‘Smells of politics’: Priyanka Gandhi targets PM Modi over women’s quota bill, says delimitation plan ‘attack on democracy’
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday delivered a sharp critique of the government in the Lok Sabha during a debate on the women’s reservation law and the delimitation bill, warning that the proposed changes represent an “open attack” on democracy. Participating in a debate on three bills related to amendments in the women’s reservation law and the setting up of a delimitation commission, she said the core issue was being diverted. “In 2023, when this law was passed, the Congress supported it and today also, the Congress is strongly in support of women’s reservation. But the truth is that the debate is not on women’s reservation. The bill that the government has brought has changed the direction of the debate,” she said. She questioned why the government could not implement 33 per cent reservation for women within the current 543 Lok Sabha seats. Referring to the proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats to as many as 850 based on the 2011 Census, she said it carried deeper implications. “This seems fine on the surface but the real meaning comes to the fore when one carefully reads it. It smells of politics,” she said. “The government began finishing off democracy by putting pressure on institutions, such as the Election Commission, the judiciary, the media etc., but now, an open attack on democracy is being launched,” Priyanka Gandhi said. She added that if the Constitution amendment bill is passed, democracy in India would be finished. Reaffirming her party’s position, she said, “There should be no doubt that the Indian National Congress stands firmly in favour of women’s protection and reservation, and will continue to do so.” She also criticised the PM’s remarks on the issue. “Prime Minister’s remarks today suggested that the BJP have been the champions, proponents, and biggest supporters of women’s reservation. This was the theme throughout his speech, even while claiming he didn’t want any credit for it.” She further said, “Any woman would tell you that women easily recognise those who try to mislead them,” and urged the BJP to be careful. Providing historical context, she said the issue of women’s reservation has long roots. She noted that the foundation was laid by Motilal Nehru and later advanced by Congress governments. She said that under former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, a bill for reservation in panchayats and municipalities was introduced, and was later passed during the tenure of P V Narasimha Rao. She added that during the UPA government led by Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi, the women’s reservation bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha but could not secure consensus in the Lok Sabha. She also mentioned that Rahul Gandhi had written to PM Modi in 2018 urging implementation. Priyanka Gandhi also raised concerns about the representation of the OBC community, alleging delays since 2011 had led to injustice. She claimed PM Modi avoided fully addressing the issue in his speech and accused the BJP of previously opposing such measures. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, along with the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, was introduced in the Lok Sabha following a division of votes. 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
How Dalit outreach is peaking in Uttar Pradesh in run-up to 2027 polls
From the BJP restoring statues of social justice icons to Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav invoking Kanshi Ram, the politics of symbolism is hard to miss As Uttar Pradesh moves closer to next year’s assembly polls, the politics of symbolism is getting harder to miss. Statues, memorials and historical figures are once again at the heart of the messaging, and it’s not a one-party phenomenon. The ruling BJP is taking the lead. The Yogi Adityanath administration has rolled out a Rs 403 crore scheme to upgrade and maintain statues of B.R. Ambedkar and other social justice icons, such as Sant Ravidas, Sant Kabirdas, Jyotiba Phule and Maharishi Valmiki, across the state’s 403 assembly constituencies. The plan goes beyond routine upkeep and focuses on making these sites more attractive. Accordingly, funds are being allocated for lighting, landscaping, boundary walls and protective structures. Each constituency is expected to get funds for multiple statues, but there will be a cap on spending per site. While officials say the aim is to honour social reformists and improving public spaces around their memorials, the timing has a clear electoral context. Since the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, when its tally in Uttar Pradesh fell by almost half to 33 seats and the Samajwadi Party (SP)-Congress alliance made significant gains, the BJP has been looking to rebuild its social coalition in the state. That electoral shift in 2024 was visible even within reserved constituencies. Of the 17 Scheduled Caste seats, the BJP won eight while the SP won seven and the Congress one seat. The result suggested that the Dalit vote, once seen as tightly aligned, was now more open and