Rahul to end yatra with ‘foot march’ in Patna on Sept 1
Patna: The fortnight-long Voter Adhikar Yatra, led by leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, will conclude with a foot march on the streets of Patna on Sept 1, instead of a rally at the local Gandhi Maidan, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera announced at a press conference in East Champaran on Thursday. Khera said the foot march would commence from the Gandhi statue in Gandhi Maidan at 11am on Sept 1 and conclude at the statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar, after passing through several major thoroughfares of the city. “The yatra has been like a religious pilgrimage in which people of all faiths are taking part. It will not be the end, but the beginning of a new revolution in the country,” Khera added. Highlighting the growing awareness of “vote thefts” across the nation, Khera, who heads the party’s media and publicity department, said all eyes are now on Bihar. “The entire country is looking at what punishment Bihar will serve to the NDA in the upcoming assembly polls,” he said, expressing hope that the state would not pardon the “culprits”. RJD MP Sanjay Yadav, who also spoke at the conference alongside CPI-ML MLC Shashi Yadav, alleged that migration, unemployment and poverty had surged multiple times during the 20 years of NDA rule in Bihar. “While the poor are living in utter penury, the rich are burning bundles of currency notes,” Yadav alleged. 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 impressed by Biharis, said – there is no match to the political understanding of the people here
Bihar Chunav 2025: Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Rights Yatra in Bihar reached Sitamarhi. Here he praised the people of Bihar. He said that he is enjoying traveling in Bihar. Patna: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi praised the political understanding of the people of the state during his visit to Bihar. He again reiterated the allegations of vote theft in the Lok Sabha elections. Rahul Gandhi said that he has learned a lot from his visit to Bihar. He said this while addressing a gathering in Sitamarhi on Thursday. Rahul Gandhi said that there is no match to the political understanding of the people of Bihar. He also said that he got to learn a lot during his visit. He talked about presenting evidence of alleged vote theft in the Lok Sabha elections in the coming days. He accused the “BJP-RSS” of manipulating the election results. Rahul said that he has evidence to prove vote theft in Karnataka. In the coming days, he will also provide evidence of vote rigging in the Lok Sabha and Haryana assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi said he started his visit to Bihar because attempts were being made to steal votes. He alleged that none of the 65 lakh voters whose names were removed from the voter list were rich or powerful. He claimed that these 65 lakh voters include the poor, Dalits, extremely backward classes, OBCs and minorities. He said the move was taken to silence the poor. Rahul Gandhi also alleged that after removing these names, the same number of fake voters’ names would be added. He warned that if the poor lost their right to vote, they would be left with nothing. “We know very well that they are trying to steal votes in Bihar,” Rahul said. Rahul offered prayers at Janaki temple Earlier, Rahul Gandhi visited the Janaki temple along with India Alliance leaders and offered prayers. He wore a white T-shirt, white towel and white cap. When he came out of the temple, he was wearing a garland of flowers and a red chunari. All India Alliance leaders Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Mukesh Sahni and Pappu Yadav were with him. According to sources, CPI-ML leader Dipankar Bhattacharya was waiting for him outside. Thursday was the 12th day of Rahul Gandhi’s visit. On Friday, he will resume his journey from Bettiah in West Champaran. Addressing the people in Sitamarhi, Rahul Gandhi said, “I am having a lot of fun. I have not had so much fun in any other state.” Praising the political understanding of the people of Bihar, Rahul said, “There is no comparison to the political understanding of Biharis. I got to learn a lot.” On the allegations of vote theft, Rahul Gandhi said that he will soon present evidence of it. He said that he has evidence of vote theft in Karnataka and he will also give evidence of vote rigging in the Lok Sabha and Haryana assembly elections. Authored by: Suryakant Pathak About the author Suryakant Pathak is a consultant at Navbharat Times Online. He has been doing journalism for the last 31 years. He writes news, analysis and blogs on India’s international relations, political-social developments in the country and the world. He started as a reporter in Dainik Bhaskar in 1995. Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Where are they hiding?’: Bihar on high alert; 3 Jaish men slip in from Nepal, plots feared
