April 14, 2026

External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday held a telephonic converstaion with his counterpart Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar. Sharing the details of the conversation, Jaishankar said that the talks “covered different aspects of the West Asia situation.”This is a developing story. Details to follow…About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Gross Injustice If Delayed’: PM Modi Seeks Backing for Women’s Reservation BillHow Secret Police Operation Uncovered Abuse, Coercion, Religious Pressure; Firm Promises ActionAfter Violent Noida Unrest, Uttar Pradesh Govt Raises Wages In Urgent Bid To Restore Calm And TrustNoida Violence Under Scanner As Probe Explores Pakistan Link, 350 People Arrested In CrackdownED Arrests I-Pac Co-Founder Vinesh Chandel; Big Blow To TMC Ahead Of Bengal PollsIndia Receives Iranian Crude After 7 Years Amid Looming US Hormuz Blockade CrisisVikram Misri Holds Key Talks With French FM, Discusses West Asia Conflict, Bilateral TiesMEA Responds As 15 Indian Ships Remain Stranded Amid Trump’s Hormuz BlockadeUS Naval Blockade on Iran: Why Strait of Hormuz Tensions Could Hit India’s Oil, LPG and InflationTCS Nashik In Eye Of Storm As Women Allege Harassment, Conversion Pressure At Workplace123PhotostoriesFrom a spacious living room to a terrace balcony with 400 plants: Shakti Mohan’s beautiful 3-storey lavish Mumbai houseThe karmic lesson you must learn based on your birth dateStep inside Virat Kohli’s ₹80 crore Gurgaon mansion where a unique hanging swimming pool steals the showNoida workers defy wage hike, protest again as police step up security – ground report in photos5 parenting takeaways modern moms can steal from Sadhguru and Alia Bhatt’s conversation10-minute walk after meals can help control blood sugar spikes: Why timing matters more than step count and how to make it a daily habitHow often you should replace kitchen sponges and brushes and why leaving them wet is dangerousSunil Chhetri’s Bengaluru home: Stylish, cosy, and thoughtfully designed8 traditional Indian foods that were once considered luxuryCute pet names for your little princess123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup

Vamsikrishna01 mins mins
External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday held a telephonic converstaion with his counterpart Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar. Sharing the details of the conversation, Jaishankar said that the talks “covered different aspects of the West Asia situation.”This is a developing story. Details to follow…About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Gross Injustice If Delayed’: PM Modi Seeks Backing for Women’s Reservation BillHow Secret Police Operation Uncovered Abuse, Coercion, Religious Pressure; Firm Promises ActionAfter Violent Noida Unrest, Uttar Pradesh Govt Raises Wages In Urgent Bid To Restore Calm And TrustNoida Violence Under Scanner As Probe Explores Pakistan Link, 350 People Arrested In CrackdownED Arrests I-Pac Co-Founder Vinesh Chandel; Big Blow To TMC Ahead Of Bengal PollsIndia Receives Iranian Crude After 7 Years Amid Looming US Hormuz Blockade CrisisVikram Misri Holds Key Talks With French FM, Discusses West Asia Conflict, Bilateral TiesMEA Responds As 15 Indian Ships Remain Stranded Amid Trump’s Hormuz BlockadeUS Naval Blockade on Iran: Why Strait of Hormuz Tensions Could Hit India’s Oil, LPG and InflationTCS Nashik In Eye Of Storm As Women Allege Harassment, Conversion Pressure At Workplace123PhotostoriesFrom a spacious living room to a terrace balcony with 400 plants: Shakti Mohan’s beautiful 3-storey lavish Mumbai houseThe karmic lesson you must learn based on your birth dateStep inside Virat Kohli’s ₹80 crore Gurgaon mansion where a unique hanging swimming pool steals the showNoida workers defy wage hike, protest again as police step up security – ground report in photos5 parenting takeaways modern moms can steal from Sadhguru and Alia Bhatt’s conversation10-minute walk after meals can help control blood sugar spikes: Why timing matters more than step count and how to make it a daily habitHow often you should replace kitchen sponges and brushes and why leaving them wet is dangerousSunil Chhetri’s Bengaluru home: Stylish, cosy, and thoughtfully designed8 traditional Indian foods that were once considered luxuryCute pet names for your little princess123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup


'Covered different aspects of West Asia situation': Jaishankar speaks to Israeli FM Gideon Sa'ar

External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday held a telephonic converstaion with his counterpart Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar. Sharing the details of the conversation, Jaishankar said that the talks “covered different aspects of the West Asia situation.”This is a developing story. Details to follow…



