The World Opinion

Tag: rahul gandhi

  • ‘Modi Govt’s Objective Is To Stay In Power By Spreading Anger, Hatered’: Priyanka Gandhi’s Sharp Attack On PM In Wayanad |

    Priyanka Gandhi In Wayanad: Senior Congress leader and party candidate for Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday lashed out at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government, alleging that he aims to stay in power by any means possible and he gives priority to big business interests over the well-being of the people.

    Priyanka Gandhi, who was in Wayanad to hold an election campaign in the Lok Sabha constituency ahead of the bypolls, alleged that the Modi government wants to remain in power by dividing people, spreading hatred, and oppressing democratic institutions.

    While addressing a rally in Wayanad, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra trained her guns at PM Modi and said, “Modi ji’s government works only for his big businessman friends. His objective is not to give you a better life. It is not to find new jobs.”

    “It is not to provide better health or education initiatives and programs. It is simply to stay in power by any means possible. And what are those means? Those means are dividing you, spreading anger, spreading hatred amongst you, taking your rights away from you, oppressing democratic institutions,” she added.

    #WATCH | Wayanad, Kerala: Congress leader and party’s candidate for Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, “Modi ji’s government works only for his big businessman friends. His objective is not to give you a better life. It is not to find new jobs. It is not… pic.twitter.com/l5fkrO7pGX


    — ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2024

    The senior Congress leader hailed the people of Wayanad for standing up for what is right and fighting against oppressors.

    “This land where all of you live together no matter what religion you are from. You have a courageous and strong history of leaders like Pazhassi Raja, Thalakkal Chanthu, and Edachena Kunkan. You have always fought for what is right; you have always fought against oppressors; you have always fought for equality,” the Congress leader said.

    During the election campaign, Priyanka Gandhi was accompanied by her brother and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. She also praised the people of Wayanad for supporting her brother Rahul Gandhi.

    “When my brother, Rahul Gandhi ji, was facing massive difficulties, he was being attacked every day by the BJP. A huge campaign was launched against him to tarnish his reputation; it was you, my brothers and sisters, who recognized that this man is fighting for what is right; he is fighting for the truth, and you stood by him; you supported him and gave him the courage to fight,” she said.

    Wayanad, a Congress bastion, is set to witness a contest between the grand old party’s candidate Priyanka Gandhi, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Navya Haridas, and the Left candidate Sathyan Mokeri in the upcoming bypolls.

    Priyanka Gandhi is contesting from the Wayanad constituency as a United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate and is seeking election from the seat her brother Rahul Gandhi vacated.

    Wayanad’s seat was vacated by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after he was also elected to Lok Sabha from Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh in the general elections held earlier this year.

    Wayanad will go to the polls on November 13 along with voting for bye-elections in 47 assembly seats across 15 states. The first phase of assembly polls in Jharkhand will also be held on November 13.

    (With ANI Inputs)

  • ‘Kuch Nahi Bachta’: Rahul Gandhi Visits A Delhi Barber, Shares Video — WATCH |

    Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is often seen interacting with people on the streets and in villages, where he tries to listen and understand the problems faced by them in their day-to-day lives. In the past, the former Congress chief has been seen taking a ride with truck drivers and interacting with farmers. 

    Now, Gandhi paid a visit to a barber in the national capital. He took to X to share his visit, where the latter tells him about his struggles. On Friday, the senior Congress leader said that barber Ajit’s four words, ‘Kuch Nahi Bachta Hai’ speak the story of every hard-working poor and middle-class person in India today.

    “These four words of Ajit Bhai and his tears tell the story of every hard-working poor and middle-class person in India today. From barbers to cobblers, potters to Carpenters—falling incomes and rising inflation have robbed those who work with their hands of their dreams of having their shops, houses, and even self-respect,” said Rahul Gandhi.

    “What is needed today are modern solutions and new schemes that will increase income and bring back savings to homes. And a society where talent gets its due and every step of hard work takes you up the ladder of success,” said the post from Rahul Gandhi.

    “कुछ नहीं बचता है!”

    अजीत भाई के ये चार शब्द और उनके आसूं आज भारत के हर मेहनतकश गरीब और मध्यमवर्गीय की कहानी बयां कर रहे हैं।

    नाई से लेकर मोची, कुम्हार से लेकर बढ़ई – घटती आमदनी और बढ़ती महंगाई ने हाथ से काम करने वालों से अपनी दुकान, अपना मकान और स्वाभिमान तक के अरमान छीन लिए… pic.twitter.com/1gYGdui2ll


    — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 25, 2024

    In the video, Rahul Gandhi was seen sitting on a chair with a pink towel wrapped around his kneck as the barber named Ajit trimmed his beard and shared his story. The barber tells Gandhi how he works throughout the day to save no money at the end of the day.

