Karpoori Thakur served as Chief Minister of Bihar twice in the 1970s – From December 1970 to June 1971 and from December 1977 to April 1979.
He had been a mentor to many current generation leaders of the state, including Nitish Kumar and his ally Lalu Prasad Yadav, the RJD president.
During his short stint as the Chief Minister, Karpoori Thakur imposed a total ban on alcohol in Bihar but this was resisted by Dalits whose employment was dependent on the toddy trade.
He was popularly known as Jan Nayak (people’s leader) – someone who devoted his life to socially backward communities in Bihar.
His tenure is also best remembered for implementation of the recommendations of Mungeri Lal Commission, whereby quotas for backward classes were introduced in the state, much before the 1990s’ Mandal Commission changed the national political contours.

A police case has been filed against Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders “with reference to wanton acts of violence” during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared on X this evening. This comes amid a huge political spat between the two leaders that escalated today after Mr Sarma directed the police to file a criminal case against the former Congress president “provoking the crowd”. “They are filing a case because there is fear in their mind,” was Mr Gandhi’s response.

The Assam Police has also filed a First Information Report or FIR against KC Venugopal and Kanhaiya Kumar.

The latest standoff began when Rahul Gandhi’s march reentered Assam From Meghalaya today. The yatra was denied permission to enter Guwahati thoroughfares and was instead asked to take the national highway bypassing the city.

Several Bollywood stars were clicked out and about on Tuesday. Among them were Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya co-stars Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon.