‘Will prevent vote chori’: Rahul Gandhi’s shoutout to Gen Z; BJP hits back, asks why wouldn’t they drive you out?
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s shoutout to Gen Z to “stop vote theft” sparked a sharp retort from the BJP, with Nishikant Dubey quipping: “They are against corruption, why wouldn’t they drive you out?” The comments came in after Nepal Gen Z protest toppled the “corrupt” government and elected its first woman chief as its interim prime minister, and that too on gaming app Discord. After his presser claiming deletion of voters from Karnataka’s Aland constituency, Rahul said in a post on X, “The youth of the nation The students of the nation The Gen Z of the nation Will protect the Constitution, defend democracy, and prevent vote theft. I will always stand with them. Hail India!” Reacting to this, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey claimed that the Gen Z wants “an Islamic state in Bangladesh and a Hindu state in Nepal, why wouldn’t they make India a Hindu state?” “Gen Z is against family rule. Why would they tolerate Rahul Ji after Nehru Ji, Indira Ji, Rajiv Ji, Sonia Ji? They are against corruption, why wouldn’t they drive you out? They want an Islamic state in Bangladesh and a Hindu state in Nepal, why wouldn’t they make India a Hindu state? Get ready to leave the country, they are coming,” he said. — nishikant_dubey (@nishikant_dubey) Rahul’s comments drew reaction from Janata Dal United leader Neeraj Kumar too, who said that India was a “democracy” unlike “Bangladesh, Nepal,” adding that “our people do not accept dictatorial ideas.” “In countries like Nepal, where politics is driven by religion, such problems have to be dealt with differently. But India is a democracy, it is neither Bangladesh nor Nepal; our people do not accept dictatorial ideas. If one is comparing India with Nepal, they should consider India’s economic strength and the resilience of our people,” he said. — PTI_News (@PTI_News) 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 killer stalking Kerala attacks through the nose
On Sept 1, two patients — a threemonth-old baby and a 52-year-old woman — died within hours of each other at Kozhikode Govt Medical College. Doctors confirmed that both were being treated for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), an infection caused by the free-living parasite Naegleria fowleri. By mid-Sept, the toll had risen to 19, with 69 suspected or confirmed cases across Kerala. Victims ranged from infants to middle-aged adults. The scale is extraordinary: globally, researchers have identified only 488 documented infections since 1962. Rare And RuthlessPAM is one of the deadliest infections known to science. The parasite lives in warm, stagnant freshwater — ponds, lakes, unchlorinated swimming pools, poorly maintained tanks — and can infect people only when contaminated water is forced up the nose. From there, it travels along the olfactory nerve, burrows into the brain and begins dissolving tissue, unleashing catastrophic inflammation. Symptoms can begin in one to 12 days (typically 3-7 days): fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. Within days, they give way to stiff neck, confusion, seizures, hallucinations and coma. Across six decades, fewer than 20 survivors are documented globally, most with lasting neurological damage. The fatality rate is 97%. There is no vaccine or proven cure. Drugs such as Amphotericin B, Azoles, or Miltefosine are used in combination, sometimes with induced hypothermia, but success is rare. Crucially, PAM does not spread person to person and is not caused by drinking contaminated water; infection occurs via the nose Why Kerala? Worldwide, PAM tends to appear as sporadic, one-off cases, usually tied to a single contaminated reservoir or swimming pool. Kerala’s outbreak is different. Cases have surfaced across Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Thrissur and Malappuram, with no single identified source. The state’s position as a public health bellwether makes the outbreak more unsettling. Kerala has often been the first to detect emerging threats: India’s first Nipah outbreak in 2018, its early Covid-19 cases in 2020 (detected in returning medical students from Wuhan), and Zika virus in 2021. The arrival of a rare, near-uniformly fatal amoeba on this list has alarmed both doctors and the public. “Eight people died in 15 days. What is the protocol? What are people supposed to do? Even a baby was infected — was that child in a swimming pool?” Opposition leader V D Satheesan asked in the state assembly this month. Protests have broken out in several districts, with residents demanding that wells and public taps be tested. Doctors caution that Kerala’s higher numbers also reflect better detection. “The symptoms — headache, fever and vomiting — are similar to bacterial and viral brain infections. If you don’t suspect amoeba, you’ll miss it completely,” said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, convener of the Indian Medical Association’s research cell. How Kerala Is Responding Amid mounting panic, Kerala has launched ‘Jalamanu Jeevan (Water is Life)’, a statewide chlorination drive covering wells, pools, etc. Schools have been told to disinfect storage units regularly, while panchayats and municipalities are checking public taps and wells. Hospitals, particularly in Kozhikode, Thrissur and Malappuram, are on high alert. Doctors have been instructed to treat any meningitis-like illness with a history of water exposure as potential PAM. Rapid-response teams have been sent to test community water sources, though no contaminated reservoir has been found yet. Drugs, including Miltefosine, have been stocked. But officials concede that treatment rarely saves lives. Survivors worldwide are exceptional, often treated with a cocktail of antifungals, antibiotics and cooling therapies. That is why prevention — keeping contaminated water out of the nose — remains the focus. Lessons For The World A 2025 review in the Journal of Infection and Public Health, which analysed 488 cases across 39 countries since the disease was first described, shows how there is little room for error — and what others can learn as climate change reshapes risk. The parasite is not the same everywhere: N. fowleri has multiple genetic strains; genotypes II and III predominate in Asia, North America and Europe. Clean water is the strongest defence: Free chlorine ≥ 2.0 mg/L in storage tanks/ pools can eliminate the amoeba; countries like Australia monitor disinfection as a routine public health practice. Surveillance changes the numbers: Strong labs and routine testing mean more detection (not necessarily more disease). Country tallies include India (26), Mexico (33), Czech Republic (17), New Zealand (9), Nigeria (4), Venezuela (7). Everyday habits can raise or reduce risk: In Pakistan, first cases were reported in Karachi in 2008; >140 cases have since been documented. Many were linked to nasal rinsing during ablution or showering, not swimming. A similar ablution-linked case has also been confirmed in the US. 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
Dalit youth attacked with sword: Bullies slit his vein after he stopped him from drinking alcohol; Chandrashekhar Azad threatens agitation
A case of a sword attack on a Dalit youth by bullies has come to light in the Bachhrayun police station area of Amroha. The incident occurred on August 17th, when Shivam Singh, a resident of Musallepur village, stopped some people from drinking alcohol outside his house. A man named Siddhant Deora was drinking alcohol with his friends outside the victim’s house. When he objected, the accused called his other friends. The bullies beat Shivam and his father, attacking them with a sword, severing a vein in Shivam’s hand. The victim was admitted to a private hospital in Meerut in critical condition, where he remained for 15 days. According to doctors, the severed vein in his hand will no longer function. Shivam works as a scrap dealer with his father, and their home is located on the roadside outside the village. Azad Samaj Party chief Chandrashekhar Azad has raised the issue on the social media platform X. He has demanded the state government arrest the accused. Chandrashekhar has warned that if the culprits are not arrested soon, his organization will launch a mass movement. Rohit Prajapati Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Honour killing’ of Dalit man: Mom of girlfriend arrested under SC/ST Act
To investigate the case further, the deputy superintendent of police, Balaji, has been appointed the investigation officer. MAYILADUTHURAI: Following up on the murder of Dalit youth K Vairamuthu on Monday by a gang allegedly led by the brothers of a woman with whom he was in a relationship, the Mayiladuthurai police on Wednesday booked her mother K Vijaya, under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and arrested her along with three others. With their demand for Vijaya’s arrest having been met, Vairamuthu’s family members gave up their protest and received his body, which was kept at the Mayiladuthurai government hospital, for last rites. Vairamuthu (28) of Adiyamangalam was hacked to death on Monday night by a six-member gang over his relationship with K Malini, the daughter of an inter-caste couple, sources said. According to Vairamuthu’s family members, Malini’s mother Vijaya, who is from the BC community, was against her daughter’s relationship with a Dalit. According to Vairamuthu’s family members, Malini’s mother Vijaya, who is from the BC community, was against her daughter’s relationship with a Dalit. Alleging that Malini’s mother may have instigated Vairamuthu’s murder, the family members of the deceased and members of political parties refused to receive his body until she was arrested. On Wednesday, the Mayiladuthurai town police arrested Vijaya, her son K Gugan (21), A Anbunithi (19) and S Baskar (42) in connection with Vairamuthu’s murder. Following this, Vairamuthu’s family members and others demanding Vijaya’s arrest ended their protest and received his body from the GH. To investigate the case further, the deputy superintendent of police, Balaji, has been appointed the investigation officer. 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
Protest against quota for other castes in Gorakhpur’s Dalit hostel: Students and MLCs take to the streets, demanding immediate intervention from the administration.
