The Congress has named six candidates from Chhattisgarh, including former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel from Rajnandgaon and Tamrdhwaj Sahu from Mahasamund, and six from Karnataka, including sitting MP D.K. Suresh - the brother of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar - from Bangalore Rural, and 15 from Kerala, including Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor from Thiruvananthapuram.
The list also includes two from Meghalaya, including sitting Shillong MP Vincent Pala, as well as the sole seats in Nagaland and Sikkim, four from Telangana, and one from Tripura.
The candidates were named a day after the meeting of the party's Central Election Authority held here on Thursday evening.
The Congress has put on hold naming candidates for three seats - two in Karnataka and one from Telangana.
Naveen Jha, a BJP worker, had filed the case against Gandhi in 2019 for his alleged defamatory remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Justice Ambuj Nath of the high court dismissed Gandhi's plea on Wednesday but the order was uploaded on the high court website on Friday.
The senior Congress leader had contested the decision of a magisterial court in Ranchi, which instructed him to personally appear before the court to undergo trial. Later, Gandhi moved the high court, which issued a stay order on any further actions in the lower court against him.
The HC had also issued notices to complainant Jha to appear in the case.
During one of his public speeches in Chaibasa before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Gandhi had referred to Shah as a "murderer".
After recording the statements of the complainant and witnesses, magistrate Anamika Kisku had found merit in the case against Gandhi and directed him to appear before the trial court on February 4, 2023.
Later, the HC, while issuing a stay on the notice issued by the magistrate, ordered that "no coercive steps" be taken against Gandhi.
In a video released by the television channel, Rahul is found asking journalist Shiv Prasad Yadav, his name, and also about the owner of the channel.
Rahul is heard asking party workers on the mic not to assault the journalist and asking him the name of the owner of his TV channel.
“Kya wo OBC hai? Nahin. Kya wo Dalit hai? Nahin (Is he OBC? No. Is he Dalit? No),” Rahul asked.
“Media ke hain aap? Naam kya hai aapka? Haan? Aap Shiv Prasad ji hain? Aapke maalik ka kya naam hai? Aapke maalik ka kya naam hain? Kya naam hai? Naam bataao. Naam bataao. Bhai maaro mat yaar. Maaro mat usko. Maarna nahin hai. Maarna nahin hai. Naam bataao uska. Wo OBC hai? Nahin. Wo Dalit hai? Nahin. (Are you from the media? What is your name? You are Shiv Prasad ji? What is your owner’s name? What is your owner’s name? What’s the name? Tell me the name. Tell me the name. Don’t hit him. Don’t beat him up. Tell his (owner’s) name. Is he OBC? No. Is he Dalit? No),” Rahul asked.
As per reports, the incident happened when the journalist was asking Congress workers not to remove his mic. He also asked Rahul why he was not being allowed to cover the event properly.
Meanwhile, UP BJP MLA Shalabh Mani Tripathi posted the India News video on X (earlier known as Twitter) and wrote, “Shiv Yadav’s only fault was that he was acting like a field journalist, and not like a Congress stooge.”
Responding to the development, head of Sunday Guardian, which is part of the same group as India News, Aishwarya Sharma said, “He had some injuries… he was quite scared… he may file a case. We are speaking to lawyers in our company. The caste slur, asking the caste, was also not proper. He is a reporter working for a long time. You (Rahul) can’t provoke the crowd and then say ‘mat maaro’ (don’t beat him). They are his own security people. So, he (Rahul) has to be more responsible.”
However, Congress dismissed the allegations. As per Congress spokesperson P L Punia, Rahul was only flagging the low representation of reserved categories in various sectors.
“Nothing like this happened but Rahulji asks in many meetings how many people from reserved categories are there in the media. He also asks about industry, top posts in government… This is part of nyaya (justice),” said Punia.
Notwithstanding the lofty aims of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra (BJNY) parroted by Mr. Gandhi and his followers, the inspirations behind undertaking this arduous political march from the east of India (Manipur) to the west (Maharashtra) are many. But for the discerning watchers of Indian politics, the following are the main motivations behind this Yatra.
Firstly, Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra (BJY), undertaken between September 2022 and January 2023, was regarded as one event that established his credentials as a serious politician. Further, many Congressmen/women and the party’s sympathizers are of the firm view that BJY was either instrumental or contributed to Congress’ election victories in Karnataka and Telangana last year. So, in view of the impending Lok Sabha elections, there was a strong demand from the rank and file of the Congress Party to undertake another yatra modelled on the earlier one to strengthen the party’s foothold in constituencies touched by the yatra as well as adjoining ones.
Secondly, there is hard bargaining going on between constituents of the ‘INDIA’ bloc of opposition parties over seat-sharing for the coming general elections. Congress Party wants to use the success of BJNY to exert pressure on its allies in different states like UP and Maharashtra to get the maximum number of seats to contest.
Last, but not least, since the BJY went from the southern-most point of Kanyakumari to Jammu and Kashmir, the northern-most region of the country, there was a feeling that a march between the east and west of India would give a sense of completion and establish Rahul’s pre-eminence among the opposition politicians across the length and breadth of the country.
As per media reports, the yatra has received mixed responses on the ground as well as in the media. Many media persons who are sympathetic to the Gandhi scion and are avowed BJP-haters have questioned the timing of the yatra as they are of the opinion that this is the time to finalize seat sharing among the parties of the ‘INDIA’ alliance and not to waste precious time on this march with prospects of uncertain dividends.
Coming to BJN Yatra’s impact on Odisha’s political scenario, it’s marginal and limited to the Congress party. It’s a fact that the oldest political party in India has been losing ground in Odisha over the years. In the last assembly elections held in 2019, the party won only 9 seats in a house of 147 and secured 16.20% of the total votes polled. In the same election, BJP replaced it as the main opposition party in Odisha. The Yatra, as such, passed through only two (Sundargarh and Jharsuguda) of the thirty districts of Odisha. Both these districts are in Western Odisha which once was a Congress bastion. However, with the gradual decline of the Congress in the state, this region is presently dominated by BJD and BJP. While BJD holds the majority of assembly seats in this region, BJP won all 5 Lok Sabha seats of Western Odisha in 2019. Out of the 9 assembly seats in the two districts that Rahul’s yatra passed through, his party holds only one.
There is no denying the fact that Rahul’s foray into Odisha on the course of this yatra, however limited, did energize the rank and file of his party to some extent. But the purpose it served was symbolic, at best. This is because of the widely held feeling that the Congress Party in Odisha has limited prospects of revival. Further, even if it improves its last Lok Sabha election tally of one out of 21 seats in Odisha, it is expected to be in the undivided Koraput District presently having two Lok Sabha seats of Koraput and Nabarangpur, but not in the two districts touched by RaGa. So, in all probability, his short (by distance as well as duration) leg of BJN Yatra in Odisha was to enthuse the Congress workers as skirting Odisha altogether would have embarrassed the state Congress unit and political opponents would have considered it as the admission of slim prospects for itself by the party in the upcoming general and assembly elections.
To sum up, by all accounts, the response to Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra pales before the same as its earlier Avatar (Bhart Jodo Yatra of 2022-23). Further, it is considered to be ill-timed even by the die-hard supporters of the Congress Party in the media and the civil society. This is borne out of the fact that seat-sharing talks have either failed or at a logjam in important states like UP, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Punjab etc. and Rahul’s presence in Delhi would have given some impetus to these negotiations with other INDIA-bloc parties. The way allies are deserting the ‘INDIA’ fold and important leaders of the Congress Party are jumping ship, there is an overriding feeling that Mr. Gandhi should have been dealing with these matters now rather than being on the road for such a long time. One thing is for sure, though. This Yatra might strengthen the Congress Party and Mr. Gandhi, but it has indirectly weakened the efforts to unite the opposition parties under one banner and pose a strong challenge to the BJP-led NDA in the general elections. So, the irony is that more than the Congress Party and Mr. Gandhi, the BJP is considered to have benefitted, though indirectly, from this yatra in terms of the optics of failing opposition unity.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are the author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
The senior Congress leader is now under attack from the BJP for the comments he made during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Odisha recently against the Prime Minister. Rahul Gandhi had stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not OBC by birth, rather belongs to the general caste. Moreover, he (Modi) will not allow the conduct of the caste-based census in the country, Rahul Gandhi had said during his Yatra in Odisha.
