JDS slams CM DK Shivakumar for no pic of Deputy CM in official ad
The JDS also said that the advertisement on the ‘Bhoo Guarantee’ did not carry the picture of Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. TUMAKURU: JDS on Saturday took a dig at Chief Minister DK Shivakumar after an official advertisement by the Backward Classes Department in newspapers on former CM D Devaraj Urs featured only the CM’s picture and not that of Deputy CM Dr G Parameshwara. “The true justice of the INC Karnataka party, which constantly preaches about social justice, has been exposed in today’s newspapers! When it was you, your photograph was mandatory. But when a Dalit leader is the Deputy Chief Minister, is there suddenly no space for his photo, Mr Chief Minister? In the very advertisement for a programme honouring Devaraj Urs, who dedicated his entire life to the Backward and Dalit classes, Shivakumar has displayed his arrogance and monopoly by completely omitting the photograph of the current DCM and prominent Dalit leader Dr G Parameshwara,” the JDS posted on the social media platform X. “Is this the level of neglect shown towards Dalit leaders…even in an official advertisement from the Backward Classes Welfare Department? The public will surely teach a fitting lesson to the arrogance of the Congress which treats Dalits as nothing more than a vote bank,” the JDS added. The JDS also said that the advertisement on the ‘Bhoo Guarantee’ did not carry the picture of Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. 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
Congress eyes major reset of Revanth govt
The possibility of changes in the state party unit is also generating considerable discussion. HYDERABAD: Having completed half of its five-year tenure, the Revanth Reddy government appears headed for its biggest shake-up since coming to power in December 2023. With the Congress high command said to be weighing changes in both the Cabinet and the party organisation, ministers, MLAs and aspirants have begun jockeying for position, turning Hyderabad and New Delhi into hubs of intense political activity. According to sources in the ruling party, the proposed exercise is expected to go beyond a routine Cabinet expansion. The Congress leadership is reportedly considering a broader overhaul that could involve dropping some ministers, inducting fresh faces, redistributing key portfolios and reorganising the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC). Party insiders say two or three ministers could be shown the door as part of the exercise. However, the move is not being viewed as a demotion. Those relieved of Cabinet responsibilities may instead be assigned organisational roles in the All India Congress Committee (AICC), with some potentially being made in-charge of states such as Gujarat, Goa and Uttar Pradesh, which are scheduled to go to the polls next year. The possibility of changes in the state party unit is also generating considerable discussion. One of the names being widely talked about is TPCC president and MLC B Mahesh Kumar Goud, who is said to be under consideration for a Cabinet berth. His induction would also address the absence of Cabinet representation from Nizamabad district. If Mahesh moves into the Cabinet, party leaders believe a change at the helm of the TPCC could follow. Minister Ponnam Prabhakar’s name is doing the rounds as a possible successor. A long-time Congress leader who rose through the NSUI ranks and later represented Karimnagar in Parliament, Prabhakar is seen as someone with strong organisational credentials. Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy meets Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Saturday Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy meets Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on SaturdayPhoto | Express The speculation has triggered a rush to New Delhi. Several leaders aspiring for Cabinet berths or key party positions have been making frequent visits to the national capital and meeting senior Congress leaders. Among the names being discussed are Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy and Parigi MLA T Rammohan Reddy. Sources indicated that the reshuffle, along with organisational appointments, could be announced in the third or fourth week of this month. Alongside personnel changes, the leadership is also believed to be examining a redistribution of important portfolios. Finance and revenue are among the departments being discussed in internal deliberations, with senior leaders who previously served as ministers in undivided Andhra Pradesh said to be in contention for greater responsibilities. Rammohan Reddy is also being mentioned as a possible choice for the post of chief whip in the Assembly. The ripple effects of a Mahesh Kumar induction could extend further. Party leaders say that if Prabhakar is moved to the TPCC chief’s post, it may create an opening in the Cabinet for Vemulawada MLA and whip Aadi Srinivas, who belongs to the Munnuru Kapu community. Leaders troop to Delhi to press their case Another subject of intense speculation is the Assembly Speaker’s post. According to sources, discussions are underway on whether a senior minister — from the same caste as Gaddam Prasad — could be made Speaker, potentially paving the way for further adjustments within the Cabinet. The expected exercise is also likely to cover appointments to corporations and public sector bodies. Aspirants from Warangal, Rangareddy and Nalgonda districts are said to be under consideration for chairperson posts in key corporations, while four former MLAs may also be accommodated. With every possible vacancy setting off a chain reaction elsewhere, the atmosphere within the ruling party has become increasingly charged. Ministers are lobbying to retain their positions or secure influential portfolios, while aspirants are reminding the leadership of assurances made during the Assembly election campaign. Several ministers recently met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge during his visit to Hyderabad, while others have travelled to Delhi to make their case. Aspirants have also been seeking meetings with Rahul Gandhi as the party weighs what could be its most consequential political exercise since coming to power in Telangana. Ireddy Srinivas Reddy 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
