Rahul Gandhi will try to persuade the rebellious Bihar Congress MLAs; a meeting will be held on January 23.
Amidst speculations that all six Congress MLAs from Bihar might leave the party, these MLAs have received a summons from Delhi. A meeting will be held with Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge at Indira Bhavan in Delhi on January 23. Patna: All six Congress MLAs from Bihar have been summoned to Delhi. This summons is very significant amidst speculations that all six Congress MLAs from Bihar might leave the party. A crucial meeting will be held at Indira Bhavan on January 23 in the presence of Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The main objective of this meeting is to strategize on strengthening the organization in Bihar and to elect the leader of the legislative party. Congress MLAs may switch sides It is noteworthy that for the past month, there have been speculations that Congress MLAs in Bihar might switch sides. Several leaders of the ruling party have claimed that all six Congress MLAs will leave the party. It is also being claimed that the Congress MLAs might join the JDU. These speculations gained further momentum when not a single party MLA attended the Congress’s Dahi-Chura feast on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Now it is believed that Rahul Gandhi and party president Kharge in Delhi might try to dissuade these MLAs from leaving the party by holding talks with them. The Bihar Congress held a meeting with its MLAs on Monday. In this meeting, Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee in-charge Krishna Allavaru and state president Rajesh Ram met with the chairmen of various party cells, departments, and MLAs to discuss the future strategy. Along with strengthening the organization, the responsibility of ensuring the strong implementation of the MNREGA law in the districts was also assigned. Protest against the rape and murder of a student Meanwhile, the Congress staged a strong protest against the government in Bihar over the rape and murder of a NEET student. The protesting women activists carried bangles for the Home Minister. They also burnt an effigy of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram and in-charge Krishna Allavaru also participated in this protest. Krishna Allavaru said, “The police tried their best to suppress the case. An FIR was registered due to public pressure. An SIT has been formed, but the investigation should be conducted properly.” The meeting in Delhi will prove crucial in deciding the Congress party’s future strategy in Bihar. The election of the legislative party leader is expected to give the party a new direction. Plans are being made to work at the grassroots level to strengthen the organization. Emphasis is also being placed on effectively implementing the MNREGA scheme so that common people can benefit from it. Authored by: Suryakant Pathak About the Author Suryakant Pathak is a consultant at Navbharat Times Online. He has been working in journalism for the past 31 years. He writes news, analysis, and blogs on India’s international relations and political and social developments in India and around the world. Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Decision at right time’: DK Shivakumar’s brother namedrops Rahul Gandhi in CM row; Siddaramaiah puts it to ‘high command’
NEW DELHI: The ongoing tension over the Karnataka chief minister’s post resurfaced on Tuesday after DK Shivakumar’s brother said Rahul Gandhi had assured the deputy chief minister that a decision would be taken at an appropriate time.Former MP DK Suresh described Shivakumar as a committed party functionary and said the Congress leadership, including Gandhi, had asked him to exercise restraint while assuring him that the matter would be resolved in due course. “The party has already asked him to be patient. Rahul Gandhi, during the meeting in Mysuru, also said that an appropriate decision would be taken at the right time,” news agency PTI reported him as saying. He also said that Shivakumar’s approach was guided by the need to keep all 140 Congress legislators together and maintain stability in the government. Emphasising that political authority requires perseverance, he added, “In the interest of the party and legislators, and with the goal of keeping all 140 legislators together, he is patiently waiting for the party’s decision.” With an eye on the 2028 assembly elections, Suresh also stressed that unity within the Congress would be critical. “He is also the party president and should maintain discipline first, which he is following diligently,” he said refering to Shivakumar. The leadership churn in Karnataka intensified after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025. The speculation centres on a reported power-sharing understanding between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023. Shivakumar has previously said discussions on the issue were held with the Congress high command and that while a decision had been taken, its timing is yet to be finalised. Suresh indicated that the upcoming legislative session, scheduled from January 22 to 31, could be a reference point, after which the party leadership’s stand may become clearer. Meanwhile, chief minister Siddaramaiah said he would travel to New Delhi if called by the Congress high command to discuss the leadership issue. He reiterated that any such engagement would depend on a formal summons from the party leadership. “I will go if I am called by the Congress high command,” he said. Siddaramaiah also sought to shift focus to governance, noting that the joint session of the state legislature would be held from January 22 to 31, alongside a special session on MGNREGA. He said preparations for the 2026–27 state budget would begin after the session, with official ANI sources indicating that the budget is likely to be presented in March. Siddaramaiah had previously said he intends to present his 17th state budget next year, adding to his record as finance 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
‘Safeguarded as ‘amanat’ for years’: Family presents Feroze Gandhi’s driving licence to Rahul; he shares photo with mother
RAE BARELI: In a warm gesture, a family in Rae Bareli presented Rahul Gandhi the driving licence of his grandfather, Feroze Gandhi. Delighted to see the piece of memory, Rahul immediately clicked a picture of the document and sent it to his mother. “The document was preserved for decades by our family,” said Vikas Singh, member of the Rae Bareli Premier League cricket tournament committee. “It was safeguarded by my late father-in-law and later by my mother-in-law as an “amanat” to be returned to the Gandhi family,” 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
Modi govt insulted Bapu by renaming MGNREGA: Rahul
Rae Bareli: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the Modi govt of seeking to centralise power and weakening welfare safeguards for India’s rural workforce. The renaming and restructuring of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is an insult to the Father of the Nation, said Rahul, who reached Rae Bareli on a two-day visit. Rahul said the G RAM G has removed the financial safeguards and protections that MGNREGA provided to marginalised workers.”BJP govt has insulted Mahatma Gandhi and is attacking the very roots of our democracy,” he said. “The scheme should be implemented at the panchayat level, with village heads accountable for financial decisions, rather than being run centrally from Delhi or Lucknow,” he said while addressing party workers and villagers at the first ‘MGNREGA Chaupal’ in his constituency. VB-G RAM G guarantees 125 days of wage employment to rural households, but Rahul alleged it shifts a significant part of the financial burden onto state govts. The Leader of Opposition said the Modi govt intends to divert funds for rural labourers to a handful of industrialists, including Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani. “While we are protecting the people, Narendra Modi is concentrating wealth in the hands of a select few. The money that should go to labourers must not end up with big corporate houses,” he said. The Congress MP warned that BJP-run states may refuse to provide their 40% share of funding under the VB-G RAM G Act, further undermining the scheme’s effectiveness. The Congress leader reiterated that MGNREGA, a panchayat-based programme, safeguarded poor workers and promoted local governance. He accused the Centre of attempting to dismantle a programme that provided wage security to millions of rural households. “This is a fight to protect the Constitution and the rights of workers. Modi and the RSS want to take India back to the pre-Independence era, where people’s land and resources could be handed over to corporate houses,” he said. He said Congress has launched a nationwide “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram” campaign (from Jan 10 to Feb 25) for the scheme’s restoration and mobilising public opinion across the country. Rahul Gandhi also inaugurated a local cricket tournament and held meetings with party office-bearers and workers, emphasising grassroots outreach alongside the broader political campaign. Earlier, he met party workers at the Bhuyemau guest house. 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
Punjab Congress embroiled in Jat Sikh vs. Dalit conflict, BJP sees an opportunity and offers Channi a deal
Former CM Channi is known as a prominent leader of the Dalit community in Punjab. The meeting was also attended by Rajendra Gautam, chairman of the Congress’s Scheduled Caste department. Currently, top positions in the Punjab Congress unit are held by Jat Sikh leaders. Internal strife has once again surfaced within the Punjab Congress. The matter is related to the Jat Sikh versus Dalit leadership dispute in the Punjab Congress. The issue escalated when a video of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi went viral. In the video, which went viral on social media, Channi can be heard demanding representation for Dalits in the party. The MP from Jalandhar also clarified that he did not speak about any particular caste or community and that he was a victim of malicious propaganda on social media. During his address at a meeting of the party’s Scheduled Caste (SC) wing on Saturday, Channi had said, “If you accept that the Dalit population in Punjab is 35 to 38 percent, which it