‘Misleading’: EC fact-checks Rahul Gandhi’s claim that Gyanesh Kumar changed Form 6 ‘illegally’
Election Commission of India says Rahul Gandhi’s statement was misleading The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday fact-checked Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi over his statement alleging that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar changed Form 6 “illegally and unilaterally”. Sharing a screenshot of the Election Commission’s September 26 statement on X, Gandhi highlighted a paragraph which stated, “The declaration attached to Form 6 for SIR has been upheld by the Supreme Court. For the non-SIR period, the forms applicable as per Rules (the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960) will be used.” ‘Any modified Form 6 not approved by us’: Supreme Court refutes EC claim over new declaration in SIR states Comment: CEC is not the Election Commission: The Chief Justice has made it clear that the Supreme Court did not give its approval to the modified Form 6 “It is now established beyond doubt that Gyanesh Kumar changed Form 6 illegally and unilaterally. This is just one more proof of him abusing his position to help the BJP. He and everyone else involved in this criminal assault on our democracy will be held accountable,” he said in a post on X. In response, the Election Commission, while terming his statement “misleading”, said, “The order for SIR in Bihar issued on June 24, 2025, was issued with the unanimous approval of the Commission. This order has been upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in its judgment dated May 27, 2026.” It further added, “In its Press Note No. 120 dated September 26, 2026, in Point 1(iii), the ECI has stated that, ‘The declaration attached to Form 6 for SIR has been upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.’” Animesh Singh Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Cong reaches out to smaller parties ahead of seat-sharing talks with SP
Lucknow: Congress is in talks with at least four smaller regional outfits from Uttar Pradesh even before it goes for seat-sharing negotiations with Samajwadi Party, its INDIA bloc partner in UP. Though the party functionaries claim that it is conscious of ‘gathbandhan dharma’ and wants to move ahead with SP as an alliance partner, the grand old party’s outreach to smaller political outfits is being seen as a move to strengthen its bargaining power while discussing alliance modalities with SP. Congress party’s UP in charge Rajendra Pal Gautam has pitched for ‘equal partner’ status and reiterated on Sunday that the party was preparing for 200 seats. Among smaller outfits in touch with Congress are Apni Janta Party chief Swami Prasad Maurya, who met Rahul on Saturday, followed by Sanjay Chauhan of Janwadi Party (Socialist) and Pankaj Niranjan of Apna Dal (Kamerawadi), on Sunday. Political analysts said the outreach could serve a dual purpose for Congress — expanding its social and organisational footprint ahead of the 2027 assembly elections while also giving it additional leverage when it sits across the table with SP. “Congress is trying to strengthen its position before the seat-sharing exercise begins. If it can bring smaller parties with a specific social base into its fold, it can enter negotiations with the SP with a wider alliance proposition,” a political analyst said. Another analyst said the move should not be seen as Congress preparing to move away from SP. “The Congress knows the importance of the alliance, but at the same time it would not want to enter seat-sharing talks from a position of weakness. Outreach to smaller parties gives it some room to negotiate,” he said. The timing of the outreach is also significant as Congress has been signalling an ambition to expand its footprint in UP. Gautam’s pitch for an ‘equal partner’ status and the party’s preparation for around 200 seats indicate that Congress is looking to negotiate from a position of greater strength. On Monday., Gautam told reporters in New Delhi: “We have asked for equal status in the coalition which means 200 seats and we must do it soon.” The smaller parties being approached also bring distinct OBC and local support bases, which could add to the broader INDIA bloc’s social arithmetic. 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
Concerns raised over ‘lack of diversity’ in state planning board
Thiruvananthapuram: A group of representatives from backward classes, minority, Dalit, OBC and other socially under-represented communities has urged leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to intervene in the recent reconstitution of the state planning board, alleging inadequate social and professional representation. In a representation submitted to Gandhi, the signatories sought corrective measures to ensure that the composition of the planning board reflects Keralam’s social diversity, professional expertise and constitutional principles of inclusion and equal opportunity. The letter said the state has a large pool of accomplished academics, professionals, administrators, scientists and social experts from various communities, including backward classes, Muslims, Dalits and historically under-represented Hindu and Christian OBC communities. However, it alleged that adequate representation from these sections was not reflected in the newly constituted board. The group also raised concern over the absence of women among the political appointees, despite the availability of eminent women scholars, economists, administrators and planning experts in the state. The signatories said the planning board played a crucial role in long-term development planning, evidence-based policy formulation, research and evaluation of govt programmes. They argued that appointments to the institution should therefore take into account professional competence, expertise, relevant experience, integrity and broad social representation. The representation questioned whether adequate weightage was given to professional qualifications and demonstrated expertise in the recent appointments. It sought greater public scrutiny of the credentials of some individuals appointed as experts. The signatories urged Gandhi to examine the concerns objectively and seek steps to ensure wider representation of Keralam’s diverse social and professional communities. The representation was signed by 13 persons, including former directors of backward classes development department V R Joshi and V S Mohammed Ibrahim, former minority welfare department director A B Moideenkutty and representatives of various social organisations. 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
Pargat meets Rahul, Kharge; AAP questions Cong leadership change
Chandigarh: Newly appointed Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Pargat Singh on Monday met Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi, as AAP state president Aman Arora questioned the Congress high command’s handling of its Punjab unit. After meeting Rahul, Pargat said he was committed to strengthening the Congress organisation in Punjab and working for the rights and interests of the state and its people. “With renewed energy and the collective strength of our leaders, workers and people of Punjab, we will work tirelessly to strengthen the Congress organisation and build a better future for Punjab,” he said. Pargat also met Kharge, thanked him and sought his guidance as he takes charge of the state unit. Arora congratulated Pargat but alleged that the Congress had disregarded the sentiments of its Punjab workers while making leadership changes. He questioned the removal of Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as PPCC chief, saying, “Amarinder Singh Raja Warring took charge of the Congress during a difficult period and worked with party workers for four and a half years. But Sachin Pilot, who replaced Bhupesh Baghel as Congress’s Punjab incharge, decided to remove him during a visit to Punjab that lasted barely two hours.” Arora also questioned Rahul’s meeting with Pargat four days after his appointment. “This raises questions about the attitude of the Congress high command towards Punjab,” he said. On reports that Vijay Inder Singla’s name had been considered for the post, Arora said overlooking him had disappointed people in Sangrur and Malwa. He also alleged that factionalism remained unresolved in the Congress, citing social media posts by former CM Charanjit Singh Channi’s son and reports of Warring travelling to London with his family. “Instead of the enthusiasm that should have followed the appointment of a new state president, there is silence among Congress workers,” 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
‘Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar are India’s soul, mind, backbone’: Dipke’s jibe at Centre
NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke on Sunday said Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru represented three distinct pillars of India’s political and social legacy. In a video post, Dipke described Gandhi as the “SOUL of India”, Ambedkar as the “BACKBONE of India” and Nehru as the “MIND of India”, adding, “You can never become like them.” — abhijeet_dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) The development comes as the CJP, led by founder Dipke, organised a protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, the protest stage displayed quotations on non-violence and simplicity, alongside tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar. Mumbai Police have registered an FIR against the organisers and 400-500 unidentified persons in connection with the protest at Shivaji Park. The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Police Act for unlawful assembly, wilful disobedience of a lawful order issued by a public servant and other offences, a Shivaji Park police station official said. The FIR was registered based on a complaint filed by a resident of the Shivaji Park area, the official added. Dipke on Friday night also announced a fresh protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar if Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar did not resign. “If Gyanesh Kumar doesn’t resign, cockroaches from across India will march to Delhi & protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10,” he said in a post on X, adding that the protest would be peaceful and urging every citizen who wants free and fair elections to join it. 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
‘What has changed in 17 years?’: Rahul Gandhi hits out at BJP over Bihar flood crisis
NEW DELHI: Congress leader and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday targeted the BJP-led government over Bihar’s recurring flood crisis, asking what had changed on the ground in the last 17 years and calling for a permanent solution instead of yearly relief and assurances. In a post on X, while offering his condolences Rahul said that floods had once again struck Bihar with “devastating force”, affecting millions, submerging hundreds of villages and leaving several people dead or missing. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) “The most heartbreaking thing is that this crisis in Bihar is not new,” Rahul said, pointing to the recurring cycle of floods, deaths, shattered families and migration. “The BJP’s double-engine government should tell us — what has it done in the last 17 years to address this annual tragedy? What has changed on the ground?” he asked. Rahul said people in Bihar did not need relief and assurances every year but a permanent solution to the recurring floods. Nearly 50 lakh affected The latest flood spell affected 49.67 lakh people across 15 districts, according to the Bihar disaster management department. The affected districts included Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnea, Madhepura and Araria. The floods came amid heavy rainfall in Bihar and neighbouring areas, with officials saying water levels in the Ganga, Sone and Gandak rose sharply after heavy rain in Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, as well as rainfall in the catchment areas of rivers originating in Nepal. This year’s flooding also differed from the usual pattern. While the Kosi and Gandak were responsible for the first two flood spells, the prolonged third spell in September was mainly driven by the swollen Ganga, Sone and Punpun rivers. Government pushes relief, long-term measures The Bihar government has stepped up relief operations, with chief minister Samrat Choudhary saying the administration would ensure assistance reached affected families. The state also transferred Rs 579 crore to 8.27 lakh flood-affected families across 15 districts, with each eligible family receiving Rs 7,000. Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also visited flood-hit areas and assured Bihar of the Centre’s support for rescue, relief and rehabilitation. He said the scale of damage and the state’s requirements would be placed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. The state government has also been looking beyond immediate relief. Choudhary later said surveys of the Kosi and Mahananda rivers were being conducted as part of a comprehensive study of recurring floods and efforts towards a permanent solution. The issue of embankments has also remained central to the flood response. Bihar’s water resources department said scientifically strengthened embankments had remained intact this season, while older ring and zamindari bunds had suffered breaches. 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
AAP holds protest after 3 women journalists allege sexual harassment by cops – key points
NEW DELHI: Three women journalists have alleged sexual harassment by police personnel while covering a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on October 3, with the complaints now transferred to the Crime Branch for a “fair and impartial enquiry”. The allegations have drawn criticism from journalists and opposition leaders, with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP) set to protest over the incident. AAP Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj and party workers staged protests in front of Parliament Street police station, demanding registration of an FIR. The complaints were received by the New Delhi district police following the protest, during which police personnel were deployed to maintain law and order. Delhi Police said the complaints against police officers were being transferred to the Crime Branch, Kamla Market, which will examine the allegations and record statements of the complainants and other people concerned. The allegations have also triggered wider questions over the treatment of journalists and protesters during the demonstrations. CJP has announced a protest following the allegations, while journalist Dipke hit out at Delhi Police on X, alleging that the force had also picked up people who had no connection with CJP and tried to link them to the organisation to establish a foreign-funding angle. What the journalists alleged One of the journalists told PTI that an assistant commissioner of police sexually assaulted her while she was covering the protest. She alleged that police personnel were detaining protesters and that no women police personnel were present at the spot. “Police personnel were detaining protesters, and there were no women police personnel present at the spot. I asked ACP Vivek Bhagat of the Delhi Police about the absence of women police personnel, following which he sexually assaulted me and pushed me back,” she alleged. The journalist said she and others subsequently went to a police station to lodge an FIR but alleged that no action had been taken so far. Delhi Police, however, said on Sunday that complaints had been received from three