DK Shivakumar skips Davos event aftermeeting Rahul Gandhi, triggers fresh buzz
Bengaluru: A day after meeting senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar has cancelled his scheduled visit to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, citing official engagements in New Delhi and Bengaluru. In a statement issued Saturday, Shivakumar’s office said the DCM has a series of meetings lined up with AICC functionaries in connection with the Assam assembly elections. It also said he is spearheading the Congress campaign against the Union govt over MGNREGA, due to which a five-day special session of the Karnataka assembly is scheduled to begin on Jan 22. The World Economic Forum will hold its 56th annual meeting in Davos from Jan 19 to Jan 23, bringing together nearly 3,000 leaders from more than 130 countries amid heightened geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and rapid technological change. The summit, themed “A spirit of dialogue”, aims to provide a platform for leaders from govt, business and civil society to rebuild trust and explore collaborative solutions to global challenges. Shivakumar was in New Delhi to attend a preparatory meeting related to the Assam elections when he briefly met Rahul, triggering speculation in political circles in Karnataka. His decision to skip the Davos event comes amid talk of a CM change in Karnataka. This was the second meeting between Shivakumar and Rahul in a week. Earlier, both Shivakumar and chief minister Siddaramaiah had met Rahul at the Mysuru airport. There were also reports that Rahul had asked Shivakumar to meet him in Delhi for discussions. Earlier in the day, home minister G Parameshwara said Shivakumar’s Delhi visit was purely organisational in nature. “He has gone to Delhi on the instructions of the AICC president. He has been given the responsibility for the Assam elections, and he has gone there for discussions related to that. Besides this, I am not aware of any other matter,” Parameshwara said. Before meeting Rahul, Shivakumar had said, “How can I disclose (what is discussed)? It is not a public issue to be discussed. It is between me, my party high command, and my chief minister.” 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
TNCC unanimously entrusts Kharge, Rahul to take decisions
New Delhi/Chennai: A meeting of TNCC functionaries and elected representatives in New Delhi on Saturday “unanimously” entrusted AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to take decisions pertaining to alliance and seat sharing with DMK for the upcoming assembly election in Tamil Nadu. “With regard to election strategy, the party high command will take an appropriate decision in due course, keeping in mind the larger interest of party and people of TN,” AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal told reporters in New Delhi. Kharge chaired the meeting that lasted more than three hours, and attended by Rahul Gandhi, Venugopal, TNCC chief K Selvaperunthagai, MPs P Chidambaram, Manickam Tagore, Karti Chidambaram, and Professionals’ Congress chief Praveen Chakravarty, among others. Later, Kharge, Rahul and Venugopal, joined by AICC in charge for TN Girish Chodankar, held one-on-one meetings with functionaries and obtained views on alliance. The Congress top brass gave clear directions to functionaries to maintain discipline and refrain from making public statements on alliance matters and advised them to speak in one voice in line with party decisions. The meeting held at the party’s Indira Bhawan headquarters came amid two different viewpoints over alliance with DMK — one pitching for power-sharing arrangement if the alliance wins to form govt and another being that the party should explore an alliance with actor Vijay’s TVK looking at the larger prospects of the Congress in states such as Kerala, which too goes to polls along with TN. Sources said some functionaries informed the leadership about “immature” actions of colleagues reportedly causing a rift in the Congress-DMK alliance, while a few raised concerns about disrespect allegedly shown by DMK partymen, besides not being taken care of in the appointments in boards and trusts. “The predominant view is to continue the alliance with DMK and get a share in power by getting more seats this election,” said a senior leader, privy to the meeting. Venugopal told reporters, the leadership had a detailed and very fruitful discussion with functionaries. “The leadership patiently listened to all opinions and leaders were given full opportunity to express their views. The discussion was constructive and focussed on strengthening the party and its future strategy in TN,” he said, reading out a statement. Asked about what the party’s stand was on the view within Congress on seeking a power-sharing arrangement with DMK, Venugopal reiterated his statement, adding that “concerns of the 40-plus leaders present at the meeting were heard individually and collectively. There are different views and we have heard them and certainly in due course whatever discussion held today will be the guideline for future decisions.” Sharing a video clip from the meeting held at the AICC headquarters on X, Kharge said, “We are confident that people of TN would choose equality, social justice, empowerment and good governance over bigotry, sectarianism, anti-federal and discriminatory politics of the RSS-BJP.” He added, “Congress party is determined to play an important role in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of the state.” Selvaperunthagai told reporters, the TNCC would follow the decision of AICC. The leadership was upset about functionaries speaking about the alliance in public, he added. 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
Bizarre Indian Tradition: Why do thousands of transgender women marry Lord Aravan and then mourn the very next day?
Transgender marriage tradition: Transgender people are a unique part of society, and learning about them is always interesting. They are neither completely male nor completely female. They are present in our festivals, and it is believed that their blessings are very powerful, so one should avoid their negativity or curses. However, their lives and customs are quite different from those of ordinary people, which is why ordinary people know very little about them. Today we will learn some surprising facts about the world of transgender people. The Mystery of Transgender Children A son is born from a man and a daughter from a woman, but if the balance of sperm and egg is equal, a transgender child is born. There have been different beliefs about this in society. Welcoming New Transgender Individuals When a new person joins the transgender community, there is a collective feast and singing and dancing. Several rituals are also performed; this welcome ceremony is a unique way of entering their community. Marriage to Lord Aravan A special festival is celebrated in Tamil Nadu. In this 18-day festival, transgender women (Aravani) marry Lord Koothandavar (Aravan), considering him their husband. The temple priest puts the ‘Thali’ (mangalsutra) on them, and they dress up like brides. This ritual is based on the story from the Mahabharata where Lord Krishna, in the form of Mohini, married Aravan. The Tradition of Mourning (Observing Widowhood) The day after the marriage, Lord Aravan’s sacrifice is commemorated. After his death, the Aravani women mourn like widows. They break their bangles, remove their mangalsutras, and wear white clothes to lament. This tradition brings to life Aravan’s sacrifice and Krishna’s grief in the form of Mohini. The Story of Shikhandi According to ancient beliefs, Shikhandi from the Mahabharata was also considered a transgender person. This is why Arjuna was able to defeat Bhishma in the war. This story shows that transgender people have a history and significance dating back to ancient times. Arjuna and Brihannala In the Mahabharata, when the Pandavas had to spend a year in exile in the forest, Arjuna lived as Brihannala. This story shows that the role of transgender people has been significant not only in society but also in history and epics. Beliefs about Origin According to one belief, eunuchs originated from the shadow of Lord Brahma. According to another belief, they originated from Arishta and Sage Kashyapa. These stories give a glimpse into the mystery and depth of their lives. The Importance of Blessings It is said that the blessings of eunuchs are very powerful. Therefore, it is considered auspicious to invite eunuchs on auspicious occasions such as weddings, birthdays, or housewarming ceremonies. Their presence is considered a symbol of good fortune and happiness for people. By: Shivani Singh Courtesy : Hindi News
Indelible ink row: Rahul Gandhi accuses EC of ‘gaslighting’ voters – What does it mean?
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday weighed in on the controversy surrounding the alleged fading of indelible ink used during Maharashtra’s civic body elections, using a Gen Z term to accuse the Election Commission of undermining public trust. Amid mounting complaints from voters and opposition parties that the ink applied to mark fingers during Thursday’s polls was fading unusually fast, Rahul described the situation as “gaslighting” by the Election Commission and termed “vote chori” an anti-national act. Sharing a media report on X that said “opposition, voters cry foul over fading ink markers”, Gandhi wrote, “Election commission gaslighting citizens is how trust has collapsed in our democracy. Vote Chori is an anti-national act.” The controversy erupted after multiple videos surfaced on social media showing voters claiming that the ink marks on their fingers had faded within hours of voting, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the possibility of repeat voting. What is gaslighting? Rahul’s use of the term ‘gaslighting’ — commonly associated with Gen Z and millennial discourse — drew attention online. ‘Gaslighting’ refers to a form of manipulation where people are led to doubt their own memory, perception or understanding of reality. It often involves repeatedly denying clear facts, twisting information, or blaming others’ reactions, eventually causing them to question their own judgment. Victims are gradually led to question their actions, memories, understanding and even their sanity. It typically occurs in situations where there is a power imbalance between the individuals involved. Gaslighting often begins with small, seemingly harmless lies but can escalate over time, with the manipulator convincing the victim that they remember events incorrectly, lack sound judgment, or cannot be trusted to assess situations accurately.Examples: “I never said that. You’re imagining things.” “That didn’t happen the way you remember it.” “You’re overreacting — it’s not a big deal.” “You’re too sensitive. Anyone else would be fine with this.” “You always get confused about details.” By invoking the term, Rahul appeared to suggest that voters’ concerns were being dismissed or minimised despite visible evidence, further eroding confidence in democratic institutions. The Election Commission has maintained that it will take corrective steps based on the probe’s findings, even as the opposition continues to press for accountability over the ink controversy. 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
TN Congress leaders head to Delhi for meeting with Rahul, Kharge
Chennai: Senior Tamil Nadu Congress leaders, including former and sitting MPs and MLAs, are set to travel to New Delhi on Saturday for a meeting convened by party leader Rahul Gandhi to discuss alliance strategy ahead of the 2026 Assembly election. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge will also be present at the meeting planned to discuss the party’s assembly election strategy for TN. The meeting comes at a time when TN Congress functionaries are putting forth different viewpoints on the party’s electoral tie up with DMK. While one section is comfortable with the continuation of the existing alliance arrangement, another section has been pitching for a power sharing arrangement with DMK. The camp that has been batting for a power sharing arrangement has also been nudging for an alliance with actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazagham (TVK), hoping that the actor – politician’s fan base would help them in Kerala, which too goes to polls this year. While most leaders are expected to voice their support for continuation in the DMK alliance during the Saturday meeting, a small group critical of DMK and leaning towards TVK are likely to place their demand for a power-sharing arrangement as a precondition for DMK alliance. DMK leaders have rejected the demand. DMK remains firm it will not accept the Congress power-sharing demand. “There is no compromise at any cost. Except for Manickam Tagore, Rajesh Kumar and Praveen Chakravarty, everyone will favour us (DMK),” said a highly placed DMK source. Nevertheless, Congress leaders say the subject would be brought up during formal alliance talks DMK as the present arrangement of remaining in alliance without sharing power does not help Congress grow in TN. “When something goes wrong then we are unable to criticise DMK as we are allies. This situation does not benefit Congress,” a TN Congress leader said. Setting the tone for meeting, COngress M P Manickam Tagore on Friday said in an X post that Congress was never after `lucrative’ portfolios wherever the party had shared power with allies. Instead, we would only seek ministries that offer scope for serving people better, he said. Senior Congress leaders, however, downplayed the Saturday meeting. Congress general secretary in-charge (organisation) KC Venugopal simply said, “We are doing all state level meetings. Nothing else.” Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai rejected speculation about parallel talks with TVK and said, “In the meeting, we will discuss election preparedness and finalise our plans.” Congress in charge for TN, Girsh Chodankar told TOI that Saturday’s meeting will see a discussion on preparations and exchange of ideas. On the issue of powersharing, he said such matters will be discussed at the alliance committee meeting which is yet to be scheduled. Meanwhile, AICC general secretary Sachin Pilot backed the demand from a section of Congress leaders for power sharing. “Every political party wants representation. I think there is nothing wrong in the Congress cadre asking for measures so that they can help the people of Tamil Nadu,” he told reporters in Chennai when asked about the demand for coalition govt. He however appreciated the DMk govt. “Whatever happens in the future, the BJP and NDA will never find a foothold in Tamil Nadu politics. I think the (state) govt did a good job,” 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
A day before Rahul’s visit, Patwari meets ex-LS speaker Mahajan over Indore deaths
Bhopal: A day before Lok Sabha LOP Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Indore, state Congress president Jitu Patwari created political tremors when he met former Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan at her residence on Friday morning. Everyone wondered why the state Congress chief went to meet the BJP’s former MP from the city. After the meeting, Sumitra Mahajan said, “Jitu Patwari works well. He comes to meet me occasionally and he came today also.” Mahajan said that Jitu Patwari asked for her guidance about the present water contamination crisis in the city. Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to reach Indore on Saturday and meet families of the deceased victims of the Bhagirathpura water contamination tragedy. The Congress had applied for permission for a public meeting which was refused by the state administration. Jitu Patwari had also asked for a meeting with all corporators’ of the Indore Municipal Corporation which has also been disallowed. Sumitra Mahajan said, “He (Patwari) said that the Congress being in the opposition will protest. But the solution must come rising above party lines. We must work together to find a solution, he told me,” Sumitra Mahajan explained. “I said yes, in a democracy, the opposition must also do its work. We were also in the opposition and protested on various issues,” she recollected. The former Speaker of the Lok Sabha said that she reminded Patwari that there are institutions like the IIT, IIM and GSITS (Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology and Sciences) where they have technical experts. “I said there are many institutions in Indore where technically qualified people can help. In fact, the govt should be doing this. I said that the Congress can sit together, make a list of recommendations and send it to the govt. I did not give any wrong advise,” Mahajan quipped. Asked if Rahul Gandhi will be coming to meet her during his visit on Saturday, Sumitra Mahajan said, “No. There was no discussion about that. But if anyone wants to come and meet me, I am here.” Patwari told reporters, “We discussed the situation of water supply in Indore. Now the NGT has also said that 70% of water in MP is contaminated and undrinkable. We must rise above party and politics to ensure that a glass of safe drinking water reaches the people of this city. There should be no politics over water. The dialogue with former Lok Sabha speaker was very positive.” 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
Maharashtra civic polls: Rahul Gandhi accuses EC of ‘gaslighting citizens’; BJP takes ‘khandani chor’ jibe
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the Election Commission of “gaslighting citizens” after claims surfaced that marker pens were used to ink voters’ fingers during Maharashtra civic polls, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election. “Election commission gaslighting citizens is how trust has collapsed in our democracy. Vote Chori is an anti-national act,” Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X. The issue triggered a political row after opposition parties alleged the ink could be wiped off easily, raising concerns about the integrity of the polling process. State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare rejected the allegations, saying marker pens have been used for local self-government elections in the state since 2011 and that the ink is indelible. The BJP slammed Rahul’s attack on poll body and asked if he ‘accepting defeat’ before the counting of votes ends. “Bahana brigade back! Accepting defeat before counting ends? Rahul Back to doing what he does best. Discredit , distort & disinform. Khandani chor now regurgitating claims of Thackerays. By the way what came out of allegations Rahul made on Bihar elections vote chori?” BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a post on X. The BMC election, held after an eight-year gap, recorded a voter turnout of 52.94%, according to figures released by the SEC on Friday. Polling concluded on Thursday. The election for India’s richest municipal corporation was marked by allegations from the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance, which were later denied by the SEC. The previous BMC polls were held in 2017, and the term of the last elected mayor, Kishori Pednekar, ended in March 2022. The new election is expected to pave the way for Mumbai to get a mayor after nearly four years. According to the SEC, 54,76,043 voters cast their ballots out of 1,03,44,315 registered voters. The turnout included 29,23,433 men, 25,52,359 women, and 251 transgender voters across 277 wards. In absolute numbers, about 3.7 lakh more men voted than women. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the controversy, alleging the opposition was preparing excuses for an expected defeat. “The Election Commission has used marker pens several times in the past. I feel some people are preparing to blame something for the result tomorrow,” 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
‘Even if effort fails … ‘: DK Shivakumar shares cryptic post after meeting Rahul Gandhi
BENGALURU: Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar shared a cryptic post on Wednesday after his meeting with Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. In the post on X, he said: “Even if the effort fails, the prayer does not fail.” The post follows a brief, exclusive interaction between Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Shivakumar at Mysuru airport on Tuesday, which triggered fresh speculation over a possible change of guard in the state, even as chief minister Siddaramaiah insisted there was no discussion of politics. Rahul, on his way to Gudalur in Tamil Nadu, arrived at Mysuru’s Mandakalli airport around 2pm on a special flight. He was received by Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who had earlier flown together to Mysuru. Within minutes, Rahul left by helicopter for Gudalur, while the Chief Minister and his deputy exited the airport separately. Later, when Rahul returned to Mysuru ahead of schedule on his return to Delhi, Shivakumar reached the airport early and had a three-minute one-on-one conversation with the former AICC chief on the tarmac. Siddaramaiah joined them subsequently, after which Rahul interacted briefly with both leaders before leaving on a special flight around 5.45pm. The exclusive exchange between Rahul and Shivakumar, coming amid sustained speculation over a possible change of guard in the state, sparked renewed political buzz. Shivakumar also shared pictures of the meeting with reporters. However, neither he nor Siddaramaiah addressed the media. Earlier, Shivakumar was present when Mysuru city police presented a guard of honour to Siddaramaiah but stayed away when the Chief Minister spoke to reporters. Shivakumar later left for a star hotel in the city, where he briefly stayed while awaiting Rahul’s return. Siddaramaiah went to his residence in Ramakrishna Nagar. Asked about the meeting later, Siddaramaiah said, “It is the media which is speculating a change in CM, but there is no confusion or issues between Shivakumar and me. Some MLAs have spoken without knowledge. Only Shivakumar and I can speak on this. A decision on a change, if any, will be taken by the party high command and we both will abide by it.” To avoid a repeat of scenes witnessed during AICC general secretary KC Venugopal’s visit to Mangaluru airport last month — where supporters of the CM and Shivakumar shouted slogans backing their leaders for the CM post — Congress and police decided to bar party workers from entering Mysuru airport on Tuesday. 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’s support for Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’: Message to DMK or push for new coalition with TVK in Tamil Nadu?
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi’s strong support for actor-politician Vijay after delay in censor certification for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief’s film ‘Jana Nayagan’ has set tongues wagging about a possible political realignment in poll-bound Tamil Nadu. ‘Jana Nayagan’, which is widely publicised as Vijay’s final film before his full-fledged entry into politics, was slated for a Pongal release on January 9. However, the film ran into last-minute hurdles after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) did not issue certification in time. Rallying behind Vijay, Rahul attacked the Centre and said the I&B ministry’s “attempt to block” ‘Jana Nayagan’ was an attack on Tamil culture. He also targeted the Prime Minister and said: “Mr Modi, you will never succeed in suppressing the voice of the Tamil people.” The TVK has been quick to acknowledge Rahul’s support as a “friendly gesture.” While the Tamil Nadu Congress has denied any “political motive” behind Rahul’s gesture, the fact remains that this comes at a time when the grand-old-party’s ties with its old ally DMK has been tense over demands of power sharing. The DMK and the Congress have been partners in Tamil Nadu for long and have contested several elections together, but the grand-old party has not been a part of the DMK government in the state. The Congress wants that to change now. When Congress MP Manickam Tagore said the time has come to move beyond seat-sharing and initiate discussions on the sharing of power, he was echoing the sentiments of a section of the party. However, this “power sharing” proposal was nipped in the bud by the DMK. Ruling out any scope for coalition government, senior DMK leader and state minister I Periyasamy said: “There had never been a coalition government. The state had all along been helmed by the DMK on its own. There is no doubt about this stand of the party, there will be no coalition government and the chief minister is firm on this stand.” So, what should the Congress do? Continue with this arrangement that has been in place for years or chart a different course with a new ally? The politics of Tamil Nadu has traditionally been bipolar between two arch political rivals – the DMK and the AIADMK. However, 2026 could be different. There’s a third regional player in the fray. The entry of actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, fondly known as Thalapathy Vijay, has made the upcoming electoral contest interesting. Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has already made an impressive start giving jitters to the two established regional players. Vijay is confident that his TVK will script history in the elections – just as it had happened in the 1967 and 1977 assembly elections in the state. The DMK had won for the first time in 1967 while the AIADMK won elections a decade later. While the TVK has not opened its alliance cards, Vijay has made it clear several times that his party will not join hands with either the DMK or the BJP. The actor-politician had also said that if there were any alliance in the future, it would be led by the TVK and opposed to both the DMK and the BJP. It is in this context that Rahul Gandhi’s support for Vijay has raised interest. Already there have been speculations about a tie up after TVK’s national spokesperson Felix Gerald had called the Congress a “natural ally.” “The Congress and TVK are natural allies in terms of secularism and their stand against communalism. In that sense, we have always been natural partners. Rahul Gandhi and our leader are also friends,” Gerald had said. Adding fuel to this fire was senior Congress leader and head of the party’s Data Analytics Unit, Praveen Chakravarty, who later met TVK leader Vijay. Which brings us to the question: Is the Congress seriously considering a third front in Tamil Nadu under the leadership of Vijay or is the grand-old party using Vijay’s party to bargain “power sharing” deal and extra seats with the DMK? Perhaps, we may have some answers on Congress’s future course of action in the state after Rahul’s meeting with senior state leaders in Delhi on Jan 18 and 19. 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 wants Tamil Nadu govt to be a coalition, claim Congress netas
CHENNAI: Rahul Gandhi has endorsed the demand for power sharing in Tamil Nadu, two Congress functionaries told TOI. They said Rahul, who was in Gudalur on Tuesday, raised the matter in a casual conversation with TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai in the presence of Nilgiris MP A Raja of DMK, who reportedly replied that CM and DMK supremo M K Stalin would decide on the matter. TOI could not confirm it with Raja. “Rahul wondered why DMK was not accepting the idea of power-sharing when (PM Narendra) Modi is okay with it at Centre and N Chandrababu Naidu has done it in Andhra Pradesh,” said a Congress politician, who claimed to be privy to the conversation. He said Rahul referred to the “unconditional” support Congress had extended to M Karunanidhi in 2006 when DMK with 96 MLAs, didn’t have the majority to form govt. Another source, an AICC member, said he “was told” about Rahul being upset about DMK’s silence on Congress’s demand for three cabinet berths (as TOI reported last week). “Rahul is said to have directed Selvaperunthagai to convince DMK, and Raja, who was present, said his ‘Thalaivar’ (Stalin) would decide on power sharing,” he said. Rahul, after an event at a Gudalur school on Tuesday, travelled to the helipad in a car with Raja, Selvaperunthagai and AICC member Girish Chodankar. 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