<p>It is the time we examined the society we have created before we invoke the rather trite argument of dynastic rule to stridently criticise the Gandhis and the Congress. No doubt, the dynasty is antithetical to democratic politics. Yet, it is also true that dynastic succession is the norm outside the Indian political realm as well. Its sheer pervasiveness explains why people dismiss outright the hypocritical media outcry against dynastic succession to routinely vote paterfamilias to power, in the state as well at the Centre.</p>

<p>Among the media personalities, arguably the most vocal critics of dynastic succession &ndash; and the Gandhis &ndash; are two stalwarts who are guilty of what they rail against. One of them is considered the diadem of Indian journalism &ndash; he became an editor at a young age, launched a classy newspaper, joined the Congress briefly, returned to journalism and now heads a weekly newspaper in which his son is an associate editor. The other acquired from a generous industrialist, now deceased, a newspaper more than a century old. He is a member of parliament and his son is now the newspaper&rsquo;s managing editor, presumably being groomed to take over from his father.</p>

<p>It is true the roles of political parties are remarkably different from those of newspapers. It is also possible the children of these two luminaries are prodigiously talented. It is conceivable their fathers, immune to the irresistible tug of paternal love, saw in them qualities they couldn&rsquo;t in anyone who could step into their posts. Such arguments, though, echo precisely the ones the Congressmen mouth to justify the assigning of party leadership to Rahul Gandhi. He is astonishingly talented, even nonpareil, Congressmen declare earnestly.</p>

<p>In contrast to the Congress, the two illustrious editors run private operations and enjoy an unassailable right to choose who oversees them. Nevertheless, for many in the profession, it could well appear as examples of powerful fathers subverting the idea of meritocracy, given their inevitable role in the appointment of their children.</p>

<p>Might it not have been better for them to have designations which did not vouch for their journalistic excellence and which did not indicate to others that there is &ldquo;space for eminence&rdquo; in the two organisations, &ldquo;but none for pre-eminence&rdquo;? (The words in quotes belong to one of the two who used it to criticise the appointment of Rahul Gandhi as the vice-president of the Congress.) To what extent is the ethos of the two media organisations any different from the Congress whose members claim they are entitled to run their party as they desire? And to think the media isn&rsquo;t just a profit-making enterprise but the watchdog of democracy!</p>

<p>Dynastic succession dominates the realm of religion as well. As you enter through the imposing gates of Delhi&rsquo;s Jama Masjid, from the Chandni Chowk side, you will read written on a board, in a reverential tone, that the descendants of the Bukhari family have been the Imams of the historic mosque for 13 generations, beginning from 1656. Who&rsquo;s to tell them that the idea of the hereditary imam is in gross violation of Islam, which decrees his selection through consultation and consensus?</p>

<p>Similarly, innumerable hallowed temples of India have the tradition of hereditary priests, usually belonging to the Brahmin caste, presiding over them. In 2006, the Tamil Nadu government of M Karunanidhi issued an order abrogating the unwritten principle of hereditary, familial succession to the priesthood, which was also opened to non-Brahmin castes. Obviously, the momentous nature of the order, irrespective of its eventual efficacy, was delightfully ironical, for Karunanidhi, too, acquiesced into the dynastic principle in politics.</p>

<p>Or take the scions of illustrious business families. Irrespective of their abilities, children often inherit companies their fathers or grandfathers established and in which ordinary shareholders are today heavily invested. Think of a businessman, owning a substantial share in an Indian corporation, who voluntarily chose to overlook his or her children at the time of passing the baton. Are we not acquainted with the phenomenon of doctors boasting flourishing clinics paying massive donation fees to ensure their children, unable to qualify for admission to government medical colleges, acquire the mandatory MBBS degree to take over from them?</p>

<p>At least, unlike editor-owners, priests and businessmen, the great political families of India can claim that they have to at least periodically pass the electoral test to acquire power. It is an argument Bollywood too could cite to justify their dynasties. Though children from these families don&rsquo;t have to struggle for a foothold in the Hindi film industry, the longevity of their career depends on their ability to satisfy the audience. Nevertheless, their presence in Bollywood, as is true of all dynasties in every field, concentrates power in a few, skews and stifles competition. This is true of even classical music, whose practitioners can narrate the debilitating impact ordinary children of extraordinary parents have had on the talented.</p>

<p>India&rsquo;s propensity to spawn dynasties testifies to the persistence of our feudal mindset, still intact due to our unconscionable socio-economic inequalities and the inherited ethos of our caste system, consequently ensuring the <em>raja-</em><em>praja</em> type of relationship thrives in different modern avatars. It is through the bridging of these inequalities that we can send dynasties packing, not through hurling blunted barbs at the Gandhis and others even though we are as guilty as they are.</p>

<p>This <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/central_south_asia/pot-calling-the-dynasty-black-ajaz-ashraf/" rel="nofollow" target="blank">article</a> has been originally published in <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/" rel="nofollow" target="blank">Fair Observer</a>.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).</em></p>


India?s propensity to spawn dynasties testifies to the persistence of our feudal mindset, still intact due to our unconscionable socio-economic inequalities and the inherited ethos of our caste system

It is the time we examined the society we have created before we invoke the rather trite argument of dynastic rule to stridently criticise the Gandhis and the Congress. No doubt, the dynasty is antithetical to democratic politics. Yet, it is also true that dynastic succession is the norm outside the Indian political realm as well. Its sheer pervasiveness explains why people dismiss outright the hypocritical media outcry against dynastic succession to routinely vote paterfamilias to power, in the state as well at the Centre. Among the media personalities, arguably the most vocal critics of dynastic succession – and the Gandhis – are two stalwarts who are guilty of what they rail against. One of them is considered the diadem of Indian journalism – he became an editor at a young age, launched a classy newspaper, joined the Congress briefly, returned to journalism and now heads a weekly newspaper in which his son is an associate editor. The other acquired from a generous industrialist, now deceased, a newspaper more than a century old. He is a member of parliament and his son is now the newspaper’s managing editor, presumably being groomed to take over from his father. It is true the roles of political parties are remarkably different from those of newspapers. It is also possible the children of these two luminaries are prodigiously talented. It is conceivable their fathers, immune to the irresistible tug of paternal love, saw in them qualities they couldn’t in anyone who could step into their posts. Such arguments, though, echo precisely the ones the Congressmen mouth to justify the assigning of party leadership to Rahul Gandhi. He is astonishingly talented, even nonpareil, Congressmen declare earnestly. In contrast to the Congress, the two illustrious editors run private operations and enjoy an unassailable right to choose who oversees them. Nevertheless, for many in the profession, it could well appear as examples of powerful fathers subverting the idea of meritocracy, given their inevitable role in the appointment of their children. Might it not have been better for them to have designations which did not vouch for their journalistic excellence and which did not indicate to others that there is “space for eminence” in the two organisations, “but none for pre-eminence”? (The words in quotes belong to one of the two who used it to criticise the appointment of Rahul Gandhi as the vice-president of the Congress.) To what extent is the ethos of the two media organisations any different from the Congress whose members claim they are entitled to run their party as they desire? And to think the media isn’t just a profit-making enterprise but the watchdog of democracy! Dynastic succession dominates the realm of religion as well. As you enter through the imposing gates of Delhi’s Jama Masjid, from the Chandni Chowk side, you will read written on a board, in a reverential tone, that the descendants of the Bukhari family have been the Imams of the historic mosque for 13 generations, beginning from 1656. Who’s to tell them that the idea of the hereditary imam is in gross violation of Islam, which decrees his selection through consultation and consensus? Similarly, innumerable hallowed temples of India have the tradition of hereditary priests, usually belonging to the Brahmin caste, presiding over them. In 2006, the Tamil Nadu government of M Karunanidhi issued an order abrogating the unwritten principle of hereditary, familial succession to the priesthood, which was also opened to non-Brahmin castes. Obviously, the momentous nature of the order, irrespective of its eventual efficacy, was delightfully ironical, for Karunanidhi, too, acquiesced into the dynastic principle in politics. Or take the scions of illustrious business families. Irrespective of their abilities, children often inherit companies their fathers or grandfathers established and in which ordinary shareholders are today heavily invested. Think of a businessman, owning a substantial share in an Indian corporation, who voluntarily chose to overlook his or her children at the time of passing the baton. Are we not acquainted with the phenomenon of doctors boasting flourishing clinics paying massive donation fees to ensure their children, unable to qualify for admission to government medical colleges, acquire the mandatory MBBS degree to take over from them? At least, unlike editor-owners, priests and businessmen, the great political families of India can claim that they have to at least periodically pass the electoral test to acquire power. It is an argument Bollywood too could cite to justify their dynasties. Though children from these families don’t have to struggle for a foothold in the Hindi film industry, the longevity of their career depends on their ability to satisfy the audience. Nevertheless, their presence in Bollywood, as is true of all dynasties in every field, concentrates power in a few, skews and stifles competition. This is true of even classical music, whose practitioners can narrate the debilitating impact ordinary children of extraordinary parents have had on the talented. India’s propensity to spawn dynasties testifies to the persistence of our feudal mindset, still intact due to our unconscionable socio-economic inequalities and the inherited ethos of our caste system, consequently ensuring the raja-praja type of relationship thrives in different modern avatars. It is through the bridging of these inequalities that we can send dynasties packing, not through hurling blunted barbs at the Gandhis and others even though we are as guilty as they are. This article has been originally published in Fair Observer. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Critiquing Rahul Gandhi is like pot calling the dynasty black

<p>Yesterday it was declared that Rahul Gandhi will be the president of Congress party. Rahul Gandhi has submitted his application for the president&#39;s post. Top leaders and senior persons are blessing him. Congress supporters all over India are celebrating too. Rahul Gandhi himself went to Pranab Mukherjee&#39;s house to seek blessings. Senior members like Sushil Shinde and former chief minister of New Delhi, Sheila Dixit congratulated him. Former Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh also came to greet him.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>This shows that Rahul Gandhi is all set to be the president of the Congress party. You will be surprised to know that there is a committee also which has been set up for choosing the party president.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>On 5th December, the committee will check the enrolled names. Then it will be clear whether any other person is in the race or not. Then on the 16th, the voting will happen and on 19th the results will be out.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>But sources claim that the coronation ceremony will take place on 11th December itself as there is no scope for any other contender.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Party workers are very happy as they are considering Rahul Gandhi as the new hope and beginning of a new era. But amidst all of this, Manishankar Ayyar of Congress gave a controversial statement and mentioned about Jehangir,&nbsp; Shahjahan and Aurangzeb. After that Prime minister Narendra Modi compared Rahul Gandhi with Aurangzeb.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Again history has become very important for people. People are talking about Mughals and especially about Aurangzeb. Today&#39;s generation thinks whatever is written in the books is true.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>You must have heard the glorious sagas of the Mughal emperors from many intellectuals. Many people are talking about Mughal emperors and some of these intellectuals claim Akbar as the champion of secularism. They also say that during the reign of the Mughals, India became the &quot;golden bird&quot;. The economy was racing ahead, and Aurangzeb brought many changes for the betterment of the economy.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>While researching, we read M A Khan&#39;s book &quot;Islamic Jihad: A Legacy of Forced Conversion, Imperialism, and Slavery&quot;. He has written a lot about the Mughal empire. We also read a book by Fran&ccedil;ois Gautier &quot;Rewriting Indian History&quot;.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The most pertinent question is, was secularism introduced by Mughal emperor Akbar?</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>M A Khan has mentioned in his book that Akbar invaded Chittor in 1568 and killed almost 8000 Rajput soldiers. He forced all the widows to become the slaves but they refused and did Jauhar (Self-immolation) to save their honour. M A Khan has written a lot about Mughal cruelty.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>M A Khan has mentioned one book named &quot;Al-Tareekh&quot; by a historian Ibn Aksari. He cited that Aurangzeb used to give higher posts to the Hindu by changing their religion. If a Hindu prisoner showed readiness to change their religion then he used to release him.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the year 1658, Aurangzeb said he would give Rs 4&nbsp; to men and Rs 2&nbsp; to women if they change their religion.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>There were tax exemptions also for those who used to change their religion.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>On page 39, Fran&ccedil;ois Gautier has written in his book &quot;Rewriting Indian history&quot; that the temples were demolished and mosques were built in that place. The document written at the time of Aurangzeb has details that 63 temples were demolished. Abu Tarab was appointed for it and he used to look after the demolition.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the book &quot;The world Economy&quot; it is mentioned that in the Gupta empire, India&#39;s GDP was 30 per cent of world&#39;s GDP. During Aurangzeb&#39;s rule,&nbsp; India&#39;s GDP was 22.5 per cent.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gupta empire is 1300 years older than Mughal empire. That means India was quite a prosperous nation far before the Mughals came.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is unfortunate that when European countries are moving towards industrialisation, Indian politicians, in very similar ways to that of Aurangzeb, are making new policies to paint the country with communal colours.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).</em></p>


It is unfortunate that when European countries are moving towards industrialisation, Indian politicians, in very similar ways to that of Aurangzeb, are making new policies to paint the country with communal colours.

Yesterday it was declared that Rahul Gandhi will be the president of Congress party. Rahul Gandhi has submitted his application for the president's post. Top leaders and senior persons are blessing him. Congress supporters all over India are celebrating too. Rahul Gandhi himself went to Pranab Mukherjee's house to seek blessings. Senior members like Sushil Shinde and former chief minister of New Delhi, Sheila Dixit congratulated him. Former Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh also came to greet him. This shows that Rahul Gandhi is all set to be the president of the Congress party. You will be surprised to know that there is a committee also which has been set up for choosing the party president. On 5th December, the committee will check the enrolled names. Then it will be clear whether any other person is in the race or not. Then on the 16th, the voting will happen and on 19th the results will be out. But sources claim that the coronation ceremony will take place on 11th December itself as there is no scope for any other contender. Party workers are very happy as they are considering Rahul Gandhi as the new hope and beginning of a new era. But amidst all of this, Manishankar Ayyar of Congress gave a controversial statement and mentioned about Jehangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb. After that Prime minister Narendra Modi compared Rahul Gandhi with Aurangzeb. Again history has become very important for people. People are talking about Mughals and especially about Aurangzeb. Today's generation thinks whatever is written in the books is true. You must have heard the glorious sagas of the Mughal emperors from many intellectuals. Many people are talking about Mughal emperors and some of these intellectuals claim Akbar as the champion of secularism. They also say that during the reign of the Mughals, India became the "golden bird". The economy was racing ahead, and Aurangzeb brought many changes for the betterment of the economy. While researching, we read M A Khan's book "Islamic Jihad: A Legacy of Forced Conversion, Imperialism, and Slavery". He has written a lot about the Mughal empire. We also read a book by François Gautier "Rewriting Indian History". The most pertinent question is, was secularism introduced by Mughal emperor Akbar? M A Khan has mentioned in his book that Akbar invaded Chittor in 1568 and killed almost 8000 Rajput soldiers. He forced all the widows to become the slaves but they refused and did Jauhar (Self-immolation) to save their honour. M A Khan has written a lot about Mughal cruelty. M A Khan has mentioned one book named "Al-Tareekh" by a historian Ibn Aksari. He cited that Aurangzeb used to give higher posts to the Hindu by changing their religion. If a Hindu prisoner showed readiness to change their religion then he used to release him. In the year 1658, Aurangzeb said he would give Rs 4 to men and Rs 2 to women if they change their religion. There were tax exemptions also for those who used to change their religion. On page 39, François Gautier has written in his book "Rewriting Indian history" that the temples were demolished and mosques were built in that place. The document written at the time of Aurangzeb has details that 63 temples were demolished. Abu Tarab was appointed for it and he used to look after the demolition. In the book "The world Economy" it is mentioned that in the Gupta empire, India's GDP was 30 per cent of world's GDP. During Aurangzeb's rule, India's GDP was 22.5 per cent. Gupta empire is 1300 years older than Mughal empire. That means India was quite a prosperous nation far before the Mughals came. It is unfortunate that when European countries are moving towards industrialisation, Indian politicians, in very similar ways to that of Aurangzeb, are making new policies to paint the country with communal colours. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Rahul's coronation and not so glorious reign of Aurangzeb

<p>As the Gujarat elections draw closer, political parties and their leaders are tightening the noose on the competition.</p>

<p>In what can be suggested as a move to highlight escalating inflation under the rule of PM Modi&#39;s government, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi tweeted an image which he later deleted owing to its erroneous content.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The tweet contained mathematical figures comparing prices of some of the essential everyday commodities between years 2014 -- when general elections were last held -- and 2017, suggesting massive price rise and inflation. What went wrong? The math did!&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the figures tweeted, a gas cylinder cost Rs 414 in the year 2014 while it now comes for Rs 742 -- a spike of 79% which was quoted as a 179% increase in the figure tweeted by Office of Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/twitter.rahul%20(1)-20171205072747.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>The figures tweeted by Gandhi. He got all of them wrong. (ANI)</p>
</div>
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<p>And it went on; the price of pulses was quoted to have risen by 177 percent instead of 77 percent, tomatoes were 285 percent more expensive now instead of 185 percent while onions had gone up by 200 percent instead of 100 percent and milk by 131 percent instead of 31 percent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Lately, Rahul Gandhi has been seen posting a host of questions, demanding the Prime Minister address each; but the latest one in the series seems to have backfired.&nbsp;</p>


The tweet showed the increase in prices of essential commodities between 2014 and 2017

As the Gujarat elections draw closer, political parties and their leaders are tightening the noose on the competition. In what can be suggested as a move to highlight escalating inflation under the rule of PM Modi's government, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi tweeted an image which he later deleted owing to its erroneous content. The tweet contained mathematical figures comparing prices of some of the essential everyday commodities between years 2014 -- when general elections were last held -- and 2017, suggesting massive price rise and inflation. What went wrong? The math did! According to the figures tweeted, a gas cylinder cost Rs 414 in the year 2014 while it now comes for Rs 742 -- a spike of 79% which was quoted as a 179% increase in the figure tweeted by Office of Rahul Gandhi. The figures tweeted by Gandhi. He got all of them wrong. (ANI) × And it went on; the price of pulses was quoted to have risen by 177 percent instead of 77 percent, tomatoes were 285 percent more expensive now instead of 185 percent while onions had gone up by 200 percent instead of 100 percent and milk by 131 percent instead of 31 percent. Lately, Rahul Gandhi has been seen posting a host of questions, demanding the Prime Minister address each; but the latest one in the series seems to have backfired.

Gujarat elections: Rahul Gandhi gets math wrong, deletes tweet

<p>BJP President Amit Shah has asked&nbsp;Congress to clear their stand on temple issue after&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ayodhya-case-next-hearing-in-supreme-court-in-february-2018-25932" target="_blank">Kapil Sibal asked for a delay in Ramjanambhoomi case</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said at a point when Rahul&nbsp;Gandhi is visiting temples in Gujarat, Kapil Sibal is asking for a delay in Ram Janambhoomi case.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, &quot; Today a surprising stand was taken in Supreme Court by Congress leader and Sunni Waqf Board lawyer Kapil Sibal Ji, he said hearing should be deferred till&nbsp;2019 LS polls. Congress should clear its stand on this.&quot;&nbsp; &quot;Rahul Ji should tell us what is his view on this.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rahul ji is visiting temples in Gujarat but on the other hand Kapil Sibal is being used to delay Ram janmbhoomi case. Rahul ji should tell us what his view on this is: Amit Shah <a href="https://t.co/dDwuV1YfXl">pic.twitter.com/dDwuV1YfXl</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938020019715186688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Senior advocate Kapil Sibal who is representing the Sunni Waqf Board in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/a-wion-perspective-ayodhyas-temple-of-harmony-7163" target="_blank">Ayodhya Babri Masjid case</a>&nbsp;has asked the Supreme Court&nbsp;to take up the matter on July 15, 2019 once all the pleadings are complete.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>He told the Supreme Court that serious repercussions will be created outside the court, whenever the matter is heard. To preserve the decorum of law and order, the court should conduct the proceedings after all pleadings are complete.&nbsp;</p>


BJP President Amit Shah has asked?Congress to clear his stand on temple issue after?Kapil Sibal asked for a delay in Ramjanambhoomi case

BJP President Amit Shah has asked Congress to clear their stand on temple issue after Kapil Sibal asked for a delay in Ramjanambhoomi case. He said at a point when Rahul Gandhi is visiting temples in Gujarat, Kapil Sibal is asking for a delay in Ram Janambhoomi case. He said, " Today a surprising stand was taken in Supreme Court by Congress leader and Sunni Waqf Board lawyer Kapil Sibal Ji, he said hearing should be deferred till 2019 LS polls. Congress should clear its stand on this." "Rahul Ji should tell us what is his view on this." Rahul ji is visiting temples in Gujarat but on the other hand Kapil Sibal is being used to delay Ram janmbhoomi case. Rahul ji should tell us what his view on this is: Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/dDwuV1YfXl — ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2017 × Senior advocate Kapil Sibal who is representing the Sunni Waqf Board in Ayodhya Babri Masjid case has asked the Supreme Court to take up the matter on July 15, 2019 once all the pleadings are complete. He told the Supreme Court that serious repercussions will be created outside the court, whenever the matter is heard. To preserve the decorum of law and order, the court should conduct the proceedings after all pleadings are complete.

Clear your stand on temple issue: Amit Shah to Rahul Gandhi

<p>Former Prime Minister and Congress leader Manmohan Singh on Monday called Congress president in the waiting, Rahul Gandhi, &quot;darling&quot; of the party and will carry forward the &quot;great traditions&quot; of the Congress.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Rahul Gandhi is a darling of the Congress and he will carry forward the great traditions of the party,&quot; the former Prime Minister was quoted as saying after Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination papers for the party&#39;s top post.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress President Sonia Gandhi has served the party for over 19 years, he said and added: &quot;So it will be yet another chapter for the party and Rahul Gandhi will carry on the great traditions of taking the party forward.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Over 90 sets of nominations are expected to be filed supporting Gandhi whose election is a mere formality now, as there is no other candidate for the party&#39;s top post.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gandhi will succeed his mother Sonia Gandhi, the longest-serving Congress chief who has helmed the party since 1998.&nbsp;</p>


Gandhi will succeed his mother Sonia Gandhi, the longest-serving Congress chief who has helmed the party since 1998

Former Prime Minister and Congress leader Manmohan Singh on Monday called Congress president in the waiting, Rahul Gandhi, "darling" of the party and will carry forward the "great traditions" of the Congress. "Rahul Gandhi is a darling of the Congress and he will carry forward the great traditions of the party," the former Prime Minister was quoted as saying after Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination papers for the party's top post. The Congress President Sonia Gandhi has served the party for over 19 years, he said and added: "So it will be yet another chapter for the party and Rahul Gandhi will carry on the great traditions of taking the party forward." Over 90 sets of nominations are expected to be filed supporting Gandhi whose election is a mere formality now, as there is no other candidate for the party's top post. Gandhi will succeed his mother Sonia Gandhi, the longest-serving Congress chief who has helmed the party since 1998.

Rahul Gandhi darling of Congress: Manmohan Singh

<p><br />
&quot;I congratulate the Congress on their &#39;Aurangzeb Raj&#39;,&quot; Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Gujarat on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;For us, the well being of the people matters and 125 crore Indians are our high command,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi was campaigning in Valsad&#39;s Dharampur for the upcoming Gujarat elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-files-nomination-for-congress-president-amarinder-singh-says-will-make-very-good-prime-minister-25796" target="_blank">Rahul Gandhi files nomination for Congress president, Amarinder Singh says &#39;will make very good prime minister&#39;</a></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mani Shankar Aiyar said that &#39;did elections happen during Mughal rule? After Jehangir, Shahjahan came, was any election held? After Shahjahan it was understood Aurangzeb will be the leader&#39;. So Congress accepts its a family party? We don&#39;t want this Aurangzeb rule: PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/8gF08GiSRI">pic.twitter.com/8gF08GiSRI</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937580342973685760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p>Modi also referred to Rahul Gandhi&#39;s temple visits in Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Earlier, Congress would go out of the way to show their secularism but now we are all seeing what they are doing in this election, where they are going,&quot; Modi said. &nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Unfortunately for them, Muslims know their real nature,&quot; Modi added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also accused the Opposition of spreading &quot;disinformation&quot; against the BJP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Disinformation like BJP does this and that against Muslims has been spread. This family party made it their main agenda to spread disinformation about BJP.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;But Gujarat people are not so naive, they have now become sensitive and aware to disinformation,&quot; Modi added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also said that the &quot;Congress cannot either tolerate or accept leaders from Gujarat&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;They have always defamed Gujarat,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>


'For us, the well being of the people matters and 125 crore Indians are our high command,' Modi added

"I congratulate the Congress on their 'Aurangzeb Raj'," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Gujarat on Monday. "For us, the well being of the people matters and 125 crore Indians are our high command," he added. Modi was campaigning in Valsad's Dharampur for the upcoming Gujarat elections. Also read: Rahul Gandhi files nomination for Congress president, Amarinder Singh says 'will make very good prime minister' Mani Shankar Aiyar said that 'did elections happen during Mughal rule? After Jehangir, Shahjahan came, was any election held? After Shahjahan it was understood Aurangzeb will be the leader'. So Congress accepts its a family party? We don't want this Aurangzeb rule: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/8gF08GiSRI — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × Modi also referred to Rahul Gandhi's temple visits in Gujarat. "Earlier, Congress would go out of the way to show their secularism but now we are all seeing what they are doing in this election, where they are going," Modi said. "Unfortunately for them, Muslims know their real nature," Modi added. He also accused the Opposition of spreading "disinformation" against the BJP. "Disinformation like BJP does this and that against Muslims has been spread. This family party made it their main agenda to spread disinformation about BJP." "But Gujarat people are not so naive, they have now become sensitive and aware to disinformation," Modi added. He also said that the "Congress cannot either tolerate or accept leaders from Gujarat". "They have always defamed Gujarat," he added.

I congratulate Congress on their 'Aurangzeb Raj': PM Modi in Gujarat

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination for the post of the party&#39;s president today morning.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi: Rahul Gandhi at AICC HQ,files nomination for Congress President <a href="https://t.co/QUHFFtHNXb">pic.twitter.com/QUHFFtHNXb</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937550447455301633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rahul Gandhi with Dr.Manmohan Singh and other senior party leaders at AICC HQ after filing nomination <a href="https://t.co/ilzQEu68tH">pic.twitter.com/ilzQEu68tH</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937552314637869056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi: Rahul Gandhi with senior party leaders Mohsina Kidwai and Sheila Dikshit after filing nomination for Congress President <a href="https://t.co/bxVrQRkM9S">pic.twitter.com/bxVrQRkM9S</a></p>
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<p><br />
The Congress vice-president&nbsp;is likely to step into the shoes of his mother Sonia Gandhi who who has been holding the post of Congress president for nearly two decades.</p>

<p>Today is the last day for the filing of nominations, the process for which began on Friday. Rahul is expected to run unopposed for the post of the party chief. However, the news can only be confirmed once&nbsp;the names of contenders are published on Tuesday&nbsp;after scrutiny of nominations.</p>

<p>Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh said he thought Rahul Gandhi would make a &quot;very good prime minister&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;If you ask me, I think he will make a very good Prime Minister,&quot;&nbsp;Captain Amarinder Singh told ANI.</p>

<p>Former prime minister Manmohan Singh was equally effusive in his praise, calling Rahul Gandhi the &quot;darling of the Congress&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;Rahul Gandhi is a darling of the Congress and he will carry forward the great traditions of the party,&quot; the former prime minister said.</p>

<p>Rahul&#39;s nomination comes amid a much-publicised discord.</p>

<p>Former Maharashtra Congress secretary&nbsp;Shehzad Poonawalla&nbsp;today called the election an eyewash.</p>

<p>&quot;My sources are telling me that there is talk among the courtiers that a dummy candidate should be brought in so that this looks like an election. However, now they cannot throw dust in the eyes of the people,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Shehzad Poonawalla had recently alleged that the party&#39;s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-office-insulted-me-shehzad-poonawala-25756">presidential elections were rigged</a>.</p>

<p>He had&nbsp;said that they are a &quot;selection&quot;, not an &quot;election&quot; and claimed that he has information that the delegates who will vote in the election for the post of party president had been appointed for their loyalty.</p>

<p>On November 20, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi the Congress party president.</p>

<p>The party has set December 16 as the date of polls -- &quot;if necessary&quot;. That is if there is any candidate other than Gandhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on December 19.</p>

<p>If there is no candidate other than Rahul Gandhi, the Congress will declare him president of the party on the last date of scrutiny.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from ANI</em>)</p>


The Congress vice-president?is likely to step into the shoes of his mother Sonia Gandhi who who has been holding the post pf Congress president for nearly two decades

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi filed his nomination for the post of the party's president today morning. Delhi: Rahul Gandhi at AICC HQ,files nomination for Congress President pic.twitter.com/QUHFFtHNXb — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × Rahul Gandhi with Dr.Manmohan Singh and other senior party leaders at AICC HQ after filing nomination pic.twitter.com/ilzQEu68tH — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × Delhi: Rahul Gandhi with senior party leaders Mohsina Kidwai and Sheila Dikshit after filing nomination for Congress President pic.twitter.com/bxVrQRkM9S — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × The Congress vice-president is likely to step into the shoes of his mother Sonia Gandhi who who has been holding the post of Congress president for nearly two decades. Today is the last day for the filing of nominations, the process for which began on Friday. Rahul is expected to run unopposed for the post of the party chief. However, the news can only be confirmed once the names of contenders are published on Tuesday after scrutiny of nominations. Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh said he thought Rahul Gandhi would make a "very good prime minister". "If you ask me, I think he will make a very good Prime Minister," Captain Amarinder Singh told ANI. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh was equally effusive in his praise, calling Rahul Gandhi the "darling of the Congress". "Rahul Gandhi is a darling of the Congress and he will carry forward the great traditions of the party," the former prime minister said. Rahul's nomination comes amid a much-publicised discord. Former Maharashtra Congress secretary Shehzad Poonawalla today called the election an eyewash. "My sources are telling me that there is talk among the courtiers that a dummy candidate should be brought in so that this looks like an election. However, now they cannot throw dust in the eyes of the people," he said. Shehzad Poonawalla had recently alleged that the party's presidential elections were rigged. He had said that they are a "selection", not an "election" and claimed that he has information that the delegates who will vote in the election for the post of party president had been appointed for their loyalty. On November 20, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi the Congress party president. The party has set December 16 as the date of polls -- "if necessary". That is if there is any candidate other than Gandhi. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on December 19. If there is no candidate other than Rahul Gandhi, the Congress will declare him president of the party on the last date of scrutiny. (With inputs from ANI)

Rahul Gandhi files nomination for Congress president, Amarinder Singh says 'will make very good prime minister'

<p>Tributes poured in from prime minister, finance minister, home minister and several other senior political leaders and film personalities to veteran Bollywood superstar Shashi Kapoor who died aged 79 on Monday.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi showered praise on the actor&#39;s acting ability and said &#39;&#39;his brilliant acting will be remembered for generations to come. Saddened by his demise&#39;&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Shashi Kapoor&#39;s versatility could be seen in his movies as well as in theatre, which he promoted with great passion. His brilliant acting will be remembered for generations to come. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers.</p>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/937673001390059520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Home Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the inimitable mannerism of the veteran actor and said &quot;Sashi Kapoor charmed a generation of Indians&#39;&#39;.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor,&nbsp; I&amp;B Minister Smriti Irani&nbsp;also paid rich tributes to the veteran actor.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">With his impressive talent and inimitable mannerism actor Shashi Kapoor charmed a generation of Indians. He was a fine actor and a wonderful human being. Saddened to learn of his demise. May his soul rest in peace.</p>
&mdash; Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/937667705661882368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Condolences on the sad demise of veteran actor <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShashiKapoor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShashiKapoor</a> ji. He was a towering personality of the silver screen &amp; known for his impeccable acting across the world. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family. May the departed soul rest in peace.</p>
&mdash; Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) <a href="https://twitter.com/arunjaitley/status/937682475668594688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I feel a part of me is gone. A great actor, smart, cosmopolitan, impossibly handsome &amp; w/a name that was often confused w/mine. (My office got two calls from journalists today about my reportedly serious ill-health!) I will miss <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShashiKapoor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShashiKapoor</a>. Condolences2his family&amp;all his fans <a href="https://t.co/fSz3jafPZJ">pic.twitter.com/fSz3jafPZJ</a></p>
&mdash; Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/937669513214009344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Saddened by the demise of legendary actor Shashi Kapoor ji. His contribution to Indian Cinema is monumental. Shashi ji&rsquo;s passing away marks the end of an era. My deepest condolences to his loved ones, colleagues and fans. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti!</p>
&mdash; Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) <a href="https://twitter.com/smritiirani/status/937669702079451136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A legend has passed away. Shashi Kapoor will remain in our hearts forever. My condolences to his loved ones and all his fans. <a href="https://t.co/OmLvtvYZtb">pic.twitter.com/OmLvtvYZtb</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/937687437828022277?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor paid tributes

Tributes poured in from prime minister, finance minister, home minister and several other senior political leaders and film personalities to veteran Bollywood superstar Shashi Kapoor who died aged 79 on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi showered praise on the actor's acting ability and said ''his brilliant acting will be remembered for generations to come. Saddened by his demise''. Shashi Kapoor's versatility could be seen in his movies as well as in theatre, which he promoted with great passion. His brilliant acting will be remembered for generations to come. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 4, 2017 × Home Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the inimitable mannerism of the veteran actor and said "Sashi Kapoor charmed a generation of Indians''. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, I&B Minister Smriti Irani also paid rich tributes to the veteran actor. With his impressive talent and inimitable mannerism actor Shashi Kapoor charmed a generation of Indians. He was a fine actor and a wonderful human being. Saddened to learn of his demise. May his soul rest in peace. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 4, 2017 × Condolences on the sad demise of veteran actor #ShashiKapoor ji. He was a towering personality of the silver screen & known for his impeccable acting across the world. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family. May the departed soul rest in peace. — Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) December 4, 2017 × I feel a part of me is gone. A great actor, smart, cosmopolitan, impossibly handsome & w/a name that was often confused w/mine. (My office got two calls from journalists today about my reportedly serious ill-health!) I will miss #ShashiKapoor. Condolences2his family&all his fans pic.twitter.com/fSz3jafPZJ — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 4, 2017 × Saddened by the demise of legendary actor Shashi Kapoor ji. His contribution to Indian Cinema is monumental. Shashi ji’s passing away marks the end of an era. My deepest condolences to his loved ones, colleagues and fans. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti! — Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) December 4, 2017 × A legend has passed away. Shashi Kapoor will remain in our hearts forever. My condolences to his loved ones and all his fans. pic.twitter.com/OmLvtvYZtb — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 4, 2017 ×

Shashi Kapoor's demise: Modi, Rahul pay tribute

<p>BJP President Amit Shah told Rahul Gandhi on Sunday to &quot;please&nbsp;respect the honour and valour of our jawans guarding the borders&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shah, who was campaigning in Mahuva, Gujarat, said the Congress vice-president had asked for proof after the surgical strike carried out by the army in Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;He (Rahul Gandhi) was asking, who saw the surgical strikes taking place?&quot; said Shah.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Rahul bhai, please respect the honour and valour of our jawans guarding the borders,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">When Uri terror attack took place, anger was brewing in the entire nation.<br />
Everyone thought PM would give a statement&amp; things will get over but this time it wasn&#39;t the government of Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh rather it was a govt chosen by you: Amit Shah in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>&#39;s Mahuva <a href="https://t.co/6uco6zh7hb">pic.twitter.com/6uco6zh7hb</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937245797397098496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Within ten days Indian Army went to Pakistan, took revenge &amp; came back.Pak was left red faced&amp; Rahul Gandhi was demanding proof. He was asking, who saw the surgical strikes taking place? Rahul Bhai, please respect the honour and valour of our jawans guarding the borders:Amit Shah <a href="https://t.co/bsIe0EqWAg">pic.twitter.com/bsIe0EqWAg</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937246142026301440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>This was not the first attack on Gandhi on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had reacted to Rahul&#39;s &quot;development has gone mad&quot; comment by saying&nbsp;&quot;unke dimaag par taras aata hai&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;Development can slow down, it can speed up, it can stop, but does it ever go mad?&quot; Singh had said. Adding,&nbsp;&quot;And what do you call someone who says that?&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unke-dimaag-par-taras-aata-hai-rajnath-singh-on-rahul-gandhis-development-has-gone-mad-remark-25734" target="_blank">&#39;Unke </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unke-dimaag-par-taras-aata-hai-rajnath-singh-on-rahul-gandhis-development-has-gone-mad-remark-25734" target="_blank">dimaag</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unke-dimaag-par-taras-aata-hai-rajnath-singh-on-rahul-gandhis-development-has-gone-mad-remark-25734" target="_blank"> par </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unke-dimaag-par-taras-aata-hai-rajnath-singh-on-rahul-gandhis-development-has-gone-mad-remark-25734" target="_blank">taras</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unke-dimaag-par-taras-aata-hai-rajnath-singh-on-rahul-gandhis-development-has-gone-mad-remark-25734" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unke-dimaag-par-taras-aata-hai-rajnath-singh-on-rahul-gandhis-development-has-gone-mad-remark-25734" target="_blank">aata</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/unke-dimaag-par-taras-aata-hai-rajnath-singh-on-rahul-gandhis-development-has-gone-mad-remark-25734" target="_blank"> hai&#39;: Rajnath Singh on Rahul Gandhi&#39;s &#39;development has gone mad&#39; remark</a></p>

<p>Gandhi had himself on Sunday accused the BJP government of not providing the women of poll-bound Gujarat with security, education, or nutrition.</p>

<p>Gujarat goes to the polls on December 9 and 14.&nbsp;</p>


Shah said Rahul Gandhi had asked for proof of the 'surgical strike'

BJP President Amit Shah told Rahul Gandhi on Sunday to "please respect the honour and valour of our jawans guarding the borders". Shah, who was campaigning in Mahuva, Gujarat, said the Congress vice-president had asked for proof after the surgical strike carried out by the army in Pakistan. "He (Rahul Gandhi) was asking, who saw the surgical strikes taking place?" said Shah. "Rahul bhai, please respect the honour and valour of our jawans guarding the borders," he added. When Uri terror attack took place, anger was brewing in the entire nation. Everyone thought PM would give a statement& things will get over but this time it wasn't the government of Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh rather it was a govt chosen by you: Amit Shah in #Gujarat's Mahuva pic.twitter.com/6uco6zh7hb — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Within ten days Indian Army went to Pakistan, took revenge & came back.Pak was left red faced& Rahul Gandhi was demanding proof. He was asking, who saw the surgical strikes taking place? Rahul Bhai, please respect the honour and valour of our jawans guarding the borders:Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/bsIe0EqWAg — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × This was not the first attack on Gandhi on Sunday. Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had reacted to Rahul's "development has gone mad" comment by saying "unke dimaag par taras aata hai". "Development can slow down, it can speed up, it can stop, but does it ever go mad?" Singh had said. Adding, "And what do you call someone who says that?" 'Unke dimaag par taras aata hai': Rajnath Singh on Rahul Gandhi's 'development has gone mad' remark Gandhi had himself on Sunday accused the BJP government of not providing the women of poll-bound Gujarat with security, education, or nutrition. Gujarat goes to the polls on December 9 and 14.

Rahul bhai, please respect honour & valour of jawans guarding borders: Amit Shah

<p>Reacting to Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi&#39;s remark that &quot;development has gone mad&quot;, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday that &quot;unke dimaag par taras aata hai&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;Development can slow down,&nbsp;it can speed up, it can stop, but does it ever go mad?&quot; Singh said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;And what do you call someone who says that?&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Rahul kehte hain vikas pagal ho gaya hai. Mujhe unke dimag par taras aata hai. Vikas kabhi dhima ho sakta hai, kabhi tez ho sakta hai, kabhi ruk sakta hai, par vikas pagal bhi kabhi hota hai? Koi yeh keh de ki ye pagal hai to ye kehne waale ko kya kaha jaaye?: Rajnath Singh <a href="https://t.co/Ju0TDBsF8D">pic.twitter.com/Ju0TDBsF8D</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937216474589958144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Gandhi had made his remark in October.</p>

<p>He had also said the &quot;Gujarat model&quot; -- which has been accused of creating high growth but not jobs -- is a failure.</p>

<p>Rajnath, who was addressing a rally in Chaurasi, Gujarat on Sunday, also accused the Congress of playing divisive politics for the sake of votes.</p>

<p>&quot;A terrorist has no religion, but for votes, they (Congress) want to divide the people on the basis of caste and religion, so that they may form a government,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Aatankvadi aatankwadi hota hai, na Hindu hota hai, na Musalman hota hai, na Isai hota hai, uska koi mazhab nahi hota. Lekin keval vote ke chakkar mein jaat-paat mazhab ke aadhar par baant ke ye sarkaar banana chahte hain: Rajnath Singh on Congress <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GujaratElection2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GujaratElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/3KySy20o8S">pic.twitter.com/3KySy20o8S</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937214654182387712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Gandhi meanwhile had on Sunday blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi&nbsp;of not providing the women of poll-bound Gujarat with security, education, or nutrition.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">22 ????? ?? ?????,<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%87_%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#??????_?????_????</a><br />
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???? ???? ?? ??? ???? ?? ?????? <a href="https://t.co/yXvCRbxsXW">pic.twitter.com/yXvCRbxsXW</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/937141069191438337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>A political slugfest has erupted ahead of the Gujarat elections -- the state goes to the polls on December 9 and 14 -- with the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party attacking each other over several issues like development in Gujarat, demonetisation, and the Goods and Services Tax (GST).</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was addressing a rallyin Chaurasia, Gujarat

Reacting to Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi's remark that "development has gone mad", Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday that "unke dimaag par taras aata hai". "Development can slow down, it can speed up, it can stop, but does it ever go mad?" Singh said. "And what do you call someone who says that?" he added. Rahul kehte hain vikas pagal ho gaya hai. Mujhe unke dimag par taras aata hai. Vikas kabhi dhima ho sakta hai, kabhi tez ho sakta hai, kabhi ruk sakta hai, par vikas pagal bhi kabhi hota hai? Koi yeh keh de ki ye pagal hai to ye kehne waale ko kya kaha jaaye?: Rajnath Singh pic.twitter.com/Ju0TDBsF8D — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Gandhi had made his remark in October. He had also said the "Gujarat model" -- which has been accused of creating high growth but not jobs -- is a failure. Rajnath, who was addressing a rally in Chaurasi, Gujarat on Sunday, also accused the Congress of playing divisive politics for the sake of votes. "A terrorist has no religion, but for votes, they (Congress) want to divide the people on the basis of caste and religion, so that they may form a government," he said. Aatankvadi aatankwadi hota hai, na Hindu hota hai, na Musalman hota hai, na Isai hota hai, uska koi mazhab nahi hota. Lekin keval vote ke chakkar mein jaat-paat mazhab ke aadhar par baant ke ye sarkaar banana chahte hain: Rajnath Singh on Congress #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/3KySy20o8S — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Gandhi meanwhile had on Sunday blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not providing the women of poll-bound Gujarat with security, education, or nutrition. 22 ????? ?? ?????,#??????_?????_???? ??????????????- 5??? ????: ? ???????, ? ??????, ? ????, ??????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ????, ????????? ????? ?? ???, ???? ?? ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ????, ???? ???? ?? ??? ???? ?? ?????? pic.twitter.com/yXvCRbxsXW — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 3, 2017 × A political slugfest has erupted ahead of the Gujarat elections -- the state goes to the polls on December 9 and 14 -- with the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party attacking each other over several issues like development in Gujarat, demonetisation, and the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

'Unke dimaag par taras aata hai': Rajnath Singh on Rahul Gandhi's 'development has gone mad' remark

<p>The Janata Dal (United) on Sunday ridiculed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its chief Amit Shah and said the party should bring an amendment in the constitution following which an individual will be certified as a Hindu.</p>

<p>&quot;Mr. Amit Shah and the BJP should bring an amendment to the constitution which says in order to qualify to be a Hindu every claimant must visit temples at this frequency per day, per week, per month, per year. Only then will Mr. Amit Shah certify if one is a Hindu or not,&quot; JDU leader Pavan Varma told ANI.</p>

<p>A heated controversy on religion emerged after the BJP raised a question on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi after his name was allegedly listed as a non-Hindu visitor in the visitor-book during his visit at Gujarat&#39;s Somnath Temple.</p>

<p>The controversy started when party&#39;s media coordinator Manoj Tyagi allegedly entered names of Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Ahmed Patel in the special register for non-Hindus visiting the temple.</p>

<p>Later, Rahul Gandhi had said his family is devotee of Lord Shiva, but does not believe in using it for political gain.The Congress also issued a clarification on Twitter saying, &quot;There is only one visitor&#39;s book at Somnath Temple that was signed by Congress VP Rahul Gandhi. Any other image being circulated is fabricated. Desperate times call for desperate measures.&#39;&#39;</p>


The Janata Dal (United) on Sunday ridiculed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its chief Amit Shah and said the party should bring an amendment in the constitution following which an individual will be certified as a Hindu

The Janata Dal (United) on Sunday ridiculed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its chief Amit Shah and said the party should bring an amendment in the constitution following which an individual will be certified as a Hindu. "Mr. Amit Shah and the BJP should bring an amendment to the constitution which says in order to qualify to be a Hindu every claimant must visit temples at this frequency per day, per week, per month, per year. Only then will Mr. Amit Shah certify if one is a Hindu or not," JDU leader Pavan Varma told ANI. A heated controversy on religion emerged after the BJP raised a question on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi after his name was allegedly listed as a non-Hindu visitor in the visitor-book during his visit at Gujarat's Somnath Temple. The controversy started when party's media coordinator Manoj Tyagi allegedly entered names of Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Ahmed Patel in the special register for non-Hindus visiting the temple. Later, Rahul Gandhi had said his family is devotee of Lord Shiva, but does not believe in using it for political gain.The Congress also issued a clarification on Twitter saying, "There is only one visitor's book at Somnath Temple that was signed by Congress VP Rahul Gandhi. Any other image being circulated is fabricated. Desperate times call for desperate measures.''

JDU takes on BJP over Rahul Gandhi temple entry row

<p>The women got neither safety, nor education or nutrition, but only exploitation, Rahul Gandhi tweeted on Sunday.</p>

<p>&quot;The women got neither safety, nor education or nutrition, but only exploitation. From Anganwadi to ASHA workers, everyone was disappointed. Only promises were made to the women of Gujarat and it was never their intention to fulfil them,&quot; Gandhi asked his fifth question in his &quot;a question a day&quot; series with a tweet in the run-up to Gujarat assembly elections and demanded answers over the alleged failure of the Modi-led government in fulfilling the promises.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">22 ????? ?? ?????,<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%87_%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#??????_?????_????</a><br />
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??????????????- 5??? ????:<br />
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? ???????, ? ??????, ? ????,<br />
??????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ????,<br />
????????? ????? ?? ???,<br />
???? ?? ?? ???????<br />
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?????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ????,<br />
???? ???? ?? ??? ???? ?? ?????? <a href="https://t.co/yXvCRbxsXW">pic.twitter.com/yXvCRbxsXW</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/937141069191438337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Congress vice-president also tagged a picture carrying statistics on women safety, education and health.</p>

<p>&quot;Why is Gujarat ranked 3rd in women trafficking, 5th in acid attacks and 10th in the rape of minor girls...Why are the two most important cities, Ahmedabad and Surat, ranked among the top ten in crime against women in India?&quot; it claimed.</p>

<p>&quot;Why does Gujarat lag behind at 20th place in girl child education? Why has female literacy rate dropped from 70.3 per cent to 57.8 between 2001 to 2011? Why has maternal mortality rate risen to 85, putting the state at number 11 in 15 states in reduction of MMR,&quot; it asked.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Launching a counter-attack, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi alleged that the questions showed the &quot;feudal fantasy&quot; of the Congress.</p>

<p>Hitting back, Naqvi alleged, &quot;Those who cannot differentiate between &#39;burger and baingan (brinjal)&#39;, &#39;pyaz (onion) and pizza&#39; and &#39;cake and banana&#39; are trying to become &#39;champion of questions&#39;. This is the Congress&#39; feudal fantasy.&quot;</p>

<p>Congress spokesperson Suhmita Dev later claimed that none of the top BJP leaders had any answers to the questions raised by Gandhi.</p>

<p>He said the Congress was contesting this election for the betterment of Gujarat and of its people, including women, youth and the poor.&nbsp;</p>


The Congress vice-president also tagged a picture carrying statistics on women safety, education and health.

The women got neither safety, nor education or nutrition, but only exploitation, Rahul Gandhi tweeted on Sunday. "The women got neither safety, nor education or nutrition, but only exploitation. From Anganwadi to ASHA workers, everyone was disappointed. Only promises were made to the women of Gujarat and it was never their intention to fulfil them," Gandhi asked his fifth question in his "a question a day" series with a tweet in the run-up to Gujarat assembly elections and demanded answers over the alleged failure of the Modi-led government in fulfilling the promises. 22 ????? ?? ?????,#??????_?????_???? ??????????????- 5??? ????: ? ???????, ? ??????, ? ????, ??????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ????, ????????? ????? ?? ???, ???? ?? ?? ??????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ?????? ????, ???? ???? ?? ??? ???? ?? ?????? pic.twitter.com/yXvCRbxsXW — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 3, 2017 × The Congress vice-president also tagged a picture carrying statistics on women safety, education and health. "Why is Gujarat ranked 3rd in women trafficking, 5th in acid attacks and 10th in the rape of minor girls...Why are the two most important cities, Ahmedabad and Surat, ranked among the top ten in crime against women in India?" it claimed. "Why does Gujarat lag behind at 20th place in girl child education? Why has female literacy rate dropped from 70.3 per cent to 57.8 between 2001 to 2011? Why has maternal mortality rate risen to 85, putting the state at number 11 in 15 states in reduction of MMR," it asked. Launching a counter-attack, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi alleged that the questions showed the "feudal fantasy" of the Congress. Hitting back, Naqvi alleged, "Those who cannot differentiate between 'burger and baingan (brinjal)', 'pyaz (onion) and pizza' and 'cake and banana' are trying to become 'champion of questions'. This is the Congress' feudal fantasy." Congress spokesperson Suhmita Dev later claimed that none of the top BJP leaders had any answers to the questions raised by Gandhi. He said the Congress was contesting this election for the betterment of Gujarat and of its people, including women, youth and the poor.

'Why Gujarat ranked 5th in acid attacks and 10th in rape of minor girls', Rahul Gandhi asks Modi

<p>Former Maharashtra Congress Secretary&nbsp;Shehzad Poonawala said on Sunday that the office of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had insulted him.</p>

<p>He said he had called Rahul Gandhi&#39;s office to &quot;ask him for his time&quot; but that Gandhi&#39;s office insulted him.</p>

<p>Poonawala said he had wanted to meet Gandhi to show him proof that the Congress presidential elections were rigged.</p>

<p>Poonawal said he wanted to meet Rahul Gandhi before he files his nomination. The last day for the filing of nominations is December 4.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today morning, I called Rahul Gandhi&#39;s office to ask him for his time so I could give him the proof that it was a rigged election before he files nomination tomorrow. so. he has some morality&amp; stops process and takes right decision but his office insulted me: Shehzad Poonawalla <a href="https://t.co/Y7EhADZtpp">pic.twitter.com/Y7EhADZtpp</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937273853360742400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Poonawala added that &quot;if Sardar Patel was insulted by (the) Congress leadership back then, then I feel the same way today.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If Sardar Patel was insulted by Congress leadership back then, then I feel the same way today.When I raised my voice to end dynasty politics&amp;election for Pres post&amp;,not coronation of Rahul Gandhi,then they (Congress)said I was not member.I proved that they lied:Shehzad Poonawalla <a href="https://t.co/TZKffcfmPP">pic.twitter.com/TZKffcfmPP</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937272474856652801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Till three days ago, I had been receiving communication from Maharashtra Congress office, now they are saying I am not a party member. I had to become a whistle-blower: Shehzad Poonawalla <a href="https://t.co/xVwxzTNxQE">pic.twitter.com/xVwxzTNxQE</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937291394971922432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Poonawalla has earlier alleged that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-as-congress-president-elections-rigged-says-maharashtra-congress-secretary-25485" target="_blank">elections for the post of Congress party president was &quot;rigged&quot;</a>.</p>

<p>He has said that they are a &quot;selection&quot;, not an &quot;election&quot;.</p>

<p>Poonawalla has claimed that he has information that the delegates who will vote in the election for the post of party president had been appointed for their loyalty.</p>

<p>On November 20, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi the Congress party president.</p>

<p>The party has set December 16 as the date of polls -- &quot;if necessary&quot;. That is if there is any candidate other than Gandhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on December 19.</p>

<p>The last date of filing of nominations is December 4.</p>

<p>The scrutiny of nominations will take place on December 5.</p>

<p>If there&nbsp;is no candidate other than Rahul Gandhi, the Congress will declare him president of the party on the last date of scrutiny.</p>


Shehzad Poonawala said he called Gandhi's office to 'ask him for his time' but that his office insulted him

Former Maharashtra Congress Secretary Shehzad Poonawala said on Sunday that the office of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had insulted him. He said he had called Rahul Gandhi's office to "ask him for his time" but that Gandhi's office insulted him. Poonawala said he had wanted to meet Gandhi to show him proof that the Congress presidential elections were rigged. Poonawal said he wanted to meet Rahul Gandhi before he files his nomination. The last day for the filing of nominations is December 4. Today morning, I called Rahul Gandhi's office to ask him for his time so I could give him the proof that it was a rigged election before he files nomination tomorrow. so. he has some morality& stops process and takes right decision but his office insulted me: Shehzad Poonawalla pic.twitter.com/Y7EhADZtpp — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Poonawala added that "if Sardar Patel was insulted by (the) Congress leadership back then, then I feel the same way today." If Sardar Patel was insulted by Congress leadership back then, then I feel the same way today.When I raised my voice to end dynasty politics&election for Pres post&,not coronation of Rahul Gandhi,then they (Congress)said I was not member.I proved that they lied:Shehzad Poonawalla pic.twitter.com/TZKffcfmPP — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Till three days ago, I had been receiving communication from Maharashtra Congress office, now they are saying I am not a party member. I had to become a whistle-blower: Shehzad Poonawalla pic.twitter.com/xVwxzTNxQE — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Poonawalla has earlier alleged that the elections for the post of Congress party president was "rigged". He has said that they are a "selection", not an "election". Poonawalla has claimed that he has information that the delegates who will vote in the election for the post of party president had been appointed for their loyalty. On November 20, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi the Congress party president. The party has set December 16 as the date of polls -- "if necessary". That is if there is any candidate other than Gandhi. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on December 19. The last date of filing of nominations is December 4. The scrutiny of nominations will take place on December 5. If there is no candidate other than Rahul Gandhi, the Congress will declare him president of the party on the last date of scrutiny.

Rahul Gandhi's office insulted me: Ex-Maharashtra Congress secretary

<p>Countering Maharashtra Congress Secretary Shehzad Poonawalla&#39;s allegations that election&nbsp;for the post of Congress party president is &quot;rigged&quot;, Congress Karnataka&nbsp;chief,&nbsp;Dinesh Gundu&nbsp;Rao on Saturday said Congress is the only party which conducted an election for the post of president.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Poonawalla had earlier sarcastically remarked that the upcoming presidential election in the Congress party was a &quot;selection&quot; rather than an &quot;election&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;The upcoming Congress president election is a selection and not an election. It&#39;s a sham election process,&quot; Poonawalla had said and added that&nbsp;he had information that the delegates who would vote for party president had been appointed for their loyalty. He also suggested that there should be one ticket in one family.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In response to these allegations, Gundu&nbsp;Rao defended his party&#39;s&nbsp;stand and said, &quot; Congress is the only party which had polls for President.Even when Sonia Gandhi contested, Jitendra Prasad was the opponent.&quot;</p>

<p>The entire party wants Rahul Gandhi to become president, he said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress is only party which had polls for President. Even when Sonia Gandhi contested, Jitendra Prasad was opponent. Somebody asking him (Shehzad Poonawalla) to do it to create distractions. Entire party wants Rahul Gandhi to become president: Dinesh Gundu Rao, Cong K&#39;taka chief <a href="https://t.co/4lTdzpMMR5">pic.twitter.com/4lTdzpMMR5</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/936899348310274048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Congress Working Committee (CWC)&nbsp;on November 20 had&nbsp;passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi the party&#39;s president.</p>

<p>The party has decided to set December 16th as the date of polls &quot;if necessary&quot;. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on December 19.</p>

<p>The last date of filing nominations is December 4, while December 5 is the day of scrutiny of nominations. In case there is no candidate apart from Rahul Gandhi, Congress will announce his candidature on the last date of scrutiny.</p>


Responding?to Shehzad Poonawala's comments that claimed 'selection of Congress party president',? the party's Karnataka Chief?has come out with a defending?statement

Countering Maharashtra Congress Secretary Shehzad Poonawalla's allegations that election for the post of Congress party president is "rigged", Congress Karnataka chief, Dinesh Gundu Rao on Saturday said Congress is the only party which conducted an election for the post of president. Poonawalla had earlier sarcastically remarked that the upcoming presidential election in the Congress party was a "selection" rather than an "election". "The upcoming Congress president election is a selection and not an election. It's a sham election process," Poonawalla had said and added that he had information that the delegates who would vote for party president had been appointed for their loyalty. He also suggested that there should be one ticket in one family. In response to these allegations, Gundu Rao defended his party's stand and said, " Congress is the only party which had polls for President.Even when Sonia Gandhi contested, Jitendra Prasad was the opponent." The entire party wants Rahul Gandhi to become president, he said. Congress is only party which had polls for President. Even when Sonia Gandhi contested, Jitendra Prasad was opponent. Somebody asking him (Shehzad Poonawalla) to do it to create distractions. Entire party wants Rahul Gandhi to become president: Dinesh Gundu Rao, Cong K'taka chief pic.twitter.com/4lTdzpMMR5 — ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 × The Congress Working Committee (CWC) on November 20 had passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi the party's president. The party has decided to set December 16th as the date of polls "if necessary". The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on December 19. The last date of filing nominations is December 4, while December 5 is the day of scrutiny of nominations. In case there is no candidate apart from Rahul Gandhi, Congress will announce his candidature on the last date of scrutiny.

'Entire party wants Rahul Gandhi to become President': Karnataka Congress chief

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday asked the Tamil Nadu and Kerala state governments to step-up relief measures even as protests continued in coastal areas over the tardy response of government agencies.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="ta">??????? ??????????????? ????? ??????? ????????????????? ?????????????? ???????????? ?????? ????????? ???????????? ??????????. ??????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ????????? ??????????? ??????? ???????????? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ??????????????????.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/936944013306822656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Expressing his condolences to those who died due to Cyclone Ockhi, Rahul Gandhi tweeted &quot;I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their dear ones due to Cyclone Ockhi,&#39;&#39; he wrote on his official Twitter handle.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="ml">??? ?????????????????????? ???????? ????????????????????? ??????????? ????? ????? ?????????????. ??? ????????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????????????? ??????????? ??????? ???? ??????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????? ?????????????????. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kerala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kerala</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/936940064340242432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Congress leader wrote the same message in Tamil and Malayalam in an indication of two southern states hit by the cyclone.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


"I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their dear ones due to Cyclone Ockhi,'' Rahul Gandhi wrote on his official Twitter handle.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday asked the Tamil Nadu and Kerala state governments to step-up relief measures even as protests continued in coastal areas over the tardy response of government agencies. ??????? ??????????????? ????? ??????? ????????????????? ?????????????? ???????????? ?????? ????????? ???????????? ??????????. ??????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ????????? ??????????? ??????? ???????????? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ??????????????????.#TamilNadu #CycloneOckhi — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 2, 2017 × Expressing his condolences to those who died due to Cyclone Ockhi, Rahul Gandhi tweeted "I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their dear ones due to Cyclone Ockhi,'' he wrote on his official Twitter handle. ??? ?????????????????????? ???????? ????????????????????? ??????????? ????? ????? ?????????????. ??? ????????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????????????? ??????????? ??????? ???? ??????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????? ?????????????????. #Kerala#CycloneOckhi — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 2, 2017 × The Congress leader wrote the same message in Tamil and Malayalam in an indication of two southern states hit by the cyclone.

Cyclone Ockhi: Rahul Gandhi asks state governments to step-up rescue efforts

<p><br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/infosys-hires-salil-s-parekh-as-ceo-and-md-25681">Salil S Parekh to take charge as Infosys CEO and MD from January 2</a></p>

<p>Infosys has announced the appointment of Salil S Parekh as the company&#39;s new chief executive effective from January 2, 2018. He has been given a term of five years.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/kohli-1st-captain-to-score-hat-trick-of-tons-in-3-match-series-25690">Kohli first captain to score hat-trick of tons in 3-match series</a></p>

<p>Indian cricket&#39;s current &#39;Milestone Man&#39; Virat Kohli today became the first international captain to hit three successive hundreds in a three-Test series.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opposition-claims-evms-worked-for-bjps-victory-in-up-civic-polls-25677">If ballot papers are used, BJP won&#39;t come to power: Mayawati</a></p>

<p>The opposition parties have blamed the electronic voting machines (EVMs) for the victory of BJP in Uttar Pradesh civic polls. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/london-mayor-sadiq-khan-to-arrive-in-mumbai-tomorrow-25685">London mayor Sadiq Khan to visit Mumbai tomorrow</a></p>

<p>London mayor Sadiq Khan will be arriving in Mumbai tomorrow as part of his first official tour to three Indian cities to promote the British capital&#39;s resilience and strengths post-Brexit.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entire-party-wants-rahul-gandhi-to-become-president-congress-karnataka-chief-25680">&#39;Entire party wants Rahul Gandhi to become President&#39;: Karnataka Congress chief</a></p>

<p>Countering Shehzad Poonawalla&#39;s allegations that election for the post of Congress party president is &quot;rigged&quot;, Dinesh Gundu Rao said Congress is the only party which conducted an election for the post of president.&nbsp;</p>


Chairman Infosys' board, Nandan Nilekani in a filing on the Bombay Stock Exchange said "We are delighted to have Salil joining as the CEO and MD of Infosys. He has nearly three decades of global experience in the IT services industry.''

Salil S Parekh to take charge as Infosys CEO and MD from January 2 Infosys has announced the appointment of Salil S Parekh as the company's new chief executive effective from January 2, 2018. He has been given a term of five years. Kohli first captain to score hat-trick of tons in 3-match series Indian cricket's current 'Milestone Man' Virat Kohli today became the first international captain to hit three successive hundreds in a three-Test series. If ballot papers are used, BJP won't come to power: Mayawati The opposition parties have blamed the electronic voting machines (EVMs) for the victory of BJP in Uttar Pradesh civic polls. London mayor Sadiq Khan to visit Mumbai tomorrow London mayor Sadiq Khan will be arriving in Mumbai tomorrow as part of his first official tour to three Indian cities to promote the British capital's resilience and strengths post-Brexit. 'Entire party wants Rahul Gandhi to become President': Karnataka Congress chief Countering Shehzad Poonawalla's allegations that election for the post of Congress party president is "rigged", Dinesh Gundu Rao said Congress is the only party which conducted an election for the post of president.