Ahead of INDIA bloc meet, CPM asks Congress to ‘clear air’ on Kerala poll remarks on ‘deal’ with BJP
NEW DELHI: Ahead of the INDIA bloc meeting on Monday, CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby, in a sharply worded letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, has raised the allegations by Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders during the Kerala polls that CPI(M) and the BJP had struck a deal and their call for ED action against then CM Pinarayi Vijayan. The Left party has asked the Congress to “clear the air regarding such disruptive moves.” According to sources, in the letter to Kharge, Baby has alleged that there was a “systematic campaign” by the Congress leadership during the Kerala elections, wherein it was alleged that Vijayan had also struck a deal with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a question was posed ‘Otherwise, why is it that he has not been interrogated or arrested by the Enforcement Directorate’? Baby makes it clear that “unless these matters are clarified, the very purpose of the INDIA bloc would be in question”. “As the President of the Congress, it is up to you and the Congress leadership to clear the air regarding such disruptive moves,” Baby is learnt to have said in the letter, putting the ball in Kharge’s court. The CPM general secretary has said that these were not stray remarks made in the heat of an election campaign, but were “the centrepiece of the Congress party-led UDF’s political campaign. “Every national leader, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and yourself, made such allegations repeatedly,” Baby has said in the letter. In this backdrop, Monday’s INDIA bloc meeting is likely to see some straight talk and fireworks. The two-term CPI(M) led LDF lost to the Congress-led UDF in the recent assembly polls. Despite the sharp tenor of the letter, it is expected that CPM is not going to boycott the meeting, though the party leadership will take a final call on Sunday, senior leaders said. While highlighting in his letter that the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, repeatedly called for ED action against the then Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, the CPM general secretary asks Kharge that “can this be termed as an anti-BJP stance or is it a case of inviting the Modi govt to take illegal punitive action against a fellow opposition leader?” Baby recalls that the INDIA bloc was constituted as a broad platform to politically fight the BJP, and CPI(M) has worked sincerely to see such a united platform emerge. Noting that strangely, now, the CPI(M) was being accused of having a deal with the BJP, Baby has said in the letter that this is a canard they cannot take lightly, as “this strikes at the very basis of the unity forged against the BJP.” However, Baby has assured that CPI(M) will fully cooperate in Parliament with the INDIA bloc and other opposition parties to put up a united fight against the authoritarian, communal, and anti-people policies of the Modi govt. The INDIA bloc meeting, happening after a long gap, is taking place amid changing dynamics within the Alliance, with DMK already saying it will not attend in the backdrop of the Congress severing ties with it to support TVK to form the government in Tamil Nadu. On Thursday, DMK spokesperson TKS Ekangovan told ANI that DMK is no longer part of the INDIA bloc. In Monday’s meeting, where the future strategy of the INDIA bloc is proposed to be chalked out, former West Bengal CM and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee will be there to present the TMC’s views and rally support amid the current developments in the state. The TMC, which has all along positioned itself as a dominant regional player within the INDIA bloc, is set to lose the clout the party enjoyed in the backdrop of the recent developments – the defeat in Bengal and the recent split in the party. According to sources, at the INDIA bloc meeting, TMC leaders, among various issues, propose to share their views on the role of the Election Commission, the developments on the counting day and the reasons for defeat. 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
Flanked by Rahul Gandhi, Kharge files Rajya Sabha nomination
