‘A leader of the people’: PM Modi, CM Fadnavis, LoP Rahul Gandhi condole Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s death
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences after Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash on Wednesday in Pune district’s Baramati during landing. He said, “Shri Ajit Pawar Ji was a leader of the people, having a strong grassroots level connect. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality at the forefront of serving the people of Maharashtra. His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were also noteworthy. His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers. Om Shanti.” — narendramodi (@narendramodi) Prime minister also condoled the deaths of others who were on board along with Pawar. — narendramodi (@narendramodi) President Droupadi Murmu also gave her condolences. She said, “The news of the deaths of several people, including Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Ajit Pawar, in an aeroplane crash in Baramati, Maharashtra, is utterly heartbreaking. The untimely demise of Shri Ajit Pawar is an irreplaceable loss. He will always be remembered for his special contribution to Maharashtra’s development, particularly in the cooperative sector.” — rashtrapatibhvn (@rashtrapatibhvn) Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis condoled the death of his deputy in a press conference. “This morning, a very tragic incident occurred. In extremely unforeseen circumstances, the news of the unfortunate demise of our state’s deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, in an aircraft accident reached everyone, spreading a wave of grief across Maharashtra. For Maharashtra, today is an extremely difficult day,” he said. Further talking about his friendship with Pawar, he added, “Such leadership takes many years to develop, and at a time when he was making very significant contributions to the state’s development, his passing is both unbelievable and shocking. Personally, I have lost a strong and generous friend. This is also an enormous loss for his family.” Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi also condoled the deaths saying, “The news of the demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar Ji and his fellow travellers in an aeroplane accident today is extremely heart-rending. In this hour of grief, I stand with the people of Maharashtra. I extend my condolences to the entire Pawar family and their dear ones in this time of sorrow. Defence minister Rajnath Singh expressed his “pain” on X saying, “Deeply shocked and pained to learn about the untimely demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Ajit Pawar.” “Throughout his long public life, he remained committed to the development and prosperity of Maharashtra. He was known for his compassion for the people and his unwavering dedication to public service. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, well-wishers, and admirers,” he added. — rajnathsingh (@rajnathsingh) Union minister Nitin Gadkari, expressing condolences said, “The news of the untimely demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar ji is extremely shocking, unfortunate, and heartbreaking. My heartfelt tribute to him. Over the past many years, while working together in the state legislature, I have shared a very close bond with Ajit dada. His administrative acumen, developmental vision, and ability to connect with people have ensured that Ajit dada’s place in Maharashtra’s politics remains unshakable. The premature passing of this people’s leader, who harboured aspirations for Maharashtra’s development, is a loss that cannot be compensated—not just for Maharashtra, but for the entire nation. At this sorrowful moment, my condolences are with the entire Pawar family. May God grant peace to the departed soul. Om Shanti.” Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also shared her condolences saying, “I extend my condolences to the entire Pawar family and his supporters. I have spoken to Ajit Pawar’s wife and Supriya ji (Supriya Sule).” Commerce minister Piyush Goyal said, “We all are mournful today. He was a close friend and a tall leader in Maharashtra.” Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said, “Deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Shri Ajit Pawar in the plane crash in Baramati earlier today. My sincere condolences to his family, loved ones and all those affected by this loss. May his contributions to public life be remembered, and may the bereaved find strength in this difficult time.” Messages of condolence from across the country Many political leaders from various parts of country expressed their shock and offered condolences after the Maharashtra deputy CM’s demise. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also mourned the loss. “The news of the tragic demise of Shri Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash, is deeply shocking and profoundly distressing. It is an untimely loss of a leader who had a long and promising political career ahead,” he said. West Bengal chief minister also expressed her shock on social media, sharing her statement. “Deeply shocked and stunned by the suddden demise of Ajit Pawar! The Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and his co-passengers have died in a disastrous plane crash at Baramati today morning, and I am feeling a deep sense of loss. My condolences to his family including his uncle Sharad Pawar ji, and late Ajitji’s all friends and followers. The incident needs proper investigation.” BSP chief Mayawati said, “The death today of Shri Ajit Pawar ji, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and one of the stalwart leaders of Maharashtra politics, in an aeroplane crash in Baramati is most heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to his family and the members of his party. May nature grant them all the strength to bear this sorrow.” Andhra Pradesh CM, NDA ally N Chandrababu Naidu also issued a statement on social media. He said, “Shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar ji in a plane crash this morning. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and followers. Om Shanthi.” “The tragic plane crash in Baramati, Maharashtra, which claimed the lives of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar ji and other members, is extremely heartbreaking and soul-wrenching. My humble tribute to them. My condolences are with the bereaved families. I pray to Lord Shri Ram that he grants eternal peace
‘Insensitive and insulting’: BJP says Rahul Gandhi declined to wear Assamese Gamosa; Congress counters
NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly refusing to wear an Assamese ‘Gamosa’ during the reception hosted by President Draupadi Murmu after Republic Day parade. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha of “insulting” the people of the entire Northeast and demanded an unconditional apology from him. Taking to X, Sarma said, “Times may change, but the attitude of the de facto supremo of the Congress party, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, regrettably appears unchanged. In an act that was deeply insensitive and insulting to the people of the entire North East, Mr. Gandhi chose not to wear the traditional Patka, a symbol of the region’s rich cultural heritage, at the reception hosted by the Hon’ble President of India this evening.” “From the President and the Prime Minister to foreign dignitaries, everyone wore the Patka with respect and pride. Mr. Gandhi alone stood apart, reinforcing a perception of disregard towards the North East. Such conduct explains why his party has lost the trust of the region and much of the country. Yet, this repeated insensitivity continues. Rahul Gandhi must issue an unconditional apology to the people of the North East for this affront,” he added. This comes after some media reports claimed that all guests except Rahul wore the Gamosa presented to them at the event. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a post on X, “Shameful! Rahul Gandhi has insulted the north east and also disrespected our very hon’ble President.” Congress hits back Meanwhile, Congress leaders shared a picture of defence minister Rajnath Singh and asked Assam chief minister if he will demand an apology from Singh also for not wearing the patka. “Hey Himanta Biswa Sarma, will you seek an apology from Rajnath ji too? Or your entire strategy to fight anti incumbency is to pick up such non issues?” Khera asked, Congress MP Manickam also slammed the BJP over the issue and termed Biswa “2016 batch of betrayer.” “The 2016 batch of betrayer must stop this nonsense. Why is @rajnathsingh ji not wearing the North east patka then? Stop dragging the Hon’ble President @rashtrapatibhvn into your cheap politics,” Tagore said in a post on X. This comes after he Congress accused the Centre of insulting the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha -Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge – by seating them in the third row during the Republic Day parade event at Kartavya Path Sharing pictures of their leaders seated in the back rows during the ceremony, several Congress leaders raised questions over the “protocol mess-up” and propriety. Meanwhile, BJP reacted sharply and accused the grand-old-party of politicising the seating arrangements at the Republic Day and called Gandhi an “insincere politician”. “Shameful of the Congress to politicise even seating arrangements at Republic Day’. Rahul Gandhi is an insincere politician, who chooses politics over national interest,” Bhandari 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
Is meeting Rahul Gandhi difficult, or is it just a rumor? Are Muslim leaders really being ignored in the Congress party? Find out.