actually is, then why are we not getting proper representation?” What Channi said about Dalits He further added, “The Punjab (Congress) president is from an upper caste, the leader of the legislative party is from an upper caste, the head of the Punjab Congress women’s wing is from an upper caste, the Punjab (Congress) general secretary is from an upper caste? So where do we go? Where will these people go?” Another video of him has also gone viral in which Channi is seen appealing to people not to record videos before he speaks. The Punjab Assembly elections are about two years away and are scheduled for 2027. Channi is known as a prominent leader of the Dalit community in Punjab. The meeting was also attended by Rajendra Gautam, chairman of the Congress’s Scheduled Caste department. However, the truth is that currently, top positions in the Punjab Congress unit are held by Jat Sikh leaders. The president of the Punjab Congress unit is Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and the Leader of the Opposition is Pratap Singh Bajwa. What did former CM Channi say about the controversy? Earlier, when Channi was asked about this, he said, “I didn’t say anything like that in the meeting.” He had called the whole matter propaganda, but now Channi’s speech in the meeting has revealed the truth behind the ongoing Jat Sikh versus Dalit leadership dispute in Punjab Congress. However, the Congress party has also become alert after this matter came to light. According to a party source, this issue is likely to be discussed in the meeting of state-level leaders called by the party high command on January 23. Congress in turmoil, BJP targets the party Amidst this development, BJP leader Kewal Singh Dhillon on Monday urged Channi to join the BJP, saying that he would get due respect in the party. Dhillon said in a post on X, “Channi ji, as a proud Punjabi, I believe that your stance on Dalit representation reflects leadership and secular values. In the Punjab unit of the BJP, you will get respect, dignity and a real opportunity to serve every community. Let’s work together for the future of Punjab.” Mohit Malhotra Courtesy: Hindi News
Sultanpur: Rahul Gandhi given final chance in defamation case, must appear in MP-MLA court on February 20
Rahul Gandhi Defamation Case: The MP-MLA court in Sultanpur has given Congress leader Rahul Gandhi a final opportunity in the defamation case. Sultanpur: The MP-MLA court has given Congress leader and Raebareli MP Rahul Gandhi a final chance in the defamation case. The court has ordered Rahul Gandhi to appear in person and record his statement on February 20. The case was heard on Monday. During the previous hearing, the witness in the case, Ramchandra Dubey, had recorded his statement. Following this, cross-examination was conducted by the lawyers. However, Rahul Gandhi could not be present in court during this hearing. Rahul Gandhi’s lawyer stated that Rahul Gandhi will appear in the MP-MLA court on February 20. This case is related to a statement made almost eight years ago during the Karnataka assembly elections. It is alleged that Rahul Gandhi made objectionable remarks about the current Home Minister Amit Shah at that time. BJP leader Vijay Mishra, feeling aggrieved by this remark, had filed a complaint against Rahul Gandhi. Currently, the case is being heard in the MP-MLA court. Rahul Gandhi has already recorded his statement and is currently out on bail. Curated by: Devesh Pandey About the Author Devesh Pandey is a consultant at Navbharat Times Online. He has 8 years of experience working in TV channels and digital media. He has experience and interest in politics and sports. He covered several IPL matches and the World Cup 2023 in Lucknow. In politics, he also covered the 2017 and 2022 UP elections. Courtesy: Hindi News
On two-day visit to Rae Bareli, Rahul to lead save MGNREGA campaign
Lucknow: Congress MP and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will begin a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Rae Bareli from Tuesday where he is scheduled to address an “MGNREGA Chaupal” as part of the party’s nationwide campaign, ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’. On Tuesday, he is expected to address the ‘chaupal’ in Unchahar area, where the Congress plans to highlight issues related to rural employment and livelihoods. The outreach comes against the backdrop of the BJP govt repealing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and introducing the Viksit Bharat — Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G Act). According to party sources, Gandhi will also visit villages in his constituency to interact with residents and discuss local issues, including concerns surrounding the new legislation. Later in the day, he will inaugurate a cricket tournament at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, where former India cricketer RP Singh, a Rae Bareli native, is expected to be present. On Jan 21, Gandhi is scheduled to hold meetings with party officials and workers from Rae Bareli and neighbouring Amethi. Amethi MP Kishori Lal Sharma will also attend the interactions, party leaders said.The Congress organised sit-ins, protests and panchayat-level outreach programmes across Uttar Pradesh under the ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram’. Last week, the party members staged protests in Varanasi led by state unit chief Ajay Rai, including a symbolic fast, followed by a protest march by NSUI workers.Earlier this month, the Congress announced a year-long protest plan – the first phase being from Jan 10 to Feb 25 . 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
