‘Without Mamata di …’: Mani Shankar Aiyar’s advise to Rahul Gandhi on INDIA bloc leadership
NEW DELHI: Days after publicly hoping for Pinarayi Vijayan’s victory in the upcoming Kerala elections, veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar claimed West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is central to the survival of the opposition INDIA bloc. While talking to news agency IANS, Aiyar suggested that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should allow leaders of smaller parties to steer the INDIA bloc. “Without Mamata di, the ‘I’, ‘N’, ‘D’, ‘I’, ‘A’ of the INDIA alliance will all be gone. Because Mamata Banerjee is the leader of this alliance,” Aiyar said. “I hope that instead of trying to remain in this position, which belongs to smaller parties — be it MK Stalin, Mamata Didi, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, or someone else — Rahul Gandhi should let them handle it,” he added. Recalling his early political association with Mamata Banerjee, Aiyar said he briefly joined the Trinamool Congress in 1997 and served as its first National Secretary but left within weeks, concluding that the party was rooted in Bengali identity. Responding to whether he is still in Congress, Aiyar said he still considers himself in the party but suggested possible disciplinary action against him. “I consider myself to be in Congress, but it seems they may have decided to expel me. However, I have not received any formal letter,” Aiyar said. He added that although reports suggested he had been expelled, he had received no official communication. “If you want the Congress’ view, ask a Congressman,” Aiyar remarked, while also saying that he believed many within the Congress support Mamata Banerjee. Earlier, Aiyar praised the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala, led by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Things escalated rapidly when Aiyar, speaking to ANI, dismissed the authority of the current Congress leadership and declared: “I am a Gandhian, I am a Nehruvian, I am a Rajivian, but I am not a Rahulian.” Invoking BR Ambedkar’s description of dissent as being “a part but apart,” Aiyar positioned himself as an ideological insider with the right to rebel. The tone, however, soon turned confrontational. Targeting Congress spokesperson **Pawan Khera**, Aiyar said: “I have absolutely no respect and complete contempt for Pawan Khera… He is not a spokesperson, he is a parrot.” Within hours, Congress distanced itself from the remarks and publicly severed any association with Aiyar. Khera issued a statement on X distancing the party from Aiyar’s comments: “Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar has had no connection whatsoever with the Congress for the past few years. He speaks and writes purely in his personal capacity.” 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
Aiyar, Rahul and the dynasty politics of leadership
Keshav Upadhye, a young, dynamic and prominent face, has been working with the Bharatiya Janata Party for over two decades. In 2014, the then state president Devendra Fadnavis … MORE Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar has recently exposed the internal unrest within the party. “I am not a ‘Rahulian’”, said Mani Shankar Aiyar. Only he can tell why he chose this particular time to make this statement. Aiyar is known to be a part of late former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s inner circle. He also served as a Union Minister for some time. Even before Aiyar, several senior Congress leaders had written a letter to Sonia Gandhi a few years ago, urging her not to make Rahul Gandhi party president and not to hand over the reins of the party to him. Through a letter, they demanded that the Congress must have a full-time president. Over the past 25–30 years, several limitations of Rahul Gandhi as a leader have been repeatedly exposed. After realizing that he cannot be a strong alternative to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi has begun spreading false narratives about the Modi government at both national and international levels. Be it demonetization, the surgical and air strikes on Pakistan, Operation Sindoor, the purchase of Rafale aircraft or the Agniveer scheme of the Defence Ministry, Rahul Gandhi has attempted to spread blatant lies on several such issues over the past 12 years. He tried to accuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi by alleging irregularities in the purchase of Rafale aircraft. After reviewing all documents related to the Rafale aircraft purchase, the Supreme Court clearly stated in its judgment that there was no irregularity in the deal. While delivering its judgment, the Supreme Court not only cleared all doubts concerning the deal but also exposed Rahul Gandhi’s falsehood. But even after that, the Congress prince kept on lying about this deal. As a result, he had to tender an apology before the Supreme Court. Despite this big blow from the Supreme Court, Rahul Gandhi continued his campaign of spreading false narratives against the Modi government. Rahul Gandhi does not miss a single opportunity to malign the country and the Modi government on the international stage, based on lies. He has every right to criticize the government’s policies and decisions not only as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, but also as an ordinary citizen. Prime Minister Narendra Modi never expresses his opinion on the allegations made by Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi persistently tried to poison the minds of the country’s youth regarding the Defence Ministry’s Agniveer scheme. Many former officials of the armed forces have analysed in detail how beneficial this scheme is for the country’s internal security. Despite that, Rahul Gandhi, with the aim of creating doubts in the minds of youngsters, stated that the martyred Agniveers were not receiving compensation from the government. The families of the martyred Agniveers had dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s claim. For Rahul Gandhi, being aggressive against the government means giving priority to creating unrest by spreading baseless allegations. Rahul Gandhi has started the same game of spreading utterly false narrative about the India-US trade deal. Experienced leaders within the Congress do not agree with his tactics. Yet, he is dragging the party along in the name of aggression. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are always extremely vigilant about not letting anyone outside the Gandhi family assume the reins of the Congress party. In 1997-98, senior leader Sitaram Kesri refused to step down as Congress president even though it was a wish of the Gandhi family. Back then, Mrs. Gandhi wanted to take the reins of the party by becoming its president. Several senior party leaders know how Kesri was confined to a room at that time. Sonia Gandhi had considered the age and several political limitations of Mallikarjun Kharge while appointing him as the party president. Former External Affairs Minister Shashi Tharoor contested the election for the post of party president against Kharge. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi systematically pulled all the strings behind the scenes to make sure that Kharge gets elected. Rahul Gandhi was afraid that Shashi Tharoor would become more popular than him. For the same reason, young and dynamic leaders like Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sachin Pilot were denied the post of Chief Minister in their states. Unaware that leadership can be proven through constructive and constitutional ways, Rahul Gandhi has chosen a path of disruptive aggression. Although the Modi government had assured, by releasing the details of the India-US trade deal, that the agreement would not harm the country’s dairy producers or farmers, Rahul Gandhi still blatantly lied in Parliament. Rahul Gandhi does not care that his opposition tarnishes the country’s image on the international stage. It should not be a surprise if Congress leaders who do not agree with such extreme politics unite in the near future. Keshav Upadhye 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 appears before Bhiwandi court in defamation case
BHIWANDI: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi appeared before a court here on Saturday in connection with a criminal defamation case stemming from remarks made during the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign.Sources said Gandhi’s personal appearance was largely procedural and necessitated by the recent demise of his former surety, Shivraj Patil Chakurkar, who had stood guarantee for his bail. With the earlier surety holder passing away last month, fresh surety formalities were required to be completed before the court. The case dates back to a public rally in Sonale village in Bhiwandi taluka during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, where Gandhi allegedly stated that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was responsible for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Following the speech, RSS office-bearer Rajesh Kunte filed a private complaint under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code, accusing Gandhi of defaming the organisation. Advocate Narayan Iyer, representing Gandhi, said the appearance was mandated due to the submission of a new surety. “Gandhi was required to be present as a new surety has been furnished following the demise of his earlier surety. The hearing was primarily procedural,” Iyer told TOI. On Gandhi’s behalf, Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal was presented as the new surety before the court.Iyer said that after Sapkal’s surety was submitted, Gandhi signed the bond. Iyer added that the matter has reached an advanced stage. “The chief examination and cross-examination of the complainant, Rajesh Kunte, have been concluded. The trial is progressing,” he said. In view of Gandhi’s visit, Thane Police had deployed additional personnel around the court premises to manage crowds and ensure law and order. 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 vote share rising in Telangana, says Revanth
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday termed the Congress as the soul of the country and the Gandhi family as the voice of the SCs, STs, BCs and minorities. He accused the BJP of attempting to finish off the Congress and politically wipe out the Gandhi family. Addressing district Congress committee (DCC) presidents from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Revanth alleged that parties that emerged after Independence under the Constitution framed by the Congress were now calling for a ‘Congress-mukt Bharat’. “The country and the Congress could not be separated,” he said, alleging that the BJP was conspiring not only to finish off the Congress and politically wipe out the Gandhi family, but also to change the Constitution and remove reservations. The TPCC organised a training programme for DCC presidents of the two Telugu states as part of the ‘Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan’ initiative of the AICC. Pradesh Congress committee presidents of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, B Mahesh Kumar Goud and YS Sharmila, also addressed the DCC chiefs. “The BJP is conspiring against Rahul Gandhi and is not allowing him to speak in Parliament. Members of the Gandhi family, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, are being harassed and insulted through cases foisted against them. When Rahul Gandhi was made to vacate his official residence, he did not have a house of his own to go to and stayed with his mother,” Revanth alleged. He told the DCC presidents that the 10-day training programme was being held at a time when, he alleged, there was a conspiracy to change the Constitution and remove reservations. He urged them to use the programme to learn facts and expose what he described as BJP conspiracies against the Congress, the Gandhi family, the Constitution and reservations at the doorsteps of the people. Referring to electoral performance, Revanth said the Congress vote share was 2% higher than that of the main opposition in the 2023 assembly election results, and that it increased to 4% within six months in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He added that in the recent municipal elections in Telangana, the Congress vote share was 12% higher than that of the party that came second, attributing the performance to the hard work of party workers and the confidence reposed in the Congress govt by the people. He said 63% of BCs were elected in the recently held municipal elections and that 49.8% of BCs won sarpanch posts in panchayat elections. He added that Telangana was the first state in the country to conduct a caste survey and complete SC categorisation. Revanth appealed to DCC presidents to focus on people’s issues and stay away from lobbying for personal gains, saying there was only a merit quota in the Congress. He said DCC chiefs should work to strengthen the Congress in Andhra Pradesh and ensure that it emerged as a formidable force in the two Telugu states. Referring to YS Sharmila, he said she could have secured posts using the name of her father, former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, but was instead carving a niche for herself by working hard, fighting for the people’s welfare and strengthening the party in Andhra Pradesh. He asked the new DCC chiefs to take Sharmila and Rahul Gandhi as examples. 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, Kharge to address farmers’ convention in Bhopal on February 24
Bhopal: Lok Sabha LOP Rahul Gandhi and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge will visit Bhopal on Tuesday to address a farmers’ convention. The Congress is organising a massive farmers’ rally to protest the recent India-US interim trade deal. The decision to oppose the deal was taken at a meeting in the AICC office. On Thursday, the US Supreme Court struck down American President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. Congress argued that, if PM Narendra Modi waited for 18 days more and did not accept the interim trade deal, Indian farmers’ interests could be protected. Now Congress will protest PM Modi’s trade deal with Trump across the country, starting from Madhya Pradesh. Speaking to reporters, state Congress President Jitu Patwari said on Saturday, “The deal signed under pressure from Trump is a betrayal of farmers. A sword was placed on the throats of our farmers cultivating soyabeans, cotton, maize and other crops to sign a trade deal of compromise. The Congress’ nationwide protest against the deal will start from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.” 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
BJP shows black flag to Rahul Gandhi after Congress’ shirtless protests at AI Summit
NEW DELHI: BJP workers showed black flags to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Mumbai on Saturday after Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers protested at the AI Summit in New Delhi. Video from the incident showed the workers shouting, “Rahul Gandhi haye haye.” The leader of opposition in Lok Sabha arrived in Mumbai to appear before the Bhiwandi Additional Sessions Court in the 2014 RSS defamation case. Ahead of his appearance, the local administration in Bhiwandi has tightened security arrangements. Meanwhile, BJP’s Yuva Morcha also held a protest against the Congress in New Delhi. Around 10 IYC workers were detained Friday after they tricked their way into Bharat Mandapam and briefly raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, police said. The protesters had marched into the venue wearing or holding white T-shirts with images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, along with slogans such as “India-US Trade Deal” and “PM is compromised,” leading to heated exchanges with some attendees. Officials said those detained are being identified, and appropriate legal action is being taken. The Indian Youth Congress defended the protest, calling it the “voice of millions of angry unemployed youth” aimed at the “compromised” Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The youth wing added that they are “not against the AI Summit” and “will no longer sit quietly.” The “topless” nature of the protest drew sharp reactions, with BJP leaders accusing the Congress and Rahul Gandhi of orchestrating the disruption. The BJP also called the protest a “topless, brainless and shameless” ruckus and alleged it was planned at Rahul Gandhi’s residence. 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
Defamation case: Rahul Gandhi records statement in Sultanpur court over remarks on Amit Shah
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday appeared before the MP MLA court in Sultanpur and recorded his statement in connection with a 2018 criminal defamation case linked to his alleged remarks about Union home minister Amit Shah. He later left the court premises after attending the hearing. Next hearing for the case is scheduled for March 9. The case stems from statements Gandhi allegedly made during the 2018 Karnataka Assembly election campaign. A complaint was filed on August 4, 2018, by Vijay Mishra, a BJP leader in Sultanpur, alleging that Gandhi made objectionable and defamatory remarks against Amit Shah at an election rally in Bengaluru. According to the complaint, Rahul Gandhi had said that while the BJP claims to believe in honest and clean politics, it is led by a “party president who is an accused in a murder case”. At the time, Amit Shah was serving as the BJP national president. The remarks referred to the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case. However, in 2014, a special CBI court in Mumbai had discharged Shah in the matter when he was Gujarat’s home minister. The complainant contended that Gandhi’s statement was defamatory and harmed Shah’s reputation. The Sultanpur MP MLA court later took cognisance of the complaint. In December last year, the court issued a warrant against Gandhi after he failed to appear in person. On February 20, 2024, Gandhi appeared before the court, surrendered and was granted bail. His counsel moved an application seeking bail, which was allowed after two sureties of Rs 25,000 each were submitted. The court subsequently fixed March 2 for the next hearing. In July 2024, Gandhi recorded his first statement before the court, denying the allegations and terming the case politically motivated. Following the cross examination of the complainant and witnesses, the court in January 2026 directed Gandhi to appear personally for examination under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. This stage allows the accused to explain the evidence presented against him. His appearance on Friday was in compliance with that directive. The case is among several defamation matters filed against the Congress leader over remarks made during political campaigns. Gandhi has maintained that such cases are politically driven, while Congress leaders have said they have faith in the judiciary. Further proceedings in the matter are expected as the court continues to examine the evidence and hear arguments from both sides. 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 attend Congress rally in Barnala on Feb 28
Chandigarh: The leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will attend a public rally in Barnala on Feb 28. The event will be organised by the Punjab Congress. Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said the rally would be held against the scrapping of MGNREGA and the signing of the trade deal with the United States, which, according to him, will have a devastating impact on Punjab. In an informal interaction with the reporters, the PCC president said while the new law on MGNREGA would impact the livelihood of the poor, the trade deal with the US would destroy Punjab’s farmers. He said Punjab would be among the worst-hit states since agriculture was the mainstay of its economy. Warring also warned that the trade deal might have a long-term impact and could pose multiple challenges. The Ludhiana MP said as the trade deal had the potential to destroy local agriculture once agricultural goods were allowed to be imported at a 0% tariff, there would be no work, no jobs, and no earnings for a majority of farmers in the state. They will be jobless, he said about the farmers. “We are really concerned about such a situation if that happens,” said Warring, adding that such a situation could always be exploited by enemies who were continuously trying to foment trouble in the state. He pointed out that Punjab’s youth were already falling prey to drugs smuggled from Pakistan, and the state could not afford any other risks. The Congress leader, meanwhile, refused to react to the charges levelled by expelled party leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu. “Given the state of her mind and health, I don’t think I need to react or respond to what she has been saying,” he remarked, while dismissing her charges. The PCC president noted that she was not the only one targeting him with baseless allegations and criticism. He pointed out that even chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Bikram Majithia, and the state BJP president Sunil Jakhar also targeted him. 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
Kota man arrested for threatening to shoot Rahul, 25 Cong MPs in video posted online
Kota: A man was arrested Thursday in Rajasthan’s Kota for allegedly threatening to shoot leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and 25 other Congress MPs in a video he posted online, citing their alleged verbal abuse of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla during the budget session. Raja Singh Amera claims to be a spokesperson of Karni Sena. But both Karni Sena and BJP have distanced themselves, stating he has no formal ties to either organisation. Birla is Kota’s BJP MP. In the 0.55-second video clip, Amera said he and others would vandalise the MPs’ homes and shoot them “one by one.” He also said the administration would be responsible if such an act took place. Kota City SP Tejeshwani Goutam said Amera faced four previous cases. The fresh case has been registered under sections 351, 352 and 353 of BNS, pertaining to criminal intimidation, breach of public peace and mischief. 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 kick off Cong campaign with Barnala rally
Bathinda: Aiming to kick-start the campaigning for the next assembly elections in Punjab, the Congress Party has decided to organise a massive rally to be addressed by leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi at Barnala on Feb 28. The party on Thursday started preparations for the rally to be held in the grain market of Barnala. Former MLA Hardyal Singh Kamboj has been appointed as in charge of district Barnala for the rally and to coordinate with party leaders along with Barnala MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhillon. The party has been instructed not to leave anything to chance to make this rally a success so that the election campaigning is started in a big manner, said sources in the party. The three assembly segments in Barnala district, Barnala, Bhadaur and Megha; Kalan have been asked to gear up and organise elaborate meeting by February 21 and apprise about the outcome of the meeting to Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, the sane evening for more efforts to be made to ensure a big gathering for the rally. PPCC general secretary (organisation) Capt Sandeep Singh Sandhu (retd) said, “The party leaders have been assigned duties for the smooth conduct of the rally at Barnala on Feb 28.” The Congress is making all out efforts to put a narrative against the central as well as state government and to make people believe that the Congress is the viable alternative in Punjab, the party sources said, adding the biggest issue before the party high command is to ensure all the leaders are on the same page, leaving behind the vertical factionalism. The Aam Aadmi Party has already kick-started the campaign by holding a rally at Killi Chahlan in Moga on Feb 16 while BJP is planning to hold a rally to be addressed by Union home minister Amit Shah in early March. 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