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Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the Modi government of perpetuating a system of exclusion through its policies and asked why 'Bahujan' entrepreneurs are being excluded from the country's largest public contracts. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said he asked the government in Parliament that out of the Rs 16,500 crore worth of public works contracts awarded last year, how many were secured by businesses owned by Dalits, Adivasis, and Backward Classes. "Their response was deeply concerning - the government does not maintain any data regarding this matter," he said in a post in Hindi on Facebook. "The policy mandates that, under the public procurement process, 25% of purchases must be made from MSMEs, of which 4% is earmarked for Dalit and Adivasi entrepreneurs. However, when it comes to the largest and most lucrative contracts --public works -- the government claims that this is not 'mandatory'," Gandhi said. "This is not merely an administrative oversight.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday lampooned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his claims of an increase in the prices of petrol and diesel, saying that it indeed was the case, but in neighbouring Pakistan. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the country has bucked international trends of fuel shortage, work from home orders and "skyrocketing prices," and the government has ensured availability of petroleum products amidst the West Asia conflict, he said. Addressing a poll rally here ahead of the April 9 Assembly elections, the senior BJP leader promised to make all efforts to ensure a developed Puducherry if the NDA is given a two-thirds majority. The ruling AINRC-BJP combine is seeking a successive term in the coming polls. Shah said Rahul Gandhi, at a recent public meeting in this union territory, had said that "due to the Gulf war, petrol prices have gone up in India. "He is right. Petrol costs Rs 458, while diesel has gone up to Rs 520. But Rahul... that has
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dealt with the "LPG gas crisis" just like it handled the COVID-19 pandemic as it is "devoid of policy, full of grand announcements", and places the "entire burden" upon the poor. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha asked why it is always the poor who perish first in every crisis and urged people to not remain silent. "Modi Ji had said: 'We will handle the LPG gas crisis just like we handled COVID. And indeed, that is exactly what he did. Precisely like COVID - devoid of policy, full of grand announcements, and placing the entire burden upon the poor," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. For migrant labourers earning a daily wage of Rs 500-800, cooking gas has become completely unaffordable, he said. A labourer returning home at night does not even have the money to light the stove, he said. "The result? Abandon the city; flee back to the village. The very labourers who serve as the backbone
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday raised concerns over India's data sovereignty and asserted that the country should be leading the global tech race, but instead it is being kept in the dark about how its data will be protected. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said India's data belongs to its people and in the AI economy, it can be one of its biggest strengths - to build AI, grow companies, and create jobs. "So I asked the government some important questions about the recent trade deal with the US:- What does 'reducing barriers' with the United States mean for our data? Will our health data, financial data, and government databases stay in India? Can India still require foreign companies to store data here and use it to build our own AI?" Gandhi said in a post on his WhatsApp channel. "Every question on our data sovereignty, health data, AI, and local data storage gets the same treatment: 'framework', 'balance', 'autonomy' - big words, zero specifics," the former ...
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the philosophy of his party is that of the celebrated musician Zubeen Garg, who worked his entire life to unite Assam. Addressing election rallies in Biswanath and Golaghat districts, he alleged that Himanta Biswa Sarma is the "most corrupt CM" in India, and action will be taken against him after the Congress forms a government in the state. "Zubeen Garg worked his entire life to unite people of Assam; he never misbehaved with anyone. The Congress philosophy is also like that, to spread love against hatred," Gandhi said. He alleged that the BJP government led by Sarma is spreading hatred against people and communities. "Let him speak for some more days. After that, the Congress will form a government in Assam, and legal action will follow even if he asks for forgiveness. The Congress government will put him in jail for 10-15 years," Gandhi said. The Congress leader alleged Sarma, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home ...
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday alleged that the Modi government is putting the security of every Indian at risk by attempting to "cover up its own failures" and concealing the reality of foreign surveillance through Chinese cameras installed at vital locations. "This is a deliberate conspiracy to keep India in the dark," he said in a post in Hindi on Facebook. Gandhi said the government recently banned the public use of Chinese CCTV cameras. "Yet, Chinese cameras remain installed inside government buildings. Banned Chinese apps are resurfacing under changed names. Foreign AI platforms are processing sensitive data. And the government has absolutely nothing to say about this," he said. The leader of opposition in Lok Sabha said he asked these questions in Parliament to the Ministry of Electronics and IT. "The response offered plenty of verbiage, but provided no answers to the specific questions asked," he claimed. "From which countries did our cameras originate? How many
Top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday targeted the ruling LDF in Kerala and the BJP, alleging that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is in a partnership with people who "attack minorities" in other parts of the country. Addressing an election gathering here, Gandhi reiterated his allegation of a BJPLDF understanding and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not speaking about the Sabarimala issue during the election campaign. Referring to former CPI(M) leader G Sudhakaran, who shared the stage with the Congress leader, Gandhi said his presence reflected a deeper shift within the CPI(M)-led LDF. Sudhakaran is contesting as an Independent with UDF support from Ambalapuzha. "We have a senior Left leader on the stage. There is a reason he is sitting here. It is not that he has suddenly changed his thinking. People who spend many years in a political organisation absorb its values. He is not here out of opportunism. He is here because something fundamental has happened to the LD
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said the government is bent on legally perpetuating the injustice of discrimination against Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) jawans through a bill, and asserted that his party will repeal such a "discriminatory law" when it comes to power. The Leader of Opposition said he wanted to speak on the bill in Lok Sabha and had requested the government to make adjustments as he was touring Assam but it refused as it "does not want me to speak on this in Parliament". "But I want to tell all the paramilitary forces -- CRPF, BSF, CISF and ITBP -- that the Congress is standing with them and will protect them," Gandhi said in a video statement. Gandhi' remarks came a day after the Rajya Sabha passed the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, with a voice vote amid an Opposition walkout. The bill is listed for being taken up in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. In his video statement, Gandhi recalled that he recently met Assistant ...
Calling Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma the "most corrupt CM" in India, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that Sarma, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is running a "land ATM" in the state to give land to big corporates by snatching it from the public. Addressing an election rally here in support of party candidate Raton Engti for Bokajan constituency, he also said popular singer Zubeen Garg stood for Assam and its people, and the Congress party will deliver justice to him for his death within 100 days of coming to power in the state. "India's most corrupt CM is Himanta Biswa Sarma, and his family is also No 1 in corruption. The Congress government will take action against him. Though he is boasting himself now, he will be completely silent after that," Gandhi said. The Leader of the Opposition claimed that three big corporate houses have been handed over a total of 98,400 bighas of land in Assam. "These lands were ..
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday flagged deficiencies within the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and said the government should, at the very least, accord respect and support to the brave armed forces personnel who sacrifice everything for the country. Gandhi said that a few days ago, he met ex-servicemen who were injured in the line of duty while defending the nation at the 'Jansansad'. "They highlighted serious deficiencies within the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), such as delays in reimbursement, shortages of medicines, hospitals refusing treatment, or being dropped from the scheme due to the non-payment of outstanding dues," the Leader of Opposition said in a Facebook post in Hindi. More than 72 lakh ex-servicemen and their families rely on this scheme for their healthcare needs, Gandhi pointed out. "When I raised this issue in Parliament, the Modi government attempted to evade my questions. The government possesses no information ...
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the Modi government on Tuesday over its Smart Cities Mission, alleging the scheme's objective was never to develop the entire city and the nation was sold a "half-baked scheme", packaged as a narrative of total transformation. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said this scheme serves as a prime example of the Modi government's "true modus operandi" - grand announcements, even grander publicity, and zero accountability. "No city can truly be 'smart' if it fails to provide its citizens with basic dignity - clean water, clean air, and safety. You surely remember the Modi government's Smart Cities Mission - a scheme the Prime Minister never tired of lauding with extravagant praise!" Gandhi said in a post on his WhatsApp channel. "Now that this scheme is nearing its conclusion, I sought an account from the government in Parliament regarding its actual outcomes. And the truth that emerged can be described as nothing short of a deception: the .