‘Cannot disclose, time will answer’: DK Shivakumar after meets Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi amid power tussle speculation
NEW DELHI: Karnataka Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar attended a meeting as an observer for the Assam elections at 10 Rajaji Marg, the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, while refraining from commenting on his discussion with the party high command. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was also present at the meeting on Friday. Amid speculation over a power tussle in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi and DK Shivakumar were face-to-face for the first three hours of the meeting. Afterward, Shivakumar went back to meet Mallikarjun Kharge, according to news agency ANI. Speaking to reporters today, he declined to discuss his meeting with the Congress high command. Shivakumar, who is in New Delhi after canceling his scheduled visit to Davos for the World Economic Forum 2026, asked the media “not make a big deal” out of his visit, stating he came to the national capital for government and party work. Maintaining that he would not disclose anything regarding the meeting, he said, “I cannot disclose it. Time will answer everything… We are all politicians; politicians do whatever politics they want. There is nothing wrong with that. We have met. Why do you make a big deal out of it? We come here for government work, for party work. We come here for politics.” His visit to Delhi comes amid speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka. As the state government crossed the halfway mark of its tenure in November 2025, a speculated tussle for the CM post began, with CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM Shivakumar, and Home Minister G Parameshwara in the fray. Earlier today, the Deputy CM said that he prefers not to speak even when there is “good news.” “When there is good news, we don’t talk about it. It’s Sunday, a good day. We are people who work for the people and wish well for them. We do not disclose or discuss anything related to such matters, including leadership change,” Shivakumar 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
Indore water contamination: Rahul Gandhi visits families of deceased
NEW DELHI/INDORE: The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, today met the families of the victims who died due to the consumption of contaminated drinking water in Indore and also those who are undergoing treatment in hospital. Gandhi accused the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh of criminal negligence over the deaths and illnesses caused by contaminated drinking water in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore, saying the government must take responsibility and ensure compensation and assistance to the affected families. After meeting the victims and their families, Gandhi said access to clean drinking water remains a serious issue in the country even today. He alleged that the failure to provide safe drinking water and control pollution reflected the government’s inability to discharge its basic responsibilities. Several people have died and many others have fallen ill after consuming contaminated water in the area, he noted, adding that such incidents were a direct consequence of administrative negligence. “The affected families must be given proper compensation and support,” he demanded. Quoting local residents, the Congress leader said there was still no assured supply of clean drinking water in Bhagirathpura, and that alternative arrangements were temporary and largely symbolic. He warned that once public attention faded, the situation could revert to its earlier state. Residents, he said, were demanding a permanent and systematic solution, which was fully justified. Gandhi said that as Leader of the Opposition, it was his duty to raise the concerns of the affected families and stand with them in their struggle for basic civic amenities. He also questioned the implementation of the Smart City scheme, remarking that this appeared to be the new model of a “Smart City” where citizens did not even have access to clean drinking water. The problem, he said, was not limited to Indore but was prevalent in many cities across the country. Later, in a post on X, Gandhi alleged that the BJP’s “double-engine government” model was marked by poisoned water, air, medicine and land, and that when questions were raised, bulldozers were deployed instead of accountability. He said no one was held responsible for the deaths of the poor, and demanded punishment for those responsible, along with proper treatment and immediate compensation for the victims. 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
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