VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Flamingo, Sea Baby, Protector: Ukraine unveils killer drone arsenal, pioneering remote warfare UK weather forecast: Super El Nino could bring freezing winters and global heat surge The success of the Times Internet Half Marathon was not measured merely by the scale of participation, but by the countless stories that converged on a single track. Over 15,000 runners gathered with one shared purpose to run, yet each carried a journey uniquely their own.Among the most compelling narratives emerged from the Under-29 category (Male), where determination, discipline, and dreams took centre stage. These were not just races won on the clock, but stories earned through years of perseverance.Leading the category was Vipul Kumar, who clinched the top spot with an impressive chip time of 1:10:48. His performance stood as a testament to focus and relentless training. Vipul Kumar’s winning run reflected discipline, focus, and countless hours of unseen behind-the-scenes effort. Behind that timing lies a personal journey of early mornings, silent discipline, and a relentless belief in pushing his own limits. Close behind was 26-year-old Tsetan Namgyal, the first runner-up, with a chip time of 1:11:02, whose journey into running began just four years ago. Currently serving in the Indian Army, Namgyal views marathons as more than a pursuit of fitness. For him, running is a deeper calling, one that aligns with purpose, discipline, and personal growth. His ambition is clear: to participate in marathons across the country and beyond. Securing the second runner-up position was 25-year-old Hemdutt, whose chip time was 1:15:20. His relationship with running dates back to his school years. With over a decade of experience, his journey has been shaped by both passion and setbacks. While preparing for a career in the armed forces, an unfortunate back injury altered his path. Yet, his resolve remains unshaken. Today, his eyes are set on competing in international marathons, carrying forward a dream that refused to fade. The Under-29 category, much like the marathon itself, was a reminder that every runner brings more than speed to the race; they bring stories of resilience, ambition, and unwavering spirit.In the end, it wasn’t just about crossing the finish line. It was about the journeys that led there.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Not Shehbaz Sharif’: Ex-Minister Fawad Chaudhry Calls Asim Munir ‘De Facto Leader Of Pakistan’TCS Row Explodes: Horrific Details Of Sexual Abuse, Conversion Claims Rock India’s CorporateWomen’s Reservation Bill A ‘Trick’ To Hike Lok Sabha Seats? | Delimitation | Slam Dunk With TehseenIndia Bloc Backs Women’s Reservation But Opposes Delimitation, Flags Risk Of Political Power Shift‘Completely Unacceptable’: Jaishankar Slams Attacks On Merchant Shipping At Azec Plus MeetWomen’s Quota Bill: Govt Clarifies 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan, Opposition Flags Delimitation ConcernsIndian Delegation To Visit Washington Next Week To Resume Talks On India-US Trade DealDelimitation Row Escalates As TN CM Stalin Warns Of Statewide ProtestsDelimitation Bill Includes Provision For EC To Conduct Exercise In PoK When Conditions ChangeIMF Raises India’s FY27 Growth Outlook to 6.5% Despite Global Slowdown, Flags Rising Risks123PhotostoriesChandigarh’s Billionaire Lanes: 5 premium regions where the city’s rich live6 desi Indian dishes among Top 32 Rice Puddings in the WorldRanveer Allahbadia’s girlfriend Juhi Bhatt is redefining traditional wedding dressing with contemporary elegancePriyanka Chopra recommends this must-try street food from Mumbai, and it’s not Vada PavFrom ‘Fleabag’ to ‘Arrested Development’: Some of the best dark comedy dramas to add to your watchlist5 iconic modern architectural buildings in India shaping contemporary cityscapesCountries named after people you probably didn’t know aboutCommon snakes found in Japan: Species, habitats, and which ones are dangerous5 dog breeds that look like lions (and why everyone’s obsessed with them)Mumbai suburban rail expansion: Kurla–Parel 5th & 6th line project back on track after land push; what we know123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingGold RateBIE AP inter Result ReleasedMP Board Result Official WebsiteCBSE Class 10 ResultMP Board Class 10th result 2026Zoji La TunnelNFL Trade RumorsIPL Points TableUS VP pick 2020Lonna Drewes Mahesh Bhatt opens up on Pehchaan: ‘It was a mirror, not a show’; calls Raha Kapoor ‘a drop of divinity’, recalls Asha Bhosle memory | Exclusive | Hindi Movie News The Titanic: The most expensive life insurance policy the ocean ever bought xQc questions Pokimaine over victims claim in Sykkuno allegations debate as stream clash sparks strong reactions online Strength in stride: Women redefining power at the Times Internet Half Marathon | India News Love in the time of blockades: Trump seeks a ‘fat hug’ from Xi amidst Hormuz howler Paid to exist: Japanese man earns $80K a year just by renting himself out to lonely people NEW DELHI: Russian president Vladimir Putin will be visitng India for the Brics summit, an annual meeting of leaders from BRICS nations, Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and newer member countries, to discuss economic cooperation, trade, global governance, and geopolitical issues.It