Dalit students in Gorakhpur today protested against the state government’s order. The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to reserve 30 percent of seats in the state-run Scheduled Caste hostel for students from other castes. Students say this move will affect their rights and the learning environment. The protest started from Town Hall Chowk and reached Ambedkar Chowk. A large number of students participated in the protest and protested the government’s order through sloganeering. Students say that giving a 30 percent quota to students from other castes in a hostel built solely for Dalit students’ studies and accommodation is completely unjust. The students warned that if the order is not withdrawn, the agitation will intensify. MLC Devendra Pratap Singh extends support Gorakhpur MLC Devendra Pratap Singh was also present at the protest with the students. He said that this order is not only unjust but also violates the rights of Dalit students. He assured the students of justice and his support for their struggle. Indeed, MLC Devendra Pratap Singh was injured in a road accident yesterday. Despite this, he participated in the protest with the students today. He said, “Just as Rana Sanga suffered 80 wounds in the war and still continued to fight, today I stand up for the rights of Dalit students.” Students threatened to intensify the agitation. The students insisted that the hostel was built solely for the convenience of Dalit students and that the 30 percent quota for students from other classes was wrong. They warned that if the government did not withdraw the order, the agitation could escalate. The students reiterated their demand for justice from the local administration and the state government. Abhijeet Singh Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit man hacked to death by lover’s family in Tamil Nadu; four arrested
“After ten years of love, everything has been destroyed. He couldn’t even live peacefully in the house he built,” his inconsolable lover told reporters. Posted by Veena Nair In yet another disturbing caste killing case in Tamil Nadu, a 28-year-old Dalit man was hacked to death by the family of the woman he loved. K Vairamuthu from Adiyamangalam village of Mayiladuthurai district was brutally attacked with sickles on the night of September 15, sustaining serious injuries on his neck and wrists. He was rushed to the Mayiladuthurai Government Hospital but he succumbed to his injuries. Vairamuthu, a two-wheeler mechanic, was in a decade-long relationship with 26-year-old Malini, an MBA graduate from Chennai. However, her family, especially her mother, Vijaya, vehemently opposed it. Reports suggest that Vijaya once turned up at the Dalit’s workplace and hurled casteist slurs at him.”My life has already been ruined like this; at least my daughter’s life should not be wasted,” she reportedly told him. Vijaya belongs is a Chettiar (OBC) who married Malini’s father, from the Paraiyar community. On September 14, two days before the murder, both families were counselled by the police. At that time, Malini expressed her desire to marry Vairamuthu and reportedly moved in with him. Her family disowned her and submitted a written statement that they would not interfere in the young couple’s matter hereafter. Excited to start a new chapter in their life, Malini went to Chennai to collect documents for her registered marriage. However, her dreams were shattered as on the very same night, Vairamuthu was hacked to death by her family. On Wednesday, September 18, police arrested Vijaya, K Gugan, 21; A Anbunithi, 19 and S Baskar, 42. A case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was registered. Following the arrest, the Dalit man’s distraught family accepted his body. They staged a roadblock on the Mayiladuthurai–Kumbakonam highway, demanding the immediate arrest of his murderers. However, an inconsolable Malini cannot fathom a life without Vairamuthu. “After ten years of love, everything has been destroyed. He couldn’t even live peacefully in the house he built. Police assured us of safety, but no one protected us,” she told reporters. The killing of Vairamuthu is another caste horror coming from the southernmost state of India. In July, a 27-year-old Dalit software engineer working in Chennai was allegedly hacked to death by his girlfriend’s brother in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district. Kavin Selvaganesh was murdered by his girlfriend’s brother, Surjith Saravanan, in front ot the former’s mother at a Siddha hospital in Tirunelveli. The young Dalit’s mother, Tamilselvi, witnessed the brutal murder of her son. “While he (Surjith) was shouting, he suddenly attacked my son with a machete, injuring his arm. Kavin then started running, and Surjith chased him and hacked him to death. He told me to take the body and leave. ‘My parents will be peaceful only after this,’ he said,” her police complaint stated. Police arrested Surjith and his father Saravanan, who worked as a sub-inspector in the Tamil Nadu police force. Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
TN Medical Council orders sensitisation of doctors, students on transgender health
The move follows the recent release of the State Policy for Transgender Persons by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, which seeks to improve the socioeconomic conditions of the community over the next five years Chennai: In a significant step towards inclusive healthcare, the Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) has directed all medical practitioners, educators and students in the state to undergo sensitisation programmes on transgender health, LGBTQIA+ issues, and the rights and dignity of sexual minorities. The move follows the recent release of the State Policy for Transgender Persons by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, which seeks to improve the socio-economic conditions of the community over the next five years. According to the circular issued by TNMC, all Continuing Medical Education (CME) programmes in Tamil Nadu must incorporate mandatory sessions dedicated to transgender health and broader LGBTQIA+ concerns. The registrar stressed that such sensitisation was “imperative” to ensure that medical professionals not only provide equitable care but also uphold ethical and legal responsibilities. These sessions will also educate stakeholders about the prohibition of coercive practices, including so-called “conversion therapy”, which has been discredited worldwide. The circular outlined that the sensitisation sessions could be conducted either as standalone CMEs or integrated within existing academic schedules. Importantly, medical colleges and training centres must furnish completion reports to the Council within 30 days, while TNMC itself will monitor implementation by calling for records and verifying compliance. The training modules will also emphasise best practices in medical education and clinical care for trans persons, while ensuring that members of the transgender and LGBTQIA+ community share their lived experiences. This inclusion, officials noted, is designed to foster empathy and break down stereotypes that have long created barriers to accessing healthcare. The larger policy framework, released in July, also includes several welfare measures such as scholarships for transgender and intersex students pursuing higher education, the appointment of nodal counsellors in colleges, the establishment of short-stay homes for trans persons, and the launch of a toll-free helpline. Together, these initiatives represent the first comprehensive attempt by the Tamil Nadu government to institutionalise support systems for the trans community. By insisting on mandatory sensitisation in the medical sector, the TNMC has underlined the critical role healthcare professionals play in shaping inclusive spaces. For a community that has long battled stigma and systemic discrimination, these steps promise not just recognition but also a safer and more dignified future within Tamil Nadu’s healthcare system. Courtesy : Madhyamam Note: This news is originally published on https:/madhyamam.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
I worry about…: Suspect confesses to trans partner after shooting Charlie Kirk
The suspect appeared virtually for his first court hearing today after being formally charged on seven counts. Prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty, citing text messages and a handwritten note in which he appeared to confess to the crime. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer, Tyler Robinson, allegedly admitted to carrying out the attack at Utah University last week. In a series of text messages to his transgender partner and roommate, Robinson discussed the rifle he used and revealed other details, including the motive, according to court documents. Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his ‘American Comeback Tour’ when he was struck in the neck by a single rifle shot. Court filings state that the 22-year-old admitted to planning the killing for over a week and even left behind a handwritten note revealing his intentions.Police said the roommate handed over the text messages, according to the documents. The roommate was described in court filings as “a biological male who was in a romantic relationship with Robinson.” The suspect appeared virtually for his first court hearing since he was formally charged on seven counts today. Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty, citing text messages and a handwritten note in which he appeared to confess to the crime. CONFESSION IN TEXTS TO ROOMMATE Less than three hours after Kirk was fatally shot, Robinson messaged his live-in partner, Lance Twiggs, directing them to check under his computer keyboard. Twiggs, who is now cooperating with the FBI in the probe, found a note that read: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it.” At first, Twiggs texted back asking whether the note was some kind of twisted prank. Robinson allegedly replied, “I am still ok my love, but am stuck in Orem for a little while longer yet. Shouldn’t be long until I can come home, but I gotta grab my rifle still. To be honest I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you.” When Twiggs pressed him directly, Robinson admitted to killing Kirk. “You weren’t the one who did it, right?” asked Twiggs. “I am. I’m sorry,” Robinson replied. Twiggs asked why he did it, to which Robinson replied, “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out. If I am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence. Going to attempt to retrieve it again, hopefully they have moved on. I haven’t seen anything about them finding it,” revealing the motive. ROBINSON PANICKED ABOUT LOSING FAMILY RIFLE Robinson allegedly told Twiggs he used his grandfather’s scoped .30-06 hunting rifle and hid it in nearby bushes after the attack, changing clothes to deceive the police. “I’m worried what my old man would do if I didn’t bring back grandpa’s rifle. How the f*** will I explain losing it to my old man,” Robinson wrote in one of the exchanges cited in the indictment. Robinson never managed to retrieve the weapon because police had already secured the area. Prosecutors say Twiggs has not been charged and is fully cooperating with investigators. One of Robinson’s final messages before surrendering read: “(Y)ou are all I worry about love.” The suspect was arrested on Thursday night, about 33 hours after the shooting, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed. US President Donald Trump has publicly supported calls for Robinson to face the death penalty and attended Kirk’s funeral. Top administration officials have threatened to go after left-wing organisations in the wake of the assassination, which Trump blamed almost immediately on the “radical left.” 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
The Aland files: Rahul Gandhi flags ‘mass targeted deletions’ of voters; accuses EC of destroying democracy
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday presented evidence on alleged “vote chori”, accusing Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar of shielding those he claimed had “destroyed Indian democracy.” Speaking at a press conference at the Indira Bhawan Auditorium, the leader of opposition cited Aland constituency in Karnataka, where he alleged that a “targeted” attempt was made to delete 6,018 votes. He claimed that 6,018 applications were filed impersonating voters and this filing was done automatically using mobile numbers from outside Karnataka. Rahul Gandhi also made a claim about CEC Gyanesh Kumar. “CEC is protecting the people who have destroyed Indian democracy,” Gandhi added. “This I am saying with solid proof,” the leader of opposition said. — PTI_News (@PTI_News) The Congress MP said, “Aland is a constituency in Karnataka. Somebody tried to delete 6018 votes. We don’t know the total number of votes that were deleted in Aland in the 2023 election. They are much higher than 6,018, but somebody got caught deleting those 6018 votes, and it was caught by coincidence. What happened was that the booth-level officer there noted that her uncle’s vote was deleted, so she checked who deleted her uncle’s vote, and she found that it was a neighbour who deleted the vote. She asked her neighbour, but they said I did not delete any vote. Neither the person deleting the vote nor the person whose vote was deleted knew. Some other force hijacked the process and deleted the vote…” Rahul Gandhi claimed that in Karnataka’s Aland assembly constituency, 6,018 deletion applications were filed by impersonators to target Congress voters. This deletion of votes was done in “centralised manner” using software and not through individuals, the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha further said, adding that “targeted deletion” of votes was done in Congress stronghold through planned action. Gandhi also said that the Karnataka CID has started investigation seeking details from Election Commission on deletions done, but EC is not providing details. He urged, “Gyanesh Kumar ji, do your job, and you have taken an oath. Give the details to the Karnataka CID.” — ANI (@ANI) This press conference came 40 days after Rahul raised questions on the electoral outcome of Bangalore Central Lok Sabha seat, claiming that there was “chori” (stealing) of one lakh votes in Mahadevapura assembly seat during the 2024 polls. He had then claimed that the Election Commission was colluding with the BJP, which he called a “crime” against the Constitution. What about ‘Hydrogen bomb’? Speaking about the so-called “hydrogen bomb” of revelations, Rahul Gandhi said, “We will present the hydrogen bomb.” He added, “I told my team I would not step on stage without 100% proof.” “We will take two to three months to finish these presentations, and there will be no doubt that elections are being stolen across states in India,” he said. Earlier, addressing the concluding event of his Voter Adhikar Yatra on September 1, Gandhi had said his party will soon come out with a “hydrogen bomb” of revelations about “vote chori” and after that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be able to show his face to the country. Last month, Gandhi, citing data from the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, had claimed that over one lakh votes were “stolen” through manipulation in Mahadevapura assembly segment in Karnataka, and asserted that “vote chori” is an “atom bomb on our democracy”. 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
Tejashwi Yadav’s Bihar Adhikar Yatra: Consolidating Rahul Gandhi’s gains or establishing pre-eminence in alliance?
