In a recent social media video shared by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he can be seen having a fun conversation with young Kashmiri women on various pressing issues such as marriage pressure, harassment, and discrimination faced by women. The video received a lot of love and appreciation with over 332k likes and 11.8k shares. Gandhi, along with the women, discusses the importance of social change and changing the attitude of men towards women to bring about a positive change in society.
The Narendra Modi government faced backlash from the opposition and its own allies regarding lateral appointments in the bureaucracy, which led to a swift change in direction. This move came after Union Minister Jitendra Singh directed the cancellation of an advertisement for 45 posts and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's statement on the government's commitment to social justice. The government's cautious approach is attributed to the successful opposition campaign during the Lok Sabha elections, where Congress leader Rahul Gandhi consistently criticized the government's actions towards reservations. With Assembly elections coming up, the BJP is wary of any further damage to its SC/ST and OBC vote bank, and has yet to clarify its stance on sub-categorization and the Supreme Court's observation on creamy layer exclusion.
After facing defeat in the recent Lok Sabha elections, Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi has taken on the role of Leader of Opposition with determination and confidence. According to his colleague Shashi Tharoor, Gandhi's demeanor and involvement in Parliament have shown a clear sense of leadership and willingness to confront the ruling BJP. Tharoor attributes Gandhi's transformation to the two Bharat Jodo Yatras and notes the changing dynamics in Parliament, where the opposition now holds double the strength, making it difficult for the government to pass bills without engaging with them.
As the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was introduced in Karnataka, the state saw 80 FIRs being registered under the new criminal laws on the first day. Meanwhile, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said he will abide by the decision of the party high-command in the ongoing tussle within the Karnataka Congress regarding leadership change. In other news, Karnataka police recovered a memory chip as a key evidence in the sexual assault case against former CM B S Yediyurappa, while also registering 63 cases on the day of BNS implementation. In the midst of this, expelled BJP leader K S Eshwarappa has been invited to rejoin the party, a decision he has yet to make.
After four years as KPCC chief, D.K. Shivakumar faces pressure to step down as the Congress party leader in Karnataka. As loyalists of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah demand a change, Shivakumar refuses to give in and instead proposes for Siddaramaiah's replacement. The Congress party in Karnataka is embroiled in a power struggle as multiple leaders stake a claim for the KPCC chief position, leading to speculation and tension within the party.
In a press conference in Pune, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar announced that his party, along with the Congress and the Shiv Sena, will form a coalition to contest the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly polls in October. Mr. Pawar emphasized the moral responsibility of major Opposition parties to protect the interests of smaller allies, and called for a change in the State.
The second term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially begun with the announcement of the new Modi Cabinet 2024. While some familiar faces like Amit Shah, S Jaishankar, and Rajnath Singh retain their positions, there are also some changes and additions, with leaders like Amit Shah and Nitin Gadkari taking on new roles. The newly formed government is focused on the agriculture sector and has already taken its first step by releasing funds for the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. However, there seems to be tension within the coalition as the Nationalist Congress Party declined to accept the BJP's offer for Praful Patel to be a Minister of State, indicating potential challenges ahead.
In Jharkhand's Khunti district, the reserved ST constituency, Adivasi identity continues to be the driving force in politics but not much has changed for the community in terms of development and opportunities. With Hindutva organizations trying to co-opt tribal identities and calls for delisting tribals who have converted to other religions, Khunti is seeing a rise in tensions and apprehensions. Despite visits from both BJP and Congress leaders, Adivasis in Khunti struggle to have their voices heard due to illiteracy and lack of representation.
After the results of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) were announced, questions have been raised regarding the fairness of the exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has faced criticism for awarding grace marks to over 1,500 students, with a panel now being set up to re-examine the results. Additionally, the NTA has come under fire for changes to the NCERT textbooks and allegations of marks inflation, leading to a record number of top rankers from the same exam centre. Amidst these controversies, the Congress has demanded a thorough investigation into the conduct of the NEET-UG exam.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has secured a third consecutive term in the Varanasi seat, defeating Congress candidate Ajay Rai. While this is a significant win, Modi's victory margin has decreased from previous elections. Political analysts are now questioning if this slight decline is a sign of change in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) stronghold region. Stay updated on all election news, opinions, and analysis on Deccan Herald.