Rahul to Akhilesh: We will raise PDA's voice together
1
2
Lucknow: Amid ongoing blow-hot-blow-cold ties between SP and the Cong -- the two key INDIA bloc constituents -- Cong MP
Rahul Gandhi
and SP chief
Akhilesh Yadav
not only exchanged pleasantries on X, but the former also assured the latter that they would raise the voice of PDA together.
The PDA (backwards, Dalits and minorities) was the term coined by the SP chief to appeal to the OBCs, SCs and Muslims before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
O
n the occasion of Rahul's 55th birthday, Akhilesh took to his X handle to extend greetings. "Heartfelt congratulations to Rahul Gandhi on his birthday and best wishes for his harmonious, inclusive, and comprehensive socio-political activism!" wrote Akhilesh.
In response to the post, Rahul wrote back: "Akhilesh ji, thank you very much for your wishes. We will continue to raise the voice of the people of Uttar Pradesh — especially the PDA — even more strongly from the streets to Parliament. Together, firmly."
This was the first time after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls that the two leaders spoke publicly about 'moving ahead together'. It comes close on the heels of Akhilesh's press statement announcing that the INDIA bloc would contest 2027 UP elections together amid the UP Congress's organisational building workshop focusing on fortifying their unit in all the 403 seats of the state.
UP state leaders, however, maintained that there was no rift with the SP. "The so-called rift between SP and us was a handiwork of the BJP propaganda peddlers who are scared of the power of the INDIA bloc," said Ajay Rai, UP Congress president.
AICC incharge for UP, Avinash Pande, said: "Organisational building is a primary commitment of party leadership with its followers and workers. We have been working on all the 403 seats of UP to be able to take on the BJP in a much stronger way. Strengthening Congress means fortifying the INDIA bloc as well," he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
16 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
People of Tamil Nadu will defeat Sangh Parivar politics, says VCK chief Thirumavalavan
MADURAI: People of Tamil Nadu will defeat the politics of religion which is practised by Sangh Parivar in northern states, VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan said. Speaking after taking part in a human chain protest organised by the Madurai Federation for Religious Harmony on Thursday to oppose the Murugan Maanadu, Thirumavalvan said through the protest, people of TN are conveying to the world that they are against religious politics. 'In northern states Sangh Parivar used religious politics to divide people. They are testing the same in Tamil Nadu. Since 1992, after the Babri Masjid issue, Sangh Parivar has been trying to rake up a controversy in Thiruparankundram and spread hatred against Muslims,' he said. 'BJP leaders like H Raja have made statements that they will convert Tamil Nadu into Ayodhya. But people of Tamil Nadu will never allow it, ' Thiruma said. He added 'Now they are making another attempt to woo Mukulathur community by organising the Murugan Maanadu. They will not succeed. We are not against the programme but are worried it will be used by Sangh outfits to unleash violence and destroy brotherhood among people.'
Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Minorities' housing schemes quota to go from 10% to 15%
The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to enhance the reservation for minorities under various housing schemes in the state from 10% to 15%, drawing criticism from the opposition BJP, which called the move 'unconstitutional'. According to ministers, the move aligned with both the demographic realities and existing central guidelines. According to the government, this enhanced quota will benefit all minorities, including Muslims, Christians, and Jains. The change will apply to all government housing initiatives implemented across the state, and according to housing minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, it comes after long-standing demands from minority groups who have struggled to access affordable housing. The decision, however, has led the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to accuse the Congress-led government of pushing a religion-based agenda in violation of constitutional principles. Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar defended the revision, highlighting that many housing units remain unoccupied in towns and cities, and that the new allocation could address both vacancy and need. 'In Mandya, there are 7 to 9 towers where no one has moved in. At least minorities are willing to occupy those buildings,' he said. 'In urban areas, a lot of minorities are present. We couldn't allocate [homes] to others, and that's why they requested 10–15%.' He pointed to similar patterns in Bengaluru, where homes built under public schemes have not been fully utilised. 'We've constructed houses, but no one has occupied them,' he said, adding that the increase was a long-pending demand. 'In the past seven years, they proposed this, and we agreed.' Law minister HK Patil called the change a reflection of the government's 'housing for all' vision. 'Many houseless individuals come from downtrodden and minority backgrounds. This move ensures that homes reach those in genuine need,' he said, clarifying that the quota does not exclude other communities. 'The government is firm that all eligible, houseless individuals should be accommodated.' The BJP has condemned the decision as constitutionally untenable. Union minister Pralhad Joshi claimed it flouted Supreme Court orders that bar religion-based reservations. 'This is a clear case of appeasement. The Congress government has increased what was on paper 4 to 15% in practice,' he said. 'It is a direct attack on the rights of SCs, STs, and OBCs, who will now lose out on benefits rightfully theirs.' Joshi warned of potential legal action, stating the party would review options in consultation with legal experts. BJP MLC CT Ravi also criticised the policy, invoking the legacy of Dr BR Ambedkar. 'Ambedkar never supported religion-based reservation. Now Congress is extending it to housing too,' he said. The move follows another contentious policy from the Siddaramaiah government earlier this year — an attempt to reserve 4% of government contracts under ₹2 crore for Muslims.
India Gazette
32 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Indian Youth Congress organises Mega Rojgar Mela 2025 to mark Rahul Gandhi's birthday
New Delhi [India], June 20 (ANI): The Indian Youth Congress organised a Mega Job Fair 2025 at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi on Thursday to mark the birthday of Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, a release said. According to the release, private companies like Tata Alliance, Flipkart, Zepto, Voltas, Tech Mahindra, Paytm, Aditya Birla, Hitachi, Urban Clap, and 161 others participated in this job fair and interviewed youths. Around 8,500 youths registered for the job fair. About 7,500 youths were interviewed, and 3,500 received job letters on the spot. The companies' HR also invited many youths for the second round. Several senior Congress leaders also participated in the program. AICC Organization General Secretary K. C. Venugopal, AICC General Secretary Sachin Pilot, AICC in-charge Qazi Nizamuddin, Delhi Pradesh Congress President Devendra Yadav, Lok Sabha MP Deepender Hooda, Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan Assembly Tikaram Julie, Chairman of Social Media Department Supriya Srinate, Congress Party spokesperson Ragini Nayak, Executive President of Kisan Congress Bajrang Punia, AICC in-charge Kanhaiya Kumar, AICC Secretary Naveen Sharma and Neeraj Kundan, attended the event. As per the release, on this occasion, AICC Organization General Secretary K.C. Venugopal said that the biggest problem for the youth today is unemployment, BJP had promised to provide two crore jobs every year but there is nothing on the ground. The youth of the country need employment today, and Rahul Gandhi is the only leader who is constantly fighting for it, from Parliament to the streets. On this occasion, the National President of the Indian Youth Congress, Uday Bhanu Chib, said that the BJP gave us unemployment. In response to that, we organised a job fair. The Youth Congress's job fair is not just an event; it is a campaign of those who believe in the vision of Rahul Gandhi. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who has been constantly raising the issue of unemployment, gave us this opportunity to become a solution to this problem on his birthday. For the youth who are getting jobs, it is not just their victory; it is an inspiration for us, too. The youth who participated in the job fair said, 'Today, the work that the government should have done is being done by Rahul Gandhi.' Today, thousands of youth are saying that they have faith that Rahul Gandhi will work for them. According to the press release, Delhi Pradesh Congress President Devendra Yadav said, 'This Rojgar Mela, organised by Indian Youth Congress and Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee, is not an ordinary event; it is a concrete effort to provide jobs to the youth! The government has now become silent after promising 2 crore jobs every year. Now there is no talk, nor is there any answer. Therefore, now the opposition has taken the responsibility that if the government backs down, we will go ahead and get the youth their rights!' Delhi Pradesh Youth Congress President Akshay Lakra said that this crowd of Rojgar Mela is not just for a fair, it is the call of that generation which has been struggling with false promises and unfulfilled intentions for years. This huge crowd clearly says that the youth of the country do not need any mercy; they just need an opportunity. BJP and AAP governments have been in power for years, but such a Rojgar Mela never happened. On the birthday of Rahul Gandhi, we have returned the rights of the youth by giving them employment. During this, many National General Secretaries of Youth Congress, Secretaries, and State Presidents were also present in today's program. Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Bajrang Punia said, 'I want to congratulate IYC and all Congress leaders for organising this job fair. BJP did not stand up to its promises, which is why the opposition is taking up the task of providing jobs to unemployed youth of the country.' (ANI)