Also Read: BJP rebuts Rahul Gandhi's ‘PM not OBC’ claim, shares govt document
The BJP OBC Morcha activists led by president, Surath Biswal staged a demonstration against Rahul Gandhi in front of the Ram Mandir in Bhubaneswar. The leader also demanded an apology from the senior Congress leader over his remarks.
“We (BJP) have never asked Rahul Gandhi about his caste or the caste of his mother and other family members. But he (Rahul) is asking about the caste of PM Modi who has given rights and recognition to the OBCs in the country. Rahul Gandhi’s statements clearly show his immaturity,” said Biswal.
Meanwhile, no comments were received from the Congress over the BJP OBC Morcha leader’s statements.
“The Prime Minister says in Parliament that he is an OBC. Narendra Modi was not born OBC. People are being misled. Rather he (Modi) was born in Teli caste in Gujarat,” alleged Gandhi.
The senior Congress leader further said that the community was given the tag of OBC in the year 2000 by the BJP. But PM Narendra Modi was not born OBC rather he was born in the general caste.
“I do not need any birth certificate. I can say that he (Modi) never hugs any OBC or touches the hand of farmers or labourers. PM Narendra Modi will not conduct a caste-based census in the country as he has lied to people of the country that he was born OBC, rather he was born in general caste. The Congress party will do the caste-based census,” said Rahul Gandhi.
Responding to the allegations of Rahul Gandhi, BJP leader Surath Biswal said, “The statement clearly shows the immaturity of Rahul Gandhi. PM Narendra Modi belongs to OBC. As Congress has to answer why their past leaders of the Gandhi family put the recommendations of Kaka Kelelkar and Mandal Commission in cold storage, Rahul Gandhi is making such comments.”
According to Biswal, PM Narendra Modi has given place to 27 ministers and accorded constitutional recognition to the Commission and created a new identity for the OBCs in the country.
He is scheduled to meet party supporters and address a public rally before leaving for Chhattisgarh. Hundreds of his supporters including women and children queued up on the roadside to get a glance of him.
Rahul, standing on an open red-colour jeep, greeted all and shook hands with everyone who rushed near the jeep breaking the security cordon. Several supporters were seen running alongside the moving jeep to ensure that they were a part of the Yatra.
Speaking to OTV, senior Congress leader Sura Routray said, “He is in Western Odisha, but the entire state is feeling his presence. More than 2000 Congress workers have come from Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and other parts of the state to attend the yatra.”
“The best thing about Rahul ji is that he is meeting everyone on his way beyond caste, creed, religion, and ethnicity. He is getting so much love from the people. His craze is evident that he will sweep off 2024 General Elections,” Routray stated.
“The BJD is panicking as people are tired of the unemployment, price rise and crime against women. More than 13000 girls are missing in Odisha. Around 7000 girls have been raped and killed under BJD’s rule. Furthermore, the state is being gripped by drugs and alcohol. So, there is a need to bring Congress,” he added.
On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi targeted the Odisha government and alleged that a BJD-BJP partnership was running the state. Taking a jibe at Modi and RSS, Rahul stated that the PM during his visit to Sambalpur addressed the Odisha CM as his ‘mitra’.
However, the BJD maintained that Rahul’s visit would have no impact on the party.
While addressing a massive gathering during Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra at Panposh in Rourkela, Rahul Gandhi said that the BJP and RSS are spreading hatred which is affecting the country. He suggested to open ‘Mohabat Ki Dukan’.
Also Read: I am here to listen to people's grievances: Rahul Gandhi in Odisha
“There is a partnership between CM Naveen Patnaik and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is a partnership government in Odisha. I also see in the Parliament that whenever the PM needs BJD’s help, the members of the latter start harassing us on Modi’s instructions. It is only the Congress which is fighting against the BJD-BJP partnership in Odisha,” said Gandhi.
According to the parliamentarian, around 30 lakh people from Odisha have migrated and working as labourers in other parts of the country as the state government is not doing its work.
"About 30 industrialists and billionaires from outside have come to loot the resources of Odisha. All the industries have been closed and there is highest unemployment in the state and other parts of the country, Gandhi added.
Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s allegations, BJP MLA Nauri Nayak said, “The allegations are baseless, rather BJD and Congress are in partnership as the Congress is supporting the BJD here. The Congress bigwigs are joining BJD whenever it is required and the people of Odisha are aware of this.”
Reacting to Congress leader’s statements, BJD MLA Snehangini Chhuria said, “No matter who comes to Odisha and do Padayatra or even stay here, it will not have any impact here. Doing Padayatra for a day and engaging in cheap politics will have no impact.”
The state’s top Congress leaders including OPCC chief Sarat Pattanayak and Suresh Routray gave Rahul Gandhi a rousing welcome at Biramitrapur.
Thousands of people turned up at the meeting place to hear Gandhi. While addressing the gathering, he said his yatra’s main objective was to unite India.
Also Read: No lobby will work; leaders to apply online for party tickets: Odisha Congress in-charge
“The objective of the yatra is to unite India. I have started this yatra protesting against the central government’s five types of injustice meted out to poor people of the country. They include unemployment, rising prices of essential commodities, privatisation, and closing down of public sector units,” he said.
He also added that he would be in Odisha for three days and during this period he would listen to people’s grievances.
Thereafter, Rahul Gandhi will lead the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra through parts of three organizational districts - Sundargarh, Rourkela, and Jharsuguda.
Pattanayak said, "Rahul Gandhi will tentatively arrive at Biramitrapur on February 6th night. A roadshow will be conducted in Rourkela, from Rajgangpur to Sundargarh, Gadagaon and Uttara. He will have a night halt at Jharsuguda on February 7. The next morning, he will lead the Yatra to Belpahar, Hrudaynagar, and Kanaktara before entering Chhattisgarh. All the programmes will be finalized by the evening.”
He also stated that after Rahul Gandhi, other prominent leaders of Congress will be visiting the state in the near future.
After AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge’s recent visit, Rahul Gandhi's visit is expected to boost the morale of the party leaders and workers.
Two days ago, AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge attended his party-sponsored Odisha Banchao Samavesh in Bhubaneswar and met the leaders of eight parties of the INDIA bloc and discussed strategies for the upcoming polls.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will come to Odisha after the Central leaders of both parties in New Delhi drew a roadmap for the 2024 elections by holding discussions about the organisation and strategies with their respective state leaders. The state units are now hopeful of the positive impact of the top leaders on Odisha voters.
BJP leader, Jayanarayan Mishra hinted about a tough fight against the BJD government, saying that the issue was discussed by the BJP MLAs during a recent meeting with the Central leaders in New Delhi.
Mishra added that the Prime Minister has asked the MLAs and leaders to complete the organizational work by January 2024.
The saffron party has reportedly been asserting that the BJD government will be voted out of power by the people who are seething with anger against its 23-year rule.
“The PM told us to make the ground ready. After tilling the ground, seed sowing needs to be finished. As soon as it rains, the seeds will germinate. We have the ground, they (Central leaders) have water and fertiliser,” said Jayanarayan.
On the other hand, the Congress camp in Odisha is quite enthused over Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the state on January 14 as part of the Bharat Nyay Yatra which will cover 85 districts in 14 states. Rahul will conduct a yatra which will kicks off in Jharkhand and pass through some western Odisha districts before culminating in Chhattisgarh.
Congress leaders exuded hope that Rahul’s visit would make a deep impact on the people. Bijay Patnaik, the chief of the Congress Prachar Committee said, "All party leaders and workers are waiting for Rahul’s visit. All are enthusiastic now. We hope that Rahuls’ Nyay Yatra will bring about a big change in the political landscape of Odisha.”
However, the BJD sounded confident that whoever comes to Odisha, will make no impact on the people. BJD leader, Uma Samantray observed that the visits of Rahul Gandhi or those of the Central BJP will have no impact in Odisha. "The BJD is always with the people and has worked for the people. And the party will win the 2024 elections,” he asserted.
Political analyst Akshay Sahu said that Rahul’s visit will boost the morale of the state Congress leaders while BJP’s central leaders’ visit will give new direction to the party.Jagdish Das and Soumyarhan Sahoo
In the show cause notice issued to the Congress leader, the poll panel said that a complaint was received against him from the BJP alleging that in a public meeting at Bayatu in Rajasthan he made wild allegations and spoke in a derisive and obnoxious manner about the Prime Minister.
