TMC split row: Lok Sabha Speaker asks Abhishek Banerjee to present case on Friday
Parliamentary sources said the Speaker intends to hear both sides before making a decision, which will be based on the applicable laws and parliamentary rules. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla asked Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee to appear before him on 19 June as he considers a request by a group of rebel MPs seeking recognition as a separate parliamentary faction. The move comes after 20 rebel Trinamool MPs claimed to have merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India and petitioned the Speaker for recognition as a distinct group in Parliament. The rebel MPs have already met Birla, while the faction led by Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had sought an appointment to present its position. Parliamentary sources said the Speaker intends to hear both sides before making a decision, which will be based on the applicable laws and parliamentary rules. In a letter to Birla, Abhishek Banerjee had argued that a valid merger under the anti-defection law would require both the merger of the political party and the backing of at least two-thirds of its legislators, contending that meeting only one of the conditions would not be sufficient. Sources had earlier told TNIE that a decision on the rebels MP’s plea is expected before Parliament’s Monsoon session, which is likely to begin in the third week of July. The Speaker’s decision will be guided by a written opinion from the Union law ministry, which is expected to seek the advice of a senior law officer before submitting its assessment, they added. 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
India’s education system crushes children: Rahul Gandhi at Kota rally
KOTA: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said India’s education system puts immense pressure on children and “crushes” them, while calling for collective efforts to ensure that no student feels the way many young aspirants do today. “This is not good for the country. I want all of us to work together to ensure that no student in this country ever feels what this girl felt,” Gandhi said while addressing the “Chhatron ki Goonj” Maha Rally in Kota. He said, “the event was not a political meeting but a platform to discuss the struggles faced by students.” “This is a meeting about you, about the young people who are struggling to get a future. This evening is about you, the challenges that you are dealing with every single day,” he added. Five students — three girls and two boys — were invited on stage after Gandhi’s opening remarks. The students, who are preparing for NEET, JEE and civil services examinations, spoke about their aspirations, challenges and the money spent on coaching. While interacting with students, Gandhi said the biggest weakness of India’s education system was that it failed to encourage children’s dreams and aspirations. Chhatron Ki Goonj in Kota “The biggest weakness of India’s education system: it does not nurture the dreams of our children. It does not respect the options and aspirations they truly want to pursue. After that, I began thinking more deeply about the education system. Several questions came to mind. One was why the public-sector education system had declined. Another was why private education had become so expensive,” he said. Recalling his Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Gandhi said he met thousands of young people and noticed a pattern in their career choices. “Some time back, I walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, covering 4,000 kilometers. Along the way, I met lakhs of young people like you and had discussions with thousands of them. I would always ask them one simple question: ‘What do you want to become?’ Almost every time, I received the same five answers, engineer, doctor, lawyer, IAS officer, or joining the armed forces. There was never a sixth answer.” “This made me wonder why our education system, when young people are the future of the country, seems to offer them only five options. I asked this question many times and always received the same responses…The truth was that there was a big difference between their real aspirations and the five standard options they had mentioned,” Rahul added further. The Congress has projected the Kota rally as the beginning of a nationwide student convention series focused on issues including paper leaks, unemployment and education reforms. The BJP has criticised the outreach, alleging that such programmes could distract students preparing for competitive examinations. Kota, one of India’s biggest coaching hubs, has around 1.2 lakh students preparing for NEET and JEE exams across various institutes. The Congress said Gandhi’s national education campaign will focus on highlighting students’ concerns, seeking accountability and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The campaign will be carried forward by Congress units, including the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and Youth Congress, with conventions planned in Allahabad, Patna and Delhi, according to the party. 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
