‘PM wants youth to keep making reels, fry pakodas’: Rahul slams Modi on CBSE OSM row
The Congress leader highlighted the students’ efforts to investigate the issue and raise concerns about the examination evaluation process. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday praised student whistleblower Sarthak Sidhant and his associate Nisarga Adhikary for exposing what he described as the “collusion” between the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and COEMPT, while stepping up his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the OSM controversy. Sharing a video of his meeting with the two on X, Gandhi said PM Modi wants young people to keep “making reels and fry ‘pakodas’”, but added that the students chose to question the system and seek answers. Gandhi met Sidhant, an 18-year-old student affected by the CBSE’s onscreen marking system (OSM), last week. Sidhant has alleged irregularities in the tendering process used to select a vendor for the OSM exercise for Class 12 board examinations. The Congress leader highlighted the students’ efforts to investigate the issue and raise concerns about the examination evaluation process. In his post in Hindi accompanying the video, Gandhi said, “Sarthak is 18 years old, yet, in terms of mindset, courage, and principles, he is second to none. He and his associate, Nisarg, accomplished what the country’s major media houses and investigative journalists could not: they exposed the collusion between CBSE and COEMPT to the nation.” An 18-year-old from the country proved faster and sharper than the CBI; this victory for the youth is, in the true sense, a defeat for the government, Gandhi said. “Modi ji wants our youth to keep making reels and frying pakodas, without asking questions or opening their eyes. But these young men did ask questions, and they found the answers, too,” the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said. “This is India’s true youth power — inquisitive, aware and informed. And remember, the country’s future will not be led astray,” he said. While the government has shunted out two top CBSE officials following the on-screen marking system row, the opposition Congress has dismissed it as an eyewash and a cover-up, with Rahul Gandhi demanding that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan be sacked and an independent judicial inquiry be ordered immediately. In the video, Gandhi asks Sidhant how he was able to find out information about alleged irregularities in the OSM tendering process. Gandhi also hails him for doing the job of investigative journalists. After meeting Sidhant and his family last Tuesday, Gandhi had posted pictures from the meeting and said, “Sarthak, stay firm on your principles.” Sidhant also made a presentation before a parliamentary panel on Tuesday on the alleged irregularities in the OSM tendering process. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) replaced the traditional method of checking papers with digital evaluation for Class 12 through the on-screen marking system. However, a controversy erupted after some Class 12 students alleged that the scanned copies of their answer sheets uploaded by the board did not match their handwriting, raising concerns over possible answer-sheet mismatch in the OSM system. 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
23 parties set to attend INDIA bloc’s ‘janbandhan’ meeting as Congress says alliance remains united
INDIA bloc is set to deliberate on the future course of action with an eye on 2029 Lok Sabha polls and will look to devise a joint strategy to corner the Modi govt on national issues. Twenty-three political parties have confirmed their participation in the INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi on Monday, the Congress said, asserting that the opposition alliance remains united through its diversity. The meeting, branded as the ‘INDIA janbandhan’ gathering, will be held at the Constitution Club and is expected to discuss the alliance’s future strategy, including preparations for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, “23 political parties have confirmed participation in the INDIA janbandhan meeting at Constitution Club, New Delhi, on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 12 noon.” Tagging Ramesh’s post, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O’Brien said, “Meeting with a common purpose and clear intent. INDIA united. Many parties look forward to meeting in the spirit of camaraderie.” Ramesh said some parties would not be attending the meeting. “There are some parties who have expressed their inability to attend this particular meeting for their own reasons, even though they have conveyed their strong opposition to the Modi government’s policies and actions that are snatching away the right to vote for millions of Indians, assaulting the