‘200 seats our right’: Hoardings stir buzz amid Congress-SP talks
Lucknow: Amid negotiations between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party over seat-sharing for the 2027 UP polls, hoardings reading “200 seat haq hai hamara, UP ko hai Rahul Gandhi par bharosa” appeared in the state capital on Sunday, triggering a buzz in political circles.The posters, seen at locations including Gomti Nagar, carried photographs of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, UP Congress chief Aradhana Mishra, state in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam and working president Imran Masood. BJP leaders took a jibe at the INDIA bloc soon after. “Had it been up to us, we wouldn’t have given them more than 25 seats!” BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh said when asked to comment. Leaders from both parties later alleged that the BJP was trying to sabotage their alliance. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of putting up fake posters to create differences within the INDIA bloc. “The alliance has given the BJP a stomach ache. They are so terrified that they are putting up fake posters,” he wrote on social media. Yadav also demanded action against municipal officials for allegedly allowing the hoardings to be displayed without payment of the prescribed fees. “If fees were paid, a receipt would have to be issued, which would reveal the identity of the conspirator and lead to their arrest,” he said. Congress’s UP in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam also alleged that the BJP was behind the campaign. “This is nothing but mischief by the BJP, which has not only put up these hoardings but is also propagating them,” he said. Meanwhile, Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra said those behind the posters were intimidated by the alliance’s strength. “Those who hide behind posters and indulge in childish antics are intimidated by the strength of INDIA. This is not a partnership for power, but a resolve to fight together for the Constitution and democracy,” she said. The controversy comes as the Congress seeks a substantial share of seats in the 403-member Assembly. Gautam recently said the party had submitted an initial list of 175 to 200 constituencies where it believed it could make an impact. 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 to launch Punjab Cong poll campaign from Sangrur on Nov 4
Chandigarh: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to visit Sangrur on Nov 4 to launch the party’s poll campaign for the 2027 Punjab assembly elections, state Congress chief Pargat Singh announced on Sunday. Ahead of the visit, AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal and Punjab in charge Sachin Pilot arrived in Mohali to oversee preparations and review electoral strategy. Venugopal, welcomed by senior state leaders including Partap Singh Bajwa and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, expressed confidence in a Congress victory. Gandhi’s planned rally comes as the governing Aam Aadmi Party faces criticism over the state’s drug crisis and recent related deaths, which included the broad daylight murder of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota in Mansa and death by suicide of Dalit labourer Gulzar Singh in Sangrur district. Pargat Singh told the media that Punjab Congress had been “exempted” from the Nov 1 INDIA bloc ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan being held in protest against the CEC Gyanesh Kumar over preparations for Rahul’s rally and meetings. “The visit will provide fresh direction and momentum to the party’s election campaign from the heartland of Malwa, while sending a clear message to party leaders and workers to be fully prepared for Mission 2027,” Pargat Singh said. 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
Modi is PM because of Congress’ contribution to democracy, says Karnataka CM Shivakumar
Shivakumar’s comments came in response to Modi’s allegation that the Congress had spent years making repeated attempts to establish Rahul Gandhi as its prominent national leader. BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday asserted that the Congress played a pivotal role in establishing democracy in India, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi owes his position to the party’s contributions to the country’s democratic system. Shivakumar’s comments came in response to Modi’s allegation that the Congress had spent years making repeated attempts to establish Rahul Gandhi as its prominent national leader. “Congress has a long history. Even the PM knows that without Congress this country wouldn’t have seen democracy. This is a party which has given democracy. If at all he (Modi) is the PM today, it is due to the Congress Party’s contribution to India’s leadership and democracy,” Shivakumar told reporters. “One should not forget the root. If you forget the root, you will not get the fruit,” he said. Modi on Thursday had hit out at the opposition Congress, saying that while the world was searching for a “new order”, some people were dreaming of “disorder” in India. In a direct attack on the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Modi had said the Congress made more failed attempts to launch its leader than India made rocket launches from Sriharikota in a year. Responding to the BJP’s criticism of Rahul Gandhi’s repeated foreign trips, and its allegation that he returned from them and tried to destabilise the government, Shivakumar said the Congress leader was invited abroad by political leaders, business leaders and universities. “He is a leader. Many foreign political leaders, business leaders and universities request him. He is a leader whom the entire world is looking at,” he said. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘No tweet yet for Raihan Vadra’: BJP floats ‘Priyanka vs Rahul’ angle amid Bikaner House exhibition row