Considering this as a violation of the election code of conduct, the Commission has given time till November 25 to submit its reply on the matter.
Action was taken on three statements which Gandhi made. While addressing a public meeting in Baytu, Barmer on November 21, he said, “There are pickpockets, when two pickpockets want to pick someone's pocket, what do they do first? They work to divert attention. Someone comes in front of you and talks to you. Take your attention. The second one comes from behind, picks pockets. He goes away. But the pickpocket is the first to divert attention. Brothers and sisters, Narendra Modi ji's job is to divert your attention and pick your pockets.”
In the second statement he said, “Will go to a cricket match sometime. It is a different matter that the team gets defeated, Panauti. PM means Panauti Modi.”
In the third statement he said, “Will take you here sometime. Will take you there sometime. Lots of back and forth. The entire benefit will be given to four-five industrialists. Let me give you an example, in the last nine years, Narendra Modi ji waived off the loans of Rs 14,00,000 crore of India's biggest billionaires.”
On the EC's notice to Rahul Gandhi, the Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Whatever notice comes to us, we will face it.”
The EC earlier issued a notice to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra about a month ago over her comment on an envelope related to PM Modi's temple visit.
The Rajasthan Election Department on Wednesday banned the advertisement of '7 Guarantees' issued by the Congress. Informing the general public about the guarantee through voice call and advertisement regarding registration has been considered by the EC as a violation of the code of conduct. The Chief Electoral Officer had sent a notice to the President and General Secretary of Rajasthan Congress.
While ‘Canadian Pappu’, referred to Justin Trudeau, continues to trend, netizens have found some unique similarities between Rahul Gandhi and Justin Trudeau. Social media users have come up with some clips claiming that the Congress leader often follows the PR strategy of the Canadian Prime Minister.
Some netizens even shared some similar PR stunts carried out by Gandhi and Trudeau over the years. Reportedly, the Canadian PM gave a ‘quick lesson’ on quantum computing during his visit to Waterloo.
And, years later, the Congress leader was reported to address a gathering on Artificial Intelligence in the US. However, later, the report was denied.
Trudeau is seen as a young leader and one of the ‘fittest’ politicians. A picture of him doing padwork in the boxing ring was once captured.
Later, a report came claiming that Rahul Gandhi is a ‘black belt’ in Aikido. Besides, the AICC leader is apparently a national shooting champion.
Trudeau once wowed the world with his pet dog. He also took to Twitter (X now) and wrote, "#tbt to the little one meeting our newest arrival a few months ago. Say hello to Kenzie."
#tbt to the little one meeting our newest arrival a few months ago. Say hello to Kenzie. pic.twitter.com/G0wuoP9JCe
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 28, 2016
Around a year later, Rahul Gandhi also revealed about his pet. He shared a video on Twitter and wrote, "Ppl been asking who tweets for this guy..I'm coming clean..it's me..Pidi..I'm way 😎 than him. Look what I can do with a tweet..oops..treat!"
Ppl been asking who tweets for this guy..I'm coming clean..it's me..Pidi..I'm way 😎 than him. Look what I can do with a tweet..oops..treat! pic.twitter.com/fkQwye94a5
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 29, 2017
In 2016, one Quebec woman expressed her desire to meet Justin Trudeau for her 120th birthday.
And, in 2017, Rahul Gandhi randomly tweeted birthday greetings to a 107-year-old woman, the grandmother of a Congress supporter. Rahul also reportedly gave a ‘big hug’ to the lady who expressed a desire to meet him.
Dear Dipali, Please wish your beautiful grandmother a very happy birthday and a merry Xmas. Please also give her a big hug from me. Best, Rahul. https://t.co/lcp8NUa8Di
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 25, 2017
His remarks came after Rahul Gandhi while speaking on the Women’s Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha demanded for caste based census.
He shared a data of 90 union government ministries' secretaries, informing that it was "shocking and shattering" to know that only three of them belonged to the OBC community.
"This is an insult to the OBC community. Out of 90 secretaries in the government, only three are from the OBC community. They control only 5 per cent of the country's budget," the Wayanad MP said amid chants of "Shame!" by Congress MPs.
Shah said that among the people who run the country, only three are OBCs.
“Some NGOs give chits with questions to ask, and they say it here. Now their understanding is that the country is run by the secretary, but my understanding is that the country is run by the government. The Constitution says that the country's policies are decided by the cabinet of this country,” he said.
“If you want figures, I will tell you. In the BJP government, 29 percent i.e. 85 MPs are from OBC category. If you want to compare then let me tell you that 29 ministers also belong to OBC category. BJP's OBC MLAs are 365 out of 1358 i.e. 27 percent. These are more than all those singing the praises of OBC,” he said, adding that BJP's OBC MLCs are 65 out of 163.
“That means it is 40 percent, whereas the opposition people talk about 33 percent,” he said.
While Shah was speaking, Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Roy tried to respond but was cut short by the Home Minister, who said, "In new parliament at least you should act your age."
The historic Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam or the women's reservation bill on Wednesday was passed by Lok Sabha after the culmination of a day-long discussion, by a overwhelming 454 votes, with two members voting against it.
The 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed after voting, where 454 members voted in favour of the bill, while two members voted against it.
Several members namely Asaduddin Owaisi, Hibi Eden, N K Premachandran, Sougata Ray, A M Ariff and E T Mohammed Bashir had moved amendments but did not pursue them.
Sarma was in Rajgir to attend the Vaishali Mahotsav in Nalanda University held in Bihar's Nalanda district.
After returning to Patna, the Assam Chief Minister visited the house of Rituraj Sinha, the convener for BJP northeastern states on Friday evening.
He launched a scathing attack on the INDIA bloc and said that those who are raising questions over Sanatan Dharma, the people of the country will give them a befitting reply in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
"Leaders of INDIA bloc mocked Chandrayaan, I want to urge the scientists of ISRO to make another Chandrayaan and leave the leaders of INDIA bloc on the moon. The leaders of INDIA are making statements against Sanatan Dharma on the direction of Rahul Gandhi. In 2024, Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister of the country once again. If Rahul Gandhi wants to become the Prime Minister of the country, he has to visit the sun and moon," Sarma said.
During the Mumbai conclave of INDIA bloc, Rashtiya Janata Dal Chief Lalu Prasad had made a statement against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked the scientists of ISRO to send him on the moon.
As per sources, Rahul is likely to address rallies and hold meetings in four zones in Odisha with an eye on the upcoming 2024 elections. Congress is contemplating to strengthen its position in the state ahead of the elections.
The probable visit of Rahul to the state was discussed by five senior Congress MLAs who had been to New Delhi to meet him and personally requested him to come to Odisha.
Speaking to the media, MLA Adhiraj Panigrahi said, “Rahul Gandhi will definitely come to Odisha in October last week. Priyanka Gandhi will also accompany him. We have requested him to address rallies in four zones and he has promised us to visit the state to strengthen our party.”
Earlier, the former Congress president was expected to visit Odisha during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. However, the Yatra did not reach Odisha. Rahul last visited Odisha in 2019.
As per the findings of the poll, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi came a distant second as the preferred candidate for the post.
The poll’s results have put out an interesting finding with Lok Sabha elections just eight months away.
The opinion poll, which was conducted between July 18 and August 19 in Chhattisgarh among 7,679 respondents, has found that 62 per cent respondents preferred Modi as the prime ministerial candidate, while 19.8 per cent of them preferred Rahul Gandhi for the post.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath with 2.8 per cent votes and 2.7 per cent votes respectively are at a distant third and fourth positions as per the opinion poll.
In fact when asked as to who would they directly elect as Prime Minister of the country, a whopping 71 per cent respondents from the Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh voted for Modi, while 23.5 per cent respondents voted for Rahul Gandhi.
Also 64.2 per cent of the respondents said that they were very much satisfied with Prime Minster Modi’s performance, while 15.7 per cent of them said that they were satisfied with his performance to some extent. An almost equal percentage of respondents, i.e. 15.1 per cent said that they were dissatisfied with Modi’s performance as Prime Minister.
Interestingly, though when asked whether they were satisfied with the Central government’s work, 47 per cent respondents said that they were very satisfied with its performance, while 36.1 per cent of them said that they satisfied to some extent.