PATNA: Bihar has been placed on the high security alert after intelligence inputs suggested that three Pakistani terrorists linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed slipped into the state through the porous India-Nepal border. Police have released their photographs and passport details and announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to their capture. The alert coincides with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ongoing ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, which in recent days has traversed several districts along the frontier, prompting major changes to his security arrangements. Gandhi, who had been travelling in an open jeep to greet supporters, was on Thursday seen seated inside a closed vehicle and moving at speed through towns and villages. His roadshow in Sitamarhi was cancelled at the last moment and his convoy did not halt at several welcome stages that had been prepared along the route. Major changes in Rahul’s yatra plan as 3 JeM ultras enter state The suspects, identified as Hasnain Ali of Rawalpindi, Adil Hussain of Umerkot and Mohammad Usman of Bahawalpur, are believed to have arrived in Kathmandu in the second week of Aug before crossing into Bihar last week, possibly through Araria. Security agencies have been directed to step up vehicle checking, surveillance and intelligence gathering in all seven border districts, including Sitamarhi, Madhubani, West Champaran, Araria, Kishanganj and Supaul. Additional director general of police (headquarters) Kundan Krishnan described the matter as “a very top-secret issue linked to national security” and declined to comment further, stressing that such intelligence inputs from central agencies should not have been made public. SP: Vehicles being checked in border areas However, East Champaran SP Swarn Prabhat released a video message confirming that his district police had been placed on high alert. “We have received input from central agencies and based on it, the district police have been kept on high alert. Vehicle checking drives are under way in the border areas and all police stations have been alerted,” he said, urging the public to provide any information through Dial-112 or directly to his office, assuring that informers’ names would not be revealed. He added that the reward of Rs 50,000 announced on each suspect would be given to those who provide actionable information. The timing of the alert has cast a shadow over Gandhi’s yatra, which he launched in Bihar to highlight alleged deletions in the electoral rolls. From Sitamarhi, he reached Motihari on Thursday, both close to the Nepal border. Witnesses said his convoy bypassed dense population areas instead of slowing for greetings with Gandhi waving briefly from inside a van rather than mingling with supporters. Bihar’s 729km border with Nepal, the longest stretch of any state along the 1,751km frontier, has long been considered vulnerable. Security is managed by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), yet the open border allows easy crossings. 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 trapped by bringing Reddy-Stalin in the yatra? BJP’s Self Respect move in Bihar elections
Bihar Politics: BJP has opened a new front over the inclusion of MK Stalin and Revanth Reddy in Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Rights Yatra. Now in this episode, the party has made a political move of self-respect. Patna: Protests have intensified over the inclusion of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in the ‘Voter Rights Yatra’ of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) burnt the effigy of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in the capital Patna on Wednesday and protested against their coming to Bihar. Rahul Gandhi trapped by bringing Reddy-Stalin in the yatra? Hundreds of workers came out in the form of a procession from the BJP state office. During this, all the workers had posters and placards in their hands with slogans written against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Stalin and Revanth Reddy. All the workers were raising slogans against them. BJP made it an election issue Near the Income Tax Golambar, BJP workers burnt the effigy of Tamil Nadu CM Stalin and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy. Pasmanda Foundation officials and a large number of members attended the program. BJP state media in-charge Danish Iqbal, who was involved in the effigy burning program, said that even after Revanth Reddy insulted the people of Bihar, Sanatan, the ‘yuvraj’ of Congress and RJD are bringing him to Bihar and roaming around. Why were those who insulted Bihar brought here – Danish He said that Tejashwi Yadav should have understood that this is a matter of Bihar’s honor and self-respect. Tejashwi Yadav should answer why he brought those who insulted Bihar here? He said that Bihar will not tolerate those who insult Bihar. Revanth Reddy and Stalin have misbehaved with Biharis, for this you should apologize on the soil of Bihar. The people of Bihar never compromise with their self-respect, the people of Bihar will prove this this time too. The people of Bihar will take revenge – BJP BJP State Vice President Anamika Paswan said that the people of Bihar will definitely take revenge for this insult in the next elections. Those who insult Bihar will not be tolerated. Today, Tejashwi Yadav may be welcoming those who insult the people of Bihar in his hunger for power, but he will have to bear the consequences. Edited by: Rishikesh Narayan Singh About the author Rishikesh Narayan Singh is the Bihar-Jharkhand in-charge of Navbharat Times Digital. A 20-year journey in journalism from Janmat TV, IBN 7, ETV Bihar-Jharkhand, News18 Bihar-Jharkhand to Times Internet. After starting from the national capital Delhi, now Bihar is his workplace. Deeply interested in news of the country, abroad, crime and politics. Courtesy : Hindi News
Votes stolen in 70-80 seats in Lok Sabha elections… Now preparations in Bihar, Rahul said- they will first snatch votes, then land and houses
Bihar Assembly Election: During the ‘Vote Rights Yatra’ in Sitamarhi, Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission and the Central Government of vote theft. He said that the BJP had stolen votes in the Lok Sabha elections in connivance with the Election Commission and wants to do the same in the Bihar Assembly elections. Sitamarhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reached Sitamarhi on Wednesday under the ‘Vote Rights Yatra’. He was given a grand welcome here. While coming from Muzaffarpur, Rahul Gandhi held a public meeting at the Runnisaidpur block headquarters of Sitamarhi district. He was accompanied by Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, CPI ML National General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, and VIP’s Mukesh Sahni, among many other leaders. In the public meeting, Rahul Gandhi strongly attacked the Election Commission and the Narendra Modi government at the Center. The Commission and the Central Government were cornered on the issue of vote theft. Vote theft in connivance with the Election Commission Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of vote theft in connivance with the Election Commission. He said that the BJP government at the Center had stolen votes in 70 to 80 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. Now it wants to steal votes in the assembly elections to be held in Bihar as well. Rahul said that they will first snatch your vote, then your land and your house. Every person in Bihar has been told that preparations are being made to steal votes here. Vote theft will not be possible in Bihar. Operation Sindoor stopped on the orders of America The Congress leader said that the Central Government passed a law in the year 2024, under which no action can be taken against the Election Commission. Taking advantage of this, the BJP wants to steal votes in the Bihar assembly elections as well with the connivance of the Election Commission. It was on the orders of America that the Prime Minister had announced a ceasefire in Operation Sindoor. He said that the Prime Minister was asked in the Lok Sabha whether the US President Trump is lying, but the Prime Minister did not deny the statement of the US President even once. Question on reinstatement of Agniveer Rahul Gandhi also accused the central government of working for Adani and Ambani. On stopping permanent recruitment in the army, Gandhi said that earlier pensions were given on retirement from the army, now Agniveer is reinstated. Agniveer soldiers martyred by enemy bullets on the country’s border are not given the status of martyr. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav also attacked the central government / Election Commission. Accused the Bihar government of being immersed in corruption. Said that Bihar has to be made murder, crime and corruption free. We will take along all the poor-rich, caste, class and religion people. We all have to build a new Bihar together. Bhattacharya’s words like Rahul CPI-ML National General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya also accused the BJP and the Commission of vote theft like Rahul Gandhi. He said that the people of Bihar are facing inflation, unemployment, poverty and migration under the present government. The meeting was also addressed by Congress leaders Colonel Rohit Chaudhary, Alka Lamba, former RJD MLA Mangita Devi and former MP Arjun Rai, among others. The meeting was presided over by District Congress President Raktu Prasad, while the stage was conducted by Block Congress President Vijay Singh Rathore. Edited by: Ravi Sinha•Reported by: Amrendra Kumar About the author Ravi Prakash Sinha is a Senior Journalist (Principal Digital Content Producer) at Navbharat Times Online. He has 25 years of experience in current affairs, Jharkhand-Bihar politics and ground reporting. Ravi Sinha has been working with NBT (Digital) for the last 3 years. Courtesy : Hindi News
Another case against Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil for stalking, harassing women on social media; Kerala CM Vijayan says ‘deeply criminal’
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Crime Branch on Wednesday registered a case against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil on various charges, including stalking and harassing women on social media. The development came hours after chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly reacted to the sexual misconduct allegations against the legislator and said all possible legal steps would be taken on them. Earlier, Vijayan told a news conference that those affected need not hesitate to file complaints and full protection would be provided to them. He also questioned the shocking nature of the alleged remarks, including reported statements that a pregnant woman “would not take much time to be killed”, calling it “deeply criminal and unacceptable”. Case filed on DGP’s directive The case was registered on the directive of state police chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar under Sections 78 (stalking) and 351 (criminal intimidation) of Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS), along with Section 120(O) of the Kerala Police Act that pertains to harassment through repeated or unwanted communication.Section 78 of the BNS defines stalking as following a woman without consent, monitoring her electronic communications, or repeatedly approaching her despite resistance. The offence