RJD, Congress likely to announce seat-sharing formula today
The Hindu
Congress and RJD near resolution on seat-sharing in Bihar, with announcement expected soon, including Purnia seat dispute.
The seat-sharing talks between the Congress and the RJD are headed towards resolution, and an announcement is likely on Thursday.
According to the sources, the RJD has agreed to concede nine Lok Sabha seats in Bihar to the Congress, excluding Purnia, which the latter wanted for Rajesh Ranjan, alias Pappu Yadav, who merged his Jan Adhikar Party recently with the Congress.
In an exchange, the RJD is likely to concede Katihar to the Congress. Confirming the positive development, Congress State president Akhilesh Prasad Singh, said, “We have finalised a seat-sharing formula, and an announcement will be made soon.” He wasn’t willing to share further details on the nine seats.
RJD leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav has been in the capital for the last few days to sort out the differences. On Tuesday night, he attended a meeting at senior Congress leader Mukul Wasnik’s official residence after a week of tussle. Mr. Wasnik is the convener of his party’s alliance committee.
Bihar Congress Chief Akhilesh Prasad Singh and AICC in-charge Mohan Prakash were also present.
Also Read | RJD-led Mahagatbandhan on the brink with Pappu Yadav’s entry into Congress
The Katihar Lok Sabha seat is another seat where the two INDIA bloc allies are at loggerheads. The RJD wants it for its former Rajya Sabha MP Ashfaq Karim while Congress leader Tariq Anwar is a contender. The latter had won the seat in 2014 but lost in 2019 even though he had garnered around five lakh votes.
Amol Palekar advocates against pre-censorship in films and theatre, urging the government to protect artists' freedom of expression.
BJP legislators demand release of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh, threatening protests and border blockade if demands not met.
Odisha loses 790 elephants in a decade, with electrocution as the leading cause of unnatural deaths.
ASI issues notice to halt construction at Arya Akshobhya Teertha Mutt near Rameshwara temple in Shivamogga.
Madurai High Court orders removal of encroachments along Madurai-Dindigul highway, Corporation and Highways Department officials conduct joint operation.
Maharashtra Congress chief initiates signature campaign for return of ballot papers, sparking nationwide debate on EVMs.
Udupi Deputy Commissioner K. Vidyakumari on Wednesday directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to undertake periodical maintenance of NH66 without giving room for complaints.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw updates Lok Sabha on Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. shareholding, Goa willing to relinquish.
One dies, eight hospitalised after inhaling HCL fumes at pharma company in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district. About 400 litres of HCL leaked from the reactor-cum-receiver tank at Unit-III of the company, which affected nine workers, says Collector. While the condition of six of them is stable, two are on ventilator support. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu directs authorities to provide advanced treatment to the victims. Home Minister Anitha expresses anger over repeated such incidents.
Parents and social workers in Thoothukudi request new Anganwadi buildings due to unsafe conditions in current rental buildings.
Delta districts face heavy rainfall, prompting coordinated efforts to mitigate damages, with NDRF teams deployed for rescue operations.