The political temperature is soaring in Bihar as the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government has set a deadline of 2025 for the ongoing installation of pre-paid smart electricity meters across the state, which, in turn, has led to a massive row, causing protests from the Opposition parties. RJD held sit-ins and marches across the state against the Nitish government’s move, alleging that it was aimed at providing benefits to some power companies and extorting money from consumers. NDA government has rejected the Opposition’s allegations, with CM Nitish accusing it of allegedly communicating malice and disinformation among the people about smart meters”. Meanwhile, flood victims blocked Saharsa-Darbhanga road in Bihar and raised anti-government slogans to protest against what they called the Nitish Kumar dispensation’s apathy towards providing relief material. Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav criticised both Bihar CM Nitish and PM Narendra Modi over their handling of the recent flood crisis in North Bihar.
SIDDARAMAIAH’S LEGAL WOES SPARK SUCCESSION ROW IN KARNATAKA CONGRESS
As the legal troubles hit Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, there appears to be a twist in the Karnataka Congress, with discussions underway on who’d replace him in case he has to step down. Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s aspiration to become the CM is well known. Last year, when the Congress returned to power in the state, he had pushed for the top job, but the Congress high command went for Siddaramaiah. Now Shivakumar is interacting with party legislators to get their support and claim the top job once again. According to Congress sources, Siddaramaiah is likely to throw his weight behind either HC Mahadevappa, or Satish Jarkiholi. While Mahadevappa is a Dalit, Jarkiholi is from a Scheduled Tribe (ST) community; however, it’s likely that Satish Jarkiholi and HC Mahadevappa are not serious contenders for the CM post, because of their history with the JDS. On the other hand, Congress high command favours Karnataka Home Minister and prominent leader from the Dalit community, G Parameshwara. Parameshwara, who spent eight years as KPCC president, narrowly missed becoming CM in 2013 after he faced an unexpected defeat. His chances could come soon as DK Shivakumar, who was widely believed to be a successor to Siddaramaiah, is seen being on the defensive. If Parameshwara gets the top job, then Karnataka will have its first Dalit CM.
NDA ALLY CHIRAG PASWAN CAUTIONS AGAINST MEDDLING WITH RESERVATION
Before the assembly elections in Bihar, which are likely to be held in October-November 2025, Union minister Chirag Paswan, an important ally in the NDA, has caused a sensation by stating that he would choose to give up his ministerial berth if the Constitution or reservation were tampered with, or if any injustice was caused to people from deprived sections, in line with the vision set by his late father, Ram Vilas Paswan. However, later, the LJP(RV) leader cleared the air on his remark, saying he was referring to the Congress-led UPA. Paswan, who heads Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), made the remark at a function of the party’s SC/ST cell, but maintained that he’d continue to be in NDA till Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister. Moreover, it is also being speculated that Chirag Paswan has indirectly hinted a message to the BJP leadership that he was not happy with its hobnobbing with his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras, who had split his late father’s Lok Janshakti Party and with whom he has a running feud.
RAHUL GANDHI BATS FOR WOMEN’S EQUAL PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, emphasized the importance of greater female participation in politics, asserting that true equality and justice can only be attained with more women in decision-making roles. Gandhi urged women passionate about driving change to join the ‘Shakti Abhiyan’, an initiative aimed at creating an equal political space for women’s interests. Rahul Gandhi said on X: “A year ago, we launched the ‘Indira Fellowship’ with a mission to amplify women’s voices in politics. Today, this initiative has grown into a powerful movement for women’s leadership. True equality and justice requires more women in politics. ‘Aadhi Abadi, Poora Haq’ embodies our unwavering commitment to this cause.” “Together, we can create change, from the villages to the nation as a whole,” Gandhi added. The Indira Fellowship is an initiative in honour of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to magnify the voices of women in the political arena and drive a much-required transformation in our society. (IPA Service)
States Want Focussed Approach For Creating Quality Jobs 