Nation needs Rahul as PM more than ever: Revanth
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday said the country and its people need Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister more than ever. He called upon the newly appointed district Congress committee (DCC) presidents and party workers to work towards making Rahul the nation’s leader. ‘Roadmap for party’ Revanth made the remarks at the concluding session of a training camp for DCC presidents from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in Vikarabad. Rahul, the chief guest, had a photo session with all DCC chiefs and their families and later addressed them, providing a roadmap for party work. Speaking to the gathering, Revanth said Rahul must become PM in the interest of the country. “Rahul Gandhi does not seek the post because his grandfather, grandmother, and father served as Prime Ministers of India. He is challenging Modi and striving to keep India united by connecting with people like a common citizen. Given the present situation, everyone should work hard to make him PM,” the CM said. The meeting was held in-camera, and some details were later shared by the Congress party. It stated that Rahul nodded in agreement to Revanth’s assertion that current circumstances make him essential as PM to serve the people and maintain national unity. Revanth added, “We came to power in Telangana in Dec 2023 in the name of Sonia Gandhi. Rahul is fighting against injustices faced by SCs, STs, BCs, minorities, women farmers, and against attempts to alter reservations and amend the Constitution. He is addressing multiple issues in the interest of the country.” ‘Raise public issues’ The CM also shared his political journey with the DCC presidents, from becoming a ZPTC 19 years ago to MLC, MLA, MP, and now as CM. “This is possible for all of you if you raise public issues, listen to people’s grievances, work to solve them, and avoid mistakes. Many cases were filed against me; I was even jailed, and faced defamation suits, yet I continued to raise people’s concerns,” he said. Earlier, Rahul and Revanth briefly discussed Rajya Sabha candidates for the two Telangana seats. The TPCC chief said no names had been finalised, and decisions are expected in a day or two. 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
Take Modi’s ‘failures’ to every doorstep: Rahul to Cong cadre
Hyderabad: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Monday asked party cadres and functionaries to take what he termed the “failures and mistakes” of PM Narendra Modi to the doorsteps of the people. Addressing a political affairs committee (PAC) meeting attended by chief minister A Revanth Reddy, deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, ministers, TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud and senior functionaries, Rahul referred to the Epstein files and the India-US trade agreement. He said the failures and mistakes committed by PM Modi were being exposed one after another and must be highlighted before the public. Rahul, who is leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, alleged that Modi surrendered to US President Donald Trump because the US possessed the Epstein files and relevant proof in the Adani case, among others. He claimed Modi was unable to question Trump and, under pressure, signed a trade deal detrimental to India’s interests. He alleged the PM surrendered critical ‘data of India’ to the US and cautioned that while artificial intelligence was important, it was ineffective without control over data. Later, addressing newly appointed district Congress presidents from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana at the valedictory of their 10-day training camp, he said BJP practised power-driven politics while the Congress ideology was of non-violence, peace and equality. “Congress must function without caste, religion, class, gender or economic discrimination,” he said. Urging leaders to shed arrogance and serve with humility, he said the party’s strength derives from the people. Drawing a parallel between self-discipline in jiu jitsu (martial art) and politics, Rahul urged leaders to remain committed to Congress ideology and win power through the trust and confidence of the people, not by what he termed the BJP’s ‘do anything’ approach. “The party is always bigger than ego, so shed it and work to strengthen the Congress by always being among the people.” He asked DCC presidents and party workers to stand firmly with Dalits, Adivasis, women, farmers, minorities and youth, and said any attempt to do injustice to these sections should be met with strong resistance from the Congress. Former MP V Hanumanth Rao appealed to Rahul to ensure that one party MP introduced a private member bill in the Lok Sabha seeking 42% reservation for BCs. 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 to visit T today, to address new DCC chiefs
Hyderabad: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address the valedictory session of the District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents’ training programme in Vikarabad on Monday. Chief minister A Revanth Reddy and other key leaders will receive him at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad at 9.40 am. Rahul Gandhi, along with Revanth, will fly by helicopter to Vikarabad, where the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha will address the newly appointed DCC chiefs from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The DCC chiefs underwent a 10-day training programme focused on further strengthening the party at the grassroots level and on effectively taking welfare schemes and the development agenda closer to the people. Meanwhile, a senior party leader did not rule out the possibility of Rahul Gandhi meeting some of the surrendered top Maoist leaders, as well as the family members of a Youth Congress leader from the erstwhile Mahbubnagar district who was arrested in New Delhi for protesting at the AI Summit. Revanth, along with deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka, TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud and AICC leader Meenakshi Natarajan, is also expected to place before Rahul Gandhi a panel of names for the two Rajya Sabha seats from Telangana that will go to polls on March 16. The last date for filing nominations is March 5. The names being discussed in party circles for the seats include Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Justice Sudershan Reddy, AICC secretary Ch Vamshi Chand Reddy, former MP V Hanumanth Rao, party veterans Ananthula Shyam Mohan, M Kodanda Reddy and G Chinna Reddy, ex-MP Madhu Yaskhi Goud, govt advisers Mohd Ali Shabbir and Harkara Venugopal, and CM adviser Vem Narender Reddy. Sources said the CM is likely to place a panel of four names before Rahul Gandhi, which will be finalised for the two seats based on caste, social, political and other equations. Revanth and Bhatti, along with the TPCC chief, reportedly shortlisted four names on Sunday. Rahul Gandhi will leave for New Delhi in the evening, according to the CMO. 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
Jakhar mocks Rahul Gandhi’s Barnala rally call for unity in Punjab Cong
Chandigarh: Following Rahul Gandhi’s call for unity in the faction-ridden Punjab Congress at a rally in Barnala, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Saturday mocked the Congress leadership, claiming the event was aimed at reprimanding the party’s state leaders rather than addressing public issues. The remarks came in response to Gandhi’s address at the Barnala rally, where he stressed the need for unity among Punjab Congress leaders and warned that factionalism within the party would not be tolerated. Referring to Gandhi’s remark, “No matter how big you are, be a team player; otherwise, Kharge ji and I will set you right,” Jakhar said the statement itself summed up the purpose of the rally. In a post on social media, Jakhar alleged that the Congress gathering had neither an agenda for Punjab nor any discussion on issues concerning farmers and labourers. Instead, he said, it appeared to be “a desperate attempt” by Gandhi, on behalf of the Congress high command, to publicly reprimand the party’s divided state leadership and compel them to unite through what he described as a warning. He further claimed that, in doing so, Gandhi exposed the internal divisions within the Punjab Congress before the public and, at the same time, raised questions about his own leadership ability. Jakhar also targeted the Congress leadership at the Centre, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, alleging that the high command failed to provide direction to the party in Punjab. 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
‘Death warrant for farmers’: Rahul Gandhi attacks PM Modi at Punjab rally; questions Indo-US trade deal
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the timing of the Indo-US interim trade deal. Addressing the Mazdoor Kissan Maha Rally in Barnala, Punjab, Rahul said the deal had been stalled for four months due to disagreements over opening the agriculture sector. “So the question arises, the work which PM did not do for four months, why did he do it within 15 minutes?” he asked. “What was the pressure that the prime minister of India signed a death warrant for our country there. He signed a death warrant for our farmers. He gave away our data. He signed a death warrant for our small and medium industries,” he alleged. Rahul further said that the prime minister gave a guarantee to US president Donald Trump that India would buy US products worth Rs 9 lakh crore every year. He said opening the agricultural sector would allow American goods to enter the Indian market and harm farmers in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. “Narendra Modi has opened the door of the agricultural sector. American goods will flow in, and our farmers will be ruined,” he said. “No prime minister of India, whether from the Congress Party, the BJP, or any other party, can open the agricultural sector. No prime minister can.” Rahul further claimed he was not allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha after the president’s address because he wanted to refer to an unpublished book by former army chief general Manoj Naravane (retd). He alleged that the memoir described a lack of response from the political leadership during Chinese troop movements near the border. “Only the prime minister of the country can give the order to fire upon the Chinese army. Neither the army chief nor the defence minister can give it. Naravane ji asked the prime minister whether we can fire and stop them. There was no response for 2 hours. After that, Naravane ji gets the order to do whatever he deems appropriate,” 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
‘No matter how powerful…’: Rahul cracks whip on Punjab Cong rifts
Barnala: Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday warned senior leaders of the faction-ridden Punjab Congress that even the most powerful among them would be sidelined if they failed to unite and work as a team. Gandhi, who was at the Barnala grain market as part of the Congress’s MGNREGA Bachao Sangram, also urged senior leaders to respect party workers, describing them as the real strength of the organisation. “Whatever is achieved can only be done through teamwork. No single person can ensure victory. We have a complete team, become a team player or you will be put among the reserve players and be benched. No matter how senior a leader is, he cannot be bigger than the party. If you do not mend your ways, Kharge ji and I will set you right. Our workers are our real strength, and decisions should be taken with their consent and by keeping them in the loop,” Gandhi said to loud applause from party workers at the fag end of his address. The Lok Sabha leader of opposition’s remarks come amid rising complaints of factionalism in the Congress. Even expelled Congress functionary Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, had taken a dig at the rifts within the unit late last year, claiming the party had “five to six CM faces”. In Barnala, Gandhi also hailed the people of Punjab. “Punjab is our strength, the protector and foundation of India. We love Punjab. Politics is fine, but I love the people of Punjab. The Congress wants to safeguard the future of Punjab, its farmers and youth, who need to succeed,” he said, appearing to show more concern for the audience than for the leaders sharing the dais. The state unit has struggled to present a united face, which has reflected in the bypolls held since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. While the Congress won seven of the state’s 13 Lok Sabha seats, it has managed to win only one of the six assembly bypolls held thereafter, Barnala in 2024. 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
‘Did Robert Vadra, Rahul Gandhi go to jail?’ Kejriwal hits back as Congress questions relief in liquor policy case
NEW DELHI: The political tremors from the Delhi excise policy verdict rippled beyond the courtroom on Friday as the Congress lashed out at the ruling BJP, alleging that Arvind Kejriwal’s discharge was timed against the backdrop of the Gujarat and Punjab elections. Kejriwal, who had briefly allied with the Congress ahead of the 2024 general elections, hit back at his former ally, accusing it of having “no shame” and drawing a contrast between AAP leaders going to jail and the Congress high command remaining out of legal clutch. Soon after a Delhi court granted relief to Kejriwal in the alleged liquor scam case, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera attacked the BJP, likening it to an “Icchadhari Naag” (shape-shifting serpent). In a post on X, he alleged that the BJP was deploying central agencies as “campaign tools” with key state elections approaching, calling it “vendetta as governance.” Khera argued that the BJP’s ideological positions were secondary to its “obsessive goal”: the realisation of a “Congress-Mukt Bharat.” He cited what he described as the party’s “fluctuating relationship” with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) as evidence of political opportunism. “The BJP is not a political party. It is a shape-shifter, a wishful serpent – Icchadhari Naag. It will stoop to any level for one obsessive goal: defeat Congress – Congress Mukt Bharat. For 12 years they spewed venom at the TMC. And now? Narendra Modi himself is showering it with praise – not out of respect, but to land a cheap blow at Congress,” Khera’s post read. Khera also predicted that cases against Congress leaders would intensify as elections draw closer, citing senior leader P Chidambaram as an example. “Elections are coming. So the script is predictable. Cases against Congress leaders will suddenly accelerate – @PChidambaram_IN has already been dragged back into the spotlight because Tamil Nadu is going for polls,” he wrote in the post. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently granted prosecution sanction against Chidambaram in the Aircel Maxis Deal and INX Media cases. “Meanwhile, proceedings against their “convenient allies” in the AAP and others will quietly vanish in light of the Gujarat and Punjab elections,” he wrote on X. Describing the developments as part of the “BJP playbook,” Khera alleged that the ruling party uses central agencies as “campaign tools”. “This is the BJP playbook: vendetta as governance and agencies as campaign tools,” he said. Kejriwal hits back with ‘Congress has no shame’ remark Responding to the Congress’ remarks, Kejriwal targeted Pawan Khera, who suggested that the narrative was being pushed to politically corner the Congress ahead of the Punjab and Gujarat elections. Questioning how many Congress leaders had gone to jail, the AAP supremo said the party had “no shame.” “I want to ask the Congress – Kejriwal went to jail. Did Robert Vadra go to jail? Sanjay Singh went to jail. Did Rahul Gandhi go to jail? Sanjay Singh went to jail. Did Sonia Gandhi ji went to jail? What is Congress saying? Does it have no shame?” Kejriwal asked. The political exchange followed a detailed order from a Special Court in Delhi, which held that the prosecution had failed to disclose “even the threshold of a prima facie suspicion, far less the grave suspicion” required for framing of charges in the CBI case linked to the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. In a strongly worded ruling, Special Judge (PC Act) Jitender Singh of the Rouse Avenue Court said the prosecution’s case was “legally infirm, unsustainable, and unfit to proceed any further in law”. The court further observed that when the material collected by the agency was tested on admissibility, relevance and probative value, “the appearance of a coherent conspiracy dissolves,” exposing the allegations as being founded on inadmissible material and post-facto reconstruction. Among those discharged are Arvind Kejriwal, and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and 21 others. The court was also critical of the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) reliance on approver statements, cautioning that granting pardon to an accused and then using his testimony to fill gaps in the prosecution’s case or implicate additional accused would undermine constitutional safeguards. The FIR in the case was registered in August 2022 following a complaint by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, alleging that the now-scrapped excise policy was designed to favour select liquor licensees by reducing licence fees and fixing profit margins, leading to kickbacks and losses to the exchequer. 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
‘This is not North Korea, it is India’: Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi amid row over ‘shirtless’ protest
