CPI’s Candidate Conundrum: Dalit MLA Mukundan Sparks Election Drama
The CPI faces internal strife as sitting Dalit MLA C C Mukundan from Nattika vows to run independently after being denied a party ticket for the upcoming Assembly elections. Mukundan claims party infighting and financial issues as reasons, while his potential replacement, Geetha Gopi, remains unfazed by allegations. The Communist Party of India (CPI) is grappling with internal challenges as the party’s candidate selection process encounters turbulence. Sitting Dalit MLA C C Mukundan from Nattika declared he would run independently after being denied a party ticket for the approaching Assembly elections. Mukundan, known for his clean image in the constituency, attributes the decision to intra-party infighting and financial reasons. He questioned the party’s choice to field former MLA Geetha Gopi, whom he accused of facing several allegations, suggesting that financial considerations played a role in her selection. Despite Mukundan’s allegations and decision, Gopi remains committed to the party’s directive. The CPI has yet to respond officially to Mukundan’s claims, but the unfolding situation has sparked political intrigue, impacting the dynamics in the reserved constituency of Nattika in Thrissur district. Courtesy : Devdiscourse Note: This news is originally published on https:/devdiscourse.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul silent when homes of minorities demolished, acting like BJP’s agent: Industries minister
Kochi: Opposition leader in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi often acts like BJP’s agent and was its pawn when AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal was imprisoned, alleged industries minister P Rajeeve on Sunday. Rajeeve was responding to Congress leader Gandhi’s attack on CPM during the concluding ceremony of Puthu Yuga Yatra in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. The minister criticised Gandhi for neglecting his political responsibilities to the people and country during crucial times by going abroad for celebrations. He said people wouldn’t take Gandhi’s declarations seriously. “Gandhi should act with an understanding of the current situation in India. However, govt led by his party in Telangana and Karnataka demolished homes of minorities with bulldozers, but he remained silent. The govts there are acting against minorities just as BJP does,” Rajeeve alleged. Earlier, Gandhi was upset about central agencies not imprisoning chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and now it is about not filing new cases, Rajeeve said. “Everything was scrutinised to file cases against the chief minister, with Congress providing the necessary support, essentially working for BJP. UDF’s announcement of five guarantees was made to counter state’s achievements, but no one will take it seriously based on their experience. The memories of the past will come to mind for those who hear it,” he said. “During LDF govt’s tenure, remarkable achievements were made such as realising the Wayanad township, which no other govt could accomplish, and inaugurating Wayanad tunnel road. As part of inclusivity, Perumbalam Bridge was realised and the first phase of Chellanam tetrapod sea wall project was completed, with the second phase on the way,” he added. 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
I grew up in a family where women were bosses: Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: “I grew up in a family where women were the bosses,” Congress’ Rahul Gandhi told students during an interaction over lunch in Kerala, and mentioned, “the boss of my family was my grandmother and I have always in my family, like on this table, been outnumbered by women”. He added, “Women are generally more intelligent than men. Men are in a hurry and get blinded by silly things. Women think long term, and don’t apply direct power, which is effective.” In a post, Rahul said, “I was deeply impressed by each student’s dreams, curiosity, and confidence. Such conversations remind us that when women recognise their potential and move forward with an open mind, they can bring about extraordinary change.” He said, “Every woman is unique. Their sensitivity, understanding, and emotional intelligence provide balance and direction to society. Women wield power in their own unique ways – with patience, long-term vision, and empathy.” Meanwhile, Congress MP from Kerala, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, posted on X, “On this Women’s Day, may every woman realise her strength…” TNN Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalits, backward classes lose out to SP’s core voter constituencies in Uttar Pradesh
About 70% of SP’s 97 district and metropolitan presidents belong to Yadav and Muslim communities, raising questions over the enforcement of PDA slogan within the party organisation. LUCKNOW: When Samajwadi Party (SP) bagged 37 of 80 Lok Sabha seats in UP in 2024 polls by playing out its PDA (Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak) narrative, it was expected that leaders from backward classes, Dalits and Muslims would get wider representation in the party structure. However, the current organizational structure reflects the dominance of SP’s core M-Y (Muslim-Yadav) combination. About 70% of the party’s 97 district and metropolitan presidents belong to Yadav and Muslim communities, raising questions over the enforcement of the PDA slogan within the party organisation. Though the Yadav population in the state is estimated to be 8-9%, this core vote bank dominates the SP’s organisation. As many as 42 district president posts have gone to Yadavs. Muslims come second with 24 positions. Only seven people from the general category have been made district chiefs. “SP had achieved success in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections with PDA slogan. Akhilesh Yadav went to the Lok Sabha from Kannauj vacating his Karhal assembly seat. He had the opportunity to field a person from PDA category in Karhal bypoll, but he fielded his nephew Tej Pratap Yadav. SP’s PDA narrative now stands exposed,” a BSP leader said. BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said SP’s PDA model was a facade. “Outside the family, they will not give major responsibility to anyone. In the organization too, they don’t look beyond the M-Y equation,” he said. SP spokesperson Udayveer Singh said district presidents are chosen based on people’s opinion. “In the state committee, it is ensured that every section of society gets a place,” he said. Namita Bajpai 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
