BJP confident about NDA's massive victory in Bihar, says there was 'one-sided wave'
New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Tuesday exuded confidence about the NDA winning the Bihar Assembly polls with a "massive majority", while asserting that there was a "one-sided wave" among the electorate in favour of the state's incumbent alliance.
As the two-phase polling in Bihar concluded on Tuesday evening, Exit Polls predicted a big victory for the NDA, with the Mahagathbandhan a distant second. They also predicted a disappointing show by Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj in its debut outing, forecasting a range of 0-5 seats for it in the 243-member Assembly.
"In this election, the voters of Bihar have demonstrated unprecedented enthusiasm. The proof of this is the historically recorded voter turnout (sic). This is also a testament to the unwavering faith of the people of Bihar in their democratic consciousness," said Dharmendra Pradhan, the BJP's Bihar polls in-charge, in a post on X.
"The way mothers, sisters, youth, and all sections of society have participated in this election makes it clear that Bihar is once again going to choose the NDA for the continuity of development, good governance, stability, peace, and prosperity. Once again, thanks and congratulations to all," the Union minister added.
Asked to comment about the Exit Polls, BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain told PTI Videos, "No matter what any poll says... The BJP-NDA is going to win the election with at least 160 seats. There was a one-sided wave (in favour of NDA)."
Women, who came out in large numbers, voted for the NDA, he claimed
"We are fully hopeful that the BJP-NDA will win the election with a massive majority and once again form a government," the former Union minister claimed.
Hussain said the BJP and NDA worked hard during the elections, while the RJD and the Congress kept fighting among themselves.
Asked about the Jan Suraaj party, the BJP leader said it was only visible on social media and not on the ground. "It will be a big thing if Jan Suraaj even opens its account (wins at least one seat in the election)," he added.
Bihar recorded its highest-ever voter turnout of 67.14 per cent, provisionally, at the close of polling in the second and final phase of the high-stakes assembly elections, seen as a referendum on the state's longest-serving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Rape-accused 'godman' Kharat sent to judicial custody till April 14
Nashik (PTI): A court in Maharashtra's Nashik on Wednesday remanded rape-accused self-styled godman Ashok Kharat in a 14-day judicial custody.
Kharat was arrested on March 18 after a 35-year-old woman accused him of repeated rape over a period of three years. Following his arrest, multiple rape complaints were filed against him.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is conducting a probe against Kharat.
As his police custody ended on Wednesday, he was produced before the court. During the hearing, the SIT sought his judicial custody.
Accordingly, sessions judge B N Ichpurani remanded Kharat in judicial custody till April 14. He will be sent to Nashik Road Central Jail.
Kharat is scheduled to be produced in a court in another case on Thursday.
At least 10 FIRs, eight for alleged sexual assault or exploitation and two for cheating, have been registered against Kharat at Sarkarwada police station in Nashik, while the SIT has received more than 100 complaints over the phone against him.
On Wednesday, an SIT team detained Kharat's son Harshvardhan for questioning from their residence in Karmayogi Nagar here. He was let off at night.
The investigators are also trying to trace Kharat's wife Kalpana in connection with the probe against her husband. She is also named in a cheating case in Ahilyanagar district.
'Godman' Kharat heads a temple trust at Sinnar in Nashik and had several political leaders visit him over the years.
Last week, the SIT visited Kharat's office in Nashik along with a forensic science team, from where they recovered several documents, files and other evidence.
Notably, a 20-feet remote-controlled mechanised snake was also seized from his office. Kharat allegedly used the snake to make his visitors believe that he could control a live snake and thus possessed supernatural powers.