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Friday alleged a rift within the Congress between siblings and Lok Sabha MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, pointing out that Rahul has yet to post a single tweet in support of his nephew, Raihan Vadra, Priyanka’s son. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of trying to “soft-launch” her son by “manufacturing” a controversy over the removal of certain photographs from Raihan Vadra’s exhibition by Delhi’s Bikaner House. “Priyanka Vadra’s entire attempt was to soft launch her son by manufacturing a controversy. She has lost political faith in Rahul Gandhi!” Bhandari wrote on X. — pradip103 (@pradip103) Claiming that Rahul Gandhi was on vacation in Vietnam, Bhandari added, “Rahul Gandhi who from Vietnam is tweeting on every issue under the sun, has till now not openly done a single tweet in favour of Raihan Vadra. It’s Priyanka vs Rahul in Congress!” The BJP spokesperson also shared purported screenshots of conversations between Raihan Vadra and Bikaner House, alleging that the 26-year-old had included political photographs in his exhibition despite being aware of the venue’s booking guidelines. Bhandari claimed the photographs were included under the Gandhi family’s ‘pressure’, prompting Bikaner House to ask Raihan to remove the political content. “Rehan Vadra’s email to Bikaner House dated 10 June & the proposal he sent to Bikaner House in the same mail had him declare the exhibition containing themes of nature, wildlife, artwork, sculpture! No Political content! To this Bikaner House accepted the proposal on 30 th June by reverting on the email!” Bhandari said. “Rehan was aware of the booking guidelines, this is is why his initial exhibition idea which he was working since 3 years had no political content! Under pressure of his family for a political launch, the political photographs were inserted later on to which Bikaner House reverted asking for removal on 21st October 2026!,” he added. A controversy erupted on Thursday after Raihan Vadra, son of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and businessman Robert Vadra, claimed that Bikaner House had asked him to remove photographs depicting the recent youth protests in Delhi just hours before the scheduled opening of his exhibition, No Idea Is Final, at 7 pm on Wednesday. Responding to the allegation, Bikaner House cited its management policy, stating, “Certain photographs from the exhibition ‘No Idea Is Final’ were found to be inconsistent with the policy of the Bikaner House Management Society and accordingly, their removal was requested.” 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
‘Like 1984 riots’: Sirsa accuses Rahul Gandhi of spreading anarchy ahead of INDIA bloc rally
Drawing a parallel with the planned November 1 rally, he accused Rahul Gandhi of attempting to create unrest and putting innocent people, including students, at risk for political gains. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Wednesday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of attempting to spread anarchy in the country, drawing a parallel with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, ahead of the INDIA bloc’s planned rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1. Sirsa alleged that Gandhi was following the same path as his father, former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, and grandmother, former prime minister Indira Gandhi, and claimed the Congress leader was seeking to destabilise the country for political gains. “Rahul Gandhi has adopted the same modus operandi as his father and grandmother. He is following the same path of harming the country,” Sirsa said. Questioning Gandhi’s foreign visits, the Delhi minister alleged that he was taking lessons from foreign powers that, he claimed, had spread unrest in countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and France. Referring to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Sirsa alleged that Congress leaders had targeted innocent Sikhs to gain political power following Indira Gandhi’s assassination. He named Rajiv Gandhi, Jagdish Tytler, H K L Bhagat, Sajjan Kumar, Kamal Nath and Dharam Das Shastri while alleging that they had witnessed the violence in areas where they were assigned responsibilities. Sirsa claimed that the killings of Sikhs had helped the Congress secure a sweeping victory in the 1984 Lok Sabha elections. Drawing a parallel with the planned November 1 rally, he accused Rahul Gandhi of attempting to create unrest and putting innocent people, including students, at risk for political gains. “Now, again on November 1, Rahul Gandhi is spreading anarchy in the country, making innocent children and their mothers his victims in the greed for power,” Sirsa alleged. He also questioned Gandhi’s alleged remarks about bringing “regime change” and claimed that attempts to destabilise elected governments could involve foreign funding, without providing evidence to substantiate the allegation. “We condemn this and protest against this. You are putting salt on the wounds of the 1984 Sikh victims. You are choosing the same day, November 1, to set the country on fire and break it,” Sirsa said. At a meeting in Delhi on September 29, INDIA bloc parties announced a series of protests demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The programme includes a rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, to which the Delhi Police has issued a No Objection Certificate. The rally is also expected to involve student organisations and civil society groups, demanding Kumar’s resignation. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Raihan Vadra’s protest photos spark political row, Congress alleges censorship, BJP hits back – all you need to know
