‘No plans to meet Rahul Gandhi’: In Karnataka power tussle, CM Siddaramaiah appeals to party to ‘end transition confusion’
BENAGLURU: Chief minister Siddaramaiah, in Bengaluru, on Tuesday appealed to the party to “end the transition confusion” and clarified that the final word must come from the central brass. He further added that he has no plans to meet party leader Rahul Gandhi in the near term. Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, meanwhile, fueled political speculation by confirming that “a confidential understanding on leadership transition among five-six leaders” exists, shortly after Congress’ landslide victory in 2023. Speaking in his home constituency of Kanakapura, Shivakumar referred directly to the alleged power pact but declined to share details. “This is confidential. I don’t want to speak publicly on this,” he said. Amid the political buzz, Sadhus from Varanasi visited Bengaluru on Monday and extended their blessings to Shivakumar, conveying prayers for the welfare of the people of Karnataka. “We have come from Kashi. We gave him our blessings,” one of the sadhus said. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, addressing reporters outside his residence, reiterated that the high command will decide on the CM face. “I have nothing to say. You have been standing here for three days straight. There is nothing to say about the developments happening here. Whatever happens, the high command will do it. It is not required to worry too much about it,” he said. Meanwhile, home minister G Parameshwara hinted that he also remains in the CM race. Speaking about a recent dinner hosted by Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi for Dalit community leaders, Parameshwara said the gathering included discussions on political and departmental issues. “We are all like-minded. The fight over internal reservation is over. Should we not discuss our problems?” he asked. He added that he has consistently been in the CM race and recalled his tenure as KPCC president in 2013. Earlier, Siddaramaiah downplayed speculation about a leadership change, calling it an “unnecessary debate” linked to discussions on a cabinet reshuffle. The CM said senior party leadership would make final decisions, with two of the 34 ministerial posts still vacant. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
MPs from T’gana must raise BC quota issue in Parl: KTR
Hyderabad: Alleging that the Congress govt had betrayed the BCs by not providing 42% reservations in local bodies, BRS working president KT Rama Rao said the BRS would expose the Congress party’s U-turn on enhanced BC reservations. He said that they would confront the Congress party everywhere for trampling on the promises made under the ‘Kamareddy BC Declaration’ before the 2023 assembly elections and for deceiving BCs at every step. “The party will go to the people and expose the injustice done to Telangana BCs by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. Rahul is touring the nation claiming that 42% reservation has been given to BCs in Telangana, even though no such increase has actually been implemented in the state,” the BRS leader said at a meeting of BC leaders on Monday. A meeting with BC public representatives, former MLAs, MLCs, and senior party leaders was held at Telangana Bhavan on Monday. During the meeting, MLC Dr Dasoju Sravan gave a PowerPoint presentation on what he described as the fraud being committed by the Congress party in the name of 42% reservations. Speaking at the meeting, KTR demanded that if Rahul Gandhi were truly sincere, he should use his position as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha to ensure an immediate discussion on this issue in Parliament. He questioned why, if the BJP govt at the Centre was not cooperating with the Congress govt in Telangana on BC reservations, Rahul was not raising the issue in Parliament. He added that if Rahul were genuinely committed to the 42% BC quota, he could introduce a Private Member’s Bill. He demanded that BJP and Congress MPs elected from Telangana raise this issue in the Lok Sabha during the upcoming Parliamentary sessions. KTR criticised the BJP, saying that while they repeatedly speak about BCs, they are betraying them in all aspects — from reservations to fund implementation and the creation of an OBC welfare ministry. He remarked that people are observing the BJP’s deception as well. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Don’t respect Ambedkar, Samvidhan’: BJP slams Rahul for skipping CJI’s oath taking; calls it ‘boycott’
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Monday criticised Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for not attending the oath-taking ceremony of Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India, alleging his absence reflected “disrespect” towards B R Ambedkar and the Constitution. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress leader of “skipping and boycotting” a key constitutional event attended by the country’s top leadership. Poonawalla, addressing reporters, said, “Today, when the entire country was in a sense celebrating, particularly Haryana, the Chief Justice of India’s oath ceremony and the entire government led by Modiji was present at the event, he skipped it, boycotted it.” He further remarked, “Instead of attending this solemn programme, Rahul Gandhi may be on some foreign trip or jungle safari.” Justice Surya Kant, known for being part of landmark benches including the rulings on the abrogation of Article 370 and the revision of Bihar’s electoral rolls, was administered the oath by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior dignitaries were present. Justice Kant, who succeeds Justice B R Gavai, will serve until February 9, 2027. The BJP leader alleged that Gandhi and his party places “parivaar tantra” above democratic and constitutional norms, adding, “It shows that his family, particularly him, talk about ‘samvidhan’, but they don’t respect Ambedkar and ‘samvidhan’.” Justice Kant took the oath in Hindi in the name of God and will now head the Supreme Court for nearly 15 months. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Shivakumar camp ramps up pressure as Rahul Gandhi returns to Delhi
