Devanahalli agitation to continue till July 15 after Siddaramaiah cites legal complexities
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Hans India
8 hours ago
- Hans India
CM Stalin extends birthday greetings to VCK leader Thirumavalavan, calls him 'beloved brother'
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday greeted Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader and Lok Sabha MP Thol Thirumavalavan on his birthday, hailing him as a 'beloved brother' and praising his commitment to social justice and the upliftment of marginalised communities. In a message on social media, CM Stalin wrote, 'Birthday wishes to beloved brother Thirumavalavan, who has deep knowledge, clear thinking, and a desire to work for the welfare of the downtrodden. I wish you, who accompany me in the aspirational journey, a happy and healthy life.' The Chief Minister also shared a photograph of himself with the VCK leader to mark the occasion. Thirumavalavan, known for his outspoken advocacy of Dalit rights and social equity, has been at the forefront of Tamil Nadu's politics for decades. As the president of the VCK, he has championed the causes of marginalised sections and emerged as a strong voice in both the state and national political arenas. His party, which is a key ally of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), plays a vital role in reinforcing the coalition's social justice agenda. The warm greetings extended by CM Stalin highlight the strong bond between the DMK and VCK, two parties that have consistently stood together on issues of communal harmony, caste equity, and minority rights. Political analysts point out that the camaraderie between Stalin and Thirumavalavan goes beyond electoral alliances, reflecting a deeper alignment of values and political commitments. Stalin's gesture also comes at a politically significant time, as Tamil Nadu's political parties begin to gear up for the 2026 Assembly elections. Observers note that reaffirming ties with allies like the VCK will be crucial for the DMK in consolidating its position and countering the BJP's efforts to expand its base in the state. Thirumavalavan's leadership is widely acknowledged for combining intellectual clarity with grassroots activism, and his speeches in Parliament and public forums often emphasise the need to protect the rights of the downtrodden. By recognising him as a 'beloved brother' and wishing him well, Stalin underscored the DMK's respect for his role in strengthening the state's progressive political fabric. The exchange of birthday wishes thus served not only as a personal gesture of goodwill but also as a reaffirmation of the enduring alliance between the DMK and the VCK, rooted in shared ideals of justice, equality, and inclusive development.
India Today
9 hours ago
- India Today
Rahul Gandhi Bihar Yatra Live: Lalu Yadav, Tejashwi arrive in Sasaram to join yatra
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on Sunday hit out at the Election Commission while addressing the launch of Rahul Gandhi's "Voter Adhikar Yatra" in Bihar's Sasaram. "Rahul Gandhi is starting a major campaign today, and the Election Commission's press conference is happening in this context, as they are admitting that the voter list is wrong. If the voter list is wrong, then it is their job to fix it," Shrinate said while speaking to news agency ANI. Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary on Sunday downplayed Rahul Gandhi's "Voter Adhikar Yatra" against the special intensive revision (SIR) of voter lists. Choudhary sarcastically thanked Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, saying, "At least thanks to Nitish Kumar, Rahul Gandhi can hold his yatra on good roads. There's nothing extraordinary about it". Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo and former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav arrived in Sasaram to join the inaugural program of the "Voter Adhikar Yatra" in the poll-bound state. Earlier in the day, Lalu Yadav departed from Patna to Sasaram by helicopter, accompanied by RJD leader and his son Tejashwi Yadav, to kick off the campaign aimed at defending citizens' right to vote ahead of the state assembly elections. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday said the Opposition will fight with full determination to safeguard citizens' right to vote, calling it the cornerstone of democracy. "What bigger irony can there be in a democracy than people being denied the freedom to vote and choose their government?" Yadav asked. He assured voters that the Mahagathbandhan would stand firmly with them in this battle. "लोकतंत्र में इस से बड़ी विडंबना क्या होगी कि लोगों से उनके वोट डालने की और सरकार चुनने की आजादी छिनी जा रही है। हम आप सभी को आश्वस्त करते हैं कि आपकी वोट डालने की लड़ाई शिद्दत के साथ लड़ेंगे। इसी आवाज को मुखर करने और न्याय पाने के लिए हम 17 अगस्त से "वोटर अधिकार यात्रा' शुरू… — Rashtriya Janata Dal (@RJDforIndia) August 17, 2025 RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday backed Rahul Gandhi's "Voter Adhikar Yatra" in Bihar, calling it a fight to protect democracy and the right to vote. Yadav accused the BJP of "misusing constitutional institutions" and said Bihar, the land often called the cradle of democracy, will not remain silent. "We will fight for the people. We will not allow anyone to snatch away the right to vote," he said. Congress has claimed that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) had actually "exposed" the designs of the BJP to disenfranchise lakhs of voters belonging to the Dalit, Adivasi and minority communities, poor people and daily wagers. The grand old party has also alleged that the Election Commission is becoming like one of the 'compartments' of the BJP. 🇮🇳 Voter Adhikar Yatra 🇮🇳 𝟏𝟔 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬. 𝟏,𝟑𝟎𝟎 𝐤𝐦. 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 👉 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 🗓️ August 17 Bihar will rise to defend democracy, the Constitution and the rights of every citizen. This is not just a march. ✊ It's a fight. A call. A… — Congress (@INCIndia) August 16, 2025 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to address a gathering later this evening at Ramesh Chowk in Aurangabad. The 'yatra' will pass through Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Nalanda, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnea, Araria, Supaul, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, East Champaran, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Chapra and Ara. With the Bihar Assembly elections three months away, Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav and other Mahagathbandhan leaders will launch the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' from Sasaram's BIADA Ground, ending with a Patna rally on September 1 after 16 days.
India.com
11 hours ago
- India.com
Voter Adhikar Yatra' kicks Off In Bihar With Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav
The INDIA bloc will launch the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' on Sunday from Sasaram to protest against the alleged irregularities in Bihar's voter list revision. The 1,300 km-long journey will be led jointly by the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav. Senior leaders, including Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, and VIP chief Mukesh Sahani, will also join the yatra. Preparations were finalised on Saturday. The specially designed vehicle used during Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra has been remodelled for this campaign. Rahul will arrive at Gaya airport and proceed by helicopter to SP Jain College, Sasaram, where the yatra will be flagged off with a public meeting at noon. Over the 16-day campaign, Rahul Gandhi will engage with people both on foot and by vehicle, depending on the density of the population. The yatra will include two to three public meetings daily, along with roadshows and foot marches at various stops. Night halts have been arranged in tents at 13 different locations along the route. The first night's rest will be at Babhandih Sports Ground in Kutumba, Aurangabad. The Voter Rights Yatra, organised by the INDIA bloc, will cover 25 districts over 16 days and culminate with a massive public meeting at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna on September 1. A dedicated van for media personnel, decorated with posters of Rahul and Tejashwi, will accompany the yatra. According to the INDIA bloc leaders, the purpose of the campaign is twofold: to create awareness among voters about their rights and to expose alleged large-scale deletions from the electoral rolls, particularly impacting Dalit, backward, and minority communities. They claim such omissions pose a serious threat to democratic participation in Bihar. As per the schedule, the Yatra will start from Rohtas on August 17, will reach Aurangabad on August 18, Gaya and Nawada on August 19, and, August 20 will be a break. The INDIA bloc Yatra will resume from Lakhisarai-Sheikhpura on August 21, reach Munger and Bhagalpur on August 22, then Katihar on August 23, and Purnea and Araria on August 24. The alliance leaders will take a break on August 25 and resume their journey on August 26 from Supaul. They will reach Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur on August 27, Sitamarhi and Motihari on August 28, Betiah, Gopalganj and Siwan on August 29, Chhapra and Ara on August 30. August 31 will be a break, and the Yatra will finally culminate at Patna's Gandhi Maidan with a massive rally on September 1.
