‘Remote control in foreign hands’: BJP guns for Sonia Gandhi; claims UPA govt was a puppet, made decisions under pressure
NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday upped the ante against Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, accusing them of letting the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government become a “puppet in the hands of foreign powers.” While addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia latched on to former Union minister P Chidambaram and Manish Tewari “revelations” and claimed the Manmohan Singh’s government – influenced by Sonia Gandhi – chose not to take strong retaliatory action after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. “The people of India are asking questions — questions to the Congress Party and to the fake Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi. We have also seen that the leader of the opposition, who has been abroad for the past four days, has only one mission — to defame India, a nation that is moving forward on the path of rapid development. From foreign soil, Rahul Gandhi levels baseless allegations and tries to malign our great nation. Therefore, from the soil of India, we want to ask questions — to the Congress Party, to Mallikarjun Kharge ji, to Rahul Gandhi ji, and to Sonia Gandhi ji — and demand answers before the people of India,” Bhatia said. “It is a matter of grave concern that senior Congress leaders like P Chidambaram, who served as Home minister under the UPA government, and Manish Tewari, a former UPA minister, have recently made revelations that are shocking and alarming. It shows that a government which was constitutionally responsible for protecting India’s sovereignty had, in fact, become a puppet in the hands of foreign powers,” he added. Bhatia also alleged that Sonia had Monmohan Singh’s remote control while “foreign powers” had the remote control for Sonia Gandhi. Additionally, BJP MP Sambit Patra also attacked Sonia Gandhi and alleged that UPA government used to decide cabinet ministers after consulting with America, quoting Natwar Singh’s autobiography. “It was Sonia Gandhi’s dictation that don’t act against Pakistan. She made India bow down and gave shelter to Pakistan,” Patra said. Natwar Singh wrote in his autobiography that the Sonia Gandhi government used to decide the Indian Cabinet Ministers after consulting America… She believes ‘saugandh mujhe us videsh ki, main desh nahi uthne dungi’…,” he added. He also questioned Chidambaram’s recent statement about foreign pressure behind India’s lack of retaliation against Pakistan after 26/11 attacks, suggesting that Chidambaram himself was part of the decision-making process under Sonia Gandhi’s leadership. “Only because the ‘whole world descended on Delhi’, the Congress party decided not to take any action against Pakistan. This was the India of that time, under the reign of the Gandhi family… This decision must have been taken by Sonia Gandhi unlawfully and unconstitutionally, and she must have dictated to Manmohan Singh and then Home Minister Chidambaram…,” Patra told ANI This comes days after Chidambaram after the former Union home minister recounted that he was inclined towards retaliatory action against Pakistan after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks but was ultimately persuaded against it. Chidambaram had said that the decision making process of Manmohan Singh-led government’s stance was shaped by international diplomatic pressure , particularly from the United States. “It did cross my mind that we should do some act of retribution. I did discuss it with the Prime Minister and other people who mattered. The PM had discussed this matter when the attack was going on, I can surmise. And the conclusion was largely influenced by the MEA and the IFS that we should not physically react to the situation, but we should employ diplomatic means,” he said. “The conclusion was reached amid pressure from the world that was descending upon Delhi to tell us that don’t start a war,” he said. He specifically mentioned that then US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had travelled to New Delhi to meet him and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging India not to retaliate militarily. The 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, carried out by Pakistani-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed over 170 lives and left the nation in shock. Later, P Chidambaram expressed frustration over being misquoted by the media regarding his comments and said “In no part of the interview to Megha Prasad’s podcast did I say that ‘US stopped us from retaliating after the 26/11 attack. Yet, channel after channel and the media and the Twitterati are merrily attributing words to me. These are the perils of talking to the media!” 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
‘Stealing Karpoori Thakur’s Jan Nayak title’: PM Modi’s veiled jibe at Rahul Gandhi; blames RJD rule for Bihar’s education woes
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a veiled swipe at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi while inaugurating several education and skilling projects in Bihar, urging people to be vigilant against those attempting to claim the ‘Jan Nayak’ title associated with former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur. Speaking at the inauguration of Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University in Bihar, PM Modi said, “…Karpoori Thakur wasn’t made ‘Jan Nayak’ by social media trolls. He was made ‘Jan Nayak’ by the people of Bihar, and they did so after observing his life. I would urge the people of Bihar to be vigilant. Nowadays, people are trying to steal even this title of ‘Jan Nayak’. Therefore, I urge the people of Bihar to be vigilant so that this honour bestowed upon Karpoori Thakur by the people is not stolen… the double engine government of NDA is continuously engaged in modernising the educational institutions of Bihar.” — ANI (@ANI) PM Modi blamed the “poor state” of education during the RJD rule for triggering large-scale migration from Bihar and lauded chief minister Nitish Kumar’s government for improving the situation. He said the state government has resolved to double employment generation in the next five years compared to the last two decades, aiming