Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party yet to open account in Bihar polls
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Patna (PTI): Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), dubbed the ‘X factor’ in the Bihar polls, was yet to open its account in the 243-member assembly.
As per trends available with the Election Commission, most of the JSP candidates have secured less than 10 per cent of the total votes polled.
The party, floated by the former political strategist, failed to galvanise votes in its favour, despite a high-pitched campaign and raising pressing issues such as unemployment, migration and dearth of industries.
A majority of the JSP candidates in 238 constituencies look set to forfeit their security deposit, according to the Commission data.
As per rules, candidates must secure at least one-sixth of the total votes polled to retrieve their security deposit – Rs 10,000 for general candidates and Rs 5,000 for SC and ST nominees.
Failure to meet this threshold results in deposit forfeiture, an official said.
In many seats, the count is less than the NOTA (None of the Above) category.
Mohammad Ekramul Haque, a JSP candidate from the Forbesganj assembly seat, secured just 789 votes after the 24th round of counting, while 2,253 votes were registered under NOTA.
Among the very few JSP nominees who secured above 10 per cent of votes include Tripurari Kumar Tiwary alias Manish Kashyap (16.58 per cent) from Chanpatia seat after the 18th round of counting, and Sarfaraj Alam (16.34 per cent) from the Jokihat seat after the 23rd round.
Kishor had earlier claimed that his party would win 150 seats, but later asserted it would either be on the top or at the bottom in the seat tally, but that there is no middle ground in the Bihar polls.
Meanwhile, JSP spokesperson Pavan K Varma said the party would undertake a "serious review" of its performance in the Bihar elections.
The NDA was set to sweep the Bihar polls, surging ahead in close to 200 out of 243 seats, with the BJP winning in eight seats and leading in 83 others, as the the EC data.
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J&K CM Abdullah inaugurates upgraded hospital, key road link during Rajouri visit
Nowshera/Jammu (PTI): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday inaugurated a vital upgraded road and a 100-bedded sub-district hospital during his visit to the border belt of Nowshera in Rajouri district, emphasising that public office is a responsibility to serve the people and improve their quality of life.
The chief minister received a rousing welcome on his arrival, with people lining both sides of the road, showering flower petals.
Soon after he arrived in Nowshera, Abdullah inaugurated a vital road link from the highway bridge to Nowshera town and the 100-bedded sub-district hospital during his tour of the area.
The visit of the chief minister, along with his cabinet colleagues, marked a major push towards strengthening connectivity and healthcare infrastructure in the region.
The upgraded road project, executed by the PWD department for Rs 7.99 crore, is expected to significantly improve connectivity, streamline traffic movement and reduce travel time for commuters, officials said.
The chief minister also inaugurated the upgraded 100-bedded sub-district hospital, developed at an estimated cost of Rs 18.18 crore. The facility is equipped with modern healthcare infrastructure aimed at enhancing patient care and expanding access to quality medical services for the people of Nowshera and adjoining areas, they said.
During his visit, Abdullah took a detailed tour of the hospital and inspected key sections, including X-ray, ECG and ultrasound rooms, examination rooms, and the blood storage unit. He interacted with doctors, staff and patients, enquiring about the availability and quality of healthcare services.
Addressing a massive public gathering, Abdullah emphasised that public office is a responsibility to serve the people and improve their quality of life.
"Positions of power are not meant for personal comfort but to bring relief to the people and make their lives easier. Our priority is to strengthen schools, hospitals, roads, and address unemployment and poverty," he said.
He highlighted key initiatives aimed at boosting connectivity, healthcare and overall socio-economic growth in Rajouri and adjoining areas.
Interacting with the public, he assured that the voices and aspirations of the people of the Pir Panjal region would continue to guide policy decisions and drive responsive governance on the ground.
The chief minister reiterated the government’s commitment to regularising daily wagers and ensuring justice for Anganwadi and ASHA workers through improved wages and stipends.
He also highlighted various welfare initiatives, including the provision of free gas cylinders to the poorest households, electricity support and free bus travel for women.
Highlighting recent developmental achievements, he noted that projects like the Nowshera road and hospital, which had remained pending for years, were completed due to the focused efforts of the present government.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said that key infrastructure projects in the region have been realised under the leadership of the chief minister, reaffirming the government's commitment to balanced and equitable development across Jammu and Kashmir.