    The Congress leader was seen giving a hug to the barber at the end of the video, while Ajit said that he felt happy and satisfied after sharing his story with him. The grand old party also posted a video of the interaction on its X handle. “Today Jananayak Rahul Gandhi ji got a shave at Ajit Ji’s shop in Delhi and understood the struggles of his life,” the party said on X.

  • UP Bypolls: Why Is Congress Defying ‘Big Brother’ SP’s 1-2 Seat Proposal? |

    UP Bypolls: The INDIA-bloc is facing some anticipatory hurdles in establishing the seat sharing arrangement for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Bypolls. As per sources the Samajwadi Party (SP) is reluctant to give up more than two seats to the Congress party, whereas the grand old party has appointed in-charges and observers for 10 seats. These in-charges have already started holding conventions at the respective constituencies to prepare the party’s organization down to the booth level. Congress is reportedly eyeing the Mirzapur’s Majhwa seat, Prayagraj’s Phulpur, Ghaziabad, Khair, and Meerapur. 

    Congress’ 50-50 Formula 

    Of the 10 bypoll seats, 5 were previously held by the BJP-led NDA and 5 by SP. Congress argues SP is weaker in the NDA-held seats and wants those allocated to them, leaving SP to focus on its previous wins. 

    Political analysts view this as a strategic move by Congress. Success in securing 5 seats could set a precedent for the 2027 Assembly elections, where Congress may aim for 200 out of 403 seats. 

    Recently, Congress state president Ajay Rai stated that Congress only wants to negotiate with SP for the seats where the BJP and its allies had won last time. Congress is willing to support SP on the seats it has a stronghold. However, this stance is causing friction, as SP fears losing ground by conceding too many seats.  

    Repeating The 2017 Arrangement

    In the 2017 Assembly elections, SP and Congress teamed up, calling themselves the ‘do ladko ki jodi’ (two boys’ alliance). SP ran for 298 seats, while Congress contested on 105. 

    In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls under the INDIA alliance, SP contested 63 seats and Congress 17, successfully outperforming the BJP. SP won 37 seats, while Congress secured 6.  

    Now, Akhilesh Yadav aims to replicate this strategy in the upcoming bypolls, offering Congress only 1-2 seats. However, emboldened by its Lok Sabha performance, Congress is pushing for a larger share, pursuing a stronger position for future elections. 

  • ‘Injustice Against Bahujans’: Rahul Gandhi Hits Out At NDA Leaders On Nawada Incident |

    After a shocking incident in which many houses were set ablaze by unidentified miscreants in Bihar’s Nawada, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday hit out at the BJP alliance government in Bihar and said that they suppress the Bahujans of India so that they cannot even demand their social and constitutional rights. He claimed that the Prime Minister’s silence on the matter serves as a “seal of approval” for this significant conspiracy.

    The incident took place under the Mufassil Police Station area in Krishnanagar in Bihar’s Nawada.

    “Burning down an entire colony of Mahadalits in Nawada and destroying the houses of more than 80 families is highlighting the horrifying picture of injustice against the Bahujans in Bihar. The cries of the Dalit families who had lost their homes and property and the terror created in the deprived society by the echo of the fierce firing were also not successful in waking up the sleeping government of Bihar,” Rahul Gandhi wrote in a post on X.

     

    नवादा में महादलितों का पूरा टोला जला देना, 80 से ज़्यादा परिवारों के घरों को नष्ट कर देना बिहार में बहुजनों के विरुद्ध अन्याय की डरावनी तस्वीर उजागर कर रहा है।

    अपना घर-संपत्ति खो चुके इन दलित परिवारों की चीत्कार और भयंकर गोलीबारी की गूंज से वंचित समाज में मचा आतंक भी बिहार की…


    — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 19, 2024

     

    Rahul criticised the NDA government, accusing it of harbouring anarchists who intimidate the Bahujans. 

    “The Bihar Government and the State Police must take immediate and strict action against all the culprits of this shameful crime and provide complete justice to the victim families by rehabilitating them,” the Congress leader wrote on X.

    Amid growing voices by the opposition leaders over the incident in Nawada, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ADG Law and order Bihar to inspect the spot.

  • ‘Name Selja As CM Candidate’: Haryana BJP Dares Rahul, Cong To Prove SC Support |

    The Haryana unit of ruling BJP on Wednesday dared Congress to declare Kumari Selja as its chief ministerial candidate for the state assembly polls, to prove how committed it is to the well-being of the SC community. The state BJP also said they nominate Nayab Singh Saini, who belongs to the OBC category, a chief minister. Saini is also the BJP’s chief ministerial face for the upcoming assembly elections, scheculed for October 1.

    “The BJP has already nominated a chief minister from the backward class. Rahul Gandhi claims to strongly support the SC community. Let them (Congress) declare Selja ji as the chief ministerial candidate from Haryana so that one can know how much of a well-wisher of the (SC) community they are,” Haryana BJP posted on X in Hindi.

    Notably, Selja, who is a Lok Sabha MP from Sirsa, is a prominent Dalit face of the Congress.Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who is considered as Selja’s bete noire, had recently asserted that he is “neither tired, nor retired” but said the Congress high command will take a call on who would be the chief minister after getting a majority in the assembly elections.

    Months after winning the Lok Sabha polls from Sirsa, the former Union minister Selja had also indicated her desire to contest the upcoming assembly elections and said she wishes to work in the state but the high command will take a final call on the matter.

    Meanwhile, reacting to BJP’s post on X, Haryana Congress president Udai Bhan told PTI over phone that the ruling party should worry about itself as its government in the state was on its way out.

    Speaking about selection of the chief ministerial candidate, Bhan said Congress MLAs and the party high command will take a call on who would serve as the chief minister only after the poll results are out.

    He also said that the party had earlier nominated leaders from the Dalit community as chief ministers in four states, including Punjab and Maharashtra.

    “The BJP should tell whom they have made a CM from the SC community. Moreover, they should tell if they declared Bhajan Lal Sharma as CM candidate when they fought the last assembly elections in Rajasthan. Did they fight the polls (in MP) on Mohan Yadav’s face. In Haryana, did they fight polls in 2014 with Manohar Lal Khattar as their face?,” Bhan asked.

    He further said that Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly Tika Ram Jully come from the Dalit community.

    Bhan said, “One thing is clear: the BJP has accepted that Congress is coming to power in Haryana…”

    “That is why they are coming up with excuse of string of holidays falling around the polling date of October 1 and writing to Election Commission to defer the polls by some days… We are saying even if polling is held even before October 1, we have no objection and we are ready,” he added.

    The Haryana BJP had last week written to the Election Commission requesting a brief postponement of the Assembly polls slated for October 1, citing holidays before and after the election date that could lead to lower voter turnout.

  • Kiren Rijiju Counters Rahul Gandhi’s Remark On Reservation In Miss India |

    New Delhi: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju slammed the leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday for his comments about the absence of representation from Dalit, Tribal and Other Backward Classes communities in the “Miss India pageant list.”

    Reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s remark, the BJP leader shared a post on the microblogging site X and said, “Now, He wants reservations in Miss India competitions, Films, sports! It is not only issue of “Bal Budhi”,  but people who cheer him are – equally responsible too!”

     

    Now, He wants reservations in Miss India competitions, Films, sports! It is not only issue of “Bal Budhi”, but people who cheer him are – equally responsible too!
    बाल बुद्धि मनोरंजन के लिए अच्छी हो सकती है पर अपनी विभाजनकारी चालों में, हमारे पिछड़े समुदायों का मजाक न उड़ाएं। pic.twitter.com/9Vm7ITwMJX
    — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 25, 2024

     

    The Union Minister also accused Gandhi of inciting divisions in the country with his renewed remarks on the nationwide case census.

    “Rahul Gandhi Ji can’t divide our country. PM Narendra Modi ji made it clear that Supreme Court won’t be allowed to alter reservations in IAS, IPS, IFS, all top services recruitment. But he can’t see 1st Tribal President, OBC PM, Record Numbers of SC/ST Cabinet Ministers!” he added.

    Rahul Gandhi Remark

    On Saturday, LoP Rahul Gandhi reiterated his call for a nationwide caste census and highlighted the lack of representation of women from Dalit, Tribal or Backward Classes communities in the “Miss India pageant list.”

    While addressing a gathering at the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Prayagraj, he said, “I checked the list of Miss India to see if there would be any Dalit or tribal woman in it, but there was no women from Dalit, tribal or OBC.”

    He further added that they will conduct a caste census.

    “We will conduct a caste census and the 50 per cent cap on the reservation which I don’t accept will be removed…First, we should have the data before us regarding the participation of different castes in various institutions…Talks of reservation are always held but they never get a chance,” he said.

  • Congress Slams Modi for ‘Petty’ Seating Of Rahul Gandhi At I-Day Celebration |

    On Thursday, the Congress party sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly demonstrating ‘pettiness’ and a lack of respect for democratic traditions by relegating Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to the fifth row at the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort. The opposition party’s condemnation followed claims from event organizers that the seating arrangement adhered to the ‘table of precedence’, which this year prioritized honoring Paris Olympics medal winners as special guests. 

    The Congress on Thursday said that making Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi “sit in the fifth row” at the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘pettiness’ and lack of respect for democratic traditions. The opposition party’s attack came after sources involved in organising the event said all seating arrangements were done “as per the table of precedence”. They said it was decided this year that ‘Paris Olympics medal winners’ would be honoured as special guests at the Independence Day celebrations.

    Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said, “Modi ji, it’s about time you wake up to the new reality post-June 4th. The arrogance with which you relegated Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi ji to the last rows during the Independence Day ceremony shows that you have not learned your lesson.” “The defence ministry’s feeble explanation that it was out of ‘respect for Olympians’ doesn’t cut much ice. While Olympians deserve every bit of respect, I wonder how Cabinet ministers like Amit Shah or Nirmala Sitharaman ji get front row seats ahead of them,” he said.

    According to protocol, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) of both Houses must also be seated in the front row but the seats for Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge were in the fifth row, he said. “This was not only an insult to the post of LoP or Rahul ji; it was an insult to the people of India, whose voice Rahul ji represents in Parliament. It’s amazing how uncomfortable the truth can make some people — so much so that they’d rather rearrange the seating than face it,” Venugopal said in a post on X. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate claimed that Modi was a person with a “petty mindset” and he kept giving proof of that himself. “It is futile to expect big things from small-minded people. Narendra Modi certainly showed his frustration by making Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi sit in the fifth row during the Independence Day celebrations but this does not make any difference to Rahul Gandhi and he will keep raising issues of the people as he has been doing,” she said in a video statement on X. “However, it shows that you and your government do not have any respect for democracy, democratic traditions and the Leader of Opposition,” he said. Shrinate said the rank of the Leader of Opposition was that of a Cabinet minister and the ministers of the government were sitting in the first row. Not only Rahul Gandhi was made to sit in the fifth row but Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s designated place was also in the fifth row,” she said.

    “A foolish statement has come from the defence ministry that ‘this was done as we wanted to honour Olympians’. They should be honoured and so should Vinesh Phogat but did Amit Shah, JP Nadda, S Jaishankar and Nirmala Sitharaman not want to honour them?” she asked. The Leader of Opposition is important because he makes the government accountable and puts it in the dock by raising people’s issues, Shrinate said. “So these people with a petty mindset do not care about democracy and democratic traditions,” she alleged. The truth is that Modi and his ministers feel uncomfortable with Gandhi as he asks questions of them, she claimed.

    “Whether Rahul Gandhi sits in the fifth row or the fiftieth, he will remain a people’s leader — but when will you people stop doing such dirty acts?” she said on X. Congress leader Vivek Tankha said in a post on X, “Why is MoD (Ministry of Defence) acting so petty!! Rahul Gandhi, the LoP Lok Sabha, seated on 4th row. LoP is higher than any Cabinet minister. He is next to prime minister in Lok Sabha.” “Rajnath Singh ji , you can’t allow MoD to politicise national functions!! Not expected from you Rajnath ji,” he added. Gandhi was seen sitting behind a few rows of seats, which were occupied by members of the Indian contingent, which took part in the recently-held Olympic Games in Paris, at the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.

  • ‘Umpire Of Stock Market Compromised…’: Rahul’s Cricket Analogy On Hindenburg Allegations On SEBI Chief |

    In a scathing attack on the government, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the Indian stock market is compromised due to the regulator, SEBI, being influenced by external factors. Gandhi drew an analogy with a cricket match, stating that if the umpire is compromised, the fairness and outcome of the match are questionable.

     “(Imagine) an international cricket match between India and Australia, and every single person who is watching the match and those playing the match know that the umpire is compromised. What would happen to the match? What would happen to the fairness of the match and the outcome? How would you feel as somebody who is participating in the match? This is exactly what is happening in the Indian stock market,” the Leader of Oppostion said.

    “Over the last few years, larger and larger numbers of people have been investing in India’s stock market. They invest their hard earned, honestly earned savings into the stock market. It is my duty as Leader of the Opposition (in Lok Sabha) to bring to your notice that there is a significant risk in the Indian stock market because the institution that governs the stock market is compromised,” he added.

    Gandhi’s comments come in the wake of the Hindenburg report, which alleged that SEBI head Madhabi Buch had stakes in obscure offshore funds used in the Adani scandal. The Congress leader emphasized that it is his duty to bring this issue to the notice of the public, as millions of people have invested their hard-earned savings in the stock market.

    VIDEO | “(Imagine) an international cricket match between India and Australia, and every single person who is watching the match and those playing the match know that the umpire is compromised. What would happen to the match? What would happen to the fairness of the match and the… pic.twitter.com/TFP6WEqqMO


    — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 11, 2024

    In a X post, the Congress MP wrote, The integrity of SEBI, the securities regulator entrusted with safeguarding the wealth of small retail investors, has been gravely compromised by the allegations against its Chairperson. Honest investors across the country have pressing questions for the government.”

    “Why hasn’t SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch resigned yet? If investors lose their hard-earned money, who will be held accountable—PM Modi, the SEBI Chairperson, or Gautam Adani? – In light of the new and very serious allegations that have surfaced, will the Supreme Court look into this matter suo moto once again? It is now abundantly clear why Prime Minister Modi is so afraid of a JPC probe and what it might reveal,” he said further in the same post.

  • PM Modi Applauds Anurag Thakur’s ‘Perfect Blend Of Facts And Humor’ In Lok Sabha Clash With Rahul Gandhi |

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended BJP leader Anurag Thakur for his speech in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, where the former Union minister responded politically to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s earlier address, describing it as “a must hear.” Taking to X, Modi wrote, “The speech by my young and energetic colleague, Shri Anurag Thakur, is a must hear. It’s a perfect blend of facts and humor, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance.”

    Thakur countered Gandhi’s speech in the Lok Sabha, using Gandhi’s own reference to the Chakravyuh and its characters to criticize the Congress. He mentioned the alleged scams under Congress rule and past critical remarks by its leaders about caste quotas to challenge the Leader of the Opposition.

     

    This speech by my young and energetic colleague, Shri @ianuragthakur is a must hear. A perfect mix of facts and humour, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance. https://t.co/4utsqNeJqp
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 30, 2024

    The debate intensified when Thakur seemingly questioned Gandhi’s caste in relation to the caste census, causing an uproar in the Lok Sabha. Gandhi condemned this as an insult but remained firm on his demand for a caste census.

    In a separate post on X, Prime Minister Modi also praised Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s response to the budget debate. “FM @nsitharaman presents a very comprehensive picture of this year’s Budget and what it offers for every section of society. She reiterates our Government’s commitment to growth and reforms,” he wrote on X.

  • Watch: Nirmala Sitharaman’s Face-Palm Moment In Lok Sabha On Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Halwa’ Remark |

    Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the NDA government today while speaking about the Budget 2024. Speaking in Lok Sabha, Gandhi reiterated that once Congress comes to power, it will carry out the caste census on the first go. He also alleged that the people of the country are not getting their due rights based on their percentage. Showing a picture of the Halwa ceremony in the lower house, Rahul Gandhi said that OBC or tribal or Dalit officers were not part of the Halwa ceremony. At this point, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was seen using her palm to cover her face in bemusement. 

    “Budget ka halwa’ is being distributed in this photo. I can’t see one OBC or tribal or a Dalit officer in this. Desh ka halwa bant raha hai aur 73% hai hi nahi. 20 officers prepared the Budget of India…Hindustan ka halwa 20 logon ne baatne ka kaam kiya hai….Of the 20 people, only one was from the minority and one from the OBC. However, none of the two was present in this photo. They were sent back at the time of the photograph,” said Rahul Gandhi. 

    #WATCH | In Lok Sabha, LoP Rahul Gandhi shows a poster of the traditional Halwa ceremony, held at the Ministry of Finance before the Budget session.

    He says, “Budget ka halwa’ is being distributed in this photo. I can’t see one OBC or tribal or a Dalit officer in this. Desh ka… pic.twitter.com/BiFRB0VTk3
    — ANI (@ANI) July 29, 2024

    Before the Lok Sabha polls, Rahul Gandhi had alleged that there were only 3 OBC officers among the top 90 bureaucrats. During the Lok Sabha polls, Rahul Gandhi promised – Jitani Aabadi, Utna Haq – saying that people would get their due representation as per the constituents of their population. 

    Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on bureaucrats, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Congress leader is unaware of what he speaks. “The present secretaries in the Government of India were recruited at the time of the Congress government,” said Amit Shah, reminding Rahul Gandhi that he should question the Congress party for a lesser number of OBC secretaries at present. Shah also said that the Prime Minister of India is OBC but Rahul is counting the secretaries.