Articles by Arun Kumar
Ahead of trust vote, Nitish to meet Modi, Shah
This will be Kumar’s first meeting with the Prime Minister since his JD(U) returned to the BJP-led NDA on January 28 this year after deserting the RJD-led alliance in Bihar.
Updated on Feb 05, 2024 09:46 PM IST
Arun Kumar, Patna
Bihar: Teachers’ body to meet ahead of budget session over govt panel proposal
The committee has made it clear that the first competency test will be held on February 26 and after the publication of results, three more would be conducted by the Bihar School Examination Board
Published on Feb 05, 2024 12:27 PM IST
Bihar govt dissolves 4 key panels formed by previous regime
The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar has dissolved four key commissions constituted during the previous Mahagathbandhan government.
Updated on Feb 05, 2024 08:04 AM IST
Arun Kumar, Patna
Nitish Kumar govt dissolves key panels set up under GA govt in Bihar
The decision to dissolve key commissions comes ahead of the floor test in the Bihar Legislative Assembly on February 12
Published on Feb 04, 2024 05:39 PM IST
Bihar portfolio allocation: CM Kumar retains home, dy CM Samrat gets finance
The Bihar cabinet at present has only eight ministers apart from the CM, while it could have up to 36.
Updated on Feb 03, 2024 03:50 PM IST
The impact of frequent alliance swaps on the bureaucracy in Bihar
When the political scenario keeps changing, as it has in Bihar, what does this mean for the officers of the state?
Updated on Feb 03, 2024 10:29 AM IST
Budget session of Bihar legislature to begin from February 12
The first of the budget session will commence with the joint address to the two Houses by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Central Hall, followed by the move to seek a trust vote by the Kumar-led government
Published on Feb 02, 2024 01:14 PM IST
Nitish Kumar to expand Cabinet, allocate portfolios before February 10
A BJP functionary said that there was no point in allocating portfolios and then again reallocating them after Cabinet expansion
Updated on Feb 01, 2024 12:44 PM IST
In Bihar, social engineering with a dash of aggression
Though the Bharatiya Janata Party avoids using caste as a narrative, its choice of deputy CMs is a sign of astute social engineering
Published on Jan 29, 2024 07:04 PM IST
NDA serves notice for House speaker’s removal day after Nitish rejoins alliance
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nand Kishore Yadav, a former minister, is expected to replace Awadh Bihari Choudhary as the speaker
Published on Jan 29, 2024 12:47 PM IST
Nothing surprising about Nitish turnarounds, but RJD says it will rebound
Will he? Won't he? A brief look at the Bihar CM's history of switching sides and staying in power
Updated on Jan 26, 2024 07:39 PM IST
Hectic parleys as cracks widen in Bihar alliance
In Patna, one RJD leader confirmed that senior leaders of the party, including former Union minister Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav, met Lalu at his 10 Circular Road residence, but called it an “informal meeting”.
Updated on Jan 26, 2024 05:36 AM IST
Arun Kumar, Patna
Bihar abuzz with rumours of Nitish Kumar breaking alliance with RJD, joining NDA
The official word from Nitish Kumar’s party JD(U) was that there is nothing wrong with the alliance, but it is clear that all is not well between it and the RJD
Updated on Jan 25, 2024 09:04 PM IST
Karpoorigram comes alive to celebrate Bharat Ratna to its son
In the afternoon, chief minister Nitish Kumar also reached Karpoorigram, all alone by helicopter, to pay respect to the great socialist icon at the Karpoori Smriti Bhawan.
Published on Jan 24, 2024 09:31 PM IST
Arun Kumar, Karpoorigram (samastipur)
Bihar OBC icon to get Bharat Ratna honour
Two-time Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur, known for championing reservation benefits for OBCs, has been awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna. The move is seen as an outreach by the BJP ahead of upcoming general elections, where caste is expected to play a major role. Thakur's legacy on affirmative action continues to have an impact in Bihar, and his award is seen as a recognition of his contribution to social justice and equality. The announcement comes as Bihar's government plans to celebrate Thakur's legacy and as the state emerges as a battleground for social justice politics.
Updated on Jan 24, 2024 05:34 AM IST
Arun Kumar, Patna
Patna DM faces off K K Pathak over classes in schools in cold wave
The education department on Saturday wrote to the DMs of several districts, asking them to revoke an order in which they have invoked prohibitory orders to direct schools to suspend lower classes due to cold wave conditions prevailing in the state. The Patna DM has shoot back, saying no.
Updated on Jan 23, 2024 09:44 PM IST
Arun Kumar, Patna
Despite unease Janata Dal-United, Rashtriya Janata Dal bound by bigger objective
The cabinet rejig shows that the RJD wants to play it safe, as seat-sharing issues are yet to be settled. Bihar's triangular politics gives it little elbow room
Updated on Jan 26, 2024 04:49 PM IST
Bihar education dept, district magistrates at loggerheads over school holidays
The DMs of several districts in Bihar have issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC to direct schools to suspend lower classes due to cold wave conditions prevailing in the state
Published on Jan 23, 2024 01:08 PM IST
Bihar: BJP, JD(U) lock horn over venue for Karpoori Jayanti function
The BJP said allotting the Miller School ground earmarked for the party for January 24 to the JD(U) is murder of democracy
Published on Jan 22, 2024 12:27 PM IST
Bihar budget session from Feb 5
It will be first budget after mega announcements of jobs, recruitments and financial incentives to over 9.4 million families found below poverty line in the caste-based survey conducted in the state, all of which require huge financial support.
Published on Jan 18, 2024 09:41 PM IST
Arun Kumar, Patna
Uncertainty prevails in edu deptt as Pathak extends leave
A week after additional chief secretary heading the education department in Bihar proceeded on earned leave, relinquishing his charge, the officer has now extended his leave till January 31.
Published on Jan 17, 2024 09:41 PM IST
Arun Kumar, Patna
Chirag’s campaign begins in Hajipur; Paras hints at Nitish’s return to NDA
Chirag Paswwan began his campaign in Hajipur, the seat his father Ramvilas Paswan represented eight times between 1977 and 2019 and is presently a bone of contention with his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras
Published on Jan 17, 2024 12:42 PM IST
Why Nitish’s refusal to take up the INDIA convenor post was expected
Congress should have been more proactive in taking INDIA bloc forward, but a message went down the line that it wasn't ready to cede space to regional parties
Published on Jan 16, 2024 08:19 PM IST
Pathak relinquishes edu dept charge after brief eventful tenure
A letter to this effect, dated January 9, sent by director, administration (education department) to chief secretary and others, has been circulating on the social media.
Published on Jan 11, 2024 09:44 PM IST
Arun Kumar, Patna
Bihar: Modi likely to address meetings before national poll schedule announcement
Modi’s expected rallies are part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership’s focus on the only heartland state where the party has been unable to form the government on its own
Published on Jan 10, 2024 03:11 PM IST
Bihar Guv assures VCs on edu dept’s ‘interference’
The Governor, who is also the Chancellor of state universities, also asked the VCs to act in a manner that their dignity is not compromised.
Published on Jan 09, 2024 10:07 PM IST
Arun Kumar, Patna
‘Good people are hard to find’: Bihar governor on delays in state univ vacancies
Bihar governor Rajendra V Arlekar said he could appoint vice-chancellors of state universities on his own but wanted to do it in consultation with the CM
Updated on Jan 04, 2024 05:12 PM IST
JD(U), RJD engage in war of words over MLA’s poster on Ram Temple
The Bharatiya Janata Party said the RJD MLA’s poster was aimed at hurting Hindu sentiments with provocative remarks
Updated on Jan 02, 2024 05:03 PM IST
After 25 MLCs approach Guv, Raj Bhavan writes to govt to set Edu Deptt in order
A delegation of 25 MLCs alleged that the Bihar government’s education department through its actions seems to be bent upon destroying the academic environment in the state
Updated on Dec 27, 2023 08:17 PM IST
Shah lays down outreach plan for Bihar BJP leaders
Bihar BJP president Samrat Choudhary said that during interaction with party leaders at the state guest house after chairing the Eastern Zonal Council in Patna on Sunday, Shah told them all the leaders should be sent to the field with the objective of educating people about the work done by the Modi government.
Published on Dec 11, 2023 09:22 PM IST
Arun Kumar, Patna