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The decision was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday.

In a significant development ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, the Congress has officially announced its decision to contest the elections under the umbrella of the INDIA Bloc.

The decision was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday.

Prominent leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and senior Congress members from Bihar, attended the meeting. Bihar Congress President Rajesh Kumar confirmed the party’s stance while addressing the media in New Delhi.

“The Congress party will contest the Bihar Assembly elections under the INDIA Bloc. Unlike other states, the alliance is united in Bihar, and our primary objective is to defeat the BJP-led alliance. BJP remains our main opponent in Bihar,” Mr Kumar stated.

When questioned about the seat-sharing formula, Rajesh Kumar clarified that it is too early to discuss the specifics.

“It is premature to comment on seat sharing at this point. When the elections come closer, our leaders will sit together to finalise the formula,” he said.

Despite RJD already projecting Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate of the Mahagathbandhan, Congress leaders indicated that the final decision will be made after consultations with all alliance partners.

Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru emphasised this point: “The name of the Chief Minister candidate will be decided after meeting with all alliance partners of the INDIA Bloc.”

When asked about the potential inclusion of Prashant Kishor in the INDIA Bloc, Krishna Allavaru remained non-committal: “A decision will be taken after proper discussion. We will sit and talk about it.”

On the role of Pappu Yadav, Allavaru said: “INDIA Bloc stands with anyone who stands against BJP.”

The meeting saw the participation of prominent Bihar Congress leaders, including former state president Akhilesh Singh, former minister Ramjatan Sinha, and Shakeel Ahmed.

With this announcement, the speculated cold war between RJD and Congress seems to have subsided. As the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections approach, the unity within the INDIA Bloc could play a crucial role in challenging the BJP-led alliance in the state.

Currently, the connectivity between Sasaram, Arrah and Patna relies on existing state highways and takes 3-4 hours due to heavy congestion.

The Union Cabinet on Friday approved a four-lane access-controlled Patna-Sasaram corridor project in Bihar at an estimated cost of Rs 3,712.40 crore, an official statement said.

Currently, the connectivity between Sasaram, Arrah and Patna relies on existing state highways (SH-2, SH-12, SH-81 and SH-102) and takes 3-4 hours due to heavy congestion, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways said.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a 4-lane access-controlled greenfield and brownfield Patna – Arrah – Sasaram corridor, starting from Patna to Sasaram (120.10 km) in Bihar, the ministry said.

The project will be developed on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a total capital cost of Rs 3,712.40 crore.

A greenfield corridor, along with 10.6 km of upgradation of the existing brownfield highway, will be developed to reduce the increasing congestion, catering to the needs of densely built-up areas in places like Arrah, Grahini, Piro, Bikramganj, Mokar and Sasaram.

The project alignment integrates with major transport corridors, including NH-19, NH-319, NH-922, NH-131G, and NH-120, providing seamless connectivity to Aurangabad, Kaimur, and Patna.

Additionally, the project will also provide connectivity to two airports (Patna’s Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport and the upcoming Bihta Airport).

It will connect four major railway stations (Sasaram, Arrah, Danapur, and Patna), and 1 Inland Water Terminal (Patna), and enhance direct access to Patna Ring Road, facilitating faster movement of goods and passengers.

Upon completion, the Patna-Arrah-Sasaram Corridor will play a pivotal role in regional economic growth, improving connectivity between Lucknow, Patna, Ranchi, and Varanasi.

The project will also generate 48 lakh man-days of employment and will open new avenues of growth, development and prosperity in developing regions in and around Patna.

The project aligns with the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, enhancing infrastructure while generating employment and fostering socio-economic development in Bihar.

Shivdeep Lande, who had resigned from the Indian Police Service less than a year ago, made the announcement at a press conference here.

Former IPS officer Shivdeep Lande on Tuesday announced the formation of a new political outfit ‘Hindu Sena Party’ which, he declared, will contest the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar.

Mr Lande, who had resigned from the Indian Police Service less than a year ago, made the announcement at a press conference here.

The 2006 batch officer, whose flamboyant style of functioning had earned him the epithet ‘Singham of Bihar’, said he considered the state his ‘karmabhoomi’, despite having his roots in Maharashtra.

Notably, the 49-year-old former IPS officer is the son in law of Vijay Shivtare, a Shiv Sena leader and former Maharashtra minister.

Talking to reporters, Mr Lande said “I did my best to serve the people while in IPS, when I was bound by the All India Service Conduct Rules. I realised my limitations when, despite the best of intentions, I could not help the public in matters that fell beyond the police’s ambit”.

Asserting that the fledgling outfit will contest the assembly polls “100 per cent”, Mr Lande, however, evaded a direct reply to pointed queries about his own possibility of entering the fray.

“We are at present focusing on building the organisation. You can consider all candidates of the Hind Sena Party as fighting on behalf of Shivdeep Lande”, added the officer.

He claimed “I am not looking for any shortcuts to enjoying power. After my resignation, I had received the offer of a Rajya Sabha ticket from an established party. But I was pursuing my own ideals. I travelled across Bihar and realised that there is a scope for a political alternative”.

The decision was taken in the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The Bihar government on Tuesday allowed a 30 per cent hike in the salary and allowances of those holding posts of minister of state and deputy minister, an official said.

The decision was taken in the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The whips of various parties in the Legislative Assembly and Council, chairman and members of various state commissions and boards enjoy the status, salary and allowances commensurate with those of the minister of state in Bihar.

Posts of deputy chairman and deputy chief whips are equivalent to deputy minister.

“Those holding posts of the rank of minister of state and deputy minister will now be getting a monthly salary Rs 65,000 per month, an increase of Rs 15,000 from the previous Rs 50,000 per month salary,” Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat), S Siddharth, told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

Their local allowance has been increased from Rs 55,000 to Rs 70,000 per month, daily allowances hiked from Rs 3,000 to 3,500, while hospitality allowance has been increased from Rs 24,000 to Rs 29,500 for those holding the posts of the rank of minister of state.

The hospitality allowance for the posts of the rank of deputy minister has been increased from Rs 23,500 to Rs 29,000, Mr Siddharth said.

Earlier, there used to be three types of ministers in Bihar- cabinet minister, minister of state and deputy minister. At present, there is no provision of deputy minister in the state government. There is not even a single minister of state in the Nitish Kumar cabinet at present. All ministers in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s cabinet are cabinet ministers.

The Cabinet also approved proposals for the creation of more than 26,000 posts in different departments in the state government.

“The Cabinet approved the creation of three directorates–Public Health Directorate, Health Services Directorate and Medical Education Directorate-within the health department for its effective functions. A proposal for the creation of 20,016 posts in these directorates was also approved by the cabinet. Besides, the Cabinet approved creation of 3306 posts of translators in the Urdu Directorate,” said the officer.

The Cabinet also gave its nod to the creation of the Bihar Education Administration Cadre rule-2025 for monitoring and improvement in the quality of education in the state, he said adding that separate posts will be created for it in all blocks in the state.

Ashutosh Kumar Mishra, 45, is suspected to have shot himself dead with his service revolver.

A CRPF personnel in the security detail of BJP’s Bihar president Dilip Jaiswal was found dead with bullet injuries at the MLC Flats in Patna on Tuesday, police said.

Ashutosh Kumar Mishra, 45, is suspected to have shot himself dead with his service revolver, they said.

His body was found in the MLC Flat 21, where all personnel in Mr Jaiswal’s security detail stay. The BJP leader’s flat is located next to it.

“His body has been sent for the post-mortem examination. Prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide. An investigation has been started by the Sachiwalaya police station,” SDPO (Sachiwalay-1) Anu Kumari said.

“It appears that Mishra shot himself dead with a service revolver. He was also in charge of the arms for Jaiswal’s security team. Police have recovered a pistol from the spot where his body was found,” another police officer said.

Of the total fatalities, 35 people died due to collapsing trees or walls, while 23 others lost their lives to lightning strikes across the state.

A powerful storm accompanied by heavy rainfall and lightning strikes damage across several districts of Bihar on Thursday, claiming 58 lives — 23 of them in Nalanda district alone.

Of the total fatalities, 35 people died due to collapsing trees or walls, while 23 others lost their lives to lightning strikes across the state.

Nalanda District Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar confirmed the high death rate and significant property damage in his district.

Speaking to media on Friday, Mr Shubhankar said 22 people died from falling trees or collapsing walls, and one person was killed by lightning.

“All affected families are being provided an compensation of Rs 4 lakh each, as per the directions of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Most of them have already received the compensation, and the remaining will be paid by Friday afternoon,” he said.

Three to four injured individuals are undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital. The storm caused widespread destruction in Nalanda, with homes and crops severely damaged in several areas.

“Our assessment teams are surveying affected regions. Compensation will be provided according to government rules. We have also recorded five livestock deaths, and post-mortems are being conducted to process compensation claims. Reports of injuries or deaths among smaller animals are also being reviewed,” the DM added.

Infrastructure has taken a major hit in Nalanda, with over 18 km of power lines damaged, more than 300 electric poles uprooted, and several transformers destroyed.

“Forty-two teams from the electricity department are working to restore supply. Partial restoration has already been achieved, and tree removal from roads is expected to be completed by evening,” Mr Shubhankar said.