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the 'Bahujans' have absolutely no representation in the senior leadership of any institution and it is against this discrimination that "we are fighting". The leader of opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha vowed to ensure that every section of society secures equal participation and representation in every institution across the nation. Gandhi made the remarks as he shared on social media a video of his recent interaction with a delegation from the SC-ST Welfare Association of the Gramin Bank at a 'Jan Sansad' -- his meetings with a cross-section of people at his office in the Parliament House complex during sessions. "A few days ago, I met with a delegation from the SC-ST Welfare Association of the Gramin Bank at a 'Jan Sansad'. As I listened carefully to their grievances, the very point I have consistently emphasised was reaffirmed: the 'Bahujans' (marginalised masses) hold absolutely no representation in the senior positions of any ...
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that the environment of hatred, discrimination and atrocities against the Dalit and Adivasi communities in Gujarat has steadily intensified under the BJP government. The leader of opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha also expressed solidarity with the victims of the 2016 Una flogging case and vowed to continue to amplify their voices until justice is served. Gandhi made the remarks on social media while putting out a video of his recent interaction with a delegation of representatives from the Dalit and Adivasi communities from Gujarat, including those affected by the Una incident, in which self-proclaimed cow vigilantes flogged four youths. "This meeting was deeply distressing and gave me much pause for reflection," he said in his post accompanied by the video. The flogging incident had occurred in Mota Samadhiyala village near Una town of Gir-Somnath district on July 11, 2016, when four Dalit youths, as part of their traditional ...
The Congress party has received notices from the Estate department to vacate its 24, Akbar road office and 5, Raisina Road premises in Lutyens Delhi by March 28, according to sources. The party faces eviction of its old party office, which it has held since 1978, as this is the final notice sent by the estate department. The party continues to have its headquarters at its Akbar Road office, while the Indian Youth Congress functions from the Raisina Road premises. The sources said that the notice was delivered a few days and has not even given a week's time to the grand old party. Sources in the party said the Congress is yet to formulate its strategy on the issue and may even approach court in view of the sudden notice. The Congress has already constructed its new party office at Indira Bhawan. While the party did not say anything officially, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said the government should apply its rule uniformly to all and not single it out.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday slammed the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of being the "B-team of BJP". Vijayan made the accusation during an interview with PTI videos. In response to a query regarding Rahul's recent remark that central agencies have arrested or called for questioning other opposition leaders in the country, except the Kerala CM, the Marxist veteran accused the Congress leader and his party of acting as the "B-team" of the BJP. "Some people don't learn even if they see or experience something. They are not normal people. They are a rare phenomenon. That is something that happens to those who are normally incapable of grasping things. Rahul Gandhi falls into that category," the CM alleged. He said that Rahul had made serious allegations against former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, but the court rejected all those accusations and gave the AAP leader a clean chit. "It was a heavy blow to the face of the Congress leadership, includ
People of Kerala are ready for change, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday, as he pitched for a UDF government in the state. "Team UDF is Team Keralam," he said in a post on X. "Each candidate reflects the voice, the aspirations and the trust of the people of Keralam. This is a collective of experienced leaders and young change-makers - a strong team of men and women who understand the intricacies of the constituencies they represent," Gandhi said in his post. "For me, Keralam is home and the people of Keralam are family. I owe a great debt to the people for everything they have taught me and for the love and warmth they have embraced me with - I will always be your partner," the former Wayanad MP said. "The message from Keralam is clear - the people are ready for change, they seek a government that listens, understands, and delivers with honesty. "Along with the coming UDF government, I will do everything to help build a better future for this beautiful state," the leader
The Congress on Sunday said the Chabahar port now not being "on the horizon" for India is the second "strategic setback" to the country's Central Asian diplomacy after the closure of its air force base in Ayni in Tajikistan. Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that continuity in governance is an essential reality that is never acknowledged by the "self-obsessed" PM. Beginning in the late 1990s, India began to explore possibilities of making investments in Iran's Chabahar port as part of an India-Afghanistan-Iran cooperation strategy, Ramesh said on X. "Finally, after attending the 16th Non Aligned Summit in Tehran, Dr Manmohan Singh gave a fresh impetus to these plans and in May 2013, the Union Cabinet approved an investment of USD 115 million to begin with in Chabahar. It bears recalling that this decision was taken even as India was taking major steps to implement the India-US nuclear agreement that