WION Evening News Brief, December 2, 2017

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday clarified that he and his family members were &quot;Shiv Bhakts&quot; (devotees of Lord Shiva) but that he did not want to use his religion for political gains or &quot;dalali&quot; (deals).</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi&#39;s remarks came a day after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/row-over-rahul-gandhis-religion-kicks-off-after-his-visit-to-somanath-temple-25468">controversy</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/row-over-rahul-gandhis-religion-kicks-off-after-his-visit-to-somanath-temple-25468">&nbsp;over his religion</a>. The Congress leader alleged that some BJP workers entered had entered his name in the register meant for non-Hindus at Gujarat&#39;s famous Somnath temple leading to the controversy.</p>

<p>He also said he did not need anybody&#39;s certificate about his religion, nor would he do &#39;dalali&#39; (deal) over religion.</p>

<p>&quot;My grandmother (late Indira Gandhi) and my family are Shiv Bhakts. But we keep such things private. We generally do not speak about them. Because, we think it is a very personal matter and we don&#39;t need anyone else&#39;s certificate about it,&quot; the Congress vice-president told traders over a closed door meeting in Gujarat&#39;s Amreli city.</p>

<p>&quot;We do not want to commercialise this thing. We don&#39;t want to do &#39;dalali&#39; over it. We do not want to use it for political purposes too,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>The Congress vice-president alleged that he signed the visitors&#39; book at the Somnath Temple on Wednesday and subsequently the BJP workers wrote his name in another book.</p>

<p>&quot;I will tell you what had happened (yesterday). I went inside the temple. Then I signed the visitors&#39; book. After that, BJP people wrote my name in the second book,&quot; Rahul Gandhi alleged.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Congress VP Rahul Gandhi says, my grand mother was a Shiv-bhakt &amp; so is my family. We don&#39;t talk about these things as they are personal. (Source: Amateur video) <a href="https://t.co/fV8H8udRf8">pic.twitter.com/fV8H8udRf8</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/936283410963709952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rahul Gandhi found himself in the centre of a row after his name along with that of senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, was found written on the entry register meant for non- Hindus.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A purported photocopy of the page went viral on social media soon after their visit to the shrine. The signatures against their names were that of the Congress party&#39;s media coordinator, Manoj Tyagi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP asked Rahul Gandhi to declare his religious faith before people.</p>

<p>Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki hinted that BJP president Amit Shah, a trustee of the temple, could be behind the incorrect entry.</p>

<p>&quot;Amit Shah is a trustee of Somnath temple. You know what he is capable of. They have stooped to such a low level that now they want to term us non-Hindus,&quot; the Gujarat Congress president said on Thursday.</p>

<p>&quot;Rahul Gandhi had just written in the visitors&#39; book that it is an &#39;inspiring place&#39;. Ahmed Patel had also not made any entry in the register for non-Hindus. That was a clear conspiracy,&quot; Bharatsinh Solanki said.</p>

<p>The BJP denied its involvement and said Rahul Gandhi&#39;s aide, who signed the register, is from the Congress itself.</p>

<p>The temple administration said Rahul Gandhi&#39;s name was written in the shrine&#39;s register for non-Hindus by his media coordinator, and its staff was not involved in the episode.</p>

<p>Non-Hindus are allowed to visit the temple but have to first get themselves registered at the shrine&#39;s office.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from PTI</em>)</p>


Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi clarified that he and his family members were "Shiv Bhakts" (devotees of Lord Shiva) but that he did not want to use his religion for political gains or 'dalali' (deals)

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday clarified that he and his family members were "Shiv Bhakts" (devotees of Lord Shiva) but that he did not want to use his religion for political gains or "dalali" (deals). Rahul Gandhi's remarks came a day after the controversy over his religion. The Congress leader alleged that some BJP workers entered had entered his name in the register meant for non-Hindus at Gujarat's famous Somnath temple leading to the controversy. He also said he did not need anybody's certificate about his religion, nor would he do 'dalali' (deal) over religion. "My grandmother (late Indira Gandhi) and my family are Shiv Bhakts. But we keep such things private. We generally do not speak about them. Because, we think it is a very personal matter and we don't need anyone else's certificate about it," the Congress vice-president told traders over a closed door meeting in Gujarat's Amreli city. "We do not want to commercialise this thing. We don't want to do 'dalali' over it. We do not want to use it for political purposes too," he added. The Congress vice-president alleged that he signed the visitors' book at the Somnath Temple on Wednesday and subsequently the BJP workers wrote his name in another book. "I will tell you what had happened (yesterday). I went inside the temple. Then I signed the visitors' book. After that, BJP people wrote my name in the second book," Rahul Gandhi alleged. #WATCH Congress VP Rahul Gandhi says, my grand mother was a Shiv-bhakt & so is my family. We don't talk about these things as they are personal. (Source: Amateur video) pic.twitter.com/fV8H8udRf8 — ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2017 × Rahul Gandhi found himself in the centre of a row after his name along with that of senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, was found written on the entry register meant for non- Hindus. A purported photocopy of the page went viral on social media soon after their visit to the shrine. The signatures against their names were that of the Congress party's media coordinator, Manoj Tyagi. The BJP asked Rahul Gandhi to declare his religious faith before people. Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki hinted that BJP president Amit Shah, a trustee of the temple, could be behind the incorrect entry. "Amit Shah is a trustee of Somnath temple. You know what he is capable of. They have stooped to such a low level that now they want to term us non-Hindus," the Gujarat Congress president said on Thursday. "Rahul Gandhi had just written in the visitors' book that it is an 'inspiring place'. Ahmed Patel had also not made any entry in the register for non-Hindus. That was a clear conspiracy," Bharatsinh Solanki said. The BJP denied its involvement and said Rahul Gandhi's aide, who signed the register, is from the Congress itself. The temple administration said Rahul Gandhi's name was written in the shrine's register for non-Hindus by his media coordinator, and its staff was not involved in the episode. Non-Hindus are allowed to visit the temple but have to first get themselves registered at the shrine's office. (With inputs from PTI)

My grandmother, family 'Shiv Bhakts', says Rahul Gandhi after controversy over his religion

<p>Maharashtra Congress Secretary Shehzad Poonawalla alleged today that the elections for the post of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-at-the-cusp-of-change-24658">Congress party president</a> had been &quot;rigged&quot;.</p>

<p>The Maharashtra Congress Secretary sarcastically remarked that the upcoming presidential election in the Congress party was a &quot;selection&quot; rather than an &quot;election&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;The upcoming Congress president election is a selection and not an election. It&#39;s a sham election process,&quot; Shehzad Poonawalla said.</p>

<p>Shehzad Poonawalla said he had information that the delegates who would vote for party president had been appointed for their loyalty.</p>

<p>&quot;I have got info that the delegates who are going to vote for the party president elections are fixed, its rigged. They have been appointed for their loyalty. Yes It takes courage to speak out, there will be all kinds of attacks against me, but I have facts,&quot; Shehzad Poonawalla said.</p>

<p>&quot;I think there should be only one ticket in one family, be it Shehzad Poonawalla or Rahul Gandhi,&quot; the Maharashtra Congress Secretary added.</p>

<p>On November 20, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi the party&#39;s president.</p>

<p>The party has decided to set December 16th as the date of polls &quot;if necessary&quot;. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on December 19.</p>

<p>The last date of filing nominations is December 4, while December 5 is the day of scrutiny of nominations. In case there is no candidate apart from Rahul Gandhi, Congress will announce his candidature on the last date of scrutiny.</p>


Shehzad Poonawalla said he had information that the delegates who would vote for party president had been appointed for their loyalty

Maharashtra Congress Secretary Shehzad Poonawalla alleged today that the elections for the post of the Congress party president had been "rigged". The Maharashtra Congress Secretary sarcastically remarked that the upcoming presidential election in the Congress party was a "selection" rather than an "election". "The upcoming Congress president election is a selection and not an election. It's a sham election process," Shehzad Poonawalla said. Shehzad Poonawalla said he had information that the delegates who would vote for party president had been appointed for their loyalty. "I have got info that the delegates who are going to vote for the party president elections are fixed, its rigged. They have been appointed for their loyalty. Yes It takes courage to speak out, there will be all kinds of attacks against me, but I have facts," Shehzad Poonawalla said. "I think there should be only one ticket in one family, be it Shehzad Poonawalla or Rahul Gandhi," the Maharashtra Congress Secretary added. On November 20, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi the party's president. The party has decided to set December 16th as the date of polls "if necessary". The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on December 19. The last date of filing nominations is December 4, while December 5 is the day of scrutiny of nominations. In case there is no candidate apart from Rahul Gandhi, Congress will announce his candidature on the last date of scrutiny.

Rahul  Gandhi as Congress president: Elections rigged, says Maharashtra Congress secretary

<p>A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi of propagating &#39;grand stupid thought&#39; on Goods and Service Tax (GST), Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram hit out at PM by saying CEA Dr Arvind Subramaniam and many other economists are stupid? &nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
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&quot;If it is Grand Stupid Thought to argue for a cap of the tax rate at 18%, then CEA Dr Arvind Subramaniam and many other economists are stupid. &nbsp;Is that what PM is saying?,&#39;&#39; Chidambaram tweeted today morning. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If it is Grand Stupid Thought to argue for a cap of the tax rate at 18%, then CEA Dr Arvind Subramaniam and many other economists are stupid. Is that what PM is saying?</p>
&mdash; P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/936083726307508225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p><br />
In December, 2015, a panel headed by Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian has recommended a standard rate of 17-18 per cent under the then proposed goods and services tax (GST). The panel had submitted its recommendations to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.&nbsp;<br />
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The CEA report suggested a 40 per cent GST rate for luxury goods and tobacco at the higher-end and 12 per cent at the lower-end for essential goods.&nbsp;<br />
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&#39;&#39;Has PM read the CEA&#39;s report on Revenue Neutral Rate? Did not CEA recommend an RNR of 15-15.5%?,&#39;&#39; former FM said in another tweet. &nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
&#39;&#39;Why can&#39;t the normal GST rate be 15% and RNR plus rate on luxury goods be 18%?,&#39;&#39; he said in another tweet. &nbsp;<br />
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The former FM also took potshots at the ruling NDA for not slashing the petrol and diesel prices despite the crude oil prices falling by 50 per cent since BJP led NDA came to power.&nbsp;<br />
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&#39;&#39;Tax and spend is the credo of the BJP government. Example: when crude oil prices fell by 50%, prices of petrol and diesel remained the same,&#39;&#39; Chidambaram stated in another tweet.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
Addressing a huge rally in Morbi town in Gujarat, which goes to polls in the first phase on December 9, Modi attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for calling GST &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39; and said a recently emerged &quot;economist&quot; was propagating a &quot;grand stupid thought&quot; by suggesting that GST rate be capped at 18 per cent.&nbsp;</p>


In December 2015, a panel headed by Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian has recommended a standard rate of 17-18 per cent under the then proposed goods and services tax (GST).

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi of propagating 'grand stupid thought' on Goods and Service Tax (GST), Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram hit out at PM by saying CEA Dr Arvind Subramaniam and many other economists are stupid? "If it is Grand Stupid Thought to argue for a cap of the tax rate at 18%, then CEA Dr Arvind Subramaniam and many other economists are stupid. Is that what PM is saying?,'' Chidambaram tweeted today morning. If it is Grand Stupid Thought to argue for a cap of the tax rate at 18%, then CEA Dr Arvind Subramaniam and many other economists are stupid. Is that what PM is saying? — P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 30, 2017 × In December, 2015, a panel headed by Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian has recommended a standard rate of 17-18 per cent under the then proposed goods and services tax (GST). The panel had submitted its recommendations to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The CEA report suggested a 40 per cent GST rate for luxury goods and tobacco at the higher-end and 12 per cent at the lower-end for essential goods. ''Has PM read the CEA's report on Revenue Neutral Rate? Did not CEA recommend an RNR of 15-15.5%?,'' former FM said in another tweet. ''Why can't the normal GST rate be 15% and RNR plus rate on luxury goods be 18%?,'' he said in another tweet. The former FM also took potshots at the ruling NDA for not slashing the petrol and diesel prices despite the crude oil prices falling by 50 per cent since BJP led NDA came to power. ''Tax and spend is the credo of the BJP government. Example: when crude oil prices fell by 50%, prices of petrol and diesel remained the same,'' Chidambaram stated in another tweet. Addressing a huge rally in Morbi town in Gujarat, which goes to polls in the first phase on December 9, Modi attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for calling GST 'Gabbar Singh Tax' and said a recently emerged "economist" was propagating a "grand stupid thought" by suggesting that GST rate be capped at 18 per cent.

Chidambaram hits out at Modi over 'grand stupid thought' jibe on Rahul

<p>&nbsp;A new controversy erupted after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi&#39;s visit to the Somnath temple in Gujarat.</p>

<p>The controversy emerged after a picture was circulated showing Rahul Gandhi&#39;s signature in a register that records&nbsp;the entry of &quot;non-Hindus&quot;&nbsp;in the temple.</p>

<p>The entry was reportedly made by his media coordinator Manoj Tiwari. The name of veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel was also included in the register, a media report stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congress leader Randeep S Surejwala issued a clarification saying that Rahul Gandhi signed only the visitor&#39;s book.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said: &quot; Rahulji made an entry into the visitor&#39;s book. The signature which is being talked of is different, neither it is Rahul Gandhi nor was the register ever given to him.&quot;</p>

<p>He further said that Rahul Gandhi is not only a Hindu, he is a &quot;janeu&nbsp;dhari&quot; Hindu.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Not only is Rahul Gandhi ji a Hindu, he is a &#39;janeu dhari&#39; Hindu. So BJP should not bring down the political discourse to this level: RS Surjewala,Congress <a href="https://t.co/YY5MKQEKt5">pic.twitter.com/YY5MKQEKt5</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/935853419016761344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Another Congress leader Deependra Hooda showed a picture of the &quot;original signature&quot; of Rahul Gandhi. He said: &quot;The other signature was written as Rahul Gandhi ji, why would he write ji?&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Here is the original signature of Rahul Gandhi at Somnath Temple.Very clearly. The other signature is written as &#39;Rahul Gandhi ji&#39;, why would he write ji? Don&#39;t know who wrote it. BJP doing what it does best, diverting from real issues: Deependra Hooda,Congress <a href="https://t.co/CeRqJnlA6A">pic.twitter.com/CeRqJnlA6A</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/935844144483778560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Hitting out at Rahul Gandhi, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, &quot;For Rahul Gandhi and Congress religion is a matter of convenience and not devotion. Rahul Gandhi must answer this.&quot;</p>

<p>Patra&nbsp;added: &quot;They say this is a conspiracy but we say Congress is a conspiracy. The tip of the iceberg of their conspiracy is visible today. There is no conspiracy by anyone. You are a sinner, sin is yours. Rahul Gandhi must say who he actually is.&quot;</p>

<p>&nbsp;During his last visit to the poll-bound state earlier in November, the Congress leader had visited&nbsp;the Swaminarayan&nbsp;Akshardham&nbsp;temple&nbsp;in Gandhinagar. He had also visited Ambaji&nbsp;temple.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rahul Gandhi offers prayers at Somnath Temple in Gujarat <a href="https://t.co/4i4QF0TT8Q">pic.twitter.com/4i4QF0TT8Q</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/935786772818038784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The controversy emerged after a picture was circulated showing Rahul Gandhi's signature in a register that records?the entry of non-Hindus?in the temple