Bengaluru: Accompanied by Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha election from Karnataka at Vidhana Soudha Friday. Chief minister DK Shivakumar, former CM Siddaramaiah, Congress general secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala and several ministers were present when Kharge handed in his nomination papers to assembly secretary MK Vishalakshi. Kharge’s current tenure in the Upper House of Parliament — where he is opposition leader — ends on June 25. Besides Kharge, Congress has fielded two other candidates for the June 18 election from Karnataka — Pawan Khera, who is party media and publicity department chairman; and Mansoor Ali Khan, AICC secretary, educationist and son of Congress veteran and former Union minister K Rahman Khan. “All MLAs and my leaders have unanimously chosen me, and I am confident that everyone will remain united and ensure victory for Congress candidates,” Kharge said. Polls will be held for four Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka. Given its numerical strength in the assembly, Congress is expected to win three, while the BJP-JD(S) alliance is likely to win the fourth. Kharge’s nomination marks another chapter in a political career spanning more than five decades. He won nine consecutive assembly elections from Gurmitkal between 1972 and 2008 before moving to national politics. He later won the Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency in 2009 and 2014, suffering his only major electoral defeat in the 2019 elections. In 2020, Kharge entered the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka unopposed and subsequently rose to become Congress president while continuing to lead the party in Parliament. Meanwhile, BJP is yet to announce its nominee from Karnataka. Political attention remains focused on former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda, whose Rajya Sabha term has ended. Though BJP is widely expected to back Gowda for another term, the delay in announcing its candidate has triggered speculation over whether the party may instead field one of its own members. Names doing the rounds include former MP Sumalatha Ambareesh and former chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda, although party brass has not ruled out a surprise choice. In all, polling will be held for 24 seats across 10 states. Nominations close on Monday. 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
‘Not suicide’: Rahul Gandhi blames ‘broken system’ after NEET aspirant’s death; targets PM Modi
NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday reacted to the suicide of a NEET aspirant and launched a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the NEET-UG paper leak blunder. Taking to social media, the senior Congress leader referred to the case of Akanksha, a NEET aspirant who recently died by suicide following the exam fiasco. Highlighting the struggles faced by the student and her family, Rahul Gandhi wrote on X, “Akanksha wanted to become a doctor and serve the nation and society. Akanksha’s father is a farmer. To fulfill his daughter’s dream of becoming a doctor, he took a loan of Rs 3 lakh on a Kisan Credit Card. And he took up a job as a cook in Nagpur, so that his daughter could attend coaching there. A father did everything he could.” Rahul Gandhi then blamed the government for what he described as a “corrupt” education system and linked Akanksha’s death to the NEET paper leak row. He said, “Then the NEET paper leaked. The exam was canceled. In that uncertainty, Akanksha left us forever. Akanksha’s death was not suicide—it’s the consequence of a corrupt, broken system under Modi ji.” The Congress leader also targeted Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, reiterating the opposition’s demand for accountability in the wake of the NEET paper leak. “And Dharmendra Pradhan ji? He’s still in his chair today. The same committee. The same transfers. The same investigations. No reforms, no justice.” Rahul Gandhi further accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of damaging India’s education system during his years in office. He said, “Modi ji, power is not permanent—it comes and goes. But the extent to which you’ve ruined the education system in 12 years, an entire young generation of India is paying the price for it.” His remarks come a month after the NEET-UG examination was cancelled following a paper leak. The National Testing Agency (NTA) later announced that the re-examination would be held on June 21. The cancellation affected lakhs of medical aspirants across the country, triggering widespread protests and demands for accountability. Several reports of student suicides have also surfaced in the aftermath of the NTA’s NEET failure. 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
Great Nicobar Project isn’t about defence: Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Releasing a video of his visit to Nicobar that shows him diving into the sea, travelling through thick forests and talking to tribals and locals, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the Modi govt’s argument that the Great Nicobar Project is about defence and a transshipment port is a “lie” – raising the tempo against the programme that has triggered concerns about environmental destruction and tribal displacement. In a 16-minute video of his April trip, Rahul said the project is about benefiting a big businessman to build hotels and casinos on India’s most irreplaceable ecosystem. He named “Adani” as the beneficiary. Rahul also initiated an online petition against the project, urging Indians to sign “we choose green over greed”. He asked the young Indians to ponder if they wanted to inherit an India where rainforests have been bulldozed for casinos, where coral reefs have been erased from maps, tribal communities pushed off their land, and the air turned into poison, or where India’s natural heritage is protected, tribal communities are safe, and progress works with nature. “More than 1.5 crore trees, ancient coral reefs, irreplaceable rainforests are being destroyed to profit one businessman.” Rahul said if govt is concerned about defence on the island, then it should abandon the project and “expand INS Baaz”, arguing that the Navy has been asking for its expansion for five years. 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
Solar boom in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu is polluting Delhi-NCR, study says
In Tamil Nadu, the modus operandi involves formal recyclers passing on non-profitable scraps, such as aluminum frames and photovoltaic cells, along with other hazardous materials to Delhi-NCR. NEW DELHI: Solar power development has advanced at an unprecedented pace in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu; however, waste management has not kept up. A significant volume of waste generated in these states is being transported to the Delhi-NCR region, which is already burdened with multiple types of waste affecting air and water quality. A joint report by the Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group and the World Resources Institute reveals that informal waste aggregators are dumping solar waste, including end-of-life solar panels, photovoltaic cells, lithium-ion batteries, and other hazardous electronic waste, into Delhi-NCR. This region is already burdened with excessive waste, contaminating groundwater, other water resources, and air quality. In informal discussions with several waste aggregators in two sates, validated by non-profits, researchers, start-ups, and formal recyclers in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, the report indicated that there is no reliable quantitative data or traceability mechanism available to determine the proportion of this material that is ultimately processed through informal recycling operations in Delhi-NCR and other northern regions of India. In Tamil Nadu, the modus operandi involves formal recyclers passing on non-profitable scraps, such as aluminum frames and photovoltaic cells, along with other hazardous materials to Delhi-NCR. There is around Delhi-NCR has around 5,000 e-waste processing units that employ more than 50,000 people. Due to a lack of formal recycling capacity and technical knowledge, much of the solar waste ends up in landfills in Delhi-NCR. The report, “More Watts Less Waste,” states that informal recyclers rely on rudimentary dismantling and scrap-recovery techniques. While aluminium frames and external copper wiring or junction boxes are manually removed and sold as scrap, the remaining components of the modules, such as glass, polymer encapsulant, silicon cells, and embedded metals, largely go unrecovered. Often, the panels are crushed or broken, resulting in a mix of glass, polymer, and silicon fragments, which is disposed of as general waste or sent to landfills. The study highlights a critical gap in India’s clean energy transition. While the country is rapidly expanding its renewable energy and electric mobility sectors, systems for managing solar panel and lithium-ion battery waste remain underdeveloped. The report warns that this creates new environmental and public health concerns for Delhi, which is already dealing with legacy waste. Improper handling of solar panels can release hazardous substances into the environment, exposing workers and nearby communities to health risks. As of now, India has generated an estimated 146 kilotonnes of solar PV waste by the end of 2024. By 2047, cumulative solar waste could reach 11,221 kilotonnes, according to the report. The study also raises concerns about the next wave of clean energy waste: lithium-ion batteries. Batteries from consumer electronics are already being processed through informal dismantling channels, while India’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle market is expected to generate large volumes of end-of-life batteries in the coming years. These batteries contain valuable materials but also present risks of fire, explosion, and chemical exposure if handled improperly. The report calls for specific Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) targets for photovoltaic systems, dedicated recycling infrastructure, financial mechanisms to manage orphan waste, and greater integration of informal workers into formal collection systems. It also urges policymakers to begin planning now for the forthcoming wave of end-of-life electric vehicle batteries. Jitendra Choubey 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
BRS leader KT Rama Rao urges people to prepare for another movement
Recalling that the BRS always contested and won polls on its own and without any alliances, he said that the party’s defeat in the 2023 polls was due to the vicious campaign carried out by the Congress. HYDERABAD: BRS working president KT Rama Rao and other party leaders on Tuesday called upon the people to prepare for another movement to protect Telangana. Addressing the Telangana Formation Day celebrations held at Telangana Bhavan, Rama Rao said that the BRS was not fighting for the sake of power but for the development and separate identity of Telangana, which was achieved after a prolonged struggle. He alleged that the Congress came to power by giving false assurances and launching a vicious campaign against BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao and the then BRS government. The former minister alleged that the Congress “polluted” the state politics. “Though the entire country rejected the Congress, it came to power in the state,” he lamented. Recalling that the BRS always contested and won polls on its own and without any alliances, he said that the party’s defeat in the 2023 polls was due to the vicious campaign carried out by the Congress. Alleging that the Congress government “pushed the state backwards by 25 years”, he said: “Though half of its term is over, this government did nothing for the state.” “Farmers, youth and all other sections are unhappy under the Congress rule,” he said and wondered what Rahul Gandhi was doing when the government failed to keep its assurance of providing a large number of government jobs to unemployed youth. He dared Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Rahul Gandhi to visit the Chikkadapally library and answer the questions of the unemployed youth. 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
