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News18
4 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
In First Litmus Test After Op Sindoor, Congress Eyes Muslim Vote Ahead Of Bihar Polls
Last Updated: Having attempted to gain ground with the Hindu vote and not found sustained success, the Congress now seems to be doubling down on its appeal to minority communities. The first big election that the Congress will face as a litmus test after Operation Sindoor will be Bihar. With a 17 per cent Muslim population, Bihar presents a crucial electoral opportunity, with the Congress, JD(U), and RJD all eyeing the same vote pie. However, this battle for the Muslim vote is not limited to Bihar. Nationally, the almost 20 per cent Muslim votebank could be a game-changer for the Congress in its broader revival strategy. In recent years, the Congress has attempted to strike a balance between wooing the Hindutva constituencies and appealing to minority voters. However, it remains acutely aware that when it comes to the Hindu votebank, the BJP continues to be the natural first choice. In areas where Congress does secure Hindu votes, it is often not for religious reasons but due to local dynamics or disenchantment with the BJP. Given this reality, the party appears to be falling back on what was once its traditional stronghold — the Muslim vote. It was not without reason that former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh once advocated for the speedy implementation of the Sachar Committee recommendations and emphasised increasing the rights of Muslims. This policy orientation underlined the Congress's commitment to minority welfare and social justice. Having attempted to gain ground with the Hindu vote and not found sustained success, the Congress now seems to be doubling down on its appeal to minority communities. But this is easier said than done. Not only does it face tough competition from regional parties such as the RJD and JD(U), it also has to deal with vote-sharing challenges with its own allies. The 17 per cent Muslim vote share in Bihar is being hotly contested, and Congress is in the race with both allies and opponents. The party's stand on the Iran-Israel conflict also reflects its evolving minority strategy. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra delivered one of the sharpest critiques of the government's silence on Gaza, accusing it of ignoring human rights violations. 'India is standing silent as Israel annihilates a nation," she said, making it clear where the Congress's sympathies lie. Her carrying a pro-Palestine tote bag in Parliament only further reinforced the message — a calculated effort to align with minority sentiment. At the state level too, groundwork has begun. The Karnataka Congress government recently announced 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in government contract jobs and proposed an increase in housing reservation for minorities from 10 per cent to 15 per cent. These decisions are not just governance moves but political signals, conveying that a Congress-led government at the Centre or in states like Bihar or Kerala would prioritise minority welfare. Looking ahead, seat-sharing talks and the Bihar elections will be a critical moment for the Congress's minority outreach strategy. Despite its alliance with the RJD, the Congress is clearly trying to carve out an independent appeal among Muslim voters. The induction of leaders like former JD(U) MP Anwar Ansari and other Pasmanda Muslim figures into its fold is part of this push. However, in its attempt to reclaim the Muslim vote while also appeasing some Hindu constituencies, the Congress often appears directionless — caught between conflicting impulses. Its struggle to choose between consolidating the Muslim vote and pursuing a soft Hindutva line leaves the party at political crossroads. First Published: June 20, 2025, 13:17 IST
Mint
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Shashi Tharoor says ‘didn't get a missed call' for Kerala bypoll; Congress star campaigners list tells a different story
Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor on June 19 claimed he was not invited by the party to campaign for its candidate in the Nilambur Assembly byelection in Kerala. Tharoor even said that even got a missed call to campaign for the party's candidate in the bypolls held on June 19. 'It is true that I was not invited (to campaign). As you know, I was abroad for around 16 days. Even then, I did not get an invite or even a missed call...," Tharoor, the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, told reporters when asked why he was absent from the party's campaign in Nilambur. Tharoor's remarks come on a day when Kerala's Nilambur seat is voting in the by-election. Tharoor was conspicuous by his absence during the campaigning while senior Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, drummed up support for the party candidate. "But regardless of whether I campaigned or not, I want the Congress to win in Nilambur. We have a good candidate there, and our workers have worked very hard,' he said. Tharoor was, however, among the list of star campaigners submitted to the Election Commission by the Congress party. According to the list of star campaigners submitted by the Congress to the Election Commission, Tharoor's name is in eighth place among the 40 people, including KC Venugopal, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, VD Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala. According to the list of star campaigners submitted by the Congress to the Election Commission, Tharoor's name is in eighth place among the 40 people, including KC Venugopal, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, VD Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala. Congress General Secretary Mukul Wasnik submitted the list to the Election Commission of India through an official letter dated June 2. The Election Commission officially communicated this list to the Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala, on June 5 for circulation to relevant authorities. The list is available on the Election Commission of India website. The bypoll was necessitated after the seat fell vacant since the two-time MLA PV Anvar, previously supported by the Left, switched allegiance to the Congress party. Anvar contested the election as an Independent. The Congress nominated Aryadan Shoukath, the son of former MLA Aryadan Mohammed, while the ruling LDF backed M Swaraj. 'Some differences of opinion' with Congress In the same conversation with reporters, Tharoor admitted that he has some differences of opinion with the party. Tharoor, however, said that he will discuss these differences privately when someone from the party approaches him. 'I have been working in Congress for the past 16 years. I have some differences of opinion with the party, and I will discuss them inside the I don't want to speak it. I need to meet and talk, let the time come, and I will discuss it,' Tharoor said. Tharoor, who took the India case post Operation Sindoor in foreign countries while heading an all-party delegation earlier this month, has, with his remarks, seemingly riled his party for showing support for the Narendra Modi government over recent military actions across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Some Congress leaders even accused Tharoor of being a 'super spokesperson' for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. I was not invited (to campaign). Even then, I did not get an invite or even a missed call. On June 10, Tharoor called his meeting with Prime Minister Modi 'good, lively and informal'. PM Modi met the members of the all-party delegations of Operation Sindoor at his residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, in New Delhi.
India Today
21 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Bungalow No 5, Sunehri Bagh Road: Rahul Gandhi's new address on 55th birthday
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi moved to a new home on his 55th birthday today, his sister and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared on Gandhi shared a video on Facebook which showed Rahul Gandhi's new address - Bungalow No 5, Sunehri Bagh Road, Delhi. The clip gave a glimpse of the bungalow and its Rahul Gandhi becoming the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, he is entitled to a Type 8 bungalow as he holds the rank of a Cabinet minister. According to sources, the Congress MP accepted the same as his official residence and began moving his belongings on Thursday. He is expected to start living there in the coming days ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning on July Sunehri Bagh residence was previously occupied by BJP leader A Narayanaswamy, who served as Minister of State for Social Justice in the Narendra Modi-led government from 2021 to sources told PTI that last year the bungalow was offered to Rahul Gandhi and a response had been Gandhi had earlier resided at 12, Tughlaq Lane since becoming an MP, but vacated the property after his disqualification from the Lok Sabha in 2023 following a conviction in a defamation case. Following the disqualification, he moved into the 10, Janpath residence of his mother, Sonia Gandhi, where he continued to live even after the disqualification was PTI inputsTrending Reel IN THIS STORY#Rahul Gandhi#Delhi#Indian National Congress
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Odisha Crime Branch begins probe into Gopalpur gangrape; Priyanka Gandhi slams state govt
