Latest news with #RJD-led
Hans India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Modi slams RJD for 'insulting' Ambedkar
Siwan (Bihar): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday slammed the RJD for allegedly insulting Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar and asserted that the people of Bihar would not tolerate any disrespect to the Dalit icon. At a rally in Siwan district, which marked his fifth visit this year to the state and second in less than a month, Modi hailed the "big role" played by Bihar in India's emergence as the "third largest economy" of the world. In a nearly 45-minute-long speech that followed the launch of projects worth more than Rs 5,900 crore and the flagging off of a Vande Bharat train, the Prime Minister cautioned the people against "attempts to recapture economic resources of Bihar" by the RJD-led opposition in the assembly polls due later this year. "Ambedkar was against dynasty rule. But they (RJD and its allies) do not like it. So, they have his portrait placed at their feet. On my way, I saw posters demanding an apology for this insult to Babasaheb," said Modi. "But there has been no apology. This is because they hold Dalits in contempt. In contrast, Modi has Babasaheb in his heart and would like to keep his portrait close to his chest," he added. Modi, who did not mention RJD chief Lalu Prasad by name, referred to the instance of a portrait of Ambedkar being placed close to the feet of the ailing septuagenarian, for which he (Prasad) has been drawing flak from the BJP-led NDA. "The reason is that the RJD-Congress people have little respect for people belonging to the deprived castes, the Dalits, the OBCs and the EBCs. They consider themselves above Babasaheb Ambedkar. But they must remember that the disrespect to Babasaheb Ambedkar will not be forgiven by the people of Bihar," the PM said. Modi also asserted that the world was greatly impressed with India's progress and underscored Bihar's big role in the country's emergence as the world's "third largest economy". "You all know I have returned from abroad only yesterday. During my tour, I met many leaders of the developed world. They all were greatly impressed with the rate of progress in India. They are watching India becoming the third-largest economy in the world.
India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
Parivaar ka saath, parivaar ka vikas: PM's jibe at RJD-Congress in Bihar
Taking on the RJD-Congress combine over dynastic politics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said those hankering for power focus solely on promoting their own families, while his government worked for inclusive a rally in Bihar's Siwan, where he dedicated development projects worth Rs 10,000 crore, PM Modi appealed to the public to vote out those who brought 'jungle raj' to Bihar and looted the state in the upcoming elections.- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 20, 2025advertisement"We say 'Sabka saath, sabka vikas' but the RJD and Congress believe in 'parivaar ka saath, parivaar ka vikas'. Congress's licence raj responsible for poverty in India. While families of its leaders became rich, people remained poor," the Prime Minister thundered. The Prime Minister said the Dalit and backwards communities were the biggest victims of Modi's remarks were seemingly a bid to blunt RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's nepotism charge against the ruling alliance. Tejashwi has repeatedly raked up how relatives of several NDA leaders have been appointed to various commissions in VISIT TO BIHAR IN 5 MONTHSThis is PM Modi's fifth visit to Bihar in the past five months as the BJP-JD(U) combine aims to retain power in its head-on clash with the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan. Siwan and its nearby districts, such as Gopalganj and Chapra, are strongholds of the the RJD on the recent controversy over alleged disrespect to BR Ambedkar's portrait by Lalu Prasad Yadav, PM Modi asserted that the people of Bihar would never forgive those who insulted the architect of the Constitution."RJD insulted Babasaheb Ambedkar, people of Bihar will never forgive its leaders," PM Modi said, as he attempted to woo the nearly 20% Dalit the RJD-Congress combine "anti-Bihar" and "anti-investment", PM Modi said the parties looted so much that poverty became Bihar's misfortune."Whenever they talk about development, people see locks hanging on shops, businesses, industries and trades... These people have been the nurturers of poor infrastructure, mafia raj, gunda raj, and corruption," the Prime Minister Watch
Hans India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Ambedkar photo row: BJP attacks Lalu Prasad, demands apology
Bihar BJP chief Dilip Jaiswal and Union Minister Giriraj Singh launched a scathing attack on RJD national president Lalu Prasad Yadav on Monday, accusing him of allegedly insulting Dr BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. Dilip Jaiswal demanded an apology from Lalu and his family, alleging that a photograph of Ambedkar was placed near the feet of the RJD chief during his 78th birthday celebration on June 11. 'Baba Saheb Ambedkar is a messiah of the Dalit community and the entire nation. Lalu Prasad Yadav has insulted him by placing his photo at his feet. The people of this country will never forgive such an act,' Jaiswal said while interacting with the media persons. Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh echoed the sentiment and escalated the demand for an apology. 'Dr. Ambedkar is revered as a god-like figure in India. What Lalu Prasad Yadav did in arrogance -- placing his photo near his feet -- is shocking. He should apologise by standing in the Ganga river,' Singh said. The controversy emerged from visuals that surfaced during Lalu's birthday event, where a photograph of Dr Ambedkar was seen placed near his feet. The BJP has taken strong objection to this, terming it an act of disrespect. Meanwhile, Giriraj Singh also hit back at Tejashwi Yadav, who had recently alleged nepotism in the Nitish Kumar government, claiming that the sons-in-law of leaders like Ram Vilas Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Ashok Choudhary were given plum positions in various commissions. 'The way Tejashwi Yadav is speaking, it's like a thief accusing someone of theft. He should introspect before making such allegations,' the Union Minister retorted. The RJD has yet to issue a formal response to the allegations. However, the incident has added a new dimension to the ongoing war of words between the BJP-led NDA and the RJD-led opposition, especially with the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections on the horizon.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mangani Lal Mandal set to become RJD state president
Patna: Former JD(U) national vice-president Mangani Lal Mandal is set to be formally elected as the seventh state president of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on June 19. He was the sole candidate to file nomination papers for the post on Saturday in the presence of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, former chief minister Rabri Devi, Pataliputra MP Misa Bharti and leader of the opposition in state assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. Mandal, who hails from the Dhanuk caste within the extremely backward classes (EBC), represents a community that constitutes 36% of Bihar's population. His elevation is widely seen as a strategic move by the RJD to consolidate EBC support ahead of the election. He rejoined hands with Lalu only in Jan this year. Mandal will be the first RJD state chief from the EBC community. RJD national assistant election officer Chittaranjan Gagan said Mandal's nomination papers would be scrutinised on Sunday. Tejashwi said Mandal had long been associated with his father, Lalu Prasad. "We are all happy that today Mangani Lal Mandal has filed his nomination for the post of state president. As an associate of Karpoori Thakur, he has played an important role in promoting social politics," Tejashwi said. Mandal had earlier represented Jhanjharpur in the Lok Sabha and has served as a member of both the Rajya Sabha and the Bihar legislative council. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo He was also a minister in the RJD-led govt in Bihar. He succeeds Jagadanand Singh, who had asked the party leadership to relieve him from the post citing poor health. Mandal is expected to help strengthen the RJD's influence in the districts like Samastipur, Darbhanga, Madhubani and Muzaffarpur, areas where the Mahagathbandhan performed poorly in the 2020 assembly elections, winning only 13 out of 41 seats. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Indian Express
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Key EBC face set to take over as new Bihar RJD chief: Who is Mangani Lal Mandal?
Veteran socialist leader and ex-MP, Mangani Lal Mandal, who belongs to the Extremely Backward Class (EBC), is set to become the new president of the RJD's Bihar unit. Mandal, 76, who returned to the Lalu Prasad-led RJD from the ruling JD(U) headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar this January, emerged as the RJD leadership's 'natural choice' for its Bihar unit chief with the party going all out to woo the politically-crucial EBCs in the run-up to the state Assembly polls slated for October-November this year. Mandal will succeed the outgoing state RJD chief Jagdanand Singh, a Thakur leader and close Lalu aide, who expressed his unwillingness to continue in his position, party sources said. The RJD has been conducting its organisation elections from the block to district levels in Bihar for the last four months. Its block and district presidents had been elected, reflecting a 'balanced social combination' with 'due representation' given to leaders from various groups including the EBCs and Scheduled Castes (SCs), sources said. For the state party president's post, whose election would take place on July 19, Mandal is the only candidate to have filed nomination. He is thus set to get elected to the post unopposed. The state RJD chief's election would be followed by the formation of the party's state committee leading to the expected re-election of Lalu as its national president by July-end. The RJD leadership's bid to pick Mandal, the former JD (U) national vice- president, as its new state chief months ahead of the Assembly polls assumes significance as he belongs to the EBC Dhanuk community, which accounts for over two per cent votes in Bihar. Dhanuks have been amomg top five most populous EBC groups, with the community concentrated in Madhubani, Supaul, Patna and Nalanda besides having a sizeable population in over a dozen other districts across the state. Mandal had started his political innings under the leadership of socialist icon and former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur. He was once considered among the state's leading socialist faces that include Lalu and Nitish. However, while Lalu and Nitish grew in stature in due course, Mandal remained confined to the EBC-centric, region-specific (Kosi and Mithilanchal) politics. Mandal was first nominated to the Bihar Legislative Council in 1986 as a Lok Dal nominee when Karpoori Thakur had been the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly. He had been the MLC for three consecutive terms till 2004. He had once also served as a minister in the RJD-led government. After he switched to the JD(U), the latter had in 2004 sent Mandal to the Rajya Sabha. He contested the 2009 Lok Sabha elections from the Jhanjharpur constituency on the JD(U)'s ticket successfully. In subsequent years, he kept switching sides. He rejoined the JD (U) before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Although he did not get the Lok Sabha poll ticket then, he was appointed as the national party vice-president. Mandal was only the second person in the JD(U) to have got this position after Prashant Kishor, who is now the Jan Suraaj Party supremo. A senior RJD leader said: 'Mangani Lal Mandal has been the most credible EBC face. His election as new RJD chief will surely send across strong message among EBCs about RJD's efforts to practise A to Z (inclusive) politics, more so at a time when all parties have been vying with each other for votes of the EBCs, which make up about 36.1 per cent of the state's population.' On his part, Mandal told reporters: 'It (Bihar RJD chief's post) would be a matter of great honour for me. It is a challenge and responsibility in the election year. I am thankful to the party's national president Lalu Prasad and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav for it.'