women journalists alleging sexual harassment by police personnel. “On 03-10-26, during the protest in New Delhi area, while being in law and order situation, allegations of sexual harassment were made by three female journalists against police officers. New Delhi District has received their complaints,” Delhi Police informed on X. Dipke’s allegations, Rahul Gandhi’s attack Dipke alleged that Delhi Police had also detained people who had nothing to do with CJP and tried to establish a foreign-funding connection. “Delhi Police has also picked up a couple of people who had nothing to do with CJP and tried to forcibly link them to CJP to establish a foreign-funding angle. A friend just told me that one of them was brutally beaten by Delhi Police and has also lost his job because of the arrest,” Dipke wrote on X. The Press Council of India expressed “shock and dismay” over the treatment of journalists and urged Delhi Police to immediately act on the complaint. Rahul Gandhi also accused Delhi Police of misconduct at Jantar Mantar and questioned Union home minister Amit Shah over the alleged treatment of journalists and protesters. The protests were held against CEC Gyanesh Kumar amid demonstrations over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Delhi Police detained several protesters, while at least three FIRs were registered in connection with the mass protest held near Jantar Mantar on October 2. 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
‘Good thing’: Union minister praises Rahul’s Satyagraha website, then takes swipe at opposition
NEW DELHI: Union minister Chirag Paswan on Sunday praised Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi for launching a digital platform named “Satyagraha” to gather information on various issue-based protests occurring across the country.The Union minister said that as many platforms as possible must be provided for the youth to express their views. “That is a good thing. I have always advocated for providing as many platforms as possible for the youth and for our Indian citizens to express their views,” Paswan said. “It was with that very mindset that Rahul Gandhi initiated the Satyagraha,” he added. He, however, also targeted the opposition and accused it of spreading lies and raising issues only to abandon them halfway. “The name is well-chosen, but the opposition has developed a habit of repeatedly spreading lies and confusion. Raising issues only to abandon them halfway, spreading confusion among the public about everything from EVMs to the SIR,” he said. “The reality is that the people are rejecting you; you won’t grasp this through Satyagraha, but rather through introspection,” he added. This comes a day after Rahul launched the “Satyagraha” website and said that protesters can submit details about their causes, find similar movements across the country through an interactive map and seek direct support. “People across the country are fighting for their rights and often fighting alone. Gen Z, students, farmers, tribals, Dalits, women – every struggle has its own story. But the voice that rises alone often gets suppressed. ‘Satyagraha’ is an initiative to bring these voices together on a map. Bapu taught us this; truth is the greatest weapon. But an even greater weapon is standing together with truth in unity. If you’re also fighting against any injustice, share your story. It will take two minutes,” the Congress leader said. “Your story will appear on the map. You’ll see who else is fighting like you. And I’ll do whatever I can, in Parliament, on the streets, by writing letters, standing with you wherever I’m needed, as the leader of the opposition; this is my responsibility,” 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
UP: SP Focuses on Dalit Votes! A Major Dalit Conference in Agra on November 15th, Akhilesh Yadav to Be Chief Guest
Agra News: Ahead of the 2027 Assembly Elections, the Samajwadi Party will hold a major Dalit conference in Western Uttar Pradesh on November 15th at the GIC Grounds in Agra. Akhilesh Yadav will be the chief guest. Sunil Saket, Agra: Ahead of the 2027 Assembly Elections, the Samajwadi Party has intensified its efforts to strengthen its political base among Dalit voters in Western Uttar Pradesh. As part of this strategy, a major Dalit conference in Western Uttar Pradesh is being held on November 15th at the GIC Grounds in Agra. SP National President Akhilesh Yadav will be the chief guest. The party is preparing to mobilize a large number of workers and supporters from various districts of Western Uttar Pradesh for the conference. Recent reports have also confirmed the Agra conference on November 15th and Akhilesh Yadav’s presence. SP National General Secretary and Rajya Sabha member Ramji Lal Suman held a press conference on Saturday regarding the preparations for the conference. He said that from Agra, a message will be sent to politically unite the Dalit community in western Uttar Pradesh. The SP’s strategy is to strengthen the PDA (Backward, Dalit, and Minority) social equation. This effort by the party comes at a time when all major parties are busy balancing social equations for the 2027 assembly elections. “BJP is a communal party” Ramji Lal Suman, targeting the BJP and RSS, said that a large number of