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid the row over the arrest of Youth Congress members following the controversial ‘shirtless’ protest at the India AI Impact Summit, accusing the Centre of suppressing peaceful dissent. “The world’s largest democracy is being slowly pushed in a direction where dissent is branded as treason and asking questions is called a conspiracy. Think about it – no matter the issue, if you raise your voice against those in power through constitutional means, then batons, lawsuits, and jail are almost a certainty,” Rahul said in a post. “”Peaceful protest is not a crime – it is the soul of democracy. Asking questions is not democracy’s weakness, it is its strength,” he added. Referring to the arrest of Youth Congress workers, Gandhi said those protesting against the government were being branded anti-national and jailed. “When the Youth Congress peacefully protested against a US Trade deal harmful to the country, they were branded ‘anti-national’ and arrested,” he said. The remarks came after Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president Uday Bhanu Chib and several party workers were arrested in connection with the “shirtless” protest held at Bharat Mandapam during the AI summit in New Delhi. During the protest, a group of Youth Congress workers entered the venue wearing T-shirts concealed under winter clothing and later removed their shirts while raising slogans against the Prime Minister. Police described Chib as the alleged “mastermind” behind the demonstration and took him into custody, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to eight. Backing the arrested workers earlier, Gandhi had described them as “Babbar Sher comrades” and expressed solidarity with the youth wing. “I am proud of my Babbar Sher colleagues in the Youth Congress, who have fearlessly raised their voices in the interest of the country against the ‘COMPROMISED PM’,” he had said. He added that peaceful protest was a democratic right and that raising questions against the government should not be treated as a crime. The arrests triggered a political controversy, with the Congress calling the police action politically motivated while the BJP accused the party of attempting to embarrass the country during an international event. 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
DMK MP Kanimozhi may meet Rahul Gandhi again to iron out differences over seat-sharing
Chennai: Seat-sharing talks between DMK and Congress have hit a roadblock, with Congress refusing to settle for the numbers offered by the principal ally. DMK MP Kanimozhi is likely to meet Congress leaders in Delhi on Friday as leaders of the two parties kept talking in different voices over the allocation of a Rajya Sabha seat, too. “Kanimozhi has sought an appointment with Rahul Gandhi after her parliamentary committee meeting on Friday morning. She will explain the reasons for DMK’s inability to fulfil the demands of Congress,” said a source. DMK has been citing the inclusion of more partners in the alliance as a reason for its inability to give more seats to allies. During her talks with AICC member Girish Chodankar on Feb 23, Kanimozhi had requested Congress to settle for 27 seats. Chodankar conveyed the message to the Congress leadership, and the Congress high command was not happy with the numbers, sources said. “We started with the offer of 25 seats and raised it by two, but they don’t seem to be happy with it,” said a DMK source. The stalemate triggered rumours that Congress has reopened channels of communication with TVK. Seeking to end speculations, TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai said the Congress-DMK alliance remains strong. “A Congress candidate will file a nomination for a Rajya Sabha seat in a couple of days under the DMK alliance,” he said. However, DMK sources said Kanimozhi had communicated to Chodankar that Congress can be given a Rajya Sabha seat only in 2028. 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
Wayanad: Cong launches 100 homes for survivors
Kozhikode: Opposition leader in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi laid the foundation stone for homes Congress will build for the survivors of Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide. The project at Kunnambetta in Meppadi panchayat will see construction of 100 houses, each measuring 1,100 sq ft on eight cents. Addressing the gathering, Rahul said the people of Wayanad showed unmatched courage in the face of disaster. “You lost and lost, but you never lost your spirit. You never lost your courage and more importantly, you never lost the compassion for others,” he said. He added that launching the housing project sends a message to survivors that the party will stand with them throughout recovery and healing. “For us, it is not a one-day event that happened. Because you are our family, we are going to stand with you whenever you need us,” he said. Speaking at the event, Priyanka said she will stay with the disaster-affected people until they rebuild their lives fully. She said the tragedy’s scenes can never be forgotten. “What I saw that day will never leave me. You lost everything – your homes, your families, sops, businesses, everything. But what struck me most was your courage, your pride, the way every single person here did whatever they could to help you. And the way you stood together, helping each other irrespective of religion and different sections you belonged to. You gave each other courage and love when you needed it most,” she said. On the delay in starting project work, Priyanka said she was pained the process took so long. She added that the delay was due to required clearances and land issues. The party purchased 3.25 acres and is now in the process of buying another 2.18 acres. Negotiations are ongoing to acquire an additional five acres, she said. Priyanka handed over Rs 5 lakh to 40 traders, who had lost their shops in the disaster. KPCC chief Sunny Joseph presided over the event. AICC general secretaries KC Venugopal and Deepa Dasmushi, IUML general secretary P K Kunhalikutty, and several other party leaders also spoke at the function. 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