Results for: Rahul Gandhi

The role of opposition parties in a democracy like India is crucial, but recent statements by opposition leaders raise concerns about the quality and direction of this role. Responsible dialogue and constructive criticism are essential, but recent comments have bordered on personal attacks, spread misinformation, and incited violence, undermining the democratic ethos and public trust. Opposition leaders must remember their role is not obstruction but constructive criticism and offering viable alternatives. In these challenging times, responsible leadership is crucial, and opposition voices must elevate the quality of public discourse, foster mutual respect, and seek unity rather than division.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are set to hold public meetings in Maharashtra and Kerala on Wednesday, the final day of campaigning for the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Gandhi, who is resuming his campaign after a brief break due to illness, will address rallies in Amravati and Solapur, while Shah will hold a rally in Amravati and inaugurate the BJP’s election office in Varanasi. Meanwhile, senior leaders from both Congress and BJP will continue their campaigns across various states, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Wayanad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, and BJP president J.P. Nadda in Bihar. Additionally, the Supreme Court is likely to pronounce directions on a batch of pleas seeking complete cross-verification of votes cast using EVMs with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), while repolling will be held in eight polling stations in Arunachal Pradesh due to EVM damage and violence during the initial polling.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who was unwell since Sunday, will resume electioneering on April 24 with public meetings in Maharashtra’s Amravati and Solapur. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of trying to extend reservation on the basis of religion, particularly to Muslims. The Congress has explored legal remedies against Modi’s remarks, as the Election Commission has not acted on their complaint. In the third phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 7, 1,351 candidates from 12 States and Union Territories will be contesting, including eight candidates from the Betul seat of Madhya Pradesh.

BJP leader Smriti Irani has criticized Rahul Gandhi’s performance in the Amethi constituency, as speculation swirls over whether Robert Vadra will contest the seat. Irani, who defeated Gandhi in 2019, highlighted her accomplishments over 15 years compared to his and criticized Congress’s alleged arrogance.

PV Anwar, an independent MLA supported by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala, has sparked outrage with his comments on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Addressing an election rally, Anwar referred to Gandhi as a “low-level citizen” and suggested he undergo a “DNA test.” These remarks stem from Gandhi’s criticism of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The political battle in Kerala has intensified, with leaders from the Congress and the Communist Party of India (CPI) exchanging accusations. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has alleged that Rahul Gandhi has been absent during crucial political developments in the country, while Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Vadra have accused Vijayan of collusion with the BJP. Vijayan’s remarks come after Gandhi questioned why Vijayan has not faced action from central investigation agencies for alleged scandals involving his government.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has nominated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala State president K. Surendran to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Wayanad constituency in Kerala. Surendran expressed confidence in the NDA’s prospects of defeating Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who currently holds the seat, citing anti-incumbency factors and a favorable political climate for the NDA. He also criticized Gandhi for his absence and lack of engagement with the constituency since his election in 2019.

During Lok Sabha elections campaigning in Amethi, Smriti Irani criticized Rahul Gandhi and Robert Vadra. She accused Gandhi of attempting to divide voters based on caste and questioned Vadra’s potential candidacy. Irani highlighted her own victory in Amethi in 2019, where she defeated Gandhi.

A video clip of Rahul Gandhi has been circulating on social media, where he is heard promising to credit one lakh rupees annually and 8,500 rupees monthly to the bank accounts of unemployed youth who spend time on social media. However, this claim is based on a misleading edit of Gandhi’s speech. In the full video, Gandhi was actually talking about the Congress party’s ‘Right to Apprenticeship’ scheme, which is aimed at providing one-year apprenticeships to diploma and college graduates under the age of 25. The program includes an annual stipend of one lakh rupees for participants.

Smriti Irani, the BJP MP for Amethi, has criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his brother-in-law Robert Vadra, claiming that she has done more work in the constituency in five years than Gandhi did in 15. Irani’s remarks come after Vadra sparked speculation that he may contest the Amethi seat, which has been a Congress stronghold for decades. Gandhi, who is contesting from Kerala’s Wayanad, has not yet announced whether he will also contest from Amethi. The Amethi seat will vote in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 20.