The BJP said Sunday that there had been a "huge jump" in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/is-it-going-to-be-rahul-gandhi-vs-narendra-modi-in-2019-185056">Congress President Rahul Gandhi</a>'s income and asked where the money was coming from.&nbsp;

The BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said at a press conference on Sunday that Rahul's income, according to his election affidavits, had risen from over Rs 55 lakh in 2004 to Rs 9 crore in 2014.&nbsp;

"How can an MP, who is not a professional, witness such a jump in his income?" Patra asked.&nbsp;

Patra also challenged Gandhi to file a defamation case against him, saying he was stating facts with evidence.&nbsp;

Patra went on to allege that Rahul's income "by and large, is profiteering from scams, dubious deals". He also alleged that Rahul had lied on his election affidavits. He did not however provide any evidence or document to substantiate his claim.

Patra said Sunday that the BJP will hold a series of press conferences in the coming days to expose the "corruption of Rahul Gandhi".

The Congress has rubbished the charges, calling them a "desperate attempt by BJP" to "divert attention" from the real issues.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Saturday, union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said, "In his (Rahul Gandhi) election affidavit in 2004, his income was Rs 55,38,123 while in 2009, it rose to Rs 2 crore and in 2014 it rose to Rs 9 crore.&nbsp;

"We know how much an MP earns. We want to ask what is this Rahul Gandhi model of development without an ostensible source of income?" he had added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

The BJP said Sunday that there had been a "huge jump" in Congress President Rahul Gandhi's income and asked where the money was coming from. The BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said at a press conference on Sunday that Rahul's income, according to his election affidavits, had risen from over Rs 55 lakh in 2004 to Rs 9 crore in 2014.

The BJP said Sunday that there had been a "huge jump" in Congress President Rahul Gandhi's income and asked where the money was coming from. The BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said at a press conference on Sunday that Rahul's income, according to his election affidavits, had risen from over Rs 55 lakh in 2004 to Rs 9 crore in 2014. "How can an MP, who is not a professional, witness such a jump in his income?" Patra asked. Patra also challenged Gandhi to file a defamation case against him, saying he was stating facts with evidence. Patra went on to allege that Rahul's income "by and large, is profiteering from scams, dubious deals". He also alleged that Rahul had lied on his election affidavits. He did not however provide any evidence or document to substantiate his claim. Patra said Sunday that the BJP will hold a series of press conferences in the coming days to expose the "corruption of Rahul Gandhi". The Congress has rubbished the charges, calling them a "desperate attempt by BJP" to "divert attention" from the real issues. On Saturday, union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said, "In his (Rahul Gandhi) election affidavit in 2004, his income was Rs 55,38,123 while in 2009, it rose to Rs 2 crore and in 2014 it rose to Rs 9 crore. "We know how much an MP earns. We want to ask what is this Rahul Gandhi model of development without an ostensible source of income?" he had added. (With inputs from PTI)

'Huge jump' in Rahul Gandhi's income, says BJP, asks where it's coming from

Congress president Rahul Gandhi addresses media on Rafale deal

Rahul Gandhi slams CAG report as 'worthless'

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Sunday hit back at Congress President Rahul Gandhi after he accused her of lying in Parliament about procurement orders worth Rs 1 lakh crore for state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).&nbsp;

In her counteroffensive, Sitharaman said it was a matter of “shame” that the Congress president was misleading the country on the issue. She also tweeted details of the contract awarded to HAL since 2014 when the BJP came to power.

“It’s a shame that the president of @INCIndia is misleading the nation. HAL has signed contracts worth Rs 26570.8 Cr (Between 2014 and 2018) and contracts worth Rs 73000 Cr are in the pipeline. Will @RahulGandhi apologise to the country from the floor of the house?” the defence minister tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
It's a shame that the president of <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@INCIndia</a> is misleading the nation. 
 
HAL has signed contracts worth Rs 26570.8 Cr (Between 2014 and 2018) and contracts worth Rs 73000 Cr are in the pipeline. 
 
Will <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RahulGandhi</a> apologise to the country from the floor of the house? <a href="https://t.co/KIQsWikByG">pic.twitter.com/KIQsWikByG</a>
— Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenceMinIndia/status/1081866784289026048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Earlier, Gandhi alleged that she “lied” in Parliament that government orders worth Rs one lakh crore were provided to HAL while demanding that she should either place the documents in support of her statement in the House or resign.

Gandhi’s attack came after a media report claimed that “not a single rupee of the said Rs 1 lakh crore has come to HAL, since not a single order, as claimed, has been signed till now”.

The media report cited senior HAL management officials in order to back its claim. The Congress has been targeting the government, alleging that it denied the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) an offset contract under the Rafale fighter jets deal with France, a charge the government has denied.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
When you tell one lie, you need to keep spinning out more lies, to cover up the first one. 
 
In her eagerness to defend the PM's Rafale lie, the RM lied to Parliament. 
 
Tomorrow, RM must place before Parliament documents showing 1 Lakh crore of Govt orders to HAL. 
 
Or resign. <a href="https://t.co/dYafyklH9o">pic.twitter.com/dYafyklH9o</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1081828418805813248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has accused the Congress of not supporting HAL during its rule and asserted that the government is now strengthening the defence public sector undertaking.

“When you tell one lie, you need to keep spinning out more lies, to cover up the first one. In her eagerness to defend the PM’s Rafale lie, the RM lied to Parliament,” Gandhi tweeted.

“Tomorrow, RM must place before Parliament documents showing 1 Lakh crore of Govt orders to HAL. Or resign,” he said.

Gandhi had on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “weakening” HAL to help his “suit-boot” friend.

His criticism followed a media report which claimed that HAL, grappling with low finances, was forced to borrow Rs 1,000 crore to pay salaries to its employees for the first time in years.

Congress’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted on Sunday: “The Lying Defence Minister’s Lies Get Exposed! Defence Minister claimed that procurement orders worth Rs 1 Lakh Crore provided to HAL! HAL says Not a SINGLE PAISA has come, as Not a SINGLE ORDER has been signed!”

“For the first time, HAL forced to take a loan of Rs1000 Cr to pay salaries!,” he added.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Sunday hit back at Congress President Rahul Gandhi after he accused her of lying in Parliament about procurement orders worth Rs 1 lakh crore for state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Sunday hit back at Congress President Rahul Gandhi after he accused her of lying in Parliament about procurement orders worth Rs 1 lakh crore for state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). In her counteroffensive, Sitharaman said it was a matter of “shame” that the Congress president was misleading the country on the issue. She also tweeted details of the contract awarded to HAL since 2014 when the BJP came to power. “It’s a shame that the president of @INCIndia is misleading the nation. HAL has signed contracts worth Rs 26570.8 Cr (Between 2014 and 2018) and contracts worth Rs 73000 Cr are in the pipeline. Will @RahulGandhi apologise to the country from the floor of the house?” the defence minister tweeted. It's a shame that the president of @INCIndia is misleading the nation. HAL has signed contracts worth Rs 26570.8 Cr (Between 2014 and 2018) and contracts worth Rs 73000 Cr are in the pipeline. Will @RahulGandhi apologise to the country from the floor of the house? pic.twitter.com/KIQsWikByG — Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) January 6, 2019 × Earlier, Gandhi alleged that she “lied” in Parliament that government orders worth Rs one lakh crore were provided to HAL while demanding that she should either place the documents in support of her statement in the House or resign. Gandhi’s attack came after a media report claimed that “not a single rupee of the said Rs 1 lakh crore has come to HAL, since not a single order, as claimed, has been signed till now”. The media report cited senior HAL management officials in order to back its claim. The Congress has been targeting the government, alleging that it denied the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) an offset contract under the Rafale fighter jets deal with France, a charge the government has denied. When you tell one lie, you need to keep spinning out more lies, to cover up the first one. In her eagerness to defend the PM's Rafale lie, the RM lied to Parliament. Tomorrow, RM must place before Parliament documents showing 1 Lakh crore of Govt orders to HAL. Or resign. pic.twitter.com/dYafyklH9o — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 6, 2019 × The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has accused the Congress of not supporting HAL during its rule and asserted that the government is now strengthening the defence public sector undertaking. “When you tell one lie, you need to keep spinning out more lies, to cover up the first one. In her eagerness to defend the PM’s Rafale lie, the RM lied to Parliament,” Gandhi tweeted. “Tomorrow, RM must place before Parliament documents showing 1 Lakh crore of Govt orders to HAL. Or resign,” he said. Gandhi had on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “weakening” HAL to help his “suit-boot” friend. His criticism followed a media report which claimed that HAL, grappling with low finances, was forced to borrow Rs 1,000 crore to pay salaries to its employees for the first time in years. Congress’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted on Sunday: “The Lying Defence Minister’s Lies Get Exposed! Defence Minister claimed that procurement orders worth Rs 1 Lakh Crore provided to HAL! HAL says Not a SINGLE PAISA has come, as Not a SINGLE ORDER has been signed!” “For the first time, HAL forced to take a loan of Rs1000 Cr to pay salaries!,” he added.

Rafale deal: Nirmala Sitharaman hits back at Rahul Gandhi after his dare, says he is 'misleading the nation'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday challenged the Congress to make someone from outside the Gandhi family its chief for at least five years if it respected democracy, as he returned the Congress' barb that a 'chaiwala' could rise to power only because of democratic systems established by Pandit Jawahal Lal Nehru.

In an apparent attack on Gandhis, Modi also said that the family whose "four generations ruled the country" cannot fathom how can the son of a poor mother could sit on the "rajgaddi" (throne).

Addressing a poll rally here in Surguja district for the second phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections scheduled for November 20, Modi also hit back at the Congress for questioning demonetisation, saying the move "still rankles" them as the money "stashed under beds and in sacks" was taken away in a single stroke.

While the BJP has been ruling Chhattisgarh for 15 continuous years, the Congress was in power in the state only for three years after the state was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000. Traditionally, the two national parties have had a direct fight in this state, although a third force as emerged this time in form of an alliance between the parties of former Congress chief minister Ajit Jogi and of Dalit leader Mayawati.

Modi asked Congress to give account of what the four generations of the (Gandhi) family did for the nation before asking for an account of his government's four-and-half years' rule.

"Four generations of the Congress ruled the counry, but they have nothing to tell the people. We are everyday giving an account of what we have done in the last four years," he said.

"They (Congress leaders) are saying it was due to a great person, due to Pandit Nehru, that a 'chaiwala' (tea seller) became the prime minister," Modi said.

"If you so much respect the democracy, do a small thing. If you claim that because of your principles, your faith in democracy, the Constitution and Pandit Nehru, Modi, a chaiwala, could become the PM, appoint someone good from outside the (Gandhi) family as the Congress president for just five years," he said.

"If this happens, I will accept that Nehru ji created such a democratic system because of which anyone, (even) a dedicated Congressman outside the family could become the Congress chief," he said.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor had said that it was due to the institutional structures created by Nehru that even a "chaiwala" could become India's prime minister. His party colleague Mallikarjun Kharge had also said earlier that a "chaiwala" could become the prime minister as the Congress preserved democracy.

Sitaram Kesri had served as the Congress president in the 1990s, but his tenure from September 1996 to March 1998 was less than five years.

Rahul Gandhi is currently president of the Congress party, while the post was held by his mother Sonia Gandhi before that. A Congress president mostly gets a three-year term, though there have been exceptions.

Continuing his barbs at the Gandhi family, Modi said the "contract of democracy" in the country was not given to one family, but they felt the Britishers had named India after it.

"They still keep crying that how could a chaiwala sit (on the PM's chair). How could he? They still cannot fathom how come the son of a poor mother could sit on the throne" he said.

Stating that such people cannot understand difficulties faced by the poor, but a chaiwala can, he said the credit for making a 'chaiwala' the prime minister goes to 125 crore Indians and not to Modi or the BJP.

The PM also took on Rahul Gandhi for attacking him over demonetisation, saying only one "family" is "crying" over the note-ban exercise.

"No one from those sitting here (in the rally) is crying over demonetisation, but only one family is crying. Their (Gandhis) associates lost their illegally earned money filled in bags, hidden inside their bed and pillow after demonetisation," the prime minister said. 
 
Modi also said Chhattisgarh was created peacefully during the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in contrast to violence during agitations for bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh under the Congress rule.