To prevent disruption in water supply, ten generators were deployed overnight, with additional units expected to arrive soon.

The district magistrate also clarified that compensation is only extended to residential and personal losses, not to commercial damages.

“The administration is working on a war footing to ensure no affected person is left without assistance,” he said.

Beyond Nalanda, the storm claimed five lives in Bhojpur, three in Gaya, and one each in Gopalganj, Arwal, Jehanabad, Patna, and Muzaffarpur districts due to falling trees or walls.

The 23 lightning-related deaths were spread across the state — four in Siwan, three in Jamui, two each in Saharsa, Araria, and Saran, and one each in Patna, Jehanabad, Bhojpur, Darbhanga, Arwal, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Munger, Katihar, and Bhagalpur districts.

Speaking at the official launch of the ‘Dr. Ambedkar Samagra Seva Abhiyan’ Deputy CM Choudhary emphasised that “this campaign is a step towards fulfilling Babasaheb Ambedkar’s dream of inclusive development.

Hours after Tejashwi Yadav’s fiery remarks on Ambedkar Jayanti, accusing the BJP and NDA of being anti-reservation and anti-Ambedkar, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary fired back, strongly defending the NDA’s commitment to social justice and backing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the face of the alliance for the upcoming Assembly elections.

Speaking at the official launch of the ‘Dr. Ambedkar Samagra Seva Abhiyan’ – a campaign aimed at taking government schemes to Dalit and deprived communities – Deputy CM Choudhary emphasised that “this campaign is a step towards fulfilling Babasaheb Ambedkar’s dream of inclusive development.”

Under the Abhiyan, officials will physically verify whether basic facilities like gas connections under the Ujjwala Yojana, health coverage under Ayushman Bharat, and basic infrastructure like drains and roads in Dalit hamlets have reached the intended beneficiaries.

“Wherever lapses are found, corrective action will be taken immediately,” said the Deputy CM.

On Tejashwi Yadav’s earlier charges, Mr Choudhary launched a sharp personal attack, saying: “Your parents (Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi) looted Bihar. You talk about building universities, but when approval was given for 10 universities, only 2 were built under your government. Nitish Kumar made 23 universities a reality.”

Tejashwi Yadav earlier said that the BJP is anti-reservation as the Grand Alliance brought 65 per cent reservation and the BJP-led government failed to include it in the 9th schedule of the Indian Constitution.

He also said that every leader of the NDA wants to become the Chief Minister of Bihar.

Clearing the air on speculations following Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini’s projection of Samrat Choudhary as Bihar’s future CM, the Deputy CM said firmly: “The NDA government is united and will contest the Assembly elections under the leadership of CM Nitish Kumar. He is and will remain the face of the NDA in Bihar.”

He praised Nitish Kumar’s development work, mentioning the electrification of villages, road connectivity, and consistent efforts to create employment.

“If the people give us five more years, we will create opportunities that will bring back all those who left Bihar in search of work,” he added.

Earlier on Monday, Union MSME Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi, too, played down speculation over the CM’s face and emphasised democratic procedure.

“This is a democracy. Baba Saheb Ambedkar has given us the right to vote. It is not appropriate to discuss the CM face before elections. The decision will be taken by the elected MLAs after the 2025 Assembly polls,” Mr Manjhi stated in Patna.

“I was in alliance with the BJP and NDA since 2014. But from today, there will be no relation with NDA,” declared Mr Paras.

In a significant political development ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) chief and former Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras announced his party’s exit from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The announcement was made on Monday during a function in Patna commemorating Ambedkar Jayanti. “I was in alliance with the BJP and NDA since 2014. But from today, there will be no relation with NDA,” declared Mr Paras.

Mr Paras further said that his party will contest all 243 assembly seats in Bihar independently, marking a bold move aimed at establishing RLJP as a key player in state politics.

“The people of Bihar have made up their mind to change the NDA government led by Nitish Kumar,” Mr Paras said, claiming to have already visited 22 districts as part of grassroots mobilisation and will visit the remaining 16 districts in the coming days.

Launching a scathing attack on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Mr Paras accused him of being anti-Dalit and “mentally ill”, citing rising crimes against Dalits.

He also referred to recent incidents in Aurangabad and Rohtas, including the case of Komal Paswan and Ranjit Paswan, alleging inaction by the state government.

“On the day of Holi on March 14, in the Aurangabad district of Bihar, Komal Paswan was playing Holi with her friends, and a son of Lok Janshakti Party Ramvilas’s leader allegedly mowed her down using his bike. She eventually succumbed due to the injuries. Shockingly, the Nitish Kumar government has not taken any action against him,” Mr Paras said.