From the Urdu Press: ‘Mamata, Pawar must return to Congress’; ‘Rahul’s resistance pitch compelling’
“INDIA bloc should try to induct parties such as Mayawati’s BSP, Naveen Patnaik’s BJD and Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP, which are currently neither aligned with the NDA nor any other front,” writes Munsif The unravelling of Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) in just a few weeks after its humiliating loss to the BJP in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections has continued to dominate the front pages of the Urdu dailies. After losing control of her Legislature Party in the Bengal Assembly, Mamata is now reeling from a split in her Parliamentary Party in the Lok Sabha, with 20 rebel TMC MPs claiming their merger with an obscure outfit, Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), as part of their alignment with the ruling BJP-led NDA. The dailies kept the spotlight on these developments, which are set to have a bearing on national politics in the coming days. Flagging the BJP’s alleged bid to break parties in various states under “Operation Lotus”, the Mumbai-based Urdu Times, in its June 13 editorial, says that several Opposition parties, especially regional parties such as the Sharad Pawar-founded NCP and now the TMC, have already been split so far. “This has dealt a body blow to the Opposition groupings – the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra, and the INDIA bloc at the national level,” it says. The AAP has also suffered a division, the edit states, referring to the defection of its seven Rajya Sabha MPs, led by Raghav Chadha, to the BJP. “The unrelenting fragmentation of the Opposition parties has led to an atmosphere in which no party other than the BJP would be able to rule the country. This warrants a serious brainstorming by the Opposition leaders to work out joint strategies to counter the BJP.” The daily points out that in Bengal around 60 of the 80 TMC MLAs and about 20 Lok Sabha MPs have revolted and split the party. “Like the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, the TMC has been buffeted with Mamata scrambling to save her party. Various agencies and money may have played a big role in breaking the TMC,” the edit says. “It is imperative for the struggling Opposition alliance to get its act together and save its existence and identity.” Citing the instances of breakaway factions of the Sena and the NCP, the editorial says the same may happen to the TMC. “It is time that Sharad Pawar and Mamata consider their homecoming to the Congress and merge their outfits with the grand old party. They had been associated with the Congress for a large part of their political careers. By returning to the Congress, they could strengthen the party in its battle against the BJP,” it states. The Congress also needs heavyweight leaders like Pawar and Mamata, who would have their own space in the party. Such a development would also galvanise the Opposition and disrupt the ruling dispensation’s game, the edit says. “This would be an effective payback from Pawar and Mamata to the BJP’s politics, which would also have a resonance among the people.” Referring to the INDIA bloc’s meeting in Delhi, the Hyderabad-based Munsif, in its June 12 leader, notes that it also saw participation of leaders like Mamata Banerjee who used to shy away from acknowledging the alliance’s importance before her party’s debale in the Bengal polls. “The point remains that any differences between the Opposition parties would only fuel the BJP to fulfil its designs. The INDIA allies must have a common agenda for the sake of the country to protect our democracy and Constitution. They must unitedly take on the BJP which is allegedly misusing power and agencies to script its electoral successes,” the editorial says. The Opposition parties do not have any option other than closing their ranks to face the BJP juggernaut, the daily states. “At the meeting, the INDIA allies agreed on several points. They would write to the Chief Justice of India to protest against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and electoral irregularities. They pressed for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-CBSE rows,” it says. “They also demanded that the Modi government convene an all-party meeting to discuss the precarious economic situation, unemployment, price rise, and atrocities against oppressed sections.” The edit points out that while the DMK boycotted the meeting to protest against the Congress’s move to join hands with Vijay-led TVK to form the new government in Tamil Nadu, the CPI(M) also took aim at the Congress for its campaign in the Kerala elections. “The deliberations over such concerns while displaying mutual respect could actually strengthen the INDIA