BHUBANESWAR /BERHAMPUR: The Crime Against Women and Children's Wing (CAW&CW) of Odisha Crime Branch began probe into the gangrape of the 20-year-old student on Gopalpur beach even as Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday lit into the state government accusing it of failing to prioritise women's safety. In a strongly worded post on X on Wednesday, Priyanka said the incident highlighted the growing violence against women in Odisha. 'The brutal assault on a girl student by ten individuals in Gopalpur, Odisha, is a heinous crime that warrants strong condemnation. Harshest words are not enough to condemn the brutality meted out to the girl. The incident highlights the growing violence against women in Odisha,' said the post. While the horrific crime grabbed national attention, the CAW&CW team, led by IG S Shyni, visited the crime scene and examined a radius of 300 metre. It also met the survivor who is now being provided psychosocial support. Sources said, the Crime Branch is looking to fast-track the investigation and submit the chargesheet at the earliest. During probe, it was found that the stretch of the beach where the crime took place on Sunday has seating areas for tourists but does not have illumination. The CAW&CW team also enquired how the rape survivor and her friend reached the beach. It has come to light that around 8 pm on Sunday, Gopalpur police with all-terrain vehicle was patrolling and even passed the crime spot. Seeing the vehicle, the accused apparently gagged the victim and her male friend and waited till the patrol went away. The rape survivor apparently mentioned this in her statement. Though the team refused to divulge any detail about the ongoing probe, sources said, it examined the mobile phone to which the male friend of the rape survivor paid Rs 1,000 using PhonePe. The accused had apparently extorted money from the duo and it was the phone number which helped the police to trace the accused within hours of the incident.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Violence against women is increasing day by day in Odisha: Priyanka Gandhi condemns gangrape of 20-yr-old woman
New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday condemned the alleged gangrape of a college student in Odisha's Gopalpur, asserting that the failure to prioritise women's safety constitutes a grave atrocity against them. In a strongly worded post on X on Wednesday, Wayanad MP highlighted the escalating violence against women in Odisha, referring to the recent alleged gangrape at the beach in Gopalpur. The MP from Wayanad also took out a dig Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi over the alleged safety of women in the State. 'The strongest words are enough to condemn the brutality that was meted out to a student by ten men in Gopalpur, Odisha. Violence against women is increasing day by day in Odisha. In a state where the Chief Minister himself admits that about 44,000 women and children have disappeared in the last five years, not giving priority to women's safety is in itself an atrocity against women,' Vadra wrote in her post. The horrific gang-rape of the 20-year-old college student at the Gopalpur beach in Odisha's Ganjam district sparked a row all over the state, with Biju Janata Dal (BJD) calling it a 'complete breakdown' of law and order. BJD chief Naveen Patnaik, expressing shock over the incident, demanded strict action against the perpetrator while advising the BJP-led government to be more 'vigilant' in preventing the 'increasing atrocities against women'. 'The news of the gang-rape at Gopalpur beach, a major tourist destination in Odisha, is deeply shocking and has left everyone shaken. It is strongly condemned. The safety of women in tourist destinations has been questioned. The government should be vigilant in preventing the increasing atrocities against women every day. The government should take strict steps to ensure the safety and security of women in the state,' Patnaik wrote on X. Meanwhile, Congress leaders and workers entered into a scuffle with police earlier today in Odisha's Bhubaneswar as they protested against the recent gang rape case. The protesters, demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister, were marching towards the CM's residence when they were stopped by the police. The police detained several Congress leaders and workers during the protest. Earlier on Tuesday, the police had nabbed all 10 people - six adults and four minors - in connection with the alleged gang rape of the student from Berhampur, who was out with her male friend at Gopalpur beach on Monday, Superintendent of Police, Berhampur, Sravana Vivek M said. According to the police, around 8 pm, 10 local youths, six adults and four minors at the beach overpowered the woman and her male friend. Three of the accused allegedly raped the woman while others kept watch on her male friend. The police immediately launched an investigation after the woman and her male friend registered a police complaint at the police station after 10 pm. According to the Berhampur SP, the police have arrested the six adults and produced the four minors before the Juvenile Justice Board. Police will send pleas to the board to treat the minors as adults, as they all are 17-years-old. Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep condemnation of the heinous gang rape incident in Gopalpur, stating that strict and exemplary action will be taken against the perpetrators. Condemning the incident, the Chief Minister termed it as 'highly deplorable and a crime against humanity'. He emphasized that no perpetrator involved in this act will be spared, and the strictest punishment under the law will be ensured, the CM's Office said in a statement. (ANI)