NEW DELHI: The Bikaner House Management Society on Thursday defended its request to remove certain photographs from visual artist Raihan Vadra’s exhibition, saying they were “found to be inconsistent” with its policy, as the dispute over the removal of images documenting student protests and photographs of the national flag escalated into a political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP. Vadra, son of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and businessman Robert Vadra, alleged that the administration asked him to remove 70 of the 105 photographs displayed at his exhibition, No Idea Is Final, in New Delhi. He questioned the restrictions on political expression at an art institution, while several Congress leaders criticised the decision as censorship. The BJP, meanwhile, accused the Gandhi family of using the controversy for political purposes. Bikaner House says photographs were inconsistent with its policy In a statement on Thursday, the Bikaner House Management Society said certain photographs displayed at the exhibition were found to be inconsistent with its policy and their removal was requested. It added that the photographs considered consistent with its policy continued to be displayed. “Bikaner House is a public cultural institution dedicated to the promotion of art and culture. The exhibition and associated activities must comply with Bikaner House Management Society policy,” the statement said. The clarification came a day after Vadra alleged that the administration had asked him to remove several photographs documenting protests in Delhi, including images of the national flag, ahead of the exhibition’s scheduled opening on Wednesday evening. In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Vadra said, “Five hours ago, the Bikaner House Management forced me to remove the bulk of the artworks displayed in my show “No Idea Is Final”, which opens this evening at 7 pm. The photos were of the youth protests in Delhi. Apparently, the content is “objectionable”. They also directed me to remove two photos of the Tiranga. I have refused. I will not take down a picture of the Indian flag.” He said the exhibition would proceed with the remaining works and that he would consider another venue if necessary to display the complete collection of protest photographs. Raihan Vadra questions restrictions on political art Speaking to PTI Videos, Vadra said he had been informed about potential objections to some photographs a day before the exhibition and had asked the management to communicate its concerns in writing. “My show, ‘No Idea Is Final’, was supposed to start at 7 pm yesterday at Bikaner House. Twenty-four hours before the opening, I was approached by the Bikaner House management and told that some of the pictures might be objectionable or against their policy. I said that I did not believe they are, but I am happy to discuss the matter and asked them to get back to me in writing as to what are the objections,” he said. According to Vadra, the management did not respond until the following morning, when its team inspected the exhibition. He said he was subsequently told to remove 70 of the 105 photographs. “I did not hear from them till 11 am next day when their team came, saw the exhibit and left, they even complimented me on some of the photographs. Then, around 12.30 pm, we received a call from the deputy resident commissioner saying that you have to remove 70 of the 105 photographs in the exhibition because they are against the policy,” he said. Vadra said he had already removed some photographs containing overtly political slogans after reviewing the venue’s policy and was willing to discuss concerns over images featuring flags and political leaders. The management later insisted that the remaining photographs considered objectionable be removed, he alleged. Vadra said he asked officials to put their objections in writing, particularly regarding the photographs of the national flag. “So, we took them down except two photographs of the Indian flag which also they asked me to remove. I said, ‘But they are just pictures of the Indian flag. I do not think there is anything in your policy that says photographs of the Indian flag have to be removed’. At that point, I firmly told them to put their demand in writing if they wanted me to remove the photographs of the Indian flag,” Vadra said. He alleged that although the management did not provide a written demand, officials removed one of the two photographs while he was away. Vadra questioned the restriction on political expression at an art institution, saying, “I mean, most art is political, right? You cannot function as an artistic institution and then say that political content is not allowed,” he said. He also alleged that he had shared a layout of the exhibition with the management a week