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NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to visit Tamil Nadu on April 20, where he will address election rallies in support of the DMK and chief minister MK Stalin on April 20 and 21, the party said on Tuesday.AAP has not fielded any candidates in the Assembly elections and has extended support to the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA).Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Congress in-Charge Girish Chodankar said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy and Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, is expected to campaign in the state. The Congress is part of the DMK-led SPA. Watch Vijay Factor In Trichy East: Can Fandom Decide Tamil Nadu 2026 Result? Chodankar said an official announcement regarding Rahul Gandhi’s visit would be made soon and that Priyanka Gandhi is also expected to participate in the campaign. He added that Rahul Gandhi and MK Stalin are likely to campaign together.”Rahul Gandhi will come and campaign for the Tamil Nadu elections, and all our leaders will come. All our leaders will start campaigning when the campaigning becomes very aggressive. We have already appointed party cadres and formed special committees in all 234 assembly constituencies so that we can help all the allied parties’ candidates with whatever forces we have in each assembly constituency, ” he added.He reiterated that an announcement regarding Rahul Gandhi’s visit would be made within the next two to three days.Separately, chief minister and DMK candidate from Kolathur, MK Stalin, conducted a door-to-door campaign in Vellore.Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4.The main contest is expected to be between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which includes the Indian National Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance led by the AIADMK, with the BJP and PMK as allies.Actor-turned-politician Vijay is also set to make his electoral debut with his party, TVK, which could make the contest triangular.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBihar DY CM Puzzle for JDU, Nishant Kumar Reluctance Complicates NDA MathNitish Kumar Resigns After 20 Years as Bihar CM; BJP Names Samrat Choudhary as SuccessorWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian PoliticsExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted VotersDelhi–Dehradun Expressway Inaugurated: How It Cuts Travel Time And Protects WildlifeIndia Engages Israel On Iran And Hormuz Crisis As Jaishankar Pushes Dialogue Amid Rising TensionsWhy Samrat Choudhary Emerges As Likely Bihar CM As BJP Gains Edge With Strong Majority In Assembly‘Gross Injustice If Delayed’: PM Modi Seeks Backing for Women’s Reservation BillHow Secret Police Operation Uncovered Abuse, Coercion, Religious Pressure; Firm Promises ActionAfter Violent Noida Unrest, Uttar Pradesh Govt Raises Wages In Urgent Bid To Restore Calm And Trust123Photostories9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demand‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against IsraelBaisakhi 2026 outfit ideas: Traditional looks inspired by Bollywood actressesThese places have the most eerie and bizarre natural formations10 mysteries hidden beneath the ocean floor that scientists still can’t explain8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D DeficiencyMumbai’s first closed-door local arrives, big safety shift on tracks123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to visit Tamil Nadu on April 20, where he will address election rallies in support of the DMK and chief minister MK Stalin on April 20 and 21, the party said on Tuesday.AAP has not fielded any candidates in the Assembly elections and has extended support to the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA).Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Congress in-Charge Girish Chodankar said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy and Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, is expected to campaign in the state. The Congress is part of the DMK-led SPA. Watch Vijay Factor In Trichy East: Can Fandom Decide Tamil Nadu 2026 Result? Chodankar said an official announcement regarding Rahul Gandhi’s visit would be made soon and that Priyanka Gandhi is also expected to participate in the campaign. He added that Rahul Gandhi and MK Stalin are likely to campaign together.”Rahul Gandhi will come and campaign for the Tamil Nadu elections, and all our leaders will come. All our leaders will start campaigning when the campaigning becomes very aggressive. We have already appointed party cadres and formed special committees in all 234 assembly constituencies so that we can help all the allied parties’ candidates with whatever forces we have in each assembly constituency, ” he added.He reiterated that an announcement regarding Rahul Gandhi’s visit would be made within the next two to three days.Separately, chief minister and DMK candidate from Kolathur, MK Stalin, conducted a door-to-door campaign in Vellore.Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4.The main contest is expected to be between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which includes the Indian National Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance led by the AIADMK, with the BJP and PMK as allies.Actor-turned-politician Vijay is also set to make his electoral debut with his party, TVK, which could make the contest triangular.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBihar DY CM Puzzle for JDU, Nishant Kumar Reluctance Complicates NDA MathNitish Kumar Resigns After 20 Years as Bihar CM; BJP Names Samrat Choudhary as SuccessorWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian PoliticsExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted VotersDelhi–Dehradun Expressway Inaugurated: How It Cuts Travel Time And Protects WildlifeIndia Engages Israel On Iran And Hormuz Crisis As Jaishankar Pushes Dialogue Amid Rising TensionsWhy Samrat Choudhary Emerges As Likely Bihar CM As BJP Gains Edge With Strong Majority In Assembly‘Gross Injustice If Delayed’: PM Modi Seeks Backing for Women’s Reservation BillHow Secret Police Operation Uncovered Abuse, Coercion, Religious Pressure; Firm Promises ActionAfter Violent Noida Unrest, Uttar Pradesh Govt Raises Wages In Urgent Bid To Restore Calm And Trust123Photostories9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demand‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against IsraelBaisakhi 2026 outfit ideas: Traditional looks inspired by Bollywood actressesThese places have the most eerie and bizarre natural formations10 mysteries hidden beneath the ocean floor that scientists still can’t explain8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D DeficiencyMumbai’s first closed-door local arrives, big safety shift on tracks123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup

Vamsikrishna 0
NEW DELHI: Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar on Tuesday tendered his resignation as the chief minister of Bihar, setting the state towards a new era of politics. BJP’s Samrat Choudhary is all set to take the oath as the next CM.With Lalu Yadav out of active politics and Nitish Kumar now in Rajya Sabha, this also marks the end of the long-running political lineage that revolved around the ideals of Jay Prakash Narayan, Karpoori Thakur, and Lohia after over three decades.Now, Bharatiya Janata Party – which for long played the role of second fiddle to Nitish’s JD(U) – is set to take the centre stage with Samrat Chaudhary as their new CM pick.End of an eraAfter the Sampoorn Kranti movement during the Emergency, the socialist ideology seeped deep into the state. JP took many youth leaders under his wings, many of whom later became the bigwigs of Bihar.Additionally, this was also an era of Karpoori Thakur, during which a new grammar of power emerged, where caste was not hidden beneath euphemisms but spoken of as politics of representation.The fine-tuning of these ideologies led to the rise of two of the tallest leaders of the state – Lalu and Nitish – who cemented the vision of samajik nyay on which Bihar’s identity politics rests.Lalu, the popular leader known for jests, ruled for over 15 years. After his decline, Nitish, known as Sushasan Babu, ruled the next 21 years, which came to an end on Tuesday.Rise of BJP in BiharHowever, Nitish’s exit plan seems to have been made long ago. After the National Democratic Alliance’s overwhelming victory in last year’s assembly elections and the BJP’s extraordinary performance, rumours began to swirl that Nitish might step down from the top job, making way for the BJP in a state that was under its control yet out of reach.The rumours proved right when Nitish, on one fateful day, announced his decision to leave the top post in Bihar for a Rajya Sabha seat to fulfil his personal wish of serving in all four legislative bodies — the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Bihar Legislative Council, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.Although many had anticipated this move amid speculation about his deteriorating health, Nitish’s sudden announcement still surprised many who expected a smoother transition plan.JD(U) sans NitishNitish Kumar remained the only star of his party for decades. Despite never securing an outright majority on its own, his “Sushasan Babu” image kept JD(U) at the centre of Bihar politics. Nitish’s decision not only ends the political lineage of JP Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia and Karpoori Thakur but also throws his party into uncharted waters, with no clear roadmap for the future.The party failed to build a strong second line of leadership. Leaders such as Sanjay Jha, Lalan Singh and Vijay Choudhary are present, but none commands a mass connect comparable to Nitish.Political analysts believe there is also a possibility that JD(U) could merge with its ally BJP in the coming days, though such a move may not find unanimous support within the party.“There is also a possibility that BJP and JD(U) may merge in the future, though not everyone in JD(U) will accept such a merger. Several leaders may resist it. Some leaders within the party may move to RJD, while others may join BJP,” political analyst Kumar Vijay told The Times of India.“Earlier, JD(U) workers even voted for BJP candidates because they believed Nitish Kumar would ultimately remain chief minister. But now many hardcore workers may refuse to support BJP in the future,” he added.End of road for JD(U)The dynamic between JD(U) and BJP shifted in the last assembly elections, where the BJP emerged as the “elder brother”. In the 2025 polls, the BJP became the single largest party with 89 seats and a 20.45% vote share, while JD(U) secured 85 seats with 19.61%.Following the emphatic victory, the BJP began to look less like a coalition partner and more like a contender for the driver’s seat. It secured a larger share in the council of ministers, and Nitish Kumar also had to part with the home portfolio.According to PTI, party sources admitted there were misgivings among cadres over the role played by Sanjay Jha and some other close aides of Nitish in recent developments.“Yesterday, when the chief minister visited the JD(U) office in Delhi, many party workers insisted that even after he stepped down, the top post should not be given to the BJP. The visuals have been flashed by all media outlets and are, to an extent, reflective of the sentiment prevailing in the party here,” they said.“In Nishant (Nitish Kumar’s son, who recently joined the party), we have a young leader capable enough of stepping into his father’s shoes. We, however, are also aware that our leader is unlikely to push for his son. But, at least, we must insist on all the benefits that the BJP is currently enjoying, which include posts like two deputy CMs, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the crucial Home portfolio,” they added.“The BJP, on its part, has been acting with swagger. Just look at the alacrity with which they nominated Harivansh Narayan Singh to the Rajya Sabha, days after we denied him a third consecutive term,” JD(U) sources said.JD(U) workers have also put up posters across Patna urging Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant to take up the chief ministerial post.The posters, put up by “Nitish sevaks”, called on Nishant Kumar to step into active politics, describing him as a “youth leader” and urging him to “come out of the shadows”.“We do not need a bulldozer, nor riots or unrest in Bihar. We need a young jansevak… it is time for him to come out of the shadow,” the posters read.What happens to Nitish Kumar’s EBC vote bank?Over the years, Nitish positioned himself as a key leader of the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), which form a significant portion of Bihar’s population.He consciously built this support base by drawing on the legacy of Karpoori Thakur and focusing on economically weaker sections.With his exit, questions arise over who will inherit this vote bank. According to analyst Kumar Vijay, no single party appears well-placed to consolidate the non-Yadav OBC and EBC votes.“If Tejashwi Yadav had strong leadership credentials, that vote bank could have shifted to RJD. But the biggest tragedy in Bihar today is the lack of strong political leadership. Congress doesn’t have it, RJD doesn’t have it either. Despite being a politically mature state, Bihar is facing a serious leadership crisis,” Vijay said.“Upendra Kushwaha has lost credibility. Tejashwi Yadav has not emerged as a grassroots leader. LJP too has become more of a dramatic political outfit,” he added.For Bihar, Nitish Kumar’s move to the Rajya Sabha marks the end of a long political chapter defined by his leadership, shifting alliances and ‘Sushasan’ governance model. Months ahead will determine how both JD(U) and the state’s politics evolve beyond him.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His work tracks elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNitish Kumar Resigns After 20 Years as Bihar CM; BJP Names Samrat Choudhary as SuccessorWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian PoliticsExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted VotersDelhi–Dehradun Expressway Inaugurated: How It Cuts Travel Time And Protects WildlifeIndia Engages Israel On Iran And Hormuz Crisis As Jaishankar Pushes Dialogue Amid Rising TensionsWhy Samrat Choudhary Emerges As Likely Bihar CM As BJP Gains Edge With Strong Majority In Assembly‘Gross Injustice If Delayed’: PM Modi Seeks Backing for Women’s Reservation BillHow Secret Police Operation Uncovered Abuse, Coercion, Religious Pressure; Firm Promises ActionAfter Violent Noida Unrest, Uttar Pradesh Govt Raises Wages In Urgent Bid To Restore Calm And TrustNoida Violence Under Scanner As Probe Explores Pakistan Link, 350 People Arrested In Crackdown123Photostories9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demandArgue without breaking up: 5 simple rules every couple needs to know‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against IsraelBaisakhi 2026 outfit ideas: Traditional looks inspired by Bollywood actressesThese places have the most eerie and bizarre natural formations10 mysteries hidden beneath the ocean floor that scientists still can’t explain8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup

NEW DELHI: Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar on Tuesday tendered his resignation as the chief minister of Bihar, setting the state towards a new era of politics. BJP’s Samrat Choudhary is all set to take the oath as the next CM.With Lalu Yadav out of active politics and Nitish Kumar now in Rajya Sabha, this also marks the end of the long-running political lineage that revolved around the ideals of Jay Prakash Narayan, Karpoori Thakur, and Lohia after over three decades.Now, Bharatiya Janata Party – which for long played the role of second fiddle to Nitish’s JD(U) – is set to take the centre stage with Samrat Chaudhary as their new CM pick.End of an eraAfter the Sampoorn Kranti movement during the Emergency, the socialist ideology seeped deep into the state. JP took many youth leaders under his wings, many of whom later became the bigwigs of Bihar.Additionally, this was also an era of Karpoori Thakur, during which a new grammar of power emerged, where caste was not hidden beneath euphemisms but spoken of as politics of representation.The fine-tuning of these ideologies led to the rise of two of the tallest leaders of the state – Lalu and Nitish – who cemented the vision of samajik nyay on which Bihar’s identity politics rests.Lalu, the popular leader known for jests, ruled for over 15 years. After his decline, Nitish, known as Sushasan Babu, ruled the next 21 years, which came to an end on Tuesday.Rise of BJP in BiharHowever, Nitish’s exit plan seems to have been made long ago. After the National Democratic Alliance’s overwhelming victory in last year’s assembly elections and the BJP’s extraordinary performance, rumours began to swirl that Nitish might step down from the top job, making way for the BJP in a state that was under its control yet out of reach.The rumours proved right when Nitish, on one fateful day, announced his decision to leave the top post in Bihar for a Rajya Sabha seat to fulfil his personal wish of serving in all four legislative bodies — the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Bihar Legislative Council, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.Although many had anticipated this move amid speculation about his deteriorating health, Nitish’s sudden announcement still surprised many who expected a smoother transition plan.JD(U) sans NitishNitish Kumar remained the only star of his party for decades. Despite never securing an outright majority on its own, his “Sushasan Babu” image kept JD(U) at the centre of Bihar politics. Nitish’s decision not only ends the political lineage of JP Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia and Karpoori Thakur but also throws his party into uncharted waters, with no clear roadmap for the future.The party failed to build a strong second line of leadership. Leaders such as Sanjay Jha, Lalan Singh and Vijay Choudhary are present, but none commands a mass connect comparable to Nitish.Political analysts believe there is also a possibility that JD(U) could merge with its ally BJP in the coming days, though such a move may not find unanimous support within the party.“There is also a possibility that BJP and JD(U) may merge in the future, though not everyone in JD(U) will accept such a merger. Several leaders may resist it. Some leaders within the party may move to RJD, while others may join BJP,” political analyst Kumar Vijay told The Times of India.“Earlier, JD(U) workers even voted for BJP candidates because they believed Nitish Kumar would ultimately remain chief minister. But now many hardcore workers may refuse to support BJP in the future,” he added.End of road for JD(U)The dynamic between JD(U) and BJP shifted in the last assembly elections, where the BJP emerged as the “elder brother”. In the 2025 polls, the BJP became the single largest party with 89 seats and a 20.45% vote share, while JD(U) secured 85 seats with 19.61%.Following the emphatic victory, the BJP began to look less like a coalition partner and more like a contender for the driver’s seat. It secured a larger share in the council of ministers, and Nitish Kumar also had to part with the home portfolio.According to PTI, party sources admitted there were misgivings among cadres over the role played by Sanjay Jha and some other close aides of Nitish in recent developments.“Yesterday, when the chief minister visited the JD(U) office in Delhi, many party workers insisted that even after he stepped down, the top post should not be given to the BJP. The visuals have been flashed by all media outlets and are, to an extent, reflective of the sentiment prevailing in the party here,” they said.“In Nishant (Nitish Kumar’s son, who recently joined the party), we have a young leader capable enough of stepping into his father’s shoes. We, however, are also aware that our leader is unlikely to push for his son. But, at least, we must insist on all the benefits that the BJP is currently enjoying, which include posts like two deputy CMs, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the crucial Home portfolio,” they added.“The BJP, on its part, has been acting with swagger. Just look at the alacrity with which they nominated Harivansh Narayan Singh to the Rajya Sabha, days after we denied him a third consecutive term,” JD(U) sources said.JD(U) workers have also put up posters across Patna urging Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant to take up the chief ministerial post.The posters, put up by “Nitish sevaks”, called on Nishant Kumar to step into active politics, describing him as a “youth leader” and urging him to “come out of the shadows”.“We do not need a bulldozer, nor riots or unrest in Bihar. We need a young jansevak… it is time for him to come out of the shadow,” the posters read.What happens to Nitish Kumar’s EBC vote bank?Over the years, Nitish positioned himself as a key leader of the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), which form a significant portion of Bihar’s population.He consciously built this support base by drawing on the legacy of Karpoori Thakur and focusing on economically weaker sections.With his exit, questions arise over who will inherit this vote bank. According to analyst Kumar Vijay, no single party appears well-placed to consolidate the non-Yadav OBC and EBC votes.“If Tejashwi Yadav had strong leadership credentials, that vote bank could have shifted to RJD. But the biggest tragedy in Bihar today is the lack of strong political leadership. Congress doesn’t have it, RJD doesn’t have it either. Despite being a politically mature state, Bihar is facing a serious leadership crisis,” Vijay said.“Upendra Kushwaha has lost credibility. Tejashwi Yadav has not emerged as a grassroots leader. LJP too has become more of a dramatic political outfit,” he added.For Bihar, Nitish Kumar’s move to the Rajya Sabha marks the end of a long political chapter defined by his leadership, shifting alliances and ‘Sushasan’ governance model. Months ahead will determine how both JD(U) and the state’s politics evolve beyond him.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His work tracks elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNitish Kumar Resigns After 20 Years as Bihar CM; BJP Names Samrat Choudhary as SuccessorWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian PoliticsExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted VotersDelhi–Dehradun Expressway Inaugurated: How It Cuts Travel Time And Protects WildlifeIndia Engages Israel On Iran And Hormuz Crisis As Jaishankar Pushes Dialogue Amid Rising TensionsWhy Samrat Choudhary Emerges As Likely Bihar CM As BJP Gains Edge With Strong Majority In Assembly‘Gross Injustice If Delayed’: PM Modi Seeks Backing for Women’s Reservation BillHow Secret Police Operation Uncovered Abuse, Coercion, Religious Pressure; Firm Promises ActionAfter Violent Noida Unrest, Uttar Pradesh Govt Raises Wages In Urgent Bid To Restore Calm And TrustNoida Violence Under Scanner As Probe Explores Pakistan Link, 350 People Arrested In Crackdown123Photostories9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demandArgue without breaking up: 5 simple rules every couple needs to know‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against IsraelBaisakhi 2026 outfit ideas: Traditional looks inspired by Bollywood actressesThese places have the most eerie and bizarre natural formations10 mysteries hidden beneath the ocean floor that scientists still can’t explain8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup

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PTI file photo Societies clinging to the past while dreaming of the future are often trapped between two mental states. India, just out of the clutches of colonialism, too experienced this duality in social order. In this general backdrop of ambiguity, the nation’s attitude to the female playback voice, too, was complicated. After all, voices are secret catalogues of social history. The voice we prefer at a certain moment in time tells something about ourselves.Around Independence, several singers such as Zohrabai Ambalewali, Rajkumari, Amirbai Karnataki, Shamshad Begum, Geeta Dutt, to name a few, jostled for space and ascendancy in Hindi film music. But within a few years, Lata Mangeshkar’s voice encapsulating purity and propriety became the gold standard for leading ladies and emerged decisively dominant.Asha Bhosle, almost four years younger, began her career under the shadow of her elder sister Lata. Keen to find her own voice, the Sangli-born singer listened to a farrago of foreign artistes: samba singer Carmen Miranda, the joyous Caterina Valente, even the breathless Elvis Presley, while trying to incorporate their styles in her rendition. “Slowly,” Asha revealed in an interview to composer Salil Chowdhury on DD Bangla in 1993, “I carved out a different style from my sister.”In time, the two voices became antonyms to each other. If Lata was the voice of the times, Asha was its hidden desire. Lata’s voice personified sincerity, virtuousness, consent — preferred and revered attributes of the time while Asha’s embodied wanting, abandon, dissent — traits frowned upon at the time. Lata’s voice conveyed the innocence of a morning hymn, the sanctity of a temple. Asha’s carried the sizzle of cabaret, the rush of a French kiss. Lata’s voice was the canon of the times, Asha’s a forecast of future freedoms.“Lata didi and I are like Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru. Gandhi was great; Nehru wasn’t bad either,” Asha told Outlook magazine in April, 2006.The sisters were fundamentally apart, not only in their voices, but also with their choices and in their personalities. She thinks with her “head”, me with my “heart”, Asha once said. Perhaps, circumstances played a role. Lata started singing for films at 13 after their father singer-actor Deenanath Mangeshkar’s untimely demise. She never married. Lata disapproved when Asha eloped. The younger sister had three children from a difficult first marriage. Interestingly, Asha’s early hits were children’s songs filmed on pre-teen boys like ‘De di hamey aazadi bina khadag bina dhal’, film: Jagriti, 1954), Chandamama door ke (film: Vachan, 1955).In the 1950s and 60s, Asha wasn’t the preferred singer of most A-list music directors, barring OP Nayyar, with whom she shared a close relationship. She was rarely the playback for major heroines. Nayyar – as well as composer Ravi — nourished her voice. She once credited BR Chopra for giving her the chance to sing for a big movie, Dilip Kumar’s ‘Naya Daur’ (music: OP Nayyar, 1957).By mid-60s, Asha had carved out her distinctiveness. Her range expanded. And her voice was richer in tone, more nuanced in texture. Three songs exemplify this. ‘Aagey bhi jaane na tu’ (Waqt, composer: Ravi, 1965) underlined a growing felicity for maximizing a tune by aligning each note with the lyrics’ emotional intent.In ‘Teesri Manzil’ (1966), young composer RD Burman rewrote Hindi film music’s grammar capturing the new musical zeitgeist. Singing for the film was like a dare for Asha, especially the breathless ‘Aaja aaja’, where her voice needed to pirouette, shake and shiver as if caught in the middle of a mating game. In ‘Teesri Kasam’, set in hinterland Bihar and released the same year, her rendition of ‘Pan khaye saiyan hamaaro’ was flawless flavouring the film with a folksy authenticity.The three songs belonged to three different musical worlds, but Asha seemed to be an honorary native to each of them.Music director RD Burman, whom she would marry in 1980, was an enabler. “…it was Pancham (RD Burman) who really exploited the full potential of my voice and challenged me to greater heights,” she told journalist Kavita Chhibber in a long 2003 interview. She added, “When he offered me Aaja aaja, I was petrified…but didi said you are a Mangeshkar and you can do it.” The remark reveals how Lata was also a mentor, though there are accounts to suggest differences, even a feature film, “Saaz”, which seemed to partly borrow from their lives, suggesting rivalry.Broadly speaking, RD preferred Lata for his more classical compositions. But the nightclubs with cigarette smoke and the grungy hippy joints were Asha’s fiefdom. These settings were home to some of the most furious and distinctive 70s rhythms. ‘Mera naam hai Shabnam’ (film: Kati Patang, 1970), ‘Piya tu ab to aaja’ (film: Caravan, 1971), ‘Dum maaro dum’ (film: Hare Rama Hare Krishna, 1972) and many more.In 1981, ‘Umrao Jaan’ (music: Khayyam) became to Asha what films like ‘Anarkali’ and ‘Pakeezah’ were to Lata. Her voice became an extension of the courtesan’s melancholic life. “Through her voice, you reach Umrao Jaan’s soul,” Khayyam told this reporter in 2008. The song, ‘Dil cheez kya hai,’ fetched her a national award. So did ‘Mera kuchh saamaan’ for Ijaazat (1987).Compared to Lata, Asha was more eager to embrace and adapt to shifting music trends. Hers was the deviant voice that the more conservative India sought to consign to the background. But as the country changed and evolved, she found wings. To Asha’s credit, she never stopped soaring.That’s what made her durable and relevant even when she stepped into her 90s. In 1980s, when disco was the celluloid favourite and ghazals the flavor of private albums, she sang ‘Disco Station’ for Bappi Lahiri (film: Hathkadi, 1982) and outshone Pakistani singer, Ghulam Ali, in Meraj-e-Ghazal (1983).When Indi-Pop took centre stage in the 1990s, she delivered one of its most memorable tracks, “Jaanam samjha karo. (1997)” Cutting tracks with personalities as divergent as Boy George and Brett Lee was part of an unrelenting journey to not only move with the times, but stay a beat ahead. Even in 2026, when 92, she hooked up with Gorillaz, a virtual British band, for “The Shadow of Light”!Much before the two sisters reached the autumn of their careers, Asha had become the preferred voice for a new generation of singers. She was their lighthouse and lodestar.Whether we like Asha or Lata has more to do with the person we are rather than the songs they sang. We see in their voices our own reflections. For true lovers of music, it is never Lata or Asha; it is always both.About the AuthorAvijit GhoshAvijit Ghosh is an associate editor with The Times of India. He is addicted to films, music, cricket and football—and not necessarily in that order. He is the author of Bandicoots in the Moonlight, Cinema Bhojpuri, 40 Retakes, and now, Up Campus, Down Campus, a novel set in 1980s JNU. He tweets from the handle @cinemawaleghoshRead MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted VotersDelhi–Dehradun Expressway Inaugurated: How It Cuts Travel Time And Protects WildlifeIndia Engages Israel On Iran And Hormuz Crisis As Jaishankar Pushes Dialogue Amid Rising TensionsWhy Samrat Choudhary Emerges As Likely Bihar CM As BJP Gains Edge With Strong Majority In Assembly‘Gross Injustice If Delayed’: PM Modi Seeks Backing for Women’s Reservation BillHow Secret Police Operation Uncovered Abuse, Coercion, Religious Pressure; Firm Promises ActionAfter Violent Noida Unrest, Uttar Pradesh Govt Raises Wages In Urgent Bid To Restore Calm And TrustNoida Violence Under Scanner As Probe Explores Pakistan Link, 350 People Arrested In CrackdownED Arrests I-Pac Co-Founder Vinesh Chandel; Big Blow To TMC Ahead Of Bengal PollsIndia Receives Iranian Crude After 7 Years Amid Looming US Hormuz Blockade Crisis123Photostories9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demandArgue without breaking up: 5 simple rules every couple needs to know‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against IsraelBaisakhi 2026 outfit ideas: Traditional looks inspired by Bollywood actressesThese places have the most eerie and bizarre natural formations10 mysteries hidden beneath the ocean floor that scientists still can’t explain8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup

PTI file photo Societies clinging to the past while dreaming of the future are often trapped between two mental states. India, just out of the clutches of colonialism, too experienced this duality in social order. In this general backdrop of ambiguity, the nation’s attitude to the female playback voice, too, was complicated. After all, voices are secret catalogues of social history. The voice we prefer at a certain moment in time tells something about ourselves.Around Independence, several singers such as Zohrabai Ambalewali, Rajkumari, Amirbai Karnataki, Shamshad Begum, Geeta Dutt, to name a few, jostled for space and ascendancy in Hindi film music. But within a few years, Lata Mangeshkar’s voice encapsulating purity and propriety became the gold standard for leading ladies and emerged decisively dominant.Asha Bhosle, almost four years younger, began her career under the shadow of her elder sister Lata. Keen to find her own voice, the Sangli-born singer listened to a farrago of foreign artistes: samba singer Carmen Miranda, the joyous Caterina Valente, even the breathless Elvis Presley, while trying to incorporate their styles in her rendition. “Slowly,” Asha revealed in an interview to composer Salil Chowdhury on DD Bangla in 1993, “I carved out a different style from my sister.”In time, the two voices became antonyms to each other. If Lata was the voice of the times, Asha was its hidden desire. Lata’s voice personified sincerity, virtuousness, consent — preferred and revered attributes of the time while Asha’s embodied wanting, abandon, dissent — traits frowned upon at the time. Lata’s voice conveyed the innocence of a morning hymn, the sanctity of a temple. Asha’s carried the sizzle of cabaret, the rush of a French kiss. Lata’s voice was the canon of the times, Asha’s a forecast of future freedoms.“Lata didi and I are like Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru. Gandhi was great; Nehru wasn’t bad either,” Asha told Outlook magazine in April, 2006.The sisters were fundamentally apart, not only in their voices, but also with their choices and in their personalities. She thinks with her “head”, me with my “heart”, Asha once said. Perhaps, circumstances played a role. Lata started singing for films at 13 after their father singer-actor Deenanath Mangeshkar’s untimely demise. She never married. Lata disapproved when Asha eloped. The younger sister had three children from a difficult first marriage. Interestingly, Asha’s early hits were children’s songs filmed on pre-teen boys like ‘De di hamey aazadi bina khadag bina dhal’, film: Jagriti, 1954), Chandamama door ke (film: Vachan, 1955).In the 1950s and 60s, Asha wasn’t the preferred singer of most A-list music directors, barring OP Nayyar, with whom she shared a close relationship. She was rarely the playback for major heroines. Nayyar – as well as composer Ravi — nourished her voice. She once credited BR Chopra for giving her the chance to sing for a big movie, Dilip Kumar’s ‘Naya Daur’ (music: OP Nayyar, 1957).By mid-60s, Asha had carved out her distinctiveness. Her range expanded. And her voice was richer in tone, more nuanced in texture. Three songs exemplify this. ‘Aagey bhi jaane na tu’ (Waqt, composer: Ravi, 1965) underlined a growing felicity for maximizing a tune by aligning each note with the lyrics’ emotional intent.In ‘Teesri Manzil’ (1966), young composer RD Burman rewrote Hindi film music’s grammar capturing the new musical zeitgeist. Singing for the film was like a dare for Asha, especially the breathless ‘Aaja aaja’, where her voice needed to pirouette, shake and shiver as if caught in the middle of a mating game. In ‘Teesri Kasam’, set in hinterland Bihar and released the same year, her rendition of ‘Pan khaye saiyan hamaaro’ was flawless flavouring the film with a folksy authenticity.The three songs belonged to three different musical worlds, but Asha seemed to be an honorary native to each of them.Music director RD Burman, whom she would marry in 1980, was an enabler. “…it was Pancham (RD Burman) who really exploited the full potential of my voice and challenged me to greater heights,” she told journalist Kavita Chhibber in a long 2003 interview. She added, “When he offered me Aaja aaja, I was petrified…but didi said you are a Mangeshkar and you can do it.” The remark reveals how Lata was also a mentor, though there are accounts to suggest differences, even a feature film, “Saaz”, which seemed to partly borrow from their lives, suggesting rivalry.Broadly speaking, RD preferred Lata for his more classical compositions. But the nightclubs with cigarette smoke and the grungy hippy joints were Asha’s fiefdom. These settings were home to some of the most furious and distinctive 70s rhythms. ‘Mera naam hai Shabnam’ (film: Kati Patang, 1970), ‘Piya tu ab to aaja’ (film: Caravan, 1971), ‘Dum maaro dum’ (film: Hare Rama Hare Krishna, 1972) and many more.In 1981, ‘Umrao Jaan’ (music: Khayyam) became to Asha what films like ‘Anarkali’ and ‘Pakeezah’ were to Lata. Her voice became an extension of the courtesan’s melancholic life. “Through her voice, you reach Umrao Jaan’s soul,” Khayyam told this reporter in 2008. The song, ‘Dil cheez kya hai,’ fetched her a national award. So did ‘Mera kuchh saamaan’ for Ijaazat (1987).Compared to Lata, Asha was more eager to embrace and adapt to shifting music trends. Hers was the deviant voice that the more conservative India sought to consign to the background. But as the country changed and evolved, she found wings. To Asha’s credit, she never stopped soaring.That’s what made her durable and relevant even when she stepped into her 90s. In 1980s, when disco was the celluloid favourite and ghazals the flavor of private albums, she sang ‘Disco Station’ for Bappi Lahiri (film: Hathkadi, 1982) and outshone Pakistani singer, Ghulam Ali, in Meraj-e-Ghazal (1983).When Indi-Pop took centre stage in the 1990s, she delivered one of its most memorable tracks, “Jaanam samjha karo. (1997)” Cutting tracks with personalities as divergent as Boy George and Brett Lee was part of an unrelenting journey to not only move with the times, but stay a beat ahead. Even in 2026, when 92, she hooked up with Gorillaz, a virtual British band, for “The Shadow of Light”!Much before the two sisters reached the autumn of their careers, Asha had become the preferred voice for a new generation of singers. She was their lighthouse and lodestar.Whether we like Asha or Lata has more to do with the person we are rather than the songs they sang. We see in their voices our own reflections. For true lovers of music, it is never Lata or Asha; it is always both.About the AuthorAvijit GhoshAvijit Ghosh is an associate editor with The Times of India. He is addicted to films, music, cricket and football—and not necessarily in that order. He is the author of Bandicoots in the Moonlight, Cinema Bhojpuri, 40 Retakes, and now, Up Campus, Down Campus, a novel set in 1980s JNU. He tweets from the handle @cinemawaleghoshRead MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted VotersDelhi–Dehradun Expressway Inaugurated: How It Cuts Travel Time And Protects WildlifeIndia Engages Israel On Iran And Hormuz Crisis As Jaishankar Pushes Dialogue Amid Rising TensionsWhy Samrat Choudhary Emerges As Likely Bihar CM As BJP Gains Edge With Strong Majority In Assembly‘Gross Injustice If Delayed’: PM Modi Seeks Backing for Women’s Reservation BillHow Secret Police Operation Uncovered Abuse, Coercion, Religious Pressure; Firm Promises ActionAfter Violent Noida Unrest, Uttar Pradesh Govt Raises Wages In Urgent Bid To Restore Calm And TrustNoida Violence Under Scanner As Probe Explores Pakistan Link, 350 People Arrested In CrackdownED Arrests I-Pac Co-Founder Vinesh Chandel; Big Blow To TMC Ahead Of Bengal PollsIndia Receives Iranian Crude After 7 Years Amid Looming US Hormuz Blockade Crisis123Photostories9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demandArgue without breaking up: 5 simple rules every couple needs to know‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against IsraelBaisakhi 2026 outfit ideas: Traditional looks inspired by Bollywood actressesThese places have the most eerie and bizarre natural formations10 mysteries hidden beneath the ocean floor that scientists still can’t explain8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup

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