Congress MP Tariq Anwar from Katihar, Bihar, has advised Muslim leaders to communicate with the high command regarding allegations of their neglect. This statement comes after former leader Shakeel Ahmed called Rahul Gandhi a “coward” and Rashid Alvi alleged difficulty in meeting Rahul and neglect of Muslim leaders. Is meeting Rahul Gandhi difficult, or is it just a rumor? Patna: Congress MP Tariq Anwar has appealed to the party’s Muslim leaders that if they feel that Muslim leaders are being neglected, they should discuss the matter with the party’s top leadership. This statement comes at a time when former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed targeted Rahul Gandhi, calling him an insecure and cowardly leader. Following this, senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that Muslim leaders are being neglected in the party and that Rahul Gandhi does not have time to meet Muslim leaders. Meeting Rahul Gandhi is not that easy. Congress MP Tariq Anwar defends Rahul Responding to these statements, Congress MP Tariq Anwar from Katihar, Bihar, said in New Delhi that these are their personal feelings. If there is any such complaint, he has been a senior leader and also a Member of Parliament from the Congress, and he should talk to the Congress leadership about all these matters. If they feel that collective leadership is not being promoted, then this should be discussed. Regarding Congress MP Manickam Tagore’s statement, Tariq Anwar said that if there is such discontent within the party, then why is it there, and it should be properly resolved. The Congress party is a national party, and it is essential for democracy that the Congress party remains strong, improves itself, and works to protect democracy in the country in the future. It should work to save democracy in the country in the coming times. Shakeel Ahmed had called Rahul a ‘coward’ In fact, former Union Minister and senior leader Shakeel Ahmed launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi, calling him a “coward and insecure” leader. Ahmed, a three-time MLA and two-time MP, alleged that Rahul Gandhi feels uncomfortable around senior and popular leaders, which is why he only promotes sycophantic and inexperienced young people. Calling Rahul a dictator and undemocratic, Ahmed said that he does not listen to the advice of senior colleagues. He mocked Rahul’s working style, reminding him that this very attitude led to him losing his family’s traditional seat of Amethi. According to Ahmed, who left the Congress after the 2025 elections, Rahul Gandhi feels insecure in the presence of any prominent personality, which is harming the party’s internal democracy. Meanwhile, on the statement of Congress leader Karti Chidambaram, Congress MP Tariq Anwar from Katihar, Bihar, said that there must be some basis for what Karti said. I don’t deny this, although there is still a debate going on about whether holding simultaneous elections would be right or not. Our constitution grants rights to the states, and any step that harms or weakens those rights will not be acceptable to everyone. Rashid Alvi, who raised questions, U-turns Congress leader Rashid Alvi had said that limited access to the top leadership has created a communication gap in the party. Congress workers also complain that it is no longer easy to meet the Congress high command. There is no platform in the party where issues can be discussed. If people want to express their concerns, where do they go? Not everyone is a member of the Congress Working Committee. He said that Muslim leaders are leaving the party not out of greed for power, but because of the neglect of Muslim leadership. If the neglect of Muslim leadership continues in this way, leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi will continue to become powerful forces in the country. However, Rashid Alvi, who said all this, is now praising Rahul, saying that the country needs Rahul Gandhi. Input – IANS Edited by: Sunil Pandey About the author Sunil Pandey is a Senior Journalist at Navbharat Times Bihar-Jharkhand. He has experience in all three mediums: print, TV, and digital. He has 20 years of experience in politics, sports, business, and ground reporting. He started his career with the prestigious fortnightly magazines Maya and Lokayat. Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Plan to attack my residence’: After calling Rahul Gandhi ‘darpok’ Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad makes big claim
NEW DELHI: Days after calling Rahul Gandhi “darpok” (coward) and “insecure”, former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad on Tuesday claimed that his residence faces a threat of attack. He shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp message which he alleged was circulated by party members, calling on district and assembly-level leaders to burn his effigy in protest over his “inappropriate statements” about Rahul Gandhi. Sharing the chats on X, Ahmad wrote: “Now my information has turned out to be absolutely spot on. Many thanks to the old mates from Congress. There’s a saying in our Bihar that old friends are the ones who come in handy. Is this happening without Rahul ji’s orders?” — Ahmad_Shakeel (@Ahmad_Shakeel) The message he posted read: “Former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad has been continuously making inappropriate statements about our respected leader Shri Rahul Gandhi. The top leadership has directed that all District Presidents and Assembly Presidents should, in their respective areas, burn an effigy of Shakeel Ahmad on 27/12/2026 to register strong protest.” Escalating the spat further, in a post late Monday, Ahmad further alleged that the Congress leadership in Bihar has “ordered” party workers to attack his residence. “Just now, some colleagues from the Congress have secretly informed me that the Congress national leadership has ordered the Bihar Congress/Youth Congress to attack my residences in Patna and Madhubani tomorrow, January 27, under the pretext of burning an effigy,” he wrote on X. — Ahmad_Shakeel (@Ahmad_Shakeel) The controversy follows Ahmad’s scathing remarks about Gandhi. “Rahul Gandhi is a coward and an insecure person. He does not get that ‘boss feeling’ before anyone who is senior to him or has a big public support. He is uncomfortable with any such person and is thus dictatorial and not democratic,” he told PTI. Congress leader Manickam Tagore hit back, calling Ahmad a “betrayer” and “Jaichand”. “I am not shocked. Just saddened, yet again,? by how betrayal becomes loud when courage walks the longest road,” Tagore wrote on X, adding that such attacks were about “TV time, relevance and pleasing new masters”. Ahmad, a former Union minister and ex-Congress general secretary who quit the party after the 2025 Bihar elections, has also accused Gandhi of sidelining senior leaders and influencing the 2022 party presidential poll in favour of Mallikarjun Kharge. 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
“This is the new batch of traitors…” Congress MP Manickam Tagore speaks out against those criticizing Rahul Gandhi
A stir has been created in the Congress party after former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed criticized Rahul Gandhi. In this matter, Congress MP Manickam Tagore has come forward in Rahul Gandhi’s defense. The Congress MP has strongly criticized those who are criticizing Rahul. New Delhi: Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore has called the leaders who criticized Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, traitors. The Congress MP’s statement comes after former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed’s remark in which he called Rahul Gandhi the most cowardly and insecure leader in Indian politics. ‘How betrayal comes out in the open’ Manickam Tagore wrote in a post on the social media platform X that he was not surprised. He was simply saddened once again to see how betrayal comes out in the open when courage walks the most difficult path. At a time when the Congress needed unity the most, people like Shakeel Ahmed, who joined the group of traitors, and former BSP leader Rashid Alvi, have chosen to attack the very leader who traveled more than 4,000 kilometers to defeat hatred and spread love, and covered a distance of 6,000 kilometers through the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to unite India with justice and respect. Welcome to the 2026 batch of traitors He said that clearly, these attacks are not about ideology or concern. They are about appearing on TV, remaining relevant, and pleasing new masters. He said that this is nothing new, but this is a new group of traitors. Some of them are ministers in the Modi government, some are MPs, one is even a current Chief Minister, and many are unemployed who have switched parties. Welcome to the 2026 batch of traitors. He said that the Indian public knows the truth. When everyone claimed that the INDIA alliance would never cross the 150-seat mark after the temple’s construction, the same leader spearheaded the campaign that brought the INDIA alliance to within just 32 seats of power—a result nobody had imagined. And today, that same leader is being ridiculed. Challenging hatred with love He said that in 2024, with 240 seats, Rahul Gandhi brought politics back to the streets, challenged hatred with love, and proved that myths can be defeated with perseverance. By attacking the Congress president, they are also insulting Mallikarjun Kharge, who is the biggest Dalit leader in current Indian politics and the democratic soul of the Congress. He said that journeys reveal many things. They expose hatred on one hand and betrayal on the other. The public is watching. History will remember who fought for India and who groveled to reach power. Edited by: Anil Kumar About the Author Anil Kumar is part of the homepage team at Navbharat Times Digital. He has about 16 years of experience in both print and digital media. He has been associated with Navbharat Times Online since January 2021. He writes news and analysis related to politics and current affairs for the India and Delhi sections on the homepage. Courtesy: Hindi News
Rahul Gandhi’s insecurity prevents Priyanka from coming forward, Shakil Ahmed again accuses the Leader of the Opposition
The former Congress leader continues to attack Rahul Gandhi. Former Union Minister Shakil Ahmed has leveled a new accusation against Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. Ahmed says that Priyanka is unable to move forward because of Rahul’s insecurity. New Delhi: Former Congress leader Dr. Shakil Ahmed on Sunday spoke openly about the party’s continuous electoral failures, Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, and Priyanka Gandhi’s potential role. Shakil Ahmed attributed the party’s disappointing performance to the leadership’s working style, internal insecurity, and family-centric decisions. He clarified that he is not against Rahul Gandhi, but it is necessary to speak the truth for the good of the party. He said that Priyanka Gandhi is unable to come forward because of Rahul Gandhi’s insecurity. Paid the price for trying to explain things to Rahul Shakil Ahmed said that Sonia Gandhi united the Congress, which had various factions like those of Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao, and Sitaram Kesri, and created a strong ‘Sonia Gandhi’s Congress’, rescuing the party from crisis and taking it to new heights, but Rahul Gandhi could not even make this Congress of Sonia Gandhi his own. He said, “We are not against Rahul Gandhi. I spent a lot of time with him, talked to him a lot. Wherever I saw a mistake, I would point it out in the room, saying that this shouldn’t be done. I understood that the good of the Congress is the good of the country, but perhaps Rahul was hurt, and I had to pay the price for it.” Rahul Gandhi is clearly ‘arrogant’ Shakil Ahmed clearly called Rahul Gandhi ‘arrogant’. Giving the example of the party president election, he said that Shashi Tharoor had stood for election, and he wanted to vote for Tharoor, but since Sonia and Rahul made Mallikarjun Kharge the official candidate, he voted for Kharge so that his vote would not be wasted. Kharge still says that Rahul and Sonia made him the president. He said that when Sonia, Rahul, and Priyanka are together, whoever the Nehru-Gandhi family wants will be the president. Other leaders remain uncertain about what to do.” Regarding Priyanka Gandhi, Shakeel said that he hasn’t had much contact with her, but her speeches connect with the public the most. There is a sense of Indianness in her speeches. Sonia upheld the culture, but Priyanka was born here, so she speaks more accurately and effectively. Trust in the Nehru-Gandhi family in Congress He believes that there is trust in the Nehru-Gandhi family in Congress, and the decision regarding leadership rests with the family, but many leaders say that Rahul’s insecurity is preventing Priyanka from being brought forward. She became an MP after 30-32 years in politics, served as a general secretary, but was not given charge of any major state. After the UP defeat, she was made the secretary of a small state like Assam, so that she wouldn’t come to the forefront. The party continued to fail, but Rahul remained the face. Shakeel said, “Rahul is the owner of the party. Whether Priyanka wants to come to the front or wants to work behind her brother is an internal matter. There seems to be a lot of affection between the two. From the outside, Priyanka’s public connection and speeches are better than anyone else’s.” Edited by: Anil Kumar About the Author Anil Kumar is part of the homepage team at Navbharat Times Digital. He has about 16 years of experience in both print and digital media. He has been associated with Navbharat Times Online since January 2021. Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Where can they go?’: After Shakeel Ahmed, Rashid Alvi flags ‘communication gap’ within Congress
NEW DELHI: A day after former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed’s scathing remarks against Rahul Gandhi, veteran leader Rashid Alvi on Sunday said that the lack of an effective platform for dialogue and limited access to the top leadership has created a serious communication gap within the organisation. Speaking to news agency ANI, Alvi said party workers complain that it is not easy to meet the Congress high command. “I haven’t seen Shakeel ji’s statement, but a major problem in the Congress party is that there is no forum where issues can be discussed. It is generally difficult to meet leaders. If people want to express their concerns, where can they go? Not everyone is a member of the CWC. There is definitely a communication gap. This is a major problem within the Congress party, and many people complain that it is not easy to meet the Congress high command. This communication gap must be eliminated,” Alvi said. He added that former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi made time to meet everyone. Alvi also