A new controversy erupted after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's visit to the Somnath temple in Gujarat. The controversy emerged after a picture was circulated showing Rahul Gandhi's signature in a register that records the entry of "non-Hindus" in the temple. The entry was reportedly made by his media coordinator Manoj Tiwari. The name of veteran Congress leader Ahmed Patel was also included in the register, a media report stated. Congress leader Randeep S Surejwala issued a clarification saying that Rahul Gandhi signed only the visitor's book. He said: " Rahulji made an entry into the visitor's book. The signature which is being talked of is different, neither it is Rahul Gandhi nor was the register ever given to him." He further said that Rahul Gandhi is not only a Hindu, he is a "janeu dhari" Hindu. Not only is Rahul Gandhi ji a Hindu, he is a 'janeu dhari' Hindu. So BJP should not bring down the political discourse to this level: RS Surjewala,Congress pic.twitter.com/YY5MKQEKt5 — ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2017 × Another Congress leader Deependra Hooda showed a picture of the "original signature" of Rahul Gandhi. He said: "The other signature was written as Rahul Gandhi ji, why would he write ji?" Here is the original signature of Rahul Gandhi at Somnath Temple.Very clearly. The other signature is written as 'Rahul Gandhi ji', why would he write ji? Don't know who wrote it. BJP doing what it does best, diverting from real issues: Deependra Hooda,Congress pic.twitter.com/CeRqJnlA6A — ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2017 × Hitting out at Rahul Gandhi, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "For Rahul Gandhi and Congress religion is a matter of convenience and not devotion. Rahul Gandhi must answer this." Patra added: "They say this is a conspiracy but we say Congress is a conspiracy. The tip of the iceberg of their conspiracy is visible today. There is no conspiracy by anyone. You are a sinner, sin is yours. Rahul Gandhi must say who he actually is." During his last visit to the poll-bound state earlier in November, the Congress leader had visited the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar. He had also visited Ambaji temple. Rahul Gandhi offers prayers at Somnath Temple in Gujarat pic.twitter.com/4i4QF0TT8Q — ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2017 ×

Row over Rahul Gandhi's 'religion' after visit to Somnath Temple

<p>The police detained Congress workers&nbsp;today who were protesting against the Goods and Services Tax(GST) in Surat for carrying out a rally without official permission.</p>

<p>The workers were dressed as characters from the Bollywood movie &quot;Sholay&quot;.</p>

<p>They were detained by police for carrying air guns and not taking &quot;necessary permission&quot;&nbsp;from the authorities.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gujarat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gujarat</a>: Members of Congress took out a protest against GST in Surat by dressing up as characters from &#39;Sholay&#39;; detained by police for carrying air guns, which resembled rifles &amp; carrying out rally without permission. <a href="https://t.co/wNR06HWZ3L">pic.twitter.com/wNR06HWZ3L</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/935445482955948032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Police Inspector VJ Chaudhary of Salabatpura said: &quot;We are taking us with them and a team is also coming to take stock of the situation.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">They took out the rally without permission &amp; were also carrying air guns. We are taking us with them, we have also informed RO, a team is coming to take stock of the situation &amp; take further action: VJ Chaudhary, Salabatpura inspector <a href="https://t.co/ASlCdGqT1L">pic.twitter.com/ASlCdGqT1L</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/935446019252264960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi&#39;s had recently called GST &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39; referring to the villain &quot;Gabbar&quot;&nbsp;in the 70s hit Bollywood film &quot;Sholay&quot;.</p>


The police detained Congress members today who were taking out a rally to protest against Goods and Services Tax in Surat for having a rally without permission

The police detained Congress workers today who were protesting against the Goods and Services Tax(GST) in Surat for carrying out a rally without official permission. The workers were dressed as characters from the Bollywood movie "Sholay". They were detained by police for carrying air guns and not taking "necessary permission" from the authorities. #Gujarat: Members of Congress took out a protest against GST in Surat by dressing up as characters from 'Sholay'; detained by police for carrying air guns, which resembled rifles & carrying out rally without permission. pic.twitter.com/wNR06HWZ3L — ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2017 × Police Inspector VJ Chaudhary of Salabatpura said: "We are taking us with them and a team is also coming to take stock of the situation." They took out the rally without permission & were also carrying air guns. We are taking us with them, we have also informed RO, a team is coming to take stock of the situation & take further action: VJ Chaudhary, Salabatpura inspector pic.twitter.com/ASlCdGqT1L — ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2017 × Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's had recently called GST 'Gabbar Singh Tax' referring to the villain "Gabbar" in the 70s hit Bollywood film "Sholay".

Congress workers protest against GST dressed as 'Gabbar' in Surat

<p>Taking a jibe with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Sunday said people from Amethi have been coming to Gujarat for jobs.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi represents Amethi in Lok Sabha and Amit Shah&#39;s remark comes in the wake of continued criticism of the &quot;Gujarat Model&quot; of development by the former at election rallies in the poll-bound state.</p>

<p>&quot;Rahul Gandhi asks for accountability. For last many decades, Gandhi scions have been representing Amethi, but even the foundation stone of collectorate office was laid by the BJP government. People from Amethi come to Gujarat for jobs,&quot; BJP&#39;s national president said while addressing a rally in Gujarat&#39;s Bharuch.</p>

<p>The BJP president recalled the 10 years of governance of Congress at the Centre to target Gandhi and claimed that his party did not work for the welfare of the people of Gujarat.</p>

<p>&quot;Rahul Gandhi asks where is &#39;<em>vikas</em>&#39; (development) in Gujarat? I want to ask him while you were in power for 10 years what you did for the people of Gujarat. People in Gujarat were not getting electricity while the Congress was in power. There were only caste-based politics in Gujarat,&quot; Shah said at the election rally.</p>

<p>&quot;We have given electricity, roads and water to the state,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>In the run-up to the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, Gandhi has continually cornered Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP government in the state over the development achieved in the last 15 years.</p>

<p>He has often reiterated his assertion that &quot;Vikas <em>pagal</em><em> ho </em><em>gaya</em>,&quot; wherein he likened the development of Gujarat to a person and said it has gone berserk.</p>

<p>Claiming the Congress&#39; offensive in Gujarat&#39;s election campaign to be lacking a firm ground, Shah said, &quot;What is the base for Congress&#39; fight in these polls? They say Congress would be promoting Rahul Gandhi to the top post of Congress and this we have been listening from 2010. They have been losing every election, so how they will promote him to the top post?&quot;</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi is likely to succeed Sonia Gandhi as the president of the grand-old-party in the next election for Congress&#39; top post.</p>

<p>The polling for the two-phase elections in Gujarat will take place on 9 and 14 December and votes will be counted on 18 December</p>


Rahul Gandhi represents Amethi in Lok Sabha and Amit Shah's remark comes in the wake of continued criticism of 'Gujarat Model' of development by the former at election rallies in the poll-bound state

Taking a jibe with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Sunday said people from Amethi have been coming to Gujarat for jobs. Rahul Gandhi represents Amethi in Lok Sabha and Amit Shah's remark comes in the wake of continued criticism of the "Gujarat Model" of development by the former at election rallies in the poll-bound state. "Rahul Gandhi asks for accountability. For last many decades, Gandhi scions have been representing Amethi, but even the foundation stone of collectorate office was laid by the BJP government. People from Amethi come to Gujarat for jobs," BJP's national president said while addressing a rally in Gujarat's Bharuch. The BJP president recalled the 10 years of governance of Congress at the Centre to target Gandhi and claimed that his party did not work for the welfare of the people of Gujarat. "Rahul Gandhi asks where is 'vikas' (development) in Gujarat? I want to ask him while you were in power for 10 years what you did for the people of Gujarat. People in Gujarat were not getting electricity while the Congress was in power. There were only caste-based politics in Gujarat," Shah said at the election rally. "We have given electricity, roads and water to the state," he added. In the run-up to the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, Gandhi has continually cornered Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP government in the state over the development achieved in the last 15 years. He has often reiterated his assertion that "Vikas pagal ho gaya," wherein he likened the development of Gujarat to a person and said it has gone berserk. Claiming the Congress' offensive in Gujarat's election campaign to be lacking a firm ground, Shah said, "What is the base for Congress' fight in these polls? They say Congress would be promoting Rahul Gandhi to the top post of Congress and this we have been listening from 2010. They have been losing every election, so how they will promote him to the top post?" Rahul Gandhi is likely to succeed Sonia Gandhi as the president of the grand-old-party in the next election for Congress' top post. The polling for the two-phase elections in Gujarat will take place on 9 and 14 December and votes will be counted on 18 December

People from Amethi come to Gujarat for jobs: Amit Shah

<p>Citing a media report, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi by saying that Modi&#39;s &quot;Make In India&quot; project&nbsp;died turning Gujarati taxpayers Rs 33,000 crore into ash.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM&rsquo;s pet &ldquo;Make in India&rdquo; project just died. 33,000 crores of Gujarati taxpayer money turned to ash. Who is accountable? <a href="https://t.co/pQ9HUK6Ui1">https://t.co/pQ9HUK6Ui1</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/934627151927586816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Gandhi also asked&nbsp;who should be held accountable for the money becoming &quot;ash&quot;.</p>

<p>The media report claimed that the average daily production of Nano cars at the Tata Motor&#39;s Sanand plant was down to just two.</p>

<p>(Also read -&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/production-for-tata-nano-may-soon-terminate-as-dealers-stop-placing-orders-25161">Tata&#39;s Nano may soon be phased out: Reports</a>)</p>

<p>Earlier this month, Rahul Gandhi had claimed that Rs.&nbsp;33,000 crore&nbsp;worth of &quot;benefits&quot; were given to the Nano car plant in Sanand, near Ahmedabad.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi is currently campaigning in the Gujarat for upcoming elections in the state. (Also read -&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modijis-friends-have-caused-pollution-in-gujarat-rahul-gandhi-25025">&#39;Modi<em>ji&#39;</em>s friends&#39; have caused pollution in Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi</a>)</p>

<p>Tata Motors&#39;&nbsp;Nano, launched in 2008 as the world&#39;s cheapest car, may soon be phased out since dealers in most parts of the country have stopped placing orders for the vehicle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi by saying that Modi's 'Make In India' project just died turning Gujarati taxpayers Rs 33,000 crore into ash

Citing a media report, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi by saying that Modi's "Make In India" project died turning Gujarati taxpayers Rs 33,000 crore into ash. PM’s pet “Make in India” project just died. 33,000 crores of Gujarati taxpayer money turned to ash. Who is accountable? https://t.co/pQ9HUK6Ui1 — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 26, 2017 × Gandhi also asked who should be held accountable for the money becoming "ash". The media report claimed that the average daily production of Nano cars at the Tata Motor's Sanand plant was down to just two. (Also read - Tata's Nano may soon be phased out: Reports) Earlier this month, Rahul Gandhi had claimed that Rs. 33,000 crore worth of "benefits" were given to the Nano car plant in Sanand, near Ahmedabad. Rahul Gandhi is currently campaigning in the Gujarat for upcoming elections in the state. (Also read - 'Modiji's friends' have caused pollution in Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi) Tata Motors' Nano, launched in 2008 as the world's cheapest car, may soon be phased out since dealers in most parts of the country have stopped placing orders for the vehicle.

Rahul uses Nano closing report to attack PM Modi's 'Make in India'

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi in poll-bound Gujarat on Friday and alleged that the latter did not want the &quot;truth&quot; behind the multi-crore Rafale deal and Jay Shah issue to come out before the Assembly election in his home state.</p>

<p>He also alleged that the NDA government was delaying the Winter Session of Parliament as Modi was not ready to discuss the Rafale and Jay Shah issues in the House before the Gujarat polls.</p>

<p>&quot;I would ask Modi<em>ji </em>three questions (on the Rafale deal). First, is there a difference in the cost of planes in the first and the second contract (signed with a French firm) and did India pay more or less money as per the second contract?</p>

<p>&quot;And, has the industrialist (whose company has formed a joint venture with the French firm), who was given the contract, ever manufactured planes?,&quot; he asked while addressing a public gathering here in Gandhinagar district.</p>

<p>The Congress leader also sought to know if the due procedure was followed while inking the deal with France last year to procure the Rafale fighter jets.</p>

<p>&quot;And a more important question, did you follow the due government procedure? Why the (then) was the defence minister was seen catching fish in Goa? And, was an approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security taken (for the mega-deal)?&quot; he asked.</p>

<p>The Congress vice-president alleged that the prime minister was avoiding answering these questions due to the fear that the &quot;truth&quot; would come out before the crucial polls in his home state.</p>

<p>&quot;Narendra Modiji is not replying to these questions because he wants that the truth of Rafale and Jay Shah should not come before the public ahead of the Gujarat elections,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;Rafale is a matter related to the Indian Air Force, national security, martyrs. Modiji will have to answer these questions before the people of the country and Gujarat,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The 47-year-old Amethi MP said while the media persons asked him a lot of questions, they did not do the same with the prime minister over the Rafale and Jay Shah issues.</p>

<p>&quot;Modiji will make many tours of Gujarat. Press reporters ask me various questions. Why don&#39;t you ask Modi about the Rafale deal and Jay Shah? The people should also ask Modiji about Rafale and Jay Shah when he comes to Gujarat,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The prime minister is scheduled to address a series of poll rallies in Gujarat in support of the BJP candidates next week.</p>

<p>The 182-member Gujarat Assembly will go to the polls in two phases -- on December 9 and 14. Counting of votes will be taken up on December 18.</p>


'Narendra Modiji is not replying to these questions because he wants that the truth of Rafale and Jay Shah should not come before the public ahead of the Gujarat elections,' said the Congress vice-president

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi in poll-bound Gujarat on Friday and alleged that the latter did not want the "truth" behind the multi-crore Rafale deal and Jay Shah issue to come out before the Assembly election in his home state. He also alleged that the NDA government was delaying the Winter Session of Parliament as Modi was not ready to discuss the Rafale and Jay Shah issues in the House before the Gujarat polls. "I would ask Modiji three questions (on the Rafale deal). First, is there a difference in the cost of planes in the first and the second contract (signed with a French firm) and did India pay more or less money as per the second contract? "And, has the industrialist (whose company has formed a joint venture with the French firm), who was given the contract, ever manufactured planes?," he asked while addressing a public gathering here in Gandhinagar district. The Congress leader also sought to know if the due procedure was followed while inking the deal with France last year to procure the Rafale fighter jets. "And a more important question, did you follow the due government procedure? Why the (then) was the defence minister was seen catching fish in Goa? And, was an approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security taken (for the mega-deal)?" he asked. The Congress vice-president alleged that the prime minister was avoiding answering these questions due to the fear that the "truth" would come out before the crucial polls in his home state. "Narendra Modiji is not replying to these questions because he wants that the truth of Rafale and Jay Shah should not come before the public ahead of the Gujarat elections," he said. "Rafale is a matter related to the Indian Air Force, national security, martyrs. Modiji will have to answer these questions before the people of the country and Gujarat," he said. The 47-year-old Amethi MP said while the media persons asked him a lot of questions, they did not do the same with the prime minister over the Rafale and Jay Shah issues. "Modiji will make many tours of Gujarat. Press reporters ask me various questions. Why don't you ask Modi about the Rafale deal and Jay Shah? The people should also ask Modiji about Rafale and Jay Shah when he comes to Gujarat," he said. The prime minister is scheduled to address a series of poll rallies in Gujarat in support of the BJP candidates next week. The 182-member Gujarat Assembly will go to the polls in two phases -- on December 9 and 14. Counting of votes will be taken up on December 18.

Rahul trains guns on PM Modi over Rafale deal, again

<p>Ahead of the next month&#39;s Assembly elections in Gujarat, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, who is on the first day of his two-day campaign tour of Gujarat, on Friday addressed farmers at the coastal town of Porbandar.<br />
<br />
The Congress vice-president alleged that because of the pollution caused by 10-15 industrialists, who were &quot;Modiji&#39;s friends&quot;, the fishermen were forced to venture deep into the sea.</p>

<p>&quot;I have learnt that now you have to go deeper into the sea to catch fish. Why? Because of pollution. But, who caused this? Definitely not the fishermen. It was caused by some 10- 15 industrialists who are Modiji&#39;s friends...He took all your money and gave it to those 10-15 persons,&quot; he alleged.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi added that instead of doing anything concrete for the fishermen, Modi has gifted ports to &quot;some of his industrialist friends&quot;.</p>

<p>He also criticised the BJP-led government in Gujarat for stopping the Rs 300 crore subsidy that the Congress government gave to fishermen to buy diesel for their boats, and claimed that on the other hand, during Narendra Modi&#39;s tenure as chief minister, &nbsp;the Gujarat government gave away Rs 33,000 crore to Tata Motors for its Nano car plant.</p>

<p>&quot;When Congress was in power, fishermen used to get 25 per cent subsidy on the purchase of diesel. That subsidy, which was just Rs 300 crore (per annum), has been abolished by the BJP government here. What kind of magic is this? They can give Rs 33,000 crore for Nano factory but they can&#39;t give Rs 300 crore to you,&quot; he asked.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi also promised to create a separate ministry for fisheries if the party came to power at the Centre.</p>

<p>&quot;Fishermen&#39;s work is equivalent to that of farmers. Sometime back, you demanded that if there is a ministry to look after the agriculture sector, then why not for fishermen? I agree with you, and I promise that the Congress will set it up after forming the government at the Centre,&quot; Rahul Gandhi said.</p>

<p>Taking a jibe at Modi&#39;s radio programme &#39;Mann ki Baat&#39;, the Congress leader promised that the doors of Congress government will be opened once the party comes to power in Gujarat.</p>

<p>He expressed confidence that the Congress will emerge victorious in the state, where the party has been out of power for 22 years.</p>

<p>&quot;I am confident that the Congress will win this election. After that, doors of the Chief Minister&#39;s Office and the Assembly will be opened for you, so that you can tell us your &#39;mann ki baat&#39;. Till now, those doors were open only for the rich, and only their voice was heard. Your voice never reached the government,&quot; he alleged.</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi will interact with Dalits, doctors, teachers and villagers during his two-day visit which covers Porbandar, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Arvalli, Mahisagar and Dahod districts.</p>

<p>Polling for the two-phase elections in the state, having a total of 182 seats, will take place on December 9 and 14.</p>

<p>Counting of votes will take place on December 18.</p>

<p>Eighty-nine seats of Saurashtra and south Gujarat region are going to polls in the first phase. The remaining 93 seats in the central and northern region will vote in the second phase.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from PTI</em>)<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Addressing a rally in Porbandar, the Congress vice-president alleged that because of the pollution caused by 10-15 industrialists, who were 'Modiji's friends', the fishermen were forced to venture deep into the sea

Ahead of the next month's Assembly elections in Gujarat, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, who is on the first day of his two-day campaign tour of Gujarat, on Friday addressed farmers at the coastal town of Porbandar. The Congress vice-president alleged that because of the pollution caused by 10-15 industrialists, who were "Modiji's friends", the fishermen were forced to venture deep into the sea. "I have learnt that now you have to go deeper into the sea to catch fish. Why? Because of pollution. But, who caused this? Definitely not the fishermen. It was caused by some 10- 15 industrialists who are Modiji's friends...He took all your money and gave it to those 10-15 persons," he alleged. Rahul Gandhi added that instead of doing anything concrete for the fishermen, Modi has gifted ports to "some of his industrialist friends". He also criticised the BJP-led government in Gujarat for stopping the Rs 300 crore subsidy that the Congress government gave to fishermen to buy diesel for their boats, and claimed that on the other hand, during Narendra Modi's tenure as chief minister, the Gujarat government gave away Rs 33,000 crore to Tata Motors for its Nano car plant. "When Congress was in power, fishermen used to get 25 per cent subsidy on the purchase of diesel. That subsidy, which was just Rs 300 crore (per annum), has been abolished by the BJP government here. What kind of magic is this? They can give Rs 33,000 crore for Nano factory but they can't give Rs 300 crore to you," he asked. Rahul Gandhi also promised to create a separate ministry for fisheries if the party came to power at the Centre. "Fishermen's work is equivalent to that of farmers. Sometime back, you demanded that if there is a ministry to look after the agriculture sector, then why not for fishermen? I agree with you, and I promise that the Congress will set it up after forming the government at the Centre," Rahul Gandhi said. Taking a jibe at Modi's radio programme 'Mann ki Baat', the Congress leader promised that the doors of Congress government will be opened once the party comes to power in Gujarat. He expressed confidence that the Congress will emerge victorious in the state, where the party has been out of power for 22 years. "I am confident that the Congress will win this election. After that, doors of the Chief Minister's Office and the Assembly will be opened for you, so that you can tell us your 'mann ki baat'. Till now, those doors were open only for the rich, and only their voice was heard. Your voice never reached the government," he alleged. Rahul Gandhi will interact with Dalits, doctors, teachers and villagers during his two-day visit which covers Porbandar, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Arvalli, Mahisagar and Dahod districts. Polling for the two-phase elections in the state, having a total of 182 seats, will take place on December 9 and 14. Counting of votes will take place on December 18. Eighty-nine seats of Saurashtra and south Gujarat region are going to polls in the first phase. The remaining 93 seats in the central and northern region will vote in the second phase. (With inputs from PTI)

'Modiji's friends' have caused pollution in Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi

<p>After waiting in the wings for years, the 47-year-old Rahul Gandhi is set to succeed his mother Sonia Gandhi as Congress president and is likely to be elected unopposed like she has been for the last 17 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Gandhi scion shot to public limelight in March 2004 when he announced his entry into politics by contesting and winning Amethi Lok Sabha seat in 2004, retaining the family stronghold with a victory margin of over 100,000.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gandhi was appointed General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee on 24 September 2007 and was elevated to the position of the vice-president of the party in January 2013.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Education:&nbsp;</strong><br />
Rahul Gandhi attended St. Columba&#39;s School in Delhi before entering The Doon School in Dehradun, Uttarakhand from 1981 to 1983. &nbsp;</p>

<p>In 1989, he joined St. Stephen&#39;s College, Delhi but moved to Harvard University after first-year examinations. In 1991, after Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, he shifted to Rollins College in Florida, USA, due to security concerns and obtained his B.A. in 1994. During his time at Rollins, he assumed the pseudonym Raul Vinci and his identity was known only to the university officials and security agencies. He further went on to obtain an M.Phil from Trinity College, Cambridge in 1995. &nbsp;</p>

<p>After graduation, Rahul Gandhi worked at the Monitor Group, a management consulting firm, in London. In 2002, he was one of the directors of Mumbai-based technology outsourcing firm Backops Services Private Ltd. &nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Controversies: &nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><br />
During a rally in Allahabad, Gandhi said &quot;Poverty is just a state of mind. It does not mean the scarcity of food, money or material things. If one possesses self-confidence, then one can overcome poverty.&quot; The phrase &quot;state of mind&quot; drew sharp criticism with BJP Uttar Pradesh spokesperson Vijay Bahadur Pathak alleging him to be mocking the poor.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
In 2013, Rahul Gandhi rejected as &quot;complete nonsense&quot; the ordinance to save convicted legislators from disqualification. In a powerful intervention, he sealed the fate of the contentious legislation, embarrassed PM Manmohan Singh hours before his meeting with Barack Obama in Washington DC and publicly rebuked the party, old guard. &quot;I&#39;ll tell you what my opinion on the ordinance is. It&#39;s complete nonsense. It should be torn up and thrown away. That is my personal opinion,&quot; Rahul said then said, stunning his audience at a press meet where he made a surprise entry.</p>

<p>Rahul will face his first big test as soon as he becomes president with the Gujarat elections set to take place next month.</p>

<p>Gujarat has proved to be Congress&#39;s Waterloo ever since Modi took over the reins back in 2001, however, this time with Modi as PM, the Congress leader often ridiculed and dismissed as &quot;Pappu&quot;&nbsp;by the opposition will have to prove his credentials in a&nbsp;political slugfest which will no doubt set the tone for him and the party.</p>


In 1991, after Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, Rahul Gandhi shifted to Rollins College in Florida, USA, due to security concerns and obtained his B.A. in 1994.

After waiting in the wings for years, the 47-year-old Rahul Gandhi is set to succeed his mother Sonia Gandhi as Congress president and is likely to be elected unopposed like she has been for the last 17 years. The Gandhi scion shot to public limelight in March 2004 when he announced his entry into politics by contesting and winning Amethi Lok Sabha seat in 2004, retaining the family stronghold with a victory margin of over 100,000. Gandhi was appointed General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee on 24 September 2007 and was elevated to the position of the vice-president of the party in January 2013. Education: Rahul Gandhi attended St. Columba's School in Delhi before entering The Doon School in Dehradun, Uttarakhand from 1981 to 1983. In 1989, he joined St. Stephen's College, Delhi but moved to Harvard University after first-year examinations. In 1991, after Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, he shifted to Rollins College in Florida, USA, due to security concerns and obtained his B.A. in 1994. During his time at Rollins, he assumed the pseudonym Raul Vinci and his identity was known only to the university officials and security agencies. He further went on to obtain an M.Phil from Trinity College, Cambridge in 1995. After graduation, Rahul Gandhi worked at the Monitor Group, a management consulting firm, in London. In 2002, he was one of the directors of Mumbai-based technology outsourcing firm Backops Services Private Ltd. Controversies: During a rally in Allahabad, Gandhi said "Poverty is just a state of mind. It does not mean the scarcity of food, money or material things. If one possesses self-confidence, then one can overcome poverty." The phrase "state of mind" drew sharp criticism with BJP Uttar Pradesh spokesperson Vijay Bahadur Pathak alleging him to be mocking the poor. In 2013, Rahul Gandhi rejected as "complete nonsense" the ordinance to save convicted legislators from disqualification. In a powerful intervention, he sealed the fate of the contentious legislation, embarrassed PM Manmohan Singh hours before his meeting with Barack Obama in Washington DC and publicly rebuked the party, old guard. "I'll tell you what my opinion on the ordinance is. It's complete nonsense. It should be torn up and thrown away. That is my personal opinion," Rahul said then said, stunning his audience at a press meet where he made a surprise entry. Rahul will face his first big test as soon as he becomes president with the Gujarat elections set to take place next month. Gujarat has proved to be Congress's Waterloo ever since Modi took over the reins back in 2001, however, this time with Modi as PM, the Congress leader often ridiculed and dismissed as "Pappu" by the opposition will have to prove his credentials in a political slugfest which will no doubt set the tone for him and the party.

From 'prince' to Congress president: Story of Rahul Gandhi's ascension

<p>Sonia Gandhi,70, wife of Rajiv Gandhi&nbsp;born as&nbsp;&quot;Edvige Antonia Albina M&agrave;ino&quot;&nbsp;in Lusiana&nbsp;Veneto, a little known Italian village is the longest-serving Congress president in the history of the 132-year old Congress party.</p>

<p>Next month she will relinquish her position as party chief to her son Rahul Gandhi as the grand old party sets a new path under a&nbsp;new president. Rahul though will be hard-pressed to match his mother who took over the reins of the party when the Congress was seen to be in decline in the late 90s with a resurgent BJP under Atal Bihari Vajpayee set to take over power at the Centre.</p>

<p>The steely Sonia not only fought her way beating Sitaram Kesri in 1998 but also took up the unenviable task of putting the party back on track without much political experience to bank upon. The BJP was quick to raise the &quot;foreign origin&quot; banner against her, with some even in her own party namely Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot keen to &quot;expose&quot; her Indian credentials.</p>

<p>Sonia began building the party as Pawar left and other leaders fell away, even as the party continued to decline, however, the leader of India&#39;s biggest opposition began work at the grassroots as the BJP came to power under Atal Bihari&#39;s prime ministership in 1999. Sonia&#39;s struggle&nbsp;officially lasted for the next five years.</p>

<p>Sonia&#39;s biggest political blunder in her early years was misreading the late AIADMK leader Jayalalitha&#39;s mind in 1999 after the Vajpayee government failed the confidence vote. Sonia declared she had the numbers to form the government with AIADMK&#39;s support but in a historic volte-face Jayalalitha decided not to support Sonia, leaving the Congress president red-faced plunging the party into political abyss.</p>

<p>Sonia rose like a colossus during the 2004 elections despite Advani&#39;s &quot;India Shining&quot; campaign and political pundits declaring the Congress had no chance against a well-entrenched BJP. The saffron party&#39;s&nbsp;defeat in May 2004 not only stunned the nation, it meant Vajpayee left the political stage forever&nbsp;with the &quot;queen of Indian politics&quot;&nbsp;Sonia Gandhi stealing the limelight.</p>

<p>Sonia&#39;s decision to put Manmohan Singh&#39;s name as prime minister led to a firestorm in the Congress, however, her act of &quot;renunciation&quot;&nbsp;won her political points and shielded her against possible &quot;foreign origin&quot; attacks which trailed her for most of her career.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As the &quot;tallest leader&quot; in the Congress from 2004 to 2014, the Congress and the Indian government was virtually led by the &quot;Sonia factor&quot; which was seized upon by Modi accusing the Congress of remote controlling events at 10, Race Course.</p>

<p>Sonia Gandhi will still have to mentor her son Rahul Gandhi as he takes over the Congress party, with time against her, Sonia is set to write the last page in her&nbsp;political chapter her own way as she decides to fade into the sunset.</p>


Next month she will relinquish her position as party chief to her son Rahul Gandhi

Sonia Gandhi,70, wife of Rajiv Gandhi born as "Edvige Antonia Albina Màino" in Lusiana Veneto, a little known Italian village is the longest-serving Congress president in the history of the 132-year old Congress party. Next month she will relinquish her position as party chief to her son Rahul Gandhi as the grand old party sets a new path under a new president. Rahul though will be hard-pressed to match his mother who took over the reins of the party when the Congress was seen to be in decline in the late 90s with a resurgent BJP under Atal Bihari Vajpayee set to take over power at the Centre. The steely Sonia not only fought her way beating Sitaram Kesri in 1998 but also took up the unenviable task of putting the party back on track without much political experience to bank upon. The BJP was quick to raise the "foreign origin" banner against her, with some even in her own party namely Sharad Pawar and Rajesh Pilot keen to "expose" her Indian credentials. Sonia began building the party as Pawar left and other leaders fell away, even as the party continued to decline, however, the leader of India's biggest opposition began work at the grassroots as the BJP came to power under Atal Bihari's prime ministership in 1999. Sonia's struggle officially lasted for the next five years. Sonia's biggest political blunder in her early years was misreading the late AIADMK leader Jayalalitha's mind in 1999 after the Vajpayee government failed the confidence vote. Sonia declared she had the numbers to form the government with AIADMK's support but in a historic volte-face Jayalalitha decided not to support Sonia, leaving the Congress president red-faced plunging the party into political abyss. Sonia rose like a colossus during the 2004 elections despite Advani's "India Shining" campaign and political pundits declaring the Congress had no chance against a well-entrenched BJP. The saffron party's defeat in May 2004 not only stunned the nation, it meant Vajpayee left the political stage forever with the "queen of Indian politics" Sonia Gandhi stealing the limelight. Sonia's decision to put Manmohan Singh's name as prime minister led to a firestorm in the Congress, however, her act of "renunciation" won her political points and shielded her against possible "foreign origin" attacks which trailed her for most of her career. As the "tallest leader" in the Congress from 2004 to 2014, the Congress and the Indian government was virtually led by the "Sonia factor" which was seized upon by Modi accusing the Congress of remote controlling events at 10, Race Course. Sonia Gandhi will still have to mentor her son Rahul Gandhi as he takes over the Congress party, with time against her, Sonia is set to write the last page in her political chapter her own way as she decides to fade into the sunset.

Sonia Gandhi: Congress president set to turn 'political page'

<p>Congress <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cwc-passes-resolution-to-make-rahul-gandhi-congress-president-24631">today released election dates to elect</a> the next president of the party.</p>

<p>The party has decided<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ncp-wont-fight-gujarat-elections-with-congress-praful-patel-24627"> to set December 16th</a> as the date of polls &quot;if necessary&quot;, with the counting of votes and declaration of results to take place on December 19th.</p>

<p>The last date of filing nominations will take place on December 4th, however, the date to watch out for will be December 5th which is the last date of scrutiny of nominations. In case there is no candidate apart from Rahul Gandhi, Congress will announce his candidature on the last date of scrutiny.</p>

<p>Congress announced the dates even as the party passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi president of the party at a CWC meeting at 10, Janpath in the capital on Monday morning.</p>

<p>The meeting attended by top Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set out the path for Rahul Gandhi&#39;s crowing as party president.</p>

<p>Rahul&#39;s coronation as party president could coincide with the Gujarat elections in December especially if the Congress vice-president is declared the winner on December 5th.</p>

<p>The Congress leader will then have to contend with a bitter fight as soon as he takes over as the head of the grand old party.</p>


In case there is no candidate apart from Rahul Gandhi, Congress will announce his candidature on the last date of scrutiny

Congress today released election dates to elect the next president of the party. The party has decided to set December 16th as the date of polls "if necessary", with the counting of votes and declaration of results to take place on December 19th. The last date of filing nominations will take place on December 4th, however, the date to watch out for will be December 5th which is the last date of scrutiny of nominations. In case there is no candidate apart from Rahul Gandhi, Congress will announce his candidature on the last date of scrutiny. Congress announced the dates even as the party passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi president of the party at a CWC meeting at 10, Janpath in the capital on Monday morning. The meeting attended by top Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set out the path for Rahul Gandhi's crowing as party president. Rahul's coronation as party president could coincide with the Gujarat elections in December especially if the Congress vice-president is declared the winner on December 5th. The Congress leader will then have to contend with a bitter fight as soon as he takes over as the head of the grand old party.

Rahul as Congress president: Party says will hold polls 'if necessary'

<p>Congress Working Committee(CWC) today passed a resolution to make&nbsp;Rahul Gandhi president of the party.</p>

<p>The CWC meeting began at 10 Janpath in the capital on Monday morning to&nbsp;set a&nbsp;date for party elections to&nbsp;elect a new leader.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi: Congress Working Committee(CWC) meeting to begin shortly, leaders arrive at 10 Janpath <a href="https://t.co/pHKnqYdLDd">pic.twitter.com/pHKnqYdLDd</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932473638523043840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rahul Gandhi&#39;s elevation would mean Congress president Sonia Gandhi will be stepping down after the longest reign ever at the helm of the grand old party lasting nineteen years.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi: Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting underway at 10, Janpath <a href="https://t.co/pBjydJoqij">pic.twitter.com/pBjydJoqij</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/932479788744245248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Sonia Gandhi had dislodged Sitaram Kesri in 1998 to become the Congress president.</p>


The CWC meeting began 10 Janpath in the capital on Monday morning.

Congress Working Committee(CWC) today passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi president of the party. The CWC meeting began at 10 Janpath in the capital on Monday morning to set a date for party elections to elect a new leader. Delhi: Congress Working Committee(CWC) meeting to begin shortly, leaders arrive at 10 Janpath pic.twitter.com/pHKnqYdLDd — ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017 × Rahul Gandhi's elevation would mean Congress president Sonia Gandhi will be stepping down after the longest reign ever at the helm of the grand old party lasting nineteen years. Delhi: Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting underway at 10, Janpath pic.twitter.com/pBjydJoqij — ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2017 × Sonia Gandhi had dislodged Sitaram Kesri in 1998 to become the Congress president.

CWC passes resolution to make Rahul Gandhi Congress president

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-passing-resolution-on-rahul-gandhi-as-party-president-congress-announces-poll-dates-24640">Rahul as Congress president: Party says will hold polls &#39;if necessary&#39;</a></p>

<p>Congress today released election dates to elect the next president of the Congress Party. It has also decided to set December 16th as the date of polls &quot;if necessary&quot;, with the counting of votes and declaration of results to take place on December 19th.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmavati-row-now-shivraj-singh-chuahan-bans-the-film-in-madhya-pradesh-24645">Padmavati row: Shivraj Singh Chauhan bans film in Madhya Pradesh</a></p>

<p>The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to not screen Sanjay Leela Bhansali&#39;s film Padmavati in the state.&nbsp;The decision was taken by the state CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan after the Rajput Community in the state submitted a memorandum seeking a ban on the film.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-padmavati-plea-rejected-sc-refuses-to-interfere-in-cbfcs-matter-24660">Supreme Court refuses to intervene in Padmavati release, says cannot &#39;interfere with CBFC&#39;s work&#39;</a></p>

<p>The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a plea filed by a senior lawyer, Manohar Lal Sharma seeking direction to delete certain objectionable scenes from the movie, Padmavati. The court has categorically refused to interfere with censor board&#39;s matter.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-leader-priya-ranjan-dasmunsi-passes-away-was-in-a-coma-since-2008-24648">Congress leader Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, in coma since 2008, dies at 72</a></p>

<p>Senior Congress leader Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, who was in a coma since 2008, today passed away in a hospital at the age of 72.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/zimbabwes-mugabe-has-drafted-resignation-letter-cnn-says-24644">Mugabe&#39;s resignation letter drafted: Report</a></p>

<p>Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe&#39;s letter of resignation has been drafted, CNN reported Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Rahul as Congress president: Party says will hold polls 'if necessary' Congress today released election dates to elect the next president of the Congress Party. It has also decided to set December 16th as the date of polls "if necessary", with the counting of votes and declaration of results to take place on December 19th. Padmavati row: Shivraj Singh Chauhan bans film in Madhya Pradesh The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to not screen Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film Padmavati in the state. The decision was taken by the state CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan after the Rajput Community in the state submitted a memorandum seeking a ban on the film. Supreme Court refuses to intervene in Padmavati release, says cannot 'interfere with CBFC's work' The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a plea filed by a senior lawyer, Manohar Lal Sharma seeking direction to delete certain objectionable scenes from the movie, Padmavati. The court has categorically refused to interfere with censor board's matter. Congress leader Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, in coma since 2008, dies at 72 Senior Congress leader Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, who was in a coma since 2008, today passed away in a hospital at the age of 72. Mugabe's resignation letter drafted: Report Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's letter of resignation has been drafted, CNN reported Monday.

WION evening news brief, November 20, 2017

<p>Rahul Gandhi is all set to take over as the Congress President. The change is happening at a&nbsp;time when Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s media campaign has started to make an impression on the public. How deep and lasting the impression will be is a question whose answer will only be available&nbsp;in the results of upcoming elections.&nbsp; It is difficult to assess public figures in sub-continental politics as political structures remain feudal but Rahul&rsquo;s assessment will have to be done on what he did and what he seems to be doing.</p>

<p>The real Gandhi is a mystery. His actions will tell us the real story. Whether he is a misunderstood leader or a flawed one, his actions will define him as he stands on the cusp of change.</p>

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<h5>Rahul Gandhi is a leader in search of a victory. His party has seen many but he hasn&rsquo;t tasted one which can solely be attributed to his abilities.</h5>
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<p>On the first look, he is a leader in search of a victory. His party has seen many but he hasn&rsquo;t tasted one which can solely be attributed to his abilities. He tried his luck in Uttar Pradesh but failed thrice. He is giving his best in Gujarat but the jury is still out on it. In every politics, leaders are foremost defined by their victories and mass appeal. The ability of a leader to deliver elections make or break him.</p>

<p>This rule also applies to Rahul Gandhi. Any victory attributed to him will redefine him. He is in search of his. He is in search of his mass appeal which runs bigger than his party. In our feudal sub-continent, a leader is considered &lsquo;arrived&rsquo; when his footprint exceeds that of his party. Sonia delivered 2004 Lok Sabha elections and Manmohan Singh 2009. They were loved and rewarded for it. Sonia as a coalition builder and Mr Singh as Singh is King. Both Sonia and Manmohan Singh changed with the time and so has Rahul Gandhi.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Whether it is a lasting tilak on his forehead or multiple temple visits, he has made those rituals public for the larger body to see that he understands the diversity of Hinduism and is keen to participate in it. Earlier, he wanted to change the party and today he wants to be the glue which brings everyone together. His earlier version of secularism was rooted in his European experience but today it travels a civilisational path where the state remains secular but civil society&rsquo;s behaviour gets moderated by the largest majority of the country.</p>

<p>Obviously, he doesn&rsquo;t accept its zealotry but accepts that there nothing wrong in expressing political thought through classical religious or cultural idioms like &#39;machli ki aankh&#39; which did in monday&rsquo;s CWC which is associated with Arjuna&rsquo;s &lsquo;focus&rsquo; in Mahabharat.</p>

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<h5>Rahul is both weakness and strength of the Congress party. He unites the party but also ensures that mobility is restricted to the second tier.</h5>
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<p>He has a very well entrenched and sophisticated opponent in Modi. He represents the worst fears of the Congress. PM cut from the traditional cloth of RSS against whom the founding fathers of the Congress battled. His life too will be full of contradictions. Rahul is both weakness and strength of the Congress party. He unites the party but also ensures that mobility is restricted to the second tier.</p>

<p>He can allow families greater political space than BJP but cannot stop them for the sake of organisational parity. YSR Reddy&rsquo;s legacy is a classic example of it when his son Jagan Mohan Reddy rebelled against the Congress.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s journey has been that of privilege but it brought in its own set of contradictions. Rahul was new and untainted. He was fresh with ideas. The Congress party was set in the ways and since Rahul Gandhi came top down, the changes became even more difficult to effect. His ideas drew legitimacy from his lineage and not popular appeal. Things Kejriwal and Modi did Rahul could not because he had to deal with a well-placed power arrangement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He wanted to do surgery on a system which enabled Congress to stay in power but also corroded its organisational base. Congress had the freedom of alliance but the very openness became its bane as regional powers profited at their expense.&nbsp;Congress stuck to the status quo, fearing that BJP would come to power. The very right enabled the regime but became an extra baggage as Opposition lumped it as feudal and slow on the industry.</p>

<p>The division of power which propelled Sonia as &#39;tyaag ki devi&#39; (goddess of sacrifice) was turned into a slogan of PM without authority and Sonia with power but without accountability. These are the paradoxes which affected Rahul Gandhi in the last 13 years. He wanted to be an outsider in a system controlled by her family but got rejected as good pedigree became a bad word. Politics by that time was already controlled by multiple outsiders.</p>

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<h5>Sonia&rsquo;s Congress was different from that of Rajiv. Indira&rsquo;s Congress was vastly different from that of Jawaharlal Nehru and that of Lal Bahadur Shastri.</h5>
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<p>It is not known what Rahul thinks of it. He has no choice but to accept the disability and fight with It. In today&rsquo;s world, the face of an individual defines the body politics of a party. Rahul who was conceived as a part-time politician today has become a full-time consummate politician. He has shown the ability to fight back. He has shown the ability even to force changes in PM&rsquo;s strategy. It is for no reason that &#39;suit boot ki Sarkar&#39; - a slogan coined by Rahul riled the BJP government the most.</p>

<p>Every Congress president has refashioned the party in their own image. Sonia&rsquo;s Congress was different from that of Rajiv. Indira&rsquo;s Congress was vastly different from that of Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri. India will now see Rahul&rsquo;s Congress. Lastly, elevation is a foregone conclusion and easy, but running the party would be the where the real challenge lies.</p>


Rahul Gandhi, who was conceived as a part-time politician, has today become a consummate, full-time one

Rahul Gandhi is all set to take over as the Congress President. The change is happening at a time when Rahul Gandhi’s media campaign has started to make an impression on the public. How deep and lasting the impression will be is a question whose answer will only be available in the results of upcoming elections. It is difficult to assess public figures in sub-continental politics as political structures remain feudal but Rahul’s assessment will have to be done on what he did and what he seems to be doing. The real Gandhi is a mystery. His actions will tell us the real story. Whether he is a misunderstood leader or a flawed one, his actions will define him as he stands on the cusp of change. Rahul Gandhi is a leader in search of a victory. His party has seen many but he hasn’t tasted one which can solely be attributed to his abilities. × On the first look, he is a leader in search of a victory. His party has seen many but he hasn’t tasted one which can solely be attributed to his abilities. He tried his luck in Uttar Pradesh but failed thrice. He is giving his best in Gujarat but the jury is still out on it. In every politics, leaders are foremost defined by their victories and mass appeal. The ability of a leader to deliver elections make or break him. This rule also applies to Rahul Gandhi. Any victory attributed to him will redefine him. He is in search of his. He is in search of his mass appeal which runs bigger than his party. In our feudal sub-continent, a leader is considered ‘arrived’ when his footprint exceeds that of his party. Sonia delivered 2004 Lok Sabha elections and Manmohan Singh 2009. They were loved and rewarded for it. Sonia as a coalition builder and Mr Singh as Singh is King. Both Sonia and Manmohan Singh changed with the time and so has Rahul Gandhi. Whether it is a lasting tilak on his forehead or multiple temple visits, he has made those rituals public for the larger body to see that he understands the diversity of Hinduism and is keen to participate in it. Earlier, he wanted to change the party and today he wants to be the glue which brings everyone together. His earlier version of secularism was rooted in his European experience but today it travels a civilisational path where the state remains secular but civil society’s behaviour gets moderated by the largest majority of the country. Obviously, he doesn’t accept its zealotry but accepts that there nothing wrong in expressing political thought through classical religious or cultural idioms like 'machli ki aankh' which did in monday’s CWC which is associated with Arjuna’s ‘focus’ in Mahabharat. Rahul is both weakness and strength of the Congress party. He unites the party but also ensures that mobility is restricted to the second tier. × He has a very well entrenched and sophisticated opponent in Modi. He represents the worst fears of the Congress. PM cut from the traditional cloth of RSS against whom the founding fathers of the Congress battled. His life too will be full of contradictions. Rahul is both weakness and strength of the Congress party. He unites the party but also ensures that mobility is restricted to the second tier. He can allow families greater political space than BJP but cannot stop them for the sake of organisational parity. YSR Reddy’s legacy is a classic example of it when his son Jagan Mohan Reddy rebelled against the Congress. Rahul Gandhi’s journey has been that of privilege but it brought in its own set of contradictions. Rahul was new and untainted. He was fresh with ideas. The Congress party was set in the ways and since Rahul Gandhi came top down, the changes became even more difficult to effect. His ideas drew legitimacy from his lineage and not popular appeal. Things Kejriwal and Modi did Rahul could not because he had to deal with a well-placed power arrangement. He wanted to do surgery on a system which enabled Congress to stay in power but also corroded its organisational base. Congress had the freedom of alliance but the very openness became its bane as regional powers profited at their expense. Congress stuck to the status quo, fearing that BJP would come to power. The very right enabled the regime but became an extra baggage as Opposition lumped it as feudal and slow on the industry. The division of power which propelled Sonia as 'tyaag ki devi' (goddess of sacrifice) was turned into a slogan of PM without authority and Sonia with power but without accountability. These are the paradoxes which affected Rahul Gandhi in the last 13 years. He wanted to be an outsider in a system controlled by her family but got rejected as good pedigree became a bad word. Politics by that time was already controlled by multiple outsiders. Sonia’s Congress was different from that of Rajiv. Indira’s Congress was vastly different from that of Jawaharlal Nehru and that of Lal Bahadur Shastri. × It is not known what Rahul thinks of it. He has no choice but to accept the disability and fight with It. In today’s world, the face of an individual defines the body politics of a party. Rahul who was conceived as a part-time politician today has become a full-time consummate politician. He has shown the ability to fight back. He has shown the ability even to force changes in PM’s strategy. It is for no reason that 'suit boot ki Sarkar' - a slogan coined by Rahul riled the BJP government the most. Every Congress president has refashioned the party in their own image. Sonia’s Congress was different from that of Rajiv. Indira’s Congress was vastly different from that of Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri. India will now see Rahul’s Congress. Lastly, elevation is a foregone conclusion and easy, but running the party would be the where the real challenge lies.

On cusp of change, can Rahul Gandhi lead Congress?

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