carries imprisonment of up to three years for the first instance and up to five years for repeat offences. Section 351 covers criminal intimidation, including threats to cause harm to body, reputation or property and is punishable with up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine or both. The Kerala Police Act provision applies to nuisance caused through calls, messages or electronic communication. Crime Branch Thiruvananthapuram range DSP C Binukumar is in charge of the investigation, a police statement said. The allegations against Mamkootathil had gained traction after audio recordings surfaced in which he was purportedly heard issuing even death threats. Police had initially sought legal opinion on the allegations as there were no complainants, but proceeded to register a suo motu case following the CM’s remarks. They had not acted on a petition filed by a high court lawyer at the Ernakulam Central police station seeking an investigation into allegations that the legislator had forced a woman to undergo abortion, citing the absence of details about the alleged victim or the location of the incident. Though the affected parties had not come forward with complaints, the state police chief had received petitions demanding action against the legislator. Mamkootathil had quit as Youth Congress state president after a young actor accused “a young leader” of a prominent political party of misbehaviour, triggering protests by BJP and CPM. Subsequently, several women and a transgender person came forward with similar allegations. Congress later suspended the MLA from the party’s primary membership but resisted calls for his resignation 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.
Will EC probe how 10 unknown Gujarat parties got Rs 4,300 crore: Rahul
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday claimed that 10 anonymous parties in Gujarat received a massive donation of Rs 4,300 crore in five years, asking if the EC will probe where this money has come from and who is running the unknown outfits. Rahul made the remark based on a newspaper report that he quoted on social media. As per the news item, 10 anonymous parties in Gujarat fielded 43 candidates in two Lok Sabha polls and one assembly election between 2019-24, garnering around a meagre 54,000 votes. Also, they showed an expenditure of Rs 39 lakh in election reports but claimed an expenditure of Rs 3,500 crore in audit reports, while they received a donation of Rs 4,300 crore. “There are some unknown parties in Gujarat whose name nobody has heard but they received donations worth Rs 4,300 crore. They have contested elections, and spent money on them, on very few occasions. Where did these thousands of crores come from? Who is running them? And, where did the money go? Will the Election Commission investigate, or will it ask for an affidavit here too? Or will it change the law itself so that this data can also be hidden?” Rahul wrote on X. tnn 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 accuses BJP of stealing votes for years; Priyanka too joins yatra
Patna: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the BJP during the Voter Adhikar Yatra, accusing it of manipulating elections for years and warning people to remain vigilant about their rights. Addressing a gathering in Madhubani, he said, “How can Amit Shah say that the BJP govt will last for 40-50 years? It is up to the people to decide. They can make such predictions because they are stealing votes. This theft began in Gujarat, went national in 2014, and since then they have been selectively winning and losing states. I suspected something was wrong, and now they have been caught.” He alleged that the scale of irregularities in Maharashtra had exposed the practice. Rahul urged people to guard their voting rights. “Before Independence, the people had no power because they did not have the right to vote. The moment you lose this right, you lose all power,” he said, accusing the BJP of deleting names from the rolls while adding new voters. “But now the people of Bihar have made up their mind to teach a lesson to the vote thieves,” he added. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who joined her brother in Supaul earlier in the day, echoed his sentiments, describing the right to vote as the “most valuable right” of citizens. “If it is lost, you will lose your identity and citizenship. So be alert and don’t allow it to be robbed,” she said. Priyanka also recalled a remark made by PM Narendra Modi during the Lok Sabha elections. “During the polls, Modi alleged Congress would steal your buffaloes. We didn’t know they were stealing people’s votes instead,” she said. In a social media post, Priyanka alleged the BJP-JD(U) govt in Bihar had failed on fronts such as inflation, unemployment, migration and the economy, and was now “hatching conspiracies to steal votes to remain in power”. She added, “The Constitution has given every Indian the right to vote. No power can snatch this right. We will not allow even a single vote of the poor to be stolen.” Standing atop an open jeep alongside Rahul and Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy, she was seen waving to crowds as young women watched and filmed the moment from rooftops and balconies. The yatra, which began from Sasaram on Aug 17, will conclude on Sept 1 in Patna with a public rally. The 16-day campaign seeks to highlight alleged irregularities in the electoral rolls. 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.
People want to see Tejashwi as next CM, says Rohini
Patna: Amid Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s silence over the INDIA bloc’s chief ministerial candidate for Bihar, RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s daughter Rohini Acharya on Tuesday declared that the people of the state want to see Tejashwi Prasad Yadav as the next CM. Rohini, who unsuccessfully contested the Saran seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, was responding to questions about Congress’s position. “It is the wish of the people of Bihar that Tejashwi becomes the chief minister,” she told reporters, adding that a formal announcement would be made at the INDIA bloc leaders’ meeting. When asked why no such announcement had been made yet, she said, “Aap logon ke samne thode batayenge (Will they announce it before you people)?” She insisted her brother had the full support of Congress. Later, in a social media post, she asserted that the next govt in Bihar would be led by Tejashwi with popular backing. “The public support is immense as there is a wind of change blowing in the state,” she wrote. Her remarks came in the backdrop of Rahul recently sidestepping a query on the issue at a press conference during the Voter Adhikar Yatra, where Tejashwi was also present. Asked about speculation that Nishant Kumar, the only son of CM Nitish Kumar, might enter politics, she said, “Anybody who has the passion to serve the people should be welcome into politics. I have known Nishant for a long time. We played together as children.” 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.
Revanth gains Rahul-Priyanka confidence, seen as rising power in Cong
Hyderabad: Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday travelled with senior AICC leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi in a private aircraft from New Delhi to Bihar to participate in the Gandhi scion’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Supaul. During the journey, the trio reportedly discussed national politics, the alleged voter data theft by the BJP, counter-strategies to be adopted, and the social justice model being implemented in Telangana, considered a potential blueprint for replication in other states. Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, Telangana Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, ministers and MPs also flew from the state in a separate private aircraft to Bihar. In total, nearly 20 Congress leaders, including the CM, deputy CM, ministers, and MPs, took part in the rally and returned to the city later in the evening. Within Congress circles, there is growing talk that CM Revanth has earned the trust of the Gandhi family in a way no previous Congress CM has managed. Notably, he appears to be in the good books of both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. “Contrary to the opposition’s malicious campaign, Revanth’s stature within the party has only grown stronger. Rahul Gandhi has openly praised the CM for delivering on key promises— such as a caste survey and enacting two Bills to provide 42% reservation to Backward Classes (BCs), categorisation of Scheduled Castes, and fulfilling his commitment to Telangana’s farmers with the 2 lakh crop loan waiver,” said a senior Congress leader. The leader also claimed that although Revanth said Justice B Sudershan Reddy was finalised by the INDIA bloc as the Vice-Presidential candidate, many within the party believe the name was actually suggested by the CM himself. Sources told TOI that during the flight from Delhi to Bihar, Rahul Gandhi shared his broader vision with CM Revanth regarding the Congress party’s mission to uphold social justice, protect the Constitution and democracy, and safeguard reservation policies — areas they believe are under threat from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP govt. In turn, Revanth reportedly expressed his determination to see Modi unseated and his ambition to inspire party cadres to make Rahul Gandhi the next Prime Minister. Political observers have noted the Gandhi family’s enduring emotional connection with the people of Telangana — from Indira Gandhi’s victory in the Medak Lok Sabha constituency in 1980, to Sonia Gandhi’s decision to back PV Narasimha Rao for the PM’s post by herself sacrificing the top post, and her historic move to grant statehood to Telangana even at the cost of the Congress party’s future in Andhra Pradesh. Revanth’s elevation as the CM over more senior contenders and his steadfast loyalty to the family are seen as key factors in his growing proximity to Rahul and Priyanka. Revanth’s public declarations — such as asserting that if Rahul Gandhi were PM, he would have reclaimed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir by taking inspiration from Indira Gandhi, who broke Pakistan into two and created Bangladesh; and that Rahul would have shown China its place — have further endeared him to the family. His leadership in the fight for BC quota approval at the Jantar Mantar dharna, his repeated commitment that every promise made by Rahul Gandhi is a ‘golden line’ to be honoured by his cabinet, and his ability to maintain party unity and run a stable govt in Telangana, have all contributed to solidifying his standing within the Congress high command. 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.