raised concerns over the exit of several Muslim leaders from the grand old party and said that if Muslim leadership continues to be ignored, leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi will keep emerging. “Muslim leaders have not left out of greed for power. They have left, and this is a matter of concern, because Muslim leadership has been ignored in the Congress party,” Alvi said. “If Muslim leadership is ignored, then leaders like Owaisi will continue to emerge in the country. Today, Owaisi is becoming a powerful force,” he added. ‘Must engage in comprehensive internal dialogue’ Meanwhile, Congress leader Anant Gadgil also called for urgent “introspection” following the party’s lacklustre performance in the recent Maharashtra municipal elections. He said the Congress must reconnect with its core workers and rural base to survive. Gadgil stressed that the party needs to look inward at a time when the political discourse is dominated by the BJP’s victory and internal bickering within the ruling Mahayuti over mayoral posts. “Instead of holding any single individual responsible, the party must engage in a comprehensive internal dialogue,” Gadgil said. He also said that with rapid urbanisation in Maharashtra, the Congress must promote leaders who command genuine public respect and middle-class support, moving beyond the traditional arithmetic of “money and caste”. This comes after former Congress MP Shakeel Ahmed attacked Rahul Gandhi over the party’s consistent electoral failures. Taking a jibe at Rahul Gandhi, Ahmed said, “Even if Rahul Gandhi wants, he still can’t take Congress below the second position. The reason is that every other party is only in one state.” He also claimed that the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha is “uncomfortable” collaborating with popular veteran leaders. “There is no internal democracy in the Congress party. Whatever Rahul Gandhi says is final,” Ahmed alleged. This is not the first time a party leader has complained about lack of access to the Congress leadership. Recently, former Odisha MLA Mohammed Moquim wrote to Sonia Gandhi, calling for “open-heart surgery” in the party and flagging a growing disconnect between the leadership and workers. In his five-page letter, Moquim said he had not been granted an audience with Rahul Gandhi for nearly three years. “This is not a personal grievance … but a reflection of a wider emotional disconnect felt by workers across India, who feel unseen and unheard,” he wrote. 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
‘Darpok, insecure’: Former Cong leader Shakeel Ahmad’s scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Former Union minister Shakeel Ahmad, who resigned from the Congress in November 2025, on Saturday launched a scathing attack on senior party leader Rahul Gandhi, calling him “darpok” (coward) and “insecure.” Ahmad also described Gandhi, a former Congress president and the current leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, as “dictatorial” and “non-democratic.” “Rahul Gandhi is a coward and an insecure person. He does not get that ‘boss feeling’ before anyone who is senior to him or has a big public support. He is uncomfortable with any such person and is thus dictatorial and not democratic,” Ahmad told PTI. The ex-Congress general secretary further highlighted how the Raebareli MP, who was party chief during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, even lost from his own Amethi constituency, a traditional Gandhi family bastion, and attributed the defeat to Gandhi’s “attitude.” Ahmad, a three-time MLA and two-time MP from Bihar, also claimed that he did not come across anyone alleging that their names were removed from the voter list during the Special Intensive Revision exercise in the state last year. The veteran politician resigned from the grand old party just days before the results of the Bihar assembly election, in which it won only six of the 61 seats it contested as part of the RJD-led opposition alliance. The ruling NDA swept the state. ‘Rahul Gandhi stands exposed’: BJP Seizing on Ahmad’s remarks, the BJP said they have “exposed” Gandhi. “Shakeel Ahmad has exposed Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi keeps showing that he is the most tolerant and democratic person, but the reality is something else. He is the most dictatorial person and has the same Emergency-mindset that Indira Gandhi had,” BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla posted on X. — Shehzad_Ind (@Shehzad_Ind) Responding to Ahmad’s claim that he did not find any voter alleging their name was removed from the electoral rolls during the SIR in Bihar, Poonawalla slammed Gandhi, saying the Congress leader made “baseless” allegations of ‘vote chori’ to shift the blame for his party’s defeat onto “others.” 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
‘SIR turned into weapon’: Rahul attacks BJP, says EC key accomplice in ‘vote chori’ conspiracy