bloc,” it states. Noting the INDIA parties’ decision to hold their meeting after every two months now, it says, “They should also have their alignments at the state level rather than just limiting it to the national plane. For, their state rivalries often inject bitterness into their central equations. A dominant ally in a state should take other partners on board to boost the alliance and deepen their ties.” Highlighting the speech delivered by Rahul Gandhi at the INDIA bloc meeting, the New Delhi edition of Inquilab, in its June 16 editorial, says that the nine-minute address of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha was “clear-eyed and compelling” in which he called upon his allies that it was easy to beat the BJP if they “stood together and resisted”. “Responding to the attacks on the Congress by its partners, Rahul told them that he was ready to accept all their criticism happily but they must understand the overwhelming reality — that it could no longer be business as usual and that the Opposition front must mount an effective resistance with unity to turn the tide and reclaim the vital institutions which have been captured,” the edit states. “Rahul exuded confidence and resolve, he sounded earnest and purposeful, and there was no tinge of disappointment in his pitch.” The daily underlines that resistance and
DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi for ‘dishonesty,’ ‘immaturity’ that harmed INDIA bloc
CHENNAI: DMK’s official organ ‘Murasoli’ on Monday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, charging that his “political immaturity” and “dishonesty” were the reasons for the criticism faced by Congress from its allies at the recent INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi. In an editorial, Murasoli accused Congress of repeatedly undermining its alliance partners in states while seeking their support during parliamentary elections. “In state after state where assembly elections are held, Congress has done everything possible to prevent fellow INDIA bloc partners from coming to power. Yet, when parliamentary elections arrive, it seeks their support in the name of fighting BJP,” the editorial said. Questioning Congress leadership’s approach towards its allies, the DMK mouthpiece asked, “Isn’t Congress ashamed to first weaken alliance partners and then seek their support when the need arises?” Referring to the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly election, Murasoli alleged that Congress had betrayed DMK despite remaining in the alliance. “The acts of betrayal committed by Congress while remaining in alliance with DMK were carried out with Rahul Gandhi’s blessings,” the editorial alleged. The editorial came days after Rahul Gandhi released the audio of his speech at the June 8 INDIA bloc meeting, in which he stressed the need for opposition unity. According to Murasoli, Rahul was now attempting to project himself as a unifying force after the party with which Congress has aligned in Tamil Nadu refused to join the INDIA bloc. The DMK organ said several leaders of INDIA bloc, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and VCK leaders, had expressed dissatisfaction over Congress’s handling of its allies. “Rahul Gandhi apparently did not anticipate such criticism. At a meeting convened to discuss opposition unity against BJP, Congress itself became the principal target of criticism. The responsibility for that lies with Rahul Gandhi’s political immaturity and dishonesty,” the editorial said. While noting Rahul’s remark that Congress should accept criticism from its allies, Murasoli said it was immaterial whether he accepted criticism at this stage. Responding to Rahul’s comparison that Congress would absorb criticism just as Lord Shiva consumed poison, the editorial said Hindu mythology speaks of Shiva consuming poison to save the world, not creating it. “But who was responsible for churning the poison within the INDIA bloc?” the editorial asked. 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
Congress open to ‘ghar wapsi’ of ex-members
NEW DELHI: Stoking the growing public chatter over merger of breakaway outfits with Congress, the AICC has expressed its readiness to accept its erstwhile members into the party fold. AICC general secretary (organisation) and Rahul Gandhi confidant K C Venugopal told TOI, “Everybody who believes in the Congress ideology can come back. There is no issue.” He said such mergers and homecomings will only strengthen the fight against “BJP-fascist forces”. “All the parties who want to join Congress and believe in the Congress ideology can approach us. We will welcome them,” he added. Venugopal, however, clarified that presently there are no such merger proposals under consideration of AICC. “We are hearing all these speculations from the media,” he claimed. 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 Sharad Pawar’s party, the NCP (SP), merge with the Congress? Supriya Sule and Rohit Pawar’s responses have fueled speculation.
New turmoil has erupted in Maharashtra politics. Speculation is now swirling in the state about whether Sharad Pawar’s party, the NCP (SP), will merge with the Congress. Supriya Sule and Rohit Pawar have also issued statements addressing these speculations. Speculation of the NCP (SP) merging with the Congress. Image Source: PTI There is a growing debate in Maharashtra politics these days about whether the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) could merge with the Congress. This issue has sparked political turmoil within both the Maha Vikas Aghadi and Mahayuti camps. This speculation was first fueled by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. He said that regional parties that left the Congress to challenge the BJP should rejoin the Congress, and that Sharad Pawar should lead the process. Sanjay Raut said, “A strong Congress, a united Congress, should stand as a strong alternative within the country. Pawar Saheb should come forward (take the initiative) in this regard. Honorable Sharad Pawar ji, if he takes the lead and takes the initiative in this ideology or role that is being formed, this idea of coming together, then this idea will go a long way.” Question: Does this mean that the NCP will also join the Congress? Sanjay Raut said, “I am saying that the parties that have left the Congress ideology, for some reason, are already working on the Congress ideology. They are in the government, they are together in many streams, so if this idea comes together, then a big alternative (challenge) can be posed before the Modi government.” What did the Congress say? The Congress side did not completely dismiss this discussion either. Maharashtra Congress leader Nana Patole claimed that the idea of the NCP merging with the Congress is not new and that this proposal had been put forward before. Meanwhile, some Congress leaders have stressed the need for opposition unity. Nana Patole said that this understanding has now also developed among regional parties in various states. Whether it’s Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar, or other parties representing secular politics, everyone feels they must join forces with the Congress to save the country. This process has already begun. What did the NCP (Sharad Pawar) say? On the other hand, the NCP (Sharad Pawar) has currently ruled out any formal merger proposal. Party leaders have stated that no such discussions have officially taken place, although statements by Rohit Pawar and Supriya Sule indicate that all options are open to consideration regarding opposition unity. Regarding the suggestion of the NCP merging with the Congress, Supriya Sule said, “Sanjay Raut ji is like an elder brother to me; he has made a good suggestion. I don’t know if it will happen or not.” Meanwhile, Rohit Pawar said, “It will happen when it happens. It may or may not happen. But first, it’s essential that all opposition parties come together and stand firmly against the Modi government.” What did CM Fadnavis say? Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sarcastically stated that regional parties will not merge with the Congress like a “sinking ship.” He claimed that even if opposition parties unite, it will not impact the BJP’s expansion; instead, it will gain political space. Speculation intensifies in Maharashtra politics Overall, no official decision or announcement has been made regarding the merger of the Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar). However, Sanjay Raut’s suggestion, positive signals from Congress leaders, and reactions from Rohit Pawar and Supriya Sule have further fueled speculation on this issue in Maharashtra politics. Reported By: Sachin Chaudhary, Edited By: Subhash Kumar Courtesy: Hindi News
Rahul Gandhi to launch youth outreach in Prayagraj against paper leaks
Lucknow: Congress MP and the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will visit Prayagraj on July 10 as part of the party’s nationwide campaign against paper leaks, irregularities in examinations and rising unemployment.The programme in Prayagraj is among the first-phase events announced by the Congress to highlight what it described as a growing crisis confronting India’s youth. According to AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, the campaign seeks to bring together students, job aspirants, youth organisations, educators and those affected by examination scandals and recruitment irregularities. The Prayagraj convention will be held between similar outreach events scheduled in Kota on June 17, Patna on July 11, and Delhi on July 14. The party plans extensive mobilisation through the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Youth Congress and local organisational units. Outreach activities will include campus visits, interactions at coaching centres, universities and schools, as well as digital campaigns aimed at engaging students and job aspirants. Rahul Gandhi is likely to reiterate demands including decentralisation of NEET, abolition of examination fee, stringent action against those involved in paper leak rackets and greater accountability in the education system. The party has also sought a comprehensive discussion in Parliament on issues affecting students and unemployed youth. While the visit is centred around youth-related concerns, it also carries political significance as Uttar Pradesh gears up for Assembly elections. Gandhi has maintained a steady presence in the state over the past several months. Between Jan 20 and 21, the Rae Bareli MP visited his parliamentary constituency and addressed an MGNREGA Chaupal. He was again in Uttar Pradesh on March 13 to participate in a ‘Samvidhan Sammelan’ in Lucknow, where he paid tribute to Dalit leader Kanshi Ram on his birth anniversary. Most recently, on May 19 and 20, Gandhi visited Rae Bareli and Amethi, where he inaugurated development projects, addressed public meetings, interacted with women and party workers, and laid the groundwork for the Congress’ “Mission UP” campaign ahead of the Assembly polls. 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 Modi take up sailor deaths with Trump, asks Congress
NEW DELHI: Leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi Sunday called PM Narendra Modi an “obedient servant” of foreign forces that kill Indians. Congress asked whether the PM would raise the killing of Indian seafarers and the “threatening language” of secretary of state Marco Rubio with the Indian the foreign minister in his upcoming meeting in Paris with US President Donald Trump. Tagging a video of workers and the captain of MT Celestial ship, Rahul said, “Just days after three Indian sailors were killed in American attacks, there is neither regret nor apology. On the contrary, the US continues to issue orders. A sovereign nation would never tolerate such language. But our ‘compromised PM’? Silent. He listens like an obedient servant and complies with the orders.” Congress said India should put off the upcoming visit of US trade representatives in view of the killings of seafarers and Rubio’s “threatening language” with Jaishankar. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the PM for his “silence” over the killings. “And you have the audacity to sugarcoat it with the ‘Vishwaguru’ narrative. India used to be a ‘Vishwaguru’ when it maintained its strategic autonomy and followed the policy of non-alignment. The world listened to us when all previous govts followed this consistent policy of not surrendering,” he 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
‘Will PM Modi convey to Trump India’s condemnation of killing of Indian sailors in US attack?’: Congress
Trump will meet Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the G-7 meeting in France on Wednesday, American media reported quoting US officials. In a scathing attack on the Modi government, the Congress on Sunday said India must put off the upcoming visit of US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and asserted that any self respecting nation will do more than mere phone calls and press statements to defend its sovereignty against “bullies”. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to meet US President Donald Trump this week, the opposition party also asked whether he will raise India’s strongest condemnation over the killing of three Indian sailors in a US attack on a ship off the Oman Coast, and the “threatening and really unacceptable” language used by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in his conversation with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on June 12. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh noted that Prime Minister Modi is set to meet his self-declared good friend President Trump shortly. “The question that is uppermost on the minds of all Indian citizens is whether PM Modi will raise (i) India’s strongest condemnation to the killing of three Indian sailors in a US attack on a ship off the Oman Coast; and (ii) the threatening and really unacceptable language used by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in his conversation with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on June 12th, 2026,” Ramesh said on X. The US Trade Representative Greer is also set to visit India shortly to clinch the Indo-US Trade Deal, he noted. “We must remember that the ‘framework for an Interim Agreement regarding reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade’ was announced by President Trump — on what he said was at the specific request of PM Modi — on the night of February 3, 2026, while PM Modi was under pressure from Rahul Gandhi’s expose in Parliament of his cowardice relating to China. “The ‘deal’ which was more like a steal saw the Modi Government unilaterally make enormous concessions that threaten our farmers and industries,” Ramesh alleged. Countries like Malaysia have declared their trade agreements with the US ‘null and void’ after the US Supreme Court ruling which struck down the Trump-tariffs that formed the backdrop to these agreement, the Congress leader pointed out. The Modi government has not only failed to renounce this trade deal which endangers the futures of crores of India’s farmers but has instead sat mute and helpless while Secretary of State Marco Rubio has proclaimed that the Modi Government has committed to purchasing USD 500 billion in US goods over the next five years, effectively doubling our annual US imports, Ramesh said. “In light of the Rubio-Jaishankar interaction, the US Supreme Court’s overturning of President Trump’s tariff system, and the patent unfairness of the trade deal, the least India must do is to put off the visit of the US Trade Representative,” he said. “Any self respecting nation will do more than mere phone calls and press statements to defend its sovereignty against bullies,” Ramesh said. Trump will meet Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the G-7 meeting in France on Wednesday, American media reported quoting US officials. This will be the first meeting between the two leaders since February last year in Washington and comes against the backdrop of concerns over the death of Indian mariners on commercial ships targeted by the US navy in the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting between Trump and Modi will also be the first face-to-face interaction since the India-US relationship hit a rough patch after Operation Sindoor and Washington’s decision to impose heavy tariffs on New Delhi. The two leaders have had a couple of phone calls and also agreed on a framework for an interim bilateral trade deal in February, which is being negotiated. Ramesh’s remarks come a day after the US said it conveyed to India that any violation of its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated. Rubio conveyed this to Jaishankar, who spoke with him on Friday to lodge a strong protest against the death of Indian nationals in US attacks on ships off the coast of Oman. According to State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott, Secretary of State Rubio stressed that all commercial vessels should immediately comply with orders from US forces as they seek to uphold peace and security in the Strait. Rubio underscored that violations of the US blockade and the illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated, Pigott said in Washington. The US has imposed a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz since April 13, preventing transit of ships to and from the ports of the Islamic Republic as part of its efforts to restrict Tehran from profiting from oil trade. Three vessels with Indian crew came under attack off the Oman coast this week. One of them resulted in the death of three Indian seafarers on Wednesday. Jaishankar then called Rubio to protest their death in a US military strike on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman. “Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified,” Jaishankar had said in a post on X after he spoke with Rubio. Earlier on Friday, India summoned US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks in New Delhi and told him that the American military’s lethal strikes on commercial vessels with Indian crew members off the coast of Oman are unacceptable. Hours later, Trump accused Iran of carrying out drone attacks against Indian ships leaving the Strait of Hormuz, saying it was totally unacceptable. 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
Rahul Gandhi to kick off Congress campaign on youth issues from Rajasthan’s Kota
Rahul Gandhi will engage in a direct dialogue with students and aspirants preparing for competitive exams on paper leaks and major youth-related issues. JAIPUR: The Congress party will launch a nationwide movement on June 17 from Kota, renowned as the country’s “coaching capital”, to focus on issues such as paper leaks, examination irregularities, unemployment and other key issues affecting the youth. The Leader of the Opposition in the lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will engage in a direct dialogue with students and aspirants preparing for competitive exams on paper leaks and major youth related issues. This effort is being viewed as not just a political event but as the launch of a new youth-centric narrative for the Congress to mobilize students across the country. The choice of Kota in Rajasthan is significant as it not only attracts thousands of students from across the country but also as it is represented in the Lok Sabha by Speaker Om Birla. The Congress is keen to corner the BJP in what is being seen as a major bastion for the saffron party and the RSS. Kota District Congress President Rakhi Gautam and Kota Rural Congress President Bhanu Pratap Singh stated that the decision was made to launch this nationwide campaign from Kota as it is the country’s “coaching hub”. Through this initiative, students across the nation will be connected, and their issues will be raised at the national level. Preparations for Rahul Gandhi’s proposed visit to Kota next week are already underway. Continuous contact is being maintained with students and coaching institutes regarding the student conference. Additionally, information about Rahul Gandhi’s interactive session is being disseminated to students via social media. At the Kota event, Rahul Gandhi will interact directly with students and the youth, listening to their concerns and suggestions. Discussions will cover various topics related to education and employment, including the repeated paper leak scandals, the NEET exam controversy, and key issues concerning the CBSE. The entire Congress team in Kota is actively engaged in preparing for the event. However, a final decision regarding the venue has not yet been reached. Congress leaders say that details of potential venues in Kota have been submitted to AICC officials and the venue will be announced once a final approval is received. Notably, this marks Rahul Gandhi’s second visit to Rajasthan within a fortnight. He had previously visited Pushkar in Ajmer district on June 1 to attend the concluding ceremony of the national training camp for Congress district presidents. It was during the Pushkar conference that he was invited to visit Kota. Kota is considered the country’s largest coaching hub, attracting thousands of students from all corners of the country every year for medical and engineering entrance exam preparations. Consequently, the Congress sees Kota as a most suitable platform to raise issues like paper leaks and transparency in the examination system. Rahul Gandhi had previously met with coaching students during a brief break from his ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ in December 2022. The Congress party also acknowledges that the NEET paper leak case has links to Rajasthan. Against this backdrop, Rahul Gandhi is set to hold a direct dialogue with students at the upcoming conference in Kota. At the Pushkar event recently, Rahul had praised the working style of state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra and Leader of the Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha Tikaram Jully. He remarked that the united manner in which the Congress organization is functioning in Rajasthan serves as a model for other states. Political analysts believe that Rajasthan was chosen for this national campaign because the party is considered organizationally strong there, and the participation of both party workers and the general public can be ensured for large-scale events. Kota is the parliamentary constituency of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and is considered a stronghold of the BJP and the RSS. But Shanti Dhariwal, a senior Cabinet minister in the previous Congress government and a close confidante of former CM Ashok Gehlot, is the most influential Congress leader in Kota. Dhariwal is considered as a key figure in raising a formidable challenge for the BJP in Kota. Following the event in Kota, the first phase of the campaign will include programs in Allahabad on July 10, Patna on July 11, and Delhi on July 14. The Congress says this campaign will not be limited solely to the NEET paper leak issue. Instead, it will evolve into a nationwide movement addressing broader concerns such as the future of the youth, employment, transparency in recruitment exams, and much-needed reforms in the education system. Rajesh Asnani 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