Samajwadi Party leader says Yadavs are not Hindus, triggers row
He alleged that the current BJP-led central government has organised the most atrocities against Dalits. New Delhi: Samajwadi Party leader Shivraj Singh Yadav sparked controversy with his “Yadavs are not Hindus” comment as he slammed the caste system and criticised how it puts Shudras at the bottom of the hierarchy. He rejected the Hindu identity due to the caste-based discrimination in Hindu texts, citing the scripture, Manusmriti. “I do not follow a religion that treats a human being as lower than a dog,” he said. Yadav, a close aide of Akhilesh Yadav, was addressing a public meeting called “PDA Patshala” in the Dandiyamai village of Sirsaganj Assembly Constituency in Uttar Pradesh, an event for Dalits, backward classes, and minorities. “Brahmin, we are not. Kshatriya, we are not. Vaishya, we are not. Now, which one is left? Shudra.” “So if we are Hindus, I’m just saying, because being Hindu is not mandatory. Like I say on every platform, I am not Hindu. I am Shivraj Singh Yadav, and I am a human. I am not Hindu. Because the religion that makes a human lower than a dog, I don’t follow that religion at all, never,” he added. Yadav alleged that the current BJP-led central government has organised the most atrocities against Dalits and backward classes. He further explained the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) concept, stating that nearly 90 per cent of the population, which is comprised of Dalits, backward classes and minorities, are constantly overpowered and excluded, while a small group controls the system. Several leaders from the Yadav community have publicly distanced themselves from the Hindu identity, different to the Dalits themselves, who reject the religion through conversions to Buddhism, Christianity or Islam. The socialist party is known for accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party of being anti-Dalit and anti-backwards class, with Akhilesh Yadav also claiming that there has been an apparent rise in atrocities under the government. Meanwhile, BJP Andhra Pradesh spokesperson Dr Vinusha Reddy accused Yadav of taking part in identity politics “to break Hindu unity.” He said that the party’s remarks showed where its vote bank is, for which the party “would do anything.” Shivraj Singh Yadav later issued a clarification, denying that he said he was not a Hindu, and said the virality of the comment was a “BJP conspiracy.” “I never said that I am Yadav but not a Hindu. I will take them (the BJP) to court in this matter. The viral video is part of BJP’s conspiracy. When BJP sees that its secrets are being exposed, they resort to such tactics to set a narrative like this…” Courtesy : Telangana Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/telanganatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Congress Tamil Nadu election alliance: Power sharing demands & DMK relations
Amidst speculation over Congress considering other options for the upcoming assembly election in Tamil Nadu, Girish Chodankar, AICC member in charge of party affairs in the state, rules out Congress moving close to TVK, but pushes for sharing of power. “DMK has been our most trusted ally for a long time. We should be treated as equals,” he tells TOI. Excerpts: When will DMK and Congress poll committees begin discussions? You should ask DMK. On Dec 3, our five-member team met DMK president M K Stalin, suggesting that alliance matters be settled by Dec 15 so that we can campaign aggressively on the ground. BJP is our challenge. We are running after DMK. The ball is in their court. Did AICC member Praveen Chakravarty’s meetings with TVK president Vijay have the approval of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leadership? I don’t know why Rahul Gandhi’s or Mallikarjun Kharge’s names should be dragged into state-level issues. Maybe (Chakravarty) went there to sign a film with Vijay or to promote a movie or an advertisement because he is in that business too. God knows whether it was some business they discussed or if they were going to have idli or dosa. Why can’t two people meet and not discuss politics? I don’t think DMK has any issues with it. Are some sections in Congress pushing for an alliance with TVK? We have a democratic process and listen to every voice that comes from the ground as well as leaders. I hear a lot of voices from the grassroots wanting an alliance with TVK. Some sections say we should go with DMK. They are our oldest allies. I cannot hear only what I like; I should listen to all. Are you posturing to pressure DMK to agree to your demand for power-sharing? We don’t need to do that. Every political party has its policies and programmes, a manifesto and a vision. We have served this state. Everyone remembers Kamaraj’s rule. Naturally every political party strives for power. The cadres too expect it. Congress cadres have been working for 58 years without power. Now at least we are giving them some hope. Is there a tentative proposal for 38 seats and three cabinet berths? Some have proposed that we must have one seat in every district. That’s how the 38 was arrived at. Some say 41 seats, because that’s the number we got last time. We will soon let you know the exact number. Will Congress leave the alliance if DMK does not agree to sharing power? The DMK has been our most trusted ally for a long time. This alliance cannot be broken like that. We will discuss it with mutual respect. What we are asking is respect and dignity. We should be treated as equals. And it will happen. All should open their minds and accept changes. Will Rahul speak to Stalin ‘Anna’? Why are you involving my leaders in one state’s talks? When the committee is constituted, it is empowered to talk, negotiate and resolve issues. Did Rahul speak to Vijay in the wake of Karur stampede? Rahul called Vijay after the stampede. Rahul is a kind-hearted person. He spoke to the CM too then. Who are your main rivals in the election? Our main rival, our national rival, is the RSS-sponsored BJP. It is also the enemy of Tamil Nadu and the country. AIADMK is not our national enemy. But when an election comes, we have to fight everyone. What about TVK? We will have to fight TVK too. It’s a political battle. We will have to see first whether TVK is going to contest as TVK. Why do you say that? Nobody is sure whether TVK will contest as TVK. The Karur stampede is going to be a key election issue. Who would you blame for it? The investigation is on. We will not make this a political issue. Congress MP Jyothimani said infighting in Congress was distressing. Jyothimani is a bit emotional about the party, she is a dedicated worker. There are some issues in her district, not at the state-level. A former district president allegedly used some foul language against her. PCC has sent him a show-cause notice. TNCC member Surya Prakashan resigned from his post accusing TNCC chief of turning the party into a “slave camp of DMK”. That is a wrong accusation. He (Selvaperunthagai) was instrumental in forming village committees of the party. He has a good equation with the chief minister. It is not that he listens only to DMK. He listens to the AICC leadership. How do you see infighting in Congress? There is Infighting in your journalism groups. Infighting is in every group, every political party … see AIADMK, see BJP – their state president was removed. Infighting is part of a democratic process, and our party has strong democratic rules. Sometimes it is constructive, sometimes it isn’t. Issues must be discussed within the party. 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
‘Fark samjho sirji’: Rahul Gandhi takes dig at PM Modi over Trump tariffs; invokes Indira Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of “surrendering” under “pressure” and contrasted his leadership with that of former prime minister Indira Gandhi. Gandhi’s remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump, speaking at the House GOP Member Retreat, claimed that PM Modi had sought an audience with him. “Prime Minister Modi came to see me, ‘Sir, may I see you please’. Yes,” Trump said. Trump also referred to India facing steep tariffs, saying New Delhi was “paying a lot of tariffs now” and had “reduced” the purchase of Russian oil “substantially”. Gandhi shared a video message on X with the caption “Fark samjho sirji”. “I know these BJP–RSS people very well now. Put a little pressure on them, give them a little push and they run away in fear,” Gandhi said. “As soon as Trump signalled from there, they picked up the phone and said, ‘What are you doing Modi ji?’ Narendra surrendered and with ‘yes sir’, Narendra Modi ji followed Trump’s signal.” Drawing a comparison with the 1971 war, Gandhi said India had once stood firm despite US pressure. “You might remember a time when the phone call didn’t come — the Seventh Fleet had come. In the 1971 war, the Seventh Fleet came, weapons came, an aircraft carrier came. Indira Gandhi ji said, ‘I will do what I have to do.’ This is the difference,” he said, referring to the United States Seventh Fleet. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) Trump has imposed tariffs totalling 50% on Indian exports, including a 25% levy linked to India’s procurement of Russian oil. “I have a very good relationship with him. He’s not that happy with me because they’re paying a lot of tariffs now because they’re not doing the oil — but they are, they’ve now reduced it very substantially,” Trump said. The tariffs, imposed in August, have triggered multiple rounds of trade talks and at least four conversations between the two leaders, but have yet to yield a bilateral trade deal. Separately, Trump also said in his remarks that India had flagged delays in the delivery of Apache helicopters, claiming New Delhi has been waiting for the aircraft for five years. 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
‘Law of Jungle’: Shashi Tharoor, Shaina NC & more speak on Venezuela crisis; what they said after US strike
NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday weighed-in on the US strikes on Venezuela, a day before, calling it “law of the jungle”. The US carried out multiple airstrikes on Venezuela early Saturday, triggering explosions across Caracas and paving the way for the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The dramatic escalation was confirmed hours later by US President Donald Trump. Venezuelan authorities declared a state of emergency as panic swept the capital following the attacks, which left at least 40 people dead. Talking about the situation, the chair of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, replied to a post by Indian author Kapil Komireddi, saying “International law and the UN Charter have for some years now been honoured in the breach. The Law of the Jungle prevails today. “Might is Right” is the new creed.” — ShashiTharoor (@ShashiTharoor) Congress general secretary in charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh also gave a statement on behalf of Congress saying, “The INC expresses very grave concern on US actions relating to Venezuela in the past 24 hours. Settled principles of international law cannot be violated unilaterally.” — Jairam_Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) Meanwhile, Congress leader and Member of Rajya Sabha Abhishek Manu Singhvi called it “19th-cen imperialism”. “Regime change by cruise missile, democracy delivered by warship, & sovereignty rewritten under self-styled Doctrine? Not leadership, this is 19th-cen imperialism in 21st-cen jargon. If international law matters only to weak, UN should shut shop. world deserves rules, not lunatic rulers,” he said on X. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said that US set an example that India should follow. “”Today we heard that US President Donald Trump’s forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and took him from his country to America. If US President Donald Trump can abduct Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from his own country, then you (Prime Minister Modi) can also go to Pakistan and bring back the mastermind of the 26/11 terrorist attacks to India,” he said. In response to Owaisi, BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana said, talking to ANI, “The entire country has praised the Indian armed forces. The way terrorists were eliminated and neutralised under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, only Prime Minister Modi’s government could have done this. Were we supposed to bring them here and feed them?” Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC also hit back at the AIMIM leader saying, “”Asaduddin Owaisi, don’t you worry. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India has become the world’s fourth-largest economy. We have demonstrated unparalleled strength through Operation Sindoor, we have launched missiles, we have eradicated terrorism from Pakistan… we have even secured the extradition of Tahawwur Rana… Unlike you, we do not engage in appeasement politics… You continue with your politics of appeasement, and we will continue doing our work.” Shaina NC also spoke about the escalating situation in Venezuela itself. “India has always maintained cordial relations with Venezuela, with strong diplomatic engagements over the years. This is a matter of grave concern, as ties with Latin America and South America have been carefully nurtured,” she said, while talking to PTI. Further referring to the MEA statement on the crisis she added, “The Ministry of External Affairs has advised that the safety of Indian nationals living there should be prioritised. No country can go around bullying the world; the situation must be viewed holistically. The global community today is worried about such actions, surgical strikes, and, above all, the safety of citizens, which must be seen from a collective global perspective.” The ministry of external affairs, in its official statement, reiterated India’s support for the safety of people in Venezuela. “Recent developments in Venezuela are a matter of deep concern. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation,” it said. “We call upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability of the region. The Embassy of India in Caracas is in contact with members of the Indian community and will continue to provide all possible assistance,” it 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
BJP mocks Rahul after Priyanka gets key role in Assam elections: Will Congress move set stage for new power dynamics?
NEW DELHI: The Congress move to appoint Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as chairperson of the candidate screening committee for the upcoming Assam elections has added to the murmurs of leadership debate within the grand old party, with the BJP-led NDA claiming internal conflict between the Gandhi siblings. Soon after Priyanka’s elevation, which was announced on Sunday, the BJP claimed that the Congress was divided between camps of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. The Congress, as expected, strongly rejected these claims and slammed the BJP for spreading “manufactured propaganda.” BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, “The Rahul vs Priyanka camp has been going on for a very long time in the Congress party. All the pressure was exerted by the Rahul camp. ‘Remove Rahul, bring Priyanka’ is happening in Congress. Now even their allies don’t trust Rahul Gandhi. Their own leaders don’t want him; instead, they want Priyanka Gandhi.” The Janata Dal (United) also reacted to Priyanka’s appointment, claiming that Rahul Gandhi’s frequent foreign trips had shifted responsibilities to her. “It is expected that legislative assembly elections will be held in five states. The Congress’s internal matters are handled by a screening committee. Who will handle this work when Rahul Gandhi is abroad? The responsibility has fallen on Priyanka Gandhi. However, this is their internal matter,” JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said. Congress dismisses ‘Rahul vs Priyanka’ The Congress has formally dismissed the NDA’s claims, insisting there is no Rahul vs Priyanka camp within the party. On Sunday, the party defended its decision to appoint AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as chairperson of the Assam screening committee, strongly criticising the BJP for attempting to “propagate” a false leadership contest narrative. The Congress asserted that this was not the first time Priyanka had been entrusted with such responsibilities, recalling that she had earlier served as an ex-officio member of the screening committee during the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. Congress MP Tariq Anwar told IANS, “Earlier, she was the general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh when assembly elections were held there. So we cannot say this is the first time. This is the second time she has been given charge of a state related to elections. She will use her political experience and capability in Assam. There is a strong possibility of a Congress comeback in Assam.” “Priyanka Gandhi has been serving as general secretary for the past five years. She has been given organisational responsibilities from time to time and has worked across the country. Therefore, the notion propagated by the BJP is incorrect,” he added. Congress leader Udit Raj also defended Priyanka’s appointment, citing her “wide influence and experience”. Speaking to IANS, Raj said, “She is our leader and has been made chairperson of the Assam screening committee. Her influence is quite wide. She will oversee elections and make selections. She already has experience, and that experience will increase further.” The great Rahul paradox Rahul Gandhi’s position within the Congress is currently stronger than it has been at any point since his resignation as party president in 2019. After years of refusing formal office while leading high-visibility foot marches such as the Bharat Jodo Yatra (2022–23) and the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in early 2024, the Lok Sabha election results that year altered the equation. The Congress’s improved performance, winning 99 Lok Sabha seats and securing the Leader of the Opposition post, did something the party had struggled to achieve for a decade: it gave Rahul constitutional weight. That momentum, however, was not sustained. Since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA staged a strong comeback, winning assembly elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, Delhi and Bihar. Rahul Gandhi led campaigns raising the ‘vote chori’ charge and spearheaded the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar, hoping to replicate the gains of his earlier mass movements. The narrative failed to resonate electorally, and the Congress emerged as the weakest link in the Bihar opposition, winning only six of the state’s 243 assembly seats. Priyanka steps forward At the same time, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has unmistakably moved out of the occasional-campaigner role. Once deployed sparingly for high-voltage rallies, she is now a constant presence, both in Parliament and on the streets. During the Winter Session of Parliament, the first-time MP from Wayanad assumed a leading role for the party. With a smile, she was seen patiently attacking the Modi government during the Vande Mataram debate. The Wayanad MP also was at the forefront when the opposition parties staged a walkout from Lok Sabha to protest against the VB-G RAM G Bill. She led the march within the Parliament premises while holding a photograph of Mahatma Gandhi. Despite Rahul Gandhi’s absence from Parliament, the Congress drew significant attention for its aggressive protests and Priyanka emerged as a prominent face of the party both inside and outside the House. At the end of the session, she also attended the customary tea meeting hosted by Speaker Om Birla and was seen chatting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders from across parties. Whispers within the chambers Though there has been no formal resolution, several reports have quoted “voices within the Congress” urging a larger organisational role for Priyanka, including suggestions that she could serve as party president or national face. After Rahul’s resignation as Congress chief, former MP Abhijit Mukherjee, son of former President Pranab Mukherjee, openly appealed for Priyanka to take over, saying she should heed the “clarion call of lakhs of Congress workers”. Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Anil Shastri has also said Priyanka Gandhi would be the best person to lead the party. Over time, and following successive assembly election losses, these whispers have grown louder. In December, former Odisha MLA Mohammed Moquim wrote to Sonia Gandhi questioning the current leadership and explicitly seeking a “greater central role” for Priyanka. MP Imran Masood has also pushed for her elevation, arguing, “Make her the Prime Minister and see how she responds, just like Indira Gandhi did,” signalling that she should be the party’s main face
BMC polls in Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray announces support for Independent Dinesh Jadhav against Kirti Somaiya’s son in Mulund ward
Mumbai: Two days after BJP politician Kirit Somaiya expressed confidence that his son Neil would win the BMC polls a second time as there was no candidate from the main opposition parties against him from Mulund’s Ward No. 107, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday declared independent nominee Dinesh Jadhav as the party’s official candidate. Calling Jadhav a hard-core Sainik, Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said he had filed his nomination as independent as a back-up. “During seat-sharing talks, our ally NCP (SP) had demanded Ward No. 107, saying they have good candidates. Reluctantly, we gave the seat to them…We all decided to stand behind the NCP (SP) candidate, but the ‘unopposed elected scam’ happened in Ward No. 107 too.” The nomination form of NCP (SP) candidate Bharat Vanani was rejected and he was disqualified. “Kirit Somaiya started dancing ‘unopposed, unopposed’ and saying ‘no one is contesting against my son’. But that’s not the case. Our hard-core Shiv Sainik, Dinesh Jadhav, had filled his nomination Ward No. 107. His nomination is valid. Uddhav Thackeray has issued a letter stating that Jadhav is the official Shiv Sena (UBT)-supported candidate from Ward No. 107,” Raut said. “Neil cannot be elected unopposed, he will have to fight with us. “Jadhav was not able to get the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s ‘flaming torch’ symbol. His symbol is a television set,” Raut added. Earlier in the day, Kirit said in a post on X: “It’s official. Election Commission final list of candidates for BMC ward 107 Mulund. Neil Kirit Somaiya – BJP. No candidates of Uddhav Thackeray UBT, Raj Thackeray MNS, Rahul Gandhi Congress, Sharad Pawar NCP.” In 2017, Neil had contested the BMC election from the adjacent Ward No. 108 and won. 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
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh to focus on Dalit-outreach in UP-polls:Will give tickets even on general seats, know what is the plan
The Samajwadi Party (SP) is preparing to make another major move in Uttar Pradesh politics, with a renewed focus on consolidating Dalit votes. As part of this strategy, the party is considering fielding candidates from the Dalit community on a large scale, even from general (unreserved) assembly seats. What is the thinking behind this move? Is the party conducting surveys on the ground? Which general seats could see Dalit candidates? Whose tickets may be cut to accommodate them? And what electoral equation did SP follow in the 2024 elections? This report looks for answers to these key questions. Why has Samajwadi Party adopted this strategy? In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, along with strong support from backward classes, a significant section of Dalit voters also backed the Samajwadi Party. This shift has caused concern within the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which is attempting to regain its traditional Dalit vote base in Uttar Pradesh. Over the past few months, BSP chief Mayawati has held several large rallies and organisational meetings to revive the party. Dalits constitute nearly 20 per cent of Uttar Pradesh’s population. While 84 assembly seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes, Dalit votes play a decisive role even in many general constituencies. SP’s strategy is aimed at making inroads into BSP’s core support base. A formula that worked in 2024 In the 2024 general elections, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav campaigned on the PDA slogan — Backward, Dalit and Minority. Under this formula, the party gave tickets to candidates from non-Yadav communities on a significant number of seats. Notably, Dalit candidates were fielded on two general Lok Sabha seats. In Faizabad, considered a BJP stronghold, SP nominated Awadhesh Prasad and went on to win. In Meerut, Sunita Verma was fielded, and the contest between SP and BJP was decided by a