On Thursday, October 23, several significant developments captured headlines across India and beyond, spanning the fields of politics, law enforcement, sports, art, and international affairs. Among the most notable were the announcement of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as the chief ministerial candidate of the united opposition alliance in Bihar, and the killing of four wanted gangsters from Sitamarhi district in a police encounter. These events, however, were only part of a broader tapestry of news that unfolded throughout the day.
**Tejashwi Yadav Named Chief Ministerial Face of Bihar’s Opposition**
In a major political development signaling unity among opposition parties in Bihar, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav was declared the chief ministerial face of the Mahagathbandhan, the broad alliance formed to challenge the incumbent government in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. This announcement came after intense negotiations between the RJD and the Indian National Congress, who had been at odds particularly over the leadership question.
During a joint press briefing held under the banner of the INDIA bloc—a coalition of opposition parties—Congress leader and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot revealed that while Yadav would be the alliance’s candidate for the chief minister post, the deputy chief ministerial nominee had yet to be finalized. Mukesh Sahani, leader of the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), was named as the face for the deputy chief minister position, although Gehlot indicated that other names could be considered post-election.
The announcement marked a significant breakthrough because one of the sticking points in the seat-sharing and alliance negotiations had been the Congress’s initial reluctance to accept Tejashwi Yadav as the CM candidate before the polls. The Indian Express had earlier reported that the Congress was hesitant to endorse Yadav outright, reflecting the complex dynamics within the opposition alliance. The resolution of this issue is expected to strengthen the Mahagathbandhan’s prospects as it gears up to contest the Bihar assembly polls.
**Encounter in Delhi Leads to Death of Four Notorious Gangsters**
Simultaneously, a dramatic law enforcement operation unfolded involving a joint team of Delhi and Bihar Police. In a well-coordinated encounter in northwest Delhi on Thursday morning, Ranjan Pathak—leader of a feared gang known as "Sigma & Company" and one of Bihar’s most wanted criminals—was killed along with three alleged associates. The police operation was reportedly launched based on intelligence that Pathak was planning a major crime linked to the Bihar elections.
In addition to Ranjan Pathak, the deceased included gang members Bimlesh Mahto (25), Manish Pathak (33), and Aman Thakur (21). Authorities highlighted that Pathak had a bounty of Rs 25,000 on his head and had openly claimed responsibility for violent acts, including a murder that occurred on September 26 in Sitamarhi district. That incident involved the killing of Ram Manohar Sharma, also known as Ganesh Sharma, who was shot by two men on a motorcycle in Lagma village. Ranjan Pathak had reportedly taken responsibility for this murder.
This encounter is being viewed as a critical strike against organized crime networks operating in Bihar that have been linked to election-related violence and intimidation. The police have emphasized that such operations are essential to ensure a free and fair electoral process in the state.
**Australia Defeats India in Second ODI at Adelaide**
In the realm of sports, cricket fans witnessed a thrilling contest between Australia and India in the second One Day International (ODI) match of their three-game series at the Adelaide Oval. Australia emerged victorious by a narrow margin of two wickets, taking an unassailable lead in the series with one match still to play.
The Indian batting lineup was bolstered by notable performances from Rohit Sharma, who scored 73 runs off 97 balls, and Shreyas Iyer, who added 61 runs off 77 balls. Together, they helped India post a competitive total of 264 runs for 9 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Earlier, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and chose to field first, putting India to bat under what were reportedly challenging conditions.
Australia’s successful chase was spearheaded by half-centuries from Matthew Short and Cooper Connolly, who steadied the innings and ensured the home side crossed the finish line. This victory positioned Australia strongly to clinch the ODI series, adding