Even though Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor’s prediction on the NDA’s electoral prospects in 2024 and 2025 did not hold, he is now asserting that he got one key prediction right last year before the Bihar election — the political future of now-outgoing chief minister Nitish Kumar.. Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor says on prediction about “Nitish Kumar, who is visibly unfit, physically and mentally, I have been proven right”. (PTI). Kishor, who had last year confidently declared that the NDA would not return to power and that Nitish Kumar would not continue as chief minister, revisited that claim on Saturday, days after Kumar is all set to step down from the post after securing a Rajya Sabha berth.. The former poll strategist, whose party got zero seats in Bihar last year, said as per news agency PTI: “My prediction that the NDA could lose may have been off the mark. But about Nitish Kumar, who is visibly unfit, physically and mentally, I have been proven right.”. He added, “Why else would a chief minister step down barely a few months after his coalition got a brute majority in the assembly?”. The BJP-JD(U) alliance had secured thumping victory in the state assembly election conducted last year in November and Nitish Kumar took oath as the CM.. ‘I stand vindicated’. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an Eid function, Kishor acknowledged that his electoral forecast did not fully materialise, but doubled down on his assessment of Kumar’s leadership.. “I cannot say whether Nitish Kumar is leaving of his own accord or whether he is acting under pressure. But, in a way, I stand vindicated,” PTI quoted the 47-year-old as saying.. “I was being pilloried ahead of the assembly polls when I had predicted that even if the NDA wins, he will not be made the chief minister,” Kishor added.. ‘Votes were bought’. Kishor also alleged that the NDA’s electoral victory was aided by direct cash transfers to voters. “Votes were bought by doling out ₹10,000,” he alleged.. The remark was seen as a reference to a state scheme under which ₹10,000 was transferred to over 1.5 crore women ahead of the election announcement.. He went further, alleging that Kumar’s exit was tied to internal power dynamics within the NDA. “The ruling BJP at the Centre, the union home minister and the Election Commission must have played their own roles in securing the huge mandate for the NDA. So, it is hardly surprising that the party ruling the Centre wants to claim its share in Bihar,” he said.. BJP CM in Bihar? Speculation grows. His remarks come amid growing speculation that Kumar, recently elected to the Rajya Sabha, may move to Delhi, paving the way for the BJP to install its first chief minister in Bihar.. However, Kishor refrained from naming any possible successor, striking a self-aware note: “My prediction about my own party had proven wrong in the assembly polls”.. The former political consultant, who rose to prominence managing Na 

 On Saturday, the BJP strongly criticized Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for his comments on the Uttam Nagar incident, where a Hindu man named Tarun was killed during Holi celebrations. Rahul Gandhi and Guru Prakash Paswan. (PTI/HT). BJP national spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan sharply criticized Rahul Gandhi during a press conference, accusing the Congress leader and his party of prioritizing “minority appeasement” over social justice. Paswan was responding to Gandhi’s March 19 post on X, where he condemned the BJP for fostering communal divisions for their own gain. Gadhi had stated: “The residents of Uttam Nagar have borne a steep cost from the violence — on one side, a young man named Tarun has lost his life; on the other, a whole family is enduring harassment.” They want no further bloodshed. “He further stated, ‘Only the BJP and its ecosystem seek violence — exploiting every opportunity to stoke hatred and bake the bread of violence on the fire of division.’ Paswan hit back at Gandhi, noting that he reacted many days after the Uttam Nagar incident.” A tweet offering condolences was posted—days later and feigning sensitivity. Are you numb to feelings today? You stay silent when a young Dalit man is killed. 

 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated on Saturday that “at a time when war is raging across the world… no country on earth can remain unaffected,” warning that India too “may face energy and fertiliser crises” due to the ongoing West Asia conflict. However, he noted that the central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has successfully managed these challenges so far. Haldwani, Mar 21 (ANI): Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses the “Jan-Jan ki Sarkar, 4 Saal Bemisaal” event in Haldwani on Saturday. (@pushkardhami X/ANI Photo) (@pushkardhami X). While speaking at an event in Haldwani celebrating four years of the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, Singh stated, “The world is currently facing a challenging time, as wars and tensions are intensifying across various regions.” This isn’t merely an issue for India, but for the whole world. The government has explicitly declared that such disputes cannot be settled by military means. The answer is found through conversation and diplomatic efforts. With war raging worldwide—potentially sparking energy crises or fertilizer shortages—no nation on Earth can escape the impact. India might also encounter fallout in such scenarios; however, our Prime Minister has, up to now, adeptly kept the country out of any conflicts. Nevertheless, the future remains uncertain; thus, all of PM Modi’s global efforts to address this emerging crisis merit our complete backing,” Singh remarked. Singh noted that Dhami has delivered “unprecedented” development initiatives and predicted that the BJP will reclaim power with a two-thirds majority in the upcoming Assembly elections. 

 Early Saturday morning, Chandrashekhar, known as ‘Farsa Baba’ or ‘Farse Wale Baba’, was struck and killed by a truck on the Agra-Delhi highway near Mathura. According to the district administration and police, Farsa Baba and his disciple were inspecting a container truck on the highway, suspecting it was transporting cows. In the morning fog with poor visibility, another truck struck Baba, leading to his death shortly afterward. Chandrashekhar Baba, also called Farsa Baba, died in a road accident in Mathura. (X/@deepaksharmazad) The locals grew furious over the death, claiming that “cow smugglers” had run over the self-proclaimed godman and cow vigilante, and called for immediate police action. Police stated that another truck collided with Baba and his disciple, who were riding a motorbike, owing to poor visibility from thick fog on the highway. In response, supporters blocked the highway and damaged police vans. Shailesh Kumar Pandey, deputy inspector general of police for the Agra range, told reporters, “The situation is now under control.” Officials verified it was a road crash with no livestock implicated, and arrests have occurred. Those responsible for the violence will face strict measures, as a comprehensive investigation proceeds. Also read | Protests break out in Mathura after cow vigilante Farsa Baba killed by truck; supporters claim murder, block highway. 

 On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a conversation with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, extending greetings for Eid and Nowruz and addressing the changing dynamics in West Asia. PM Narendra Modi spoke with Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian amid West Asia tensions (File photos). In a statement, Modi said, “I spoke with President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and extended greetings for Eid and Nowruz.” We expressed our hope that this festive season will bring peace, stability, and prosperity to West Asia. In the discussion, the Prime Minister raised worries about recent assaults on vital infrastructure in the area, stating that he “condemns attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains.” He also emphasized the necessity of maintaining uninterrupted global trade flows, noting that he “reiterated the importance of protecting freedom of navigation and keeping shipping lanes open and secure.” This is the second phone call between the Prime Minister and Iran’s President since the West Asia conflict began on February 28. Earlier this month, Modi noted that he had spoken with Pezeshkian about the “serious situation in the region,” during which he “expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.” The PM also highlighted the safety and security of Indian nationals and the “need for unhindered transit of goods and energy,” stating that these continue to be India’s “top priorities.”