Mann compares Rahul Gandhi to Navjot Sidhu: ‘They both want PM, CM post before performing’
Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday drew a parallel between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, asserting that both share a common trait of seeking the top post — Prime Minister and chief minister, respectively — before delivering. Mann said the two leaders were alike because “Both Rahul Gandhi and Navjot Sidhu shared the same problem. Both want to be installed as the PM and CM before doing something for public welfare. But people of the country want both the leaders to perform first.” Former MLA and Sidhu’s wife, Navjot Kaur Sidhu, recently levelled allegations against the Congress that Rs 500 crore was required for anyone to become a Congress chief minister, and that Sidhu would return to politics only if he was declared the CM candidate. Taking a jibe at Sidhu, Mann said, “I too was a television artiste and used to earn well. Have I done a favour on the people of Punjab by quitting my vocation? But once I joined politics, I never turned back.” He added, “Sidhu had the portfolio for urban development, he could have done a lot to improve the condition of the city – better roads, street lights, sewerage, and parks. Then he was also offered the power portfolio, but he didn’t accept it. He could have mooted the proposal for 600 units of free power for people. If the then CM Capt Amarinder Singh objected, Sidhu could have made it public. He would have been hailed as a hero. It would have been a win-win situation for him. Capt Amarinder said that Sidhu wouldn’t sign on files of his department for six months. I have signed 12,500 files as CM during my 3.5-year tenure so far. I start looking at files at 7.30 am every day.” Replying to a question about Sidhu and his former MLA wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu claiming to be free of any corruption charge, Mann said while he was not the one to issue any certificates of honesty, he currently had no documentary proof of any corruption against the Sidhu couple. To another question, Mann said the Punjab police wanted to bring Anmol Bishnoi to Punjab, but the Union home ministry doesn’t allow that. He said the same goes for Lawrence Bishnoi, adding that if need be, the state agencies will try to interrogate them in Tihar jail. To another question, Mann rejected Navjot Kaur Sidhu’s charge that a probe against Congress state president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring had been put in “cold storage” by the AAP govt. Asked about Navjot Kaur Sidhu expressing a threat to her life, Mann said in that case she should have thought before she spoke. “You cannot make allegations and then rush to me. She should have raised the issues at party platforms first by seeking an appointment with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi,” 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
Kerala local body polls: UDF retains Kannur corporation, increases tally
Kannur: Congress-led UDF retained the Kannur corporation with a comfortable majority by winning 36 of the total 56 seats. Moreover, the UDF managed to improve its tally from the last elections in 2020 by securing two more seats. On the other hand, the CPM-led LDF’s strength fell from 19 to 15 with many of its prominent leaders facing defeat. The BJP-led NDA, meanwhile, saw its tally increase from one to four. In 2020, BJP won only the Pallikkunnu ward. This time, the saffron party managed to retain the seat and captured the Temple and Thulichery divisions from Congress and Kokkenpara from CPM. Notably, Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) opened its account in the civic body by winning the Arakkal ward. Sameera K defeated IUML councillor K M Sabira by 54 votes. In the same division, LDF ally Indian National League (INL) managed to secure only 364 votes as compared to 921 in the previous election. Meanwhile, Congress rebel P K Ragesh, who caused a major headache for UDF in the run up to the polls, suffered defeat from Panikkara division. Three other UDF rebels — K N Bindu from Payyambalam division, K V Riyas from Varam division, V Muhammadali from Adikadalayi division — also lost the elections. All the rebels lost to UDF candidates. Among LDF leaders who lost their wards was former state sports council president O K Vineesh who lost from the Thalikkavu division. LDF retains urban local bodies in Kannur Despite the UDF’s sweeping victory in the local body elections across the state, the LDF managed to retain control in rural local bodies in its stronghold Kannur. While UDF retained control of the Kannur corporation, the majority of municipalities were won by the LDF. The Left front secured wins in five of the eight municipalities in the district, proving its dominance in its bastion. LDF also maintained its dominance in of rural civic bodies getting an upper hand across district, block and grama panchayats. 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
GOAT India Tour: Lionel Messi meets Rahul Gandhi; presents signed Argentina jersey
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met Argentine footballer Lionel Messi in Hyderabad on Saturday during the second leg of the GOAT India Tour of Argentininan football greay. Messi presented a signed jersey to the Congress MP, and the two spoke briefly at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium. Addressing fans in Hyderabad, Messi said, “for the love I’ve received today and always”. Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy was also present at the venue and, before Gandhi arrived, spent some time with Messi on the ground, where they were seen casually kicking a football. Messi reached Hyderabad on Saturday evening, a few hours after disorder marked the opening leg of his India tour in Kolkata. Around 50,000 spectators at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, many of whom paid between Rs 4,000 and Rs 12,000 — and in some cases up to Rs 20,000 in the black market — were left upset as politicians, VVIPs, security personnel and others surrounded Messi, leaving fans unable to get a clear view. The situation escalated when angry spectators threw bottles, which are banned inside sports venues. Questions were raised over how such items, including food packets, were allowed into the stadium. Chairs were later pulled out and thrown. Fibreglass seats were found damaged across the field and the synthetic track. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Congress to protest at Ramlila Maidan today over the issue of vote theft; Rahul Gandhi will also be present
The Congress party is going to hold a massive protest today at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, which will be attended by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. New Delhi: The Congress party will protest today at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi over the issue of vote theft. All Congress MLAs from Karnataka and more than 1,000 party workers will participate in this protest. This protest by the Congress is important in many ways, as the party has been consistently raising the issue of vote theft. Vote theft and SIR are very big issues – Congress At the Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan against SIR, Odisha Congress President Bhakta Charan Das said that vote theft and SIR are very big issues. This is a democracy. How do we elect the government? How are leaders chosen?… The people choose, but now you are choosing who will vote and who will not? Who gave you this right? This right was given to you by the people for their welfare, not to snatch away their rights. Regarding the letter of former Odisha Congress MLA Mohammad Moquim, he said that those who are associated with the BJP should go to the BJP. Mallikarjun Kharge has traveled such a journey in his life that these people would not have seen even 0.1% of it. No one can guide like such a senior leader. Objective is to focus on electoral reforms The Congress party says that the purpose of this protest is to draw national attention to the alleged irregularities in the electoral process and to hold officials accountable for the removal of voters’ names. The party leadership has said that this movement is part of a broader campaign to protect democracy and ensure free and fair elections across the country. The issue of voter list raised Speaking on the ‘vote theft’ issue, DK Shivakumar alleged that the names of minority voters have been removed from the voter list across the country. He said, “Our leader, Rahul Gandhi, has raised this issue. They have not answered our questions; instead, they are asking us to provide information. Information is not being provided under the Right to Information Act (RTI).” I also requested the information, but it was not provided. Karnataka CM also arrives in Delhi Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar arrived in Delhi on December 14 to participate in the ‘vote theft’ protest held at Ramlila Maidan. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is also scheduled to arrive in Delhi on Sunday to join the movement. Kharge to lead the campaign D.K. Shivakumar said that even after losing the election, party leader Rahul Gandhi had organized a similar program to create awareness among the people. He said that AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge is also leading this movement. We are all joining to support this campaign. One thousand workers from Karnataka More than 1,000 party workers from Karnataka have already arrived in Delhi. Party leaders have arrived in Delhi from all parts of the state by train and flight. More than 100 MLAs and MLCs will participate in this program. Shivakumar clarified that he too will join them in the protest. D.K. Shivakumar will also be present Karnataka Congress President and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that this will strengthen the protest led by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Shivakumar said that the ‘vote theft’ campaign in our state started with a large convention at Freedom Park in Bengaluru. Another big program will be held at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on Sunday. Written By: NBT NEWS DESK Courtesy: Hindi News
We tore them to shreds, they were under pressure… Rahul Gandhi targets the government again
Rahul Gandhi once again launched a scathing attack on the Modi government. He said that there was a heated discussion on Vande Mataram and SIR. I was quite pleased because we tore them to shreds during both discussions. New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has once again strongly criticized the government. Rahul said that there was a heated discussion on Vande Mataram and SIR. I was quite pleased because we tore them to shreds during both discussions. They were under mental pressure. There shouldn’t be such a heated discussion on pollution because it is a kind of national emergency. Just a day earlier, Rahul Gandhi had targeted Amit Shah in Parliament. He had said that Amit Shah was nervous yesterday. He used inappropriate language and his hands were also trembling. On Friday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said that he spoke about the pollution in Delhi and other big cities. This is a subject on which all parties can agree that our future, our children are being harmed, people are getting cancer, and diseases are spreading. Can work together on pollution Rahul Gandhi further said that he suggested in the House that we should discuss the issue of pollution in the House and discuss it in a different way. The Congress MP said that on this subject, we should be unanimous that we will talk about the future and discuss how to solve this problem. We will also take the opinion of experts and we will show the country that we can work together on the issue of pollution. Something concrete should come out of the discussion Apart from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi also targeted the government on the issue of pollution. She said that I completely agree. I think everyone agrees. The government also said that we should all discuss this and an action plan should be made. Every year its (pollution) level is increasing. When other subjects are discussed, this should also be discussed, and something concrete should come out of it, not just talk. It would be good if the government creates a sound action plan in this regard. Curated by: Akshay Srivastava About the Author Akshay Srivastava is a Principal Digital Content Producer at Navbharat Times Online. He has over 12 years of experience in journalism. He has been working with NBT Digital since March 2025. He covers national news for the NBT news team. Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Century-old legacy slipping away’: Ex-Congress MLA writes to Sonia Gandhi; calls for Priyanka Gandhi to take charge
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Friday claimed that tensions between ‘Team Rahul’ and ‘Team Priyanka’ within the Congress are now “out in the open” after a former party MLA from Odisha wrote to Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi, urging the removal of party president Mallikarjun Kharge on the grounds that “age is not on his side.” Ex-MLA Mohammed Moquim suggested that younger leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, should be given greater prominence. “Team Priyanka vs team Rahul out in the open now Internal rift in Congress out! Senior Congress leader from Odisha writes to Sonia Gandhi: Says ‘Kharge Hatao ,Priyanka Lao; Hits out at state and central leadership.’ He notes a ‘deep and growing disconnect’ between the Congress leadership and Indian youth, saying that under the current leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge, who is 83, the party has been unable to resonate with the youth,” BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla wrote on X. — Shehzad_Ind (@Shehzad_Ind) Earlier, Moquim, the former legislator from Odisha’s Cuttack whose daughter is the sitting Congress legislator from the seat, told news agency ANI, “The party is going through a difficult phase and needs her advice and new leadership… Age is not on AICC (All India Congress Committe) president Mallikarjun Kharge’s side… We should bring forward young leaders. I know that Sonia ji and the CWC (Congress Working Committee) members will definitely discuss this.” — ANI (@ANI) The veteran politician has been Congress president since October 2022, when he defeated Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor. One of the party’s senior-most leaders, he succeeded Sonia Gandhi, who had been serving in an interim capacity since 2019 after Rahul Gandhi stepped down following the party’s rout in the Lok Sabha elections. She is the longest-serving Congress chief, leading the party from 1998 to 2017, before making way for her son. On the other hand, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra formally entered politics only in January 2019 and currently serves as a general secretary. Her recent Lok Sabha speech on the national song Vande Mataram drew wide appreciation, while her brother’s address on electoral reforms—during which he reiterated his allegations of ‘vote chori’ against the Election Commission and the ruling BJP—was sharply countered by Union home minister Amit Shah. 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 asks for air pollution debate in Lok Sabha, govt agrees
NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has demanded that the Lok Sabha discuss in detail air pollution crisis as major cities in the country are living under a blanket of poisonous air. Gandhi urged the govt to present a plan to combat the crisis, on which there are no ideological differences. After he raised the issue during the Zero Hour in the House on Friday, Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said the govt was ready to discuss it. The structure of the debate would be finalised, he said. He said the govt was clear from the start it was ready to discuss the issue and find a solution. AQI still very poor, may turn severe in coming days NEW DELHI: The air quality of Delhi remained in the very poor category with an AQI of 349 on Friday. It was 305 on Thursday and 259 on Wednesday. It is likely to deteriorate to the ‘severe’ range (AQI of above 400 on a scale of 500) on Sunday. Central Pollution Control Board’s data highlighted that of the 39 active monitoring stations in Delhi, the AQI crossed 400 at eight stations. The most polluted station was Jahangirpuri at 438, Wazirpur at 425, Rohini at 423 and Anand Vihar at 420. “As light winds are prevailing in the city, it is unable to disperse the pollutants. Two consecutive western disturbances are likely to impact the city from today. Though these western disturbances are feeble, wind speed is predicted to remain low,” said an official. The air quality is likely to remain in the very poor category on Saturday, but it is likely to turn severe on Sunday, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, which functions under the Union ministry of earth sciences Meanwhile, the minimum temperature was recorded at 8 degrees Celsius, one degree below normal. The maximum temperature settled at 26.6 degrees Celsius, four degrees above normal. “Moderate fog is likely to form from Saturday to Monday,” said a Met official The minimum temperature is expected to rise from Saturday due to the impact of a western disturbance. India Meteorological Department has predicted that the minimum temperature may rise to 10-12 degrees Celsius during the weekend. The maximum temperature is likely to stay in the range of 23-25 degrees Celsius over the next few days. 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
Dalits lobby for greater role as BJP set to elect UP chief
Lucknow: A section of Dalit ranks in the BJP is lobbying hard with the party leadership in Delhi ahead of the much-anticipated appointment of the state unit chief in UP, it is learnt. BJP’s Dalit functionaries are reportedly pressing for “adequate” representation in “responsible positions” in UP, where assembly elections are due in 2027. This, sources said, is being highlighted as a potential tool to mobilise the Dalit communities, which account for a sizable proportion of the voting bloc in UP. In fact, the names of two former Dalit MPs, Ram Shankar Katheria and Vidya Sagar Sonkar, are being considered for the appointment of the state president. A senior BJP functionary pointed out that only two Dalit MPs, Mithilesh Katheria (Dhanuk) and Brij Lal (Kori), represent the BJP in the Rajya Sabha from UP. Also, the BJP has just one Dalit legislator, Surendra Chaudhary, in the UP legislative council. Organisationally, the party has just one Dalit state general secretary, Priyanak Rawat, and three vice-presidents: Kanta Kardam, Neelam Sonkar and Devesh Kumar. The overdrive of the Dalit community comes even as speculations are rife about an OBC functionary being appointed as the next state president. A senior SC functionary in the state BJP said that the non-Jatav SCs have been consolidating behind the BJP since 2017, when the party formed the govt with an overwhelming majority for the first time. “This needs to be augmented further. The party needs to give SCs more space while accommodating them in key positions,” said a senior SC functionary from the UP BJP unit. 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
‘Under pressure, hands trembling’: Rahul Gandhi takes a dig at Amit Shah over Lok Sabha speech
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday repeated his claim that Amit Shah appeared ‘nervous’ and used ‘foul language’ during the Union home minister’s Lok Sabha speech the previous day. “He (Shah) used foul language. His hands were trembling. Mentally, he is under pressure, and it was seen in Parliament. Whatever I had asked, he gave no replies and provided no proof. I challenged him openly to discuss over my press conferences, but nothing happened. Everyone now understands the reality,” Gandhi told reporters. Hitting back, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal asked why Gandhi and the opposition INDIA bloc “ran away” when the home minister was speaking. “Then why did he leave? People who flee, abandoning the field, the country watches them. During the two-day discussion, he (Shah) held a mirror against all the questions raised on electoral reforms and SIR… When people went to the Supreme Court against SIR, the Supreme Court also said there is no reason to stop SIR… So how long will they keep blaming the Election Commission, voter list, EVM for their defeat?” Pal said. Amit Shah vs Rahul Gandhi During his address on electoral reforms, Shah clashed with Gandhi over the Congress leader’s repeated claims of vote chori’ (theft)” by the Election Commission and the ruling BJP. The Lok Sabha leader of opposition, who has held three press conferences on the issue, challenged the home minister to a debate based on those briefings. In response, Shah remarked that the “House will not function according to his (Gandhi’s) wishes.” The heated exchange erupted when Gandhi interjected during Shah’s address in the Lok Sabha on electoral reforms. Criticising the opposition over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the senior BJP leader argued that he had responses to all their accusations, including those raised in Gandhi’s three press conferences. “In his press conference, the LoP claimed the voter list is flawed and needs correction. That is exactly what SIR is — a process to clean up the rolls. Yet he opposes it. Your defeat is certain; the voter list has nothing to do with it. Double standards won’t work in a democracy. When you win, the EC is great; when you lose, the EC is biased. I have answers to all these allegations — those three press conferences included,” Shah remarked. Gandhi then interrupted and challenged him to a debate. “Yesterday, I asked why Election Commissioners were given full immunity. We want to understand the reasoning behind it. He (Amit Shah) mentioned Haryana, but there are many other examples — including 19 lakh fake voters. Let’s debate my press conferences. Amit Shah ji, I challenge you to a debate on all three,” the Rae Bareli MP asserted. Shah responded that Gandhi could not dictate the order of his speech and should remain patient. “You cannot run Parliament through obstinacy. I will decide the order of my address. The House won’t function like this. He should be patient. I will respond to every point,” he countered. Opposition MPs walked out of the Lok Sabha during Shah’s reply to the discussion on electoral reforms. 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
Defamation case: Court seeks Rahul Gandhi’s reply to 2 new pen drives submitted by Satyaki Savarkar as evidence
Pune: A special MP/MLA court in the city on Thursday sought Rahul Gandhi’s written response to an application by Satyaki Savarkar, who presented a couple of pen drives containing the Congress politician’s alleged defamatory speech against Hindutva icon Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, seeking that they be played in open court. Rahul Gandhi’s lawyer, Milind Pawar, orally objected to the application when the matter came up for hearing before special judge Amol Shinde as part of the case filed by Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of the Hindutva icon, regarding Gandhi’s speech in London in March 2023. The case is at the stage of the complainant (Satyaki) leading his evidence as part of the examination in chief. Pawar, who raised an objection to the procedure and admissibility of the new evidence, told TOI: “The matter on this specific issue was adjourned. It will be taken up for hearing on Dec 16. We will be filing our reply as submission of two new pen drives at this stage is against the procedure.” Satyaki’s lawyer Sangram Kolhatkar told TOI: “Through the two pen drives we filed, we reproduced the electronic evidence which was lost. We also submitted a certificate prescribed under section 65B of the Indian Evidence Act. We sought permission to play the video, but the opposing counsel objected, stating that they wanted to file a reply.” Satyaki had earlier submitted a CD along with a 65B (verification) certificate under the Indian Evidence Act, but it could not be played in court due to some unknown technical reasons. His plea to play another CD was rejected by the court after Gandhi’s lawyer objected on the grounds that it was not accompanied by a 65B certificate During the last hearing on Dec 5, the court allowed an application by Satyaki’s lawyer seeking an adjournment for a limited period. The adjournment sought was to enable the complainant to make proper technical arrangements and reconstruction so that a CD of the speech could be played. 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