earlier, but was later told that officials had not been able to review it. Priyanka Gandhi backs son, Robert Vadra says family will find another venue Priyanka Gandhi Vadra backed her son on Thursday, expressing support for his decision to stand by his work. In a post on X, she wrote, “When someone with power becomes afraid of the expression of another, he doesn’t know it, but he has already lost the very power he is trying to protect. You stand for what is true and everything beautiful will find its way to you. I am proud of you, always will be.” Robert Vadra also expressed pride in his son and said the family would find another venue if necessary. Speaking to ANI, he said, “I am very proud of Raihan. He has seen what the whole family goes through and has gone through, and what his father has gone through. So, he is a very strong person, a very strong-headed person. He will find another location, and we will do it at another location.” He said Raihan had attended the recent protests, documenting them through photographs before deciding to organise an exhibition on the subject. According to Robert Vadra, his son had submitted a PDF of the proposed exhibition to the
Caste survey open for corrections, govt will rectify errors: Revanth
Hyderabad: The state govt is willing to correct any anomalies in the Socio-Economic, Education, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) Survey-2024 and ensure social justice for all communities, chief minister A Revanth Reddy said on Thursday, inviting caste associations that dispute the survey findings to submit data supporting their population claims. He announced that the govt would reconstitute a cabinet sub-committee to examine the issue and the cabinet will discuss the issue in the next meeting. “Elders and caste associations of Gouds, Mudirajs, Gangaputra, Yadavs and even Padmashalis have made claims over their population figures and contradicted the SEEEPC survey. The state govt has an open mind on this. Our intention is not to reduce the number of castes. Even my community (Reddy) people have doubts about the 25 lakh figure. We can rectify any anomalies or mistakes in population and include in the caste census, and social justice will be delivered to all castes,” Revanth said. The chief minister said the govt would seek reports from officials and consult legal experts before taking a final view on the matter. He added that the long-pending demand for reclassification of the Mudiraj community from the BC-D category to BC-A could not be considered so far because of the lack of accurate population data and that the reconstituted sub-committee would also examine the issue. Addressing the birth anniversary celebrations of Pandaga Sayanna Mudiraj, Revanth said the govt had earlier constituted a cabinet sub-committee headed by minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy and would now expand it by including ministers such as Ponnam Prabhakar and Vakiti Srihari. He also announced that statues of Doddi Komaraiah and Pandaga Sayanna would be installed on Tank Bund. Seeking to reassure Backward Class communities, the chief minister said the Congress govt is committed to their political empowerment and adequate representation. “It is my responsibility to ensure the Mudiraj community is made a partner in the govt,” he said. Shifting to national politics, Revanth described the next general election as crucial for the country and appealed for support to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He said the interests of the country’s Bahujan communities would be better protected if Rahul Gandhi becomes Prime Minister. He said the administration is strengthening the existing welfare programmes. “We are already doubling the welfare initiatives undertaken by the previous govt and building Indiramma houses in every village. The welfare schemes launched by NTR, Chandrababu Naidu, YSR and KCR are being continued,” he claimed. He said that while NTR had introduced Rs 2-a-kg rice, the present govt is supplying fine rice to 3.48 crore beneficiaries. Revanth said the govt had also taken steps to strengthen Telangana’s distinct identity, including officially adopting a state song after the formation of Telangana. 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
INDIA bloc huddle: Leaders to meet virtually on CEC row; SIR irregularities on agenda
NEW DELHI: Leaders of the INDIA bloc will meet through video conferencing on Thursday evening to discuss their strategy over the ongoing row involving chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, sources cited by news agency ANI said, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge set to chair the meeting. The meeting comes as Opposition parties continue their campaign against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demand accountability from the Election Commission of India (ECI). The opposition has accused the poll panel of facilitating the deletion of eligible voters from electoral rolls and has sought Kumar’s resignation. The Election Commission has maintained that it follows established procedures and defended its role in conducting elections. Opposition steps up campaign against Election Commission The INDIA bloc had earlier announced a joint action plan under its “Save Democracy” campaign. The proposed programme included protests, a march towards the Election Commission headquarters and a rally in New Delhi on November 1. On October 6, INDIA bloc MPs led by Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi marched towards Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission’s headquarters, seeking a meeting with the poll panel. Delhi Police stopped the march amid heavy barricading and detained several opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. They were later released. Following the protest, the ECI said Delhi Police had informed it that a delegation of around 240 MPs wanted to meet the Election Commissioners and submit a memorandum at the Parliament House Annexe. The poll panel described the proposed venue and manner of seeking the meeting as “unusual” under its established protocol. Delhi Police said the march had not been granted permission and cited prohibitory orders to explain its action against the protesters. The opposition subsequently approached President Droupadi Murmu. An INDIA bloc delegation, including Rahul Gandhi, Kharge, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party representatives, submitted a memorandum outlining its demands on October 9. The memorandum sought Kumar’s resignation, suspension of the SIR exercise, restoration of voters allegedly deleted from electoral rolls and a return to paper ballots. The opposition also called for the repeal of the 2023 law granting immunity to the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners for official duties. Kharge targets immunity law, EVMs On Wednesday, Kharge accused the BJP-led government of undermining democratic institutions and shielding election officials from accountability. He said the opposition’s campaign was aimed at protecting the Constitution and democracy rather than securing electoral gains for any particular party. Kharge criticised Section 16 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, which grants legal immunity to current and former Election Commissioners for official duties. He argued that the provision protected election officials from accountability and demanded its repeal. “We are asking the BJP to repeal that law. Because you are giving protection to the Election Commissioner and letting him make mistakes. And whatever mistakes have happened today, they happened through Gyanesh Kumar. Why did you give him immunity? It was given so that you can make mistakes through him just by telling him to do so, and forgive him. The Chief Justice doesn’t have immunity. The President of India doesn’t have it. An Election Commissioner does,” Kharge said. He also called for Kumar’s removal, the scrapping of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and a return to paper ballots, while demanding stricter checks on changes to voter lists. “Follow the constitutional system, and remove Gyanesh Kumar, whom you have appointed today. Along with removing him, change the system too. Bring the previous law back, get rid of the EVMs, bring back ballot papers, and the software that sits in one place and controls the whole country. Stop using BLOs to make changes to the voter list,” he said. Kharge also criticised the government’s response to opposition concerns, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah were using ministers and constitutional officials to avoid directly addressing the issues raised by the opposition. INDIA bloc challenges SIR, Jantar Mantar decision At a meeting on October 13, INDIA bloc leaders reiterated their resolve to continue the campaign and said they would challenge the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Kharge, have also approached the Supreme Court challenging aspects of the SIR exercise. On October 15, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Election Commission, Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi on petitions challenging aspects of the revision exercise. The court also agreed to examine the denotification of Jantar Mantar and directed Delhi Police to preserve CCTV footage of the protests amid allegations of excessive force. Thursday’s meeting is expected to focus on the opposition’s strategy in the continuing dispute with the Election Commission, including its demands over the SIR exercise and accountability of the poll panel. 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
‘Finding a place to belong’: Sonia Gandhi makes Instagram debut, shares first look of memoir
NEW DELHI: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi joined Instagram on Thursday and shared the first look of her upcoming memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, which is scheduled for release on November 10. In her first post on the social media platform, the 79-year-old Congress leader expressed gratitude while introducing the book to readers. “Hello everyone, I’m truly grateful to share this moment with you all; the first look of Belonging: A Journey of Love,” she wrote in the caption. “It is a story of love, duty, loss and finding a place to belong. I look forward to sharing it with you,” the post added. The memoir traces Congress MP’s journey from her childhood in post-war Italy to her relationship with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the personal losses that shaped her life and relationship with India. Memoir revisits childhood, Rajiv Gandhi and family tragedies The book recounts Sonia’s early years in Italy, her romance with Rajiv Gandhi while they were associated with Cambridge, and the assassinations of her mother-in-law, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and her husband. Born in Italy, Sonia Gandhi was 19 when she met Rajiv Gandhi in Cambridge, England, in 1965. The couple married on February 25, 1968. She went on to become the longest-serving president of the Congress party. Her memoir is expected to offer a personal account of love, identity, duty and belonging, alongside her experiences as a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family and her life in India. Rahul Gandhi had earlier expressed excitement about the book. On the 82nd birth anniversary of his father, Rajiv Gandhi, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha wrote that he was proud his mother’s story would reach readers. “I am happy, and so proud, that your story–‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’–will finally be read by the millions of people who love you. I know how hard it was for someone as private as you to tell the world your beautiful story. Today, on his birthday, I can see Papa smiling and looking down proudly at his beautiful Sonia,” Rahul Gandhi said. India edition faces publishing uncertainty The memoir is scheduled to be published internationally by Alfred A Knopf, an imprint of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, on November 10. The announcement was made on August 18. However, the book’s publication in India has faced uncertainty following a disagreement between Penguin Random House India (PRHI) and the author’s representatives over editorial changes. Penguin India said the publication process had reached an “impasse over a particular issue” during its normal editorial review. The publisher said some proposed changes had been accepted, while in other instances it had accepted the author’s position, but an agreement could not be reached on one issue. Penguin India denied that external pressure had influenced the decision and declined to disclose details of the disagreement, citing contractual obligations and author confidentiality. The dispute triggered a political controversy, with Congress leaders alleging that pressure had been exerted to remove sections concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and China’s occupation of Indian territory during the Modi government. Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot described the episode as a “murder of democracy”. Penguin India rejected suggestions of external intervention, saying its review involved the usual editorial processes, including fact-checking and recommendations. Later, HarperCollins India had stepped in to publish the domestic edition, with the book expected to reach Indian readers on the same date as its international release. The status of the India edition had remained a point of contention following Penguin India’s exit from the deal. Former Congress president’s Instagram debut comes ahead of the memoir’s scheduled release, offering readers an early glimpse of the book and its account of her personal journey. 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
‘I’m not a travel agent’: Shashi Tharoor when asked about Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trip
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday declined to comment on Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s overseas visit amid protests in New Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying, “I am not a travel agent.”“I am not a travel agent. There is no point in asking me that question. Why did I leave Delhi and come here now? Every person has certain responsibilities. So, I cannot comment on that,” Tharoor said when asked about Rahul’s travel plans. Tharoor’s remarks came after the BJP stepped up its criticism of Rahul Gandhi over his alleged foreign trip amid opposition protests in Delhi against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The BJP shared a video on X purportedly showing the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition aboard a flight to Vietnam, saying, “Too tired of spreading lies. Let me tour Vietnam for a while, who would get to know.” BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain also took a swipe at Gandhi, suggesting he needed a break after his activities during the protests. “Rahul ji was very tired. He worked very hard. Sometimes he went to a police station, sometimes he sat inside All India Radio, sometimes he lay down on the road to get his pictures clicked, sometimes he pushed and shoved police personnel, and sometimes he knocked a journalist to the ground. He works so hard that he gets exhausted,” Hussain said. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, however, defended Rahul’s right to travel abroad, questioning the BJP’s criticism. “Who travels where and when… what is the issue? Do others not travel abroad? Rahul Gandhi is an individual and the leader of the opposition. He has his duties. He interacts with students at Yale University, meets students in London and engages with intellectuals there. He even gives press interviews, something the Prime Minister does not do,” Dikshit said. He also cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign visits during Parliament sessions, questioning why they had not drawn similar criticism. “We also have a tradition that the Prime Minister does not travel abroad when the Lok Sabha is in session. But our PM broke that tradition. Why does no question arise at that time?” he asked. Rahul has been leading the opposition’s campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR exercise, demanding his resignation. The Election Commission and the BJP have rejected allegations of irregularities in the revision process, accusing Rahul of “spreading lies”. 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