Golden opportunity to teach lesson to 'opportunistic rulers': Kharge to people of Bihar
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Thursday urged the people of Bihar to vote for change with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge saying they have a golden opportunity to teach a lesson to the "opportunistic rulers" who have betrayed them by branding "corruption, misgovernance, and jungle raj as development".
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urged the people of Bihar to vote for jobs, education, health, a bright future for the state, and to protect their right to vote.
They made the remarks in a post on X soon after polling began for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly election.
"Voting for the first phase of the assembly elections has begun in Bihar, the birthplace of democracy. I appeal to every voter in Bihar to exercise their constitutional right in large numbers and give the state a new direction of change after 20 years," Kharge said in his post in Hindi.
"We must build a Bihar where the future of the state's youth is secure and they do not have to suffer the scourge of unemployment and migration," the Congress chief said.
Every section of society -- Dalits, Mahadalits, Adivasis, backward classes, extremely backward classes, economically weaker sections, and minorities -- must have equal rights, and "we must create a new definition of social justice that will enhance Bihar's contribution to the nation's progress", he said.
"Today, the aware people of Bihar have a golden opportunity to teach a lesson to the opportunistic rulers who have betrayed the people of Bihar over the past 20 years by branding corruption, misgovernance, and jungle raj as development," Kharge said.
Do not let this opportunity slip away, he added.
"I sincerely appeal, especially to young people who are voting for the first time, not to miss this opportunity and to exercise their right to vote for change. Do vote and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Jai Hind, Jai Bihar," Kharge said.
In her post, Priyanka Gandhi said, "My dear brothers, sisters, mothers, and youth of Bihar! Today is the day to decide your future with your own hands.Come out in large numbers and participate in this grand festival of democracy."
Vote for jobs, education, health, a bright future for Bihar, and to protect your democracy, the Constitution, and your right to vote, she said.
Voting began for 121 seats in Bihar in the first phase of assembly elections on Thursday morning, amid tight security arrangements, an official said.
The polling commenced at 7 am and will continue till 5 pm.
In the first phase, a total of 3.75 crore voters will decide the electoral fate of 1,314 candidates, including top leaders such as INDIA bloc's chief ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary of the BJP.
लोकतंत्र की जन्मस्थली, बिहार में विधानसभा चुनाव के पहले चरण का मतदान शुरू हो चुका है। मेरी बिहार के हर मतदाता से अपील है कि अधिक से अधिक संख्या में अपने संवैधानिक अधिकार का प्रयोग करें और 20 साल बाद प्रदेश को बदलाव की एक नई दिशा प्रदान करे।
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) November 6, 2025
हमें एक ऐसे बिहार का निर्माण करना है…
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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