As many as 15.6 per cent respondents said that they were not at all satisfied with the Central government’s performance.
He also said that the Indian Army can stop the violence in the northeastern state in two days.
His remarks came a day after the Prime Minister spoke on the no-confidence option in Lok Sabha and also spoke on Manipur.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said, "Yesterday PM in Parliament spoke for over 2 hours and 13 minutes and in last, for 2 minutes, he spoke on Manipur."
Slamming the Prime Minister, the Congress leader said, "Manipur is burning for months, people are being killed and women raped and children are getting killed."
Targeting the Prime Minister, Rahul Gandhi, who is a Lok Sanha MP from Kerala's Wayanad said: "Prime Minister Modi was speaking in Lok Sabha while laughing. It does not suit him. The Prime Minister of India should not have made the joke. I was not the subject, not the Congress but was Manipur. And what is happening in Manopuur and why it is not being stopped was the subject."
Rahul Gandhi said that he has been in politics for last 19 years and visited all states whether during floods, tsunami, or violence.
"What I have seen in Manipur, have not seen such thing in last 19 years," the Congress leader said.
Referring to his statement in Lok Sabha on no-confidence when he said that Bharat Mata has been murdered in Manipur, Rahul Gandhi said, "I said that Prime Minister Modi killed India in Manipur and these are not hollow words."
He also said that when he reached Manipur and had to visit the people was asked to remove the Kuki or Meitei people from my security detail.
He said, "Today a state has been murdered. The state has been divided. Thus I said BJP has murdered India in Manipur."
"When Modiji was laughing I thought how a Prime Minister can say like this. He cannot go there. He cannot go, but he should speak on Manipur. Indian Army can stop the violence in Manipur in 2 days."
Rahul Gandhi alleged, "The Prime Minister wants to burn Manipur and does not want to douse the fire."
On Thursday, Modi in his over two hours long speech he gave an assurance that peace will prevail in Manipur and that it will march forward on the path of development.
The BJP-ruled state government in Manipur has been trying to resolve the situation prevailing there for the past six years and the efforts will continue in the future too, Modi said.
"The entire country and the House is with Manipur. We will together ensure peace there," Modi said.
However he said that all efforts to ensure peace in the state should be free of politics.
In a 2.55-minute video montage shared on its official X (formerly known as Twitter) handle, the saffron party said: "Mohabbat dil mein milti hai, dukaan mein nahi. Ye toh kamai jati hain, kahin bikti nahi. Yeh toh dil mein rehti hai, dukaan mein nahin (love lives in the heart, it is earned not in the shop, it is not sold anywhere, it lives in the heart, not in the shop)."
The video features a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address in the Lok Sabha on Thursday on the no-confidence motion.
Taking a potshot at the senior Congress leader, the Prime Minister sayd: "People of the country are saying this is 'loot ki dukaan' (shop of loot) in which there is hatred, scams, appeasement and familism."
The video also highlighted the various works of the Modi-led Central government including abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and Chandrayaan-3.
Accusing the BJP and RSS of divisive poltics, Rahul Gandhi had earlier said that his "mohabbat ki dukaan" will end the "divisive" politics of the ruling dispensation.
BJP women MPs later met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and demanded "stringent action" against Gandhi.
In a complaint, signed by more than 20 women parliamentarians, it was alleged that the Congress member made the "inappropriate gesture" towards Irani when she was speaking in the House during the debate on the no-confidence motion against the government.
The minister for women and child development spoke after Gandhi, who alleged that the government's politics had "murdered Bharat Mata" in Manipur and termed members of the ruling BJP "traitors".
The Congress leader also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting ethnic violence-hit Manipur and alleged that he does not consider the state to be a part of India.
BJP MP Irani said, "The person who spoke before me... an indecent gesture was made... only a misogynistic man can give a flying kiss to Parliament which seats female Members of Parliament... such indecent act has not been witnessed by the House ever before. The entire country has seen the culture of the (Gandhi) family."
Gandhi, while leaving the House after participating in the debate, was booed at by the treasury benches. He then turned around and a blew a flying kiss.
BJP MP and Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, one of the signatories to the complaint, said that after "blowing a flying kiss towards Smriti Irani and all women members, he went away". "This is totally misbehaviour of the member. This is inappropriate and indecent behaviour of a member," she said.
"Senior members are telling this has never happened before in the history of Parliament... flying kiss is being given in Parliament. So, we have filed a complaint with the speaker to take the CCTV (camera) footage and take action against the MP," Karandlaje said.
Talking to reporters later, Irani said, "Never before has the misogynistic behaviour of a man been so visible in Parliament as what was been done by Rahul Gandhi today."
"When the House of the people, where laws are made to protect the dignity of women during the course of a session, stands witness to a man's misogyny, my question is should he not be brought to task," the Union minister said.
"We have heard that such indecent gestures are made on roads, we did not know misogyny is one of the traits of the Gandhi family," she said.
During her speech in the Lower House of Parliament, Irani also came down heavily on Gandhi for his "murder of India in Manipur" remark in Lok Sabha, saying this is for the first time in parliamentary democracy that someone has made such a statement. Manipur is an integral part of India, she said.
Talking to IANS, a top BJP leader said: "The party will not comment on the apex court verdict, but the question will now definitely be asked to Rahul Gandhi, that what are his thoughts about the Supreme Court, on which he used to make comments from the Ramlila Maidan to across the country and even to London and America, going to the extent of contempt of the apex court?"
He said that this question will be asked to Rahul Gandhi, who is excited only by the stay on conviction, that what is his thinking now on the independence of the judiciary and other constitutional institutions of the country and his continuous derogatory statements about democracy in India.
On the other hand, a minister in the Union government, while talking to IANS, targeted the double standard of Rahul Gandhi. He said: "When the court punishes you, you speak rubbish about it and when your punishment is stayed, you call it truth and justice. If this is not a double standard, then what is it?"
It is being said that from Monday, in the last week of the monsoon session of the Parliament, the BJP leaders will start cornering Rahul Gandhi and the Congress in both the Houses - Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, regarding this double standard.
Amidst the possibilities of Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha membership being restored, the discussion on the no-confidence motion brought by the opposition is to begin in the Lok Sabha from Tuesday.
According to sources, the BJP has included MPs from more than 12 states in the list of leaders supporting the party in the House during the discussion on the no-confidence motion. The list of leaders includes BJP MPs and ministers from poll-bound states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana as well as from West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and northeastern states.
As per sources, MPs who will speak in Lok Sabha on behalf of BJP, are also preparing to attack Rahul Gandhi regarding his old statements and the statement given after the Supreme Court's decision on Friday.
BJP will not only target Rahul Gandhi on his statements but will also attack states rules by the Congress and its allies on increasing atrocities against women in Rajasthan, scams in Chhattisgarh, violence during West Bengal panchayat elections, situation in Bihar, 'corruption' of Kejriwal government. It will also target the opposition-led alliance INDIA on the condition of the states ruled by its allies.
In a tweet, Rahul Gandhi said, "Come what may, my duty remains the same. Protect the idea of India."
The Supreme Court gave him a big relief and stayed his conviction, which cost him his Lok Sabha membership. The court said that no reasons were given by the trial judge for imposing the maximum punishment of two years in the case.
Party leader and noted lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi, senior advocates Rajinder Cheema, Harin Raval, and advocates Tarannum Cheema, and Prasanna Advocates appeared for Rahul Gandhi in the court.
He was disqualified as an MP in March this year, after a Surat court convicted him and sentenced him to two years in prison for his "How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname" remark made during an election rally in Karnataka in April 2019. Gandhi's remark was interpreted as an attempt to draw an implicit connection between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and fugitive businessmen Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi.
In March, the sessions court in Surat had dismissed Gandhi's plea seeking suspension of his conviction by the magistrate court, stating that his disqualification will not result in an irreversible loss to him. The Congress leader was disqualified under a rule that bars convicted MPs from holding the Lok Sabha membership.
As per the cause list published on the apex court website, a bench of Justices B.R. Gavai, P.S. Narasimha, and Prashant Kumar Mishra will continue to hear Gandhi’s plea.
The Supreme Court on July 21 agreed to examine the special leave petition filed by the Congress leader and issued notice on the question as to whether his conviction should be suspended pending appeal.
