The Congress party has released its latest list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, including some notable names such as former JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar, Punjab MLA Sukhpal Khaira, and former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjeet Channi. The party has also decided to field Udit Raj from northwest Delhi constituency and has expressed confidence in their ability to take on their opponents, including BJP's Manoj Tiwari. As a media outlet, The Quint emphasizes the importance of being accountable to their audience and invites them to become active members in shaping their journalism.
Kanhaiya Kumar: From JNU Activist to Congress Candidate
Background:
Kanhaiya Kumar, a former president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Student Union (JNUSU), rose to prominence in 2016 when he was arrested on sedition charges for allegedly participating in an event on campus commemorating the execution of Afzal Guru, a Kashmiri separatist. He spent six months in prison before being released on bail.
Kumar's arrest and detention sparked widespread protests and debate across the country. Many saw it as an example of government suppression of free speech and political activism. Kumar emerged as a symbol of resistance against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.
Political Career:
Following his release from prison, Kumar joined the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 2017. He contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Begusarai constituency in Bihar, but lost to BJP's Giriraj Singh.
In January 2023, Kumar announced his resignation from the CPI and joined the Congress party. He was subsequently declared as the Congress candidate for the Begusarai constituency in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
1. Why did Kanhaiya Kumar join the Congress party?
Kanhaiya Kumar has not publicly stated his reasons for joining the Congress party. However, it is speculated that he may have been attracted by the party's commitment to secularism, social justice, and opposition to the BJP government.
2. What are Kumar's chances of winning the Begusarai constituency?
The Begusarai constituency is a stronghold of the BJP. Giriraj Singh, the incumbent MP, has won the seat multiple times. Kumar faces an uphill battle in defeating Singh, but he is optimistic about his chances.
3. What is the significance of Kumar's arrest in 2016?
Kumar's arrest on sedition charges in 2016 was a major event that raised concerns about the state of free speech and political activism in India. The arrest sparked widespread protests and debate, and helped to bring Kumar into the national spotlight.
4. What is Kumar's ideology?
Kumar is a socialist and a strong believer in the principles of equality and justice. He is critical of the BJP government's policies, which he believes favor the wealthy and powerful at the expense of the poor and marginalized.
5. What does Kumar's entry into the Congress party mean for Indian politics?
Kumar's entry into the Congress party is seen as a boost for the party's image. He is a young, charismatic leader with a strong following among the youth. His presence in the party could help to attract new voters and energize the Congress base.
Tensions have risen in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district as a team arrived to survey a disputed site, where a Harihar temple was claimed to stand on the grounds of the historic Shahi Jama Masjid. Videos of cars being set on fire and stone-pelting have emerged on social media, showing the chaos that ensued. Police have used tear gas to control the situation, and a local court had ordered a second survey to be conducted after a previous one was conducted last week. Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq has spoken out in defense of the mosque, citing a Supreme Court order from 1991.
The largest gathering of nationalist thinkers and practitioners, Lokmanthan 2024, is set to begin in Hyderabad on November 21. President of India Droupadi Murmu, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and several Union ministers will engage in talks, exhibitions, cultural performances, and a food festival over the course of four days. Organized for the first time in South India, the platform aims to promote the oneness of ancient civilization through discussions with prominent academicians, thinkers, artists, and activists.
With 7 candidates vying for the Karhal MLA seat, the bypoll elections were necessitated by the resignation of Akhilesh Yadav. Watch live updates on the election process, including who is leading, trailing, and ultimately wins the seat. Karhal is part of the 21st Mainpuri Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh and had previously been won by Yadav's wife, Dimple Yadav. As per the gazette notification, the bypoll will take place on November 20, 2024, and the results will be announced on November 23, 2024.
On Sunday morning, Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh saw an outburst of violence when a team of surveyors arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid to conduct a second survey of the mosque. The police had to resort to lathi charge and tear gas shells to control the crowd, who were throwing stones and attacking media personnel. Amidst all this chaos, the police announced that they would take strict action against those who were involved in the violence, stating that their actions were illegal under section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita.
During his monthly radio program, PM Modi emphasized the significant role youth play in shaping India's future and announced the upcoming Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue to coincide with Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary and National Youth Day. The event will bring together 2,000 young minds from across India to brainstorm and develop a roadmap for the country's progress. PM Modi also urged youth from non-political backgrounds to join politics and will personally attend as much of the dialogue as possible.
The bypoll for the Meerapur Vidhan Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh has attracted attention with a total of 11 candidates vying to be elected as the MLA. The constituency, which is part of the Bijnor Lok Sabha seat, has been necessitated due to the resignation of Chandan Chauhan. Stay updated with live result updates to find out who will be the new Member of Legislative Assembly for Meerapur.
A heated debate has arisen between the Samajwadi Party and the BJP over the issue of voter identity verification for Muslim women wearing burqas, hijabs, niqabs, and ghunghats in the upcoming UP by-election. The Samajwadi Party has approached the Election Commission demanding that Muslim women should not have to remove their burqas for checks, while the BJP argues that every voter must be identified. The Election Commission has confirmed that only the polling officer is authorised to verify voter ID cards, and police or security personnel are not permitted to check ID cards or request a woman to remove her burqa. As polling continues, the outcome of this controversy remains to be seen.
Amidst growing controversy and criticism, the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh seems to have a dilemma over its slogan, "Batoge to Katoge" coined by CM Yogi Adityanath. Within the party, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya has expressed ignorance about the slogan's context, causing opposition parties to question the party's unity. The BJP's attempts to present a consistent narrative seem to have failed as even party leaders like Ajit Pawar have spoken against the slogan. With differing slogans from top leaders, the opposition accuses the BJP of contradictions.
The results for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly polls are in, with the Shiv Sena-NCP alliance and the JMM facing a stiff challenge from the BJP. Despite facing internal divisions, the Maha Yuti alliance in Maharashtra looks set to secure a victory. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the JMM, bolstered by its I.N.D.I.A. allies, is expected to retain power. Stay updated with live updates and coverage on Deccan Herald and make sure to follow their Whatsapp, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram channels for more news.
In the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Congress faced a major defeat in direct contests with the BJP, winning only 10 out of 75 seats. This is a significant decline from their performance in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year. The BJP's average vote share per seat contested rose by 6 percentage points, while the Congress saw a decline of 14 percentage points. In some key constituencies, the Congress finished in fourth place, highlighting the immediate need for the party to reassess its strategies and connect with the voting public.