In response, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is attempting to destroy the constitution with a ‘distorted version’ of Ram Rajya and is trying to strip away reservation rights for marginalized communities. He called it an attack on Dalits, OBCs, and Adivasis and highlighted the issue on the social media platform ‘X’. Gandhi also claimed that Prime Minister Modi is attempting to recruit public servants through the RSS instead of UPSC, which he considers a direct attack on the constitution.

Government ally Chiranjeevi Paswan also expressed concern about this recruitment process, stating that reservation in any government appointment is essential. He noted that while there is no reservation in the private sector, the absence of reservation in government positions is alarming and that he will raise this issue before the central government.

In his letter, Jitendra Singh mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a supporter of reservation in public service and that his government is committed to strengthening social justice. He requested UPSC Chairperson Preeti Sudan to review and cancel the advertisement released on August 17.

The letter also referenced the initiation of lateral entry during the UPA government, mentioning that the central government first considered it in 2005 under the chairmanship of Veerappa Moily, and discussions on such appointments took place in 2013 during the UPA government. It also discussed the appointment of super bureaucracy in UIDAI and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

In light of the protests against the lateral entry process, the government decided to cancel the recruitment advertisement. This decision indicates that the government has opted to amend its policy considering the sensitivity of various societal groups regarding the reservation issue.

As per the agreement, the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP will contest four out of the seven seats in Delhi, namely West Delhi, South Delhi, East Delhi, and New Delhi. The remaining three constituencies – North East Delhi, North West Delhi, and Chandni Chowk – will be contested by the Congress.

The seat-sharing announcement comes after weeks of negotiations and was unveiled during a joint press conference of the AAP and the Congress. The move follows the recent success of the opposition’s INDIA bloc in the Chandigarh mayoral poll, marking their first electoral win.

In addition to Delhi, the alliance has extended to Gujarat, Haryana, Goa, and Chandigarh. In Gujarat, AAP will contest from Bharuch and Bhavnagar, while the Congress will field candidates in both Goa seats and the sole constituency in Chandigarh. The AAP had earlier declared a candidate for South Goa, which will now be withdrawn to accommodate the alliance.

However, seat-sharing remains a complex challenge for the INDIA bloc, with regional parties seeking a larger share of seats following the Congress’s electoral setbacks in key states. The Congress has already formed an alliance with Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party for 17 seats in Uttar Pradesh. However, deadlock persists in Maharashtra, where Congress and the Shiv Sena are yet to finalize the allocation of eight seats.

In West Bengal, another battleground, the Congress faces challenges as Trinamool Congress asserts its intention to contest all 42 seats. Sources indicate a reluctance from Trinamool to offer more than two seats to the Congress, which has been pushing for at least five in the eastern state.

The INDIA bloc, formed last year to counter the BJP, has faced setbacks with the departure of key members, including Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal-United and Jayant Chaudhary’s Rashtra Lok Dal, both aligning with the BJP. The evolving political landscape continues to shape alliances and strategies ahead of the crucial elections.

‘Bharat Jodo’ conveys a political message of uniting India under a broader, inclusive idea amidst divisions under the Modi regime. Despite not covering Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh during the yatra, Rahul Gandhi campaigned in some Gujarat constituencies. BJP dominated in Gujarat, while Congress won in Himachal Pradesh. The yatra addresses communal politics, inflation, unemployment, and upholds diversity by discussing tribal, Dalit, minority, and women’s rights, along with defending India’s constitution.

Yadav accompanied Gandhi during the yatra in Sasaram, publicly acknowledging their alliance. This marks the first time Yadav shares the stage with Gandhi in Bihar since Chief Minister Nitish Kumar severed ties with the INDIA bloc.

On the 34th day of the yatra, Gandhi engaged in discussions with farmer leaders in Rohtas, while later addressing a gathering in Kaimur alongside Yadav. The yatra is set to enter Uttar Pradesh, with Chandauli being its next stop, continuing till February 25th with breaks on February 22nd and 23rd.

The Nyay Yatra arrives in Bihar amidst Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s realignment with the BJP-led NDA, departing from the Mahagathbandhan. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is expected to join Rahul Gandhi in Uttar Pradesh’s Chandauli as the yatra proceeds into the state, emphasising the message of “nyay” (justice) across its 6,700 km journey through 15 states.

By Harshita Jain

The decision, confirmed by the party’s leadership in a press conference held in Srinagar earlier today, comes amid heightened tensions and uncertainty in the region following the Abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special autonomous status.

In the wake of the controversial move by the Indian government, several mainstream political parties in the region had faced a dilemma over their future course of action. While some chose to collaborate with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its allies, others opted to maintain a distance, citing concerns over the erosion of the region’s autonomy and identity.

Farooq Abdullah, the veteran politician and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, emphasized that the decision to contest elections independently was taken after thorough deliberations within the party. He stated, “We have always stood for the rights and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Our decision to go solo in the upcoming elections is a reaffirmation of our commitment to safeguard the interests of our people.”

Mr. Abdullah categorically dismissed the possibility of forming alliances with other opposition parties, affirming that his party would participate in the forthcoming elections independently. The National Conference’s decision to go solo in the Lok Sabha polls follows similar moves by Mamata Banerjee’s TMC and Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP, hinting at internal discord within the 28-party-led INDIA bloc.

Last month, Mr. Abdullah voiced his apprehensions regarding the absence of agreement on the India bloc’s seat-sharing arrangements. His concerns surfaced amidst growing tensions within the coalition over the distribution of electoral constituencies.

Recently, Mr. Abdullah found himself summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) concerning purported financial irregularities at the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. This case revolves around accusations of funds being diverted to unrelated parties’ personal bank accounts and unexplained cash withdrawals from the association’s financial holdings.

Observers note that the decision by Farooq Abdullah’s party to chart its own course in the upcoming elections could further complicate the political landscape in the region. With multiple parties vying for power and support, the electoral dynamics are expected to be highly fluid and unpredictable.

The announcement by the JKNC has drawn mixed reactions from various quarters. While supporters of the party have welcomed the move as a reaffirmation of its commitment to the region’s autonomy and self-determination, critics argue that it could fragment the opposition and inadvertently benefit the ruling dispensation.

The development comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir continues to grapple with a range of challenges, including security concerns, economic downturn, and social instability. The region has witnessed sporadic incidents of violence and unrest, underscoring the urgency of finding a lasting political solution that addresses the grievances and aspirations of its people.

BY – KASHISH JAIN 

Accompanying Rahul Gandhi were key party figures, including General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, State President Bhupen Kumar Borah, and Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Debabrata Saikia. The yatra included a visit to the Auniati Satra, a notable Vaishnavite site in Kamalabari Chariali, upon reaching Aphalamukh Ghat.

The day’s itinerary also featured a morning stop at the Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex in Jengraimukh, where Jairam Ramesh and party MP Gaurav Gogoi addressed a press conference. Following this, the march proceeded by bus to Dhakuakhana in North Lakhimpur district, with Rahul Gandhi scheduled to address a public meeting later in the evening at Gogamukh.

The yatra concluded for the night at Gogamukh Colony ground, adhering to the party’s outlined schedule. The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra commenced on January 14 from Manipur and is anticipated to conclude in Mumbai on March 20 or 21. Spanning 6,713 km over 67 days, it traverses 110 districts across 15 states.

In Assam, the journey will continue until January 25, covering 833 km across 17 districts. During the National Flag handover Ceremony in Haluwating, Rahul Gandhi underscored the yatra’s objective of uniting people from diverse religions and castes across India while advocating for justice (‘nyay’). Criticizing the BJP and RSS, Gandhi asserted that these organizations have inflicted social, economic, and political injustices upon the nation’s citizens. He drew parallels between the yatra and the ideology of Sankardev, emphasizing the historical figure’s efforts to unite people and combat injustice.

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Addressing the political landscape in Assam, Gandhi remarked, “Perhaps India’s most corrupt government is in Assam,” adding a political dimension to the yatra and expressing concerns about governance in the state. On January 17, Senior Congress leader Alka Lamba urged the BJP-led government in Assam to facilitate the ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

Lamba emphasized the importance of timely permissions for better preparation and noted that the Congress had faced similar challenges in the past, citing issues with permissions in states like Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh during the previous Bharat Jodo Yatra between September 2022 and January last year. Expressing confidence in the Congress’s electoral prospects in Assam, Lamba predicted an increase in Lok Sabha members from the current three to double digits.

Assam contributes a total of 14 MPs to the Lower House of Parliament, reflecting the party’s aspirations for a stronger presence in the state. This news article covers the recent developments and highlights of Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, emphasizing its goals of unity and justice, as well as the political commentary on governance in Assam

-By Yashasvi Raghav

The primary agenda is to form a cohesive plan to challenge the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the electoral battle. This meeting gains added significance due to reports of a perceived discord between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, particularly with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in attendance.

Highlighting the importance of the alliance, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh announced on Friday that the participation of alliance parties in the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, commencing on January 14 in Manipur, will be a key topic of discussion during the meeting. Since their collaboration last July, Congress and AAP have intermittently engaged in discussions about electoral strategies, often marked by passive-aggressive exchanges.

The challenge for Congress lies in securing AAP’s support to mount a formidable challenge against the BJP at the national level. However, Congress units in Delhi and Punjab have expressed reservations about aligning with AAP. The allocation of seats in crucial regions like Punjab and Delhi, where the AAP holds power, had raised concerns for the alliance.

Additionally, potential stumbling blocks in West Bengal, Gujarat, Goa, and Haryana are reportedly being discussed. Following a two-hour meeting at Congress leader Mukul Wasnik’s residence in Delhi on Friday, senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha expressed optimism about the alliance discussions. He emphasized that while details cannot be provided like a cricket match commentary, the talks were progressing well. Congress leader Salman Khurshid added that discussions were satisfactory and would continue until all aspects are decided.

Khurshid emphasized on the cooperative approach,saying “We are moving forward very well, and we are all satisfied”. “We are hopeful that we will arrive at a decision and place it before you after discussing it with our leaders.” When addressing concerns about Punjab, where some leaders from both parties oppose an alliance, Khurshid assured that decisions would be made collectively, considering the interests of the people and party workers.

After the initial seat-sharing meeting on Monday, both parties had conveyed their commitment to contest elections together. The Congress affirmed its decision to collaborate with the AAP, while the AAP stated its intent to contest polls in five states, namely Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Goa, and Delhi, in alliance with the Congress.

In the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the two parties previously engaged in seat-sharing talks, but no consensus was reached as both aspired to contest four of the seven seats in Delhi. The Congress is now actively engaging with other parties within the INDIA bloc across different states, working towards finalizing seat-sharing arrangements in preparation for the upcoming elections.”

by Yashasvi Raghav

People are losing their lives, and the situation there needs our attention.” Rahul Gandhi talked about how the problems in Manipur are not simple. He said there are many things, like how people live, money, and politics, that are making things hard. He said it’s important for everyone to talk and understand each other to find a peaceful solution.

“People in Manipur should be able to live peacefully and do well. We should listen to what they are saying and help them,” Rahul Gandhi said. “We should forget our differences and work together to make things right and solve the real problems.”Rahul Gandhi also spoke about the reports of security personnel using too much force in Manipur.

He said that it’s important to look into these reports and find out the truth. He said that India was built on the idea of treating everyone fairly and kindly. Rahul Gandhi praised the people of Manipur for being strong and not giving up. He said that together, we should help Manipur grow and become a good place for everyone. After Rahul Gandhi talked, there was a big debate in the Lok Sabha.

People from different parties said different things—some supported him, and some were not so sure about what he said. Some said that the central and state governments need to work together to make things better.
As everyone keeps an eye on Manipur, what Rahul Gandhi said will surely affect the plans and actions that will be taken to help the people there. The Lok Sabha meeting is still going on as members talk more about the things Rahul Gandhi spoke about.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi is ready for the second padayatra ‘Bharat Jodo yatra 2.0 ‘ This time Rahul Gandhi will go from Gujarat to Meghalaya. Whole scheduled is not yet announced but one committee has been formed by the congress party. the committee will finalize the details, there is no official words from the grand old party till now.

Maharashtra’s congress party president nana Patole announced this on Tuesday he further added schedule of march will be announced as soon as possible. and nana Patole also said they will also start their march in Mumbai when Rahul Gandhi will start his padyatra from Gujarat to Meghalaya.

The last year padyatra of Rahul Gandhi was very beneficial for congress and evoked good response from the citizens. in the first Bharat Jodo yatra the former president of congress Rahul Gandhi started his march from 7th September 2022 and finished his yatra on January 30, 2023, He covered this yatra in 4,080 km (2,540 miles) from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.

State leader and party worker of congress from the state Uttar Pradesh want to make Rahul Gandhi stay for a long duration this time. because in the first phase of Bharat Jodo yatra Rahul Gandhi covered only three districts of Uttar Pradesh: Ghaziabad, Baghpat and Shamli. Rahul Gandhi walked 130 km from Ghaziabad and covered some parts of Baghpat and Shamli from where he entered Haryana.

whole congress party is excited for this padyatra “Bharat Jodo yatra 2.0” of Rahul Gandhi