&w=3840&q=100)
Clean voter roll imperative for free, fair elections: Rahul Gandhi
The Congress MP linked his stand to a fight to "protect" democracy.
"Vote Chori is an attack on the foundational idea of 'one man, one vote'. A clean voter roll is imperative for free and fair elections. Our demand from the EC is clear - be transparent and release digital voter rolls so that people and parties can audit them. This fight is to protect our democracy," the Congress MP posted on X.
Meanwhile, the Congress party said that it will hold a meeting of its general secretaries, in-charges, and frontal organisation heads on August 11 to discuss a nationwide campaign against "voter list manipulation and election fraud.
"The party is also opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, along with other partners of the INDIA bloc."Just as Bapu gave us the 'Do or Die' call during the Quit India movement, we today must embark upon a similar do-or-die mission to save Indian democracy. To discuss the party's further nationwide campaign against voter list manipulation and election fraud, as exposed by LOP Sh. @RahulGandhi ji, a meeting of AICC General Secretaries, In-charges, and Frontal Organisation Heads will be held on 11th August at 4:30 PM at 24 Akbar Road, presided over by INC President Sh. Mallikarjun @kharge ji," Congress general secretary KC Venugopal wrote in a post on X on Friday.
On August 7, Rahul Gandhi held a press conference, citing internal analysis. The LoP stated that the Congress expected to win 16 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka but ended up with only nine.
He said the Congress investigated seven unexpected losses, zeroing in on Mahadevapura, where he alleged vote theft involving 100,250 votes. Presenting Congress's research on voting in the Mahadevapura Assembly in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi alleged "vote chori" (vote theft) of 100,250 votes.
"Our internal polling told us we would win 16 seats in Karnataka; we won nine. We then focused on seven unexpected losses. We focused on Mahadevapur... All data is 2024 data from the Election Commission; the total votes polled in the Lok Sabha were 6.26 lakhs. The BJP won with 658,915, securing a margin of 32,707. But then we look at Mahadevapura, where Congress polls 115,586 and BJP polls 229,632. Congress wins all Vidhan Sabhas but this one," the Congress leader said.
"We found 100,250 votes stolen in five different ways. Duplicate voters, fake and invalid addresses, and bulk voters in a single address, in a building with 50-60 people living. But when we go there, there is no record of those people living there. One family living in that house," he said.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday has again asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to either give a declaration as per the rules or apologise to the country for his "false" allegations regarding the voter lists.
"Rahul Gandhi should either give a Declaration as per rules or apologise to the country for his false allegations," ECI said in a statement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
27 minutes ago
- Mint
India plans compliance reforms, seamless GST refunds, PLI fixes to woo investors
New Delhi: The government is working on a plan to substantially ease compliance burdens and eliminate policy bottlenecks as well as procedural hurdles to attract investments, after India's talks for a trade agreement with the US stalled over the latter's demand for greater market access to the politically-sensitive agriculture and dairy sectors. The government has asked 37 of its ministries to submit a detailed report on the key compliance requirements that are creating roadblocks for manufacturers, exporters, investors and small enterprises, hurting their ability to conduct their businesses smoothly, three government officials directly involved in the ongoing consultations said on the condition of anonymity. One of the key areas under discussion to strengthen the domestic manufacturing base is reforming the GST reimbursement mechanism on the lines of the income tax refund, where an assessee gets refunds soon after the verification of their returns in an automatic, seamless manner, the first of the three officials cited earlier said. During discussions with officials from various ministries and separately with exporters and manufacturers, a critical concern that was flagged was the absence of an automatic refund mechanism after disputes flagged with a red alert notice are resolved, the second person said. 'Traders currently have to apply afresh to claim refunds even after the dispute is settled and the red alert is removed, creating an unnecessary compliance burden." Queries sent to the ministries of commerce, finance, external affairs, the prime minister's office, and the GST secretariat remained unanswered till press time. There remain a few challenges for GST refunds, particularly for exporters and MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), such as delays in refunds, and procedural complexities that need to be addressed, Hemant Jain, president, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said. 'For traders, these delays directly translate into higher financial costs, reduced competitiveness, and uncertainty in fulfilling orders. Removing these hurdles will not only improve the ease of doing business but also bolster India's trade efficiency and export growth, especially with rising geopolitical uncertainties," Jain added. As talks with the US for the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) hit a stalemate, president Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% punitive tariff on India for buying Russian oil and weapons, taking the total import duty on Indian goods to 50%. The government is leveraging this trade crisis to fast-track ease-of-doing-business reforms, including a single-window clearance system inspired by passport services, and simplified procedures for land acquisition and contract management, according to a Mint report on 9 August. As of 30 June, total direct and indirect tax arrears in India amounted to over ₹54.53 trillion, the government informed Parliament on 5 August. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated that pending indirect tax arrears stood at more than ₹7.01 trillion, while direct tax arrears were over ₹47.52 trillion. 'The delay in processing GST refunds has been a significant concern for businesses, particularly exporters and manufacturers, as it affects their working capital and cash flow," said Abhash Kumar, trade economist and assistant professor of economics at Delhi University. 'Other proposals include easing incentives reimbursement norms, softening rules for opening bank accounts for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders, and removing redundant approvals for foreign investors," said the third person. The government is also keen on simplifying the claims procedures under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, designed to boost domestic manufacturing. 'Easing procedural challenges in claiming incentives under the PLI scheme is a key focus for the government. The aim is to make the process hassle-free, encouraging more investments that will boost the manufacturing sector and create employment opportunities," this person added. The priority is to maintain the momentum of manufacturing to boost employment and sustain domestic consumption, this person said. Perhaps due to the cumbersome process of claiming incentives under the PLI scheme, many beneficiaries are hesitant to come forward and claim their dues. As a result, as of June 2025, only ₹21,534 crore of the allocated ₹1.90 trillion had been disbursed, with companies producing just 37% of the targeted goods. The PLI schemes, covering sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and specialty steel, have attracted investments totaling ₹1.76 trillion and generated over 1.2 million direct and indirect jobs. The disbursement has been uneven across sectors. For instance, the electronics and pharmaceutical sectors received about 70% of the total incentives for FY25, amounting to ₹5,732 crore and ₹2,328 crore, respectively. In contrast, the telecom sector has seen a slower uptake, with only 21 out of 42 eligible firms receiving a total of ₹1,162 crore in incentives as of 31 March. As the government discusses a comprehensive policy reset to boost manufacturing and attract investment, it is also consulting export promotion councils and manufacturers to rework India's export strategy, according to a Mint report dated 2 August. This development follows a deadlock in the BTA negotiations between India and the US, which have been ongoing since June, Mint reported on 11 June. The new export plan focuses on diversifying into key markets where India has or is close to finalizing free trade agreements (FTAs), including the UK, with which India recently signed an FTA, and the European Union, where talks are in the final stages with a deal expected before year-end. Other target markets include the UAE, Australia, Japan, and South Korea, all of which have existing FTAs with India. The measures are an attempt to protect India's economic growth, which some economists fear could slip by 20 to 30 basis points to around 6.2% in the current fiscal year if the new tariffs are enacted. 'The impact on GDP may not be dramatic, but we could see growth closer to 6.2–6.3% in FY26," said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Bank of Baroda. Key sectors such as textiles, which accounts for $10.91 billion in exports to the US, engineering goods ($19.16 billion), agriculture ($2.53 billion), gems and jewellery ($9.94 billion), leather ($948.47 million), marine products ($2.68 billion), and plastics ($1.92 billion) could face serious trouble if the 50% US tariff continues for along. Exports in these categories could fall by as much as 40% if the 50% tariff remains in place for an extended period. India exported goods worth $86.5 billion to the US in FY25, accounting for 20% of the country's total merchandise exports of $433.56 billion during the year. India's total agricultural exports to the US stood at $2.53 billion in FY25, up 19.3% from $2.12 billion in FY24.
Mint
27 minutes ago
- Mint
Split with US: Fallout worries top officials
The Centre is increasingly concerned about the potential impact of worsening relations with the US on the large Indian diaspora, particularly in the tech sector, people aware of the discussions said. Senior officials told a parliamentary panel that they were concerned about the fallout on Indian professionals and students in the US including job losses and tighter immigration policies. This comes at a time when India and the US have differed over market access for various American goods, and the US has objected to India's purchase of Russian oil. The concerns were flagged by the government, represented by senior officials such as foreign secretary Vikram Misri, commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal, and India's chief negotiator for the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the US Rajesh Agarwal, during a recent meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs. The officials told the committee, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, that the trade logjam may impact Indian professionals working in the US, said one of the three people cited above. The Indian diaspora contributes significantly through remittances, which extending India's soft power and acting as a crucial buffer against global economic uncertainties. While the absolute number of Indian students and workers in the US is not available, it is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands. Queries emailed to the ministries of external affairs, commerce, and Tharoor remained unanswered. The officials' alert comes as new data highlights a cooling job market for foreign workers in the US. Registrations for Indian H-1B visas for 2026 dropped by 27% to 358,000, and were more than 54% lower than the prior year. Only 120,141 of these registrations were selected to move forward, well above the annual 85,000 visa cap. The H-1B programme is a critical pathway for Indian tech workers seeking jobs in the US. "Strained trade ties could bring tighter visa rules, higher compliance demands, and caution in hiring, especially in tech and professional services," said Sonal Arora, country manager, GI Group Holding, a global staffing solutions provider. 'But with their adaptability, strong professional networks, and proven expertise, Indian professionals are likely to adjust quickly, find new opportunities, and continue playing a key role in strengthening economic and cultural connections," said Arora. The US has recently ramped up pressure on India in trade talks, imposing a 25% tariff on certain Indian goods in late July and a second 25% tariff on August 6 as a penalty for India's continued purchase of Russian oil. The second tariff is set to take effect just as a US negotiating team arrives in New Delhi for another round of talks on 25 August. India's remittances have more than doubled from $55.6 billion in 2010–11 to $118.7 billion in 2023–24. According to the Reserve Bank of India's Sixth Round of Remittances Survey, these inflows have financed around half of India's merchandise trade deficit and have generally remained higher than gross FDI, making them a stable source of external financing. After a pandemic-induced dip of 3.6% in 2020–21, remittances rebounded strongly between 2021–22 and 2023–24, growing at an average annual rate of 14.3%. Also, the remittances sent back home by Indians working abroad registered a 14% rise in FY25 to a record $135.46 billion. Indians working abroad sent home a record $129.4 billion in 2024. The RBI said the inflows, classified under 'private transfers," accounted for more than 10% of total inflows. The government also informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs that the US has negotiated tough terms with all countries with which it has finalized bilateral trade deals. Citing agreements with Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the EU, officials noted that while the additional tariffs on these countries have been adjusted or reduced, they have not been fully removed despite the substantial concessions obtained from them. As India remains firm on its stance of not bringing non-negotiable issues to the negotiating table, the US imposed a 25% duty on 30 July, effective from 7 August, and announced an additional 25% duty as a penalty for buying oil from Russia on 6 August. The new 25% duty is set to come into force from 27 August, just a few days after a US team of negotiators is scheduled to begin the sixth round of negotiations from 25 August in New Delhi.
Hindustan Times
27 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Op Sindoor success to feature in I-Day event
NEW DELHI: The success of Operation Sindoor will be hailed at the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort on Friday, three months after Indian forces hit terror and military targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Police personnel during the full dress rehearsal for the 79th Independence Day Parade 2025, at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Wednesday. (ANI PHOTO) A Mi-17 helicopter will troop a flag depicting Operation Sindoor, the invitation cards carry the operation's distinct logo, the view cutter at Gyanpath will showcase the logo, and the floral decoration will be based on the operation, the defence ministry said on Wednesday. 'The invitation cards are also carrying the watermark of Chenab bridge, depicting the rise of 'Naya Bharat,'' the defence ministry said in a statement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the celebrations at the 79th Independence Day, and address the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort. He is expected to talk about the operation in his speech. 'As the nation is making giant strides towards realising the government's vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, the theme of this year's celebrations is Naya Bharat. The celebrations will serve as a platform to commemorate the continuing rise of a prosperous, secure and bold Naya Bharat and provide renewed power to surge further ahead on the path to progress,' the ministry said. The success of Operation Sindoor is being hailed at a time when the government has made it clear that strikes against terror mark a new normal for India. India launched the operation in the early hours of May 7 and struck terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike. Between the launch of the operation in the early hours of May 7 and the ceasefire on May 10 evening, Indian forces bombed nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, killing at least 100 terrorists, and the Indian Air Force struck targets at 13 Pakistani airbases and military installations. The operation was recently discussed in Parliament too. Lieutenant Colonel Harsh Gupta and Havildar Surinder Singh designed the logo of Operation Sindoor. The PM will be greeted by defence minister Rajnath Singh, minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth, defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, chief of defence staff General Anil Chauhan, army chief General Upendra Dwivedi, navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh. The defence secretary will introduce the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar to the PM. The GOC will then conduct the PM to the saluting base where a combined inter-services and Delhi Police guard will present a general salute to Modi, who will inspect the Guard of Honour. Flying Officer Rashika Sharma will assist the PM in hoisting the national flag, the statement said. It will be synchronised with a 21-Gun salute by the gunners of the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial). The Air Force band, consisting of one junior commissioned officer and 25 other ranks, will play the national anthem during the hoisting of the flag. For the first time, 11 Agniveer Vayu musicians will be part of the band, it said. 'As soon as the national flag is hoisted by the PM, flower petals will be showered at the venue by two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force --- one trooping the national flag and the other a flag depicting 'Operation Sindoor'.' Around 5,000 special guests will witness the celebrations at Red Fort, including the Indian contingent of Special Olympics 2025, winners of international sports events, gold medallists of Khelo India Para Games, best performing farmers trained and financially assisted under different schemes, best performing sarpanches and best performing students among others. Over 1,500 people from various states and Union Territories dressed in traditional attire have also been invited to witness the ceremony.