people in western Uttar Pradesh are opposed to the RSS’s ideology. Calling the BJP a communal party, he said that those who want to remove the BJP from power are joining the SP. He said that issues such as the rights, reservation, employment, and social respect of the Dalit community will be prominently raised through the conference. Suman accused the government of working towards weakening reservation. He also raised the issue of the lack of government jobs and recruitment through outsourcing. Referring to incidents of damage to statues of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, he claimed that 151 statues of Baba Saheb have been vandalized recently, but the government has not taken any action against them. This figure of 151 statues damaged was also recently claimed by the Samajwadi Party. A Look at the BSP’s Political Base The SP’s strategy also reflects an attempt to reach out to the BSP’s traditional Dalit base. Suman also launched a political attack on the BSP and Mayawati, and spoke of the SP’s increasing acceptance among Dalit voters. He said that the BSP’s vote share, which was 30 percent in the last two assembly elections, has now dropped to 9 percent. The choice of Agra for the conference also has a political message. The party is trying to reach out to Dalit voters in Western Uttar Pradesh and integrate the PDA equation into the election campaign. The November 15 conference will be a major public platform for this strategy. Recent reports have also described the conference as an attempt to expand the SP’s reach among Dalit voters. What did he say about the Deputy CM’s statement? Regarding the Deputy Chief Minister’s statement on Akhilesh Yadav, Suman said that he did not want to respond to the statements of smaller leaders. He said that the SP will contest the 2027 elections based on its strategy and organization, and that the Dalit conference to be held in Agra will prove to be historic. However, on the question of crowd gathering, he said that while he has not estimated the crowd size, a large influx of his workers from Western Uttar Pradesh will be expected. Edited by: Devesh Pandey About the Author Devesh Pandey works for Navbharat Times Online. He is a member of NBT’s Uttar Pradesh-Uttarakhand digital team. Devesh has 9 years of extensive experience in digital, web, and broadcast journalism. He joined Navbharat Times Online in May 2025. Courtesy: Hindi News
Sant Ravidas Yatra is part of BJP’s Dalit outreach program
Multi-state outreach seeks to deepen party connections among Dalit communities before key elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to strengthen its outreach among Dalit voters in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand through the Sant Ravidas Yatra, which was launched across eight states. The fourth phase of the yatra is also set to begin soon. The BJP launched the Sant Ravidas Yatra from Varanasi on July 29, the birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas, which coincided with Guru Purnima. The yatra has so far passed through states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh. A key feature of the yatra is that it has received support not only from Dalit communities but also from people belonging to other sections of society. The Sant Ravidas Yatra will have a total of five phases. The first phase, the Kalash Vandan Abhiyan, was completed from July 29 to August 31 and received a strong response. The second phase was the Sant Sampark Abhiyan, under which the BJP connected around 80,000 saints, sadhus and maths across the country with the yatra. The third phase is the Samrasta Yatra, scheduled from October 5 to November 5. It will begin from Jalandhar in Punjab. The yatra is being viewed as being directly linked to the Punjab elections. The fourth phase will be the Chhatrawas Sampark Abhiyan, scheduled from November 26 to January 15. To prepare the plan for this phase, the yatra’s coordinator and BJP national vicepresident Lalsingh Arya has convened a meeting in Delhi on October 9. The fifth and final phase of the yatra will continue until February 20. Religious and cultural programmes will be organised during this period, with the yatra concluding in Varanasi on February 20. There is a possibility that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself may attend the concluding ceremony in Varanasi. Varanasi is also his parliamentary constituency. The objective of the Sant Ravidas Yatra was to connect Dalits with the BJP. Punjab has a 33 per cent Dalit population, the highest in the country, while Dalits account for around 22 per cent of the population in Uttar Pradesh. A large section of these votes has traditionally gone to Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The BJP is focusing on this Dalit vote. Sources said the BSP has continued to receive 12 to 14 per cent of the Dalit vote in Uttar Pradesh even in its weakest electoral phases. According to sources, the BJP initially planned the Sant Ravidas Yatra with Dalit voters in Punjab in mind. Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand were later included in the yatra’s programme. By: Sanjay Sharma Courtesy : TSG Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesundayguardian.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights