accept them. Also read: Allegations by opposition parties suggest that the process aims to purge voters unlikely to support the ruling NDA, prompting protests, including a statewide shutdown led by national leaders. Legal challenges remain active, with the Supreme Court deferring the final voter list publication to at least July 28, 2025. The EC has acknowledged possible deletions exceeding 350 thousand names, potentially rigging close contests on many seats. In Bihar, where past elections have been quite close, even a small share of voter removal could significantly matter and result in votes moving to one side of the ledger. Depending on the shifts in the voter list, changes in the voters' list could work against the groups that tend to oppose the ruling party. Regional battlegrounds: Where the vote is won Magadh and Bhojpur (Central Bihar) These areas, covering Patna, Arrah, Gaya, are iconic arenas for upper-caste resurgence and Dalit assertion. The CPI(ML) carries considerable weight here, resting on a backdrop of caste-driven political violence. Meanwhile, BJP and JD(U) maintain hold among middle-caste urbanites and bureaucratic networks. Seemanchal (Northeast Bihar) A Muslim-majority belt including Kishanganj, Araria, and Purnia, Seemanchal remains politically volatile. AIMIM's breakthrough in 2020, winning five seats, reinforced the region's distinct identity. However, after defections to RJD, AIMIM largely retained only Amour. Congress and RJD continue to court Muslim voters here through a secular narrative. Mithila (North Bihar) A cultural stronghold anchored by Maithil Brahmins and Bhumihars, Mithilanchal remains a BJP-JD(U) bastion. Yet this region also grapples with floods, out-migration, and unemployment. With over 100 Assembly seats, it remains a decisive electoral zone thanks to its organisational discipline and caste loyalties. Kosi & Anga (East–Southeast Bihar) These swing zones covering Saharsa, Madhepura, Bhagalpur reveal unpredictable caste dynamics. After figures like Sharad Yadav and Pappu Yadav, development and identity politics fight for prominence. The RJD's influence is strong, but the BJP is steadily gaining ground. Saran & Champaran (West–Northwest Bihar) This region embodies traditional RJD and JD(U) dominance via its Yadav population. However, urban hubs such as Motihari and Bettiah have shown increasing support for the BJP. The legacy of Gandhi's Champaran Satyagraha still resonates symbolically. Caste arithmetic: The backbone of Bihar politics Bihar remains firmly defined by caste divisions. Key demographics break down roughly as follows: Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) 36 per cent; Other Backward Classes (OBCs) including Yadavs 14.26 per cent, Kushwaha 4.21 per cent, Kurmi 2.87 per cent, Bania 2.31 per cent; Scheduled Castes 19.65 per cent; Scheduled Tribes 1.68 per cent; Upper Castes including Brahmin 3.65 per cent, Rajput 3.45 per cent, Bhumihar 2.87 per cent, Kayastha 0.60 per cent. Key EBC groups include Mallah 2.6 per cent, Teli 2.81 per cent, Nai 1.59 per cent and Nonia 1.91 per cent. Also read: EC launches new system for faster, accurate voter turnout reporting Electoral alignments: RJD core: Yadavs (around 14-15 per cent) + Muslims (16-17 per cent). BJP base: Upper castes (12-15 per cent). Dalits: split between Mahadalits (JD(U)) and Paswans (LJP). EBCs (~30 per cent+): crucial swing bloc. Kurmis (3-4 per cent): JD(U) remains favoured. Women voters: A quiet yet pivotal majority? Women constituted about 49 per cent of the 7.64 crore electorate in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Nitish Kumar's policies—ranging from panchayat reservation to bicycle incentives and prohibition—were clearly aimed at mobilising this demographic. Women voters in Bihar regularly match or exceed male turnout, making them a significant, though often overlooked, constituency. Their decisions tend to be shaped more by welfare, safety, and economic stability than allegiance to a specific party. Alliances and trust issues: The double-edged sword Coalitional politics in Bihar are notoriously fluid. Nitish Kumar's repeated realignments have fostered suspicion among allies. Although the 2025 race sees the BJP-JD(U) renewing their pact, lingering mistrust casts a shadow. On the other side, the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan too struggles with internal coherence, especially among CPI(ML), Congress, and smaller regional outfits. The LJP's fracture between Chirag Paswan and Pashupati Paras remains unresolved, complicating alliance dynamics further. Key themes for the 2025 Bihar election Jobs and migration: Mounting youth unemployment and rural migration Caste census debate: Renewed identity mobilisation among EBCs and OBCs Centre–state dynamics: BJP–JD(U) coordination under central policy and fund flows Leadership vacuum: Uncertainty over post-Nitish faces in JD(U) and BJP Polarisation vs welfare: Hindutva rhetoric versus historical tilt toward social justice Prohibition politics: Alcohol ban's complex gendered and social impact Law and order: Crime rates, custodial deaths, and political violence under scrutiny Urban first-time voters: Aspirational youth moving beyond legacy loyalties As Bihar's 2025 Assembly polls near, the state's politics remains complex, rooted in historic alliances, caste calculus, regional patterns and emergent gender and class aspirations. From caste coalitions to urban resurgence, from left-wing insurgency to Pasmanda overtures, the battle in Bihar is not just for seats; it's for shaping its future story.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Cabinet nod to committee that will explore job scope for one crore youths by 2030
Patna: The state cabinet on Tuesday cleared the govt's proposal to constitute a 12-member high-level committee, to be headed by the development commissioner, to explore the scope and alternatives for providing jobs\work opportunities to one crore youths by 2030. "The high-level committee, to be headed by development commissioner Pratyaya Amrit, will also frame a long-term strategy to find alternatives to provide jobs\work opportunities to one crore youths during 2025-30," additional chief secretary of the cabinet secretariat department, S Siddharth, said after the meeting. Earlier, taking to the social media on Sunday, CM Nitish Kumar had announced the target to create jobs\work opportunities for one crore youths during 2025-30, and the formation of a high-level committee for the task. The other members of the committee will be bureaucratic heads of 11 departments — finance, general administration, rural development, agriculture, animal and fishery resources, industries, information technology (IT), science and technology, education, tourism and labour resources. Siddharth said that the jobs will be in both govt and private sectors, as well as start-ups. The cabinet also sanctioned several infrastructure related proposals, including the release of Rs 179.37 crore to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for running and maintaining the priority corridor of Patna metro rail for two years and eight months (Aug 2025 to March 2028), and another chunk of Rs 21.15 crore for the purchase of three-car single train set for the priority corridor. The management of the operational priority corridor will also be under the DMRC. Among other decisions, the cabinet sanctioned the implementation of two Ganga path projects worth Rs 9,969.63 crore, aimed at easing the traffic pressure on the existing road between Safiabad (Munger) and Sabour (Bhagalpur), a distance of 82.8km. The first of the two projects is construction of a Ganga path between Safiabad and Sultanganj via Bariarpur and Ghorghat over a distance of 42km involving an expenditure of Rs 5,119.8 crore. The second envisages a road between Sultanganj and Sabour via Bhagalpur city over 40.8km for Rs 4,849.83 crore. On the other hand, the cabinet revised the estimate of expenditure on the construction of four-lane Bakhtiarpur-Tajpur bridge and four-lane approach road on both sides of the bridge to Rs 3,923 crore. It is the third revision of the estimate of the project that started in 2015. Besides, the cabinet cleared the proposal for the construction of a road over bridge between Ranipatra and Purnia railway stations involving an expenditure of Rs 44.85 crore. The administrative sanction was also given to the estimate of expenditure worth Rs 7,832.29 crore to be incurred on the implementation of the western Kosi canal project. Apart from these, the cabinet approved Bihar Pump Storage Project Incentive Policy, 2025, with bearing on the generation and storage of electricity through renewable sources to fulfil peak demands. The cabinet also cleared a few proposals related to education sector, including the release of Rs 394.41 crore for secondary and higher secondary schools to meet their establishment and other costs during the current financial year under non-aided finance scheme. Besides, the cabinet approved the govt's proposal to transfer the establishment cost of 112 industrial training institutes having 3,875 sanctioned posts to a committed expenditure to facilitate timely payment of salaries and other dues of the staff. Apart from this, the personnel of the bomb disposal squads will get a monthly risk allowance of 30% of their basic salaries with a maximum cap of Rs 25,000. The cabinet also sanctioned a proposal for the annual rise of the salaries of judicial service officials on the lines of the govt employees. Besides, in pursuance of the letter of the Election Commission of India, the cabinet cleared the govt's proposal to pay Rs 6,000 in one instalment over and above their annual honorarium to 77,895 booth-level officers and their 8,245 supervisors. It will entail an expenditure of Rs 51.68 crore. The cabinet also sanctioned a proposal to pay Rs 5 lakh ex gratia to Bihar-based non-corporate registered individual tax payers in the case of death by accident. Patna: The state cabinet on Tuesday cleared the govt's proposal to constitute a 12-member high-level committee, to be headed by the development commissioner, to explore the scope and alternatives for providing jobs\work opportunities to one crore youths by 2030. "The high-level committee, to be headed by development commissioner Pratyaya Amrit, will also frame a long-term strategy to find alternatives to provide jobs\work opportunities to one crore youths during 2025-30," additional chief secretary of the cabinet secretariat department, S Siddharth, said after the meeting. Earlier, taking to the social media on Sunday, CM Nitish Kumar had announced the target to create jobs\work opportunities for one crore youths during 2025-30, and the formation of a high-level committee for the task. The other members of the committee will be bureaucratic heads of 11 departments — finance, general administration, rural development, agriculture, animal and fishery resources, industries, information technology (IT), science and technology, education, tourism and labour resources. Siddharth said that the jobs will be in both govt and private sectors, as well as start-ups. The cabinet also sanctioned several infrastructure related proposals, including the release of Rs 179.37 crore to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for running and maintaining the priority corridor of Patna metro rail for two years and eight months (Aug 2025 to March 2028), and another chunk of Rs 21.15 crore for the purchase of three-car single train set for the priority corridor. The management of the operational priority corridor will also be under the DMRC. Among other decisions, the cabinet sanctioned the implementation of two Ganga path projects worth Rs 9,969.63 crore, aimed at easing the traffic pressure on the existing road between Safiabad (Munger) and Sabour (Bhagalpur), a distance of 82.8km. The first of the two projects is construction of a Ganga path between Safiabad and Sultanganj via Bariarpur and Ghorghat over a distance of 42km involving an expenditure of Rs 5,119.8 crore. The second envisages a road between Sultanganj and Sabour via Bhagalpur city over 40.8km for Rs 4,849.83 crore. On the other hand, the cabinet revised the estimate of expenditure on the construction of four-lane Bakhtiarpur-Tajpur bridge and four-lane approach road on both sides of the bridge to Rs 3,923 crore. It is the third revision of the estimate of the project that started in 2015. Besides, the cabinet cleared the proposal for the construction of a road over bridge between Ranipatra and Purnia railway stations involving an expenditure of Rs 44.85 crore. The administrative sanction was also given to the estimate of expenditure worth Rs 7,832.29 crore to be incurred on the implementation of the western Kosi canal project. Apart from these, the cabinet approved Bihar Pump Storage Project Incentive Policy, 2025, with bearing on the generation and storage of electricity through renewable sources to fulfil peak demands. The cabinet also cleared a few proposals related to education sector, including the release of Rs 394.41 crore for secondary and higher secondary schools to meet their establishment and other costs during the current financial year under non-aided finance scheme. Besides, the cabinet approved the govt's proposal to transfer the establishment cost of 112 industrial training institutes having 3,875 sanctioned posts to a committed expenditure to facilitate timely payment of salaries and other dues of the staff. Apart from this, the personnel of the bomb disposal squads will get a monthly risk allowance of 30% of their basic salaries with a maximum cap of Rs 25,000. The cabinet also sanctioned a proposal for the annual rise of the salaries of judicial service officials on the lines of the govt employees. Besides, in pursuance of the letter of the Election Commission of India, the cabinet cleared the govt's proposal to pay Rs 6,000 in one instalment over and above their annual honorarium to 77,895 booth-level officers and their 8,245 supervisors. It will entail an expenditure of Rs 51.68 crore. The cabinet also sanctioned a proposal to pay Rs 5 lakh ex gratia to Bihar-based non-corporate registered individual tax payers in the case of death by accident.