Declining to pass any interim relief on Gandhi’s plea without hearing the both sides, it had granted a 10-days period to complainant BJP MLA Purnesh Modi and others to file written submissions and posted the matter for further hearing on August 4.
In written pleadings,Gandhi has stated in a rejoinder affidavit filed before court that he was described as "arrogant" by the complainant because he had refused to apologise in the 'Modi surname' defamation case. It said that Gandhi has always maintained that he is not guilty of offence and "if he had to apologise and compound the offence, he would have done it much earlier".
The counter-affidavit filed by the BJP MLA said that Gandhi displayed "arrogance" and his petition before the Supreme Court "deserves to be dismissed with exemplary costs." It said that Gandhi made the defamatory statement out of "personal hatred" towards an elected Prime Minister of the country, and “deserves no sympathy” on the question of the sentence imposed.
The Supreme Court had agreed to hear the plea on July 21 after senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Gandhi, sought urgent listing of the matter. On July 15, the Congress leader had approached the Supreme Court challenging the Gujarat high court’s order where a bench of Justice Hemant Prachchhak had observed that granting a stay on his conviction would be an exception, and not a rule.
Gandhi was disqualified as an MP in March, after a Surat court convicted him and sentenced him to two years in prison for his "How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname" remark made during an election rally in Karnataka in April 2019. Gandhi's remark was interpreted as an attempt to draw an implicit connection between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and fugitive businessmen Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi.
In March, the sessions court in Surat had dismissed Gandhi's plea seeking suspension of his conviction by the magistrate court, stating that his disqualification will not result in an irreversible loss to him. The Congress leader was disqualified under a rule that bars convicted MPs from holding Lok Sabha membership. According to legal experts, if the top court stays Rahul Gandhi's conviction, it would be sufficient to restore his Lok Sabha membership.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud directed to list the matter on Friday after senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Rahul Gandhi, sought urgent listing of the matter.
Singhvi requested the top court to list the plea either on Friday (July 21) or Monday (July 24). The court has agreed to list the matter for hearing this Friday. "List this Friday," said CJI Chandrachud.
On July 15, the Congress leader approached the Supreme Court against the Gujarat High Court's order to stay his conviction and two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case, which cost the Congress leader his Lok Sabha membership.
A bench of Justice Hemant Prachchhak of the high court had observed that granting a stay on his conviction would be an exception, and not a rule.
Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a Member of Parliament in March after a Surat court convicted him and sentenced him to two years in prison for his "How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname" remark made during an election rally in Karnataka in April 2019.
In anticipation, Purnesh Modi, a BJP MLA and the complainant in the defamation case against Gandhi, had submitted a caveat in the Supreme Court requesting for a chance to present his case if the Congress leader challenges the high court verdict.
A caveat serves as a notice submitted to an appellate court by a litigant who wishes to be heard in case any orders are issued regarding an opponent's appeal that challenges the decision or judgment made by the lower court.
Rahul Gandhi's 2019 remark was interpreted as an attempt to draw an implicit connection between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and fugitive businessmen Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi.
In March, the sessions court in Surat had dismissed Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking suspension of his conviction by the magistrate court, stating that his disqualification will not result in an irreversible loss to him.
According to legal experts, if the top court stays Rahul Gandhi's conviction, it would be sufficient to restore his Lok Sabha membership. The Congress leader was disqualified under a rule that bars convicted MPs from holding Lok Sabha
However, local party JD-S has opted out of the meet amid the rumours of the party joining the BJP-led NDA.
Posters welcoming the national leaders have been erected in Bengaluru's city arterial roads as the Congress, which is ruling the state, wants to send out a message to the country.
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress' leaders Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O' Brien will attend the meet, along with CPI's D. Raja, CPI-M Sitaram Yechury, Nationalist Congress Party's chief Sharad Pawar and party leaders Jitendra Ahwad, and Supriya Sule are also taking part.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his Janata Dal-United's President Lalan Singh and party leader Sanjay Kumar Jha, Tamil Nadu Chief Ministe M.K. Stalin and His DMK's MP T.R. Baalu, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM head Hemant Soren, Shiv Sena-UBT leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, and party leaders Aditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut have also confirmed their presence.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, Samajwadi Party and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, PDP head and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, CPI-ML chief Dipankar Bhattacharya and RLD chief Jayant Singh Chaudary are also attending.
Also present will be K. M. Khader Mohideen from IUML, Jose K. Mani from Kerala Congress-M, Vaiko from MDMK, Thol Thirumavalavan from the VCK, N.K. Premachandran from RSP, P.J. Joseph from Kerala Congress, E.R. Eswaran from the KMDK and G. Devarajan from the AIFB have confirmed their presence.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will host a dinner on the evening of July 17, followed by formal deliberations the next day. The second joint meeting of the Opposition parties comes after the first meeting was held in Patna.
The Gujarat High Court had refused to stay Rahul Gandhi's conviction and two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case, which cost the Congress leader his Lok Sabha membership. A bench of Justice Hemant Prachchhak had observed that granting a stay on his conviction would be an exception, and not a rule.
Congress leader and senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi had termed the high court judgement as "disappointing but not unexpected", and indicated that the former Congress President will approach the Supreme Court.
Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a Member of Parliament in March, after a Surat court convicted him and sentenced him to two years in prison for his "How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname" remark made during an election rally in Karnataka in April 2019.
In anticipation, Purnesh Modi, a BJP MLA and the complainant in the defamation case against Gandhi, had submitted a caveat in the Supreme Court requesting for a chance to present his case if the Congress leader challenges the high court verdict.
A caveat serves as a notice submitted to an appellate court by a litigant who wishes to be heard in case any orders are issued regarding an opponent's appeal that challenges the decision or judgment made by the lower court.
Rahul Gandhi's 2019 remark was interpreted as an attempt to draw an implicit connection between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and fugitive businessmen Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi.
In March, the sessions court in Surat had dismissed Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking suspension of his conviction by the magistrate court, stating that his disqualification will not result in an irreversible loss to him.
According to legal experts, if the top court stays Rahul Gandhi's conviction, it would be sufficient to restore his Lok Sabha membership. The Congress leader was disqualified under a rule that bars convicted MPs from holding Lok Sabha membership.
Following the order, Rahul Gandhi will not be able to contest elections or seek revocation of the suspension of his status as a Member of Parliament (MP). However, he can appeal the High Court order in Supreme Court.
Gujarat HC said, “The Trial Court conviction order is proper and there is no need to interfere with the said order. Therefore, the application is dismissed.”
The Court further noted that at least 10 criminal cases are pending against Rahul Gandhi.
Soon after the verdict, the Congress said that it respects the court judgement and would approach the Supreme Court.
Speaking to media at the party headquarters, Congress treasurer Pawan Bansal said, "We respect the court, but we don't agree with the judgement as according to us this is wrong."
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh took to Twitter and said, "We have noted the verdict of the single-judge bench of the Gujarat High Court on the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi. The reasoning of the judge is being studied, as it should be, and Dr. Abhishek Singhvi will be briefing the media in detail at 3 pm. The judgement only redoubles our resolve to pursue the matter further."
Speaking to IANS, Indian Youth Congress chief Srinivas BV said, "Truth can be troubled but cannot be defeated. We have trust in the Supreme Court as everyone knows why such a thing (conviction) has happened. Rahul Gandhi has raised the issue of Adani Group and Rs 20,000 crore in shell companies. We have trust in the Supreme Court."
"The leaders of BJP and our workers have received information that an FIR has been lodged against a BJP leader for taking a stand regarding Rahul Gandhi's US visit. There are unanswered questions. Did he meet Sunita Vishwanath? We all know about (American businessman) George Soros' intention to destabilise the democratically elected government in India," Irani said. She was referring to the FIR lodged against BJP IT Cell national Convenor Amit Malviya in Karnataka.
She further expressed concern about Rahul Gandhi's interactions with individuals and organisations funded by George Soros, such as the Global Vice President of the Open Society Foundation, who accompanied him during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Karnataka.
Irani said that there was a distressing link between Rahul Gandhi and the Islamic Circle of North America, mentioning Tazeem Ansari, who was involved in the registration process for NRI interactions with Rahul Gandhi in New York and had an organisational connection with Jamaat-e-Islami.
"I draw your attention to 116 Congress Resolution 160 in the House of Representatives in February 2019. This resolution expresses concern regarding the threat posed to democracy by theocratic groups operating in South Asia, and a part of the resolution speaks about the affiliation between the Islamic Circle in North America and Jamaat-e-Islami. The Congress has neither refuted a meeting between Gandhi and an individual funded and financially supported by Soros, nor has the Congress party rejected the role of a certain Mr. Tazim Ansari, who has links with organisations. It is expected that the Congress party, given its draconian past, will leverage any available instruments to stifle those who voice an opinion against Gandhi," she said.
The High Grounds police in Bengaluru have booked a case against him under IPC Sections 153-A, 120-B, 505 (2), 34.
Ramesh Babu, state Congress leader, had lodged a complaint in this regard. The complaint was filed for releasing an animated video of Rahul Gandhi and claiming that Congress is indulging in anti-national activities.
The complaint alleged that Amit Malviya stated, "Rahul Gandhi is dangerous and playing an insidious game. Amit Malviya further stated that more dangerous are people who are pulling strings of #Raga like Sam P, staunchly anti India, they leave no stone unturned to defame India overseas, just to embarrass Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi Ji."
Reacting to the FIR against Amit Malaviya, Priyank Kharge, state minister stated, "Whenever BJP bears the brunt of law, they cry. They have a problem following the law of the land. I want to ask the BJP which part of the FIR has been filed with a mala fide intention. We have done it after taking legal opinion," he said.
Amit Malviya had posted an animated video from his official account on June 17. In that video it is claimed that the "Congress party is indulging in anti-national activities and whenever Rahul Gandhi goes abroad he is indulging in anti-national activities. The video also shows that Congress and Rahul Gandhi are breaking the nation," RDPR and IT and BT minister Priyank Kharge explained.
"We have decided to close down the factory of lies run by the BJP party. They could get away with it as it was their government here. The fact check unit was closed then. The BJP party workers themselves created fake news. We will not let it happen now. Fact check unit would be strengthened. I have already spoken to the CM. The posts, which are communal, disturbing peace will be dealt with and strict action would be taken," Priyank Kharge said.
They (BJP) will always post vicious messages and sow seeds of hatred and create fear. "We can't sit quietly when people like J.P. Nadda, Amit Malviya and Sood, who are in responsible positions, give out lies from their accounts. They will have to prove the charges.
"We had lodged a complaint under IPC Sections 505 (2), 553 (A), 120 (B), 34. Let Amit Malviya come to Bengaluru and explain how Congress has indulged in anti-national activities. Otherwise he will have to seek apologies and give a letter to that effect that he won't make such charges in future," he said.
Watch the Video Here:
राहुल गांधी विदेशी ताक़तों का मोहरा? pic.twitter.com/way52c7Kvu
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) June 18, 2023
Modi's remarks in his address to a joint session of the US Congress on Thursday came against the backdrop of Rahul Gandhi's frequent swipes at his government during his visits abroad, which the ruling BJP has often projected as the opposition leader's bid to malign the country from foreign soil to target the central government.
The prime minister's remarks were perceived to be an attack on the Congress leader.
Modi told US lawmakers, "I can understand the debate of ideas and ideology. But I am delighted to see you come together today, to celebrate the bond between the world's two great democracies - India and the United States.
"I am happy to help out whenever you need a strong bipartisan consensus. There will be and there must be - a contest of ideas at home. But, we must also come together as one when we speak for our nation. And, you have shown that you can do it. Congratulations!"
Addressing the US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Modi said, "Being a citizen of a vibrant democracy myself, I can admit one thing Mister Speaker you have a tough job! I can relate to the battles of passion, persuasion and policy."
Gandhi was recently in the United States and often criticised the Modi government's handling of issues at home.
Shah also urged Gandhi to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors, who, he noted, always upheld the nation's dignity.
Addressing a rally at Siddhpur in Gujarat's Patan district, Shah accused Rahul Gandhi of persistently speaking against India, despite the country witnessing substantial changes under the Narendra Modi administration.
At the rally, organised to mark nine years of Modi government at the Centre, Shah also criticised Rahul Gandhi's opposition to the new Parliament building and the installation of 'Sengol' inside it.
Shah's ire stemmed from Rahul Gandhi's recent trip to the US, where he interacted with members of the Indian diaspora. Gandhi reportedly slammed Modi government's policies during his visit, asserting that India is becoming a "Hindu Rashtra".
In response, Shah characterised Gandhi's comments as "unfortunate", suggesting the Congress leader ought to be ashamed of himself.
Shah stated, "Rahul Baba should bear in mind that the Indian population is closely watching. No patriotic individual should be criticising his own country's politics abroad."
Further criticising the Congress leaders for obstructing PM Modi's speech in the Parliament and for their constant opposition, Shah lauded the Prime Minister for initiating a novel tradition of "politics of development".
Shah also slammed Rahul Gandhi over his stance on the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the repeal of Article 370. He hailed the ongoing construction of the grand temple of Lord Ram, noting that it is nearing completion.
Extolling PM Modi, Shah highlighted his administration's efforts to enhance the lives of Dalits, underprivileged, and tribals.
He also drew a sharp contrast between Modi's decade-long tenure and the previous 10-year term of former PM Manmohan Singh and former Congress President Sonia Gandhi, which, he claimed, was marked by corruption, economic downturn, terrorism, and poor law and order.
In contrast, Modi's term has led to a digital, secure India walking the path of social welfare, Shah said.
Shah also urged the people of Gujarat to support the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and ensure the party's victory in all the 26 parliamentary seats in the state.
The second phase of the Budget Session of the Parliament was washed away in the clamour of the ruling Party for his apology for his alleged statements against the country on foreign soil. Rahul Gandhi, however, before he earned disqualification, kept on asking, in vain, for a chance to explain on the floor of Parliament on what he had said abroad. Congress Party viewed the disruption of Parliament session as a designed one to prevent any discussion on the Adani issue.
Rahul Gandhi’s alleged criticism of the country in UK was also raised during the BJP’s election campaign before the Karnataka electorate. Congress, however, registered a resounding victory by winning the Assembly Election (results declared on May 13) with 135 seats out of a total of 224 registering a gain of 55 seats and securing about 43 % of votes with BJP winning only 66 seats – a reduction of 38 seats.
In the meantime, there was a standoff between the Opposition and the BJP over the inauguration of the new Parliament Building. Rahul Gandhi publicly stated that the country’s new Parliament Building should be inaugurated by the President of India—a stand endorsed by a number of Parties while BJP with the support of even a larger number of Parties went ahead with an elaborate inauguration ceremony performed by the Prime Minister. The Parties opposing it, boycotted the ceremony, repeated appeals of leaders of BJP notwithstanding.
Soon after these developments, Rahul Gandhi is again on a tour abroad and this time to the US. He as a prominent leader of the Congress Party which is perceptibly gaining strength after years of decline would most likely consider engaging with the global community interested in democracy and share with them what is going on in India.
He would most likely present his perception of democracy and would discuss on a variety of topics from democracy to employment and economy to human rights. He will be addressing a think tank, meeting intellectuals, artists, and NRIs. He and his Party surely would like to remain connected with the diaspora-5 million Indian Americans in US who are doing excellent work in all spheres of life.
It is only natural that his and his Party’s perception on political and economic issues would be different from the perception of the BJP and this difference could emerge during his interactions in US.
It is relevant to recall that Indira Gandhi had visited the UK in November 1978 officially to celebrate with Indians in London her father’s 89th Birthday; but many were of the view that she was on a public relations tour after her electoral success and to create a favourable sentiments for her across countries.
During the visit she had faced hostile questioning and hostile crowd who were affected by the Emergency she had imposed. Question on some sensitive foreign affairs issues she had refused to answer saying that it was not proper for a former Prime Minister to speak on such matters on foreign soil.
At one press briefing, a report of the Washington Post on November 20, 1978 said “she did reveal that she and her associates have evolved "20-point plan to help the poorest, the common man, with land reforms, debt relief and so on. But the Janata Party has put things into reverse in the past two years. Some of the things that have been going on are truly horrible, just horrifying." "We believe in democracy," she had said, "but what is it that matters? Is it the voice of the people, or the privilege of the few?" She had even predicted that the Janata government would fall within a year. On return home, neither the Government of the day led by Morarji Desai nor the Parties in power had ever asked her to apologise.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are the author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Pilot arrived at the residence of Kharge, almost an hour and half after Gehlot arrived here for meeting with top leadership.
Former party chief Rahul Gandhi was also present in the meeting, which is said to be crucial to sort out the rumblings in the state leadership where both the leaders have targeted each other.
According to sources, the party leaders are set to decide on the crisis in the state leadership where Gehlot and Pilot have opened a front against each other.
A source said that beside working on bringing the two warring leaders together, the party leadership will also try to chalk out the strategy for the upcoming Assembly election in the desert state.
Earlier in the day, after arriving in the national capital and speaking to media at the airport here, Gehlot when asked about various formulas being speculated around him and party leader Pilot, said: "Never in my life have I seen a tradition in Congress that a leader demands something or high command asks him what post he wants."
Rubbbishing such reports, he said that these are only the creation of the media and some leaders may be getting such stories planted.
"High Command and Congress party are so strong that such a situation will not arise that you are making an offer to pacify someone. It has never happened, it will never happen..." he added.
The meeting comes close on the heels of Pilot's "ultimatum" that if three demands he made from the state government were not met by the end of this month then he would launch a state-wide agitation.
Pilot has also asked for a high-level inquiry into the alleged scams that took place during the tenure of the former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje government, as one of his many demands.
The Congress' Rajasthan unit has been in a state of turmoil since July 2020, when Pilot staged a revolt seeking a leadership change in the state.
Following the revolt, Pilot, who was the Deputy Chief Minister, was removed from the post. He was also removed as the state Congress President.
Since then, there has been tensions within the state party unit and crisis deepened in September last year before the party President's election.
He was on way to his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's cottage, located amid forests of pine and cedar in the suburbs of the Himachal Pradesh capital where she was recently holidaying with her family, when he took a ride of the truck on the Delhi-Chandigarh national highway near Ambala in Haryana.
Rahul Gandhi took the truck ride in Haryana from Murthal to Ambala to speak to the drivers to understand their issues and problems, party sources said on Tuesday.
According to Congress sources, he arrived in Haryana's Murthal around 11 p.m.
From Murthal, he took a truck ride around 12 in the midnight and reached Ambala.
During his journey from Murthal to Ambala, the Congress leader spoke to the truck drivers about the issues and problems they face. He also spoke to them about other issues bothering them most and how they can be sorted out.
After reaching Ambala, Rahul Gandhi then proceeded towards Himachal Pradesh's Shimla via road route.
However, party leadership remained tight-lipped on the late night journey of Rahul Gandhi.
One of his fans wrote on Twitter that he took the ride to understand issues faced by heavy vehicle drivers as they work overnight.
In one of the videos posted on social media, Rahul, riding on a truck, was seen waving at passersby.
"You can disqualify him from the Parliament but will never disqualify him from people's hearts," wrote a Twitter user.
Rahul will stay in Priyanka's cottage -- with wooden frames and shingled exteriors and a sloping tiled roof -- at a height of more than 8,000 feet in Chharabra, some 15 km uphill from here.
Rahul Gandhi since last month had visited Bengali Market, Jama Masjid area and enjoyed the local food among the public.
He then also visited North Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar area to interact with the UPSC aspirants and then a few days later he had lunch with the Delhi University students at PG Men's Hostel.
The Congress had also visited the Shakur Basti area in Delhi and spoke to the slum dwellers about the fear in which they live.
The women residents of Shakur Basti area had pointed out to Rahul Gandhi about the fear of bulldozers razing their homes and also other issues like no proper water supply, prices of essential items skyrocketing and how they are unable to buy LPG cylinders.
The court had convicted Gandhi on March 23 for his remarks made during an election rally in Kolar in April 2019, where he had said that "all people with the Modi surname are thieves".
The court sentenced him to two years in prison and he was disqualified as a member of Lok Sabha the next day.
Rahul Gandhi's lawyers had filed two applications, one for bail till the disposal of his appeal and another for suspension of his conviction until the appeal is decided.
Senior advocate R.S. Cheema, appearing for the Congress leader, argued that only an aggrieved person could file a defamation complaint as per the law, while also pointing out that the speech was not defamatory until it was taken out of context.
The case was filed by BJP MLA Purnesh Modi, who had claimed that Rahul Gandhi's statement had defamed all the people with the Modi surname.
The court had found Rahul Gandhi guilty under IPC Sections 499 (defamation) and 500 (punishment for defamation).
He had claimed that the trial court treated him harshly because of his status as an MP.
Cheema also questioned the Surat court's jurisdiction, pointing out that the speech was made in Kolar.
The court rejected Rahul Gandhi's plea, which means that he cannot be reinstated as an MP.
It also imposed the maximum punishment permissible under the law, and Rahul Gandhi's punishment could not have been even a day less to allow him to retain his seat as an MP.
Rahul Gandhi's counsel argued in the court that his disqualification from the Lok Sabha following his conviction in a criminal defamation case over the Modi surname would cause him "irreparable loss and irreversible injury".
Senior advocate R.S. Cheema, who represented Rahul Gandhi, claimed that the conviction based on an 'imagined' defamation was unfair since only an aggrieved person could file a complaint.
Cheema argued that Rahul Gandhi's speech wasn't defamatory unless taken out of context and magnified.
He also pointed to the geographical jurisdiction of the complainant, Surat West BJP MLA Purnesh Modi, stating that the speech was made in Kolar (Karnataka), and the complainant received a message on his WhatsApp in Surat.
The senior advocate claimed that the trial court was misled, leading to Rahul Gandhi's conviction and a two-year sentence, which has been suspended until his appeal is decided by the courts.
Purnesh Modi, meanwhile, responded to Rahul Gandhi's plea for a stay on his conviction, calling it a "dirty display of childish arrogance".
He claimed that Rahul Gandhi was a repeat offender and that his appearance in court with a battery of Congress leaders was a "very dirty display of childish arrogance and an immature act of bringing pressure upon the court".
After hearing the arguments, judge Robin Mogera reserved the verdict in the matter. The order will now be pronounced on April 20.
On March 25, Rahul Gandhi was suspended from the Lok Sabha following his conviction in the criminal defamation case. The Lok Sabha Secretariat had also declared his constituency in Kerala's Wayanad as vacant.
On March 24, a court in Surat had found Rahul Gandhi guilty and sentenced him to two years in prison in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surname. The Congress leader, however, was granted bail and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to allow him to appeal the Surat court verdict.
The case was filed against Rahul Gandhi by Purnesh Modi for saying "how come all thieves have the common surname Modi" while campaigning in Karnataka ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
"My question is why Rahul Gandhi does not have any regard for the judicial system of the country. Why did he not apologize after issuing insulting statements about the other backward class community? He had the scope to that within the court," Patra said at a press conference at BJP's newly-opened office at Salt Lake in the northern outskirts of Kolkata this morning.
His comments come on a day when Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are going to Surat to file an appeal in the court challenging his convictions for making a derogatory statement attacking the surname of Modi.
He also questioned why the Congress leadership had not displayed similar proactive steps when the party's Karnataka chief D.K. Shivakumar was arrested. He also claimed that the Congress leadership always becomes hyperactive when the issue is concerning Rahul Gandhi.
Speaking on the occasion, Sambit Patra also launched a scathing attack against All Indian Trinamool Congress's national president and the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and accused her of double-standards in pursuing her political lines.
"I wonder whether at all she is supporting the Congress. In the evening the chief minister speaks exactly the opposite of what she said in the morning. In the morning she gifts flowers to the Gandhi family members and in the evening, she claims Rahul Gandhi is not effective. I think that she should first clarify her stand about Rahul Gandhi," Patra said.
In a series of tweets, Lalit Modi, who lives in London since 2010 after facing allegations of financial irregularities in the IPL, said, "I see just about every Tom dick and gandhi associates again and again saying i am a fugitive of justice. Why? How? And when was i to date ever convicted of same. unlike #Papu aka @RahulGandhi now an ordinary citizen saying it and it seems one and all oposition leaders have nothing else to do so they too are either ill informed or just vendetta prone."
He added: "I have decided to take @RahulGandhi to court in UK right away. I am sure he will have to come-up with some solid evidence. I look forward to seeing him make a complete #fool of himself. #rkdhawan #sitaramkesri #motilalvohra #satishsharna all bag men of #gandhi family. Not to forget #naraindutttewari. How do u all have overseas assets. Ask #mrkamalnath."
Lalit Modi also said that he can send addresses and photos to support his claims.
"#Gandhifamily who have made it as if they are the entitled ones to rule our country. Yes, i will return as soon as u pass stringent liable laws," he said.
Lalit Modi also said that nothing has been proven against him, adding that "What is clearly proven is I created the greatest #sporting event in this world that has generated close to 100 billion dollars".
Last week, a court in Surat had found Rahul Gandhi guilty and sentenced him to two years in prison in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his remarks about Prime Minister Modi's surname. The Congress leader, however, was granted bail and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to allow him to appeal the Surat court verdict.
The case was filed against Rahul Gandhi by BJP MLA and ex-Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi for saying "how come all thieves have the common surname Modi" while campaigning in Karnataka ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
A day later, Rahul Gandhi was suspended from the Lok Sabha following his conviction in the criminal defamation case. The Lok Sabha Secretariat also declared his constituency in Kerala's Wayanad as vacant.
According to the Representation of the People Act, a lawmaker sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more shall be disqualified "from the date of such conviction" and remain disqualified for another six years after serving prison time.
"My name is not Savarkar, I won't apologise," Rahul Gandhi had said after he was disqualified from the Lok Sabha following his conviction by a Surat court in a 2019 criminal defamation case.
Savarkar's grandson Ranjit Savarkar, who's the Chairman of the Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak, said that if Rahul Gandhi fails to apologise for his comments, he would lodge a police complaint against the Congress leader.
"He (Rahul Gandhi) must prove that Swatantryaveer Savarkar had apologised to the British for his release from the cellular jail in the Andaman Islands... I have done it (filing FIR) in the past, I shall do it again," an agitated Ranjit Savarkar told mediapersons.
Rahul Gandhi had made the controversial statement a day after he was disqualified as a Lok Sabha member following a Surat court slapping a two-year jail term on him in the defamation case.
Taking strong umbrage, Ranjit Savarkar also urged ex-Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray and Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar to speak to Rahul Gandhi and ask him to tender an apology.
Not satisfied with Thackeray and Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut flaying the Congress leader in the past couple of days for his remarks, Ranjit Savarkar demanded that "they must ask Gandhi to apologise for his statements on Swatantryaveer Savarkar".
Ranjit Savarkar also pointed out how when he was the CM in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, which aslo included the NCP and the Congress, Thackeray reportedly took no action when an objectionable article appeared in a Congress publication, 'Shidori'.
"At that time, I had demanded that Thackeray should act in the matter, but I got no reply to my letter, nor was any action taken," he said.
The ruling Shiv Sena-BJP coalition in Maharashtra has slammed Rahul Gandhi for his remarks, while the Sena (UBT) tto has castigated the Congress leader in strong terms.
Besides, some leaders of the NCP-Congress have also expressed their reservations on the issue that could have ramifications on the future of the MVA alliance, though senior Sena (UBT) and Congress leaders have assured that it will not be affected, even as Raut and Thackeray are likely to meet Rahul Gandhi soon to register their displeasure over his Savarkar remarks.
Addressing the media here, Smriti Irani said, "In an attempt to insult PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi also insulted the entire OBC community. This is not the first time Gandhi family has tried to insult people from Dalit or backward communities. When a woman from the tribal family became the President, even then Droupadi Murmu was insulted by a Congress member on the instructions of the Gandhi family."
"He (Rahul Gandhi) abused and accused PM Modi in Parliament but could not verify his own statement by authenticating it with his own signature. Rahul Gandhi has been convicted by the court for not abusing an individual but the whole OBC community and this is known to every citizen of our country," she added.
Amid protests by the Congress over the Adani issue, Smriti Irani also attacked Gandhi over an earlier picture of Robert Vadra with Gautam Adani. She said, "If he (Rahul Gandhi) has a problem with Adani, why is Robert Vadra seen with Adani holding hands?"
Irani also said, "The political psychosis of Rahul Gandhi is on full display. He kept lying in London and in India, inside and outside Parliament. Rahul Gandhi's target is PM Modi, and PM Modi's target is the development of the country."
However, sources in the Congress said that they have not received the notice yet but officials said that as per rules Rahul Gandhi has to vacate the house within 30 days.
Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a MP 24 hours after being convicted by a Surat court on Friday.
The Surat district court in Gujarat on Thursday convicted Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case over his alleged 'Modi surname' remark in 2019.
Gandhi was convicted under Indian Penal Code sections 499 and 500. The maximum punishment under this section is two years.
BJP MLA and former Gujarat Minister Purnesh Modi had filed the case against Rahul Gandhi for his alleged "how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname..." remark.
Speaking to media persons in Patna, Prasad said: "Congress party could have obtained a stay on the decision of Surat court. They have deliberately not obtained the stay order to utilise the issue during the Karnataka assembly election. He is trying to become a martyr..."
"Rahul Gandhi did the press conference in Delhi in a well planned manner. He wants to present himself sacrificial and take benefit in the Karnataka assembly election," the BJP leader asserted.
"The Congress party has a number of prominent lawyers. Why they did not obtain the stay. Today, Rahul Gandhi has again told a lie that he had not said anything in London... When his party wins election, Rahul Gandhi thinks the Election Commission is genuine and when he loses, the Election Commission becomes bad," Prasad said.
During the presser, when a journalist questioned him on his conviction in 'Modi surname' case, Gandhi said, "Don’t pretend to be a pressman...Kyun hawa nikal gayi?"
So, what actually did the journalist ask?
Journalist: Rahul Ji after the conviction, the BJP is now claiming that you had insulted the entire OBC community and they (BJP) are planning to hold press conference across the country.
Rahul Gandhi: See, your first attempt was from there (pointing towards his left), second attempt was from there (pointing towards the middle) and the third attempt is from here (pointing towards his right). Why are you so directly working for the BJP? Do it with some discretion. Ask by moving here and there. See, now he (the journalist) is smiling. Let me give you an example... "If you want to work for the BJP, then bring (wear) a BJP symbol (badge) here and put it on your chest. Then I will answer you the same way I answer them. Don’t pretend to be a pressman.
WATCH
During the presser, Gandhi said that his voice cannot be silenced by disqualifying him or putting him in jail. However, he didn't say anything about his or the Congress' legal or political plan after the disqualification.
Gandhi was convicted by a Surat court on Thursday in a 2019 criminal defamation case. Later, after the Court's ruling, he was disqualified from Lok Sabha.
He made the remarks while addressing a press conference in Delhi.
"My voice is being suppressed," Rahul Gandhi said and claimed that he spoke to the Speaker against the false accusations made by four ministers but was not allowed to speak.
He also alleged that the "relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gautam Adani is not new".
"I will not stop asking questions about whose money is the Rs 20,000 crore that has come out from shell companies," he added.
The senior Congress leader further said that he is here to defend the voice of the nation, adding: "I am not scared of prison sentence disqualification and others I am not that type of person and they do not understand me.
"I am not going to back down and will be on the principle."
Rahul Gandhi was on Friday disqualified as member of Lok Sabha a day after conviction in the 2019 "Modi surname" defamation case.
The Gandhi scion who represents Wayanad parliamentary constituency of Kerala was disqualified under provisions of Article 102 (1) (e) of the Constitution of India read with Section 8 of Representation of the People's Act.
Rahul was on Thursday sentenced to two years in jail by a Surat court in the case filed on a complaint by BJP MLA Purnesh Modi.
"I am fighting for India's voice... Ready to pay any price," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
On Friday morning, Rahul Gandhi was suspended from the Lok Sabha following his conviction in a criminal defamation case. The Lok Sabha Secretariat also declared his constituency in Kerala's Wayanad as vacant.
According to the Representation of the People Act, a lawmaker sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more shall be disqualified "from the date of such conviction" and remain disqualified for another six years after serving prison time.
On Thursday morning, a court in Surat found Rahul Gandhi guilty and sentenced him to two years in prison in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surname. The Congress leader, however, was granted bail and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to allow him to appeal the Surat court verdict.
The case was filed against Rahul Gandhi by BJP MLA and ex-Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi for saying "how come all thieves have the common surname Modi" while campaigning in Karnataka ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.