Constitution daily, attacking Opposition leaders through investigative agencies, seriously damaging the livelihoods of crores of Indians, breaking household budgets through relentless price rise, betraying the hopes and aspirations of lakhs of youth, dampening investment climate, and compromising the national interest by its foreign policy,” he said. In this photo from March 9, 2026, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and INDIA bloc leaders meet in Parliament to discuss the strategy. INDIA bloc must stay united, not contemplate third front: CPI leader D Raja In this photo from March 9, 2026, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun “Like India, the ‘INDIA janbandhan’ continues to stand united through its diversity,” Ramesh added. The meeting comes amid strains within the opposition alliance. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has decided to skip the gathering, citing what it described as the Congress’ “betrayal” in Tamil Nadu, while the CPI(M) has expressed dissatisfaction over remarks by senior Congress leaders alleging that the Left had colluded with the BJP in Kerala. According to sources, CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby recently wrote to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge seeking clarification over statements by senior Congress leaders that suggested a political understanding between the CPI(M) and the BJP in Kerala. The gathering also follows recent assembly elections in which the TMC and the DMK were voted out of power in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu respectively. Political observers view the meeting as an attempt to strengthen coordination among opposition parties amid shifting political equations in several states and ahead of future electoral contests. The Aam Aadmi Party has publicly distanced itself from the alliance, while the DMK formally announced this week that it would boycott the meeting. In the past, INDIA bloc leaders have also met ahead of Parliament sessions to discuss floor coordination and jointly raise issues against the central government. 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
Scheduled Caste, minority wings of Congress plan joint stir against atrocities
MPs, MLAs, and community representatives from across the country would participate in the July 20 rally, Rajendra Pal Gautam, head of the SC department, and Rajya Sabha member Imran Pratapgarhi, who heads the minority department, said at a press conference following a joint convention of the two departments. The Scheduled Castes (SC) and minority departments of the Congress on Saturday (June 6, 2026) announced a joint nationwide campaign against alleged atrocities on Dalits, minorities, and other marginalised communities, The campaign will culminate in a major protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20, coinciding with the Monsoon Session of Parliament. MPs, MLAs, and community representatives from across the country would participate in the July 20 rally, Rajendra Pal Gautam, head of the SC department, and Rajya Sabha member Imran Pratapgarhi, who heads the minority department, said at a press conference following a joint convention of the two departments. Mr. Gautam alleged that Dalits, Adivasis, minorities, and backward communities continued to face systemic discrimination, claiming that institutions like police and bureaucracy often functioned with prejudice against them. He pointed to disparities in scholarship eligibility norms, noting that the annual income ceiling for SC, ST, OBC, and minority students was ₹2.5 lakh, compared with ₹8 lakh for beneficiaries in the Economically Weaker Sections category. He also criticised inadequate budgetary support for finance and development corporations meant for the SCs and the STs. Mr. Pratapgarhi accused the Centre of being indifferent to atrocities against marginalised communities. He said the two departments would coordinate activities down to the district and block levels and stand with victims wherever incidents of oppression were reported. A joint advisory council meeting will be held in Lucknow later this month, he added. The Hindu Bureau Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rajya Sabha Elections: Hemant surprises by giving ticket to a Dalit outside the Soren family, Baijnath becomes candidate
Political twist: Congress’s Pranav Jha, BJP’s Gaurav Vallabh, JMM’s Baijnath Ram, and independents Nathwani and Sai Reddy have filed nomination papers, but the BJP remains silent. The Rajya Sabha elections for two seats in Jharkhand have heated up the political atmosphere in the state. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) surprised everyone by not fielding anyone from the Soren family for the seat vacated by Guruji. The JMM, which had staked claim to both seats until Friday, announced former minister and central vice-president Baijnath Ram as its candidate on Saturday. However, the party has not yet given a concrete answer to the question of fielding a candidate for the second seat. Meanwhile, BJP’s chief whip in the Assembly, Naveen Jaiswal, claimed on Friday night that the party’s candidate would be announced on Saturday morning. Gaurav Vallabh has also purchased his nomination as a BJP candidate, but the party did not officially announce his name until late Saturday evening. Congress candidate Pranav Jha and JMM candidate Baijnath Ram have also purchased their nomination papers. JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya said that Baijnath Ram will file his nomination papers on Monday, and Chief Minister Hemant Soren will be present. Parimal Nathwani met the Chief Minister, will contest as an independent Parimal Nathwani arrived in Ranchi at 8 pm on Saturday. He went directly from the airport to Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence on Kanke Road, where the two leaders met for about half an hour. After the meeting, Nathwani stated that it was merely a courtesy call and no discussion took place regarding the Rajya Sabha elections. He clarified that he will contest this election from Jharkhand as an independent. His nomination papers have been purchased and he will file his nomination papers on Monday. The ‘Behind the Scenes’ Game in the Rajya Sabha Elections Who will be the proposer? The ‘Mystery’ of 10 MLAs and the Entry of 2 Heavyweights The entry of heavyweight independents like Parimal Nathwani and Vijay Sai Reddy into the Rajya Sabha fray has made the election extremely interesting. According to the rules, a minimum of 10 MLAs are required for nominations. Inside Story: It is nearly impossible to gather 10 MLAs in the Jharkhand Assembly without the tacit consent or internal sabotage of a major party. Consequently, the biggest question in political circles is: who are the hidden MLAs willing to propose these heavyweights? Will this be a simmering discontent within the ruling and opposition parties, or will it be a new horse-trading game? BJP’s ‘Dark Horse’ Plan: Silence Behind the Chess Gaurav Vallabh has purchased his nomination papers, but the BJP has yet to reveal its cards. This delay in the official announcement is not without reason. Inside Story: The BJP’s silence isn’t a compulsion, but rather a part of Plan B. If the party doesn’t officially field its own candidate, it likely means it has decided to support a strong independent candidate behind the scenes. Instead of losing a direct contest, the independent candidate is intended to dent the Grand Alliance’s vote bank and appease disgruntled MLAs. Bhupesh and Ajay met the CM and said, “All is well.” Congress observers for the Rajya Sabha elections, Bhupesh Baghel and Ajay Sharma, met with Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday afternoon. After a nearly two-hour meeting, both observers stated that everything was fine. The alliance would win both seats in the Rajya Sabha elections. Bhupesh Baghel said that they had a good and frank conversation with the Chief Minister, there were no misunderstandings, and the alliance was strong. Why did the JMM choose Baijnath Ram? Baijnath Ram’s name was included in the list of ministers in the Champai Soren government, and this list had even reached the Raj Bhavan. However, he was stopped just before the swearing-in ceremony, leading to accusations of the party neglecting Dalits. Later, he was promised a suitable position, and that is why he was nominated for the Rajya Sabha seat. Furthermore, the JMM has played the Dalit card after the Congress fielded a Brahmin candidate. Candidate Profiles: At a Glance Parimal Nathwani: Industrialist and current Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh. He served as an independent Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand for two consecutive terms from 2008 to 2020. He lives in Dwarkesanandi, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Pranav Jha: National Secretary of the Congress Party and media strategist for the party. He is also close to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. He is originally from Anadipur village in Bhagalpur district and studied in Bokaro. He currently lives in South Avenue, Delhi. Gaurav Vallabh: A prominent BJP leader, economist, and academic. He is currently a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council. He has served as a professor of economics at XLRI, Jamshedpur, and SISS, Ranchi. He is from Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Baijnath Ram: A senior leader of the JMM and has served as a minister in the Jharkhand government. He is known as an experienced and dedicated JMM worker. He is seen as a prominent face of the party’s SC community. He originally hails from Dhobi Mohalla in Latehar. Sai Vijay Reddy: Chartered accountant and politician from Andhra Pradesh. He has served as the National General Secretary of the YSR Congress Party and a Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh. He is considered a close associate of YSRCP chief Jaganmohan Reddy and the party’s “Chanakya.” He hails from ISKCON City, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalits not a factor in Nitish’s social justice? Even LJP’s Ram Vilas failed to light the ‘lamp of selfishness’
Bihar Politics: In Bihar politics, the electoral journey of all political parties remains incomplete without mentioning Dalits. Everyone desires this vote bank. But in this MLC election, the NDA did not nominate a Dalit candidate for the Upper House. Not a single Dalit in the NDA’s MLC candidate list Patna: All the fabrications that could be woven regarding the MLC elections in Bihar politics have already been woven. Speaking of the current MLC elections, Dalits are not a factor in the NDA’s social justice. The significant thing is that even the party that makes its political living by building on Dalit politics failed to send a Dalit leader to the Legislative Council, nor could it secure the rights of the 18 percent vote bank. Not a single Dalit in the NDA has been given an MLC ticket. NDA strategists have jointly announced the candidates for the nine full-time MLC seats and one by-election (vacated by Nitish Kumar) in 2026. Considering this announcement, the Janata Dal (United) has announced one candidate from the backward caste and three from the most backward caste. This list does not include any Dalit leaders. Nishant Kumar from the Kurmi caste, Dr. Bharti Mehta, Shivani Prajapati, and Lalan Mandal from the most backward castes have been nominated. BJP also distances itself from Dalits in the MLC elections. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party also showed indifference towards Dalits. BJP strategists have announced two candidates from the upper caste and two from the most backward castes. These include Pawan Singh from the Rajput caste, Sanjay Mayukh from the Kayastha caste, Anil Kumar Thakur from the barber caste, and Sheela Pandit from the potter caste. The party that practices Dalit politics lagged behind. Chirag Paswan, the national president of the Lok Janshakti Party, a party that practices Dalit politics, also did not light the Dalit lamp this time, demonstrating mutual coordination. Chirag Paswan declared Ashraf Ansari, a Muslim, as his candidate. Learn the names and castes of the 11 MLCs announced for 2026. Arvind Sharma from Bhumihar Pawan Singh from Rajput Nishant Kumar from Kurmi Sanjay Mayukh from Kayastha Ashraf Ansari from Muslim Bharti Mehta from Extremely Backward Class Lalan Mandal from Extremely Backward Class Anil Kumar Thakur from Extremely Backward Class Sheela Pandit from Extremely Backward Class Learn how long has JDU rejected Dalits? In March 2021, members were nominated to fill 12 vacant seats in the Bihar Legislative Council (MLC) from the Governor’s quota. These nominations were made by then Governor Fagu Chauhan on March 17, 2021, on the recommendation of the state cabinet. JDU then sent a Dalit leader, Ashok Chaudhary, to the Upper House. At that time, JDU and BJP fielded candidates for six seats each. JDU sent Upendra Kushwaha, Ashok Chaudhary, Sanjay Kumar Singh (aka Sanjay Gandhi), Lalan Kumar Saraf, Ram Vachan Rai, Sanjay Singh, and the BJP sent Janak Ram, Devesh Kumar, Rajendra Prasad Gupta, Pramod Kumar, Ghanshyam Thakur, and Nivedita Singh to the Legislative Council. Written by: Ramakant Chandan Edited by: Rishikesh Narayan Singh About the Author Ramakant Chandan began his journalism career in 1988 as a freelancer with Navbharat Times and Dainik Hindustan. He formally joined Rashtriya Sahara in 1996, starting with Haatsekhar, Noida. He became a special correspondent in 2012. In 2020, he became the local editor of Rashtriya Sahara Patna and in 2022, he became the consulting editor of Rashtriya Sahara. Courtesy: Hindi News
JDS slams CM DK Shivakumar for no pic of Deputy CM in official ad
The JDS also said that the advertisement on the ‘Bhoo Guarantee’ did not carry the picture of Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. TUMAKURU: JDS on Saturday took a dig at Chief Minister DK Shivakumar after an official advertisement by the Backward Classes Department in newspapers on former CM D Devaraj Urs featured only the CM’s picture and not that of Deputy CM Dr G Parameshwara. “The true justice of the INC Karnataka party, which constantly preaches about social justice, has been exposed in today’s newspapers! When it was you, your photograph was mandatory. But when a Dalit leader is the Deputy Chief Minister, is there suddenly no space for his photo, Mr Chief Minister? In the very advertisement for a programme honouring Devaraj Urs, who dedicated his entire life to the Backward and Dalit classes, Shivakumar has displayed his arrogance and monopoly by completely omitting the photograph of the current DCM and prominent Dalit leader Dr G Parameshwara,” the JDS posted on the social media platform X. “Is this the level of neglect shown towards Dalit leaders…even in an official advertisement from the Backward Classes Welfare Department? The public will surely teach a fitting lesson to the arrogance of the Congress which treats Dalits as nothing more than a vote bank,” the JDS added. The JDS also said that the advertisement on the ‘Bhoo Guarantee’ did not carry the picture of Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. 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
Congress eyes major reset of Revanth govt
The possibility of changes in the state party unit is also generating considerable discussion. HYDERABAD: Having completed half of its five-year tenure, the Revanth Reddy government appears headed for its biggest shake-up since coming to power in December 2023. With the Congress high command said to be weighing changes in both the Cabinet and the party organisation, ministers, MLAs and aspirants have begun jockeying for position, turning Hyderabad and New Delhi into hubs of intense political activity. According to sources in the ruling party, the proposed exercise is expected to go beyond a routine Cabinet expansion. The Congress leadership is reportedly considering a broader overhaul that could involve dropping some ministers, inducting fresh faces, redistributing key portfolios and reorganising the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC). Party insiders say two or three ministers could be shown the door as part of the exercise. However, the move is not being viewed as a demotion. Those relieved of Cabinet responsibilities may instead be assigned organisational roles in the All India Congress Committee (AICC), with some potentially being made in-charge of states such as Gujarat, Goa and Uttar Pradesh, which are scheduled to go to the polls next year. The possibility of changes in the state party unit is also generating considerable discussion. One of the names being widely talked about is TPCC president and MLC B Mahesh Kumar Goud, who is said to be under consideration for a Cabinet berth. His induction would also address the absence of Cabinet representation from Nizamabad district. If Mahesh moves into the Cabinet, party leaders believe a change at the helm of the TPCC could follow. Minister Ponnam Prabhakar’s name is doing the rounds as a possible successor. A long-time Congress leader who rose through the NSUI ranks and later represented Karimnagar in Parliament, Prabhakar is seen as someone with strong organisational credentials. Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy meets Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Saturday Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy meets Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on SaturdayPhoto | Express The speculation has triggered a rush to New Delhi. Several leaders aspiring for Cabinet berths or key party positions have been making frequent visits to the national capital and meeting senior Congress leaders. Among the names being discussed are Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy and Parigi MLA T Rammohan Reddy. Sources indicated that the reshuffle, along with organisational appointments, could be announced in the third or fourth week of this month. Alongside personnel changes, the leadership is also believed to be examining a redistribution of important portfolios. Finance and revenue are among the departments being discussed in internal deliberations, with senior leaders who previously served as ministers in undivided Andhra Pradesh said to be in contention for greater responsibilities. Rammohan Reddy is also being mentioned as a possible choice for the post of chief whip in the Assembly. The ripple effects of a Mahesh Kumar induction could extend further. Party leaders say that if Prabhakar is moved to the TPCC chief’s post, it may create an opening in the Cabinet for Vemulawada MLA and whip Aadi Srinivas, who belongs to the Munnuru Kapu community. Leaders troop to Delhi to press their case Another subject of intense speculation is the Assembly Speaker’s post. According to sources, discussions are underway on whether a senior minister — from the same caste as Gaddam Prasad — could be made Speaker, potentially paving the way for further adjustments within the Cabinet. The expected exercise is also likely to cover appointments to corporations and public sector bodies. Aspirants from Warangal, Rangareddy and Nalgonda districts are said to be under consideration for chairperson posts in key corporations, while four former MLAs may also be accommodated. With every possible vacancy setting off a chain reaction elsewhere, the atmosphere within the ruling party has become increasingly charged. Ministers are lobbying to retain their positions or secure influential portfolios, while aspirants are reminding the leadership of assurances made during the Assembly election campaign. Several ministers recently met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge during his visit to Hyderabad, while others have travelled to Delhi to make their case. Aspirants have also been seeking meetings with Rahul Gandhi as the party weighs what could be its most consequential political exercise since coming to power in Telangana. Ireddy Srinivas Reddy 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
Ahead of INDIA bloc meet, CPM asks Congress to ‘clear air’ on Kerala poll remarks on ‘deal’ with BJP
NEW DELHI: Ahead of the INDIA bloc meeting on Monday, CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby, in a sharply worded letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, has raised the allegations by Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders during the Kerala polls that CPI(M) and the BJP had struck a deal and their call for ED action against then CM Pinarayi Vijayan. The Left party has asked the Congress to “clear the air regarding such disruptive moves.” According to sources, in the letter to Kharge, Baby has alleged that there was a “systematic campaign” by the Congress leadership during the Kerala elections, wherein it was alleged that Vijayan had also struck a deal with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a question was posed ‘Otherwise, why is it that he has not been interrogated or arrested by the Enforcement Directorate’? Baby makes it clear that “unless these matters are clarified, the very purpose of the INDIA bloc would be in question”. “As the President of the Congress, it is up to you and the Congress leadership to clear the air regarding such disruptive moves,” Baby is learnt to have said in the letter, putting the ball in Kharge’s court. The CPM general secretary has said that these were not stray remarks made in the heat of an election campaign, but were “the centrepiece of the Congress party-led UDF’s political campaign. “Every national leader, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and yourself, made such allegations repeatedly,” Baby has said in the letter. In this backdrop, Monday’s INDIA bloc meeting is likely to see some straight talk and fireworks. The two-term CPI(M) led LDF lost to the Congress-led UDF in the recent assembly polls. Despite the sharp tenor of the letter, it is expected that CPM is not going to boycott the meeting, though the party leadership will take a final call on Sunday, senior leaders said. While highlighting in his letter that the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, repeatedly called for ED action against the then Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, the CPM general secretary asks Kharge that “can this be termed as an anti-BJP stance or is it a case of inviting the Modi govt to take illegal punitive action against a fellow opposition leader?” Baby recalls that the INDIA bloc was constituted as a broad platform to politically fight the BJP, and CPI(M) has worked sincerely to see such a united platform emerge. Noting that strangely, now, the CPI(M) was being accused of having a deal with the BJP, Baby has said in the letter that this is a canard they cannot take lightly, as “this strikes at the very basis of the unity forged against the BJP.” However, Baby has assured that CPI(M) will fully cooperate in Parliament with the INDIA bloc and other opposition parties to put up a united fight against the authoritarian, communal, and anti-people policies of the Modi govt. The INDIA bloc meeting, happening after a long gap, is taking place amid changing dynamics within the Alliance, with DMK already saying it will not attend in the backdrop of the Congress severing ties with it to support TVK to form the government in Tamil Nadu. On Thursday, DMK spokesperson TKS Ekangovan told ANI that DMK is no longer part of the INDIA bloc. In Monday’s meeting, where the future strategy of the INDIA bloc is proposed to be chalked out, former West Bengal CM and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee will be there to present the TMC’s views and rally support amid the current developments in the state. The TMC, which has all along positioned itself as a dominant regional player within the INDIA bloc, is set to lose the clout the party enjoyed in the backdrop of the recent developments – the defeat in Bengal and the recent split in the party. According to sources, at the INDIA bloc meeting, TMC leaders, among various issues, propose to share their views on the role of the Election Commission, the developments on the counting day and the reasons for defeat. 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
