Bihar chose ‘vikas raj’ over ‘jungle raj’, says Shinde; Ajit Pawar hails NDA surge
Mumbai (PTI): As trends indicate a massive win for the BJP-led NDA in the Bihar assembly elections, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde on Friday said people of the eastern state have embraced "vikas raj" and rejected "jungle raj".
Another Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, also hailed the NDA's big gains, saying Bihar voted for good governance and a progressive future.
Shinde and Pawar, whose Shiv Sena and NCP, respectively, are the BJP's allies in Maharashtra, congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.
Speaking to reporters, Shinde said that the people of Bihar have rejected "jungle raj" and embraced "vikas raj" (development).
'Jungle raj' (anarchy) is a term frequently used by leaders of the JD(U) and BJP to attack the RJD and the opposition alliance.
"Bihar has voted for development under Nitish Kumar and Modi's leadership. Similarly, women (laadki bahin) ensured the NDA got a landslide win just like Maharashtra (in the 2024 assembly polls)," he said.
The large participation of women in the poll process helped in the NDA's victory, he said.
Pawar, in a post on X, said, "Bihar has voted for good governance and a progressive future, by choosing the NDA to lead the state and its people."
The NDA is heading for a landslide win, having registered impressive leads in more than 180 of Bihar's 243 assembly seats, with trends indicating that the saffron party was on track to post its biggest tally with an excellent strike rate.
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RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