Will continue to work with sincerity, commitment: DK Shivakumar
Shivakumar stated that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has been a constant source of guidance and inspiration. BENGALURU: Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader DK Shivakumar, who will take oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, said he will continue to work with sincerity and commitment to build a progressive, inclusive, and prosperous Karnataka that reflects the values they collectively stand for. Taking to social media platform X, the CM-designate stated that under the leadership of the Gandhi family and with the blessings of the people of Karnataka, he will continue to work with sincerity and commitment. He said the Gandhi family has played a defining role in his political journey, not merely through leadership, but through the faith they placed in him at different stages of his life. Earlier, speaking to a news agency in New Delhi, Shivakumar said, “The faith and confidence the people of this country have shown me, I am very much obliged, and I have to do a lot of hard work and deliver. I know the roads will not be so easy. It will be difficult, but still I have to manage things. I hope the people of Karnataka have confidence in me. I have to do my job. I’ll do it very sincerely and with a lot of dedication.” “I often reflect on Shri Rajiv Gandhi avaru, who saw potential in a young worker even before I could see it in myself. His encouragement gave me the confidence to dream bigger and dedicate myself to public service. The greatest leaders are those who identify possibilities in others and inspire them to rise beyond their own expectations. Rajiv Gandhi did exactly that for me,” he posted on X. He said he was aware of the challenges ahead as “the world is seeing India through Bengaluru and Karnataka… I will have to take every section of the society together: from the farmer to the woman, to the youth…and a new ‘Yuva Yuga’ will start.” Shivakumar said senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi taught him another important lesson in leadership: true leaders do not stand by you only during moments of success; they stand beside you during your most difficult times, offering strength, encouragement, and unwavering support. Shivakumar stated that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has been a constant source of guidance and inspiration. “His willingness to listen, his conviction in democratic values, and his vision for a more inclusive and compassionate India continue to motivate leaders like me. His support has been a strong pillar throughout my public life,” he stated. He said Priyanka Gandhi’s guidance and encouragement have always been valued. “For me, the Gandhi family represents different dimensions of leadership, recognising potential, standing by people in difficult times, listening with empathy, and inspiring others through conviction and service. As someone who began as a grassroots worker and has been entrusted today with the responsibility of leading Karnataka, I remain profoundly grateful for their trust and encouragement,” he stated. 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
‘Tender investigator’: Rahul Gandhi meets 17-year-old student who exposed CBSE-OSM anomalies
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday met Jharkhand student Sarthak Sidhant, the teenager who recently presented his findings on alleged irregularities in the CBSE’s online marking system before a parliamentary panel. Sharing photographs of the meeting on social media, Gandhi praised the student and wrote, “Sarthak, stand firm on your principles. #TenderInvestigator”. The meeting came hours after Sidhant, who appeared for the CBSE Class 12 examinations this year, briefed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports about alleged anomalies in the tendering process used to select vendors for the board’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. Sidhant presented a seven-page document before the committee, chaired by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, outlining what he described as irregularities in the vendor selection process and raising a series of questions for CBSE officials. His presentation was made in the presence of CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh, School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar and other senior officials from the Ministry of Education. The parliamentary panel had summoned CBSE and education ministry officials amid growing concerns over the OSM system, which has been at the centre of complaints from students regarding technical glitches, evaluation discrepancies and difficulties during the post-result verification process. During the meeting, members also questioned the board’s preparedness before introducing online marking, including concerns over system testing and teacher training. Some MPs reportedly sought accountability for the problems faced by students and suggested measures such as compensation through grace marks or faster evaluation. CBSE officials told the committee that technical issues affecting the system had been rectified and that students would continue to have until June 6 to apply for re-evaluation of their answer sheets. The board also submitted a report outlining its position on the controversy. After the meeting, Digvijaya Singh said the committee’s focus remained on addressing students’ concerns. Asked whether he was satisfied with the CBSE’s responses, he replied, “That is for the committee to decide.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesodindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights