Chandrababu Naidu, son put under house arrest ahead of protest in Andhra Pradesh
Amaravati(AP): Telugu Desam Chief N Chandrababu Naidu and his son N Lokesh were placed under house arrest while several party leaders, including MLAs were taken into custody on Wednesday in an bid to stop them from organising an agitation in Guntur district against alleged eviction of some villagers.
Simultaneously, some leaders of the ruling YSR Congress were also detained in Guntur as they too gave a call for a similar programme as a counter to the TDP.
The TDP announced that Naidu would be observing a day-long fast inside his riverfront residence at Undavalli here in protest against the police action. The TDP President wanted to lead a group of people belonging to Palnadu region of Guntur district to a village called Atmakuru.
"I have planned to go to Atmakuru to drop the villagers who were driven out by YSRC men and police back in their village. This is not an agitation but solidarity with the people who are victims of political factionism," Naidu, who is the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, said.
Alleging that the TDP was only seeking to create a scene using "paid artists," the YSRC too gave a call for 'Chalo Atmakuru' but police denied permission to both sides and clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr PC.
A large police force has been deployed in Atmakuru and also in Palnadu region to prevent untoward incidents.
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Nitish announces Rajya Sabha foray, ending tenure as Bihar's longest-serving CM
Patna (PTI): JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar on Thursday announced that he will be contesting the Rajya Sabha polls, bringing the curtain down on his tenure as the longest-serving CM of Bihar.
Kumar, who has been the CM since 2005, said the new government that will be formed in the state will have his full cooperation and guidance.
"For more than two decades, you have consistently placed your trust and support in me, and it is on the strength of that trust that we have served Bihar and all of you with complete dedication. It was the power of your trust and support that has enabled Bihar today to present a new dimension of development and dignity," he said, expressing gratitude to the people of the state.
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Kumar said that from the very beginning of his parliamentary journey, he wanted to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament.
"In keeping with this aspiration, I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time," he said.
"I want to assure you with complete honesty that my relationship with you will continue in the future as well, and my resolve to work together with you to build a developed Bihar will remain steadfast. The new government that will be formed will have my full cooperation and guidance," he added.
With Kumar stepping down after leading the ruling NDA to a landslide victory in the 2025 assembly elections, a BJP leader is expected to take over the top post.
If that happens, Bihar will get its first BJP chief minister -- the only Hindi heartland state where the party has not held the office so far.
Five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar will go to the polls on March 16, and Thursday is the last day for filing nominations.
Kumar's election to the Upper House of Parliament is all but certain, as per the tally in the state legislature.