He also highlighted the incident in Rohtas district when Ranjit Paswan was gunned down by a police officer, and the Nitish Kumar government had not taken any action against the culprits.

Mr Paras also urged the Central government to confer Bharat Ratna posthumously to Ramvilas Paswan, calling him the “second Ambedkar.”

“Ramvilas Paswan fought his entire life for Dalit rights. He deserves the country’s highest civilian honour,” he said.

The decision, which will take effect from July, will impact 1,09,69,255 beneficiaries under the state’s Social Security Pension Scheme.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today announced an increase in the monthly pension for elderly, disabled persons, and widowed women from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100. The decision, which will take effect from July, will impact 1,09,69,255 beneficiaries under the state’s Social Security Pension Scheme.

“I am happy to inform you that under the Social Security Pension Scheme, all the elderly, disabled and widowed women will now get a pension of Rs. 1100 instead of Rs. 400 every month. All the beneficiaries will get pension at the increased rate from the month of July. It will be ensured that this amount is sent to the account of all the beneficiaries on the 10th of the month. This will help 1 crore 9 lakh 69 thousand 255 beneficiaries a lot,” Mr Kumar announced. 

“The elderly are a precious part of society and ensuring their dignified living is our top priority. The state government will continue to make efforts in this direction,” he added. 

This announcement comes ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for later this year. The Janata Dal (United) and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are seeking to consolidate their position against an opposition front led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress.

The Bihar government has also revised powers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Village heads (mukhiyas) are now authorised to independently sanction schemes worth up to Rs 10 lakh, doubling the previous threshold of Rs 5 lakh.

In a meeting on Thursday, the Chief Minister approved significant increases in allowances for elected representatives under the Panchayati Raj system: The Zilla Parishad (ZP) President’s monthly allowance will increase from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000. ZP Vice President’s allowance has been raised from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000. Mukhiyas will now receive Rs 7,500 per month, up from Rs 5,000.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Siwan on Friday, marking his fifth tour of Bihar in 2025. Addressing a large crowd, he praised Bihar’s role in national progress and slammed the Congress-RJD alliance while endorsing Nitish Kumar’s development agenda.

“India is on the path to becoming the third-largest economy, and Bihar will play a big role in this,” PM Modi said.

He announced projects worth Rs 5,736 crore, including 22 urban infrastructure projects, six new road projects, one rail initiative, and the launch of two new trains-including a Vande Bharat Express. Also unveiled was the export of the first locomotive built in the Madhura rail factory.

“The engine made in Bihar will now run trains in Africa… this is the new identity of Bihar,” PM Modi said.

A decision to this effect was taken at the meeting of all alliance partners of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in the state at the RJD office here.

Constituents of the INDIA bloc in Bihar on Thursday formed a coordination committee headed by RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav to deliberate upon a common minimum programme for the assembly polls due later this year.

A decision to this effect was taken at the meeting of all alliance partners of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in the state at the RJD office here.

“Alliance partners of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ unanimously took a decision to constitute a coordination committee to formulate a joint strategy and a common minimum programme for the upcoming assembly polls. I have been chosen to head the panel,” Mr Yadav told reporters.

The ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in Bihar comprises the RJD, Congress, CPIML (L), CPI, CPI(M) and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP).

The committee will also discuss the campaign strategy, “keeping crucial issues concerning the people of Bihar in mind”, seat-sharing arrangements and ensure better coordination among the alliance partners, the RJD leader said.

“We will unitedly fight the polls to oust the anti-people and anti-Bihar NDA government in the state,” he asserted.

Asked about the chief ministerial candidate of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ for the polls, Mr Yadav said, “There is no need to worry at all… This will be shared with you at an appropriate time.” The former Bihar deputy chief minister claimed that there was anger and resentment among people against the NDA government in the state.

“The government at the Centre and in Bihar have failed to address issues related to the state. In fact, Bihar has received step-motherly treatment from the BJP-led NDA government. Bihar is still number one in poverty, crime, corruption, unemployment and migration. The state’s real double engine is crime and corruption. PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah keep coming to Bihar… they must answer. (CM) Nitish Kumar is completely unconscious,” Mr Yadav asserted.

He said several issues related to poverty, unemployment and migration in Bihar were discussed in Thursday’s meeting.

“All these issues will be raised by the allies of the INDIA bloc in the coming days… We shall expose the NDA government,” Mr Yadav said.

Senior Congress leader and party in-charge of Bihar, Krishna Allavaru, who was also present in the meeting, said, “We will fight the elections with unity and clarity… There is confusion among the NDA partners over their CM candidate.”