A sharp political slugfest erupted on Thursday as Congress leaders and INDIA bloc allies rallied behind MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's son, Raihan Vadra, accusing the authorities and Centre of censoring artistic expression after Bikaner House requested the removal of several photographs from his exhibition.
High drama unfolded as INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, marched to the Election Commission headquarters in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and his misleading statements regarding Supreme Court observations on Form 6.
Sonia Gandhi's memoir, "Belonging: A Journey Of Love," recounts a poignant incident from Rahul Gandhi's seventh birthday in 1977, shortly after Indira Gandhi's electoral defeat. Most of his friends skipped the celebration, offering Rahul an early, painful lesson in the fickle nature of political relationships, a theme that also affected Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
India celebrated Diwali with traditional fervour, marked by diverse festivities across the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bastar, while other political leaders like Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Yogi Adityanath also shared their celebrations. Meanwhile, Delhi faced challenges with 'very poor' air quality and strict vigil on firecracker bursting.
The BJP has strongly criticised Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders for allegedly promoting a false narrative against Delhi Police using a fabricated AI-generated video. This comes after an arrest was made in connection with circulating the video, which purportedly showed an ACP harassing a woman journalist. The BJP questions Gandhi's silence and the potential involvement of the Congress IT cell in creating and amplifying the fake content.
Sonia Gandhi's memoir "Belonging: A Journey Of Love" details the political targeting of her son, Rahul Gandhi, by the BJP and Narendra Modi government. She asserts that neither she nor Rahul received any monetary benefit from the National Herald revival process, despite facing legal challenges. The book also touches upon the legal issues faced by Priyanka Gandhi's husband, Robert Vadra, and highlights the family's resilience.
Rahul Gandhi led INDIA bloc leaders in a surprise dharna near Jantar Mantar, protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. For the second consecutive day, police detained Gandhi and other opposition MPs, stalling their planned demonstration. The protest saw dramatic moments, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lying on the street, as leaders vowed to continue their fight for electoral integrity.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticised the Bikaner House administration's decision to remove certain photographs from Raihan Vadra's exhibition before its opening. Tharoor termed the act as "petty" and "censorship," stating it casts a shadow on India's reputation as a democracy and a land of freedom of expression. He highlighted the removal of protest photographs and those featuring the tricolour, calling the decision "stupid" and counterproductive, as it has inadvertently boosted Raihan Vadra's profile.
Opposition MPs from the INDIA bloc, including prominent leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, marched to the Supreme Court to file a petition against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging 'vote chori' and irregularities in electoral rolls.
Unless the Congress stops seeing a CIA and RSS in everyone who disagrees with it, many well-meaning people will find it difficult to rub shoulders with Rahul Gandhi, notes M R Narayan Swamy.
Sonia Gandhi's memoir "Belonging: A Journey of Love" reveals the intense internal conflict and family opposition behind her decision to decline the prime minister's post in 2004. Despite initial rejection, then a hesitant acceptance under pressure from alliance leaders, she ultimately followed her "inner voice" to refuse the top job, nominating Manmohan Singh instead.
Priyanka Gandhi in large part was at the centre of the Congress's action, giving a number of enduring images from this election campaign.
The INDIA bloc, comprising 17 opposition parties and civil society members, met at Rahul Gandhi's residence to strategize against alleged "vote chori" and the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site. Leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Tejashwi Yadav, vowed to continue their united political and people's resistance, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and asserting that those responsible for undermining democracy would be held accountable.
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi announced her upcoming memoir, "Belonging: A Journey of Love," set for release on November 10. Gandhi, who recently joined social media, stated that the book will present her personal account, correcting past narratives. The memoir's publication has already sparked controversy, with HarperCollins India taking over after an "impasse" with Penguin Random House India, amidst allegations of external pressure regarding editorial content. The book will cover her life from childhood in Italy to her political journey in India, including family tragedies and key political decisions.
The INDIA bloc's planned 'public impeachment' of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has been postponed to October 31 due to Delhi's weather conditions.
The INDIA bloc conducted a symbolic "public impeachment" of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of electoral malpractice. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided from a chair historically used by Jawaharlal Nehru, a detail highlighted by Congress. Opposition leaders demanded Kumar's removal, calling the event a "political weapon."
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accuses the NDA of plotting to steal the Bihar assembly elections, alleging collusion with the Election Commission and voter roll manipulation.
'Indira Gandhi was a very weak person,' Kangana claimed. 'She had many crutches around and was constantly seeking validation.'
Ending days of suspense, the Congress on Friday announced that Rahul Gandhi will contest the Lok Sabha elections from Rae Bareli, the constituency held by his mother Sonia Gandhi for the last two decades, and Kishori Lal Sharma, a close aide of the Gandhi family, will fight from Amethi.
A YouTuber has been arrested in Thrissur, Kerala, for allegedly blocking the convoy of Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the police said on Monday.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee indicated her potential participation in a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. She strongly criticised the BJP and the Election Commission over alleged electoral malpractices and "SIR anomalies" in Bengal. Banerjee also expressed solidarity with Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra regarding their treatment during recent protests and plans to approach President Droupadi Murmu.
The party in Uttar Pradesh is seeing the visit as the virtual launch of the Congress campaign in the state, ahead of the coming Lok Sabha elections.
'The made-up stories really angered me. Forget angering me, it actually made me feel, okay, if they want to play this game, let me play along.'
Supporters of the INDIA bloc gathered at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan for a 'Chalo Dilli' protest on Sunday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities and 'vote chori'. Senior leaders participated in a march, while extensive security arrangements were made for the large-scale mobilisation.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar met senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, fueling speculation about a leadership change in the state. The meeting occurs amid reports of Shivakumar pressing for the chief minister's post.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for describing Diwali as 'khushiyon ka Eid' (Eid of happiness), accusing the Congress of appeasement politics and hurting Hindu sentiments. Congress leader Pawan Khera defended Kharge, stating that 'Eid' literally means 'festival'.
He said Priyanka could have been a wonderful candidate in Varanasi as well, especially looking at how good the Congress candidate did against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The INDIA bloc is gearing up for a symbolic 'public impeachment' of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 30, protesting alleged 'vote chori' and irregularities in electoral rolls, raising significant questions about India's democratic processes.
The two 'One Nation One Election' (ONOE) bills, including one requiring an amendment in the Constitution, that lay down the mechanism to hold simultaneous elections were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday after a fiery debate.
An FIR has been registered against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Haldwani following a complaint from a Valmiki community member. The complaint alleges Gandhi gave a casteist interpretation to a religious ritual performed after an AICC chief's programme, hurting community sentiments. The case involves provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, stemming from a political row over a 'purification yajna' at a rally venue.
Priyanka was in Lucknow on Wednesday to address a state-level 'Chintan Shivir' and returned to Delhi on Thursday.
The force, which provides her armed commandos under the 'Z+' category of security cover to her, said the Congress leader undertook "unscheduled" movement without intimation. Therefore, an advanced security liaison could not be conducted, it said in a statement.
Sonia Gandhi, in her memoir "Belonging: A Journey Of Love", reveals that Indira Gandhi cried upon seeing the harrowing visuals of the aftermath of Operation Blue Star in 1984. She describes Indira's tears as those of pain, regret, and sorrow over the siege's end and the lives lost. The memoir details the rise of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the separatist movement, alleged Pakistani involvement, and the difficult decision Indira Gandhi faced to order the military operation to prevent the declaration of Khalistan.
The opposition INDIA bloc held a massive rally in Delhi, accusing the BJP of 'vote chori' and electoral irregularities, with Rahul Gandhi asserting that CEC Gyanesh Kumar will be jailed for treason and legal action will be taken against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Opposition MPs, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a protest in the Parliament House complex against alleged donation theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and "police excesses" against student protesters. The INDIA bloc vowed to continue their agitation, demanding accountability from the government, particularly Home Minister Amit Shah, on these issues.
The INDIA bloc is escalating its protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, planning further actions and seeking an urgent meeting with President Droupadi Murmu.
Jenny, a resident of Assam, has reignited a nearly 23-year-old controversy by reiterating rape allegations against former Uttarakhand minister Harak Singh Rawat, demanding a fresh CBI investigation and a DNA test for her son. Rawat has denied the claims, citing a previous CBI clean chit, and threatened defamation suits against those making or supporting the allegations, including Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The case has stirred political circles ahead of upcoming assembly polls.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday warned of legal action against Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over her social media post, in which she accused the saffron party-led government in the state of indulging in corruption.
If Priyanka wins the Lok Sabha bypolls, it would be for the first time that three members of the Gandhi family will be in Parliament. Her mother Sonia Gandhi is a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan.
The Congress-led INDIA bloc held a major protest rally in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities and past corruption allegations. Leaders stated the protest was a "stern warning" to the government, vowing to continue until Kumar steps down, citing threats to parliamentary democracy.