very narrow margin. The party is now preparing for the 2027 assembly elections along similar lines. Surveys underway at the ground level SP has deployed multiple survey teams across the state to assess the political mood on the ground. These teams are evaluating which candidates are strong in which areas, identifying general seats where Dalit candidates could be viable, and reviewing the performance of sitting SP MLAs. According to party sources, a recent survey report submitted to Akhilesh Yadav highlighted strong anti-incumbency against an SP MLA. The report also mentioned several general seats in western Uttar Pradesh where the party may consider fielding Dalit candidates. These include constituencies in Bijnor, Saharanpur, Ghaziabad and Hapur districts. Likely reduction in Yadav and Muslim tickets Sources within SP indicate that to accommodate more Dalit candidates, the party may reduce ticket allocations for Yadavs, Muslims and even some upper-caste candidates. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, SP largely restricted Yadav tickets to members of the Mulayam Singh Yadav family, all of whom won. The party also cut some Muslim tickets. For example, in Moradabad, sitting MP ST Hasan was denied a ticket, which was instead given to Ruchi Vira, who went on to win the seat. Kurmi community to get greater representation Alongside Dalits, SP is also focusing strongly on the Kurmi vote bank. In the 2024 elections, Kurmi support played a key role in the party’s performance against the BJP. Out of 62 Lok Sabha seats contested by SP, 12 candidates were from the Kurmi community, and seven of them won. Victories came from Kurmi-dominated constituencies such as Ambedkarnagar, Basti, Shravasti, Pratapgarh, Lakhimpur Kheri, Banda and Fatehpur. SP had fielded Kurmi candidates in all these seats. The party plans to replicate this approach in the assembly elections as well. This was also reflected in Akhilesh Yadav’s recent New Year visit to the residence of Pratapgarh MP SP Patel, which sent a clear political message. What party leaders and analysts say Shravasti MP Ram Shiromani Verma said, We are working at the grassroots level. Our workers have reached booth level during the SIR process and helped people. The Kurmi community stood with SP in 2024 and continues to do so. SP has given due respect to our community. In fact, Akhilesh Yadav is receiving support from people across castes and communities. Political analyst Hisam Siddiqui said the strategy draws directly from the success of 2024. Fielding Dalit candidates on general seats sends a strong message of social justice. It could also help address the long-standing Yadav–Dalit friction within SP. However, whether Dalit voters will fully back SP candidates in Yadav-dominated areas can only be assessed once candidates are announced. Senior journalist Virendra Nath Bhatt said SP’s primary aim is to increase its vote share while safeguarding the support it gained in 2024. “When SP formed the government in 2012, it had around 29 per cent vote share. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, SP and Congress together secured close to 44 per cent. If SP is able to reach a similar figure in the assembly elections, it will be well placed to form the government.” Syed Yasir Raza | Lucknow Courtesy : Bhaskar English Note: This news is originally published on https:/bhaskarenglish.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Matter of deep concern’: MEA reacts to US strikes on Venezuela; urges restraint, calls for dialogue
NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Sunday reiterated India’s support for the safety and well-being of people in Venezuela as the situation in the country remains tense amid US strikes.”Recent developments in Venezuela are a matter of deep concern. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation,” the MEA said in a statement. “We call upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability of the region. The Embassy of India in Caracas is in contact with members of the Indian community and will continue to provide all possible assistance,” it added. This comes after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in Caracas and flown out of the country in a joint operation involving intelligence agencies and US law enforcement, triggering heightened tensions and uncertainty. The ministry of external affairs had earlier advised Indian nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela amid the unfolding developments. Donald Trump said that Maduro and Flores, captured during what he described as a US military operation, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges of alleged “drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies” and will face trial. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Supreme Court has directed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to assume charge as interim president. Rodriguez, 56, is a senior figure in Venezuela’s socialist leadership and a close ally of Maduro. She has previously served as vice president, finance minister and oil minister, and has played a central role in economic decision-making as the country grappled with US sanctions and surging inflation. 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
‘Misleading narrative’: Siddaramaiah defends Rahul Gandhi on ‘Vote Chori’ claims; slams misuse of EC-linked survey
NEW DELHI: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday came out strongly in defence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing sections of the media and the BJP of misrepresenting an Election Commission-linked survey to undermine allegations of voter list manipulation. In a detailed post on X, the chief minister said an administrative survey conducted earlier this year was being selectively cited to suggest that concerns raised by Rahul Gandhi over electoral malpractice had been “disproved”, a claim he described as an attempt to ‘manufacture a misleading narrative’. Siddaramaiah said the survey in question was not a political or opinion poll but an end-line evaluation carried out under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme. — siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) Conducted in May 2025, the exercise was meant to assess voter awareness efforts, not to validate the integrity of elections or respond to allegations that surfaced months later. “An awareness survey cannot be twisted into a certificate of electoral integrity,” he wrote. He also pointed to the timing of the exercise, noting that Rahul Gandhi raised allegations of organised voter list manipulation, which the Congress has described as “Vote Chori”, only in August 2025. Using data collected before those allegations emerged to counter later claims was not fact-checking, he said, but a distortion of facts. The chief minister questioned the statistical weight being given to the findings, highlighting that the survey covered 5,100 respondents in a state with over 5.3 crore adult voters. That, he said, amounted to less than 0.01% of the electorate. “In constituencies like Bengaluru Central, where allegations of voter list manipulation are most acute, the respondent count runs into mere double digits. Projecting this as the definitive “people’s verdict” is statistically indefensible,” he wrote. Siddaramaiah further alleged a conflict of interest, stating that the survey was conducted by an NGO called GRAAM, founded by Dr R Balasubramaniam, who currently holds a Union government-appointed position and authored a book praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024. He said this aspect had been ignored in much of the reporting. The chief minister also rejected claims that Rahul Gandhi was questioning democracy or the electoral process itself. He said the Congress leader had sought transparency on issues such as access to voter rolls, safeguards against surveillance, scrutiny of EVMs and the independence of the Election Commissioner appointment process, questions which he said remain unanswered. Referring to criminal investigations in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah cited the Aland case, where a police Special Investigation Team filed a 22,000-page chargesheet naming seven accused, including a former BJP MLA, for allegedly attempting to illegally delete nearly 6,000 genuine voters using OTP bypass technology. He said the probe was pursued by the Congress government despite winning the seat and led to systemic changes by the Election Commission. The controversy erupted after the BJP cited findings from a survey conducted across Karnataka to claim that a majority of respondents trust EVMs and believe elections in India are conducted freely and fairly. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said Rahul Gandhi gets a “reality check” every time he raises questions after electoral defeats. Congress leaders have since questioned the credibility of the survey. As quoted by news agency ANI, Priyank Kharge and Supriya Shrinate flagged concerns over the timing, sample size and neutrality of the agency that conducted the exercise, arguing that it cannot be used to dismiss allegations backed by criminal investigations. Siddaramaiah concluded that a limited, pre-event administrative survey cannot override evidence, chargesheets or unresolved questions, calling it unfortunate that these facts were ignored in favour of what he termed a distorted narrative. 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
Who is inviting Rahul abroad so often, even Cong govts don’t: BJP
NEW DELHI: BJP Saturday jeeringly depicted Rahul Gandhi as the most “foreign travelled” LoP in India’s history and asked Congress to throw light on those inviting him abroad so frequently when even its state govts hardly seek his presence in their events. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said Rahul is now travelling to Vietnam, as he linked his visits abroad to connect with “anti-India” forces and shape his criticism of the govt. “Rahul is notorious for spewing venom against India during his foreign trips. According to media reports, he is now visiting Vietnam after his recent trips to Malaysia, Colombia, and Germany,” he said. Trivedi claimed that Rahul will surely be hosted by some “anti-India” figures as he has been in his past visits abroad. Taking a swipe, he said that even Congress CMs or colleges and universities do not really invite the LS LoP to their programmes, and then asked who are those people frequently requesting him to visit different countries and criticise India. Congress should clarify, he added. BJP netas have also shared past pictures of Rahul’s meeting with US politicians. 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