serves as a platform for emerging economies to coordinate policies and present a collective voice on major international matters.This is a developing story…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’Not Shehbaz Sharif’: Ex-Minister Fawad Chaudhry Calls Asim Munir ‘De Facto Leader Of Pakistan’TCS Row Explodes: Horrific Details Of Sexual Abuse, Conversion Claims Rock India’s CorporateWomen’s Reservation Bill A ‘Trick’ To Hike Lok Sabha Seats? | Delimitation | Slam Dunk With TehseenIndia Bloc Backs Women’s Reservation But Opposes Delimitation, Flags Risk Of Political Power Shift‘Completely Unacceptable’: Jaishankar Slams Attacks On Merchant Shipping At Azec Plus MeetWomen’s Quota Bill: Govt Clarifies 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan, Opposition Flags Delimitation ConcernsIndian Delegation To Visit Washington Next Week To Resume Talks On India-US Trade DealDelimitation Row Escalates As TN CM Stalin Warns Of Statewide ProtestsDelimitation Bill Includes Provision For EC To Conduct Exercise In PoK When Conditions ChangeIMF Raises India’s FY27 Growth Outlook to 6.5% Despite Global Slowdown, Flags Rising Risks123PhotostoriesChandigarh’s Billionaire Lanes: 5 premium regions where the city’s rich live6 desi Indian dishes among Top 32 Rice Puddings in the WorldRanveer Allahbadia’s girlfriend Juhi Bhatt is redefining traditional wedding dressing with contemporary elegancePriyanka Chopra recommends this must-try street food from Mumbai, and it’s not Vada PavFrom ‘Fleabag’ to ‘Arrested Development’: Some of the best dark comedy dramas to add to your watchlist5 iconic modern architectural buildings in India shaping contemporary cityscapesCountries named after people you probably didn’t know aboutCommon snakes found in Japan: Species, habitats, and which ones are dangerous5 dog breeds that look like lions (and why everyone’s obsessed with them)Mumbai suburban rail expansion: Kurla–Parel 5th & 6th line project back on track after land push; what we know123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingGold RateBIE AP inter Result ReleasedMP Board Result Official WebsiteCBSE Class 10 ResultMP Board Class 10th result 2026Zoji La TunnelNFL Trade RumorsIPL Points TableUS VP pick 2020Lonna Drewes Updated: Apr 15, 2026, 22:06 IST 5 premium regions where the city’s rich live Carlos Alcaraz opens up on hate messages after Jannik Sinner takes World No 1 spot at Monte Carlo | International Sports News Indian-origin Meenu Batra living in US for 35 years detained by ICE: ‘That doesn’t mean you can be here forever’ ‘Dhurandhar 2’ box office collection day 28 [LIVE]: Ranveer Singh film is just Rs. 1.63 crore short of netting Rs. 1100 crore domestic milestone Last-ditch bid for peace? Pakistan army chief Asim Munir lands in Iran to convey US offer . When the 106th Constitutional Amendment passed through both Houses of Parliament in September 2023, 454 votes in favour in the Lok Sabha, unanimous in the Rajya Sabha, it was hailed as a historic moment. But laws have a way of living in the gap between their passage and their implementation. Nearly two and a half years later, Parliament has been called back to close it.Lawmakers will attempt to do what thirty years of political wrangling could not, give India’s women a guaranteed seat at the table of power. The occasion is the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, better known as the Women’s Reservation Bill.Bill at a glanceThe Women’s Reservation Bill, formally known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, is a constitutional amendment that reserves 33 per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women. It is not a new idea. Bills amending the Constitution to reserve seats for women in Parliament and state legislative assemblies had been introduced in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2008. The first three lapsed with the dissolution of their respective Lok Sabhas, while the 2008 Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha but lapsed with the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha. That makes the 2023 passage the culmination of a legislative struggle spanning nearly three decades. one repeatedly derailed by coalition arithmetic, ideological disagreement, and, at times, outright hostility. When the bill was finally passed in 2023, it did so in the brand-new Parliament building, a symbolism the government was keen to underscore. Women constituted less than 15 per cent of the Lok Sabha’s membership and, in state assemblies, women made up less than 10 per cent of members in a majority of legislative bodies across the country. This is the inequality the bill was designed to correct. The House after reformIf the proposed changes are carried through, the shape of India’s Parliament will be fundamentally altered, both in size and in representation.The Lok Sabha is expected to expand significantly from its current strength of 543 seats to 850, reflecting decades of population growth since the last revision in 1976. Of these, 815 seats would be allocated to states and 35 to Union Territories.Within this expanded House, one-third of the seats, around 283, would be reserved for women, marking the first time such a quota is implemented at the national level.What exists and what is still missingThe bill coincides with the 30th anniversary of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments of 1993, which introduced panchayats and municipalities into the Constitution and reserved one-third of the seats in local bodies for women. That experiment, spanning three decades, has delivered real results. But that reservation stopped at the village and municipal level. The Constitution, as it stood until 2023, contained no provision for reserving seats for women in the Lok Sabha or state assemblies, a lacuna that took 75 years to formally address.That lacuna matters in proportion to what Parliament decides. From criminal laws to maternity benefits, from property rights to policies on gender-based violence, the decisions made in Parliament affect women’s lives at every level. A 2003 study about the effect of reservation for women in panchayats showed that women elected under the reservation policy invest more in public goods closely linked to women’s concerns. The case for extending that principle upward to Parliament is not merely symbolic.Why 2023 wasn’t the finish lineThe Act as passed in 2023 carried within it the seeds of its own delay. The 2023 constitutional amendment provided for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, but this quota would only come into effect after the completion of the delimitation exercise based on the 2027 Census, meaning the reservation would not be enforceable before 2034 under the original law. The reservation would be effective after the census conducted after the commencement of the bill has been published, and based on that census, delimitation would be undertaken to reserve seats for women. The logic is that you cannot decide which constituencies are to be reserved for women until you know how many constituencies exist and where their boundaries lie and that requires both a fresh census and the delimitation exercise that follows it.With Census 2021 still unfinished, delayed significantly by the Covid-19 pandemic and the next census now pencilled in for 2027, would be pushed well past the 2029 general elections. The amendment, for all practical purposes, was law in name only.Special Session: Why now?The government now proposes to amend the legislation to base implementation on the 2011 Census, ensuring the reservation is in force before the 2029 general election. To do this, Parliament must amend Section 5 of the Act, which currently links women’s reservation to a delimitation exercise following the first census after the law’s commencement. As a constitutional change, Article 368(2) mandates approval in both Houses by a majority of total members and at least two-thirds of those present and voting, a high bar that requires at least some opposition support.Alongside the amendment to the Women’s Reservation Act, the government is introducing a Delimitation Bill that would dramatically redraw the electoral map, which, as mentioned above may increase from 543 to 850 post-amendment. India’s population has changed substantially since the current 543-seat House was last calibrated. The freeze on seat numbers, in place since 1976, were designed to prevent states that controlled their population from being penalised in Parliament. Revisiting it now, in 2026, is as much a statement about national demographics as it is about women’s rights. Delimitation debateDelimitation is a periodic exercise undertaken to redraw constituency boundaries and allocate seats in line with changes in population, ensuring fair representation for states. India has conducted such exercises several times since independence. The first was carried out in 1952 based on the 1951 Census, allocating 494 Lok Sabha seats. Subsequent exercises followed in 1963 and 1973. During the 1973 delimitation, based on the 1971 Census, the number of seats was fixed at 543, when India’s population stood at approximately 54.8 crore. That number has remained unchanged ever since.The government’s current proposal to significantly expand the Lok Sabha to around 850 seats has triggered a sharp debate, largely centred on a perceived North–South divide. Since the proposed redistribution is expected to be based primarily on population, northern states, where population growth has been higher, are likely to gain a larger share of seats. In contrast, southern states, which have seen slower population growth, could see their relative representation decline.States such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have consistently argued that population alone should not determine representation. They point out that decades of effective family planning have resulted in lower birth rates and warn that a purely population-based approach would unfairly penalise them for this success. Meanwhile, more populous states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh stand to gain disproportionately.M K Stalin, for instance, argued that states which followed the Union government’s push for population control should not now be disadvantaged. Echoing this concern, the Telangana CM wrote to PM Modi and fellow southern leaders, urging them to resist any expansion of the Lok Sabha based solely on population metrics. In his letter, he warned that such a move would skew representation and instead proposed a “hybrid model” that factors in economic contribution and development indicators alongside population.Two sides of the argumentOn the surface, the bill enjoys near-universal support. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to floor leaders of all parties in both Houses, seeking their support for the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill, emphasising that “this moment stands above any party or individual.” But agreement on the destination has not produced agreement on the route, and the opposition’s objections are pointed.Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has criticised the government’s approach, noting that no draft amendments have been shared with opposition parties. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote directly to the prime minister, arguing that without details of the delimitation and other aspects, it would be impossible to have any useful discussion on this historic law and that the special sitting had been called without taking the opposition into confidence. The timing compounds these concerns. The session has been called during ongoing state elections, with polls concluding on April 29, 2026, leaving opposition MPs torn between campaigning and parliamentary attendance. Mallikarjun Kharge suggested that if the government genuinely wanted to move forward collaboratively, it should convene an all-party meeting after those elections conclude.A democratic arithmetic problemThere is one final lens through which this bill deserves examination: the sheer arithmetic of representation.Women constitute approximately 48.5 per cent of India’s population. Men make up roughly 51.5 per cent. The bill’s 33 per cent reservation for women falls significantly short of proportional representation. Critics argue that the bill, while a step forward, does not reflect the actual demographic weight of women in India’s democracy. Defenders of the 33 per cent figure point out that it matches the benchmark already established in panchayats and municipalities and that it represents a realistic floor rather than an aspirational ceiling. The reservation will be provided for a period of 15 years, though it shall continue till such date as determined by a law made by Parliament, and seats reserved for women will be rotated after each delimitation. The rotation mechanism means that no constituency will be permanently designated as a women’s seat, an attempt to prevent the permanent restriction of voter choice in any one area.Where it standsWhat began as a legislative demand in 1996 has become, thirty years later, a constitutional amendment in search of implementation. The special session will determine whether Parliament finds the political consensus to finally bridge that gap before the 2029 elections.The bill itself, in spirit, has no credible opposition. According to political analysts, the question is whether the opposition can afford to vote against the bill during an election season, as it may impact their electoral standing in the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. No party in India’s current political landscape is willing to be seen as voting against women’s representation.All the arguments about seats and states and census data are real. But underneath all of it is that women have been left out of the rooms where decisions about their lives are made, for a very long time. That is what this bill is about.About the AuthorManya JainA writer at Times of India, I cover the stories that live in the gaps — between a screen and real life, between what we’re sold and what we actually feel. I try bring curiosity and candour to everything I write, whether I’m digging into global affairs, modern relationships, or the quieter anxieties of everyday life.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTCS Row Explodes: Horrific Details Of Sexual Abuse, Conversion Claims Rock India’s CorporateWomen’s Reservation Bill A ‘Trick’ To Hike Lok Sabha Seats? | Delimitation | Slam Dunk With TehseenIndia Bloc Backs Women’s Reservation But Opposes Delimitation, Flags Risk Of Political Power Shift‘Completely Unacceptable’: Jaishankar Slams Attacks On Merchant Shipping At Azec Plus MeetWomen’s Quota Bill: Govt Clarifies 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan, Opposition Flags Delimitation ConcernsIndian Delegation To Visit Washington Next Week To Resume Talks On India-US Trade DealDelimitation Row Escalates As TN CM Stalin Warns Of Statewide ProtestsDelimitation Bill Includes Provision For EC To Conduct Exercise In PoK When Conditions ChangeIMF Raises India’s FY27 Growth Outlook to 6.5% Despite Global Slowdown, Flags Rising RisksIran’s Chokehold On Hormuz: How Prepared Is India To Tackle Naval Mine Threat?123Photostories6 desi Indian dishes among Top 32 Rice Puddings in the WorldRanveer Allahbadia’s girlfriend Juhi Bhatt is redefining traditional wedding dressing with contemporary elegancePriyanka Chopra recommends this must-try street food from Mumbai, and it’s not Vada PavFrom ‘Fleabag’ to ‘Arrested Development’: Some of the best dark comedy dramas to add to your watchlist5 iconic modern architectural buildings in India shaping contemporary cityscapesCountries named after people you probably didn’t know aboutCommon snakes found in Japan: Species, habitats, and which ones are dangerous5 dog breeds that look like lions (and why everyone’s obsessed with them)Mumbai suburban rail expansion: Kurla–Parel 5th & 6th line project back on track after land push; what we know7 work habits that quietly give you your life back (Without burning out)123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingGold RateBIE AP inter Result ReleasedMP Board Result Official WebsiteCBSE Class 10 ResultMP Board Class 10th result 2026Zoji La TunnelNFL Trade RumorsIPL Points TableUS VP pick 2020Lonna Drewes Oil price shock loading: How India’s strong economic fundamentals will cushion the blow – explained in charts Shah Rukh Khan’s ex-bodyguard Yaseen Khan dismisses Rs 2–2.5 crore salary claims: ‘Who is paying Rs 8–10 lakh a month?’ WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 1 and 2 matches, main event, full predictions and more Stock market today (April 15, 2026): Which are the top gainers and losers in Nifty50 and BSE Sensex today? Check list Ranveer Singh went from 75 kilos to 87 kilos for ‘Dhurandhar’ physique, trained twice a day, reveals fitness trainer, actor Mustafa Ahmed Trump shares AI image of Jesus hugging him days after backlash over similar post Nitish Kumar while leaving after attending a cabinet meeting at the Old Secretariat in Patna. Samrat Choudhary, who is now the Bihar CM, and others were also seen. (PTI photo) With Nitish Kumar stepping aside, Bihar’s political transition has unfolded much as expected since he announced his move to the Rajya Sabha. Once Nitish signalled his exit from state politics, the BJP move to elevate Samrat Choudhary, its most prominent and politically viable face in Bihar, to take charge of the government. However, the landmark transition in Magadh had its own flavour of twists and turns coupled with Nitish’s flip-flops. The man who once tied a saffron muretha on his head as a public pledge to unseat Nitish has now taken over the chair that the JD(U) chief occupied for two decades. Samrat Choudhary’s long and theatrical vow has come full circle, not through confrontation, but through the one force in politics that, when timed right, almost always delivers results. Patience. Chosen unanimously as leader of the NDA legislature party, Samrat Choudhary now becomes the new face of power in Bihar and the first BJP leader to head the state government. His rise marks a defining moment not only for the BJP’s expansion in Bihar but also for a politician whose career has been built on reinvention, ambition and sharp political instincts.BJP leader and newly appointed Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary at the oath-taking ceremony, administered by the Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain (unseen), held at Lok Bhavan, Patna, on Wednesday. Samrat’s political arch Choudhary’s journey to the top has hardly followed a conventional BJP path. Unlike many leaders nurtured within the Sangh ecosystem, he comes from outside that fold. His father, veteran politician Shakuni Choudhary, was a founding member of the Samata Party and a contemporary of both Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav. Samrat himself began in the Rashtriya Janata Dal in the 1990s and entered government early, serving as a minister under Rabri Devi. Over the years, he moved across political camps, spending time in the JD(U) before eventually joining the BJP. That shift transformed his career. Since entering the party, his rise has been swift and steep. In less than a decade, he climbed from a late entrant to state president, then deputy chief minister, and now chief minister.Samrat Choudhary’s political journey The intertwined rise of Samrat & BJP The BJP’s rise in Bihar has been gradual but unmistakable. In the 2015 assembly elections, it emerged as the single largest party in terms of vote share, securing 25 percent votes and 53 seats, yet remained out of power as the RJD and JD(U), with 80 and 71 seats respectively, combined under the Mahagathbandhan to form government. When Nitish Kumar returned to the NDA in 2017, the balance within the alliance had already begun to change. That shift became clear in the 2020 elections, when the BJP outperformed the JD(U), winning 74 seats against its ally’s 43. Nitish Kumar continued as chief minister, but the BJP had firmly established itself as the stronger force in the coalition.By the 2025 elections, that transformation was complete. Although the NDA once again fought under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, the BJP emerged as the dominant partner with 89 seats, ahead of the JD(U)’s 85. Even as Nitish retained the chief minister’s post, the BJP tightened its grip on the government by securing crucial ministries such as Home. Within a year, that growing dominance culminated in the party installing Samrat Choudhary as Bihar’s first BJP chief minister.The muretha vowThe turning point came in 2022, when Nitish Kumar broke with the NDA and joined hands with the RJD again. The BJP responded by handing Choudhary the reins of its Bihar unit. It was then that he made the vow that came to define his political persona. Wearing a muretha at every public appearance, he declared he would not remove it until Nitish Kumar was no longer chief minister.The image stuck. The turban became both a political symbol and a personal brand. For nearly two years, it marked him as Nitish’s most visible challenger. Then came the irony.When Nitish returned to the NDA in 2024 and Choudhary himself became deputy chief minister in the new coalition, the old rivalry gave way to partnership.Soon after, in Ayodhya, Choudhary brought the symbolism to an end.After offering prayers and taking a dip in the Saryu, he removed the muretha and offered it at the temple, declaring his vow fulfilled. At the time, Nitish was still in office. Now, with Nitish’s exit from Bihar and move to the Rajya Sabha, the deeper meaning of that oath finally seems to have been realised.About Samrat Choudhary Why has BJP backed Samrat For the BJP, Choudhary checks several strategic boxes. He is among the party’s strongest OBC faces in Bihar and belongs to the Kushwaha or Koeri community, a politically influential bloc that forms a significant part of the state’s electorate. Combined with the Kurmi base long associated with Nitish Kumar, this gives the BJP a stronger social coalition among backward caste voters. How will caste arithmetic play out By placing Choudhary, a prominent Kushwaha leader, in the chief minister’s chair, the BJP is making a direct bid for the Koeri-Kushwaha vote, a politically influential bloc within Bihar’s non-Yadav OBC spectrum. The Kushwaha community alone accounts for about 4.2 percent of the state’s population and forms a crucial segment of the 12.86 percent non-Yadav OBC electorate that the BJP has been aggressively courting in recent years.Caste arithmatic in BiharThis move also allows the BJP to partially inherit Nitish Kumar’s backward caste arithmetic while reducing dependence on him. Nitish’s strength has long rested on the Extremely Backward Classes, or EBCs, which make up 36.01 percent of Bihar’s population. Though fragmented across 113 castes, a substantial non-Muslim EBC section, combined with Kurmi and Koeri voters, has traditionally rallied behind him. With Nitish stepping aside, the BJP is attempting to prevent that bloc from drifting by projecting Choudhary as a backward caste leader capable of holding together sections of that support base. The BJP retains its traditional upper-caste base among Brahmins, Rajputs, Bhumihars and Kayasthas, while steadily expanding among non-Yadav OBCs and EBCs. Beyond caste Samrat’s appeal lies not only in caste arithmetic. Choudhary has been active in Bihar politics since 1990 and has seen every major political phase in the state, from Mandal-era churn to coalition realignments and BJP expansion. That long experience, paired with his administrative exposure in key ministries such as finance, urban development and panchayati raj, has helped position him as more than just a symbolic appointment.His rise has often drawn comparisons with Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Like Sarma, Choudhary came into the BJP from outside, carried baggage from earlier political affiliations, and yet became one of the most trusted regional leaders for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. There have also been controversies along the way. His name surfaced in a 1995 murder case, though he has consistently denied wrongdoing and says no charges were framed against him. In 1999, questions over his age briefly forced him to resign from ministerial office. Political opponents have also raised doubts about his educational disclosures. None of these episodes, however, has slowed his ascent. What makes his appointment politically potent is the layered irony it carries. The man who built his recent identity around opposition to Nitish Kumar has inherited Bihar only after becoming Nitish’s ally. The challenger has become the successor. In Magadh, where political memory runs deep and symbols matter, that arc gives this transition unusual weight. Bihar has a new Choudhary now, and his muretha vow, once seen as dramatic posturing, has largely ended as prophecy fulfilled.About the AuthorRajeev SinghRajeev Singh is a Digital Content Producer with The Times of India. He covers politics, policies, defence, and conflicts for readers curious to know their implications. He loves digging into legal maxims and political trivia. On off days, when not turning pages or learning русский, he lives in the reverie of “what ifs” and “how abouts.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Bloc Backs Women’s Reservation But Opposes Delimitation, Flags Risk Of Political Power Shift‘Completely Unacceptable’: Jaishankar Slams Attacks On Merchant Shipping At Azec Plus MeetWomen’s Quota Bill: Govt Clarifies 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan, Opposition Flags Delimitation ConcernsIndian Delegation To Visit Washington Next Week To Resume Talks On India-US Trade DealDelimitation Row Escalates As TN CM Stalin Warns Of Statewide ProtestsDelimitation Bill Includes Provision For EC To Conduct Exercise In PoK When Conditions ChangeIMF Raises India’s FY27 Growth Outlook to 6.5% Despite Global Slowdown, Flags Rising RisksIran’s Chokehold On Hormuz: How Prepared Is India To Tackle Naval Mine Threat?Pawan Khera Faces Setback As SC Stays Bail, Cites Jurisdiction Issue In Assam CM Passport Row CaseTharoor Pushes EU-Inspired Model Amid Rising Concerns Over Delimitation123PhotostoriesRanveer Allahbadia’s girlfriend Juhi Bhatt is redefining traditional wedding dressing with contemporary elegancePriyanka Chopra recommends this must-try street food from Mumbai, and it’s not Vada PavFrom ‘Fleabag’ to ‘Arrested Development’: Some of the best dark comedy dramas to add to your watchlist5 iconic modern architectural buildings in India shaping contemporary cityscapesCountries named after people you probably didn’t know aboutCommon snakes found in Japan: Species, habitats, and which ones are dangerous5 dog breeds that look like lions (and why everyone’s obsessed with them)Mumbai suburban rail expansion: Kurla–Parel 5th & 6th line project back on track after land push; what we knowKeep these flowers in your bedroom to strengthen your relationship (by Number)Ditch the usual shada-laal:The saree guide you didn’t know you needed this Poila Boishakh123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingGold RateBIE AP inter Result ReleasedMP Board Result Official WebsiteCBSE Class 10 ResultMP Board Class 10th result 2026Zoji La TunnelNFL Trade RumorsIPL Points TableUS VP pick 2020Lonna Drewes Zanai Bhosle shares heartfelt throwback moment with Asha Bhosle: ‘She celebrated life, and that’s how we’ll honour her’ US sends 10,000 more troops to Middle East as Iran ceasefire deadline nears- report Meet Becky Chaplin: Abandoned as a newborn in Kenya, UK therapist returns to Africa to help marginalised communities | World News Women’s Reservation Bill, a historic step towards Women’s empowerment: CM Rekha Gupta NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta described the Women’s Reservation Bill as a landmark and far-reaching initiative that will significantly strengthen women’s empowerment in the country. She said the legislation is poised to open new avenues for women and elevate their role in governance in the years ahead.Speaking during her visit to Tirupati, the chief minister said the entire nation is looking at the Bill with hope and expectation. “It will ensure meaningful participation of women in the mainstream of decision-making,” she said, adding that it represents a decisive step towards inclusive governance. During the visit, Gupta offered prayers at the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, seeking peace, prosperity and good health for citizens. She described the temple as a timeless centre of faith and devotion, where devotees experience a deep sense of spiritual energy and grace.She also visited the Integrated Command and Control Centre of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), praising its use of modern technology and efficient management systems. Gupta noted that the centre plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of pilgrims and facilitating smooth darshan. “The seamless blend of tradition and technology here is exemplary and can serve as a model for religious institutions across the country,” she said.Reflecting on her visit to the Tirupati Balaji shrine, the chief minister said she felt a deep sense of spiritual fulfilment. She highlighted that lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad visit the shrine, and commended the administration for maintaining high standards of cleanliness, security and crowd management. “Managing darshan for 70,000 to one lakh devotees daily without inconvenience is truly commendable,” she said, congratulating the TTD team for their efforts.Gupta further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, women’s empowerment has gained renewed momentum in the country. She pointed out that several policies and programmes centred on ‘Nari Shakti’ have been implemented to make women self-reliant, empowered and capable of making decisions. The Women’s Reservation Bill, she added, is a reflection of this forward-looking vision and will further strengthen women’s participation in India’s democratic framework.Emphasising the cultural context, the chief minister said that Indian tradition accords the highest respect to women, citing examples such as ‘Lakshmi Narayan’, ‘Sita Ram’ and ‘Radhe Shyam’. “When our cultural ethos places women on such a high pedestal, it is only fitting that they receive equal and dignified representation in our democratic system as well,” she said.Extending her wishes to women across the country, Gupta expressed confidence that the coming era will be defined by women’s leadership, empowerment and progress. She said the Women’s Reservation Bill will prove to be a milestone in this journey and infuse new energy into the nation’s growth story.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWomen’s Quota Bill: Govt Clarifies 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan, Opposition Flags Delimitation ConcernsIndian Delegation To Visit Washington Next Week To Resume Talks On India-US Trade DealDelimitation Row Escalates As TN CM Stalin Warns Of Statewide ProtestsDelimitation Bill Includes Provision For EC To Conduct Exercise In PoK When Conditions ChangeIMF Raises India’s FY27 Growth Outlook to 6.5% Despite Global Slowdown, Flags Rising RisksIran’s Chokehold On Hormuz: How Prepared Is India To Tackle Naval Mine Threat?Pawan Khera Faces Setback As SC Stays Bail, Cites Jurisdiction Issue In Assam CM Passport Row CaseTharoor Pushes EU-Inspired Model Amid Rising Concerns Over DelimitationED Raids AAP MP Ashok Mittal’s Premises Days After His Elevation In Rajya SabhaManipur Violence Flares In Bishnupur After Clashes Erupt Over Deadly Blast, Curbs Slapped123PhotostoriesRanveer Allahbadia’s girlfriend Juhi Bhatt is redefining traditional wedding dressing with contemporary elegancePriyanka Chopra recommends this must-try street food from Mumbai, and it’s not Vada PavFrom ‘Fleabag’ to ‘Arrested Development’: Some of the best dark comedy dramas to add to your watchlist5 iconic modern architectural buildings in India shaping contemporary cityscapesCountries named after people you probably didn’t know aboutCommon snakes found in Japan: Species, habitats, and which ones are dangerous5 dog breeds that look like lions (and why everyone’s obsessed with them)Mumbai suburban rail expansion: Kurla–Parel 5th & 6th line project back on track after land push; what we know7 work habits that quietly give you your life back (Without burning out)Keep these flowers in your bedroom to strengthen your relationship (by Number)123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingGold RateBIE AP inter Result ReleasedMP Board Result Official WebsiteCBSE Class 10 ResultMP Board Class 10th result 2026Zoji La TunnelNFL Trade RumorsIPL Points TableUS VP pick 2020Lonna Drewes RCB vs LSG: After three dots, Rishabh Pant walks off — what happened? | Cricket News Vanguard plans to scale Hyderabad GCC to 2400 employees by 2029 ‘The party it was’: Shahid Kapoor drops BTS glimpses from ‘Cocktail 2’ sets with Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna Ghost Shark, Ghost Bat: Australia fast-tracks autonomous warfare push in air and undersea domains Meet Indian-American Randeep Dhillon who wants to ‘Make Affordable California Again’ but MAGA does not like his English Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) International Working President Alok Kumar (PTI file photo) NEW DELHI: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Wednesday called for a stringent nationwide law to curb illegal religious conversions, alleging that such activities pose a threat to national security and are no longer confined to isolated incidents.VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain expressed concern over what he described as “continuous reports” of conversion-related activities, including allegations linked to corporate workplaces. Referring to an alleged case in Nashik involving Tata Consultancy Services, Jain claimed the incident had exposed a wider pattern that required urgent attention.He further alleged that similar activities could be occurring in other firms, including Tech Mahindra, though no independent verification of these claims was cited in the statement.The VHP also commended a group of police personnel who, it said, helped uncover the alleged Nashik case, claiming their intervention prevented more youths from being affected. Jain linked the issue to what he termed a broader, organised network extending beyond specific institutions.The organisation argued that states which have enacted stricter anti-conversion laws have seen better control over such incidents. It urged all states to adopt similar legislation and called on political parties to rise above “partisan considerations” in addressing the issue.The VHP further demanded that the Centre step in, stating that an ongoing probe by the National Investigation Agency indicated the matter had wider national implications.Calling for a central law against illegal conversions, the group said stronger legal measures were needed to effectively address what it described as an emerging challenge to social harmony and national security. Watch VHP Calls Out Bangladesh Chief Adviser Yunus’ ‘Empire of Unrest’ After 6 Hindus Killed In 18 Days About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWomen’s Quota Bill: Govt Clarifies 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan, Opposition Flags Delimitation ConcernsIndian Delegation To Visit Washington Next Week To Resume Talks On India-US Trade DealDelimitation Row Escalates As TN CM Stalin Warns Of Statewide ProtestsDelimitation Bill Includes Provision For EC To Conduct Exercise In PoK When Conditions ChangeIMF Raises India’s FY27 Growth Outlook to 6.5% Despite Global Slowdown, Flags Rising RisksIran’s Chokehold On Hormuz: How Prepared Is India To Tackle Naval Mine Threat?Pawan Khera Faces Setback As SC Stays Bail, Cites Jurisdiction Issue In Assam CM Passport Row CaseTharoor Pushes EU-Inspired Model Amid Rising Concerns Over DelimitationED Raids AAP MP Ashok Mittal’s Premises Days After His Elevation In Rajya SabhaManipur Violence Flares In Bishnupur After Clashes Erupt Over Deadly Blast, Curbs Slapped123PhotostoriesRanveer Allahbadia’s girlfriend Juhi Bhatt is redefining traditional wedding dressing with contemporary elegancePriyanka Chopra recommends this must-try street food from Mumbai, and it’s not Vada PavFrom ‘Fleabag’ to ‘Arrested Development’: Some of the best dark comedy dramas to add to your watchlist5 iconic modern architectural buildings in India shaping contemporary cityscapesCountries named after people you probably didn’t know aboutCommon snakes found in Japan: Species, habitats, and which ones are dangerous5 dog breeds that look like lions (and why everyone’s obsessed with them)Mumbai suburban rail expansion: Kurla–Parel 5th & 6th line project back on track after land push; what we know7 work habits that quietly give you your life back (Without burning out)Keep these flowers in your bedroom to strengthen your relationship (by Number)123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingGold RateBIE AP inter Result ReleasedMP Board Result Official WebsiteCBSE Class 10 ResultMP Board Class 10th result 2026Zoji La TunnelNFL Trade RumorsIPL Points TableUS VP pick 2020Lonna Drewes Will Rohit Sharma play next IPL game? 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