In rejig, UP BJP to strike balance in upperCaste and OBC-Dalit representation
Lucknow: With assembly elections due early next year, the much-anticipated organisational rejig in the UP BJP, expected later this month, is likely to swing the spotlight back on party’s bid to strike a balance between the upper caste and the OBC-Dalit combo. Facing the heat over the controversy around UGC equity regulations and the face-off with Swami Avimukteshvaranand Saraswati during the Magh Mela, the BJP leadership is learnt to be treading a cautious path while making moves to consolidate the upper caste, which was the backbone of the party’s electoral success since the early 1990s. The party relayed initial hints recently when it released the fresh list of 11 district presidents, of which six were from the upper caste (three Brahmins and one each from the Thakur, Vaishya and Kayastha community), three were OBC and two were from the Dalit community. The distribution indicated that the party was unwilling to abandon its traditional base while simultaneously ensuring representation of backward and marginalised groups. All eyes are now on the new UP BJP state executive, which will steer the party’s organisational machinery in the election year. Changes are expected to be affected across the state leadership, which has a domination of the upper caste. Of the 18 vice-presidents, 10 are from the upper caste, five are OBC and three are Dalit. Likewise, of the seven state general secretaries, three are from the upper caste, three are OBC and one is SC. Similarly, of the 16 state secretaries, nine are from the upper caste, three are OBC and four are Dalits. As a matter of fact, while CM Yogi Adityanath is a Thakur, UP BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary and state general secretary (organisation) Dharam Pal Singh are OBC. At the same time, the BJP seeks a measured and accelerated outreach to the non-Yadav OBC and non-Jatav Dalit to augment its social coalition that formed the launch pad of its electoral success under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi in 2014. The OBC-Dalit combo has become all the more important for the BJP even as it faces a resurgent opposition and its Piccha Dalit Alpsankhyak (PDA) poll narrative, which is said to have dented the saffron brigade in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when its tally came down from 62 to 33. Sources said that the UP BJP leadership was coordinating closely with the RSS, the party’s organisational fountainhead, while constituting a new team. The BJP-RSS coordination meetings have already been held in various organisational regions to draw up a formal blueprint of the organisational set-up. A senior UP BJP leader said that besides the caste balance, the party aims to bring in equitable representation of all six regions. Currently, the balance is tilted in favour of the Gorakhpur region, which happens to be the political backyard of not only Adityanath but also Chaudhary. Not surprisingly, the focus is expected to be on five other regions: Kashi, Braj, Awadh, West UP and Kanpur-Bundelkhand. “The party’s foremost priority was to give balanced representation to all castes, communities and regions based on the winnability factor. This would be factored in prominently when the new team is announced,” said UP BJP spokesperson Hero Bajpai. A senior UP BJP leader said that the party is expected to focus on the deployment of youth and women functionaries, the two key electoral blocs, in an attempt to cut across the caste spectrum. Analysts said that while young voters form a large share of UP’s electorate, women voters increasingly determine electoral outcomes. 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 promises free travel for all women
T’puram: Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched the UDF’s campaign for the assembly elections by announcing five guarantees if it comes to power. Addressing a rally in the state capital, Gandhi promised free bus travel for women in KSRTC buses, a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000 for college-going girl students and an increase in monthly welfare pensions to Rs 3,000. He also announced a new health insurance scheme named after former chief minister Oommen Chandy, offering coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh for every household and the creation of a dedicated ministry for senior citizens. The UDF also promised interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh for young entrepreneurs. Rahul also cautioned UDF leaders to remain united in the runup to the elections. Saying that this message came from the people of Kerala, he urged leaders of the alliance to work together if they wanted to return to power. Using the analogy of a group dance performance, he called on leaders to “dance together” to defeat what he termed the “corrupt” LDF govt and ensure a better future for the people of Kerala. He also expressed gratitude to the people of the state for their support during politically challenging times. The Congress leader also accused the Centre of selectively targeting opposition leaders through central agencies while sparing leaders of the ruling front in Kerala. He questioned why agencies such as the ED took action against opposition leaders but not against chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan or his family. Gandhi alleged that the BJP and the CPM indirectly worked together in the state. He said a UDF govt would focus on generating employment by supporting small and medium enterprises and creating new opportunities in the state. Earlier, Puthu Yuga Yatra led by opposition leader V D Satheesan concluded in Thiruvananthapuram. Addressing a rally, Satheesan said the people embraced the march as their own and described it as a strong endorsement of the new Kerala model proposed by the UDF. Expressing confidence about the alliance’s prospects in the upcoming elections, he said the UDF would form the govt with more than 100 seats and pledged to rebuild the state. Attacks Modi over US deal Rahul launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of “betraying the country” by signing a deal with the US that he claimed would harm India’s farmers, small traders and national interests. Rahul said India’s vast data resources, generated by its 1.4 billion people through medical records, communications and mobility patterns, were among the country’s most valuable assets. He alleged that the deal would allow such data to be accessed by the US, which could have implications for India’s future in artificial intelligence and digital technology. This data was sold to the US as per the deal, he said. Addressing a UDF rally in the state capital, Rahul alleged that the agreement would open India’s agricultural sector to large American mechanised firms, putting small farmers in the country at a disadvantage. He said such a move was not undertaken by previous prime ministers and warned that Indian crops and agricultural livelihoods could be affected. Rahul also raised concerns about India’s energy security, claiming that the deal would force India to buy oil only from countries approved by the US. He alleged that this would limit India’s ability to independently procure oil, including from Russia. Rahul further alleged that imports from the US worth around Rs 9 lakh crore could enter India under the agreement, adding that no previous prime minister signed such a deal. Rahul claimed that several documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case were yet to be made public and alleged that individuals close to Modi, including industrialist Anil Ambani and Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, were mentioned in them. Rahul further referred to legal issues in the US involving industrialist Gautam Adani and alleged that the prime minister feared financial links connected to the BJP could be exposed. Rahul claimed that due to such pressures, Modi hurriedly agreed to the deal with the US and alleged that the US President publicly threatened to damage Modi’s political career. Hence, Modi was compromised, he added. 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
AI might not eliminate jobs but change nature of work: Rahul Gandhi
T’puram: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi interacted with technology professionals at Technopark on Saturday during a discussion on the theme ‘Technology, Innovation and Opportunity’. Around 200 invited IT professionals, including software engineers, start-up founders and company CEOs, attended the interaction, which focused on the role of technology in shaping employment, innovation and economic growth. During the discussion, Rahul said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence might not eliminate jobs but were likely to transform the nature of work. He stressed the importance of developing new skills and capabilities to adapt to changing technological and economic conditions. Speaking about the growth of India’s IT sector, Rahul recalled that when former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi proposed promoting software development in the country, the idea was once dismissed by the CEO of General Electric as impractical. However, he said the vision eventually contributed to the rise of India’s IT industry on the global stage. He also emphasised the importance of curiosity and perseverance in innovation and said individuals should remain open to diverse ideas and approaches. Learning new things, he said, helps improve adaptability and performance in a rapidly changing environment. Referring to global economic trends, he noted that several critical components used in technologies such as drones are currently manufactured in China. Recalling his visit to Germany, he said India should move towards becoming a more production- and manufacturing-oriented economy rather than primarily a consumer-driven one. He also highlighted the need to democratise production systems so that technological advancements benefit not only large corporations but also small enterprises and start-ups. Rahul underscored the importance of data privacy, particularly in the context of sharing sensitive information such as medical and genetic data. As technology advances, he said society must remain vigilant about protecting individual privacy. He also suggested that reforms in the Goods and Services Tax system were necessary to provide greater support to small businesses and MSMEs. According to him, the govt should provide clear policy direction regarding the country’s economic future to help citizens and industries prepare accordingly. 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 to launch UDF’s campaign in Kerala
T’puram: Opposition leader in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will inaugurate a public meeting in the capital on Saturday to mark the culmination of senior Congress leader V D Satheesan’s Puthu Yuga Yatra. UDF had started a statewide yatra from Kasaragod on Feb 6 ahead of the upcoming assembly election saying it would present solutions to the state’s problems before the people. UDF leaders claimed the public outrage against LDF govt was clearly mirrored throughout the yatra. Satheesan said that women and youth responded positively to his yatra and people, who did not represent political parties in UDF, also participated in the discussions held as part of the yatra. “A major portion of the yatra was set aside to discuss Kerala’s problems. It was the first time that a political yatra discussed in detail the magnitude of the damage LDF govt inflicted on key sectors, including health, education and agri. Vision documents were released on how UDF wants to rebuild health and higher education sectors,” he said. “Gandhi, who will kick-start UDF’s election campaign on Saturday, may announce some of the key promises and reforms to be included in the election manifesto,” he said. 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
‘Nobody’s really watching The Kerala Story’: Rahul Gandhi criticises weaponisation of cinema and media
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, criticised the use of cinema and media for political propaganda, referring to the debate around the film The Kerala Story. He said movies and media should unite people rather than deepen divisions in society. Sharing a video of his interaction with students of Marian College in Idukki, Kerala, Gandhi said cinema and media were increasingly being “weaponised” to vilify communities and create social divisions, according to news agency ANI. Captioning the post on social media, Gandhi wrote, “The real Kerala story – compassion, unity, and always standing by one another. Cinema and media should bring people together, not be weaponised to divide society or vilify communities.” In the video, a student asked him whether cinema was increasingly being used as a political propaganda tool to shape public perception, referring to controversies around films such as “The Kerala Story”. Responding to the question, Gandhi said the public understands Kerala’s social and cultural fabric. “‘The Kerala Story’s’ hall seems to be empty, and nobody’s really watching it. And it shows you that there are people, the majority of this country, have an understanding of what Kerala is and Kerala’s traditions and cultures,” Gandhi said. He also reflected on his experience as the then Member of Parliament from Wayanad for five years and the lessons he learnt from the people of the state. “I spent five years being an MP from Wayanad. I learnt a lot from the people of Kerala, and also the people of Wayanad. When I first arrived there, there was a big landslide, and a lot of people had died. I was very surprised at the reaction of the people to that landslide. In fact, I was very impressed by it,” Gandhi said. Describing the response of residents during the tragedy, he highlighted the spirit of solidarity among the people. “It was quite amazing to see that somebody who’s lost his family, lost his house, he’s interested in helping somebody else. And it didn’t matter what community that person was from, what religion, none of that mattered. It was that there’s a problem, and all of us have to get together to solve the problem. I found that to be a very powerful thing,” he said. Gandhi said people from Kerala are widely respected across the country. “Of course, you people have made us very proud. The only thing one hears about the people of Kerala is praise,” he said. He also reiterated his concerns about the role of media and films in shaping narratives. “Movies, TV, media have been weaponised to vilify people, to alienate people, to create division in society so that certain people can benefit and other people are harmed,” Gandhi said. 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
‘Conflict has reached our backyard’: Rahul Gandhi targets Centre after Iranian warship sunk in Indian Ocean
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday targeted the Centre after a US submarine sank an Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, warning that the conflict in West Asia poses serious risks for India’s energy security. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said the world was entering a turbulent phase and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of saying “nothing”. “The world has entered a volatile phase. Stormy seas lie ahead. India’s oil supplies are under threat, with more than 40% of our imports transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The situation is even worse for LPG and LNG,” Rahul Gandhi wrote. Rahul also referred to the sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, which had recently taken part in the Indian Navy’s Milan naval exercise before heading back through the Indian Ocean. “The conflict has reached our backyard, with an Iranian warship sunk in the Indian Ocean. Yet the Prime Minister has said nothing,” he said. Calling for stronger leadership in the face of growing geopolitical tensions, Rahul said the country needed a firm and steady response. “At a moment like this, we need a steady hand at the wheel,” he wrote. “Instead, India has a compromised PM who has surrendered our strategic autonomy,” Rahul said. The remarks came after the US Navy sank the Iranian Moudge-class frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean earlier this week using a Mark-48 torpedo launched from a submarine, an attack that reportedly killed dozens of sailors. Iran has strongly condemned the strike, calling it an “atrocity at sea” and warning that the United States would “bitterly regret” the precedent set by attacking the vessel. Iranian officials also pointed out that the frigate had recently visited India as part of naval engagements linked to the Milan exercise. The incident comes amid a rapidly widening conflict in West Asia, with missiles, drones and rockets being exchanged across Iran, Israel and other parts of the region. 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