Youth must follow Chandy’s path, says Rahul Gandhi
Kottayam: A remembrance meet was held on Friday commemorating the second death anniversary of former chief minister Oommen Chandy at St George Orthodox Syrian Church in Puthuppally. Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi fondly remembered Chandy saying that the former chief minister was a guru to him in many ways and was a guru for many people in Kerala. The Congress leader also said that a guru shows directions through his actions, and Chandy showed us the direction not by talking or thinking, but through his actions. Gandhi also urged the youth in the state to follow Chandy’s footsteps. Gandhi said that in the 21 years of his political life, Chandy was a great influence as he was the master of understanding people’s feelings. “I literally saw him kill himself for the people of Kerala,” said Gandhi, referring to Chandy’s participation in the Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022 during which the former chief minister walked alongside Gandhi despite doctors’ request against doing so. Gandhi recollected that when he told Chandy about what the doctors said, he refused to obey. Gandhi said he finally managed to persuade Chandy to stop walking after a certain distance. “We had to literally forcibly take him back to the car,” said Gandhi, adding that only a leader who feels for the people can do that. “For me, Chandy is not just an individual but an expression of Kerala politics. My aspiration is to develop more and more people like Chandy,” Gandhi added. Gandhi also said that he learned a lot from Chandy. “He got the most brutal and unfair political attack on him, which I would say was a criminal attack. Non-stop lies were spread about him. I used to talk to him over the phone regularly those days. I never heard him speak angrily about anyone. He was always balanced and humble,” he said. Gandhi said Chandy implemented cochlear implantation for children with hearing loss. This is a very rare disease, and he did not undertake this aiming for a vote bank. He only wanted every single child to hear the voice of others. “This is the politics of realising the feelings of others,” he said, adding that this is where he fights with the ideologies of RSS and CPM. “My biggest complaint is that they do not have a feeling for people,” he said. “You are not a leader if you do not feel with the people or if you are not ready to connect with the people,” he said. Gandhi also said that the biggest tragedy of Indian politics is that there are only a few people who actually feel what others are feeling. Gandhi concluded by stating that it was a great honour for him to take part in the remembrance meet. During the function, Gandhi inaugurated the Smrithi Tharangam programme implemented by KPCC. KPCC president Sunny Joseph presided over the event. Gandhi also handed over the keys of 11 houses constructed by Oommen Chandy Foundation. Various religious leaders, Congress leaders and people’s representatives spoke on the occasion. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
BC quota: Telangana Congress MPs to raise issue in Parl session
HYDERABAD: Congress MPs from Telangana have decided to raise the issue of including the enhanced 42% BC reservations in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution during the monsoon session of Parliament. They will also seek the support of INDIA bloc MPs to put pressure on the Centre to act on the matter. In this context, chief minister A Revanth Reddy is scheduled to visit Delhi next week for two to three days, likely starting July 21. During his trip, he will meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and make a powerpoint presentation to INDIA bloc MPs on the recent caste survey conducted in Telangana. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Bihar SIR: Rahul Gandhi repeats voter theft charge; asks if EC is now BJP’s ‘election chori’ branch
NEW DELHI: Congress MP and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday accused the Election Commission of acting as the BJP’s “election chori wing,” claiming it is helping the saffron party commit voter fraud ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly polls. He reposted a video on X, which claims that government officials were filling out voter forms and signing them without the knowledge of the voters. Rahul Gandhi's post on X Rahul Gandhi questioned whether the Election Commission is still neutral or has become BJP’s “Election Theft” wing.In a post on X, he wrote, “In Bihar, the Election Commission was caught red-handed stealing votes in the name of ‘SIR’. Their job is just theft, named ‘SIR’ – an FIR will be filed against those who expose them! Is the EC still the ‘Election Commission’ or has it completely become BJP’s ‘Election Theft’ wing?” This is not the first time former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has questioned the poll body. He has done so on multiple occasions. Referring to Maharashtra election results, he even wrote a detailed article in a daily newspaper, sparking widespread debate over the credibility and impartiality of the EC. On July 10, the Supreme Court allowed the poll body to continue with its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The top court advised the EC to consider accepting Aadhaar, ration card, and voter ID as valid proof of identity. The court said in its order, “We are of the prima facie opinion that in the interest of justice, the Election Commission will also include documents like Aadhaar, Ration Card, Voter ID card, etc. It is for the ECI to decide whether it wants to accept the documents or not, and if it does not, then provide reasons for its decision, which shall be sufficient to satisfy the petitioners. Meanwhile, petitioners are not pressing for an interim stay.” According to the EC, by Saturday evening, 80.11 percent of voters in Bihar had submitted their forms. The commission is aiming to complete the process before the deadline of July 25. The Bihar assembly elections are expected to take place in October or November this year, but the EC has not yet announced an official date. In the upcoming elections, the NDA alliance, made up of BJP, JD(U), and LJP, will try to retain power. The INDIA bloc, consisting of RJD, Congress, and Left parties — will try to defeat CM Nitish Kumar. At present, the Bihar Assembly has 243 seats. The NDA holds 131 of these, BJP has 80 MLAs, JD(U) has 45, HAM(S) has 4, and there are 2 independent MLAs. The INDIA bloc has 111 members — RJD with 77, Congress with 19, CPI(ML) with 11, CPI(M) with 2, and CPI with 2. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Traffic restrictions in Thiruvananthapuram city due to Rahul Gandhi’s visit
Thiruvananthapuram: There will be traffic restrictions in some parts of the city from 11am to 4pm on Friday. The restrictions, police said, were in connection with the visit of Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. The traffic restrictions are planned along Vetturoad, Kazhakkoottam, Infosys, Thampuran Mukku, Kuzhivila, LuLu Mall, Loards, Chackai, Petta, Pattur, General Hospital Junction, Ashan Square, Panavila, Vazhuthacaud, Cotton Hill School Road, Eswara Vilasam Road, Carmel School Road, All Saints College Road, Enchakkal and Domestic Airport Road. Those who go to the airport should plan their travel in advance, considering the restrictions. Parking of vehicles on either side of the above-mentioned stretches should be avoided, a statement from the police assistant commissioner, Traffic (North), said. Vehicles travelling towards Vellayambalam, Vazhuthacaud, Women’s College and Bakery Junction may go through Kowdiar, Kuravankonam and PMJ Junction. Vehicles that go to Ashan Square, General Hospital, Petta and Chackai should take the route via Palayam, PMG, Patom, Kumarapuram and Venpalavattom. Vehicles that move to Chackai, All Saints, and Shanghumugham area may take Vettukad, Kochuveli and Venpalavattom Road. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Rahul to lead Chandy’s memorial event
Kottayam: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will lead the commemoration of former chief minister Oommen Chandy’s second death anniversary in Puthuppally on Friday. The remembrance meeting is scheduled for 10am at Puthuppally Church premises. He will hand over keys to 12 houses built by the Oommen Chandy Foundation and launch KPCC charity programmes. Gandhi will visit Chandy’s tomb on Friday morning to offer floral tributes. He will also visit Puthuppally Church before the main ceremony, which will be presided over by KPCC chief Sunny Joseph. TNN Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
“State Has Been Downgraded…” Rahul, Kharge Write to PM Modi Demanding Statehood for J&K
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have written a joint letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. They called the demand a “legitimate” and “constitutional” aspiration of the people. The letter highlights that J&K’s downgrade from a state to a Union Territory is unprecedented in independent India’s history. The Congress leaders also reminded the Prime Minister of his past promises and statements assuring statehood for the region. The letter comes just ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, intensifying pressure on the Centre to act Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Rahul Gandhi: Assam CM considers himself a ‘king’, Congress’s Babbar Sher will send him to jail, neither Modi nor Shah will be able to save him! Rahul Gandhi’s big attack
Rahul Gandhi targeted the CM of Assam. He said that the CM considers himself a king. But his time is about to end now. He claimed that the CM will soon be in jail. Rahul Gandhi said this at the Congress meeting in Chaygaon. He addressed the party workers. Guwahati: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi visited Assam on Wednesday. They held meetings with party leaders. Strengthening the organization and future plans were discussed in these meetings. Rahul Gandhi accused Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of corruption in a meeting in Chaygaon. He said that the Chief Minister will soon be in jail. He also attacked the ideology of RSS. Himanta Biswa Sarma will be in jail Rahul Gandhi said many important things in the party meeting in Chaygaon. He targeted Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He said that the Chief Minister of Assam considers himself a ‘king’, but he will soon be in jail. He said that the Chief Minister of Assam is the most corrupt Chief Minister of India and in a short time the Babbar lions of Congress will send him to jail. The fear of this is clearly visible in his eyes. Because now neither Narendra Modi nor Amit Shah will be able to save him! He also said that the Chief Minister of Assam and his family will be held accountable for corruption. Election Commission and BJP working together The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said that fear prevails in your Chief Minister, he knows that fearless Congress workers will put him in jail. He alleged that the Election Commission and the BJP are working together. He claimed that the BJP won the Maharashtra Assembly elections by rigging through voter list amendment. The media is no longer our friend Gandhi said that they are adopting the same tactics in Bihar and will do the same in Assam. We have to be careful. The former Congress President said that the media is no longer our friend. They are not showing the truth. They are only showing Adani, Ambani, Chief Minister, Modi and Shah. However, Gandhi claimed that this will not help as Congress will win a landslide victory in the assembly elections to be held in Assam next year. Taken a dig at RSS The Congress leader said that there is a battle of ideologies going on in the country. RSS’s hatred and violence versus Congress’s truth and non-violence. Rahul Gandhi claimed that now there are two Hindustans – one of those few billionaires who hold lavish weddings, the other of those common people who are burdened with taxes. (Input agency) Curated by: Sujit Upadhyay About the author Sujit Upadhyay completed his MA in Mass Communication from HNB Garhwal University Srinagar, Uttarakhand. After this, he worked as a reporter in Hindustan and Dainik Jagran. Started digital with Zee Media. After working for two years at India.com Hindi, he joined Navbharat Times Online. Courtesy: Hindi News
Should ghosts vote in Bihar, BJP asks Rahul
Patna: The BJP has taken a swipe at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his criticism of the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. BJP state spokesperson Neeraj Kumar on Wednesday questioned the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, asking whether he wanted “bhoot-pret” (ghosts) to vote in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. While addressing a rally in Assam on Wednesday, Rahul alleged that a new voter list was being prepared in Bihar by removing the names of lakhs of people. “I want to warn the people of Assam that what they (BJP) did in Maharashtra and what they are trying to do in Bihar, they will try to do the same in Assam as well. It is the responsibility of all of you and us that we do not let them do this,” Rahul said. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI) report released on Wednesday, more than 35 lakh (35,69,435) of the total 7.90 crore voters in Bihar were not found at their addresses. “Probably 12,55,620 (1.59%) of them were deceased electors and 17,37,336 (2.2%) have probably shifted permanently so far,” the ECI stated. The BJP’s Neeraj claimed the Congress and RJD wanted even the dead to vote. “The names of those who have died in the last 22 years are still present in the voter list. Should the ECI not remove their names? Does Congress want infiltrators and illegal citizens to vote too? Congress wants to win elections with the help of fake voters,” Neeraj alleged. “Article 326 makes it clear that only Indian citizens have the right to vote. But Congress is constantly opposing constitutional institutions,” he said. BJP ally HAM(S) national president and minister Santosh Suman also criticised the RJD, claiming they had no remorse for the 15 years of jungle raj and were once again trying to scare the people of Bihar to garner votes. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Rahul predicts jail for Himanta after 2026 polls; he himself is out on bail in multiple criminal cases: Himanta
Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and LoP Rahul Gandhi engaged in a verbal duel on Wednesday with the Congress leader heaping corruption charges on Himanta and predicting a jail term, while Himanta in turn took to social media to remind that it was Gandhi who was out of bail in multiple criminal cases. In a fiery address to Congress workers in Chaygaon near Guwahati, Gandhi said the Assam CM will face imprisonment after the 2026 assembly elections for corruption and claimed that the CM considers himself a “raja” while allegedly misappropriating state resources. Gandhi accused Sarma of transferring Assam’s land and resources to major corporations like Adani and Ambani, alleging that the CM operates with a sense of fear due to his corrupt practices. “The small businessmen, farmers, and workers are being finished. And India’s jal-jangal-jameen-dhan is being handed over to five to six billionaires,” he said. Gandhi’s remarks come amid heightened political tensions in Assam, with the Congress leader emphasizing that Sarma’s alleged corrupt activities will be exposed by the state’s youth, farmers, and workers. In response, Sarma took to social media, revealing that Gandhi had made similar statements during a closed-door meeting with Congress leaders in Guwahati. Sarma dismissed Gandhi’s claims, suggesting that the Congress leader should focus on his own legal challenges. “He came all the way to Assam just to say this, conveniently forgetting that he himself is out on bail in multiple criminal cases registered across the country. My best wishes to you, Rahul Ji. Enjoy the hospitality of Assam for the rest of the day,” Sarma wrote on X. Gandhi expressed confidence in Congress’s prospects in the 2026 elections, praising the leadership of Gaurav Gogoi, the new PCC president. “In Assam, we have readied a new team. I congratulate Gaurav Gogoi and his team. You people have started your work and the people of Assam, and we will soon see the results,” Gandhi said. The Congress leader also raised concerns about potential voter list manipulation, citing alleged irregularities in Maharashtra’s elections and warning of similar tactics in Assam. Sarma said Rahul Gandhi came to Assam only to criticise him. “Shri Rahul Gandhi visited Assam today solely to criticise me. He mentioned my name repeatedly in all his meetings. I must say, I am grateful — because today, he elevated my political stature to a level I might never have reached if I remained in the Congress party. It is indeed a day of great satisfaction,” he wrote on X. “After all, if Rahul Gandhi chose to criticise me, it is a clear sign that I must be doing something right for the people of Assam,” Sarma added. Gandhi’s speech underscored the ideological battle between Congress and BJP, framing it as a struggle between unity and division. He called on Congress workers to remain vigilant and committed to the party’s principles of truth and non-violence. As the political landscape in Assam heats up, Gandhi’s allegations and predictions set the stage for a contentious lead-up to the 2026 assembly elections, with both parties gearing up for a fierce electoral battle. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Rahul appears in Lucknow court in defamation case, gets bail
Lucknow: A Lucknow court on Tuesday granted bail to the leader of opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi after he made an appearance in a defamation case filed over his purported remarks on Army personnel. The court accepted Rahul Gandhi’s bail application and released him on a personal bond of Rs 20,000 along with two sureties of the same amount. The court had earlier issued him summons on February 11, after finding a prima facie case against Gandhi. He appeared in person on Tuesday before additional chief judicial magistrate Alok Verma in compliance with the summons. The case, based on a criminal complaint filed by former BRO director Uday Shankar Srivastava, alleged that Gandhi’s 2022 comments during his Bharat Jodo Yatra had caused reputational harm to the Indian Army and insulted the dignity of soldiers. While Gandhi’s counsel Pranshu Agarwal argued for bail citing his innocence and his status as a sitting MP with no flight risk, complainant’s lawyer Viki Tiwari asserted that the accused attempted to demoralise the armed forces. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court observed that the alleged offence under IPC Section 500 — pertaining to criminal defamation — is punishable with up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine or both. Referring to Supreme Court guidelines in Satender Kumar Antil vs. CBI & Others (2022) 10 SCC 51, the magistrate said that the case is triable under summons procedure and does not warrant custody at this stage. Accordingly, the court accepted Rahul Gandhi’s bail application and released him on a personal bond of Rs20,000 along with two sureties of the same amount. The bail was granted with the following conditions: The accused must fully cooperate with the judicial proceedings; and he must submit a written undertaking to appear either in person or through counsel on each date of hearing and be personally present when required by the court. Gandhi appeared in a courtroom full of lawyers. He was taken to the judge’s chamber where the formalities of filing bond and sureties took place. Gandhi was summoned as an accused after the court took cognisance of the defamation complaint. The Congress leader had moved high court but failed to get a relief. Gandhi came to court accompanied by party’s state unit president Ajay Rai and in-charge Avinash Pande. Courtesy : TTOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetimesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.