The Congress Working Committee (CWC) has unanimously passed a resolution requesting Rahul Gandhi to take up the role of Leader of the Opposition in the 18th Lok Sabha. The resolution was passed after taking note of the sentiments expressed at the party’s highest decision-making body. Gandhi has said he will consider the request and make a decision soon. The Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) also met and re-elected Sonia Gandhi as its chairperson.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi emerged victorious in the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh, securing a significant margin of 3,90,030 votes. This victory surpassed his mother Sonia Gandhi’s margin of victory in the 2019 elections. Rahul Gandhi received 6,87,649 votes, while his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rival, Dinesh Pratap Singh, garnered 2,97,619 votes. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate, Thakur Prasad Yadav, secured 21,624 votes. Notably, Rae Bareli was the only Lok Sabha seat won by Congress in Uttar Pradesh during the 2019 general elections.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar accidentally wished for Narendra Modi to become ‘Chief Minister’ again during a rally. Social media users reacted with amusement, while Nitish Kumar quickly corrected himself. Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar criticized the opposition for their lack of progress before his party came to power in 2005.
A senior police officer’s order has rescheduled political activities in Sopore, North Kashmir, raising concerns from the National Conference (NC). The order affects gatherings involving NC leader Omar Abdullah, who is contesting the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency. The rescheduling has been attributed to ongoing security operations in the region. NC has condemned the order, accusing the administration of obstructing a fair electoral process. The party plans to approach the Election Commission for intervention.
Ujjwal Nikam, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Lok Sabha candidate for the Mumbai North Central constituency, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, stating that India can no longer be referred to as a ‘Banana nation’ under Modi’s leadership. Nikam, a former public prosecutor known for representing the Maharashtra government in high-profile cases such as the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has replaced Poonam Mahajan as the saffron party’s candidate for the constituency. During an interview with a news agency, Nikam emphasized the positive image of India created by PM Modi globally and the efforts made by the Home Minister to modernize outdated laws. Nikam expressed his belief in the necessity of the rule of law for the achievement of ‘Ram Rajya’ and his desire to contribute to the initiatives undertaken by the Modi government. Nikam also stated that he intends to amend extradition laws to enhance the prosecution of criminals and will work on ideas approved by the party.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a scathing attack on Congress leaders, accusing them of running away from Lok Sabha elections and seeking refuge in the Rajya Sabha. Modi specifically targeted AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, who lost the 2019 Lok Sabha election in his home turf of Kalaburagi and was later elected to the Rajya Sabha as Leader of Opposition. Modi also criticized the Congress and its allies for rejecting the invitation to the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, calling it an insult to Lord Ram and the decades-long struggle for the temple’s construction. Additionally, he condemned the Congress for its association with the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and for its opposition to the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced Tashi Gyalson as its candidate for the solitary Lok Sabha seat in Ladakh, sitting MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that he would consult with his supporters before deciding on his future course of action. Namgyal, who has been a vocal supporter of the BJP in the region, questioned the party’s decision and highlighted his contributions to the development of Ladakh during his tenure. He cited the restoration of BJP’s glory in the region and his tireless efforts for its progress. Namgyal’s supporters gathered around him upon his arrival at Leh airport, expressing their support and sentiments. The announcement of Gyalson’s candidature has raised questions about the BJP’s ability to retain the seat amidst growing discontent over the Centre’s failure to grant protection under the sixth schedule and statehood to Ladakh.
India’s parliamentary elections, the largest democratic exercise in the world, continue with the second phase on April 26. The polls will be held across 88 constituencies in 13 states and union territories, including the southern states of Kerala and Karnataka. Key candidates include a former opposition leader, a former United Nations official, and a Bollywood star seeking her third term. The results of the election, which began on April 19, will be announced on June 4.
Manish Kashyap, a prominent YouTube personality from Bihar, has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today in the presence of BJP leaders Manoj Tiwari and Anil Baluni. Kashyap, who has a strong presence on YouTube with approximately 8.75 million subscribers, had previously announced his intention to contest the Lok Sabha elections from the West Champaran constituency as an independent candidate. However, he has now decided against contesting the elections. There is speculation that Kashyap might be offered a significant responsibility or even a ticket as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) within the party.
The BJP’s top leadership has vehemently denied allegations that it intends to change the Indian Constitution after crossing the 400-seat mark in the Lok Sabha. The party’s General Secretary, Vinod Tawde, dismissed these claims as false propaganda spread by the Congress. The BJP, he emphasized, has used its majority in the Lok Sabha to implement anti-terror measures, abrogate Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, and scrap the Planning Commission. Tawde also highlighted the party’s respect for the Constitution, citing the celebration of Constitution Day and the release of its manifesto on the birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution.
