By Rahil Nora Chopra
As the high-stakes battle for Bihar inches closer, seat-sharing talks have started in both NDA and the Mahagathbandhan alliance. While talks in the NDA has become challenging due to the demands of Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi and Upendra Kushwaha, in the Opposition camp, two more parties have joined in – the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha of Hemant Soren and the LJP faction of Pashupati Paras. VIP chief Mukesh Sahani, on the other hand, has demanded “30 to 40 seats plus the post of deputy CM”, while the CPI-ML is pressing for at least 40 seats, pointing to its past performance. Meanwhile, the Congress on Wednesday said a balance has to be maintained between seats which are good and bad in terms of winnability, while allocating constituencies to parties, and all existing constituents of the alliance must contribute from their kitty to accommodate new partners. According to sources, RJD might contest 122-125 seats, Congress 60-65, Left parties 30-33, VIP 10-15, RLJP 5-7 and JMM 2-3 seats.
UDDHAV, RAJ MEET: WILL THACKERAY COUSINS UNITE FOR A MAHA SENA?
A significant shift is occurring in Maharashtra’s political landscape. Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday visited MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s residence and met him. This is the fourth meeting between the two Thackeray cousins ahead of the local body elections. The visit once again highlighted the growing bonhomie between the two cousins, who have had a history of strained ties both personally and politically. The meetings have fuelled speculation of a Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance. According to sources, the leaders held detailed discussions on electoral strategy, key campaign issues, and the timing of a potential alliance announcement. However, the Raj-Uddhav meeting comes days after a Congress delegation comprising CWC member Balasaheb Thorat, CLP leader Vijay Wadettiwar and Congress MLA Amin Patel met Uddhav in Matoshree to discussion the vacant positions of the Leader of the Opposition in both the Houses of Maharashtra Legislature.
RIFT GROWS WIDER BETWEEN AIADMK, BJP OVER LEADERSHIP ROLE
The alliance between the AIADMK and BJP seems to be under strain again, with the AIADMK complaining of mounting interference into party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami’s (EPS’s) leadership. Demands are rising from within AIADMK ranks to exit the NDA. While senior leader K. A. Sengottaiyan openly challenging Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s authority and threatening to expose the party’s fault lines. His 10-day ultimatum to reinstate sidelined leaders, followed by meetings in Delhi with Union ministers Amit Shah and Nirmala Sitharaman, has sharpened speculation about the BJP’s role in the unfolding crisis. Party insiders say the AIADMK leadership is unhappy with the BJP for entertaining a dissident leader, viewing it as a breach of trust between allies. However, Edappadi K Palaniswami relieved former minister KA Sengottaiyan from all posts in the AIADMK. It was the latest chapter in the turmoil gripping Tamil Nadu’s recently-forged NDA alliance. The cracks first came out in the open when ex-Chief Minister O Panneerselvam quit the NDA on September 1. Two days later, on September 3, it was TTV Dhinakaran’s turn. And then came Sengottaiyan’s call for uniting the AIADMK, which led to EPS’ action against him on September 7.
RAHUL GANDHI DOUBLES DOWN ON ‘VOTE THEFT’ CLAIMS IN RAE BARELI
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Raebareli MP Rahul Gandhi repeated his allegation of vote theft against the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI) and reiterated his claim that governments were being formed in the country through vote fraud. He said this as he wound up his two-day visit to Rae Bareli on Thursday. Rahul Gandhi said “We have given the evidence of fraud in black and white. Just wait for the next series of evidence. I want to tell the BJP not to get perturbed as the upcoming evidence would be a hydrogen bomb which will make everything clear,” Meanwhile, the posters of Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav were put up across the parliamentary constituency Rae Bareli with captions: “India ki antim ash— Kalyug ke Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh (The last hope of India — Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh of Kalyug).” The posters were put up by a leader of the SP’s Lohia Vahini Rahul Nirmal. He called the three “kalyug ke avatar”.
TEJ PRATAP TAKES A DIG AT BROTHER TEJASHWI AS BIHAR POLLS NEAR
As the high-stakes battle for Bihar inches closer, the tussle between the Yadav brothers has taken an ugly turn, with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s estranged son Tej Pratap Yadav attacking his younger brother Tejashwi Yadav during a visit to Tejashwi’s assembly constituency of Raghopur in Vaishali district, which is reeling under massive floods. Tej Pratap distributed dry ration, medicines, and essential items among the victims. A video has also surfaced on social media in which Tej Pratap Yadav is seen taking a dig at his brother Tejashwi Yadav by saying that the MLA has failed and is busy in singing and dancing. Raghopur in south Bihar is a VIP constituency and a family stronghold. Before Tejashwi Yadav, the constituency was represented by both his parents – Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi – in assembly. (IPA Service)
Supreme Court Call For Pan-India Firecrackers Policy Is Welcome 