The Congress government in India has recently drawn criticism for its decision to withdraw all cases related to the 2022 violence in Hubballi. The incident, which involved clashes between a young man and a Muslim community in the area, had resulted in multiple arrests and charges under terror-related acts. However, after a change in government in 2023, the Siddaramaiah administration has decided to withdraw these cases, sparking debate and controversy. While some defend the government's decision, others express concerns about setting a dangerous precedent.
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 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.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in support of Congress' Ludhiana candidate Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, raised the issue of drug problem in Punjab and called for strict action against it. He also criticized the AAP government for not taking enough steps to address the issue. This comes a day after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also spoke about the challenges posed by drug problem in Punjab. Gandhi also took a dig at the BJP government, accusing them of threatening to change and scrap the Constitution if they win the election.
Michael Hussey, the batting coach of Chennai Super Kings, commended young batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad for his excellent performance in both batting and as captain. In other news, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that if elected, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal would not have to go to jail again, and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy played football after the Lok Sabha campaign ended. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also predicted a change in Prime Minister in June 2024.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi indirectly criticized Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating that the people of the state were facing a "double R" tax due to their policies. He also mentioned the burden of a "triple R" tax, which includes the impact of the Razakar supporters and leaders in the state. His comments were made during a rally in Hyderabad, where he urged the people to vote for change in the upcoming elections.
In a roadshow campaign in the Denduluru constituency, Congress candidate Kavuri Lavanya urged voters to support the party and elect Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Minister. She criticized the lack of progress under the current TDP and YCP leadership and outlined her manifesto, which includes significant welfare measures. The event, attended by numerous Congress leaders, highlights the party's strong push for change and development in Andhra Pradesh.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made bold promises at a rally in Madhya Pradesh, assuring the audience that if the party comes to power at the Centre, it will waive off farmers' loans and raise the MNREGA payment from Rs 250 to Rs 400 per day. He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of wanting to change the Constitution and urged voters to protect it through this election. Gandhi further criticized the BJP government for the migration of Adivasi youths to other states, highlighting the government's failure to support farmers and women.
A viral video appeared on social media showing Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray being interrupted during a recent rally in Wardha, Maharashtra. The video was shared with captions criticizing the leader and claiming that Congress party workers obstructed his speech. However, further investigation revealed that the video was edited to change its context. Thackeray was short on time and only wanted to deliver a brief speech, which is why he was seen being interrupted in the viral clip. Our probe also found that the interruption was for another speaker, not Thackeray.