contested. For the BJP, reinforcing its outreach within these communities has become a priority. Alongside the memorial upgrade, chief minister Adityanath has spoken about installing protective canopies over the statues of Ambedkar and other icons. The effort is seen as one to project the BJP as a party that cherishes the legacy of social justice leaders. In political terms, it is a way of countering the SP’s Pichada, Dalit, Alpasankhyak (PDA) pitch, which seeks to consolidate the backward classes, Dalits and minorities into a single bloc. The Opposition is responding with its own push. Consider SP chief Akhilesh Yadav’s moves. At his ancestral home in Etawah, a large temple complex is coming up, blending personal legacy with a broader cultural signal. For a leader often framed through a narrow political lens, it all appears designed to widen that perception. In western Uttar Pradesh, his outreach has taken another form. At a rally in Dadri, a Gurjar-dominated area, Akhilesh announced that a statue of the 9th century king Mihir Bhoj would be installed in Lucknow. The choice seemed well crafted as Bhoj is revered by both Gurjars and Rajputs. The announcement seemed to fit into a larger effort by the SP to expand its social base. All this symbolism is also tied to a deeper churn around the Dalit vote. Scheduled Castes make up roughly 21 per cent of Uttar Pradesh’s 243 million population and are spread widely across communities such as the Jatavs, Pasis and Valmikis. For decades, this base was firmly anchored with Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), but that grip has loosened in recent years. The BSP drew a blank in the parliamentary elections in Uttar Pradesh in 2024. Dalit voters have also opened up to newer faces outside the BSP, such as Chandrashekhar Azad, the Lok Sabha MP from Nagina. The legacy of Kanshi Ram too is acquiring newer political meaning. The late BSP founder, who reshaped Dalit politics in north India, is being invoked by several parties. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has described Kanshi Ram as a figure who transformed political representation for the marginalised communities. He wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a Bharat Ratna for Kanshi Ram. Akhilesh too has been invoking Kanshi Ram’s legacy while recalling his party’s past alliances with the BSP. While this seeks to position the SP within that broader history of social justice politics, the party has also sharpened its PDA narrative, placing Dalits at the centre of its electoral strategy. The Dalit push from political opponents has drawn a sharp response from BSP chief Mayawati. She accused the SP and Congress of trying to appropriate Kanshi Ram for electoral gains, warning Dalit voters against such ‘opportunistic’ politics. Her argument rests on the familiar claim that the BSP alone represents the interests of Bahujan Samaj. As Dalit outreach peaks in Uttar Pradesh a year before a decisive election, no party can claim exclusive control over this vote base. Instead, it has become the site of active competition, wherein both policy and symbolism are being used to breach walls and build connections. Avaneesh Mishra, Edited By: Ashish Mukherjee Courtesy : India Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BSP Chief Mayawati Backs Women’s Quota, Seeks Separate Reservation For Dalit And OBC Women
BSP chief Mayawati on Wednesday supported the proposed 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies but demanded a separate quota for Dalit and OBC women. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, she said ensuring representation of marginalised sections is crucial and reiterated her party’s long-standing demand for 50% reservation in legislatures. BSP Chief Mayawati Backs Women’s Quota, Seeks Separate Reservation For Dalit And OBC Women | Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday welcomed the decision to provide 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, but demanded a separate quota within it for women from Dalit and Other Backward Classes. Addressing a press conference, Mayawati said her party has consistently advocated 50 percent reservation for women in legislatures. She said that while the BSP supports the proposed 33 percent quota as a step towards improvement, it is equally important to ensure representation for marginalised sections among women. The BSP supremo also targeted the Indian National Congress, alleging that it had not taken concrete steps to introduce women’s reservation during its time in power. She accused the party of attempting to stall the reform now by raising new issues. Reiterating her party’s stand, she said the BSP supports the decision in principle but will continue to press for sub-categorisation to protect the interests of Dalit and OBC women. Referring to the birth anniversary of B. R. Ambedkar observed across the country on Monday, Mayawati said she paid tributes to the architect of the Constitution. She also criticised other political parties for what she described as attempts to woo Dalit voters by adopting symbols associated with the BSP. She said several parties have recently used the colour blue in their programmes to attract Dalits, but asserted that the community remains aligned with the BSP’s ideology and such efforts would not succeed. BISWAJEET BANERJEE Courtesy : TFPJ Note: This news is originally published on https:/thefreepressjournal.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Aadhav Arjuna interview: TVK was never interested in aligning with AIADMK, BJP
There were no direct or indirect talks with AIADMK and BJP, says TVK general secretary Aadhav Arjuna in an interview. “Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to Vijay on how Congress wanted to bring back Kamaraj rule and how DMK spoiled Congress growth,” he says. Excerpts: AICC functionary Praveen Chakravarty says he, along with another functionary, met Vijay multiple times with the approval of the relevant Congress leadership. What were the meetings about? Praveen is a good friend. We have a long friendship and the same mindset on secular and social justice ideologies. I know people in Rahul Gandhi’s close network. This wasn’t alliance talks, but a friendly exchange of views. Rahul Gandhi called our leader, and our leader interacted with him when the meetings with Praveen were on. This was not meant to cement an alliance. They spoke about how Congress wanted to bring back Kamaraj rule, how DMK spoiled Congress growth, and how DMK’s first family controlled Congress second-level leaders. Vijay and Rahul Gandhi are still good friends. You said Vijay was offered 90 assembly seats and the CM post for two and a half years, but he refused. Who offered it, and why didn’t Vijay accept it? I don’t want to give the party’s name. AIADMK openly invited us to join their alliance, and so did BJP. If our focus is only on money, we can align with AIADMK and BJP. We want to set our party’s ideology. We are a strong secular and social justice force. Tamil Nadu is synonymous with Annadurai and Periyar. Everyone says TVK has no alliance. If TVK wanted, it could have created a big alliance. We believe we can win on our own. We believe in our own party, our leader. We believe our candidates and the public support us. We respect what people expect from us. AIADMK and BJP invited TVK to join the alliance. Would it not have been possible for all of you to consolidate against DMK? No chance. People believe in us. The real AIADMK vote bank has moved to TVK. The fight now is between TVK and DMK. TVK is going to win. We have a tall and charismatic leader. We are already in the number one position. There is no chance of us aligning with any other leader. Piyush Goyal denied BJP approached TVK for alliance talks and said EPS would not risk leadership for someone unlikely to win more than a few seats. I don’t know what Piyush Goyal is saying. For BJP leaders, it is like vacation time. They are taking holiday tours in TN during the election. Their leaders in Delhi do not understand Tamil Nadu politics. There is not even a 1% chance of a national party winning in Tamil Nadu. Soon after TVK was launched, did you reach out to AIADMK for an alliance? We never reached out to any party. We never formed an alliance committee. There were no direct or indirect talks with AIADMK. They are all rumours. They kept saying TVK will come, TVK will join. We focused on 234 seats. On May 4, we will get a majority. An actor who accompanied Vijay to a wedding event appears to have upset a section of voters. Is it likely to affect Vijay’s prospects? DMK always targets women, including Jayalalithaa, using nasty and undemocratic words. They targeted her personal life. See, even in MGR’s time, Karunanidhi attacked aggressively. But people do not bother about such things. They act against those indulging in character assassination. Do you see the Karur stampede impacting TVK’s prospects? After Karur, we are devastated. An inquiry is underway, and we want justice. The era of DMK’s family rule is over. Only Rahul Gandhi reached out to Vijay. Will Vijay campaign in Karur? We are still working on campaigning in second- and third-tier cities. We are awaiting permissions based on public safety. Let’s see how it will work out. What are TVK’s chances in this assembly election? How many constituencies can you win? DMK claims it will win 200 seats. The DMK alliance includes more than 24 parties. It is not like 2021. This is a discordant alliance. It is not an alliance built around the cadres’ interests. Congress cadres and office-bearers want to align with TVK. That is the ground reality. But one or two leaders insisted on aligning with DMK for their own interests. Rahul Gandhi loyalists have left the campaign. There is a perception that Vijay is skipping some scheduled campaign programmes. Is that true? For our leader’s rallies, we need SPs, DSPs, commissioners and DIGs on duty, along with detailed permissions. Unlike the CM’s or Udhayanidhi’s events, our crowds are much larger, usually more than one lakh for Vijay. In many second-tier districts, the roads are too narrow for this kind of crowd. That’s why we skipped places such as Cuddalore. We’re choosing venues with wider roads such as Kanyakumari and Tirupur. 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: TMC paving way for BJP through dictatorship raj
Kolkata/Malda/Behrampore: Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused Trinamool of ushering in a “dictatorship raj” in Bengal and paving the way for BJP, saying people in the state were “stuck” between an “anti-people” TMC and a “hate-spreading” BJP. Addressing a rally at Shamsherganj in Murshidabad, the Congress neta alleged governance failure under CM Mamata Banerjee. “There is complete dictatorship raj in Bengal. Teachers’ jobs are being sold, factories are closed and women are being tortured in Bengal. There is no accountability in the state,” he said. Rahul, who addressed three rallies across North Dinajpur, Malda and Murshidabad, reiterated his 2016 charge of “dictatorial” functioning, drawing parallels between Banerjee and PM Narendra Modi. “Five years back, the CM (Mamata Banerjee) had promised five lakh jobs. The reality is that 84 lakh youths have filed applications for unemployment allowance now,” he said. Blaming TMC for the dismal condition of industries in the state, Rahul said, “They have shut down factories and spread hatred. Unemployment is the highest in Bengal and the state has broken all records of corruption. 17 lakh investors were cheated in the Saradha scam and nobody got a penny from Rs 1,900 crore looted from people. Rose Valley has duped 31 lakh investors.” He alleged that industries in Bengal face a “double blow” — with Banerjee closing factories in the state while Modi was “destroying the broader industrial sector”. Rahul also came down heavily on BJP, saying, “BJP and RSS have deleted the names of lakhs of voters from the electoral roll. We will ensure that everyone’s name is included in the voter list again. They are stealing votes in the name of SIR.” Claiming Congress to be the only “challenger”, he said: “BJP knows that Trinamool cannot challenge them nationally. It is only Congress which can stop them.” 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
BSP Supports Women’s Reservation; Demand for Separate Quota for Dalit and OBC Women Intensifies
SC/ST/OBC Reservation: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Supremo Mayawati has welcomed the decision to grant 33 percent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies; however, she has simultaneously raised a demand for a separate reservation quota specifically for women belonging to the Dalit and OBC communities. Lucknow News: BSP Supremo Mayawati has welcomed the decision to grant 33 percent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, while simultaneously demanding a separate reservation quota for women from the Dalit and OBC communities. Addressing a press conference, she stated that her party has long advocated for granting 50 percent reservation to women; however, for the time being, the party views the current 33 percent reservation as a positive step and therefore extends its support to it. **Get the Full Details** Mayawati explicitly stated that a general reservation for women alone would not fully achieve the objective of social justice. She emphasized that it is imperative to provide a separate reservation quota for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) to ensure their equal participation in the political sphere. According to her, this measure would prove instrumental in empowering the marginalized sections of society. **What She Said About the Congress** During the press conference, the BSP chief also launched a scathing attack on the Congress party. She remarked that when the Indian National Congress was in power, it failed to take any serious initiative regarding women’s reservation. Now that steps are finally being taken in this direction, the Congress is attempting to interfere with this reform. She alleged that the Congress’s stance is opportunistic and that the party is merely playing politics over this issue. **Tribute Paid to Dr. Ambedkar** Additionally, Mayawati made reference to the birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar. She noted that tributes were paid to the architect of the Constitution, Dr. Ambedkar, across the country, and she herself offered her homage to him. She further observed that in recent times, several political parties have begun incorporating the color blue into their programs in an attempt to woo Dalit voters; however, she asserted that the true significance and impact of this symbolism remain inextricably linked solely with the BSP. In conclusion, Mayawati stated that the BSP would continue to relentlessly struggle for social justice, equality, and the rights of marginalized sections of society. She expressed confidence that only her party’s policies could truly empower the Dalit and backward communities. Stay tuned to Zee News for the latest updates from Uttar Pradesh! Read UP News here and get real-time information. Every news story from Uttar Pradesh reaches you first, because we keep you prepared for every moment. Stay connected with us and stay updated! Courtesy : Hindi News
How Do Memorials Empower Dalits? BJP Launches Campaign on Ambedkar Jayanti; Strategy to be Based on Feedback
UP BJP Campaign News: Addressing the question of how memorials serve to empower Dalits, the UP BJP has launched a major campaign. Through this initiative, the party aims to deepen its outreach and influence within the Dalit population. Lucknow: To what extent has—or will—the construction or renovation of Dalit memorials in Uttar Pradesh empowered the Scheduled Caste (SC) community? This will serve as a key metric for feedback during an ambitious public outreach campaign currently being conducted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the occasion of the 135th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution. To this end, the party launched the ‘Basti Sampark Abhiyan’ (Settlement Outreach Campaign) today—Wednesday. Its objective extends beyond merely commemorating Ambedkar’s legacy. As part of this campaign, the UP BJP will also systematically gather ground-level feedback regarding the effectiveness of various welfare schemes and government initiatives currently being implemented for marginalized communities. This initiative comes on the heels of a decision by the Yogi Adityanath government to allocate ₹1 crore for the renovation of Dalit memorials in each of the state’s 403 Assembly constituencies. Part of BJP’s Strategy Chief Minister Yogi’s move is viewed as an integral part of the BJP’s broader strategy to further consolidate its outreach among SC voters. Additionally, one of its key objectives is to counter the ‘PDA’ (Backward Classes, Dalits, and Minorities) narrative championed by the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance ahead of the crucial Assembly elections scheduled for next year. According to party sources, the BJP’s SC Morcha (wing) has been entrusted with the responsibility of spearheading this campaign, with a specific emphasis on engaging directly with people at the booth level. Sources further revealed that teams—comprising leaders from both the ‘Savarna’ (upper-caste) and SC communities—will tour various districts to visit Dalit-dominated localities. These teams will engage in direct interactions with the residents of these areas. **SC Morcha Chief Provides Details** Ram Chandra Kannaujia, Chief of the BJP State SC Morcha, stated that this campaign will definitively assess whether the renovation of Dalit monuments has truly had any impact on socially deprived sections of society—and if so, to what extent. He further added that party workers would also seek public feedback on local issues and identify additional measures necessary for the welfare of the community. This emphasis being placed on the construction and renovation of monuments signals a shift in the BJP’s approach. Such symbolic politics has traditionally been associated with BSP Chief Mayawati. During her tenure as Chief Minister, she prioritized the construction of statues, parks, and monuments as a means to establish Dalit identity and psychologically empower the community. **District-Level Workshops** As part of this campaign, workshops will also be organized at the district level. The objective of these workshops will be to raise awareness regarding the various welfare schemes currently being implemented for marginalized groups. By linking the redressal of grievances with the dissemination of information about these schemes, the BJP is attempting to transform its welfare initiatives into political capital. Party insiders revealed that the primary aim of this initiative is to counter the opposition at the grassroots level, while simultaneously accelerating organizational preparations ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Viewed as a calculated blend of symbolism and grassroots mobilization, this campaign underscores the BJP’s broader strategy: to acknowledge and validate identity, while simultaneously consolidating its support base among SC voters by integrating these efforts with its development-centric messaging. Reported by: Pankaj Shah • Curated by: Rahul Parashar Courtesy: Hindi News
‘PM Modi is a deshdrohi’: Rahul Gandhi repeats his ‘sold India in US trade deal’ claim
NEW DELHI: Sharpening his anti-government tirade over the India-US trade deal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “deshdrohi” (traitor), doubling down on his claim that “PM Modi sold off India”. Addressing a poll rally in Bengal, the Lok Sabha leader of opposition accused the Modi government of “handing over India’s energy security to the US by succumbing to Washington’s pressure”. “India’s agricultural sector will be devastated. Modi sold off India in the trade deal with the US. He is not ‘desh bhakt’ (patriot), he is ‘deshdrohi’ (traitor),” Gandhi alleged as per news agency PTI while addressing the rally in Malda, where the Congress traditionally has had a strong presence. Stating that data security is of paramount importance as a country’s strength is built on it, Gandhi accused the Modi government of giving up India’s data to the USA. “National security has been badly harmed by this,” he said. Alleging that the Modi government has given a commitment to the US that it would buy goods from it worth Rs 9.5 lakh crore, Gandhi said, “If American goods enter India like a tsunami, then our country’s small and medium scale factories will close down.” “This will cause double loss for Bengal since Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already closed down industries in the state,” he said. US trade deal will lead to closure of small, mid-size industries, cause job loss in India: Rahul Gandhi in Bengal. PM not ‘desh bhakt’ (patriot), he is ‘deshdrohi’ (traitor): Rahul Gandhi at poll rally in Bengal. In a two-pronged attack , Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP and the RSS of destroying the Constitution with their “hate-filled thinking”, while claiming the ruling TMC has failed in fulfilling its promise of providing jobs to the state’s youth. Addressing poll rallies in Raiganj and Malda, Gandhi claimed that 84 lakh youths in Bengal have applied for the unemployment allowance promised by the Mamata Banerjee government. “Chief minister Mamata Banerjee promised jobs to five lakh people. But 84 lakh youths have applied for unemployment allowance,” he said. Targeting the BJP and RSS, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha accused the two outfits of destroying the Constitution by their “hate-filled thinking” and being “involved in vote theft”. Gandhi termed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls “unconstitutional” and alleged that wherever the BJP and RSS get a chance, they make insinuations against the Constitution. 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
Tamil Nadu elections 2026: Kejriwal to campaign for Stalin; Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi to also hold rallies
NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to visit Tamil Nadu on April 20, where he will address election rallies in support of the DMK and chief minister MK Stalin on April 20 and 21, the party said on Tuesday. AAP has not fielded any candidates in the Assembly elections and has extended support to the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA). Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Congress in-Charge Girish Chodankar said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy and Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, is expected to campaign in the state. The Congress is part of the DMK-led SPA. Chodankar said an official announcement regarding Rahul Gandhi’s visit would be made soon and that Priyanka Gandhi is also expected to participate in the campaign. He added that Rahul Gandhi and MK Stalin are likely to campaign together. “Rahul Gandhi will come and campaign for the Tamil Nadu elections, and all our leaders will come. All our leaders will start campaigning when the campaigning becomes very aggressive. We have already appointed party cadres and formed special committees in all 234 assembly constituencies so that we can help all the allied parties’ candidates with whatever forces we have in each assembly constituency, ” he added. He reiterated that an announcement regarding Rahul Gandhi’s visit would be made within the next two to three days. Separately, chief minister and DMK candidate from Kolathur, MK Stalin, conducted a door-to-door campaign in Vellore. Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4. The main contest is expected to be between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which includes the Indian National Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance led by the AIADMK, with the BJP and PMK as allies. Actor-turned-politician Vijay is also set to make his electoral debut with his party, TVK, which could make the contest triangular. 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: TMC paving way for BJP through dictatorship raj
Kolkata/Malda/Behrampore: Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused Trinamool of ushering in a “dictatorship raj” in Bengal and paving the way for BJP, saying people in the state were “stuck” between an “anti-people” TMC and a “hate-spreading” BJP. Addressing a rally at Shamsherganj in Murshidabad, the Congress neta alleged governance failure under CM Mamata Banerjee. “There is complete dictatorship raj in Bengal. Teachers’ jobs are being sold, factories are closed and women are being tortured in Bengal. There is no accountability in the state,” he said. Rahul, who addressed three rallies across North Dinajpur, Malda and Murshidabad, reiterated his 2016 charge of “dictatorial” functioning, drawing parallels between Banerjee and PM Narendra Modi. “Five years back, the CM (Mamata Banerjee) had promised five lakh jobs. The reality is that 84 lakh youths have filed applications for unemployment allowance now,” he said. Blaming TMC for the dismal condition of industries in the state, Rahul said, “They have shut down factories and spread hatred. Unemployment is the highest in Bengal and the state has broken all records of corruption. 17 lakh investors were cheated in the Saradha scam and nobody got a penny from Rs 1,900 crore looted from people. Rose Valley has duped 31 lakh investors.” He alleged that industries in Bengal face a “double blow” — with Banerjee closing factories in the state while Modi was “destroying the broader industrial sector”. Rahul also came down heavily on BJP, saying, “BJP and RSS have deleted the names of lakhs of voters from the electoral roll. We will ensure that everyone’s name is included in the voter list again. They are stealing votes in the name of SIR.” Claiming Congress to be the only “challenger”, he said: “BJP knows that Trinamool cannot challenge them nationally. It is only Congress which can stop them.” 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