to ensure that young people find work within Bihar. He targeted the previous RJD regime, recalling how “schools would not open and few recruitments were made”, forcing students to migrate to other cities. “It is rather difficult to restore a tree whose roots are rotting, and this was the state of Bihar during the RJD rule,” he said. PM Modi unveiled youth-centric initiatives worth over Rs 62,000 crore, with a special focus on Bihar. He launched PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs), a centrally sponsored scheme worth Rs 60,000 crore, which aims to upgrade 1,000 government ITIs in a hub-and-spoke model. He also announced the revamped ‘Mukhyamantri Nishchay Svyam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana’, under which nearly five lakh graduates will receive a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 for two years, along with free skill training. Additionally, the redesigned Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme will provide interest-free education loans of up to Rs 4 lakh to ease the financial burden on students. The prime minister highlighted that India’s ITIs are not only crucial for industrial education but also function as workshops for ‘aatmanirbhar Bharat’. He noted that his government has opened 5,000 ITIs in the last decade, compared to 10,000 before 2014. The inauguration of the Karpoori Thakur Skill University is part of the broader effort to create industry-ready, globally competitive youth in the state, 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
NDA flays Rahul for ‘democracy in danger’ remark in Colombia
Patna: The ruling NDA in Bihar reacted sharply to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Colombia that democracy is in danger in India. BJP and JD(U) leaders accused him of being antinational in his lust for power. JD(U) national executive president and MP, Sanjay Kumar Jha, said, “While opposing a party or its leaders, they (Congress) end up opposing the country itself.” Addressing the students at EIA University in Colombia, Rahul Gandhi said the GoI policies of demonetisation and GST were designed to harm medium and small businesses. Uttar Pradesh deputy CM and BJP Bihar election co-incharge, Keshav Prasad Maurya, said Congress has become a psychopathic party with “Modi phobia”. He accused Rahul Gandhi of being desperate for power and making statements at the behest of antinational forces. Patna Sahib MP Ravi Shankar Prasad flayed Rahul for his statement that there is no democracy in India and people don’t have the freedom to speak. “If you go abroad and insult India, the public will not vote for you and you will not win the seats that you won this time. Now you’re praising China, saying India can’t become a major global power, but China can lead the world…Today, India is the world’s fourth largest economy and is on its way to becoming the third. You never miss an opportunity to insult India. We strongly condemn this,” 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
‘Confiscate diplomatic passport’: Nishikant Dubey hits out at Rahul Gandhi over Colombia speech; calls remarks ‘baseless’
NEW DELHI: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Friday demanded that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s diplomatic passport should be confiscated and legal action initiated. This comes after Gandhi’s visit to Colombia, where he accused the BJP-led central government of mounting a “wholesale attack on Indian democracy” during an interaction at EIA University. Congress leader claimed that India’s diversity of religions, traditions and languages requires space for dialogue. Gandhi added that the democratic system is the best way to ensure this. According to him, the government’s actions are undermining this system and threatening the democratic fabric of the country. Dubey alleged that Gandhi makes baseless statements abroad criticizing the Indian government. The BJP leader claimed that Gandhi’s speeches on the Constitution and government policies were comparable to remarks made by controversial figures abroad. Speaking to reporters, BJP MP said: “Rahul Gandhi goes abroad and speaks at length about the Constitution and makes baseless statements against the Indian government. This is similar to what Zakir Naik is saying from Malaysia, and Khalistan terrorist Pannu from Canada and the US.” “I think the time has come for his diplomatic passport to be confiscated and legal action should be taken against him,” he added. — ANI (@ANI) Dubey also criticized Congress for opposing the arrest of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was detained under the National Security Act in connection with the recent Leh violence in Ladakh. He alleged involvement of a “foreign power” behind Wangchuk’s activism and highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had fulfilled Ladakh’s long-standing demand for Union Territory status. The BJP MP further slammed the Congress for historical actions during the Emergency, citing the imprisonment of former BJP leader Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia and 82-year-old freedom fighter and former Andhra Pradesh Governor Bhim Sen Sachar. In a post on X, Dubey has also accused the party of hypocrisy. He said that Congress now sheds “crocodile tears” for those arrested in Leh while having previously persecuted political opponents. — nishikant_dubey (@nishikant_dubey) Dubey also pointed out that while Congress speaks about women’s rights and democracy, the party’s actions during the Emergency told a different story. Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia and Maharani Gayatri Devi were imprisoned and harassed and 82-year-old Bhim Sen Sachar was also sent to jail. Senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have urged the Centre to hold talks with the people of Ladakh, calling for a fair judicial inquiry into the violence that claimed four lives. Gandhi highlighted the case of a soldier’s son among the victims, demanding justice and condemning the government’s actions. Sonam Wangchuk is currently lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail following his detention under the National Security Act. 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 is not Ram… What angered Mulayam Singh Yadav’s younger daughter-in-law just after Dussehra?
UP News: In Bulandshahr, BJP leader Aparna Yadav called for teaching the history of the RSS in universities. She supported strict action against rioters and Pakistan supporters in the Bareilly violence. She also hit back at a banner depicting Rahul Gandhi as Ram. Varun Sharma, Bulandshahr: A major statement has been made by BJP leader Aparna Yadav in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh. She said that the history of the RSS should be taught in every university in the country so that the new generation can gain accurate knowledge of the organization’s contributions and working methods. Reacting to the Bareilly violence, Aparna Yadav said that the government has taken the right action against the rioters. She sternly stated that those who support Pakistan while living in India will not be spared under any circumstances and that the strictest action will be taken against them. Aparna Yadav also hit back at a banner at the Lucknow Congress office depicting Rahul Gandhi as Ram. Aparna Yadav’s statement Aparna said that Congress leaders consider themselves to be Ram, but in reality, they are making statements against India and tarnishing the country’s image. She sharply stated that Rahul Gandhi is merely engaging in “Pappugiri” and has nothing to do with the ideals of the real Ram. When questioned about the “I love love” slogan, Aparna Yadav clearly stated that it is a religious matter and every person in India has complete freedom to practice their religion. Regarding forming a government She said that our country cannot be run by one religion, because India is a secular country where every religion is respected. Expressing her views on the political future, Aparna Yadav claimed that the BJP will form the government in Uttar Pradesh with an absolute majority in the 2027 assembly elections. Edited by: Vishal Choubey About the author Vishal Choubey is a journalist at Navbharat Times Online. Vishal Choubey covers politics, crime, governance, and other issues in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Vishal studied journalism at Lucknow University and has three years of experience in journalism. Courtesy: Hindi News
Success will come through innovation, not collusion… Rahul Gandhi impressed by ‘Our Bajaj’ in Colombia
Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi is on a four-nation tour of South America today. He has posted on X-Ray after seeing the charisma of Indian bikes on the streets of Colombia. Rahul Gandhi has been accusing the Modi government of working for a few capitalists. Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi New Delhi: Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi says that Indian companies can achieve success through innovation, not crony capitalism. He made this statement in a post on X-Ray, referring to two-wheelers from some Indian companies on the streets of Colombia. Rahul Gandhi is currently on a four-nation tour of the South American continent. He has been accusing the Modi government of working for a few capitalists. Sharing a photo of a Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle in Colombia on X-Ray, Rahul Gandhi said, “I am proud to see Bajaj, Hero, and TVS performing so well in Colombia.” This demonstrates that Indian companies can achieve success through innovation, not crony capitalism.’ South America is a major market for Indian motorcycles. In 2024, India exported motorcycles worth $1.5 billion there. This represents 46% of India’s total motorcycle exports. The Charm of Indian Bikes After Mexico, Colombia is the second-largest market for Indian motorcycles in South America. Guatemala, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Honduras are also important markets for Indian motorcycles. In addition to South America, Indian motorcycle companies have also made a splash in Africa. China and the United States once dominated the region, but Indian companies have now overtaken them. Indian bikes are comparable in quality to American motorcycles, while their prices are comparable to Chinese motorcycles. This is why they are so popular in Africa. Rahul Gandhi, speaking at a dialogue program held at EIA University in Medellin, Colombia, on Thursday, claimed that the democratic system in India is currently under widespread attack, but that this is a significant risk that the country must overcome. He also said that it is important for the country to allow diverse traditions to flourish, as we cannot follow China, where people are oppressed and an authoritarian system is run. Curated by: Dil Prakash About the Author Dil Prakash is an Assistant Editor at Navbharat Times Digital. He has been associated with journalism for over 20 years, covering a wide range of topics, including sports, politics, Parliament, defense, and business. Dil Prakash has been with NBT Digital for over five years. He previously worked at Univarta and Business Standard. He also worked as an outside contributor at the BBC. Dil Prakash holds a PG Diploma in Journalism from the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Institute of Journalism in New Delhi. Courtesy: Hindi News
Azam Khan and Rahul Gandhi should be booked under the NSA… Why did Minister Ravindra Jaiswal call them traitors?
Independent Charge Minister of State in Uttar Pradesh, Ravindra Jaiswal, held a meeting with administrative officials in Ghazipur. During the meeting, he made a scathing statement against Rahul Gandhi and Azam Khan. Rahul Gandhi and Azam Khan, UP Politics Ghazipur: Ravindra Jaiswal, Minister of State in charge of the Stamps, Court Fees, and Registration Department of Uttar Pradesh, held a meeting with administrative officials in Ghazipur. He reviewed development work and law and order in the district during the meeting, held at the Public Works Department guest house. The minister directed officials to accelerate Mission Shakti 5.0, in accordance with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision, to promote the safety, protection, respect, and awareness of women and girls. He also emphasized the need to accelerate development work and maintain law and order. During his media interaction, he launched a political attack on Azam Khan and other opposition figures. Speaking to the media, Jaiswal sharply rebutted Azam Khan’s statement after his release from jail. Without naming anyone, he said that those who have just been released from jail spread poison in society. Strict action should be taken against those who spoil the atmosphere of the country. He advocated imposing the NSA on those who spread communalism and casteism, saying that no one has the right to spoil the atmosphere of society. Referring to the Bareilly riots, Ravindra Jaiswal said that this is Yogi Adityanath’s government. Those who create terrorism and destroy the atmosphere will not be spared. Ignorant people forget, but strict action reminds them. Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi’s foreign tour and his statement on Operation Sindoor, Ravindra Jaiswal said that anyone who commented on Operation Sindoor is a traitor. If he had his way, NSA should be imposed on such people too. Referring to the brave Abdul Hamid of Ghazipur, he said that we should talk about the true sons of the country. Edited by: Dhirendra Singh About the Author Dhirendra Singh is a senior journalist at Navbharat Times Online. He covers politics, crime, governance, and other issues. He also has experience in ground reporting in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir. He has nearly 11 years of experience in journalism, starting his career in Delhi. Courtesy: Hindi News
Mumbai Congress minority cell vice-chairman quits party, joins Ajit Pawar-led NCP
Mumbai: Congress minority cell (Mumbai) vice-chairman Haji Mudassar Patel quit the party and joined the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday. He had joined the Congress in 1995 as a youth activist. Patel, who was close to many past and present senior Congress leaders including Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Prithviraj Chavan and Sushilkumar Shinde, said he was upset with the way the party leadership treated junior leaders. He alleged that Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi has no time for genuine party workers. “This happened with Himanta Sarma Biswa, Ghulam Nabi Azad and many others. Now, I will put all my efforts behind NCP and strengthen the party in Mumbai and Maharashtra,” he said. Praising Ajit Pawar, Patel called him a visionary leader of Maharashtra who believes in action. “I truly trust his leadership. Under him, the minority community in the state will progress. He is genuinely concerned about our issues and problems, and that gives me confidence in the future,” Patel 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
Jat-OBC duo replaces Jat-Dalit leadership in Haryana – Congress’s big bet
For the first time in 18 years, the Haryana Congress has excluded Dalits from its leadership, raising questions about Rahul Gandhi’s vision of ‘social justice’. Gurugram: The Haryana Congress has made a major change by appointing Bhupinder Singh Hooda as the leader of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) and Rao Narendra Singh as the president of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC). Until now, the party’s top positions were held by Jat-Dalit leaders, but this time, a Jat-OBC leadership duo has emerged. For the first time in nearly two decades—more precisely, 18 years—there will be no Dalit face in the Haryana Congress leadership. Since 2007, the positions of Leader of the Opposition/Chief Minister and State President have been held by Jat-Dalit duos. Before the 2024 assembly elections, the Congress had expressed confidence in the Jat-Dalit duo of Hooda and Uday Bhan. The party had hoped to return to power after 10 years in opposition, but the result surprised not only the Haryana Congress but also the high command. The party then took almost a year to appoint new leaders to both positions. The new Jat-OBC leadership was announced on Monday. The Jat-Dalit alliance in the Haryana Congress began on August 7, 2007, when Phoolchand Mulana was appointed state president. The post fell vacant after Bhajan Lal’s resignation in 2006. In 2007, Bhajan Lal formed his own party, the Haryana Janhit Congress. Hooda remained CLP leader and Chief Minister during Mulana’s tenure, a position he held until October 2014. Following this, on February 14, 2014, the Congress appointed Sirsa MP and Dalit leader Ashok Tanwar as state president in Mulana’s place. Tanwar’s tenure lasted 5 years and 202 days. After Hooda stepped down as CLP leader in 2014, Jat leader Kiran Chaudhary held the position from 2014 to 2019, maintaining the Jat-Dalit alliance. Then, on September 4, 2019, Dalit leader Kumari Selja replaced Tanwar, and Hooda became CLP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly elections held that year. Thus, the Jat-Dalit alliance continued. On April 27, 2022, Dalit leader Uday Bhan replaced Selja, and this alliance continued until the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. According to data from the Centre for the Study of Democratic Societies (CSDS)-Lokniti, Haryana’s Scheduled Caste voters were divided between the BJP (40%) and the Congress (42%) in 2024. Of the 17 SC-reserved seats in the Assembly elections, the BJP won eight, while the Congress secured nine. Congress performed better in the Lok Sabha elections held this year. It countered the BJP’s “400 plus” slogan with the Constitution being in danger, garnering 68% of the Dalit vote. The BJP received only 24% of the Dalit vote. But after the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP government attempted to woo the poorest sections, particularly the Valmiki community, by creating sub-categories of Dalits. This severely challenged the Congress’s Dalit vote bank in the assembly elections. Dalits, who constitute 20-21% of the state’s population, have been a key pillar of Congress politics, but cracks are now appearing. Dalits are missing from the Haryana Congress leadership. This is the first time in 47 years that a Jat-OBC alliance has formed a top Congress party. This formula last operated from December 1972 to July 1977. At that time, OBC leader Rao Nihal Singh was the state president, and Jat leader Bansilal was the CLP leader. Bansilal held this position from 1968 to 1975. This year, for the first time, the Haryana Congress will have an OBC leader as its state president. However, the Congress party has never had an OBC Chief Minister. In 1967, Rao Birendra Singh served as Chief Minister for 241 days, representing his own “Vishal Haryana Party.” This decision by the Congress completely excludes Dalits from top party positions. Currently, no party in Haryana has a Dalit leader in a top position. The formation of a Jat-OBC alliance in the Haryana Congress is also surprising because Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has consistently advocated for the promotion of Dalit leaders since entering politics. In 2010, he visited Mirchpur, where Dalits were attacked by the Jat community. At that time, Bhupinder Singh Hooda was the Congress Chief Minister, and Rahul’s visit made him uncomfortable. Political analyst Jyoti Mishra, an assistant professor of political science at Amity University, Mohali, told ThePrint that the Congress high command, by appointing Rao Narendra Singh as HPCC president, has adopted the BJP’s line of OBC politics, but perhaps underestimated its potential consequences. Mishra said, “This decision cuts the Dalit thread within the party that Rahul Gandhi has painstakingly woven over the years. Even before 2007, the Dalit share was very low.” Before Phoolchand Mulana became state president on August 27, 2007, the Congress had only one Dalit president—Kumari Selja’s father, Dalbir Singh, who held the post for 220 days from November 3, 1979, to June 10, 1980. No Dalit has ever become the Chief Minister of Haryana. Political analyst Kushal Pal, principal of Indira Gandhi National College, Ladwa, told ThePrint that while the decision to appoint Rao Narendra Singh as president may seem like a lesson from the BJP, it was also a compulsion for the Congress as the party’s OBC vote bank has almost vanished. Pal said, “Due to the distance from the OBC community—Yadav, Gujjar, Saini, Kamboj—the Congress concentrated on southern Haryana, namely Gurugram, Faridabad, It has almost completely lost its base in Palwal, Rewari, and Mahendragarh. Nuh is the only district where the party can win, and that too because Meo Muslims do not vote for the BJP.” According to Pal, the coronation of Rao Narendra Singh will also provide personal benefits to Hooda. The Kosli assembly constituency falls within the Rohtak Lok Sabha constituency held by his son, Deepender Singh Hooda. Rao Narendra Singh’s Ahir community has a significant number of voters here. Sushil Manav Courtesy: Hindi News
Why did Rahul Gandhi suddenly leave for South America before the Bihar elections? BJP questions secrecy
Bihar Election 2025: The BJP has questioned Rahul Gandhi’s sudden departure for a four-nation trip to South America and the secrecy surrounding his schedule. The opposition has dismissed the BJP’s allegations as baseless. Patna: With just days left for the announcement of the Bihar Assembly elections, Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has embarked on a trip to South America. Why did Rahul Gandhi leave the heat of Bihar and head to South America just before the elections? On Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) questioned his trip, claiming that Rahul Gandhi was “missing.” The BJP accused Rahul Gandhi of maintaining excessive secrecy regarding his trip. However, opposition parties have defended Rahul Gandhi, calling the BJP’s allegations politically motivated and baseless. According to the Congress, Rahul Gandhi will meet leaders, university students, and members of the business community in the four countries during his trip. BJP leader Tuhin Sinha questioned the purpose and secrecy of Rahul Gandhi’s visit. He said, “Rahul Gandhi is a strange leader. He travels to South America to celebrate Navratri instead of participating in the Navratri pujas taking place in the country. If this trip is indeed an official visit, as Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera has claimed, then why the need for so much secrecy? Why hasn’t he shared his South America itinerary yet?” Calling Rahul Gandhi ‘missing’ will create a false impression The opposition immediately reacted to these comments by the BJP and defended the opposition leader. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi rejected the BJP’s claim that Rahul Gandhi is ‘missing.’ She said, “I think it’s wrong to say he’s missing. It’s not right to use the BJP’s narrative on this issue. The Congress has confirmed through its official spokesperson that he is meeting people in South America. Calling him missing will only create a false impression among the public.” Congress leader Rajesh Thakur also defended Rahul Gandhi’s visit. He compared his actions to those of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rajesh Thakur said, “He is not shameless like the Prime Minister, who is always focused on elections. Rahul Gandhi goes abroad to meet students and citizens of the country. He engages in meaningful conversations. This is not like Modi, who rushes to election sites for photo ops. BJP leaders are nervous. Their own members, Dilip Jaiswal, Sanjay Jaiswal, and Ashok Chaudhary, are under investigation. Their secrets are being exposed. Therefore, they are trying to divert attention by targeting Rahul Gandhi.” CPI-M called BJP’s comments foolish CPI-M leader Hannan Mollah called the BJP’s comments “foolish.” He said, “Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trip has nothing to do with the Bihar elections. He has been touring Bihar for a long time. He raised important issues like vote rigging and the Nitish Kumar government’s failures. I don’t think the BJP’s criticism should be taken seriously. Those comments are foolish.” Hannan Mollah completely rejected the BJP’s allegations. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RLD) leader Maluk Nagar also reacted to the issue. He said, “When elections are near and leaders travel abroad, they should consider how it affects the perception of the alliance. Congress is the largest party. Rahul Gandhi is its biggest leader. Therefore, these decisions should be carefully considered.” Maluk Nagar questioned the timing of Rahul Gandhi’s trip, but also acknowledged the importance of the Congress and Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi’s trip to South America was announced on Saturday by Pawan Khera, head of the Congress’s media and publicity department. However, he did not disclose the specific countries Rahul Gandhi will visit. Rahul will meet leaders, students, and business communities in four countries. Pawan Khera posted on X: “Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has embarked on a trip to South America. He will interact with leaders, university students, and members of the business community in four countries.” According to the Congress, this is Rahul Gandhi’s first foreign trip in September. The trip aims to deepen democratic, trade, and strategic ties. It builds on historic India-South America cooperation. It also strengthens solidarity among countries in the Global South. During his visit to Brazil and Colombia, Rahul Gandhi is expected to meet university students. He will also hold discussions with presidents and senior leaders to strengthen democratic and strategic ties. The party also stated that Gandhi will interact with business communities to explore new opportunities. This is especially important as India seeks to diversify trade and partnerships amid US tariffs. (Input from IANS) Curated by: Suryakant Pathak About the Author Suryakant Pathak is a consultant at Navbharat Times Online. He has been a journalist for 31 years. He writes news, analysis, and blogs on India’s international relations and political and social developments in India and the world. He began his career as a reporter at Dainik Bhaskar in 1995. Courtesy: Hindi News