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Hans India
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
MyVoice: Views of our readers 18th August 2025
'Vote chori' charge likely to be game changer The Election Commission's conduct and its conduct of electoral roll revision and elections and the BJP's defence of the Election Commission have become a burning issue. The phrase, 'vote chori', described as 'improper' by the Election Commission, now has wide currency. It resonates with the people as 'Bofors' and '2G' once did. Now the BJP and the Election Commission find themselves on the receiving end of the Opposition's campaign for transparency in the poll process. If the momentum that the campaign gains is anything to go by, it could turn out to be a game-change and BJP's nemesis. Few people believe that the Election Commission does not differentiate between political parties. Both the Election Commission and the BJP speak the same language. The claim of 'vote chori' is not an insult to the Constitution, but the fact of vote chori, if proven with evidence, is. More and more people come to believe that all is not right with the way the electoral rolls are prepared and elections are held. The fear of disenfranchise looms large. Voter manipulation is no ordinary crime in a democracy. The Election Commission cannot afford to be seen as complicit in the crime. Even in its press conference held to counter the Opposition vote fraud charge, other than saying that the Opposition is trying to fearmonger and mislead the people and using the images of voters for political gain is unethical and invoking the paramountcy of the privacy of voters to justify its opacity, the Election Commission has given no convincing answers to valid questions and shown no willingness to take corrective action. The Rahul Gandhi-led Vote Adhikar Yatra is likely to bring enormous pressure on the poll body to rise above political considerations and perform its role as it should to restore its credibility and regain people's trust in it as a constitutional institution with independence, impartiality and integrity. G. David Milton,Maruthancode (TN) PM's adulation for RSS is demeaning The Kerala Chief Minister was spot-on in decrying the Prime Minister's public display of his adulation for the RSS during the latter's speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day. The Prime Minister should have expressed his happiness at Indian independence, rising above compulsions. The RSS had practically no noteworthy role to play in the Independence struggle. Every kindergarten student is thorough with RSS' hand-in-glove involvement with the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi for which the organisation was subsequently outlawed. Dr. George Jacob,Kochi Kyiv-Moscow direct peace a distinct possibility Though the contents of a high-stakes summit between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on ceasefire in Ukraine remains vague, the nearly three-hour summit in Alaska, ended with Trump calling for a direct peace pact between Kyiv and Moscow bypassing the ceasefire route long advocated by Ukraine and its Western allies seems a distinct possibility. India welcomed the summit terming the pursuit of peace is commendable. Trump's earlier announced 25% secondary tariff on Indian purchases of Russian oil may be deferred. The tariff deadline could quietly lapse to India's advantage. Trump's announcement that India had already stopped buying Russian oil raised eyebrows – since India is ready to deal with any eventuality arising out of the irrational US reaction on India's exports to that country. S Lakshmi,Hyderabad Fabulous fifty for Rajinikanth in Indian cinema The one and only 'Style Mannan (style king) ' and the only ' Thalaivar (leader) ' of Tamil film industry and Indian cinema Shivaji Rao Gaikwad alias Superstar Rajini Kanth celebrates fifty years of cinema this week. Making his debut in 1975 in eminent director K Balachandars 'apoorva ragangal' (the film was released on 18th August 1975 ) the living legend is truly a lesson to be read, inspired and emulated. His ups and downs of life, his super stardom, his spiritualism, his simple life, humbleness and his rising as a phoenix every time there was a low is some sort of a motivational book from which lessons can be learned. His sterling performance and unique style of acting, his mesmerising screen presence, his voice and dialogue, his bond with his fans, his stint as an entertainer on screen - make him the 'Super Style star of Indian cinema'. Many of us belong to a generation that grew watching the super duper hits of this 'young man who never turns old', though he's nearing his 75 this December!'. None can forget his power-packed film flicks like Mullum malarum, Billa, Annamalai, Enthiran, Thalapathy, Hum, Baasha, Jailer and an endless list of around 170 movies in a career spanning over five decades, and this includes films in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and Malayalam making him a pan Indian star. M Pradyu, Kannur
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Protect Constitution from communal forces, says TPCC chief
Hyderabad: Telangana Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud on Sunday said that govts are formed only with the support of SC, ST, BC, and minorities. He urged these communities to back the Rahul Gandhi-led movement to protect the Constitution from alleged communal forces currently ruling the country. Addressing the national conference of Telangana SC, ST, BC, and minorities federation at Ravindra Bharathi, the TPCC president said that those who were never involved in India's freedom struggle are now ruling the nation and attempting to divide it along religious lines. "To protect the Constitution from communal forces, we all must stand united. Conspiracies are being hatched to replace the Constitution with Manusmriti. Chief minister A Revanth Reddy is the leader who has made Telangana a role model for the country by conducting a caste survey, passing 42% BC quota bills and fulfilling the decades-long dream of the SCs for categorisation," he said. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad | Gold Rates Today in Hyderabad | Silver Rates Today in Hyderabad Mahesh Goud emphasised that it is the responsibility of everyone to safeguard the Constitution. He further stated that communal forces undermining democracy must be stopped, and this can only be achieved through unity. The Congress govt, he reiterated, is committed to extending the 42% quota to the BCs in local bodies. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Stagnant politics, fresh chaos – Opposition's I-Day gift to the nation
The Rahul Gandhi-led INDIA bloc's 'Vote Chori' storm is political theatre, masking fear of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) that could expose fake voters, including illegal migrants. Their obstruction in Parliament, petty vendettas, intolerance to dissent, and hollow cries of 'Save Democracy' reveal a deeper aim — to pre-empt electoral defeat. While ignoring vital debates on defence, GST reforms, and governance, they chase headlines with stunts like exploiting Minta Devi without consent. The Election Commission must ignore such noise, conduct a transparent nationwide SIR, and protect electoral integrity. True democracy needs facts, not theatrics — and the voters, not politicians, will have the final say. One may like or dislike Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but there are lessons to learn from him. Ignore those unwilling to change. Give no quarter to peddlers of false narratives. And do not dignify Congress and the Rahul Gandhi-led INDIA bloc's 'Vote Chori' drama — a spectacle more about theatrics than truth — with endless rebuttals. Their posturing on electoral integrity rings hollow, given the glaring irregularities during their own 54 years in power. Modi chooses to counter the Opposition from appropriate platforms, connecting directly with people rather than indulging in endless 'Tu Tu Mein Mein.' By contrast, the Opposition shamelessly held Parliament hostage for 19 days, recycling the same accusations, staging protests inside and outside, refusing debates — and then claiming democracy is under threat. This isn't about saving democracy. It's about saving political careers. The Opposition refuses to shed its stale, failed narrative — the same approach that buried the Left — and treats Parliament as enemy territory. This obstructionism is itself becoming a threat to democracy. Consider the GST reforms bill, which could be a genuine Diwali gift to the citizens. Or the Sudarshan Chakra defence system — a multi-layered shield using advanced technology to protect strategic sites. These are serious matters worthy of debate. Instead, the Opposition fixates on the SIR (Special Intensive Revision) of electoral rolls, fearing it will expose bogus voters — particularly ahead of the Bihar elections. On Agni veers too, their politics is petty. Agni veers played a vital role in Operation Sindoor. Yet Rahul Gandhi declared in Parliament, 'We will do away with Agni veers.' Which means we will allow the enemy to get strengthened. His stance echoes Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy's destructive vendetta politics in Andhra Pradesh — undoing the good solely to spite political rivals. The Leader of Opposition in utter disregard for parliamentary practices prefers addressing fellow Opposition MPs as if at a CWC meeting, instead of addressing the Chair. True leaders refine policies for better results. But here are politicians who dismantle useful schemes, grant the government a free run, and then claim credit for 'exposing' it. Their hypocrisy is breathtaking. They allege their freedom of speech is curtailed but will not tolerate dissent within their own ranks. Rahul forced Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to sack minister K N Rajanna for pointing out that the voter rolls Rahul questioned were prepared when Congress was in power and questioning bluntly, 'Why was everyone silent back then.' This exposed the hollowness of Rahul who alleged that over a lakh bogus voters existed in Mahadevpura, which cost the Congress the seat while the fact is that it has been a traditional BJP stronghold. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav showed similar intolerance by expelling MLA Pooja Pal for praising Yogi Adityanath's role in bringing mafia don Atiq Ahmed to justice for murdering her husband on the ninth day of her marriage. Unable to admit the real reason for fear of losing minority votes, Akhilesh cited a year-old whip violation. Pal's words were clear: 'I am a victim first… All people in Prayagraj disturbed by Atiq Ahmed have been given justice by the CM. I stand by my statement.' I have been saying this from day 1, even when I was in the party. I have been expelled only today, she added. She said perhaps her party could not hear the women in Prayagraj who were even more worried than her. 'But I am their voice, I have been elected as an MLA and sent to the Assembly. I am the voice of mothers and sisters who have lost their loved ones. The INDIA bloc's pettiness extends to objecting to the Operation Sindhoor logo on Independence Day invitations, and to three lady officers — Colonel Sophia Qureshi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Commander Prerna Deosthalee — appearing on Kaun Banega Crorepati. It may be a commercial show, but it violates no military ethics. These officers will inspire young Indians, especially women, just as doctors used the platform during Covid-19. For Congress, Independence Day seems to be about celebrating itself — as if only it delivered freedom. While Congress played a central and indispensable role in India's fight for independence, many groups and individuals contributed to the freedom struggle. Another example of lack of strategy is Rahul Gandhi's refusal to authenticate the so-called 'atom bomb' voter list document is telling. His excuse — that he needn't sign because he has already taken an MP's oath — is laughable. Rule 389 of the Lok Sabha's Rules of Procedure is clear: when a member quotes a document, the Speaker can demand authentication. An oath is no licence to bypass verification — just as a court wouldn't accept 'I took an oath once' instead of a signed affidavit. The Opposition fears the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as it fears that they will lose the votes of illegal Bangladeshi migrants and the like. Fake voter entries and deletion of genuine ones are not new. The Election Commission of India (ECI) must seize this golden opportunity to rise above the political noise and conduct a transparent nationwide SIR. The process should be free from distractions, as political cry-babies will always cry, but voters deserve accuracy and integrity in the rolls that decide their future. But the opposition believes only in theaatrics. On August 12, they paraded in T-shirts reading 'Minta Devi 124 Not Out.' But Minta Devi herself spoiled the show, saying her voter details were already being corrected, and objecting to her photo being used without consent. This was political self-sabotage at its finest. Will they apologise? Unlikely. For Rahul, removing stray dogs from streets is 'inhuman' — but exploiting a poor woman for political gain is acceptable. Now the INDIA bloc plans a nationwide 'Vote Chori' agitation and signature campaign, even demanding Lok Sabha's dissolution. Yet will they explain why Sonia Gandhi's name appeared on voter rolls in 1980 when she was still an Italian citizen? Most damning, in the past 12 days, not one booth-level or block-level agent from these parties has filed a complaint with the ECI about bogus voting. They've found nothing wrong in practice — yet they howl in public. This is no longer petty politics; it's a deliberate attempt to undermine faith in India's elections so that when defeat comes — as it has repeatedly over the past decade — they can cry foul at the referee. From 'Chowkidar Chor Hai' to 'Vote Chori,' Rahul Gandhi's playbook is the same: make a headline-grabbing allegation, milk it in the media, avoid proof, and quietly drop it when facts fail to fit. In the process, they corrode the very institutions they claim to defend. The ECI must now move fast: clean the rolls, strengthen verification, ensure absolute transparency — and refuse to be distracted by political drama. This is about protecting democracy, not from imaginary 'vote thieves' but from those who cry 'Save Democracy' while undermining it. And perhaps the INDIA bloc's real panic is simpler: they can already see defeat looming in Bihar. The voters, as always, will deliver the final verdict. (The author is former Chief Editor of The Hans India)
Economic Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Bihar Election 2025: INDIA Bloc eyes wider social reach in Bihar, seat talks heat up
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi: As the seat-sharing talk is progressing among Bihar's opposition INDIA bloc , there is a growing feeling to look for ways to expand the alliance's social electoral base beyond the RJD 's by-now saturated Yadav-Muslim (Y-M) core base. This, according to sources, has led to hectic bargaining among some existing allies and negotiations with potential new entrants, which have also put pressure on Congress to settle for fewer seats than the 70 it fought in 2020 only to win just 17 seats."The INDIA bloc allies have already exchanged their respective wish lists and now we are in inter-party negotiations. There is a feeling that we need to expand our alliance to appeal to more social segments and that some allies will have to be realistic this time and need to show accommodation", said a senior alliance Congress leaders are maintaining it's too early to quote its share of seats, there are indications of them having to right-seize their scale to a 45-55 range given allies' pressure. With Bihar Congress now on Rahul Gandhi-led social justice plank, allies are debating whether the party has gained any new base among OBC-EBCs (from RJD/JD(U) hold) or, it will end up losing the remains of upper caste are on with at least three smaller parties for wooing aggregating social segments. JMM, which leads the ruling INDIA bloc in Jharkhand, is seeking entry into Bihar Opposition alliance by claiming influence in some seats bordering Mukesh Sahni-led VIP, which appeals to fishermen-boatmen communities and won 4 seats in NDA alliance in 2020, is negotiating with INDIA bloc by seeking over 10 seats. With NDA housing two Dalit parties - Chirag Paswan-led LJP(RV) and Jitan ram Manjhi-led HAM (and BSP on its own course), the Opposition's need to project a Dalit ally has led to talks with Pashupati Paras-led RLJP despite its uncertain electoral ally, the CPI-ML, which sprung the best strike rate in 2020 by winning 12 of 19 seats it fought, is seeking around 30 odd seats this time by citing its growing base and vote-transfer capacity, it is learnt. The alliance leader RJD (which fought 140 plus seats last time) is also being tested on the bargaining table."Given RJD's saturation at winning 75-80 seats in past two Assembly polls, its poor show in LS election and its need for a larger social-electoral reach in this make-or-break election, will also have to make some space this time for accommodating allies ", said an alliance partner. The CPI and CPI-M may settle for about 6 plus seats each.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bihar Election 2025: INDIA Bloc eyes wider social reach in Bihar, seat talks heat up
New Delhi: As the seat-sharing talk is progressing among Bihar's opposition INDIA bloc , there is a growing feeling to look for ways to expand the alliance's social electoral base beyond the RJD 's by-now saturated Yadav-Muslim (Y-M) core base. This, according to sources, has led to hectic bargaining among some existing allies and negotiations with potential new entrants, which have also put pressure on Congress to settle for fewer seats than the 70 it fought in 2020 only to win just 17 seats. "The INDIA bloc allies have already exchanged their respective wish lists and now we are in inter-party negotiations. There is a feeling that we need to expand our alliance to appeal to more social segments and that some allies will have to be realistic this time and need to show accommodation", said a senior alliance leader. While Congress leaders are maintaining it's too early to quote its share of seats, there are indications of them having to right-seize their scale to a 45-55 range given allies' pressure. With Bihar Congress now on Rahul Gandhi-led social justice plank, allies are debating whether the party has gained any new base among OBC-EBCs (from RJD/JD(U) hold) or, it will end up losing the remains of upper caste support. Negotiations are on with at least three smaller parties for wooing aggregating social segments. JMM, which leads the ruling INDIA bloc in Jharkhand, is seeking entry into Bihar Opposition alliance by claiming influence in some seats bordering Jharkhand. The Mukesh Sahni-led VIP, which appeals to fishermen-boatmen communities and won 4 seats in NDA alliance in 2020, is negotiating with INDIA bloc by seeking over 10 seats. With NDA housing two Dalit parties - Chirag Paswan-led LJP(RV) and Jitan ram Manjhi-led HAM (and BSP on its own course), the Opposition's need to project a Dalit ally has led to talks with Pashupati Paras-led RLJP despite its uncertain electoral potential. Live Events Existing ally, the CPI-ML, which sprung the best strike rate in 2020 by winning 12 of 19 seats it fought, is seeking around 30 odd seats this time by citing its growing base and vote-transfer capacity, it is learnt. The alliance leader RJD (which fought 140 plus seats last time) is also being tested on the bargaining table. "Given RJD's saturation at winning 75-80 seats in past two Assembly polls, its poor show in LS election and its need for a larger social-electoral reach in this make-or-break election, will also have to make some space this time for accommodating allies ", said an alliance partner. The CPI and CPI-M may settle for about 6 plus seats each.