He said the BJP is the only unbiased party and it is guided by the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', while the Congress kept the country in dark with lies that are ingrained in their minds.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday challenged the Congress to make someone from outside the Gandhi family its chief for at least five years if it respected democracy, as he returned the Congress' barb that a 'chaiwala' could rise to power only because of democratic systems established by Pandit Jawahal Lal Nehru.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday challenged the Congress to make someone from outside the Gandhi family its chief for at least five years if it respected democracy, as he returned the Congress' barb that a 'chaiwala' could rise to power only because of democratic systems established by Pandit Jawahal Lal Nehru. In an apparent attack on Gandhis, Modi also said that the family whose "four generations ruled the country" cannot fathom how can the son of a poor mother could sit on the "rajgaddi" (throne). Addressing a poll rally here in Surguja district for the second phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections scheduled for November 20, Modi also hit back at the Congress for questioning demonetisation, saying the move "still rankles" them as the money "stashed under beds and in sacks" was taken away in a single stroke. While the BJP has been ruling Chhattisgarh for 15 continuous years, the Congress was in power in the state only for three years after the state was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000. Traditionally, the two national parties have had a direct fight in this state, although a third force as emerged this time in form of an alliance between the parties of former Congress chief minister Ajit Jogi and of Dalit leader Mayawati. Modi asked Congress to give account of what the four generations of the (Gandhi) family did for the nation before asking for an account of his government's four-and-half years' rule. "Four generations of the Congress ruled the counry, but they have nothing to tell the people. We are everyday giving an account of what we have done in the last four years," he said. "They (Congress leaders) are saying it was due to a great person, due to Pandit Nehru, that a 'chaiwala' (tea seller) became the prime minister," Modi said. "If you so much respect the democracy, do a small thing. If you claim that because of your principles, your faith in democracy, the Constitution and Pandit Nehru, Modi, a chaiwala, could become the PM, appoint someone good from outside the (Gandhi) family as the Congress president for just five years," he said. "If this happens, I will accept that Nehru ji created such a democratic system because of which anyone, (even) a dedicated Congressman outside the family could become the Congress chief," he said. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor had said that it was due to the institutional structures created by Nehru that even a "chaiwala" could become India's prime minister. His party colleague Mallikarjun Kharge had also said earlier that a "chaiwala" could become the prime minister as the Congress preserved democracy. Sitaram Kesri had served as the Congress president in the 1990s, but his tenure from September 1996 to March 1998 was less than five years. Rahul Gandhi is currently president of the Congress party, while the post was held by his mother Sonia Gandhi before that. A Congress president mostly gets a three-year term, though there have been exceptions. Continuing his barbs at the Gandhi family, Modi said the "contract of democracy" in the country was not given to one family, but they felt the Britishers had named India after it. "They still keep crying that how could a chaiwala sit (on the PM's chair). How could he? They still cannot fathom how come the son of a poor mother could sit on the throne" he said. Stating that such people cannot understand difficulties faced by the poor, but a chaiwala can, he said the credit for making a 'chaiwala' the prime minister goes to 125 crore Indians and not to Modi or the BJP. The PM also took on Rahul Gandhi for attacking him over demonetisation, saying only one "family" is "crying" over the note-ban exercise. "No one from those sitting here (in the rally) is crying over demonetisation, but only one family is crying. Their (Gandhis) associates lost their illegally earned money filled in bags, hidden inside their bed and pillow after demonetisation," the prime minister said. Modi also said Chhattisgarh was created peacefully during the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in contrast to violence during agitations for bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh under the Congress rule. He said the BJP is the only unbiased party and it is guided by the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', while the Congress kept the country in dark with lies that are ingrained in their minds.

Modi dares Congress to make a non-Gandhi party president for at least 5 years 

The BJP on Wednesday launched an attack on Rahul Gandhi over his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rafale-probe-will-throw-up-names-of-modi-ambani-rahul-gandhi-177380">comments made during a rally in Chhattisgarh earlier in the day</a>. Union Minister of State for external affairs VK Singh said that those who are levelling accusations over Rafale deal are "illiterate."

"Those who are making accusations are illiterate. They don't have any knowledge about it. So it won't be right to further comment on it," Singh told media.&nbsp;

Over the involvement of Reliance group in the Rafale deal, Singh stated that the authorities from the group have already spoken on the issue and that there is no point dragging the matter, taking names, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

Singh's remarks came after Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday stated that a probe into the procurement of Rafale fighter jets from France would throw up names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Anil Ambani; Gandhi was addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh.&nbsp;

Gandhi also claimed the NDA government bought the planes at Rs 1,600 crore a piece as against the Rs 526 crore for each aircraft fixed by the Congress-led UPA government.

Rahul Gandhi's comments came on a day the Supreme Court said a discussion on the pricing of the Rafale jets can only take place if the facts of the deal are allowed to come into the public domain.

The apex court, which began its hearing on pleas seeking a court-monitored probe into the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France, also said it would like to hear from an Air Force officer and not an official of the Defence Ministry.

"The CBI director (Alok Verma) initiated a probe in the Rafale deal. The prime minister removed him at 12 in the night. I am telling you, the day a probe will begin in Rafale deal, two names will surface: Anil Ambani and Narendra Modi," Gandhi told the gathering.

On former French president Francois Hollande's comments in French media that the Indian government had proposed Reliance Defence as a partner for Dassault Aviation in the deal and that France did not have a choice, Gandhi said Modi named Ambani's company as Dassault's partner in the Rs 58,000 crore Rafale deal, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

The Modi government chose Ambani's "inexperienced" company over the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) which has a long experience in the aerospace and defence sector, PTI quoted the Congress president.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The BJP on Wednesday launched an attack on Rahul Gandhi over his comments made during a rally in Chhattisgarh earlier in the day. Union Minister of State for external affairs VK Singh said that those who are levelling accusations over Rafale deal are "illiterate.

The BJP on Wednesday launched an attack on Rahul Gandhi over his comments made during a rally in Chhattisgarh earlier in the day. Union Minister of State for external affairs VK Singh said that those who are levelling accusations over Rafale deal are "illiterate." "Those who are making accusations are illiterate. They don't have any knowledge about it. So it won't be right to further comment on it," Singh told media. Over the involvement of Reliance group in the Rafale deal, Singh stated that the authorities from the group have already spoken on the issue and that there is no point dragging the matter, taking names, news agency ANI reported. Singh's remarks came after Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday stated that a probe into the procurement of Rafale fighter jets from France would throw up names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Anil Ambani; Gandhi was addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh. Gandhi also claimed the NDA government bought the planes at Rs 1,600 crore a piece as against the Rs 526 crore for each aircraft fixed by the Congress-led UPA government. Rahul Gandhi's comments came on a day the Supreme Court said a discussion on the pricing of the Rafale jets can only take place if the facts of the deal are allowed to come into the public domain. The apex court, which began its hearing on pleas seeking a court-monitored probe into the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France, also said it would like to hear from an Air Force officer and not an official of the Defence Ministry. "The CBI director (Alok Verma) initiated a probe in the Rafale deal. The prime minister removed him at 12 in the night. I am telling you, the day a probe will begin in Rafale deal, two names will surface: Anil Ambani and Narendra Modi," Gandhi told the gathering. On former French president Francois Hollande's comments in French media that the Indian government had proposed Reliance Defence as a partner for Dassault Aviation in the deal and that France did not have a choice, Gandhi said Modi named Ambani's company as Dassault's partner in the Rs 58,000 crore Rafale deal, news agency PTI reported. The Modi government chose Ambani's "inexperienced" company over the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) which has a long experience in the aerospace and defence sector, PTI quoted the Congress president. (With inputs from agencies)

Those making accusations over Rafale deal are 'ílliterate': Union Minister VK Singh

Congress president Rahul Gandhi described Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fitness video put out this morning as "bizarre" and "ridiculous".

Hosting an Iftar party at a luxury hotel here today, Gandhi said this amounted to bankruptcy and asked CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury to put out his fitness video to match the prime minister.

"Did you see the PM's fitness video? It is ridiculous... I mean... It is bizarre... This is bankruptcy," he said as he poked fun at the video put out by the prime minister.

Sharing a table with former presidents Pranab Mukherjee and Pratibha Patil, Gandhi then turned to Yechury asking him to put out his fitness video as a challenge to Modi's.

TMC leader Dinesh Trivedi, BSP leader Satish Chandra Misra and DMK's Kanimozhi were among those who had a hearty laugh over the prime minister's video.

Mukherjee, Patil and former vice president Hamid Ansari, who were sharing the table, were silently hearing the conversation.

Among others who also attended the Congress chief's Iftar included former prime minister Manmohan Singh. 
 
UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was not present as she is currently abroad.

Earlier, Congress leader Pramod Tewari termed the fitness video as an insult to the supreme sacrifice of the four BSF personnel who died in cross-border firing from Pakistan in Kashmir.&nbsp;

The Congress President made his comments at the iftar party hosted by him Wednesday night. He also asked CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury to put out a fitness video to match that of the prime minister's

Congress president Rahul Gandhi described Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fitness video put out this morning as "bizarre" and "ridiculous". Hosting an Iftar party at a luxury hotel here today, Gandhi said this amounted to bankruptcy and asked CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury to put out his fitness video to match the prime minister. "Did you see the PM's fitness video? It is ridiculous... I mean... It is bizarre... This is bankruptcy," he said as he poked fun at the video put out by the prime minister. Sharing a table with former presidents Pranab Mukherjee and Pratibha Patil, Gandhi then turned to Yechury asking him to put out his fitness video as a challenge to Modi's. TMC leader Dinesh Trivedi, BSP leader Satish Chandra Misra and DMK's Kanimozhi were among those who had a hearty laugh over the prime minister's video. Mukherjee, Patil and former vice president Hamid Ansari, who were sharing the table, were silently hearing the conversation. Among others who also attended the Congress chief's Iftar included former prime minister Manmohan Singh. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was not present as she is currently abroad. Earlier, Congress leader Pramod Tewari termed the fitness video as an insult to the supreme sacrifice of the four BSF personnel who died in cross-border firing from Pakistan in Kashmir.

Modi fitness video 'bizarre, ridiculous', says Rahul Gandhi

A "mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance) of the opposition to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and the RSS is the sentiment of the people and not just political parties, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said today.

Lashing out at Modi and the ruling party, Gandhi alleged that the prime minister and the BJP were attacking the Constitution and other institutions of the nation.

"It is the sentiment of the people and not just political parties which are opposed to the BJP, to have a 'mahagathbandhan' that can take on the BJP, the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Gandhi told reporters here.

However, he remained silent when asked who would lead the grand alliance of the opposition parties.

"Prime Minister Modi and the BJP are attacking the Constitution and institutions of the nation," he alleged, saying the question faced by the people was how to stop this.

The Congress is trying to join together these voices and the work is going on, Gandhi said.

The 47-year-old Congress leader is on a two-day visit to Maharashtra since yesterday.

He said the opposition has been asking Modi to bring prices of petrol and diesel under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to provide relief to the common man, but "he is not interested."

"There was an attack on Mumbai (through demonetisation). There are small industries, traders here... the leather industry and the cloth industry are all here. They were attacked by the 'Gabbar Singh Tax' (implying the GST by drawing a reference to the celluloid bandit Gabbar Singh)," Gandhi said.

"The whole country is sad, small businessmen are sad because of demonetisation and we are fighting for them," he said. 
Gandhi said during the UPA government's rule, the crude price was USD 130 a barrel that has now come down to USD 70 a barrel.

"However, the benefit has not been passed on to the common man. Where does this money go? In the pockets of a handful of 15 to 20 rich people," he alleged.

Gandhi had yesterday accused the Modi government of creating hatred and division in the society and betraying farmers as well as youth in the country.

Addressing a convention of Mumbai booth-level Congress workers here last evening, he alleged that Modi was a "chowkidar" only for a handful of industrialists and not the common man.

He had also accused Modi of "humiliating" BJP veterans Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L K Advani and Jaswant Singh and their families, and alleged that it was his "way of protecting Indian culture".&nbsp

'It is the sentiment of the people and not just political parties which are opposed to the BJP, to have a 'mahagathbandhan' that can take on the BJP, the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi,' Gandhi told reporters in Mumbai

A "mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance) of the opposition to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and the RSS is the sentiment of the people and not just political parties, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said today. Lashing out at Modi and the ruling party, Gandhi alleged that the prime minister and the BJP were attacking the Constitution and other institutions of the nation. "It is the sentiment of the people and not just political parties which are opposed to the BJP, to have a 'mahagathbandhan' that can take on the BJP, the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Gandhi told reporters here. However, he remained silent when asked who would lead the grand alliance of the opposition parties. "Prime Minister Modi and the BJP are attacking the Constitution and institutions of the nation," he alleged, saying the question faced by the people was how to stop this. The Congress is trying to join together these voices and the work is going on, Gandhi said. The 47-year-old Congress leader is on a two-day visit to Maharashtra since yesterday. He said the opposition has been asking Modi to bring prices of petrol and diesel under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to provide relief to the common man, but "he is not interested." "There was an attack on Mumbai (through demonetisation). There are small industries, traders here... the leather industry and the cloth industry are all here. They were attacked by the 'Gabbar Singh Tax' (implying the GST by drawing a reference to the celluloid bandit Gabbar Singh)," Gandhi said. "The whole country is sad, small businessmen are sad because of demonetisation and we are fighting for them," he said. Gandhi said during the UPA government's rule, the crude price was USD 130 a barrel that has now come down to USD 70 a barrel. "However, the benefit has not been passed on to the common man. Where does this money go? In the pockets of a handful of 15 to 20 rich people," he alleged. Gandhi had yesterday accused the Modi government of creating hatred and division in the society and betraying farmers as well as youth in the country. Addressing a convention of Mumbai booth-level Congress workers here last evening, he alleged that Modi was a "chowkidar" only for a handful of industrialists and not the common man. He had also accused Modi of "humiliating" BJP veterans Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L K Advani and Jaswant Singh and their families, and alleged that it was his "way of protecting Indian culture".

Grand alliance against Modi 'is sentiment of people, not just political parties': Rahul Gandhi

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has slammed — and fact-checked — the speech Rahul Gandhi's gave at Mandsaur today.&nbsp;

"How much does he know? When will he know?" Jaitley said in a Facebook post. He then went on to ask whether Rahul was being "inadequately briefed" or whether he was being a little too "liberal with his facts".&nbsp;

Rahul spoke in Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh today on the first anniversary of the killing of seven farmers by police. The farmers had been agitating for higher remuneration for their crops.&nbsp;

Rahul promised his audience that all farm loans would be waived should the Congress be voted into power in Madhya Pradesh in the forthcoming assembly elections.&nbsp;

He also met the families of the farmers shot dead last year.&nbsp;

Mandsaur killings anniversary: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-waive-farm-loans-in-10-days-if-voted-to-power-in-madhya-pradesh--rahul-gandhi-142593">Rahul promises farm loans waiver, meets families of the dead</a>

 
This is what Jaitley had to say about his speech:&nbsp;

1). He (Rahul Gandhi) accused Prime Minister Modi of waiving of the loans of Rs.2.5 lakh crores of the 15 top industrialists in the country. - Factually this is completely false.&nbsp; 
The Government has not waived of a single rupee due from any industrialist. The facts are to the contrary. Those who owed money to the banks and other creditors have been declared insolvent and removed from their companies by IBC enacted by Prime Minister Modi’s Government. These loans were given largely during the UPA Government.&nbsp;

2). Loans are not available to the kisans but only to the industrialists- Factually false.&nbsp; 
This was during the UPA Government, particularly UPA II, when bulk of amount constitute the NPA’s today were given by the banking system during the period 2008-14. From 2014 we have been systematically taking one step after the other to recover these monies back.&nbsp;

3). Prime Minister has given Rs.35000 crores each to two diamond jewellers who have now escaped out of country – factually false. 
This banking fraud started in the year 2011 when the UPA II was in power. It was only detected during the NDA period.&nbsp;

4). If the Congress comes to power mobile phones, which are made in China, will now be manufactured in India - a case of inadequate knowledge.&nbsp; 
In the year 2014 when UPA went out of power, there were only two mobile phone manufacturing units in India. In 2018, with the result of our electronics policy and the incentives in a four year period, this has increased to 120 units with an investment of Rs.1,32,000 crores.&nbsp;

5). Jobs not being created in India 
The latest GDP date has reemphasised India as the fastest growing economy in the world. There is a double digit growth in construction, expansion in manufacturing, an increased capital formation which indicates investment increase, large investment in physical infrastructure and increased investment in rural India. All these are job creating sectors.&nbsp;

6). We will connect farms and villages to the cities – His impression is of the Digvijay Singh era in Madhya Pradesh. 
Madhya Pradesh had the worst set of roads in India when the Congress was voted out in 2003. Poor quality roads was one key reason for ousting the Congress. Thanks to Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Prime Minister Modi who during the NDA Government, has tripled the investment in rural roads, in comparison to what the UPA spent, there is a revolution in the Gram Sadak Yojana.

Jaitley asked whether Rahul was being 'inadequately briefed' or whether he was being a little too 'liberal with his facts'. He then went on to fact-check Rahul's speech

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has slammed — and fact-checked — the speech Rahul Gandhi's gave at Mandsaur today. "How much does he know? When will he know?" Jaitley said in a Facebook post. He then went on to ask whether Rahul was being "inadequately briefed" or whether he was being a little too "liberal with his facts". Rahul spoke in Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh today on the first anniversary of the killing of seven farmers by police. The farmers had been agitating for higher remuneration for their crops. Rahul promised his audience that all farm loans would be waived should the Congress be voted into power in Madhya Pradesh in the forthcoming assembly elections. He also met the families of the farmers shot dead last year. Mandsaur killings anniversary: Rahul promises farm loans waiver, meets families of the dead This is what Jaitley had to say about his speech: 1). He (Rahul Gandhi) accused Prime Minister Modi of waiving of the loans of Rs.2.5 lakh crores of the 15 top industrialists in the country. - Factually this is completely false. The Government has not waived of a single rupee due from any industrialist. The facts are to the contrary. Those who owed money to the banks and other creditors have been declared insolvent and removed from their companies by IBC enacted by Prime Minister Modi’s Government. These loans were given largely during the UPA Government. 2). Loans are not available to the kisans but only to the industrialists- Factually false. This was during the UPA Government, particularly UPA II, when bulk of amount constitute the NPA’s today were given by the banking system during the period 2008-14. From 2014 we have been systematically taking one step after the other to recover these monies back. 3). Prime Minister has given Rs.35000 crores each to two diamond jewellers who have now escaped out of country – factually false. This banking fraud started in the year 2011 when the UPA II was in power. It was only detected during the NDA period. 4). If the Congress comes to power mobile phones, which are made in China, will now be manufactured in India - a case of inadequate knowledge. In the year 2014 when UPA went out of power, there were only two mobile phone manufacturing units in India. In 2018, with the result of our electronics policy and the incentives in a four year period, this has increased to 120 units with an investment of Rs.1,32,000 crores. 5). Jobs not being created in India The latest GDP date has reemphasised India as the fastest growing economy in the world. There is a double digit growth in construction, expansion in manufacturing, an increased capital formation which indicates investment increase, large investment in physical infrastructure and increased investment in rural India. All these are job creating sectors. 6). We will connect farms and villages to the cities – His impression is of the Digvijay Singh era in Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh had the worst set of roads in India when the Congress was voted out in 2003. Poor quality roads was one key reason for ousting the Congress. Thanks to Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Prime Minister Modi who during the NDA Government, has tripled the investment in rural roads, in comparison to what the UPA spent, there is a revolution in the Gram Sadak Yojana.

'How much does he know?' Jaitley slams Rahul Gandhi's Mandsaur speech

The final Congress-JD(S) deal is expected to be hammered out today in Bengaluru.&nbsp;

The JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy — who will be sworn in as chief minister of Karnataka on Wednesday — met Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday in Delhi.&nbsp;

Rahul described the meeting as "cordial".&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-jds-win-in-karnataka-encouraging-formation-of-federal-front-against-bjp-138306">Congress-JD(S) win in Karnataka encouraging formation of 'federal front' against BJP</a>

But issues remain.&nbsp;

The Congress for one reportedly wants two deputy chief ministers. The Congress has 78 MLAs in Karnataka, the JD(S) has 37. (The latter won 38 seats but Kumaraswamy had contested, and won, from two seats.)&nbsp;

The Congress believes having two deputy CMs will even out the balance of power.&nbsp;

The JD(S) would rather have one.&nbsp;

The speaker's post, however, news reports said Tuesday, will go to the Congress.&nbsp;

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Speaker for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> Assembly will be from Congress. Name likely to be announced by evening by local leaders: Sources
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The Congress is also expected to get anywhere up to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kumaraswamy-to-meet-sonia-rahul-today-in-delhi-congress-may-get-20-seats-in-karnatakas-33-member-cabinet-138488">20 seats</a> in the 33-member Karnataka cabinet.&nbsp;

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I had a warm and cordial meeting this evening, in Delhi, with Shri H D Kumaraswamy ji. We discussed the political situation in Karnataka and other matters of mutual interest. I will be attending his swearing in as CM of Karnataka, on Wednesday, in Bengaluru. <a href="https://t.co/sZAwX8mQut">pic.twitter.com/sZAwX8mQut</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/998573614508249089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The reports added that the parties are also likely to set up a coordination committee and to draft a common minimum programme.

The reports quoted Kumaraswamy as saying that Rahul had "cleared the modalities". And that AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka KC&nbsp;Venugopal would hammer out the final details today in Bengaluru.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy — who will be sworn in as chief minister of Karnataka on Wednesday — met Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday in Delhi

The final Congress-JD(S) deal is expected to be hammered out today in Bengaluru. The JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy — who will be sworn in as chief minister of Karnataka on Wednesday — met Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday in Delhi. Rahul described the meeting as "cordial". Also read: Congress-JD(S) win in Karnataka encouraging formation of 'federal front' against BJP But issues remain. The Congress for one reportedly wants two deputy chief ministers. The Congress has 78 MLAs in Karnataka, the JD(S) has 37. (The latter won 38 seats but Kumaraswamy had contested, and won, from two seats.) The Congress believes having two deputy CMs will even out the balance of power. The JD(S) would rather have one. The speaker's post, however, news reports said Tuesday, will go to the Congress. Speaker for #Karnataka Assembly will be from Congress. Name likely to be announced by evening by local leaders: Sources — ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2018 × The Congress is also expected to get anywhere up to 20 seats in the 33-member Karnataka cabinet. I had a warm and cordial meeting this evening, in Delhi, with Shri H D Kumaraswamy ji. We discussed the political situation in Karnataka and other matters of mutual interest. I will be attending his swearing in as CM of Karnataka, on Wednesday, in Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/sZAwX8mQut — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 21, 2018 × The reports added that the parties are also likely to set up a coordination committee and to draft a common minimum programme. The reports quoted Kumaraswamy as saying that Rahul had "cleared the modalities". And that AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka KC Venugopal would hammer out the final details today in Bengaluru.

Karnataka: Final Congress-JD(S) deal to be hammered out today

Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Thursday the BJP was making "a mockery of our constitution".&nbsp;

This was even as the BJP's BS Yeddyurappa was being <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-natak-in-karnataka-continues-both-sides-to-meet-governor-mlas-report-poaching-attempts-137278">sworn in</a> as Chief Minister of Karnataka.&nbsp;

"The BJP’s irrational insistence that it will form a Govt. in Karnataka, even though it clearly doesn’t have the numbers, is to make a mockery of our Constitution," Rahul tweeted. &nbsp;

"This morning, while the BJP celebrates its hollow victory, India will mourn the defeat of democracy," he added.&nbsp;

The BJP emerged the single-largest party after the recent Karnataka elections with 104 seats.&nbsp;

The Congress won 78, and the JD(S) 37. The JD(S)'s pre-poll ally the BSP won 1 seat.&nbsp;

The Congress-JD(S) combine therefore has 116 seats.&nbsp;

112 seats are currently needed for a simple majority in Karnataka. Polling was postponed in two seats in the 224-member Karnataka house.&nbsp;

Karnataka Governor Vajubahi Vala has given Yeddyurappa 15 days to prove his majority on the floor of the house.&nbsp;

Governor Vajubhai Vala: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/once-crisis-manager-for-bjp-governor-of-karnataka-vajubhai-vala-137299">Karnataka's future rests on a man who once gave up his seat for Narendra Modi</a>

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The BJP’s irrational insistence that it will form a Govt. in Karnataka, even though it clearly doesn’t have the numbers, is to make a mockery of our Constitution. 
 
This morning, while the BJP celebrates its hollow victory, India will mourn the defeat of democracy.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/996951947885228032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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On Wednesday, the Congress moved the Supreme Court asking it to stay the swearing in.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court — which began hearing the Congress plea at 2.11 am Thursday morning and ended it at 5.28 am — however refused to stay the swearing in.&nbsp;

It will next hear the case 10.30 am Friday morning. &nbsp;

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MPPHNqJmUUs" width="560"></iframe>

'This morning, while the BJP celebrates its hollow victory, India will mourn the defeat of democracy,' Rahul added

Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Thursday the BJP was making "a mockery of our constitution". This was even as the BJP's BS Yeddyurappa was being sworn in as Chief Minister of Karnataka. "The BJP’s irrational insistence that it will form a Govt. in Karnataka, even though it clearly doesn’t have the numbers, is to make a mockery of our Constitution," Rahul tweeted. "This morning, while the BJP celebrates its hollow victory, India will mourn the defeat of democracy," he added. The BJP emerged the single-largest party after the recent Karnataka elections with 104 seats. The Congress won 78, and the JD(S) 37. The JD(S)'s pre-poll ally the BSP won 1 seat. The Congress-JD(S) combine therefore has 116 seats. 112 seats are currently needed for a simple majority in Karnataka. Polling was postponed in two seats in the 224-member Karnataka house. Karnataka Governor Vajubahi Vala has given Yeddyurappa 15 days to prove his majority on the floor of the house. Governor Vajubhai Vala: Karnataka's future rests on a man who once gave up his seat for Narendra Modi The BJP’s irrational insistence that it will form a Govt. in Karnataka, even though it clearly doesn’t have the numbers, is to make a mockery of our Constitution. This morning, while the BJP celebrates its hollow victory, India will mourn the defeat of democracy. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 17, 2018 × On Wednesday, the Congress moved the Supreme Court asking it to stay the swearing in. The Supreme Court — which began hearing the Congress plea at 2.11 am Thursday morning and ended it at 5.28 am — however refused to stay the swearing in. It will next hear the case 10.30 am Friday morning.

As Yeddyurappa is sworn in, Rahul Gandhi says BJP making 'mockery of our constitution'

Protesting against the high petrol and fuel prices, Congress President Rahul Gandhi today rode a bicycle as he led a march on the issue while campaigning in Karnataka's Kolar district.

Later, standing on a bullock cart, he addressed a gathering where he alleged that the BJP-led government wanted to take money from the common man to give it to its "rich friends" and asked it to tell the people why they were not reducing the price of petrol in the country.

Gandhi, who resumed his poll campaign for the May 12 assembly polls, took out a protest march in Maluru in Kolar against rising petrol prices by riding a bicycle with other Congress workers walking or running behind him.

The world over petrol prices were decreasing, but in India prices were still high, he lamented.

"Earlier in international market, the price was USD 140 per barrel, now it is USD 70 per barrel. So lakhs of crores of money is being saved by the government. Where is the money going?" Gandhi asked.

"Why are you not saying to people that you don't want to put GST on petrol and diesel? You want to take away money from common man and want to give it to your five or ten industrialist friends," he said before the gathering.

"You want to take money from the pockets of those driving scooter, truck, bus and other vehicles in the country and want to give it your rich friends," the Congress leader said.

During his three-day visit, Gandhi will be campaigning in Kolar, Bengaluru Rural, Chikkballapura, Tumakuru districts and Bengaluru city. PTI&nbsp;

The Congress President alleged the BJP-led government wanted to take money from the common man to give it to its 'rich friends'. Rahul was campaigning in Karnataka, which goes to the polls on May 12

Protesting against the high petrol and fuel prices, Congress President Rahul Gandhi today rode a bicycle as he led a march on the issue while campaigning in Karnataka's Kolar district. Later, standing on a bullock cart, he addressed a gathering where he alleged that the BJP-led government wanted to take money from the common man to give it to its "rich friends" and asked it to tell the people why they were not reducing the price of petrol in the country. Gandhi, who resumed his poll campaign for the May 12 assembly polls, took out a protest march in Maluru in Kolar against rising petrol prices by riding a bicycle with other Congress workers walking or running behind him. The world over petrol prices were decreasing, but in India prices were still high, he lamented. "Earlier in international market, the price was USD 140 per barrel, now it is USD 70 per barrel. So lakhs of crores of money is being saved by the government. Where is the money going?" Gandhi asked. "Why are you not saying to people that you don't want to put GST on petrol and diesel? You want to take away money from common man and want to give it to your five or ten industrialist friends," he said before the gathering. "You want to take money from the pockets of those driving scooter, truck, bus and other vehicles in the country and want to give it your rich friends," the Congress leader said. During his three-day visit, Gandhi will be campaigning in Kolar, Bengaluru Rural, Chikkballapura, Tumakuru districts and Bengaluru city. PTI

Watch: Rahul rides cycle in Karnataka to protest fuel prices, gives speech from bullock cart

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday to speak for 15 minutes — with the aid of notes.&nbsp

Siddaramaiah dared the prime minister to speak about the "achievements of BS Yeddyurappa’s government in Karnataka".&nbsp

"I challenge you to speak about the achievements of BS Yeddyurappa’s Govt in Karnataka for 15 minutes by looking at a paper," Siddaramaiah tweeted on Wednesday.&nbsp

Yeddyurappa, who Modi said on Tuesday would be the BJP's chief ministerial candidate for the May 12 elections, has been a former chief minister of Karnataka.&nbsp

Siddaramaiah's challenge came in response to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/can-rahul-gandhi-speak-for-15-minutes-pm-modi-at-karnataka-rally-133953">Modi daring Congress President Rahul Gandhi</a> on Tuesday to speak for 15 minutes — without the aid of notes — on development carried out by the Congress in Karnataka.&nbsp

The prime minister dared Rahul to speak in any language — including his mother's. The reference was to Rahul's mother Sonia, who was born an Italian citizen.&nbsp

Which is what brought about the riposte from Siddaramaiah, with the aid-of-notes punchline thrown in.&nbsp

Modi's own dare to Rahul had come from an earlier challenge to Modi by the Congress President.&nbsp

Rahul had recently said that if he spoke in Parliament for 15 minutes, on a range of issues including corruption under the Modi regime, the prime minister would <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-slams-prime-minister-narendra-modi-at-jan-aakrosh-rally-in-delhi-133556">not be able to sit through it</a>.&nbsp

"The Congress President challenged me saying that if he speaks for 15 minutes in Parliament, I will not be able to sit through it. Him talking for 15 minutes is a big thing and I wonder what a sight it would be," news reports quoted Modi as saying Tuesday at an election rally in Karnataka.&nbsp

"It is true we will not be able to sit when he talks. That is because he is naamdaar (dynast) and we are kaamdaar (worker). What right do we workers have to sit in front of you? We cannot ever wear good clothes. These things do not hurt us because we have been subjugated for years," Modi added.&nbsp

Siddaramaiah's challenge came in response to Modi daring Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday to speak for 15 minutes — without the aid of notes — on development carried out by the Congress in Karnataka

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday to speak for 15 minutes — with the aid of notes. Siddaramaiah dared the prime minister to speak about the "achievements of BS Yeddyurappa’s government in Karnataka". "I challenge you to speak about the achievements of BS Yeddyurappa’s Govt in Karnataka for 15 minutes by looking at a paper," Siddaramaiah tweeted on Wednesday. Yeddyurappa, who Modi said on Tuesday would be the BJP's chief ministerial candidate for the May 12 elections, has been a former chief minister of Karnataka. Siddaramaiah's challenge came in response to Modi daring Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday to speak for 15 minutes — without the aid of notes — on development carried out by the Congress in Karnataka. The prime minister dared Rahul to speak in any language — including his mother's. The reference was to Rahul's mother Sonia, who was born an Italian citizen. Which is what brought about the riposte from Siddaramaiah, with the aid-of-notes punchline thrown in. Modi's own dare to Rahul had come from an earlier challenge to Modi by the Congress President. Rahul had recently said that if he spoke in Parliament for 15 minutes, on a range of issues including corruption under the Modi regime, the prime minister would not be able to sit through it. "The Congress President challenged me saying that if he speaks for 15 minutes in Parliament, I will not be able to sit through it. Him talking for 15 minutes is a big thing and I wonder what a sight it would be," news reports quoted Modi as saying Tuesday at an election rally in Karnataka. "It is true we will not be able to sit when he talks. That is because he is naamdaar (dynast) and we are kaamdaar (worker). What right do we workers have to sit in front of you? We cannot ever wear good clothes. These things do not hurt us because we have been subjugated for years," Modi added.

Now, Siddaramaiah challenges Modi to speak for 15 minutes on BSY's 'achievements' — with the aid of notes

Congress President Rahul Gandhi led a midnight protest Thursday against the Kathua and Unnao gang rapes at Delhi's India Gate.&nbsp;

"Like millions of Indians my heart hurts tonight. India simply cannot continue to treat its women the way it does," Rahul tweeted on Thursday. &nbsp;

Rahul said the protest would be a "silent, peaceful, candlelight vigil".&nbsp;

"Join me in a silent, peaceful, candlelight vigil at India Gate at midnight tonight to protest this violence and demand justice," Rahul tweeted.&nbsp;

The Kathua and Unnao gang rapes have left the nation in shock.&nbsp;

In the first incident, an eight-year-old girl was kept captive in a temple in Kathua, Jammu. The child was sedated and raped repeatedly.&nbsp;

The alleged mastermind was a retired revenue official and policemen were allegedly involved in the crime.&nbsp;

Eight people have so far been arrested.&nbsp;

The Unnao incident only came to light when the girl and her family tried to immolate themselves outside the residence of the Uttar Pradesh chief minister on Sunday.&nbsp;

The girl's father — she was 17 when she was allegedly gang-raped — died a few days later, reportedly in police custody.&nbsp;

The main accused is the BJP MLA from Unnao, Kuldeep Singh Sengar.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unnao-gangrape-case-high-court-slams-up-govt-over-delay-in-accused-mlas-arrest-130128">High court slams UP govt over </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unnao-gangrape-case-high-court-slams-up-govt-over-delay-in-accused-mlas-arrest-130128">delay</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unnao-gangrape-case-high-court-slams-up-govt-over-delay-in-accused-mlas-arrest-130128"> in accused MLA's arrest</a>

A video has since surfaced of the girl's father saying he had been beaten by Sengar's brother in front of the police, but they did nothing because of the MLA's clout.&nbsp;

An FIR was finally filed on Thursday.&nbsp;

Sengar has been accused of, among other crimes, rape and kidnapping but he has not yet been arrested with the police saying the CBI would do so.&nbsp;

The case has since been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp;

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Like millions of Indians my heart hurts tonight. India simply cannot continue to treat its women the way it does. 
 
Join me in a silent, peaceful, candlelight vigil at India Gate at midnight tonight to protest this violence and demand justice.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/984463414947758081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Rahul said the protest would be a 'silent, peaceful, candlelight vigil'

Congress President Rahul Gandhi led a midnight protest Thursday against the Kathua and Unnao gang rapes at Delhi's India Gate. "Like millions of Indians my heart hurts tonight. India simply cannot continue to treat its women the way it does," Rahul tweeted on Thursday. Rahul said the protest would be a "silent, peaceful, candlelight vigil". "Join me in a silent, peaceful, candlelight vigil at India Gate at midnight tonight to protest this violence and demand justice," Rahul tweeted. The Kathua and Unnao gang rapes have left the nation in shock. In the first incident, an eight-year-old girl was kept captive in a temple in Kathua, Jammu. The child was sedated and raped repeatedly. The alleged mastermind was a retired revenue official and policemen were allegedly involved in the crime. Eight people have so far been arrested. The Unnao incident only came to light when the girl and her family tried to immolate themselves outside the residence of the Uttar Pradesh chief minister on Sunday. The girl's father — she was 17 when she was allegedly gang-raped — died a few days later, reportedly in police custody. The main accused is the BJP MLA from Unnao, Kuldeep Singh Sengar. Also read: High court slams UP govt over delay in accused MLA's arrest A video has since surfaced of the girl's father saying he had been beaten by Sengar's brother in front of the police, but they did nothing because of the MLA's clout. An FIR was finally filed on Thursday. Sengar has been accused of, among other crimes, rape and kidnapping but he has not yet been arrested with the police saying the CBI would do so. The case has since been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation. Like millions of Indians my heart hurts tonight. India simply cannot continue to treat its women the way it does. Join me in a silent, peaceful, candlelight vigil at India Gate at midnight tonight to protest this violence and demand justice. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 12, 2018 ×

Kathua, Unnao gang rapes: Rahul Gandhi leads midnight protest at Delhi's India Gate

Resignations in the Congress have begun ahead of party President Rahul Gandhi&#39;s announcement of his new team.&nbsp;

Actor-politician Raj Babbar has quit as chief of the party&#39;s UP unit; Shantaram Naik has quit as Goa Congress chief.&nbsp;

News reports added that Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki is also believed to have tendered his resignation to the party&#39;s central leadership. The reports added that a number of further resignations are expected.&nbsp;

The nudge had come from Rahul himself, with the Congress President saying recently that it was time for the old-timers to step aside.&nbsp;

Naik, who quit first, said he was following Rahul&#39;s advice.&nbsp;

A change of guard in the Congress has been talked about for close to forever now &mdash; ever since Rahul was anointed party vice-president in January 2013 &mdash; with people in the know saying the changeover was filling the party&#39;s old-timers with dread.&nbsp;

These latest resignations, of Naik and Babbar, then are being thought of as the first in a long list to come.&nbsp;

The reports however added that Babbar&#39;s resignation is also being linked the Congress&#39; <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/uttar-pradesh-bypolls-up-shocker-sp-wins-both-yogi-bastion-of-gorakhpur-and-phulpur-seat-35824" target="_blank">worst-ever performance</a> in the recent UP (Gorakhpur and Phulpur) Lok Sabha bypolls&nbsp;which were won by the Samajwadi Party.&nbsp;

Actor-politician Raj Babbar has quit as chief of the party's UP unit. Reports add that Gujarat chief Bharatsinh Solanki has also put in his papers

Resignations in the Congress have begun ahead of party President Rahul Gandhi's announcement of his new team. Actor-politician Raj Babbar has quit as chief of the party's UP unit; Shantaram Naik has quit as Goa Congress chief. News reports added that Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki is also believed to have tendered his resignation to the party's central leadership. The reports added that a number of further resignations are expected. The nudge had come from Rahul himself, with the Congress President saying recently that it was time for the old-timers to step aside. Naik, who quit first, said he was following Rahul's advice. A change of guard in the Congress has been talked about for close to forever now — ever since Rahul was anointed party vice-president in January 2013 — with people in the know saying the changeover was filling the party's old-timers with dread. These latest resignations, of Naik and Babbar, then are being thought of as the first in a long list to come. The reports however added that Babbar's resignation is also being linked the Congress' worst-ever performance in the recent UP (Gorakhpur and Phulpur) Lok Sabha bypolls which were won by the Samajwadi Party.

Top leaders resign as Team Rahul gets set to take charge of Congress

The upcoming Congress plenary session in Delhi will feature both continuity and discontinuity.&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi as Congress President has decided to dedicate the plenary to the party&#39;s workers but UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi may not officially address the session. This may then be the first Congress plenary session that Sonia Gandhi will refrain from addressing after joining politics. &nbsp;

Secondly, unlike PV Narasimha Rao and Sitaram Kesari, Rahul Gandhi will not in go for an election to the CWC. Elections had in the past led to open warfare within the party when Rao and Kesari were at the helm of affairs. Rahul had earlier advocated and allowed elections to the Youth Congress, which too had led to infighting and adverse results.

Under Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s presidentship, Manmohan Singh will hold a meeting on March 16 of the party&#39;s Steering Committee at the Constitution Club.

Rahul has told his colleagues that the session should be about the party&#39;s workers and not about him becoming president of the Congress.

The Congress will pass five resolutions during the session. The political resolution will focus on the RSS but that said, the focus will be on Rahul.

There will also be a separate resolution on the farmers&#39; issue.&nbsp;

Priyanka is expected to come to the session too but like in the past, is expected keep to back-room preparations.&nbsp;

Rahul himself will speak on the last day of the session, March 18.

Earler elections to the Congress Working Committee had led to open warfare within the Congress

The upcoming Congress plenary session in Delhi will feature both continuity and discontinuity. Rahul Gandhi as Congress President has decided to dedicate the plenary to the party's workers but UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi may not officially address the session. This may then be the first Congress plenary session that Sonia Gandhi will refrain from addressing after joining politics. Secondly, unlike PV Narasimha Rao and Sitaram Kesari, Rahul Gandhi will not in go for an election to the CWC. Elections had in the past led to open warfare within the party when Rao and Kesari were at the helm of affairs. Rahul had earlier advocated and allowed elections to the Youth Congress, which too had led to infighting and adverse results. Under Rahul Gandhi’s presidentship, Manmohan Singh will hold a meeting on March 16 of the party's Steering Committee at the Constitution Club. Rahul has told his colleagues that the session should be about the party's workers and not about him becoming president of the Congress. The Congress will pass five resolutions during the session. The political resolution will focus on the RSS but that said, the focus will be on Rahul. There will also be a separate resolution on the farmers' issue. Priyanka is expected to come to the session too but like in the past, is expected keep to back-room preparations. Rahul himself will speak on the last day of the session, March 18.

Rahul Gandhi to not hold elections to CWC

Former president of the Indian National Congress Sonia Gandhi said Friday that her party may sometime in the future have a leader from outside the Nehru-Gandhi family.

Replying to a question on whether there was any chance of the Congress being led by an outsider, she replied, &quot;Why not? In future, there may well be.&quot;

Sonia however did not answer when she was asked whether the party would survive without a Gandhi as its leader.&nbsp;

Referring to the prime ministership of Dr Manmohan Singh, she said she opted for him in 2004 over herserlf since he was a better candidate for the post.

She also dismissed the popular belief that under the UPA government, the real power was in her hands.

She said that she joined politics after she realised that Congress party was going through a difficult time.&nbsp;

Referring&nbsp;to the Bush and the Clinton families, she also highlighted the political dynasties of the US.

Replying to a question on whether there is any chance of a leader from outside the family heading the Congress, she replied 'Why not? In future , there may well be'

Former president of the Indian National Congress Sonia Gandhi said Friday that her party may sometime in the future have a leader from outside the Nehru-Gandhi family. Replying to a question on whether there was any chance of the Congress being led by an outsider, she replied, "Why not? In future, there may well be." Sonia however did not answer when she was asked whether the party would survive without a Gandhi as its leader. Referring to the prime ministership of Dr Manmohan Singh, she said she opted for him in 2004 over herserlf since he was a better candidate for the post. She also dismissed the popular belief that under the UPA government, the real power was in her hands. She said that she joined politics after she realised that Congress party was going through a difficult time. Referring to the Bush and the Clinton families, she also highlighted the political dynasties of the US.

Why not? Sonia on possibility of Congress being ruled by outsider in future

Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Tuesday that the Sohrabbudin&nbsp;case &quot;claims yet another judge&quot;.&nbsp;

Gandhi tweeted:&nbsp;

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The Sohrabuddin case claims yet another Judge. 
 
Justice Revati Dere, who challenged the CBI has been removed. 
 
Judge J T Utpat, asked Amit Shah to appear and was removed. 
 
Judge Loya asked tough questions. He died. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HowDidLoyaDie?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HowDidLoyaDie</a>? <a href="https://t.co/iNFLVIEQni">https://t.co/iNFLVIEQni</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/968387098641358849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Sohrabbudin case refers to the killing of Sohrabbudin Sheikh by a Gujarat Police team on November 26, 2005. Gujarat Police claimed at the time that Sheikh was a &quot;dreaded terrorist&quot; on a mission to kill a high-ranking Gujarat politician, presumably Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

The claim was challenged in court by Sohrabbudin&#39;s brother, who alleged the encounter had been fake.&nbsp;

BJP President Amit Shah, who was Gujarat home minister at the time, was named in the FIR. Shah however was later discharged from the case by the Gujarat court.

The case has since been shifted to Maharashtra.&nbsp;

The Bombay High Court however removed Justice Revati Dere from the case on February 24.

News reports quoting lawyers at the time said a change in roster was not unusual but that Dere had already heard most of the arguments in the case. &nbsp;

Gandhi has been attacking the government over the death of Judge Loya for some time now.&nbsp;

On Tuesday,&nbsp;&nbsp;he tweeted: &quot;Judge JT Utpat asked Amit Shah to appear and was removed,&quot; adding, &quot;Judge Loya asked tough questions. He died.&quot;&nbsp;

The death of Judge Loya has raised a number of questions.&nbsp;

An Indian magazine had first reported Loya&#39;s family as saying his death had been <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/justice-loyas-death-had-suspicion-earlier-over-fathers-death-but-now-it-is-over-says-son-29495" target="_blank">suspicious</a>.&nbsp;Other news reports trying to corroborate that first report had agreed with some of the claims made in the story while disagreeing with others.&nbsp;

'Justice Revati Dere, who challenged the CBI has been removed. Judge J T Utpat, asked Amit Shah to appear and was removed. Judge Loya asked tough questions. He died,' the Congress President tweeted

Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Tuesday that the Sohrabbudin case "claims yet another judge". Gandhi tweeted: The Sohrabuddin case claims yet another Judge. Justice Revati Dere, who challenged the CBI has been removed. Judge J T Utpat, asked Amit Shah to appear and was removed. Judge Loya asked tough questions. He died. #HowDidLoyaDie? https://t.co/iNFLVIEQni — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 27, 2018 × The Sohrabbudin case refers to the killing of Sohrabbudin Sheikh by a Gujarat Police team on November 26, 2005. Gujarat Police claimed at the time that Sheikh was a "dreaded terrorist" on a mission to kill a high-ranking Gujarat politician, presumably Narendra Modi. The claim was challenged in court by Sohrabbudin's brother, who alleged the encounter had been fake. BJP President Amit Shah, who was Gujarat home minister at the time, was named in the FIR. Shah however was later discharged from the case by the Gujarat court. The case has since been shifted to Maharashtra. The Bombay High Court however removed Justice Revati Dere from the case on February 24. News reports quoting lawyers at the time said a change in roster was not unusual but that Dere had already heard most of the arguments in the case. Gandhi has been attacking the government over the death of Judge Loya for some time now. On Tuesday, he tweeted: "Judge JT Utpat asked Amit Shah to appear and was removed," adding, "Judge Loya asked tough questions. He died." The death of Judge Loya has raised a number of questions. An Indian magazine had first reported Loya's family as saying his death had been suspicious. Other news reports trying to corroborate that first report had agreed with some of the claims made in the story while disagreeing with others.

'Sohrabuddin case claims yet another judge,' says Rahul Gandhi

In another jibe, Congress President Rahul Gandhi targetted Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him why does he ask people to share topics for discussions when he knows exactly what issues plague a common India&#39;s mind.

&quot;Why ask for ideas when in your heart you know what every Indian wants to hear you speak about?&quot; tweeted Rahul Gandhi.

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Modi Ji, last month you ignored my suggestions for your Mann Ki Baat monologue. 
 
Why ask for ideas when in your heart you know what every Indian wants to hear you speak about? 
 
1. Nirav Modi&#39;s 22,000 Cr. Loot &amp; Scoot 
 
2. The 58,000 Cr. RAFALE scam. 
 
I look forward to your sermon. <a href="https://t.co/jp0AnLePtU">pic.twitter.com/jp0AnLePtU</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/966199270083842048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Gandhi noted every India would want the Prime Minister to talk about &quot;Nirav Modi&#39;s 22,000 crore loot &amp; scoot and the 58,000 crore Rafale scam&quot;

&quot;I look forward to your sermon,&quot; Gandhi further added.&nbsp;

Congress President also added that last month the Prime Minister had &quot;ignored&quot; his suggestions for &quot;Mann Ki Baat monologue&quot;.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is usually expected to address the nation every month on All India Radio in his &#39;Mann Ki Baat&#39;&nbsp;monologue. The programme is open to suggestions and topics of discussions from the citizens.&nbsp;

Congress President also added that last month the Prime Minister had 'ignored' his suggestions for 'Mann Ki Baat monologue'

In another jibe, Congress President Rahul Gandhi targetted Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him why does he ask people to share topics for discussions when he knows exactly what issues plague a common India's mind. "Why ask for ideas when in your heart you know what every Indian wants to hear you speak about?" tweeted Rahul Gandhi. Modi Ji, last month you ignored my suggestions for your Mann Ki Baat monologue. Why ask for ideas when in your heart you know what every Indian wants to hear you speak about? 1. Nirav Modi's 22,000 Cr. Loot & Scoot 2. The 58,000 Cr. RAFALE scam. I look forward to your sermon. pic.twitter.com/jp0AnLePtU — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 21, 2018 × Gandhi noted every India would want the Prime Minister to talk about "Nirav Modi's 22,000 crore loot & scoot and the 58,000 crore Rafale scam" "I look forward to your sermon," Gandhi further added. Congress President also added that last month the Prime Minister had "ignored" his suggestions for "Mann Ki Baat monologue". Prime Minister Narendra Modi is usually expected to address the nation every month on All India Radio in his 'Mann Ki Baat' monologue. The programme is open to suggestions and topics of discussions from the citizens.

Let's talk about Nirav, Rafale scam: Rahul Gandhi to PM Modi

Wionews.com had reported Monday how Rahul Gandhi, as Congress President, would <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-unlikely-to-continue-with-position-of-political-secretary-in-congress-32637" target="_blank">run a more centralised office</a> than his mother and predecessor Sonia Gandhi. Sources had told wionews.com that Rahul would discontinue the office of a Congress political secretary.

The sources said Rahul&#39;s office has been modelled on the &quot;hub-and-spoke&quot;&nbsp;model, under which small &quot;hubs&quot; report directly to the central hub rather than to senior functionaries, who would then report to the Congress President.

This hub and spoke model, wionews.com&nbsp;reported, would keep decision-making in Rahul&#39;s purview.

Wionews.com added that strict instructions had been issued to the people working in Rahul&#39;s office to not give interviews to the media.&nbsp;

Modi of course has not addressed a press conference in the close to four years that he has been in power, and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/world-exclusive-sudhir-chaudhary-interviews-indian-pm-narendra-modi-7884" target="_blank">has given very few interviews</a>. The prime minister prefers to talk to the people of India via his monthly Mann ki Baat radio address and social media.&nbsp;

Interestingly, when Modi first came to power, news reports had talked of how all power was being centralised in the Prime Minister&#39;s Office. Some reports went so far as to say the centralisation of power was slowing down decision-making -- since all decisions were made in the PMO -- under Modi.&nbsp;

Rahul -- who visited a large number of temples during the Gujarat elections and continues to do while campaigning in Karnataka -- has already been accused of practising a &quot;soft&quot; Hindutva. In Gujarat, for example, while he tried to cobble together a disparate group&nbsp;-- the Patels, the Dalits -- under his umbrella, he said nothing of the Muslims.&nbsp;

The Congress reply to the charge was that it did not wish to polarise the Hindu vote bank (against it) before the election.&nbsp;

Rahul finally broke his silence on his temple visits on Monday. &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-defends-temple-run-says-he-will-continue-it-32644" target="_blank">I like going to temples</a>, wherever I get a religious&nbsp;place I go there. I feel good and feel happy, and I will&nbsp;continue (to go),&quot; he said.&nbsp;

Rahul of course is allowed to visit whichever temple he might wish to (with or without a tilak; see photo above) but the embrace of places of worship and soldiers tends to be the forte of right-wing governments.&nbsp;

Even with soldiers, Rahul has begun to hit strident notes.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, after Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said Pakistan &quot;will pay&quot; for the attack on the Sunjuwan army camp in Jammu -- in which five soldiers and the father of a soldier were killed -- Rahul tweeted:

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1. PDP says &ldquo;talks&rdquo; with Pakistan. 
 
2. BJP Defence Minister says &quot;Pakistan will pay the price&quot;. 
 
While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/ PDP&rsquo;s opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers.
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/963365828681924608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Again on Tuesday, he took a Modi barb aimed at the Nehru-Gandhi family and tried to turn it against the prime minister himself. Modi had recently said in Parliament that nothing had been done in the country for 70 years (the majority of which had seen Congress governments in power).&nbsp;

While campaigning in Karnataka, Rahul said:&nbsp;

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When Modi Ji says that nothing was done in this country for last 70 years, he is disrespecting your parents, ancestors and the farmers. A country is not run by a single person: Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Bidar, Karnataka <a href="https://t.co/JBYRhtX11x">pic.twitter.com/JBYRhtX11x</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/963376056374841344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The spin by Rahul was reminiscent of the prime minister&#39;s own spinning of Mani Shankar&#39;s Aiyar&#39;s comment about him.

Aiyar had called Modi a &quot;neech&quot; person. Modi took the comment to the voters of Gujarat, saying Aiyar had called him a low-caste, and that he had insulted not only him but also the people of Gujarat.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Sources say Rahul, as Congress President, will run a 'centralised' office, like Modi does. Instructions have also been given to the people working for Rahul to not talk to the media

Wionews.com had reported Monday how Rahul Gandhi, as Congress President, would run a more centralised office than his mother and predecessor Sonia Gandhi. Sources had told wionews.com that Rahul would discontinue the office of a Congress political secretary. The sources said Rahul's office has been modelled on the "hub-and-spoke" model, under which small "hubs" report directly to the central hub rather than to senior functionaries, who would then report to the Congress President. This hub and spoke model, wionews.com reported, would keep decision-making in Rahul's purview. Wionews.com added that strict instructions had been issued to the people working in Rahul's office to not give interviews to the media. Modi of course has not addressed a press conference in the close to four years that he has been in power, and has given very few interviews. The prime minister prefers to talk to the people of India via his monthly Mann ki Baat radio address and social media. Interestingly, when Modi first came to power, news reports had talked of how all power was being centralised in the Prime Minister's Office. Some reports went so far as to say the centralisation of power was slowing down decision-making -- since all decisions were made in the PMO -- under Modi. Rahul -- who visited a large number of temples during the Gujarat elections and continues to do while campaigning in Karnataka -- has already been accused of practising a "soft" Hindutva. In Gujarat, for example, while he tried to cobble together a disparate group -- the Patels, the Dalits -- under his umbrella, he said nothing of the Muslims. The Congress reply to the charge was that it did not wish to polarise the Hindu vote bank (against it) before the election. Rahul finally broke his silence on his temple visits on Monday. "I like going to temples, wherever I get a religious place I go there. I feel good and feel happy, and I will continue (to go)," he said. Rahul of course is allowed to visit whichever temple he might wish to (with or without a tilak; see photo above) but the embrace of places of worship and soldiers tends to be the forte of right-wing governments. Even with soldiers, Rahul has begun to hit strident notes. On Tuesday, after Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said Pakistan "will pay" for the attack on the Sunjuwan army camp in Jammu -- in which five soldiers and the father of a soldier were killed -- Rahul tweeted: 1. PDP says “talks” with Pakistan. 2. BJP Defence Minister says "Pakistan will pay the price". While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/ PDP’s opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers. — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 13, 2018 × Again on Tuesday, he took a Modi barb aimed at the Nehru-Gandhi family and tried to turn it against the prime minister himself. Modi had recently said in Parliament that nothing had been done in the country for 70 years (the majority of which had seen Congress governments in power). While campaigning in Karnataka, Rahul said: When Modi Ji says that nothing was done in this country for last 70 years, he is disrespecting your parents, ancestors and the farmers. A country is not run by a single person: Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Bidar, Karnataka pic.twitter.com/JBYRhtX11x — ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2018 × The spin by Rahul was reminiscent of the prime minister's own spinning of Mani Shankar's Aiyar's comment about him. Aiyar had called Modi a "neech" person. Modi took the comment to the voters of Gujarat, saying Aiyar had called him a low-caste, and that he had insulted not only him but also the people of Gujarat.

Rahul Gandhi seems to be copying from Modi's playbook. Here's how

Rahul Gandhi tweeted Tuesday that the PDP says &quot;talk&quot; with Pakistan, the BJP says the country will &quot;pay the price&quot;, while &#39;our soldiers pay with their blood&#39;. &nbsp;

&quot;Modi Ji dithers&quot;, he added. &nbsp;

&quot;1. PDP says &#39;talks&#39; with Pakistan. 2. BJP Defence Minister says &#39;Pakistan will pay the price&#39;,&quot; Rahul tweeted.&nbsp;

&quot;While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/ PDP&rsquo;s opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers,&quot; Rahul added.&nbsp;

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1. PDP says &ldquo;talks&rdquo; with Pakistan. 
 
2. BJP Defence Minister says &quot;Pakistan will pay the price&quot;. 
 
While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/ PDP&rsquo;s opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers.
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/963365828681924608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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After the attack on the Sunjuwan army camp in Jammu &mdash; which left five soldiers and one civilian dead and 11 injured -- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had said the situation cannot be allowed to continue and that India and Pakistan would have to talk to each other. She had added then that she knew she would be branded as &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-solution-other-than-dialogue-with-pakistan-mehbooba-mufti-32602" target="_blank">anti-national</a>&quot; for her comments.&nbsp;

The PDP and the BJP are in &nbsp;power in Kashmir.&nbsp;

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had on Monday said Pakistan &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-live-defence-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-says-pakistan-will-pay-for-misadventure-32636">will pay for the misadventure</a>&quot;. She added that the men who attacked the army camp seemed to have &quot;local support&quot;.&nbsp;

Pakistan has since said &quot;any Indian aggression shall be met with an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-warns-india-over-sunjuwan-army-camp-attack-media-reports-32741" target="_blank">equal and proportionate response</a>&quot;.&nbsp;

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Any <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Indian</a> aggression, strategic miscalculation or misadventure regardless of its scale, mode, or location will not go unpunished &amp; shall be met with an equal &amp; proportionate response. We will defend robustly every inch of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a>&#39;s soil. 
~Khurram Dastgir, Minister for Defence <a href="https://t.co/EqfgiP0lHk">pic.twitter.com/EqfgiP0lHk</a>
&mdash; Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) <a href="https://twitter.com/pid_gov/status/963355552695967744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

'While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/ PDP’s opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers,' Rahul tweeted

Rahul Gandhi tweeted Tuesday that the PDP says "talk" with Pakistan, the BJP says the country will "pay the price", while 'our soldiers pay with their blood'. "Modi Ji dithers", he added. "1. PDP says 'talks' with Pakistan. 2. BJP Defence Minister says 'Pakistan will pay the price'," Rahul tweeted. "While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/ PDP’s opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers," Rahul added. 1. PDP says “talks” with Pakistan. 2. BJP Defence Minister says "Pakistan will pay the price". While our soldiers pay with their blood for BJP/ PDP’s opportunistic alliance and non-existent Kashmir policy; Modi Ji dithers. — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 13, 2018 × After the attack on the Sunjuwan army camp in Jammu — which left five soldiers and one civilian dead and 11 injured -- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had said the situation cannot be allowed to continue and that India and Pakistan would have to talk to each other. She had added then that she knew she would be branded as "anti-national" for her comments. The PDP and the BJP are in power in Kashmir. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had on Monday said Pakistan "will pay for the misadventure". She added that the men who attacked the army camp seemed to have "local support". Pakistan has since said "any Indian aggression shall be met with an equal and proportionate response". Any #Indian aggression, strategic miscalculation or misadventure regardless of its scale, mode, or location will not go unpunished & shall be met with an equal & proportionate response. We will defend robustly every inch of #Pakistan's soil. ~Khurram Dastgir, Minister for Defence pic.twitter.com/EqfgiP0lHk — Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) February 13, 2018 ×

PDP says 'talk', BJP says 'Pak will pay price' while 'soldiers pay with their blood': Rahul Gandhi

If everything goes as per schedule, Congress President Rahul Gandhi will soon start functioning from the Congress headquarters at 24 Akbar Road.&nbsp;

Sources say that Rahul Gandhi would meet senior leaders at the AICC on Tuesdays and Fridays and Saturdays would be dedicated to the Congress workers.&nbsp;

Many feel that the practice would revive memories of earlier Congress presidents and help create a stronger public connect.&nbsp;

The practice of using AICC as a place of the meeting was discontinued in 1999 as important meetings were shifted to 10 Janpath and 24 Akbar Road was relegated to ceremonial functions for security reasons.&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi has been primarily operating from his Tuglaq Road residence from the past 10 years. With power officially shifting from Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi&#39;s presence in AICC would be more than symbolic.&nbsp;

Though minor but indicative, even the distribution of rooms will tell the story of new power centres in the Congress. Sources say that the room allotted to Rahul Gandhi would be given to K Raju who is close to Rahul Gandhi. It is a room which is next to Congress President&#39;s room in AICC. Though sources say that the room will also be used as a waiting room for the functionaries meeting Congress President.

RPN Singh is already sharing a room which belonged to BK Hariprasad.

The practice would revive memories of earlier Congress presidents and help create a stronger public connect

If everything goes as per schedule, Congress President Rahul Gandhi will soon start functioning from the Congress headquarters at 24 Akbar Road. Sources say that Rahul Gandhi would meet senior leaders at the AICC on Tuesdays and Fridays and Saturdays would be dedicated to the Congress workers. Many feel that the practice would revive memories of earlier Congress presidents and help create a stronger public connect. The practice of using AICC as a place of the meeting was discontinued in 1999 as important meetings were shifted to 10 Janpath and 24 Akbar Road was relegated to ceremonial functions for security reasons. Rahul Gandhi has been primarily operating from his Tuglaq Road residence from the past 10 years. With power officially shifting from Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi's presence in AICC would be more than symbolic. Though minor but indicative, even the distribution of rooms will tell the story of new power centres in the Congress. Sources say that the room allotted to Rahul Gandhi would be given to K Raju who is close to Rahul Gandhi. It is a room which is next to Congress President's room in AICC. Though sources say that the room will also be used as a waiting room for the functionaries meeting Congress President. RPN Singh is already sharing a room which belonged to BK Hariprasad.

Rahul Gandhi to soon revive AICC as Congress 'power centre'

Unlike Sonia Gandhi whose tenure saw the institutionalisation of the office of political secretary, Congress President Rahul Gandhi is unlikely to appoint any Congress leader as his political secretary.&nbsp;

Sources confirmed that Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s office has been modelled after the hub and spoke system whereby small organisational units contribute directly to the central hub unlike the earlier system which functioned through a couple of designated people.

Technically, the office of Rahul Gandhi would function in a very different way from Sonia Gandhi&rsquo;s office where functions were devolved to few people. In this case, it would be more centralised and decision-making would remain in his purview.

The hub and spoke model would not allow any one functionary to be the voice of Congress President and functionaries would meet Rahul Gandhi on equal footing.

In the new set up, strict instructions have been issued to people working in his office to not&nbsp;give interviews to the media.

As of now Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s office is being managed by low profile, K Raju who has earlier worked closely with former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh YSR Reddy. He subsequently worked under Sonia Gandhi as part of the National Advisory Council and subsequently as head of the SC/ST of the Congress. For now, he remains as the point person in Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s office and other associates like Kanishka Singh, Alankar Sawai, Kaushal Vidyarthi continue to work closely with him. He fulfills the role of Chief of Staff as he has requisite experience in bureaucracy of running systems but also the understanding that low profile grants longevity in politics.&nbsp;

Sonia Gandhi after taking over the Congress had appointed Ambika Soni and Ahmad Patel as her political secretaries. Subsequent to a power struggle, Ambika Soni was shifted to organisation and later inducted as a minister in the the government. On the other hand, Ahmad Patel continued as political secretary to the former Congress president. As of now Ahmad Patel continues as the political secretary to the Congress president as organisational reshuffle is taking place in bits and pieces. One will have to wait and see which role will be made open for Ahmad Patel.

In the new set up, strict instructions have been issued to people working in his office to not give interviews to the media

Unlike Sonia Gandhi whose tenure saw the institutionalisation of the office of political secretary, Congress President Rahul Gandhi is unlikely to appoint any Congress leader as his political secretary. Sources confirmed that Rahul Gandhi’s office has been modelled after the hub and spoke system whereby small organisational units contribute directly to the central hub unlike the earlier system which functioned through a couple of designated people. Technically, the office of Rahul Gandhi would function in a very different way from Sonia Gandhi’s office where functions were devolved to few people. In this case, it would be more centralised and decision-making would remain in his purview. The hub and spoke model would not allow any one functionary to be the voice of Congress President and functionaries would meet Rahul Gandhi on equal footing. In the new set up, strict instructions have been issued to people working in his office to not give interviews to the media. As of now Rahul Gandhi’s office is being managed by low profile, K Raju who has earlier worked closely with former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh YSR Reddy. He subsequently worked under Sonia Gandhi as part of the National Advisory Council and subsequently as head of the SC/ST of the Congress. For now, he remains as the point person in Rahul Gandhi’s office and other associates like Kanishka Singh, Alankar Sawai, Kaushal Vidyarthi continue to work closely with him. He fulfills the role of Chief of Staff as he has requisite experience in bureaucracy of running systems but also the understanding that low profile grants longevity in politics. Sonia Gandhi after taking over the Congress had appointed Ambika Soni and Ahmad Patel as her political secretaries. Subsequent to a power struggle, Ambika Soni was shifted to organisation and later inducted as a minister in the the government. On the other hand, Ahmad Patel continued as political secretary to the former Congress president. As of now Ahmad Patel continues as the political secretary to the Congress president as organisational reshuffle is taking place in bits and pieces. One will have to wait and see which role will be made open for Ahmad Patel.

Rahul Gandhi unlikely to continue with position of political secretary in Congress

Congress President Rahul Gandhi hit the temple trail for the second day of his election campaign in Karnataka today.

He stopped in the heart of Kanakagiri in Koppal district and visited Kanakachala Laxmi-Narasimha temple to pay obeisance to the dieties.

The temple, built by a local chieftain, has a history of 500 years of existence.

After spending 15 minutes there, Gandhi boarded the bus and hit the campaign trail again.

As the bus passed by several villages, he waved at the waiting people.

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Black flags were shown at bus in which Congress President Rahul Gandhi was campaigning in Karnataka&#39;s Sindhanur earlier today. <a href="https://t.co/OAYjHCk3RJ">pic.twitter.com/OAYjHCk3RJ</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/962692433002815488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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After launching the party&#39;s campaign at Ballari yesterday, Gandhi had visited Goddess Huligamma temple in Koppal district, a famous temple in the region.

He also had visited Gavi Siddheshwara Mutt in Koppal, a mutt of the majority Lingayat community.

On the third day of his four-day visit tomorrow, Gandhi would visit Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah in Kalaburagi district.

The Karnataka BJP has mocked at Gandhi&#39;s temple visits, calling him an &quot;election Hindu.&quot;&nbsp;

The Congress President visited the Kanakachala Laxmi-Narasimha temple in Kanakagiri in Koppal district

Congress President Rahul Gandhi hit the temple trail for the second day of his election campaign in Karnataka today. He stopped in the heart of Kanakagiri in Koppal district and visited Kanakachala Laxmi-Narasimha temple to pay obeisance to the dieties. The temple, built by a local chieftain, has a history of 500 years of existence. After spending 15 minutes there, Gandhi boarded the bus and hit the campaign trail again. As the bus passed by several villages, he waved at the waiting people. Black flags were shown at bus in which Congress President Rahul Gandhi was campaigning in Karnataka's Sindhanur earlier today. pic.twitter.com/OAYjHCk3RJ — ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2018 × After launching the party's campaign at Ballari yesterday, Gandhi had visited Goddess Huligamma temple in Koppal district, a famous temple in the region. He also had visited Gavi Siddheshwara Mutt in Koppal, a mutt of the majority Lingayat community. On the third day of his four-day visit tomorrow, Gandhi would visit Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah in Kalaburagi district. The Karnataka BJP has mocked at Gandhi's temple visits, calling him an "election Hindu."

Rahul continues temple run in Karnataka

Sonia Gandhi has said that his son Rahul, who took over ar Congress president in December, is her boss too.

&quot;We have a new Congress president and on your behalf and my own I wish him all the best. He is now my boss too. Let there be no doubt about that,&quot; she said at the party&#39;s parliamentary party meeting on Thursday.

Sounding an upbeat note, Sonia told party MPs to work with dedication, loyalty and enthusiasm with Rahul Gandhi to strengthen the party.

Seventy-one-year-old Sonia served as Congress president for nearly two decades, but has taken a backseat now.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-meets-party-delegation-at-aicc-headqurters-32079">Also Read: Rahul Gandhi meets party delegation at AICC headquarters</a>

She also said that the process to revive the party&#39;s fortunes had begun and she would work with &quot;like-minded parties&quot; to ensure the BJP&#39;s defeat in the next elections.

&quot;We performed very creditably under tough circumstances in Gujarat and recent by-election results in Rajasthan were huge. This shows winds of change are coming. I am sure Karnataka too will underline resurgence of Congress,&quot; Sonia Gandhi said lauding party workers&#39; efforts in the recently-held Gujarat assembly elections.

Attacking the Centre, Sonia said that government indulges in &#39;maximum publicity, minimum government&#39; and &#39;maximum marketing, minimum delivery&#39;.

&quot;It has been almost 4 years since this government came to power. This has been a period in which institutions like Parliament, judiciary, media and civil society have come under assault. Investigative agencies have been let loose against political opponents,&quot; she said.

She had slammed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-continues-attack-on-opposition-says-congress-mukt-bharat-was-gandhis-idea-32115">PM Modi&#39;s hard hitting speech</a> in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday asserting there was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-has-not-said-anything-new-says-sonia-gandhi-32088">&quot;nothing new&quot; in what he said</a>.

&quot;People of India want to know what the PM will do about jobs,&quot; she said while taking a dig at PM Modi.

PM Modi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-takes-on-opposition-during-parliament-speech-highlights-32083">during an address to Parliament</a> on the motion of thanks to the President on the Budget had said his government was faster than the UPA in implementing infrastructure projects.

The PM repeatedly attacked the Congress saying the party should rise above &quot;chest-thumping&quot;, adding that the Congress takes &quot;credit&quot; for NDA&#39;s projects.

Seventy-one-year-old Sonia served as Congress president for nearly two decades, but has taken a backseat now.

Sonia Gandhi has said that his son Rahul, who took over ar Congress president in December, is her boss too. "We have a new Congress president and on your behalf and my own I wish him all the best. He is now my boss too. Let there be no doubt about that," she said at the party's parliamentary party meeting on Thursday. Sounding an upbeat note, Sonia told party MPs to work with dedication, loyalty and enthusiasm with Rahul Gandhi to strengthen the party. Seventy-one-year-old Sonia served as Congress president for nearly two decades, but has taken a backseat now. Also Read: Rahul Gandhi meets party delegation at AICC headquarters She also said that the process to revive the party's fortunes had begun and she would work with "like-minded parties" to ensure the BJP's defeat in the next elections. "We performed very creditably under tough circumstances in Gujarat and recent by-election results in Rajasthan were huge. This shows winds of change are coming. I am sure Karnataka too will underline resurgence of Congress," Sonia Gandhi said lauding party workers' efforts in the recently-held Gujarat assembly elections. Attacking the Centre, Sonia said that government indulges in 'maximum publicity, minimum government' and 'maximum marketing, minimum delivery'. "It has been almost 4 years since this government came to power. This has been a period in which institutions like Parliament, judiciary, media and civil society have come under assault. Investigative agencies have been let loose against political opponents," she said. She had slammed PM Modi's hard hitting speech in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday asserting there was "nothing new" in what he said. "People of India want to know what the PM will do about jobs," she said while taking a dig at PM Modi. PM Modi during an address to Parliament on the motion of thanks to the President on the Budget had said his government was faster than the UPA in implementing infrastructure projects. The PM repeatedly attacked the Congress saying the party should rise above "chest-thumping", adding that the Congress takes "credit" for NDA's projects.

Rahul now my boss too, let there be no doubt: Sonia Gandhi

Karnataka Chief Minister&nbsp;Siddaramaiah&nbsp;met Congress President Rahul Gandhi at his Delhi residence today.&nbsp;Siddaramaiah was accompanied by senior party leaders from the Karnataka state assembly.&nbsp;

The minister noted that there was &quot;no anti-incumbency&quot; against his government and that all programmes mentioned it the manifesto was implemented successfully in the state.&nbsp;

Siddaramaiah noted that the Congress chief was delighted after knowing the same.

The CM also accused the BJP of &quot;raising irrelevant issues&quot;.

Congress&#39; Karnataka unit chief, Dr G Parameshwara, shared that Rahul Gandhi will visit Karnataka from February 10-12 &quot;for the first leg of the election campaign&quot;.&nbsp;

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Congress President Rahul Gandhi is visiting Karnataka from 10-12 February for first leg of election campaign. He will be addressing meetings, interacting with various groups of intellectuals, farmers, women and students: Dr. G. Parameshwara, Karnataka Congress chief <a href="https://t.co/ZYW0qaIY3t">pic.twitter.com/ZYW0qaIY3t</a>
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The Congress president, on his visit, will address meetings and interact with groups of intellectuals, farmers, women and students.

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi will visit Karnataka from February 10-12 for the first leg of the election campaign

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Congress President Rahul Gandhi at his Delhi residence today. Siddaramaiah was accompanied by senior party leaders from the Karnataka state assembly. The minister noted that there was "no anti-incumbency" against his government and that all programmes mentioned it the manifesto was implemented successfully in the state. Siddaramaiah noted that the Congress chief was delighted after knowing the same. The CM also accused the BJP of "raising irrelevant issues". Congress' Karnataka unit chief, Dr G Parameshwara, shared that Rahul Gandhi will visit Karnataka from February 10-12 "for the first leg of the election campaign". Congress President Rahul Gandhi is visiting Karnataka from 10-12 February for first leg of election campaign. He will be addressing meetings, interacting with various groups of intellectuals, farmers, women and students: Dr. G. Parameshwara, Karnataka Congress chief pic.twitter.com/ZYW0qaIY3t — ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2018 × The Congress president, on his visit, will address meetings and interact with groups of intellectuals, farmers, women and students. (With inputs from ANI)

Rahul Gandhi meets Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah in Delhi

Congress President Rahul Gandhi told&nbsp;NRIs in Bahrain on Monday that there &quot;is a serious problem at home&quot;.&nbsp;

He went on to say that &quot;job creation is at an eight-year low&quot;. And that instead of focusing on the &quot;removal of poverty&quot; and &quot;job creating&quot;, the country was instead seeing a rise in the &quot;forces of hate and division&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;Instead of accepting that we are struggling to create jobs, instead of uniting people of all religions and communities together to face the challenge, the government is busy converting the fear being generated in jobless youth into hatred between communities,&quot; Gandhi said.&nbsp;

He added that he was there to tell the non-resident Indians what they meant to their country, and that they were part of the solution.&nbsp;

&quot;Your talent, skills, tolerance, patriotism is what India needs today. You have shown us how you have built the countries you have journeyed to,&quot; Gandhi added.&nbsp;

Gandhi was addressing the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin in Bahrain.&nbsp;

Gandhi, who recently took over as president of the Congress party from his mother Sonia, has made some of his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-in-us-makes-no-holds-barred-attack-on-pm-modi-20102" target="_blank">strongest attacks on the government</a>&nbsp;while abroad.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-gives-second-address-in-us-talks-jobs-20418" target="_blank">Central question</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-gives-second-address-in-us-talks-jobs-20418" target="_blank"> is how does India give its people jobs?</a>&nbsp;

ANI also reported Gandhi, while interacting with the Indian diaspora after his address, as saying that &quot;Gujarat BJP ka gadh hai aur wahan bach ke nikli hai BJP&quot;.&nbsp;

The BJP had recently <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-wins-gujarat-but-does-not-cross-100-mark-takes-himachal-easily-27117" target="_blank">won the Gujarat elections</a>, coming back to power for a sixth time despite ruling the state for 22 years straight, where it won 99 seats against the Congress&#39; 77 in the 182-seat house.&nbsp;

BJP President Amit Shah had earlier said his party would win a total of 150 seats.&nbsp;

Instead of focusing on the 'removal of poverty' and 'job creating', the country was instead seeing a rise in the 'forces of hate and division', Gandhi said

Congress President Rahul Gandhi told NRIs in Bahrain on Monday that there "is a serious problem at home". He went on to say that "job creation is at an eight-year low". And that instead of focusing on the "removal of poverty" and "job creating", the country was instead seeing a rise in the "forces of hate and division". "Instead of accepting that we are struggling to create jobs, instead of uniting people of all religions and communities together to face the challenge, the government is busy converting the fear being generated in jobless youth into hatred between communities," Gandhi said. He added that he was there to tell the non-resident Indians what they meant to their country, and that they were part of the solution. "Your talent, skills, tolerance, patriotism is what India needs today. You have shown us how you have built the countries you have journeyed to," Gandhi added. Gandhi was addressing the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin in Bahrain. Gandhi, who recently took over as president of the Congress party from his mother Sonia, has made some of his strongest attacks on the government while abroad. Also read: Central question is how does India give its people jobs? ANI also reported Gandhi, while interacting with the Indian diaspora after his address, as saying that "Gujarat BJP ka gadh hai aur wahan bach ke nikli hai BJP". The BJP had recently won the Gujarat elections, coming back to power for a sixth time despite ruling the state for 22 years straight, where it won 99 seats against the Congress' 77 in the 182-seat house. BJP President Amit Shah had earlier said his party would win a total of 150 seats.

'Serious problem at home', job creation at 8-year low: Rahul Gandhi in Bahrain

Rahul Gandhi will embark next week on a visit to Bahrain, his first foreign trip after becoming Congress president, during which he will address a convention of NRIs and is likely to meet the country&#39;s prime minister.

According to party sources, Gandhi will be the state guest of the Kingdom of Bahrain and will address NRIs settled there on January 8.

He will leave for Bahrain on January 7 and is likely to return on January 9. The NRIs settled there have invited him.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-in-us-makes-no-holds-barred-attack-on-pm-modi-20102" target="_blank">Rahul Gandhi, in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-in-us-makes-no-holds-barred-attack-on-pm-modi-20102" target="_blank">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-in-us-makes-no-holds-barred-attack-on-pm-modi-20102" target="_blank">, makes no-holds-barred attack on PM Modi</a>

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-gives-second-address-in-us-talks-jobs-20418" target="_blank">Rahul Gandhi in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-gives-second-address-in-us-talks-jobs-20418" target="_blank">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-gives-second-address-in-us-talks-jobs-20418" target="_blank">: </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-gives-second-address-in-us-talks-jobs-20418" target="_blank">Central question</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-gives-second-address-in-us-talks-jobs-20418" target="_blank"> is how does India give its people jobs?</a>&nbsp;

Gandhi is also likely to meet Bahrain&#39;s Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and the members of the royal family, the sources said.

They said that he was to also address NRIs in Dubai but that visit has been postponed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to visit the UAE later this month.

Party sources say Gandhi&#39;s visit to Bahrain will be on the lines of his US trip last year. 
 
Rahul Gandhi was in Goa on New Year along with his mother Sonia Gandhi.&nbsp;

Gandhi will leave next week and will speak to the NRIs on January 8

Rahul Gandhi will embark next week on a visit to Bahrain, his first foreign trip after becoming Congress president, during which he will address a convention of NRIs and is likely to meet the country's prime minister. According to party sources, Gandhi will be the state guest of the Kingdom of Bahrain and will address NRIs settled there on January 8. He will leave for Bahrain on January 7 and is likely to return on January 9. The NRIs settled there have invited him. Also read: Rahul Gandhi, in US, makes no-holds-barred attack on PM Modi Rahul Gandhi in US: Central question is how does India give its people jobs? Gandhi is also likely to meet Bahrain's Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and the members of the royal family, the sources said. They said that he was to also address NRIs in Dubai but that visit has been postponed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to visit the UAE later this month. Party sources say Gandhi's visit to Bahrain will be on the lines of his US trip last year. Rahul Gandhi was in Goa on New Year along with his mother Sonia Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi to visit Bahrain, address NRIs

The BJP has moved a privilege motion against Congress President Rahul Gandhi in the Rajya Sabha.&nbsp;

The motion was moved after Gandhi referred to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley as Mr &quot;Jaitlie&quot;.&nbsp;

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Dear Mr Jaitlie - thank you for reminding India that our PM never means what he says or says what he means. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BJPLies?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BJPLies</a> <a href="https://t.co/I7n1f07GaX">pic.twitter.com/I7n1f07GaX</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/946038581306441728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Dear Mr Jaitlie - thank you for reminding India that our PM never means what he says or says what he means,&quot; Gandhi had tweeted on December 27.&nbsp;

The motion was moved by BJP MP Bhupendra Yadav on Thursday.&nbsp;

Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu said would will examine the motion and take an appropriate decision.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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The motion was moved by BJP MP Bhupendra Yadav

The BJP has moved a privilege motion against Congress President Rahul Gandhi in the Rajya Sabha. The motion was moved after Gandhi referred to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley as Mr "Jaitlie". Dear Mr Jaitlie - thank you for reminding India that our PM never means what he says or says what he means. #BJPLies pic.twitter.com/I7n1f07GaX — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 27, 2017 × "Dear Mr Jaitlie - thank you for reminding India that our PM never means what he says or says what he means," Gandhi had tweeted on December 27. The motion was moved by BJP MP Bhupendra Yadav on Thursday. Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu said would will examine the motion and take an appropriate decision.

Privilege motion against Rahul Gandhi in Rajya Sabha

Rahul Gandhi tweeted Monday that the Congress party &quot;accepts the verdict of the people&quot;.&nbsp;

The Congress is set to lose in both Gujarat and Himachal.&nbsp;

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The Congress party accepts the verdict of the people and congratulates the new governments in both states. I thank the people of Gujarat and Himachal with all my heart for the love they showed me.
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/942709778836471808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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My Congress brothers and sisters, you have made me very proud. You are different than those you fought because you fought anger with dignity. You have demonstrated to everyone that the Congress&rsquo;s greatest strength is its decency and courage.
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/942711009789190144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The latest figures from the Election Commission show the BJP leading in 99 seats in Gujarat and the Congress in 80.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/himachal-election-results-i-accept-the-bjps-victory-says-congresss-virbhadra-singh-27075">Himachal election results: &#39;I accept victory of BJP,&#39; says Congress&#39;s Virbhadra Singh</a>

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-poll-results-bjp-on-victory-march-in-gujarat-himachal-pradesh-27047">victory mark in Gujarat is 92 seats.</a>&nbsp;

In Himachal, the BJP is leading in 27 seats and the Congress in 11.&nbsp;

The victory mark in Himachal is 35 seats.&nbsp;

&quot;My Congress brothers and sisters, you have made me very proud,&quot; Gandhi said.&nbsp;

&quot;You are different than those you fought because you fought anger with dignity. You have demonstrated to everyone that the Congress&rsquo;s greatest strength is its decency and courage,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

Gujarat of course was the new Congress president&#39;s -- Rahul took over as Congress president from his mother only on Saturday -- first test.&nbsp;

But despite the loss, commentators will look at the increase in the number of seats the Congress wins (in Gujarat) this time.&nbsp;

Current projections say the Congress will increase its tally from the last time by as many as 19 seats.&nbsp;

In Himachal, the Congress is expected to win 15 fewer seats than last time.&nbsp;

Gandhi&#39;s critics however will say the new president jettisoned the Congress&#39;s trademark platform of secularism for the first time in the history of India&#39;s grand old party.&nbsp;

Over three months of campaigning in Gujarat, Gandhi visited a total of 27 temples, and took to speaking at public rallies with a tilak on his forehead.&nbsp;

He was, like the BJP, courting the HIndu vote. And did not really mention the Muslim who make up 10 per cent of Gujarat&#39;s population.&nbsp;

Which, Gandhi&#39;s critics will say, leaves the country with a choice (between the BJP and the Congress) of two competing variants of Hindutva.&nbsp;

The Congress is set to lose in both Gujarat and Himachal

Rahul Gandhi tweeted Monday that the Congress party "accepts the verdict of the people". The Congress is set to lose in both Gujarat and Himachal. The Congress party accepts the verdict of the people and congratulates the new governments in both states. I thank the people of Gujarat and Himachal with all my heart for the love they showed me. — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 18, 2017 × My Congress brothers and sisters, you have made me very proud. You are different than those you fought because you fought anger with dignity. You have demonstrated to everyone that the Congress’s greatest strength is its decency and courage. — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 18, 2017 × The latest figures from the Election Commission show the BJP leading in 99 seats in Gujarat and the Congress in 80. Also Read: Himachal election results: 'I accept victory of BJP,' says Congress's Virbhadra Singh The victory mark in Gujarat is 92 seats. In Himachal, the BJP is leading in 27 seats and the Congress in 11. The victory mark in Himachal is 35 seats. "My Congress brothers and sisters, you have made me very proud," Gandhi said. "You are different than those you fought because you fought anger with dignity. You have demonstrated to everyone that the Congress’s greatest strength is its decency and courage," he added. Gujarat of course was the new Congress president's -- Rahul took over as Congress president from his mother only on Saturday -- first test. But despite the loss, commentators will look at the increase in the number of seats the Congress wins (in Gujarat) this time. Current projections say the Congress will increase its tally from the last time by as many as 19 seats. In Himachal, the Congress is expected to win 15 fewer seats than last time. Gandhi's critics however will say the new president jettisoned the Congress's trademark platform of secularism for the first time in the history of India's grand old party. Over three months of campaigning in Gujarat, Gandhi visited a total of 27 temples, and took to speaking at public rallies with a tilak on his forehead. He was, like the BJP, courting the HIndu vote. And did not really mention the Muslim who make up 10 per cent of Gujarat's population. Which, Gandhi's critics will say, leaves the country with a choice (between the BJP and the Congress) of two competing variants of Hindutva.

Congress accepts verdict of the people: Rahul Gandhi

Wishes started pouring in for&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-invites-party-office-bearers-legislators-for-dinner-26964">Rahul Gandhi</a>&nbsp;after he took charge as the 87th Congress Party president yesterday.

Political veterans, leaders, celebrities and eminent personalities have congratulating Rahul Gandhi, wishing him all the luck and success for his new innings.&nbsp;

In a congratulatory message, Delhi chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, &quot;Congratulations Rahul ji for this big responsibility and our best wishes for all your endeavours,&quot; tweeted Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

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Congratulations Rahul ji for this big responsibility and our best wishes for all ur endeavours.
&mdash; Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/941917860548395008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Riteish&nbsp;Deshmukh, Sushil Kumar and Kamal Hassan were among the others who wished Congress president after he took charge as party president. While Kamal Hassan said &#39;&#39;Your seat does not define you but you can define your position while Riteish in his congratulatory message said &#39;&#39;May you continue to be the voice for the voiceless.&#39;&#39;&nbsp;

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Congratulations Mr. Rahul.G. Your seat does not define you but you can define your position. I have admired your elders. I am sure you would work and deserve my admiration too. All the strength to your shoulders.
&mdash; Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) <a href="https://twitter.com/ikamalhaasan/status/941909045828399105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Congratulations Shri Rahul Gandhi ji on taking over as the Congress President. May you continue to be the voice of the voiceless. <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficeOfRG</a> <a href="https://t.co/WFV9afvlN0">pic.twitter.com/WFV9afvlN0</a>
&mdash; Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) <a href="https://twitter.com/Riteishd/status/942031384742432768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RahulGandhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RahulGandhi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficeOfRG</a> for taking charge as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CongressPresident?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CongressPresident</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/INCDelhi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@INCDelhi</a>.
&mdash; Sushil Kumar (@WrestlerSushil) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestlerSushil/status/941912484922974208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Riteish?Deshmukh, Sushil Kumar and Kamal Hassan among others wished the new Congress president

Wishes started pouring in for Rahul Gandhi after he took charge as the 87th Congress Party president yesterday. Political veterans, leaders, celebrities and eminent personalities have congratulating Rahul Gandhi, wishing him all the luck and success for his new innings. In a congratulatory message, Delhi chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, "Congratulations Rahul ji for this big responsibility and our best wishes for all your endeavours," tweeted Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Congratulations Rahul ji for this big responsibility and our best wishes for all ur endeavours. — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 16, 2017 × Riteish Deshmukh, Sushil Kumar and Kamal Hassan were among the others who wished Congress president after he took charge as party president. While Kamal Hassan said ''Your seat does not define you but you can define your position while Riteish in his congratulatory message said ''May you continue to be the voice for the voiceless.'' Congratulations Mr. Rahul.G. Your seat does not define you but you can define your position. I have admired your elders. I am sure you would work and deserve my admiration too. All the strength to your shoulders. — Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) December 16, 2017 × Congratulations Shri Rahul Gandhi ji on taking over as the Congress President. May you continue to be the voice of the voiceless. @OfficeOfRG pic.twitter.com/WFV9afvlN0 — Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) December 16, 2017 × Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to #RahulGandhi @OfficeOfRG for taking charge as #CongressPresident @INCDelhi. — Sushil Kumar (@WrestlerSushil) December 16, 2017 ×

Wishes pour in for Rahul Gandhi