NEW DELHI: RJD leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday launched ‘Bihar Adhikar Yatra’ from Jehanabad to raise pitch against Nitish Kumar-led NDA government over issues of unemployment and increasing crime incidents among others ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Interestingly, Tejashwi’s solo yatra comes close on the heels of the much-hyped “Voter Adhikaar Yatra” which included all Mahagathbandhan leaders and was led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Tejashwi was part of the Voter Adhikaar Yatra, but the limelight was hogged by Rahul – who has been leading a campaign against alleged vote theft across the country accusing the Election Commission of helping the BJP. The RJD, which is going all out to dethrone Nitish Kumar led NDA government in the state, asserted that Tejasjwi’s yatra will cover districts which were left out in the ‘Voter Adhikaar Yatra’. “After the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, some districts were left out. All our workers and leaders from these districts demanded that these areas should be covered, so Tejashwi ji took the decision to take out this yatra respecting their feelings,” RJD MP Sanjay Yadav said yesterday when asked about the launch of the yatra. However, the fact that this new yatra comes amid an ongoing debate over Mahagathbandhan’s CM face and also inconclusive seat-sharing talks makes one wonder if the RJD leader has other objectives in mind also. Recently, the RJD leader had surprised all when during a rally in Muzaffarpur he pronounced: “And this time, Tejashwi will contest all 243 seats, whether it is Muzaffarpur, Kanti or Bochahan.” Tejashwi’s remarks, more than anything, was perhaps an attempt to stamp his pre-eminence as the leader of the opposition alliance across the state. However, Tejashwi later explained that there is “no confusion” regarding the chief ministerial face in the opposition bloc and the name will be announced at the “right time.” So, the question is why was such an assertion needed in the first place? After all, RJD is the largest party in the alliance and in the last elections had won 75 seats, which was the highest as it was one more than BJP’s tally. However, as the opposition alliance gears up for the assembly elections, the Congress has refused to openly endorse Tejashwi as Mahagathbandhan’s CM face. During the “Voter Adhikaar Yatra”, when Rahul Gandhi was pointedly asked why Congress was not endorsing Tejashwi as the CM face, he evaded a direct reply and instead spoke of a good understanding between the partners. This, despite the fact, that Tejashwi had earlier openly announced that Rahul would become the Prime Minister once the opposition won the next Lok Sabha elections. When asked why the Congress was not backing Tejashwi Yadav as the chief ministerial face in Bihar, Rahul Gandhi said: “A very strong partnership had been forged. All the parties (in the bloc) are working in sync. There’s no tension, and there’s mutual respect to help each other as we are ideologically and politically aligned. The result will be good. But the vote theft needs to be stopped.” Rahul’s reply was clearly a calculated and clever deflection of announcing party’s stand on the leadership issue in Bihar. The Congress leader, riding high on his successful “vote chori” campaign, was perhaps not willing to lose the bargaining chip so easily. The seat-sharing talks are underway and all parties are posturing for a higher share. In the 2020 assembly elections, the Rashtriya Janata Dal had contested 144 seats and won 75. The Congress had the worst strike rate as it contested 70 seats but won only 19. In fact, the Left parties had performed very well with the CPI-ML winning 12 out of 19, CPM 2 out of 4 and CPI 2 out of 6. This time around more parties have joined the opposition alliance and hence seat-sharing will not be an easy exercise. Already there are reports of pressure on both the RJD and the Congress to reduce their share so that other parties can be accommodated. While the Congress in Bihar is in no position to question his leadership within the alliance, they can pile pressure on the RJD during seat sharing talks. This, perhaps, explains why RJD and its leader Tejashwi have embarked on a campaign to ensure their pre-eminence in the alliance is not questioned. 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