Flanked by Rahul Gandhi, Kharge files Rajya Sabha nomination
Bengaluru: Accompanied by Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha election from Karnataka at Vidhana Soudha Friday. Chief minister DK Shivakumar, former CM Siddaramaiah, Congress general secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala and several ministers were present when Kharge handed in his nomination papers to assembly secretary MK Vishalakshi. Kharge’s current tenure in the Upper House of Parliament — where he is opposition leader — ends on June 25. Besides Kharge, Congress has fielded two other candidates for the June 18 election from Karnataka — Pawan Khera, who is party media and publicity department chairman; and Mansoor Ali Khan, AICC secretary, educationist and son of Congress veteran and former Union minister K Rahman Khan. “All MLAs and my leaders have unanimously chosen me, and I am confident that everyone will remain united and ensure victory for Congress candidates,” Kharge said. Polls will be held for four Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka. Given its numerical strength in the assembly, Congress is expected to win three, while the BJP-JD(S) alliance is likely to win the fourth. Kharge’s nomination marks another chapter in a political career spanning more than five decades. He won nine consecutive assembly elections from Gurmitkal between 1972 and 2008 before moving to national politics. He later won the Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency in 2009 and 2014, suffering his only major electoral defeat in the 2019 elections. In 2020, Kharge entered the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka unopposed and subsequently rose to become Congress president while continuing to lead the party in Parliament. Meanwhile, BJP is yet to announce its nominee from Karnataka. Political attention remains focused on former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda, whose Rajya Sabha term has ended. Though BJP is widely expected to back Gowda for another term, the delay in announcing its candidate has triggered speculation over whether the party may instead field one of its own members. Names doing the rounds include former MP Sumalatha Ambareesh and former chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda, although party brass has not ruled out a surprise choice. In all, polling will be held for 24 seats across 10 states. Nominations close on Monday. 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
‘Not suicide’: Rahul Gandhi blames ‘broken system’ after NEET aspirant’s death; targets PM Modi
NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday reacted to the suicide of a NEET aspirant and launched a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the NEET-UG paper leak blunder. Taking to social media, the senior Congress leader referred to the case of Akanksha, a NEET aspirant who recently died by suicide following the exam fiasco. Highlighting the struggles faced by the student and her family, Rahul Gandhi wrote on X, “Akanksha wanted to become a doctor and serve the nation and society. Akanksha’s father is a farmer. To fulfill his daughter’s dream of becoming a doctor, he took a loan of Rs 3 lakh on a Kisan Credit Card. And he took up a job as a cook in Nagpur, so that his daughter could attend coaching there. A father did everything he could.” Rahul Gandhi then blamed the government for what he described as a “corrupt” education system and linked Akanksha’s death to the NEET paper leak row. He said, “Then the NEET paper leaked. The exam was canceled. In that uncertainty, Akanksha left us forever. Akanksha’s death was not suicide—it’s the consequence of a corrupt, broken system under Modi ji.” The Congress leader also targeted Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, reiterating the opposition’s demand for accountability in the wake of the NEET paper leak. “And Dharmendra Pradhan ji? He’s still in his chair today. The same committee. The same transfers. The same investigations. No reforms, no justice.” Rahul Gandhi further accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of damaging India’s education system during his years in office. He said, “Modi ji, power is not permanent—it comes and goes. But the extent to which you’ve ruined the education system in 12 years, an entire young generation of India is paying the price for it.” His remarks come a month after the NEET-UG examination was cancelled following a paper leak. The National Testing Agency (NTA) later announced that the re-examination would be held on June 21. The cancellation affected lakhs of medical aspirants across the country, triggering widespread protests and demands for accountability. Several reports of student suicides have also surfaced in the aftermath of the NTA’s NEET failure. 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