‘SIR turned into weapon’: Rahul attacks BJP, says EC key accomplice in ‘vote chori’ conspiracy
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has been “turned into a weapon to dismantle the constitutional right” to vote. He further alleged that the EC “is no longer democracy’s guardian but chief accomplice in this vote theft conspiracy.” “Wherever there’s SIR, there’s vote theft. What is being done in Gujarat in the name of SIR is not any kind of administrative process, it is a well-planned, organised, and strategic vote chori,” he said in a post in Hindi on X. The Congress leader said that SIR undermines the principle of “one person, one vote” and allows the BJP, rather than voters, to decide who remains in power. “SIR has been turned into a weapon to dismantle the constitutional right to ‘one person, one vote’—so that it’s not the people, but the BJP, who decide who stays in power,” Rahul alleged. “And the gravest truth is that the Election Commission is no longer democracy’s guardian; it’s become the chief accomplice in this vote-theft conspiracy,” he added. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) Rahul claimed that votes were “selectively removed from specific communities and booths” that support the Congress. “Wherever the BJP sees a potential defeat, voters are simply made to disappear from the system,” he said. The Congress leader alleged that a similar pattern had been seen earlier. “This same pattern was seen in Aland. The same thing happened in Rajura. And now the same blueprint is being implemented in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and every state where SIR has been imposed,” he said. His remarks came after the Gujarat Congress alleged large-scale manipulation during the SIR process in the state. In a post on X, the party claimed that, “Election rigging means the theft of your voting rights, and this new game has come to light in Gujarat. According to the rules, the Election Commission, after the SIR, released the draft list and began accepting objections, setting January 18 as the final date. Only a handful of objections were received until January 15, but the real game began afterward. Under a conspiracy, millions of objections (Form 7) were suddenly submitted.” The state Congress further alleged that when the main opposition party sought details of the objections from the Election Commission, it received no response. “This is because the Election Commission has mortgaged both its responsibility and accountability to the ruling party,” the state unit claimed. 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 appoints 29 observers amid alliance debate in Bihar
Patna: A day after state Congress legislators and senior functionaries met party president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in Delhi amid talks of a split and strain in the alliance with RJD, the All India Congress Committee on Saturday appointed 29 observers “for the selection of district presidents” to revamp the organisation following the humiliating defeat of the opposition Mahagathbandhan in the Bihar elections. Meanwhile, the RJD national executive committee meeting is scheduled to be held in Patna on Sunday. As Valmikinagar MLA Surendra Prasad told reporters that legislators conveyed their opinion to the leadership to sever ties with RJD and strengthen the organisation for “better results” in the future, union minister and HAM(S) founder Jitan Ram Manjhi said it would be good for Congress if it decided to break away from RJD. “Bahut der kar di hujoor aate aate (took too long to arrive). Except a few, people in general hate RJD,” Manjhi said during his ‘Litti with Manjhi’ programme in Patna, which was attended, among others, by governor Arif Mohammed Khan and CM Nitish Kumar. Surendra Prasad said Congress would try to contest the next elections on its own. He told the media that Rahul Gandhi had also given his consent. On speculation about Congress MLAs deserting the party, he said they assured Rahul that they had emerged victorious even amid the NDA wave and would not go anywhere. However, Chanpatia MLA Abhishek Ranjan told this newspaper on Saturday that no such decision was taken by the central leadership regarding severing ties with RJD. “The Delhi meeting on Friday was held to discuss strengthening Congress at district and block levels. RJD is still our respected ally. Some leaders may have their personal opinions on the alliance,” he said. Abhishek also denied reports of a possible change in the state Congress president and said discussions focused on reorganising the party at district and block levels, followed by booth-level strengthening. Sources said Purnia MP Pappu Yadav, who was a special invitee to the meeting, along with a few legislators and leaders, requested the central leadership to go solo in Bihar if the party was to regain lost ground. Congress won only six assembly seats in the Nov elections, compared to 19 in the 2020 polls. Senior Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan has categorically stated that the party suffered in the assembly elections due to RJD’s image and the alliance. 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
Get favourable trade deal with US: Rahul to PM
NEW DELHI: Arguing that US tariffs are hurting the job-intensive textile sector and calling Indian economy as “dead”, Congress’ Rahul Gandhi Friday urged PM Modi to show “accountability” and secure a favourable trade deal with US. Posting on X a video of his visit to a textile factory in Haryana, Rahul said, “50% US tariffs are badly hurting India’s textile exporters. Job losses, factory shutdowns and reduced orders are a reality of our ‘Dead Economy’. PM Modi has offered no relief or even spoken about tariffs, even though more than 4.5 crore jobs and lakhs of businesses are at stake (sic).” He posted with the hashtag “TINA – there is no accountability”. Rahul said India has to secure a trade deal with US that puts Indian businesses and workers first, as he asserted that “PM Modi must not allow his ‘own weakness’ to impact the economy any further”. 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
Upset over Rahul ‘snub’, Tharoor skips poll meet with Cong brass, goes for lit fest instead
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor did not attend the meeting of Kerala state leadership with AICC high command Friday amid reports that he is upset over a recent “snub”, even as the party stepped up planning for the upcoming state polls scheduled for mid-2026 and urged netas to put up a united fight. AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi met important netas of the Kerala unit for discussion on poll campaign strategy and seat-sharing with allies. Among those who took part in the session were AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, special poll observer Sachin Pilot, senior neta Ramesh Chennithala, state president Sunny Thomas, LoP V D Satheesan, MPs Kodikunnil Suresh, Adoor Prakash, among others. However, Tharoor did not attend despite an invitation. The Thiruvananthapuram MP was in Kozhikode for Kerala Literature Festival where, sources said, he had a lecture scheduled on an important social reformer. Sources said he had informed the party about his inability to attend the meeting. However, Tharoor is said to be upset that Rahul did not acknowledge him while he mentioned other netas on the dais during Kochi “mahapanchayat” organised after UDF’s victory in local body elections. Tharoor is said to have told the party about his unhappiness about the “snub”. To media queries, party’s state incharge Deepa Dasmunshi denied that Tharoor was unhappy with Congress. The events before Kochi had suggested a thaw between Tharoor and the party, after the MP’s repeated statements and political stance over myriad issues had embarrassed the Congress brass. The repeated clashes between him and Congress had even triggered speculations that Tharoor was searching for political space outside Congress. For Kerala polls, Congress is also discussing the return of estranged ally Kerala Congress (Mani). The party has to decide whether MPs will be fielded in state polls, even as it is almost final that most of the MLAs will be repeated. A comfortable victory for UDF alliance over the governing Left bloc in the local body elections last month rekindled hopes about its prospects in the assembly polls. 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 dismisses defection buzz as state MLAs meet Kharge, Rahul
Patna/New Delhi: The Congress on Friday dismissed reports that its six newly elected MLAs in Bihar were on the verge of deserting the party, even as the legislators attended a closed-door meeting with the party’s top leadership in Delhi and were asked to step up public engagement across the state. The meeting, held at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, was attended by leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, along with the six MLAs and senior leaders from Bihar. The interaction came amid speculation triggered by the delay in the appointment of the Congress legislature party (CLP) leader in the Bihar assembly and rumours of possible defections to the JD(U). After the meeting, Venugopal rubbished the speculation. “There were rumours that all our MLAs are deserting our party. But they were present in the meeting. These are all bogus news. These types of rumours being spread against the Congress are completely baseless,” he said. The high command also directed the MLAs and senior state leaders to actively take up both major and local issues of public concern and carry the party’s ideology directly to the people. This instruction was issued even as the decision on the CLP leader was deferred. “The matter related to the selection of the CLP leader was discussed at the meeting with the high command. It would be announced shortly by the high command,” a senior Congress lawmaker from the state, who attended the meeting, said. He added that the discussions were held in a “very cordial atmosphere”. Another party source said all six MLAs were present and each of them, along with MPs and MLCs, shared their views and concerns about the state unit. “None of the six MLAs absented themselves from the meeting,” the source said. Former state Congress chief Madan Mohan Jha said, “The participants returned happy and satisfied.” According to party sources, the meeting reviewed the assembly election outcome, organisational issues and the delay in naming the CLP leader, even as the budget session of the Bihar assembly is scheduled to begin from Feb 2. Rahul urged leaders to consistently raise people’s issues before the govt and return to the public, while Kharge stressed sustained mobilisation on the streets to rebuild the party in Bihar. 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
Dalit winner MIM BMC group leader
Mumbai: Vijay Ubale, a dalit who won from ward 140 in Govandi in the BMC polls, is AIMIM’s group leader in the civic body, said former MLA and party leader Waris Pathan. “The appointment is aligned with the party’s attempt to empower weaker sections,” he said. tnn 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
10 Army personnel killed in a heartbreaking accident in Doda… PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge express grief
Ten soldiers were killed when an army vehicle fell into a deep gorge in Doda district. PM Modi, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi expressed their condolences over the accident. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday expressed grief over the death of 10 soldiers in an accident in which an army vehicle fell into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district. Expressing grief over the accident, PM Modi said that we have lost our brave army personnel. Their service to the nation will always be remembered. The PM prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He said that all possible help is being provided to those affected. An army vehicle fell into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Thursday, killing 10 soldiers and injuring 11 others. Immediate need for road safety measures Congress President Kharge posted on the social media platform ‘X’ that he was deeply saddened by the tragic vehicle accident in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, in which several army personnel made the supreme sacrifice and many others were injured. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families and loved ones. The nation stands united in profound grief, and we pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. He also said that many such accidents have occurred in the past. There is an urgent need to strengthen road infrastructure, improve mobility in difficult terrains, and implement road safety measures to prevent such heartbreaking losses. Rahul and Priyanka pay tribute to the martyrs Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, posted on ‘X’, “The news of the death of several of our soldiers and the injury of many others in the accident where an army vehicle fell into a gorge in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, is extremely painful. I pay my humble tribute to the martyrs and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured soldiers.” He said, “In this hour of grief, we all stand with the bereaved families of our brave soldiers.” Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expressed grief over the deaths of the soldiers. Priyanka Gandhi posted on ‘X’, “The news of the martyrdom of several soldiers due to the army vehicle falling into a deep gorge in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, is extremely saddening. May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured soldiers.” Edited by: Anil Kumar About the Author Anil Kumar is part of the homepage team at Navbharat Times Digital. He has about 16 years of experience in both print and digital media. He has been associated with Navbharat Times Online since January 2021. He writes news and analysis related to politics and current affairs for the India and Delhi sections on the homepage. Courtesy: Hindi News
Follow the path shown by farmers to compel govt to withdraw G RAM G law, Rahul tells MGNREGA workers
New Delhi: Recalling how the “united resistance” mounted by farmer led protests forced the Central govt to roll back the three farm laws, leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called out to MGNREGA workers to take the path shown by the farmers by putting up a united fight to demand the withdrawal of the new law – Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act.Referring to the BJP and the Central govt, Gandhi said, “Here is the only way to stop them, workers have been shown the way by farmers. I know these people, they are cowards. If we all stand together, they will be forced to restore MGNREGA,” he said, citing the example of farm laws. He was speaking at the ‘MGNREGA workers convention’ organised by the opposition party at Jawahar Bhawan in Delhi that brought together workers and activists from various states. Gandhi alleged the idea of BJP behind the new law that replaced MGNREGA was to dismantle “the “guaranteed right to work and right to demand work” and enable “centralisation” where the “Central government will decide where the money will be allocated, and naturally, the BJP-ruled states will get more and the Opposition-ruled states less”. “These people want to take India back to pre-independence days where one King used to decide everything,” he alleged. At the meet, Gandhi along with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior leaders stood in solidarity with workers who shared their concerns and fears about the new law and raised slogans. Adorning the traditional labourer’s ‘gamchha’ on their head and holding spades on their shoulders, Kharge and Gandhi also posed with workers who in a symbolic gesture brought soil from their respective MGNREGA worksites and added it to tree saplings in what was seen to convey a message of unity and collective struggle. The Congress plans to build on the message by reaching out to gram sabhas and hold larger outreach programmes under its ongoing ‘MGNREGA Bachao Sangram”. Kharge alleged that the dismantling of MGNREGA by the Modi govt was part of a “conspiracy to erase Mahatma Gandhi’s name from public memory”and an attempt to turn the oppressed and downtrodden people of the country into “bonded labourers”. He said the party will raise the issue during the upcoming Budget session of Parliament. Gandhi claimed that scrapping of MGNREGA amounted to an attack on the Constitution, the same way the Modi govt had attacked it by bringing in “three black farm laws, demonetisation and the flawed implementation of the GST” and this new law now. “What is the name of this new law ….I don’t know,” Gandhi said. In response some in the audience spoke out saying “VB-G RAM G”. 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
Don’t air internal issues in public: Congress warns Punjab leaders; no ‘group activity’ to be tolerated
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Thursday issued a stern warning to its Punjab leaders, asking them to stop airing internal differences in public or fuelling factionalism. The party asked them to instead work together to ensure Congress return to power in the upcoming 2027 assembly elections. The order came during a three-hour meeting convened by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence in New Delhi, which was also attended by Rahul Gandhi, amid reports of infighting within the state unit, news agency PTI reported. Punjab goes to the polls in early 2027, and Congress is aiming to reclaim the state from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Party leaders were asked to refrain from making statements against one another and were assured that there would be no immediate change in the state leadership. The high command, they were informed, would take decisions on candidate selection and campaign strategy in due course. AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said Kharge and Gandhi reviewed the political situation in Punjab and heard the views of state leaders, describing the discussions as “very fruitful”. “The party has directed all leaders to refrain from making public statements on internal matters. Everyone may have their own views, but these should be raised only within party forums. Going to the media or spreading such issues on social media will not be tolerated,” Venugopal told reporters. He said the leadership had given a “very clear direction” and that all leaders present had unanimously agreed to it. On speculation about a leadership change in Punjab, Venugopal said there was “no question of it at present”. Addressing concerns raised by some leaders over representation of weaker sections, Venugopal said the Congress remained committed to ensuring adequate representation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs and economically weaker sections, including in Punjab. However, he stressed that such issues must be raised internally. “We have told the state leadership not to make statements in public. From tomorrow onwards, you will see the Congress united. We will fight the elections together and win Punjab,” he said. On reports of some leaders writing jointly to Rahul Gandhi seeking a separate discussion, Venugopal said individual requests were acceptable but “group activities” would not be tolerated. “If anyone wants to meet Rahul ji, they can write individually,” he said, adding that Kharge and Gandhi were planning a visit to Punjab soon. 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
Kashi court summons Rahul over Sikh remarks
Varanasi: The court of Special Judge (MP-MLA) Yajuvendra Bikram Singh issued a notice to Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, asking him to appear before it and record his statement for allegedly tarnishing India’s image with his remarks on freedom of Sikhs in the country, during his visit to the US. The court issued this notice on Tuesday, and it was sent through registered post to him on Wednesday, said Alakh Narain Rai, the lawyer of petitioner Nageshwar Mishra. The latter filed a revision petition before the court for legal action against the Congress MP, alleging that during his past visit to the US, he tried to tarnish India’s image by stating that the Sikh community did not have religious freedom in India. This posed a risk of civil war erupting. Rai said that initially this petition was moved before the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate-IV (MP-MLA), where it was dismissed on Oct 17, 2025. After this, a revision petition was filed. 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