‘Not democracy, but TMC’s reign of thuggery’: Rahul Gandhi over killing of Congress worker
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi on Sunday condemned the killing of a Congress worker Debdeep Chatterjee after the phase-1 polling was held in the state, blaming ‘TMC thugs’ for the incident. “The murder of Congress worker Debdeep Chatterjee by TMC-affiliated thugs after the elections is utterly reprehensible. My deepest condolences to his bereaved family,” said the Congress leader on X. Stepping up his attack on the ruling All India Trinamool Congress, he alleged that “thuggery” had replaced democracy in the state, accusing the party of intimidation and violence against political opponents even after voting. “In West Bengal today, it is not democracy that prevails, but TMC’s reign of thuggery. Intimidating, attacking, and silencing opposing voices after votes are cast—this has become TMC’s defining character. Congress’s politics has never been rooted in violence, nor will it ever be. We too have lost our workers, yet we have always chosen the path of non-violence and constitutionalism. This is our legacy, this is our resolve,” he added. Calling for punishment, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said, “The demand is clear—immediate arrest of all the guilty, the harshest punishment, and full security and compensation ensured for Debdeep’s family. We will not bow before this politics that stains India’s non-violent tradition. Justice will be done.” According to West Bengal Congress, Chatterjee was was known to be working closely with Asansol North Congress candidate Prasenjit Puitandi. The party claimmed that he was attacked and beaten by “miscreants linked to the TMC” in a post-poll incident in Asansol and later succumbed to his injuries. The state unit termed the killing a sign of “complete collapse of law and order” and flagged concerns over the safety of opposition workers. It claimed that no FIR had been registered at the time of reporting and demanded immediate arrests, a fair and time-bound probe, and adequate compensation and protection for the victim’s family. 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
Telangana: RTC Under Pressure as Strike, Suicide Attempts, and EV Contracts Raise Privatization
Hyderabad, Telangana RTC is facing one of its most serious crises in recent years, as an ongoing statewide strike, repeated suicide attempts by employees, and growing controversy over electric bus contracts have raised larger concerns about the future of public transport in the state. More than 38,000 RTC employees are currently participating in the strike, leading to a near stand still in bus operations across Telangana. With an estimated 60 to 70 lakh passengers relying on RTC services every day, the disruption has created major inconvenience for commuters and highlighted the scale of the conflict. Justice News The human cost of the crisis has become even more alarming. Several RTC employees have reportedly attempted suicide during the strike period. In Narsampet, a driver sustained severe burn injuries after a self-immolation attempt and is undergoing treatment. Another driver in Miryalaguda was stopped by colleagues before he could carry out a similar act. Reports of comparable incidents have also emerged from Nalgonda and Khammam, reflecting the extreme emotional and financial distress among staff. Employees say their frustrations have been building for the last one to two years over unresolved wage revisions, lack of fresh recruitment, pending dues, and demands for stronger job security. Union representatives claim that over Rs 2,500 crore in dues remain unsettled, while staff shortages and increased workload have worsened conditions for the existing workforce. A major flashpoint in the dispute is the introduction of electric buses under a private operating model. Under this system, private companies procure and supply EV buses to RTC, which then runs them under rental agreements. Around 500 such buses are already operating in Telangana, with payments reportedly ranging from Rs 40 to Rs 60 per kilometer. Major Points: Over 38,000 RTC employees are on strike, severely disrupting bus services across Telangana. Around 60 to 70 lakh passengers who depend on RTC daily are being affected. Multiple suicide attempts by RTC staff during the strike have intensified public concern. Employees say unresolved wage revisions, job security, and pending dues have pushed them to the edge. The Central Government’s Rs 36 lakh subsidy per EV bus is allegedly benefiting private operators instead of RTC directly. Around 500 electric buses are already running under private contracts at Rs 40 to Rs 60 per km. RTC is reportedly spending Rs 10 to Rs 12 crore on charging stations and substation facilities at 96 depots. Unions argue the overall model points toward gradual privatization of RTC operations. What has sparked sharper criticism is the role of Central Government funding. Under clean mobility initiatives, each EV bus receives a subsidy of approximately Rs 36 lakh. According to unions, this subsidy is effectively flowing to private companies that manufacture or supply the buses, rather than strengthening RTC’s own fleet ownership. Employees argue that while public funds are being used to support the EV transition, the long-term financial gains are being directed toward private operators. At the same time, RTC itself is reportedly spending between Rs 10 and Rs 12 crore on charging stations, substations, and maintenance infrastructure at depots. Across 96 RTC depots in Telangana, these facilities are being established to support EV operations. However, unions allege that private operators are not paying rent for using depot land and infrastructure, adding to concerns that public assets are being leveraged for private business interests. The broader concern among employee groups is that this is not merely modernization, but a structural shift in how public transport is managed. They believe the current model reduces RTC’s operational control while increasing dependence on private firms, creating what they describe as a slow but steady path toward privatization. While the government maintains that EV adoption is part of modernization and environmental sustainability efforts, employee unions remain unconvinced. From their perspective, the combination of central subsidies, private contracts, and public infrastructure investment paints a troubling picture. Looking at the present situation, many within RTC feel that the system is moving toward indirect privatization. Whether framed as reform or modernization, the operational model increasingly appears to place private players at the center, while RTC bears the burden of infrastructure and workforce challenges.
RaGa targets Didi, TMC hits back with ‘feeding dogs’ jibe
Kolkata: Congress’s Rahul Gandhi went after Trinamool while campaigning in Bengal on Saturday, asking why the ED had summoned him for 55 hours of questioning while CM Mamata Banerjee — in whose state numerous alleged scams had surfaced — had faced no such scrutiny. Trinamool hit back hard, calling Gandhi’s remarks “irresponsible” and pointedly noting that he had been “feeding his dog” while Trinamool seniors were being hounded by central agencies. “I am on bail. A case is lodged against me every 10-15 days. I was questioned by the ED for 55 hours. How many hours was Mamataji questioned? Have they snatched her home or disqualified her from the assembly?” Gandhi asked at rallies in Serampore, Shahid Minar and Metiaburuz. He alleged that Modi attacks Banerjee during campaigns but stays silent after elections — proof, he said, that “Congress is their real enemy, not Trinamool.” Gandhi cited the Saradha and Rose Valley alleged scams as evidence of Trinamool’s corruption and accused both Modi and Banerjee of prioritising power over jobs. “What Modi is doing in India, Mamataji is doing in Bengal. They promised five lakh jobs in 2021; in reality, 84 lakh youth registered for unemployment allowance,” he said. He also blamed Banerjee for “goonda raj,” coal smuggling and the conditions that allowed the RG Kar rape and murder to occur. Trinamool hit back immediately. Trinamool senior and state minister Shashi Panja called Gandhi’s remarks “irresponsible,” saying Trinamool seniors were receiving ED and CBI summons even during elections “while he was busy playing with his dog and feeding it biscuits.” She questioned Congress’s credibility as a BJP challenger, noting the party had lost Maharashtra, Haryana, Delhi and Bihar after the Lok Sabha elections. “Let the people of Bengal — and later India — decide who is truly capable of defeating the BJP,” she 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
‘Only revealed Sangh’s true nature’: Rahul Gandhi targets RSS after Ram Madhav’s Russia-Iran oil remarks in US
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi on Saturday trained guns at Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh after senior BJP leader Ram Madhav made a controversial remark on India’s oil import. In a social media post on X, Rahul termed RSS as “Rashtriya Surrender Sangh” and said that Ram Madhav revealed “Sangh’s true nature.” “Rashtriya Surrender Sangh. Farzi nationalism in Nagpur. Pure servility in USA,” the Congress leader said. “Ram Madhav has only revealed Sangh’s true nature,” he added. This comes after Ram Madhav landed himself in trouble after claiming that India had aligned closely with US interests by halting oil purchases from Iran and Russia, even as these efforts went unrecognised by the Trump administration. During a discussion that included former diplomat Elizabeth Threlkeld and former US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, Madhav said “We agreed to a 50 per cent tariff. Agreed means, we did not say anything. We maintained our patience. 50 per cent tariffs we agreed. Today, in the new trade deal also we agreed for 18 per cent tariffs higher than what it used to be. I mean, average tariff.” “So, where is India lagging behind in that. What are those issues where India is not doing enough?” Madhav is heard saying in the video during an interactive session at the Hudson Institute. Congress latched on to Madhav’s remarks and said that Narendra Modi has lost his authority to continue as the prime minister. In a post on X, K C Venugopal said, “Clear admission by a senior RSS leader – PM Modi is dancing to Washington’s tunes.” “There was once a time when the US’ 7th Fleet was in the Bay of Bengal, and India didn’t budge. And then there is today, where a Compromised PM has handed over India’s sovereignty to the US,” he added. The Congress leader said this is exactly what Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and the entire Opposition has been saying. “India has lost its independent voice on the world stage. “After this surrender, it’s clear that Narendra Modi has lost his authority to continue as Prime Minister,” Venugopal said in his post. Madhav, however, later apologised saying what he said was “wrong as India did not agree to stop import of oil from Russia. “What I said was wrong. India didn’t agree to stopping import of oil from Russia anytime. “Also it vigorously protested 50 per cent tariff imposition. I was trying to make a limited counterpoint to the other panellist. But factually incorrect. My apologies,” Madhav said in a post on X while sharing his video. Madhav along with RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale are on a visit to the United States and attended an event at the Hudson Institute in Washington. 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
‘Why are there not 36, 38 or 40 cases against Mamata?’ Rahul says BJP’s real fight with Congress not TMC in Bengal
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday intensified his attack on the Centre during the West Bengal assembly election campaign, questioning why chief minister Mamata Banerjee has not faced multiple criminal cases despite serious corruption charges linked to the Trinamool Congress (TMC). He asked why there are not ’36, 38 or 40 cases’ against the TMC chief even as he himself continues to face several legal proceedings. Addressing a public meeting at Sahid Minar Ground, Gandhi alleged that while the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has pursued multiple cases against him, no similar investigative action has been taken against Mamata Banerjee. He claimed this was because the TMC supremo does not directly confront the BJP in the same way as the Congress does. “Today I have come here, I am out on bail. Narendra Modi took away my official residence. He took away my Lok Sabha membership. Why are there not 36, 38 or 40 cases against Mamata Banerjee? The entire Bengal knows that people of the Trinamool have indulged in corruption. The Saradha chit fund scam was done by people of the Trinamool. It ruined 17 lakh investors. There are unpaid dues of Rs 1,900 crore. The Rose Valley chit fund scam took money from lakhs of people. There is extortion in the form of ‘goonda tax’ collection. But Narendra Modi, RSS and BJP have not conducted any investigation against Mamata ji. They do not attack Mamata ji. Why? Because they know that the real fight is not with the Trinamool. The real fight is with the Congress party,” he said. Gandhi siad Mamata and PM Modi are “two sides of the same coin”, considering that none of them care about the aspirations of the common people. “The Prime Minister claims that he is a true nationalist. But he had done nothing for the poor people. He had done everything for the millionaires. Before the Left Front rule, Congress ruled West Bengal. At that time there were several industries in the state,” he said. The Congress leader added, “Mamata Banerjee, too, like PM Narendra Modi, does not care for employment generation for the youth. Both the Prime Minister and the West Bengal Chief Minister are bothered about themselves. What PM Narendra Modi is doing in India, that is exactly what Mamata Banerjee is doing in West Bengal.” The Lok Sabha’s Leader of Opposition further compared investigative scrutiny faced by him with what he described as the absence of ED or CBI action against the West Bengal CM. Stating that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned him for 55 hours over five consecutive days, the Congress leader asked, “For how many hours was Mamata Banerjee interrogated?” Gandhi reiterated that no central probe agencies were acting against the TMC chief. In a separate poll rally at Serampore in Hooghly district for the second phase of West Bengal assembly elections, Gandhi said: “This is because she does not fight the BJP directly.” He also highlighted the legal cases pending against him and said he is required to travel frequently across states to attend court proceedings. Gandhi said, “My house was taken away, my Lok Sabha membership was taken away; there are 36 cases against me.” The Congress leader said that he has to travel to various states like Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Bihar every 10-15 days to fight the cases registered against him. “I want to ask how many cases have been registered against Mamata Banerjee by Narendra Modi?” he asked. Gandhi asserted that only the Congress takes on the BJP on ideological grounds, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi targets him, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and others consistently. Claiming that PM Modi criticises the TMC chief only during election periods, he said, “Let the Bengal elections end; Narendra Modi will not speak a word against Mamata Banerjee.” He further said that the BJP understands only the Congress can challenge its ideological framework, not the Trinamool Congress. Gandhi accused the TMC leadership of destroying industry and contributing to unemployment in West Bengal, alleging that jobs are distributed through political connections. “One has to have a relative in the TMC to get a job in Bengal, else he will not get any,” he said, accusing the chief minister of working for the interests of “goons” and party workers. Gandhi also alleged that major scams such as Saradha and Rose Valley occurred under the TMC regime, affecting lakhs of investors. He further alleged widespread coal smuggling, illegal mining and what he termed “goonda tax” collection in the state. He accused the TMC of similar behaviour towards opposition workers as the BJP allegedly does in other states. Gandhi also referred to the 2021 TMC poll promise of five lakh jobs, questioning its implementation, and cited unemployment-related concerns in the state. The remarks come amid heightened political exchanges between the Congress, BJP and TMC during the ongoing election campaign in West Bengal. The polling for Phase I of the assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on Thursday, with West Bengal recording a significantly higher voter turnout of 91.78 per cent, according to the Election Commission. The second phase of the polling will be held on April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4. 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, Kejriwal to campaign in Bengal today
Kolkata: Congress MP and LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is set to campaign in Bengal on Saturday, while former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will campaign for Trinammol candidates. Bihar deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, who is already in Bengal, held a roadshow for TMC in Bhatpara on Friday. Rahul had campaigned for Congress candidates in north Bengal ahead of the Phase-1 polls, where he spoke against both TMC and BJP. Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren has also campaigned for TMC in Bengal. Kejriwal said a political backlash was emerging in Bengal against the SIR exercise, claiming that “Modiji’s SIR is turning against him” in the context of the high voter turnout. In a post on X, he wrote: “It’s coming to light that in Bengal, votes are being cast firmly against SIR.” A senior TMC neta said: “Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav have backed CM Banerjee in her fight not only against BJP but also against the combined might of central agencies and EC.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi says TMC graft & polarisation created way for BJP to enter West Bengal
NEW DELHI: As elections in West Bengal enter the final lap, Congress neta Rahul Gandhi attacked his INDIA bloc partner, CM and Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee, alleging that polarisation and corruption have created a way for BJP to enter the state. “If Mamata ji had run a clean govt, and had she not polarised West Bengal, there would have been no way for BJP to make inroads into Bengal,” Rahul said on X, appealing to people to vote for Congress. “In this battle of ideologies, only Congress can defeat BJP,” he said. “BJP steals elections. SIR is their way to steal elections. There is a direct fight between Congress and BJP’s ideologies,” the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha said in a video message. “BJP works against West Bengal’s culture, history, and Bengali language. BJP netas say ‘one nation, one language, one religion’. In this country there are many languages, religions, and ideologies. While we are trying to protect the Constitution, BJP is trying to destroy it,” 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
‘Bewildering contradictions’: Kiren Rijiju slams Rahul Gandhi over ‘BJP will win West Bengal remarks’
NEW DELHI: Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday criticised Rahul Gandhi over his comments on West Bengal politics, accusing the Congress leader of taking contradictory positions on the upcoming state election. Reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on social media, Rijiju wrote on X: “Bewildering…. on the one hand Rahul Gandhi Ji is saying only Congress can defeat BJP in West Bengal and on the other hand he’s saying, due to TMC’s polarizing politics, BJP will win West Bengal election!” The criticism came after Rahul Gandhi targeted Mamata Banerjee and her All India Trinamool Congress, despite both parties being part of the INDIA opposition bloc. In a post on X, Rahul said: “If Mamata ji had run a clean govt, and had she not polarised West Bengal, there would have been no way for BJP to make inroads into Bengal.” Appealing to voters to support Congress, he added: “In this battle of ideologies, only Congress can defeat BJP.” Rahul Gandhi also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of undermining democratic institutions. “BJP steals elections. SIR is their way to steal elections. There is a direct fight between Congress and BJP’s ideologies,” he said in a video message. He further alleged that the BJP was working against Bengal’s identity and diversity. “BJP works against West Bengal’s culture, history, and Bengali language. BJP netas say ‘one nation, one language, one religion’. In this country there are many languages, religions, and ideologies. While we are trying to protect the Constitution, BJP is trying to destroy it,” Rahul said. The exchange highlights growing tensions within the INDIA bloc as campaigning intensifies in West Bengal, where Congress and the Trinamool Congress remain political rivals despite being part of a broader anti-BJP alliance nationally. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi says TMC graft & polarisation created way for BJP to enter West Bengal
NEW DELHI: As elections in West Bengal enter the final lap, Congress neta Rahul Gandhi attacked his INDIA bloc partner, CM and Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee, alleging that polarisation and corruption have created a way for BJP to enter the state. “If Mamata ji had run a clean govt, and had she not polarised West Bengal, there would have been no way for BJP to make inroads into Bengal,” Rahul said on X, appealing to people to vote for Congress. “In this battle of ideologies, only Congress can defeat BJP,” he said. “BJP steals elections. SIR is their way to steal elections. There is a direct fight between Congress and BJP’s ideologies,” the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha said in a video message. “BJP works against West Bengal’s culture, history, and Bengali language. BJP netas say ‘one nation, one language, one religion’. In this country there are many languages, religions, and ideologies. While we are trying to protect the Constitution, BJP is trying to destroy it,” 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
Tight slap on Congress ‘Hindu terror’ narrative, remarks BJP
NEW DELHI: The discharge of four accused in the 2006 Malegaon case is a “tight slap” on the Congress leadership’s face, BJP said Wednesday, asserting this has again vindicated its stand that the opposition party during its govt invented terms like “Hindu terror” and “saffron terrorism” to defame Hindus due to its appeasement politics. At a presser, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia demanded apologies from Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for allegedly hatching a conspiracy to defame the Hindu religion. He said the blast had happened during the Congress-led UPA’s tenure. “However, Congress invented saffron terror at its headquarters on the instructions of Sonia Gandhi to hide its failure, pursue appeasement politics and please Rahul Gandhi,” he alleged. Slamming former ministers Shivraj Patil and P Chidambaram for linking terrorism to Hindu groups, he said they must also apologise. 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