Bengaluru/New Delhi: The tussle at the top in Karnataka again played out in Delhi Monday, as deputy chief minister and KPCC president DK Shivakumar and his supporters stepped up efforts to push for a change of chief minister. Shivakumar and his supporters, who reportedly sought an appointment with Rahul Gandhi to press for his elevation as CM for the remaining two-and-a-half-years of this govt, have made multiple trips to the capital in recent days. Two separate groups of his supporters are currently in Delhi seeking meetings with senior party functionaries. But Rahul refused to meet any of them, prompting the deputy CM to return to Bengaluru, party sources said. Meanwhile, the Siddaramaiah camp is said to be running its own low-key manoeuvres — by seeking permission for cabinet rejig — to counter demands that he step down. Amid the churn, MLC and former AICC general secretary BK Hariprasad — regarded as close to the Gandhis — met Rahul privately in Delhi around noon. His meeting took place even as Shivakumar was denied time. Sources say Hariprasad briefed Rahul on the political situation and urged early intervention to prevent further escalation. He is believed to have told Rahul that repeated visits by Shivakumar’s supporters to the capital could trigger counter-pressure from Siddaramaiah’s camp, deepening internal rifts. Hariprasad declined to reveal details, saying only that “everything is fine”. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who Siddaramaiah privately met on Saturday at his residence in Bengaluru, has expressed frustration over the persistent factional divide but suggested that he can’t resolve the impasse immediately. Kharge, who has remained in Bengaluru since Saturday, is expected to travel to Delhi on Tuesday to discuss developments with Rahul and review implications of either retaining or altering the present arrangement. Sources say a final decision from the central brass may be imminent. On Monday, a second batch of MLAs backing Shivakumar including HC Balakrishna (Magadi), KM Uday (Maddur), Nayana Motamma (Mudigere), Iqbal Hussain (Ramanagara), Sharath Bachegowda (Hoskote) and Shivaganga Basavaraj (Channagiri) flew to Delhi to meet senior party functionaries. Last week, some 10 legislators led by agriculture minister N Cheluvaraswamy met Kharge in Delhi and reportedly pressed for Shivakumar’s elevation in line with what they claim is an understanding that the chief minister post would change hands at the halfway mark. Simultaneously, the Siddaramaiah camp has continued to push for a cabinet rejig. Sources say that if the high command approves a reshuffle, it will signal that Siddaramaiah will continue for the full five-year term, narrowing the scope for Shivakumar to take over. Siddaramaiah, who earlier asserted that he would complete a full term as CM and present two more budgets, struck a more moderate tone Monday. “We will abide by the high command’s decision. If they decide I should continue (as CM), I will continue. Ultimately, whatever the high command decides, I should accept it. Shivakumar should also accept it,” he said in Chikkaballapur. Sharing the stage with him, Shivakumar responded that Siddaramaiah’s statement was ‘Veda Vakya’ (sacrosanct) for him. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Country in chaos’: Rahul slams SIR after BLOs death; calls roll revision ‘imposed tyranny’
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that “chaos” has gripped the country in the name of the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming that 16 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have died due to work-related stress.The SIR exercise is currently under way in nine States and three Union Territories. Its first phase was conducted in Bihar ahead of the State’s Assembly elections. “Under the guise of SIR, chaos has been unleashed across the country – the result? In three weeks, 16 BLOs have lost their lives. Heart attacks, stress, suicides – SIR is no reform, it’s an imposed tyranny,” Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X in Hindi. “SIR is a calculated ploy – where citizens are being harassed and the deaths of BLOs from unnecessary pressure are dismissed as ‘collateral damage.’ This is not a failure, it’s a conspiracy – a sacrifice of democracy to protect those in power,” the Congress MP alleged. A media report shared by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that 16 BLOs have died across six States — four each in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, three in West Bengal, two in Rajasthan, and one each in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Following the death of a BLO in West Bengal that triggered a political dispute, governor CV Ananda Bose on Sunday said that the passing of Shanti Muni Ekka, who allegedly died by suicide due to “unbearable pressure” from SIR-related duties, would be examined thoroughly. “In such a situation, it is better to avoid a knee-jerk reaction. What the Chief Minister said has to be examined in detail. I am sure we have an Election Commission which is strong enough and has a balanced outlook. All these issues can be examined properly and appropriate solutions found, but what is required is free and fair elections in this country,” the governor said. The final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on February 7, 2026. The States and Union Territories currently undergoing SIR include Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Rahul on SIR Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress will hold an internal review meeting on November 24, chaired by party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The meeting will focus on SIR-related assessments, improvements across districts, and ensuring that no voter names are omitted. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee is also scheduled to meet members of the Matua community in Bongaon, North 24 Parganas, on November 25. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi to lay foundation for Jeans Park soon: Minister MB Patil
Ballari: In a dramatic turn of events, the state govt has promised to expedite the development of the proposed Jeans Park in Ballari, following the shutdown of 36 jeans washing units for pollution violations. The units, closed by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) following a suo motu case brought forth by the Upa Lokayukta Justice B Veerappa, are expected to reopen soon, with chief minister Siddaramaiah approving the restart of operations for units with their own effluent treatment plants. Minister for large and medium industries, MB Patil, announced on social media that the first phase of the Jeans Park project has acquired 158 acres of land, with plans to acquire an additional 400 acres in the next phase. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs and diversify Ballari’s economy, currently reliant on minerals. The project’s foundation stone will be laid by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he added The formation of the Jeans Park would include jeans manufacturing units, washing and finishing units, export zones, training and skill development centres, and entrepreneurship support systems. The govt has allocated Rs 11 crore each from KKRDB and KIADB to build a common effluent treatment plant (CETP) to treat polluted water. The CETP, proposed in 2010, faced delays due to funding issues. Officials estimate the plant will take 6-12 months to complete. Earlier, the Jeans Entrepreneurs Association prepared a DPR for a Rs 24 crore plant and submitted it to the district administration, but the project was shelved due to various reasons, including lack of funds. Ballari City MLA Nara Bharat Reddy confirmed the govt’s commitment to supporting the industry, with the CM announcing funds for the CETP. However, officials said the establishment of the CETP might take at least six months to one year to complete. This quick response from the govt reflects the altered scenario, which is perceived as a positive development. The industry is projected to recover following the formal inauguration of the Jeans Park. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Shashi Tharoor’s post praising Trump-Mamdani meeting gives BJP ammo to attack Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Lauding the cordial meeting between US President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor Saturday said “this is how democracy should work and hoped to see this happen in India”. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla commended Tharoor for his remarks and said he hoped that Rahul Gandhi would get the message. After months of attacks against each other during the high voltage New York City mayoral election, Trump and Mamdani adopted a mutually warm tone during their first meeting at the White House in Washington DC. Reposting on X a video of a media interaction where Trump and Mamdani took questions on their meeting, Tharoor said, “This is how democracy should work. Fight passionately for your point of view in elections, with no rhetorical holds barred. But once it’s over, and the people have spoken, learn to cooperate with each other in the common interests of the nation you are both pledged to serve.” “I would love to see more of this in India, and I’m trying to do my part,” the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram added. Reacting to Tharoor’s remarks, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla in a post on X said, “Once again, Shashi Tharoor reminds Congress to put India first, not Parivar. To behave democratically and not like sore losers. But will Rahul Gandhi get the message? One more Fatwa loading against Shashi?” Poonawala posed in a post on X. On November 18, Tharoor’s praise for PM Narendra Modi’s speech at a media function triggered a social media storm with Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit asking Tharoor to explain how BJP’s policies, which are against Congress’s principles, are helping the country and why he is staying on in Congress if he agrees with BJP. AICC spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also said that she did not find find any reason to praise the PM’s speech. On Nov 9, Congress had “dissociated” itself from Tharoor’s statement praising veteran BJP leader L K Advani and made it clear that “like always he speaks for himself and the fact that he continues to do so as a CWC member reflects the party’s democratic and liberal spirit”. Congress’s remarks had come after Tharoor, reacting to criticism over his birthday greetings for Advani, said reducing the veteran BJP leader’s long years of service to one episode, however significant, is unfair. He also said that when the totality of Jawaharlal Nehru’s career cannot be judged by the China setback and Indira Gandhi’s by the Emergency alone, he believes “we should extend the same courtesy to Advaniji”. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Sleeping parties cannot win elections, says Ghulam Nabi Azad taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi
Kolhapur: Former Union minister of parliamentary affairs and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad, during his two-day visit to Kolhapur, took a dig at Congress politician Rahul Gandhi, saying, “Sleeping political parties cannot win elections. After winning the elections in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his readiness to win West Bengal. While other party netas, even at the time of the election, don’t go to that state. Elections cannot be won with such a method of working.” Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Azad also reacted to doubts on the electoral process, alleging that those who accuse EVMs have no concrete evidence and only raise doubts after defeat. “When there is a victory, the same EVM seems right, and when there is a defeat, suddenly the machine is found guilty,” he said. Azad criticised opposition parties for engaging with voters only during elections rather than over a full term. He added, “There are two types of political parties: One that works across five years, and the other that wakes up only at the time of elections. Those who claimed ‘vote chori’ throughout the year were defeated.” Commenting on tourism in Jammu and Kashmir after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Azad said, “Jammu and Kashmir was severely impacted by the Pahalgam terrorist attack. After the attack, tourism suddenly collapsed, thousands of tourists cancelled their tours to Kashmir, and the tourism sector, which is the backbone of the state’s economy, was hit hard. This attack had a major impact on small hotels, tourist vehicle drivers, and tour guides.” He expressed firm belief that the situation has now changed and there is no possibility of such a major terrorist attack. Azad appealed to tourists to come to Jammu and Kashmir, which he described as a paradise in India. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Lord Ram is ‘fictional’… Varanasi court orders Rahul Gandhi to appear in court on December 18th in the statement case.
Varanasi Court on Rahul Gandhi: The Varanasi court has ordered Rahul Gandhi to appear in court on December 18th at all costs. The order came in a case alleging that Lord Ram is fictitious. Varanasi: The Varanasi court in Uttar Pradesh has ordered Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to appear in court on December 18th. The hearing in the case filed against the Congress MP has been postponed once again. Rahul Gandhi and his lawyer did not appear in court on Friday, prompting Special Judge, MP-MLA Court, Yajurved Vikram Singh, to refuse to proceed. The next hearing in the case will now be held on December 18th. The court has clearly stated that Rahul Gandhi or his lawyer must appear in court on the next date, only then will the case progress. What is the whole matter? This controversy is related to Rahul Gandhi’s alleged statement, which he made on April 21st during a session with students at Brown University in New York, USA. Petitioner Advocate Harishankar Pandey alleges that Rahul Gandhi, at that event, described Lord Shri Ram as “mythological” and the stories as “fictional.” This statement hurt the sentiments of Hindus. India will not wage war against us… Pakistan is scared, now said this in the name of Trump. Congress and Rahul Gandhi have been continuously commenting on Sanatan symbols. Based on this, Harishankar Pandey filed a complaint against Rahul Gandhi on May 12th. Why is the case dragging on? On May 17th, the Special Chief Judicial Magistrate, MP-MLA Court, dismissed the complaint. Following this, Harishankar Pandey filed a revision petition in the District Judge Court on September 26th. In the revision petition, he challenged the previous decision and demanded action. The court will now first debate the maintainability of the petition. After this, it will be decided whether a case can be filed against Rahul Gandhi. Petitioner’s Serious Allegations Advocate Harishankar Pandey stated that Rahul Gandhi has hurt the nation’s faith by questioning the existence of Lord Ram. He is a “traitor to Ram” and is insulting Hindu society abroad. Therefore, an FIR and a case should be filed against him for his statement. He demanded strict action from the court. What was the original statement? During a session held abroad, Rahul Gandhi was asked what secular politics should be like in the era of Hindu nationalism. In response, Rahul Gandhi stated that India’s great reformers, Buddha, Guru Nanak, Gandhi, and Ambedkar, were compassionate and tolerant without discrimination. The BJP’s viewpoint, however, does not represent Hinduism and is hate-mongering. The petitioner states that in this context, he called Lord Ram mythological and the stories fictional. The court has clarified that without his presence on the next date, the hearing will not be possible. The maintainability of the case will be debated on December 18th. After this, it will be decided whether to proceed against Rahul Gandhi. The case is now being discussed. Curated by: Rahul Parashar About the Author Rahul Parashar is a senior journalist at Navbharat Times Online. He has 20 years of experience in politics, current affairs, development, bureaucracy, education, health, and ground reporting. Early in his career, he covered administration and civic issues. He also learned the ropes of political journalism in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Courtesy: Hindi News
Now, BJP uses Indira peace prize as ammo to target Congress
NEW DELHI: BJP on Friday said the ‘Indira Gandhi Peace Prize’ given by Congress to former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet was a vindication of PM Narendra Modi’s assertion that the opposition party’s DNA had now become ‘Muslim-Maoist Congress.’ “People like George Soros and Michelle Bachelet remain involved in anti-India activities at the international level. They attack India’s Constitution and our democratic mandate. Rahul Gandhi was already associated with them, and now Sonia Gandhi is not far behind,” said BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia at a press conference, citing Sonia’s presence when Bachelet was given the award. He called Congress an “army of traitors” days after its parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi presented the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development to Bachelet. Bhatia also slammed Congress for the presence of Jagdish Tytler at the event and asked Sonia if she didn’t feel the pain of the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. BJP’s objection to the awardee stems from her remarks expressing concern over the lockdown in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, among other factors. Bhatia said, “The Congress’ DNA is anti-India. It presented the award to Michelle Bachelet, who attacks India’s sovereignty.” The BJP spokesperson said Bachelet, the former UN Human Rights chief, had disfavoured the abrogation of Article 370, alleging human rights violations in Kashmir, and also raised objections to the implementation of National Register of Citizens in Assam. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights