‘Don’t let BJP change narrative’: Mahua Moitra’s message to Wangchuk over LoP Rahul Gandhi ‘s absence from protest
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra on Thursday expressed support for activist Sonam Wangchuk, while accusing the BJP of attempting to divert attention from the issues raised by his hunger strike. In a post on X, Moitra wrote, “Sir @Wangchuk66 we are with you. But it is about BJP govt’s shamelessness & pettiness. Let’s not let BJP ecosystem make this about LoP who frankly was first to say education minister must be sacked & has always walked the talk on this issue.” Sir @Wangchuk66 we are with you. But it is about BJP govt’s shamelessness & pettiness. Let’s not let BJP ecosystem make this about LoP who frankly was first to say Education Minister must be sacked & has always walked the talk on this issue. Moitra’s remarks came in support as questions mounted over LoP Rahul Gandhi’s absence from Wangchuk’s hunger strike at Jantar Mantar against alleged irregularities in NEET and other examinations. ‘Rahul Gandhi’s absence isn’t the real issue’ CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on Wednesday dismissed the growing focus on Rahul Gandhi’s absence from the Sonam Wangchuk protest, saying it was distracting from the movement’s core demands. In a post on X, Dipke urged people to focus on holding the government accountable instead of questioning why Opposition leaders or even CJP members were not fasting alongside Wangchuk. “Instead of asking why opposition leader hasn’t supported CJP, or why every CJP team member isn’t on a hunger strike alongside Sonam sir, ask the questions that actually matter. Why is the Prime Minister refusing to engage in a dialogue? Why is the Education Minister still not being held accountable? These are the questions that deserve answers, not distractions that only help shield those in power from accountability,” he wrote. Instead of asking why opposition leader hasn’t supported CJP, or why every CJP team member isn’t on a hunger strike alongside Sonam sir, ask the questions that actually matter. Why is the Prime Minister refusing to engage in a dialogue? Why is the Education Minister still not… Wangchuk’s health has become a growing concern as his hunger strike entered its 19th day. According to organisers, he has lost 8.5 kg since beginning the fast on June 28. Several Opposition leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav and Arvind Kejriwal, have appealed to Wangchuk to end his hunger strike while assuring him of their continued support for the movement. The protest, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), is demanding the resignation of the Union education minister over alleged irregularities in NEET and other examinations, with a march to Parliament planned on July 20. 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
Pawar vs power: NCP (SP) leaders push for BJP alliance as Sharad Pawar resists
As Supriya Sule categorically rejected reports of an NDA switch, sources say six of the NCP (SP)’s 10 Lok Sabha MPs and nine of its 10 MLAs favour joining hands with the BJP. MUMBAI: Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) appears to be facing internal divisions over the prospect of joining hands with the BJP, with party sources indicating that while Pawar wants to keep his distance, several Lok Sabha MPs and MLAs favour exploring an alliance with the ruling party. According to party sources, the 86-year-old Pawar has categorically conveyed to senior party leaders that he is not comfortable joining hands with the BJP at the fag end of his political career. However, those in favour of the move believe they should initiate talks with the BJP and assess what it is willing to offer. The buzz in the Opposition camp comes weeks after six MPs of Maha Vikas Aghadi ally Shiv Sena (UBT) switched to ruling Shiv Sena. The NCP (SP)’s stand on the BJP’s proposed Delimitation Bill is likely to emerge as a litmus test for Sharad Pawar and his daughter, Supriya Sule, signalling where the party intends to position itself in Maharashtra’s evolving political landscape. The issue gained prominence on Wednesday after Sule, the party’s working president, said there would be “little reason to oppose” the Bill if it proposed a uniform 50% increase in seats across all states. Sule, however, said any decision on supporting the legislation would be taken only after discussions within the INDIA bloc. Rejecting speculation about the NCP (SP) joining the ruling alliance, Sule said the media had been predicting her swearing-in and ministerial portfolio for the past 12 years. Notably, the NCP (SP) has 10 Lok Sabha MPs. Of them, six are reportedly keen to join the BJP-led government at the Centre, while two — Sule and Amol Kolhe — are opposed to the move. Similarly, nine of the party’s 10 MLAs are said to favour joining hands with the BJP, with Rohit Pawar the lone dissenter. Interestingly, Rohit has conveyed to the party leadership that he is prepared to make sacrifices and continue fighting the BJP. He has also said that he is less concerned about three years in power than the next 30 years of his political future and that of Maharashtra. Rohit, the grandnephew of Sharad Pawar, has also opened a channel with the Congress and is in direct touch with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should he decide to join the party. Rahul is also reportedly keen to induct Pawar into the Congress because of his willingness to take on the BJP. Meanwhile, senior NCP leader Jayant Patil has reportedly opened channels of communication with the BJP through two senior leaders, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde. “Patil has the support of six Lok Sabha MPs and nine NCP SP MLAs to initiate the talks with the BJP. In this talk, there are two thoughts, one given by the BJP that the NCP SP should merge with the NCP, not to be a separate entity of the NDA, but others are not keen to be with the NCP. They want to keep their separate identity,” a source told TNIE. Patil, meanwhile, said he met Fadnavis only to discuss an issue in his constituency, and asserted that there was no discussion in the Sharad Pawar-led party about joining the NDA. “There are no discussions going on in our party about joining the NDA. I met the chief minister only to raise the issue of the Islampur municipal council president, whose election has been declared invalid. (Deputy Chief Minister) Eknath Shinde was in Delhi, so I sought the chief minister’s appointment. The meeting lasted barely five to ten minutes, and there was no political discussion,” he told reporters. Patil’s meeting with NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare in the presence of CM Fadnavis is understood to be part of the first proposal for a merger, sources said. However, Patil denied reports that he met Patel or Tatkare during his visit to the CM’s residence. Interestingly, Patel and Tatkare are also said to favour bringing Patil and the NCP (SP) into the NCP to curb the growing influence of Parth Pawar and make the party’s existing power structure more democratic. According to sources, the letter challenging Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar’s election as NCP national president is intended to convey that she can be replaced if required. Sudhir Suryawanshi Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Midnight stand-off at Parade Ground as admin withdraws nod for Rahul’s event
Dehradun: A late-night political stand-off unfolded at Dehradun’s Parade Ground after district authorities withdrew permission for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to address a student gathering, titled “Chhatron ki Goonj,” scheduled for July 17. The administration cited an ongoing event at the ground as the reason for the withdrawal. However, Congress members claimed they had sought and initially received conditional approval from municipal authorities to host their event at the venue from July 15 to July 17. The sudden revocation prompted senior Congress leaders, including state chief Ganesh Godiyal, Harak Singh Rawat, and Pritam Singh, to rush to the Parade Ground late Tuesday night, where they staged a protest. “The BJP government is scared of Rahul Gandhi, therefore we have been denied the Parade Ground,” Godiyal alleged. Following the protest, the event was officially relocated to the Bannu School ground in the Race Course area. Congress leaders arrived at the new venue early Wednesday morning to begin preparations for the Friday evening gathering. Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya condemned the administration’s decision, calling it a planned move to disrupt preparations and distract the public. “We all know that BJP is behind the development as the party does not want our programme to be held in Dehradun,” Arya said, asserting that “such acts will not deter the Congress from holding the event.” Dismissing the allegations, state BJP chief Mahendra Bhatt said, “It was a political event, and the Congress was trying to create a controversy over the issue simply to gain media coverage.” 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, Haryana Congress in-charge Sanjay Dutt discuss strategy to strengthen party in state
CHANDIGARH: Haryana Congress in-charge Sanjay Dutt on Tuesday met Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and discussed the political situation in the state, with the party deciding to intensify efforts to strengthen its organisation and expand outreach to workers. Dutt said Gandhi reviewed the political scenario in Haryana and gave guidance on building a stronger, more active and people-centric organisation. The discussions also centred on maintaining regular engagement with party workers and effectively raising public issues. Referring to his recent visit to the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters in Chandigarh, Dutt said he held meetings with office-bearers, district presidents, representatives of frontal organisations and party workers over several days. He said the interactions focused on strengthening the organisation down to the booth level, increasing workers’ participation and preparing them to take up public issues more effectively. Expressing confidence in the party’s prospects, Dutt said the Haryana Congress would emerge stronger and more responsive under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership. He said the party would continue its organisational expansion drive across the state while maintaining close coordination with workers and office-bearers. The meeting comes as the Congress steps up organisational activities in Haryana ahead of its future political programmes and campaigns in the state. 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
Uddhav announces support for CJP protest, appeals to Wangchuk to end hunger strike
Insisting that his life was precious, Uddhav appealed to Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike while attacking the Centre for being unconcerned and insensitive about his protest. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Monday extended support to the Cockroach Janta Party’s protest in Delhi demanding the residnation of the Union Education Minister over examination irregularities including the NEET-UG paper leak. He also urged Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to support the movement. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Uddhav appealed to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, whose hunger strike in solidarity with the students entered its 16th day on Monday, to end his protest while insisting his life was precious. The senior politician attacked the Centre, claiming it appeared unconcerned and insensitive about Wangchuk’s protest. “Today, I announce my complete support to the protest of (CJP founder) Abhijit Dipke and Sonam Wangchuk,” the former Maharashtra CM said. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)’s protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over alleged examination irregularities has been underway for 24 days now. Educator and climate activist Wangchuk (59) joined the protest on June 28 and began an indefinite hunger at the site in support of the CJP stir. The CJP has been demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of students who died by suicide since the NEET paper leak in May. The medical entrance examination was re-conducted last month. The CJP, whose protest began on June 20, on Monday said Wangchuk has lost 8.2 kg since his indefinite hunger strike, and his blood glucose level has dropped to 67 mg/dL. The fledgling outfit, founded by political communication strategist Abhijeet Dipke, has announced a march to Parliament on July 20, the opening day of the Monsoon Session. Thackeray said parties should back the CJP protest “without any political flag” and suggested even Congress MP Rahul Gandhi should support it. He urged political parties to hold protest in their respective states on this issue. “All political parties should do something in their respective states and awaken the country because till that time these people will not know their place,” Thackeray maintained. He pointed out that the government was yet to send a high-level delegation to talk to Wangchuk to end the deadlock. The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said Dipke has claimed there is a conspiracy to scuttle the protest and added all youths and their parents should join the protest as it is not a political issue, but concerns the country. There was nothing lowly in asking Union Education Minister Pradhan to resign and appointing someone more capable than him, the Sena (UBT) leader argued. On July 20, when the CJP undertakes a march to Parliament, the Sena (UBT) will stage a protest in Maharashtra to extend support to their cause, he declared. Sena (UBT) MPs will raise the issue of the CJP protest during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Thackeray said. He appealed to Wangchuk to withdraw his hunger strike, saying his life is precious as the government is insensitive and unconcerned and doesn’t seem to care about the protest. Thackeray said the country should have used the Ladakh-based activist’s talent, but instead he was dubbed a “traitor” and jailed. The educator-climate activist was detained last year after violent protests over demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution rocked Leh in September. He was released from Jodhpur Central Jail on March 14, 2026, after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs revoked his detention under the National Security Act. Thackeray informed that he will go to Nagpur on July 18 to take part in the ‘Ram Raksha’ protest, which he launched earlier this month against the alleged embezzlement of donations to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Talking to reporters earlier in the day, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut alleged the government does not want Wangchuk to be alive. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi likely to summon CM Shivakumar, state netas to Delhi
Back home, aspirants such as Ramdurg MLA Ashok Pattan, Sringeri MLA T D Raje Gowda, and Arsikere MLA K M Shivalinge Gowda called on Kharge. BENGALURU: With LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi having returned to India from his foreign trip and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge back to New Delhi from Bengaluru, the countdown has begun for the expansion of the Shivakumar cabinet.“It will happen as soon as possible, as we will discuss the matter with Rahul after he returns (from abroad),” Kharge told reporters in Bengaluru before leaving for the national capital. According to sources, AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, who was in his home state, Kerala, is also bound for Delhi. Also, former CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM Dr G Parameshwara and KPCC president BK Hariprasad are likely to be summoned by the party top brass before a final decision is taken. Meanwhile, Rahul is likely to travel to Dehradun on Thursday, where his family members, including his mother Sonia Gandhi, are vacationing. Hence, the decision on the cabinet expansion is likely to be taken before Thursday, a legislator, who is camping in Delhi, told TNIE. Back home, aspirants such as Ramdurg MLA Ashok Pattan, Sringeri MLA T D Raje Gowda, and Arsikere MLA K M Shivalinge Gowda called on Kharge. “Let us see how things pan out in the next two to three days. The CM may go to Delhi tomorrow. The session will be held from August 6, and by then, the cabinet expansion will be done. What is the connection between the month of Aashada and cabinet expansion?” Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy said. Devaraj B Hirehalli Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BJP asks Rahul Gandhi to explain his whereabouts: ‘Where did he go, who did he meet?’
NEW DELHI: BJP on Monday stepped up its attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, demanding that he explain his recent foreign trip while also accusing him and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of neglecting the Wayanad constituency after a landslide in the area claimed eight lives. The landslide occurred on July 7 at the site of the Anakkampoyil-Meppadi twin-tube tunnel project, which is being built to connect Wayanad and Kozhikode districts. Launching a fresh attack, BJP IT department chief Amit Malviya questioned Rahul Gandhi’s overseas visit. “Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trip between 22 June and 13 July remains shrouded in mystery. Where did he go? Who did he meet? Who sponsored his travel and stay?” Malviya wrote on X. “These are legitimate questions that the Leader of the Opposition should come clean about. The public is entitled to know whether his overseas engagements involved meetings that could have a bearing on India’s political or strategic interests,” he added. “Does anyone know where Rahul Gandhi is? Which country is he holidaying in? Who is he with? Whom does he travel to meet so often? He has been away from India for an extended period, and no one knows his whereabouts,” Malviya had asked in another post on X. The BJP also questioned why neither Rahul , who earlier represented Wayanad in Parliament, nor Priyanka, the constituency’s current MP, had visited the affected area after the landslide. BJP national spokesperson Guru Prakash said the visuals from Wayanad were “horrifying and deeply disturbing.” “It is a Congress government there, and the MPs are from the Congress party. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi come to India only during holidays; otherwise, they mostly stay in Europe, the United States, or England…” he said. BJP spokesperson C R Kesavan further alleged that Priyanka, “the current MP from Wayanad, has totally neglected and abandoned Wayanad…” “It has been six days since the devastating landslide in Wayanad. Until now, it has claimed about eight lives, but Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has not even bothered to visit the constituency and meet the grieving families of the victims and console them. Instead, she has just done a token tweet… This was the same pattern when Rahul Gandhi represented Wayanad before…” he added. BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain also targeted the Congress leader, saying, “Rahul Gandhi is on vacation. He seems to be troubled by India’s heat, rain, and monsoon, and is busy travelling abroad…” Earlier on Sunday, BJP national spokesperson Tuhin Sinha had accused both Rahul and Priyanka Vadra of failing to stand with the affected families. “They are merely political tourists. Apart from a single condolence post on social media, neither of them has shown any interest in reaching out to the affected families. This is shameful and reflects that both of them are part-time politicians,” Sinha said. Sinha also claimed Rahul had been missing from public engagements for nearly two weeks and said three of his scheduled student outreach programmes had to be postponed due to his continued absence. The BJP also linked Rahul Gandhi’s absence to the postponement of the Congress’ proposed student outreach programme, “Chhatron Ki Goonj”. As per the campaign schedule released by the Congress, the rallies initiative were scheduled in Prayagraj on July 10, Patna on July 11 and Delhi on July 14, before the next major event in Dehradun. However, the BJP alleged that the programmes were deferred because Rahul extended his foreign visit and is expected to return only around July 17. The Congress has not officially disclosed the purpose of Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trip. Sinha said Rahul’s prolonged absence had raised questions, particularly with the Monsoon Session of Parliament set to begin on July 20. Earlier, Amit Malviya had also questioned the leader of opposition’s absence in a post on X on June 23. “Rahul Gandhi has gone abroad. Again. At a time when Parliament, party organisation, and public life demand constant engagement, his repeated departures raise an obvious question: what is so compelling that it keeps taking precedence over his responsibilities in India? One wonders,” Malviya wrote on X. The party further alleged that Rahul has remained missing from public events even as Congress faces internal challenges in states such as Punjab and with Parliament set to convene later this month. 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
Where are the Gandhi siblings? Why Wayanad landslide has put Rahul, Priyanka in the line of BJP fire
Where are the Gandhi siblings? This is the question the BJP is asking after leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra did not visit the constituency following the July 7 landslide that claimed eight lives. Priyanka is the sitting MP, while Rahul was elected from Wayanad twice in 2019 and 2024. The BJP has reminded the Gandhis of Rahul’s promise that Wayanad would have “two MPs”, one official and one unofficial, when he was passing over the baton to Priyanka. A week after the tragedy, the BJP’s charge is that Wayanad effectively has neither. The ‘part-time politicians’ charge The BJP has accused the Gandhi siblings of being “part-time politicians” and treating Wayanad as a constituency of political convenience. BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi cited Rahul’s defeat in the family bastion of Amethi in 2019 to argue that Wayanad had provided him political ground at a difficult moment. “When Rahul Gandhi was unsuccessful in saving his political ground on his family seat, Wayanad provided him with political ground,” Trivedi said. “When he left that seat and gave it to his sister Priyanka, Rahul Gandhi said Wayanad would have not one, but two MPs. And today, both the so-called MPs are absent from the scene.” BJP spokesperson Tuhin Sinha sharpened the attack, calling Rahul and Priyanka “political tourists”. He alleged that Rahul had used Wayanad for his political survival after losing Amethi and abandoned it once he won Rae Bareli. He also claimed that Priyanka could leave if a more convenient seat became available. Why Wayanad matters Wayanad has a special connection with the Gandhi siblings. Priyanka Gandhi represents Wayanad in the present Lok Sabha while Rahul Gandhi won from here twice. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Wayanad elected Rahul Gandhi for Lok Sabha with an impressive margin of over 12 lakh votes. This victory was significant and important for Rahul’s political career as the people of Amethi, from where the Gandhi scion was winning since 2014, had rejected him. Rahul had lost the election to BJP’s Smriti Irani. Wayanad victory ensured Rahul’s continued presence in Lok Sabha. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi again won from Wayanad though with a reduced margin. However, since Rahul also won from Rae Bareli, the traditional Congress stronghold in Uttar Pradesh, he vacated his Wayanad seat. And that paved the way for the electoral debut of his sister Priyanka Gandhi in the ensuing bypoll. She won the November 2024 by-election by a landslide, securing 65% of the vote share and outperforming Rahul’s previous victory margin. So, their no-show in Wayanad has given the BJP enough ammunition for political attack. Beyond Wayanad: Where is Rahul? The Wayanad attack is part of a larger question the BJP has raised over the past few days: Where is Rahul Gandhi? Rahul has remained out of public view for nearly three weeks. His last major public appearance was at the launch of the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ student outreach initiative in Kota on June 17 amid the controversy over alleged irregularities in NEET. The next planned event is on July 17. BJP claims that Rahul travelled abroad on June 22. The Congress has not responded to these claims. BJP IT department head Amit Malviya questioned the secrecy surrounding Rahul’s programme. “Rahul Gandhi’s foreign trip between 22 June and 13 July remains shrouded in mystery. Where did he go? Who did he meet? Who sponsored his travel and stay?” he said in a post on X. The timing has made the absence politically significant. The Congress is grappling with factionalism in Punjab ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, while preparations are also due for the Monsoon Session beginning July 20. As leader of the opposition, Rahul will be central to the party’s floor strategy. Wayanad has now added another issue to that list. Congress pushes back The BJP’s attacks prompted a strong rebuttal from the Congress. Pawan Khera, chairman of the party’s media and publicity department, rejected the charge of insensitivity and defended the decision not to visit Wayanad while rescue operations were under way. “If there is a natural disaster, why should there be a VIP visit? There should be a VIP visit only to flag the gaps before the government, if it is insensitive in addressing the concerns of victims and their woes. Right now, the government in Kerala is active, relief measures are under way, and there is no need to disrupt those measures,” Khera said. “Those questioning the absence of Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi must understand that VIP visits are meant to flag gaps and missing links. There is no such need,” he added. Both Rahul and Priyanka had responded to the tragedy through posts on X. Rahul described the news as “deeply distressing”, offered condolences and appealed to Congress and UDF workers to extend all possible assistance. Priyanka said rescue efforts were under way and chief minister V D Satheesan was monitoring the operation. She said she was coordinating with the district administration, ministers, local party functionaries and relief agencies, and urged UDF workers to help without hampering rescue work. The Congress’s argument is that the absence of a physical visit should not be equated with a lack of involvement. What commentators say Political commentators, however, said the presence of an elected representative becomes especially important when tragedy strikes their constituency. “People expect their MLA and MP to be with them when a tragedy hits them, particularly when it is because of natural causes. It is unfortunate that Waynad MP did not visit the place even after a week has passed. Is it only that you want vote of people and there is reciprocal commitment?” Kerala-based political commentator Damodar Prasad told TOI. “People’s representatives are bound to be there to oversee the relief work. The absence alienates the people’s representative from them. The great lessons one should learn from Nehru, Indira and Rajiv is in their sensitivity to be amidst the people in their crisis,” he
Oppn conspiring to mislead Dalits before 2027 UP polls
Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has accused opposition parties of attempting to mislead Dalits and the broader Bahujan community through provocative agitations and emotional slogans for political gains. She asserted that the BSP does not engage in politics based on road blockades, protests, vandalism, violence or misinformation. She said her party works within the framework of the Constitution and democratic values. In a statement posted on social media on Saturday, Mayawati, without naming any political party, alleged that certain political groups and organisations were trying to confuse Dalits and Bahujans by encouraging aggressive movements and emotionally charged campaigns. According to her, such forces were exploiting Dalit issues merely to serve their political interests. She said it is only the BSP that has consistently pursued social transformation and economic upliftment through democratic governance and political empowerment. The BSP leader claimed that during the party’s four terms in power in Uttar Pradesh, it set an example of good governance through welfare measures, effective law and order, and development-oriented policies. She said the BSP has always prioritised the interests of the poor, Dalits, backward classes, tribals, minorities and economically weaker sections instead of indulging in what she described as opportunistic politics. Mayawati further argued that opposition parties had become uneasy as the BSP’s support base had expanded ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. She alleged that rival political forces were using various Dalit organisations and political groups to divide and mislead the Bahujan community. She urged people to remain vigilant against such attempts. She also said the BSP does not want unemployed youth and members of deprived sections of society to become victims of legal cases, imprisonment or administrative action while participating in agitations over their grievances. Such developments, she said, ultimately damage their future prospects and adversely affect their families. Courtesy : THI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehansindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Cabinet expansion: Rahul Gandhi likely to summon CM DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah & BK Hariprasad to Delhi
Shivakumar was sworn in as CM along with 13 ministers on June 3. There are 20 vacancies in the cabinet. BENGALURU: With the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, expected to return to India from his foreign tour on Sunday evening, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, his predecessor Siddaramaiah and KPCC president BK Hariprasad are likely to be summoned anytime soon to New Delhi by the Congress high command to discuss the much-delayed cabinet expansion. Shivakumar was sworn in as CM along with 13 ministers on June 3. There are 20 vacancies in the cabinet. Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah and Hariprasad are prepared with a list of their loyalists to be pushed into the cabinet, sources told The New Sunday Express. Besides the high command, including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, will have their own nominees to ensure that the party returns to power in the 2028 Assembly polls, sources added. “Cabinet aspirants are curious to know if the expansion will happen before the month of Ashada, which many believe is inauspicious. Aashada starts on Tuesday (July 14),” sources added. Meanwhile, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said that the cabinet expansion will happen soon. “The CM and AICC chief have said this very clearly. In circumstances where an emergency-like situation arises—whether it is a drought or a flood—having a full-fledged cabinet ensures that responsibilities can be assigned to everyone so that relief can be provided to people without any delay,” Priyank added. Sahebganj Tourism Jharkhand Travel Guide & Tourist Places in _ Travel Nfx When asked if the expansion will happen before Aashada, he said, “I don’t believe in that… When giving or taking power, who looks at all that? There is no connection between the two. Our responsibility is to look after our people. As you said, whether it is Aashada or Rahu Kala, everyone has their own faith and beliefs, but it should not affect governance.” Meanwhile, Jewargi MLA Ajay Singh, son of former CM N Dharam Singh, is a strong contender for a berth in the Shivakumar cabinet. Ajay said that the high command may call the state leaders to Delhi any moment for talks. Chamarajnagara MLA C Puttarangashetty, another contender, said that the expansion may happen in a day or two or after a month when Aashada ends. Srirangapatna MLA A B Ramesh Bandisidde Gowda asserted that he deserved to be a minister. “I will also organise the party in Mandya. If I am proven wrong, they can remove me anytime”, he said. Several other MLAs, including those elected for 3-4 times, such as Ashok M Pattan, have openly staked claim. “Rahul Gandhi will come tomorrow (Sunday). He will call the CM, former CM, and the KPCC President on Monday or Tuesday. I will tell our leaders not to just look at caste, but consider seniority too. I am a senior legislator in Belagavi district and the state. I was a Congress student leader… been in the party since the days of former CM D Devaraj Urs,” he said. Trouble for Zameer? Ahead of the formation of the Shivakumar cabinet in the first phase, an audio clip leaked allegedly involving former minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan allegedly conspiring to defeat the Congress candidate in Davanagere bypolls. This ruined his chances of becoming a minister in the Shivakumar cabinet. This time around, the Lokayukta approached the Governor seeking permission to prosecute him in a disproportionate assets case. One has to wait and watch to see whether Zameer will this time make it to the cabinet or not. Devaraj B Hirehalli Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights