Nitish Kumar

This Special Report from India Today focuses on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high-profile roadshow in Patna, a major campaign push for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections for the NDA. The event, which started from Dinkar Golambar and also featured JD(U) leader Lalan Singh and Patna Sahib MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, is analysed by political experts Rajat Seti and Sajjan Kumar. 'Have you ever seen any political leader of any human colour, any political ideology having people take out aarti thalis and trying to do aarti of a leader from their balconies?' asks political analyst Rajat Seti. The report captures the euphoric atmosphere as the Prime Minister's cavalcade moves through the city, just days before the first phase of polling on November 6. It explores the BJP's strategy to energise its core supporters and prevent complacency, juxtaposing the current political climate with the 2020 elections and highlighting the singular influence of 'Brand Modi' on the electoral outcome.

This special report focuses on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic roadshow in Patna, Bihar, a first for any Indian Prime Minister, and his tribute to the revered national poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar. Political analyst Rajat Seti observed that the BJP's strategy is to 'present a very stark contrast between, you know, a united House of the NDA and Prime Minister going in hammer and tongs against the disunity in the ranks and file of the Congress. And the RJD.' The report details the BJP's aggressive campaign, with senior leaders like Dharmendra Pradhan and Vinod Tavde on the ground, reflecting a strategy to energize the party's base. The event is portrayed as Prime Minister Modi doing the 'heavy lifting' for the NDA alliance in the state, aiming to counter any complacency among urban voters ahead of the crucial polls.

This special report focuses on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's massive roadshow in Patna, a major show of strength by the BJP in its Bihar bastion ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The coverage delves into the competing campaign narratives of development versus the RJD's 'Jungle Raj' and features a sharp rebuttal from senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad to opposition attacks. Prasad stated, 'If Rahul Gandhi does not know how to respect the post of Prime Minister, then he is sanskaraheen (uncultured/lacking values).' The report captures the charged atmosphere on the ground, analyzing the BJP's strategy to energize its base and the significance of the Prime Minister leading the campaign from the front in a crucial state like Bihar. It also touches upon the absence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar from the event, which was explained by his engagement in parallel public meetings.

This special report focuses on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's massive roadshow in Patna, kicking off the final campaign leg for the Bihar assembly elections. The event is a significant show of strength for the NDA, which is aiming to secure another term in the state where it won 30 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in 2024. A young supporter at the rally voiced high expectations, stating, 'Jaise ki agar NDA jeet hoti hai to Bihar mein bahut rozgar milega aur palayan dur hoga' (If the NDA wins, there will be a lot of employment in Bihar and migration will stop). The broadcast captures the voter sentiment on the ground, including among the youth and women, as the first phase of polling on November 6th approaches for 121 constituencies, including those in the capital, Patna. The roadshow began near the iconic Dinkar Chowk, where the Prime Minister paid tribute to the great poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar.

This special report focuses on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election campaign in Bihar, featuring a major roadshow in Patna and rallies in Ara and Nawada. The report also highlights the use of a Bhojpuri song by singer Pawan Singh to energize the campaign, with lyrics stating, 'Jodi Modi yaani 30 ji ke heat ho' (The Modi and Nitish-ji pair is a hit). The Prime Minister's visit also included paying tribute to poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar and offering prayers at Takht Shri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh. The campaign events saw massive turnouts, with the Patna roadshow being a first for a sitting Prime Minister in Bihar, signaling a high-stakes political battle.

This special report focuses on the escalating political tensions in Bihar following the arrest of JDU's Mokama candidate, Anand Singh, in connection with the murder of Jansuraj supporter Dular Chand Yadav. According to the National Crime Records Bureau's 2023 report, Bihar recorded 2,862 murder cases, the second highest in the country after Uttar Pradesh. The incident has intensified the political slugfest, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding a roadshow in Patna and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav campaigning in the volatile Mokama constituency. The opposition, led by figures like Prashant Kishore and Tejashwi Yadav, has slammed the Nitish Kumar government, alleging a complete failure of administration and the return of 'Jangal Raj'. In response to the violence, the Election Commission has ordered the transfer of several senior police and administrative officials to ensure electoral integrity.

This special report unpacks the political firestorm in Bihar, focusing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Patna and the murder of Jan Suraaj supporter Dularchand Yadav in Mokama. In response to the violence, opposition leaders have fiercely criticized the ruling government, with Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor stating it reflects the persistence of the 'jungle raj'. The incident has triggered a fierce political battle, with the Election Commission ordering the transfer of the Patna Superintendent of Police (Rural) and two other officials. Leaders like Tejashwi Yadav and Priyanka Gandhi have slammed the Nitish Kumar government, alleging a failure of administration. The report also details the Prime Minister's engagements in Patna, including his roadshow and tribute to poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, set against this backdrop of escalating political tensions ahead of the assembly elections.

This special report focuses on the heated electoral battle in Bihar, featuring Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary of the BJP, who refutes the RJD's allegations of bribery and defends the NDA's governance. The central points of contention are a ₹10,000 government payout to women, which the opposition labels a bribe, and the escalating war of promises over job creation between the NDA and Tejashwi Yadav's RJD. In a sharp counter-attack, Chaudhary challenges his rival, asking, ‘I will surely ask my younger brother (Tejashwi Yadav) to just give this assurance to the youth of Bihar, how does one become a millionaire at the age of 23?’. He defends the financial assistance to women as part of the 'Jeevika' and 'Lakhpati Didi' empowerment schemes. The discussion also touches upon the RJD's historical opposition to the Women's Reservation Bill and frames the election as a choice between NDA's development record and the RJD's dynastic politics.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary addresses key political questions, firmly stating that Nitish Kumar will continue as Chief Minister of Bihar if the NDA returns to power. 'Vacancy nahi hai aage bhee mukhyamantri Nitish Kumar (There is no vacancy, Nitish Kumar will remain the Chief Minister ahead as well),' Chaudhary asserted, quashing speculation about a BJP CM. He also confronts a volley of personal allegations from political strategist Prashant Kishor, including accusations of falsifying his age to evade a murder charge and misrepresenting his educational qualifications. Chaudhary dismisses the allegations, stating he is ready to quit politics if any charge is proven and indicates he may file a defamation suit after the elections. The discussion also touches upon dynasty politics and a recent shooting incident in Mokama.

On this special edition of Democratic Newsroom, anchor Akshita Nandagopal and a panel of India Today's senior editors, including Rajdeep Sardesai, Maria Shakeel, and Preeti Chaudhary, decode the Bihar election landscape. According to Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai, ‘The only way you're trying to reduce the impact of caste is throwing cash at people. That's the reality.’ The program delves into whether caste remains the single biggest factor in Bihar politics or if it is being overshadowed by populist promises of jobs and cash benefits. The panel also analyses the rising influence of two key demographics that could break traditional caste moulds: the state's women (Mahila) and the increasingly aspirational youth (Yuva), who are demanding development and a change from the old guard. The discussion covers the electoral strategies of major players like Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav as they vie for power in the state.

On this India Today special report, Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary sits down with Rajdeep Sardesai to discuss the high-stakes 2025 Bihar Assembly election and the NDA's strategy. Launching a sharp attack on his rival, Chaudhary had a question for Tejashwi Yadav, 'Just give this assurance to the youth of Bihar, how does one become a millionaire at the age of 25?'. The interview delves into contentious issues, including the opposition's 'Jungle Raj' allegations linked to a murder in Mokama, and counters claims that a ₹10,000 government payout to women is an electoral bribe. Chaudhary defends the NDA's record on job creation while questioning the RJD's promises and confirms that Nitish Kumar will remain the Chief Minister if the alliance returns to power.

This special report from Bihar breaks down the escalating poll battle between the ruling NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan, focusing on their recently released manifestos and the key figures of Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dismissing the NDA's promises, opposition chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav stated, 'If you look at their false promises of the last 20 years, every manifesto... what happened to our manifesto?'. The bulletin covers the core promises, from the NDA's pledge to create one crore 'Lakhpati Didis' to the Mahagathbandhan's guarantee of one government job per household. It also delves into the high-profile contest in Chapra, where the RJD has fielded Bhojpuri superstar Khesarilal Yadav, and PM Modi's campaign strategy of invoking the 2001 Golu kidnapping case to warn voters against the RJD's past 'Jungle Raj'.

In this India Today special report, the focus is on the escalating political battle in Bihar with Mahagathbandhan's Chief Ministerial face, Tejashwi Yadav, taking on CM Nitish Kumar and the BJP. Tejashwi Yadav makes a stunning claim that 'He [Nitish Kumar] is no longer running Bihar. He has been hijacked. Modi and Amit Shah are running Bihar from Delhi; Nitish Kumar has merely been made a puppet.' The RJD leader details his electoral promises, including the ambitious plan for one government job per household, arguing it is a well-researched pledge and not a 'jumla'. He counters the NDA's 'Jungle Raj' allegations by pointing to recent NCRB data and challenges the ruling coalition on its 20-year record on unemployment, migration, and law and order.

This special report features Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister, Samrat Chaudhary, addressing critical questions about the state's political future and confronting serious personal allegations. Chaudhary provides a firm guarantee on the leadership question, putting an end to speculation about the Chief Minister's post within the NDA. 'Nitish Kumar is a leader and will be a leader in the future as well,' he asserts, dismissing any possibility of a change. The interview also delves into the accusations made by political strategist Prashant Kishor, who has publicly accused Chaudhary of falsifying his age and educational qualifications and being involved in a decades-old murder case. Chaudhary refutes these claims, challenging Kishor to prove them while also discussing dynastic politics, comparing his own family's political background to that of Lalu Prasad Yadav's.

This special report focuses on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's direct video appeal to voters just days before the first phase of the state's assembly elections. Highlighting his government's work since 2005, Kumar makes a case for another term based on his track record. In his address, Nitish Kumar states, 'Served you with honesty, hard work.' He claims significant improvements in law and order, women's empowerment, and development in sectors like health, education, and infrastructure. The report suggests this digital campaign strategy was adopted partly because heavy rains have disrupted traditional on-ground campaigning, forcing politicians to use technology to reach the electorate with an emotional plea for their vote.

In this special report, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav launches a scathing attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the BJP. Yadav predicts that the BJP will not allow Nitish Kumar to return as Chief Minister if the NDA wins the upcoming assembly elections, and alleges that the state is effectively being run from Delhi by Amit Shah and Narendra Modi. According to Tejashwi, ‘Bihar wo nahi chala rahe AB wo hijack hoge Modi aur Amit Shah Jo hai Delhi baithh karke wo Bihar chala de Nitish Kumar Ji ko keval putla bana diya yeh’ (He is not running Bihar now, he has been hijacked. Modi and Amit Shah are running Bihar from Delhi, they have made Nitish Kumar Ji a mere puppet). The interview also delves into Tejashwi Yadav's allegations of vote theft in the 2020 elections, his vision for a 'Naya Bihar', the challenge from Prashant Kishor, and the comparison with his father, Lalu Prasad Yadav.

With the Bihar Assembly elections approaching, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has released a direct video message to voters, highlighting his government's track record since 2005. He stated that before he came to power, 'being called Bihari...was a matter of insult'. In his appeal, Kumar details significant improvements in law and order, infrastructure, and healthcare, with a special emphasis on women's empowerment, a key voter base for his party. This digital campaign push comes as heavy rains disrupt on-ground political campaigning, forcing leaders to adopt alternative methods to reach the electorate. The message is part of a broader social media strategy to remind voters of his development work over the past two decades.

The focus of this special report is on the escalating political battle in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections, with RJD Supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav launching a sharp attack on the NDA's newly released poll manifesto. Lalu Yadav tweeted, 'those who do not even have the time to read their manifesto cannot possibly implement that manifesto'. The NDA's 'Sankalp Patra' promises over one crore jobs and significant industrial development in the state. In response, Lalu Yadav has expressed confidence in his Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), stating that the people of Bihar have rejected the NDA's promises and are firm on choosing a government led by the alliance, which has also made substantial pledges on employment and social welfare.

As Bihar gears up for the two-phase assembly election with results on November 14, we raise these questions on the show: Who is winning this war for Bihar and why?  Is Bihar 2025 likely to be as close as 2020? Watch as some of the top pollsters of the country share their perspective on these and more on the Bihar Election Roundtable with Rajdeep Sardesai.

In this special roundtable on the upcoming Bihar elections, anchor Rajdeep Sardesai is joined by top pollsters Pradeep Gupta, Yashwant Deshmukh, Amitabh Tiwari, and Sandeep Shastri to decode the likely outcome. Yashwant Deshmukh points to a key trend, stating 'the data is showing almost like six point lead among the female for the NDA but the three point lead for Mahabharata among the male voters'. The discussion reveals a palpable sense of caution among the pollsters, especially after the 2024 general elections. The experts analyze the race as a 'close fight', with Sandeep Shastri suggesting the NDA has its 'nose ahead' but could be held back by voter fatigue with Nitish Kumar. The panel also identifies the 50 seats with a direct contest between Congress and the BJP-JDU combine as crucial battlegrounds that will determine the winner in this high-stakes electoral contest.