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has been “turned into a weapon to dismantle the constitutional right” to vote. He further alleged that the EC “is no longer democracy’s guardian but chief accomplice in this vote theft conspiracy.” “Wherever there’s SIR, there’s vote theft. What is being done in Gujarat in the name of SIR is not any kind of administrative process, it is a well-planned, organised, and strategic vote chori,” he said in a post in Hindi on X. The Congress leader said that SIR undermines the principle of “one person, one vote” and allows the BJP, rather than voters, to decide who remains in power. “SIR has been turned into a weapon to dismantle the constitutional right to ‘one person, one vote’—so that it’s not the people, but the BJP, who decide who stays in power,” Rahul alleged. “And the gravest truth is that the Election Commission is no longer democracy’s guardian; it’s become the chief accomplice in this vote-theft conspiracy,” he added. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) Rahul claimed that votes were “selectively removed from specific communities and booths” that support the Congress. “Wherever the BJP sees a potential defeat, voters are simply made to disappear from the system,” he said. The Congress leader alleged that a similar pattern had been seen earlier. “This same pattern was seen in Aland. The same thing happened in Rajura. And now the same blueprint is being implemented in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and every state where SIR has been imposed,” he said. His remarks came after the Gujarat Congress alleged large-scale manipulation during the SIR process in the state. In a post on X, the party claimed that, “Election rigging means the theft of your voting rights, and this new game has come to light in Gujarat. According to the rules, the Election Commission, after the SIR, released the draft list and began accepting objections, setting January 18 as the final date. Only a handful of objections were received until January 15, but the real game began afterward. Under a conspiracy, millions of objections (Form 7) were suddenly submitted.” The state Congress further alleged that when the main opposition party sought details of the objections from the Election Commission, it received no response. “This is because the Election Commission has mortgaged both its responsibility and accountability to the ruling party,” the state unit 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
Congress appoints 29 observers amid alliance debate in Bihar
Patna: A day after state Congress legislators and senior functionaries met party president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in Delhi amid talks of a split and strain in the alliance with RJD, the All India Congress Committee on Saturday appointed 29 observers “for the selection of district presidents” to revamp the organisation following the humiliating defeat of the opposition Mahagathbandhan in the Bihar elections. Meanwhile, the RJD national executive committee meeting is scheduled to be held in Patna on Sunday. As Valmikinagar MLA Surendra Prasad told reporters that legislators conveyed their opinion to the leadership to sever ties with RJD and strengthen the organisation for “better results” in the future, union minister and HAM(S) founder Jitan Ram Manjhi said it would be good for Congress if it decided to break away from RJD. “Bahut der kar di hujoor aate aate (took too long to arrive). Except a few, people in general hate RJD,” Manjhi said during his ‘Litti with Manjhi’ programme in Patna, which was attended, among others, by governor Arif Mohammed Khan and CM Nitish Kumar. Surendra Prasad said Congress would try to contest the next elections on its own. He told the media that Rahul Gandhi had also given his consent. On speculation about Congress MLAs deserting the party, he said they assured Rahul that they had emerged victorious even amid the NDA wave and would not go anywhere. However, Chanpatia MLA Abhishek Ranjan told this newspaper on Saturday that no such decision was taken by the central leadership regarding severing ties with RJD. “The Delhi meeting on Friday was held to discuss strengthening Congress at district and block levels. RJD is still our respected ally. Some leaders may have their personal opinions on the alliance,” he said. Abhishek also denied reports of a possible change in the state Congress president and said discussions focused on reorganising the party at district and block levels, followed by booth-level strengthening. Sources said Purnia MP Pappu Yadav, who was a special invitee to the meeting, along with a few legislators and leaders, requested the central leadership to go solo in Bihar if the party was to regain lost ground. Congress won only six assembly seats in the Nov elections, compared to 19 in the 2020 polls. Senior Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan has categorically stated that the party suffered in the assembly elections due to RJD’s image and the alliance. 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