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Rahul Gandhi calls Union Budget 2026-27 blind to India’s real crises, highlighting unemployment, falling manufacturing, farmer distress, and investor concerns despite capex increase.

Budget 2026 blind to India's real crises: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi calls Union Budget 2026-27 blind to India&rsquo;s real crises, highlighting unemployment, falling manufacturing, farmer distress, and investor concerns despite capex increase.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the Union Budget for 2026-27 is "blind to India's real crises", and highlighted how the youth are without jobs, manufacturing is falling and farmers are in distress.
"Youth without jobs. Falling manufacturing. Investors pulling out capital. Household savings plummeting. Farmers in distress. Looming global shocks - all ignored," the Congress leader said.
"A Budget that refuses course correction, blind to India&rsquo;s real crises," Gandhi said in a post on X.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Youth without jobs. Falling manufacturing. Investors pulling out capital. Household savings plummeting. Farmers in distress. Looming global shocks - all ignored. A Budget that refuses course correction, blind to India&rsquo;s real crises.
&mdash; Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/2017884788947026431?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2026</a></blockquote>
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In her speech, Union Finance Minister Sitharaman announced that the target for capex will be raised to Rs 12.2 lakh crore for FY27 from Rs 11.2 lakh crore earmarked for the current fiscal year.
She also announced a slew of measures to boost infrastructure in the country, including in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
The budget came in the backdrop of global uncertainties, trade frictions and US tariffs and slowdown in exports.
This is the third budget of the BJP-led NDA government in its third term in office.&nbsp;

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor met party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, stating he is on the same page with the leadership amid Kerala poll speculation.

'All is good, we are on same page': Shashi Tharoor after meeting Kharge-Rahul

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor met party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, stating he is on the same page with the leadership amid Kerala poll speculation.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday met party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi for redressal of his grievances, after which he said "all is good" and "we are all on the same page", signalling a rapprochement with his party ahead of the crucial Kerala Assembly polls.
The meeting in Kharge's chamber in Parliament House complex lasted for about an hour and a half.
"We had a discussion with my two party leaders, the LoP and the Congress president. We had a very good, constructive, positive discussion," Tharoor said.
"All is good and we are moving together on the same page, what more can I say," he told reporters in Parliament premises after the meeting.
Asked if the issue of chief ministerial face for Kerala polls was discussed, Tharoor said that was never the issue.
"I am not interested in being the candidate for anything. At the moment I am already an MP, I have the trust of my voters from Thiruvananthapuram. I have their interest to look after in Parliament, that is my job," he said.
Tharoor said he was very satisfied with his meeting with the top Congress brass.
In a post on X, Tharoor said, "Thanks to @INCIndia President @kharge ji and LS LoP @RahulGandhi ji for a warm and constructive discussion today on a wide range of subjects. We are all on the same page as we move forward in the service of the people of India."
He also posted a picture from the meeting in which the three of them are seen smiling and posing for a picture at Kharge's chamber in Parliament House complex.
The meeting comes ahead of the Kerala Assembly polls which are very crucial for the Congress as it seeks to wrest power from the Left after 10 years in the opposition and is going all out to secure a victory in the southern state.
Last week, Tharoor had skipped a key strategy meeting of the party for the upcoming Kerala polls as he was believed to be upset over Rahul Gandhi not properly acknowledging his presence at a recent event and repeated attempts by state leaders to "sideline" him.
Sources close to him had then said that while a series of events had led to Tharoor's disappointment with the treatment meted out to him, the tipping point was Gandhi not acknowledging him at the 'Maha Panchayath' held in Kochi on January 19 to felicitate the local body poll winners.
Gandhi had acknowledged other senior leaders present on the stage and took their names but did not mention Tharoor, a four-time MP and one of the three Congress Working Committee (CWC) members from the state, who was also on the dais, the sources said.
A row had erupted last year over his comments on the India-Pakistan conflict and the diplomatic outreach after the Pahalgam attack. His comments were at variance with the Congress' stand and many party leaders took a swipe at him, questioning his intentions.
Tharoor has, however, maintained that there is no variance in stance on foreign policy and there must be bipartisanship.
Kharge on Friday chaired a key meeting of the party here with Kerala leaders to fine-tune the party strategy for the assembly polls.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the Modi government’s attempt to repeal MGNREGA mirrors the approach taken with the farm laws, urging workers and the poor to unite against the proposed VB-G RAM G Act.

Govt wants to do with workers what it did with farmers: Rahul Gandhi slams MGNREGA repeal

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the Modi government&rsquo;s attempt to repeal MGNREGA mirrors the approach taken with the farm laws, urging workers and the poor to unite against the proposed VB-G RAM G Act.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday claimed that the Modi government's objectives are the same in repealing MGNREGA as they were in bringing the &ldquo;three black farm laws&rdquo;, as he urged poor people to unite against the move to bring the VB G RAM G Act.
Addressing the National MGNREGA Workers&rsquo; Convention organised by the Rachnatmak Congress, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said the concept of MGNREGA was to give rights to the poor.
&ldquo;The thinking was to provide work to those who need it. This scheme was to be run through the third tier of government &ndash; Panchayati Raj. The word rights was important. All poor people had the right to work under MGNREGA and PM Modi-BJP wants to finish that concept,&rdquo; Gandhi said.
Some years ago they brought in the &ldquo;three black farm laws&rdquo; but farmers stopped that after &ldquo;all of us unitedly put pressure&rdquo; on the government, the former Congress chief said.
&ldquo;We all put pressure and got the laws repealed. They are doing the same thing with workers that they did with farmers as they brought the three black farm laws,&rdquo; Gandhi said.
With the new law, the Centre will decide the work and allocation of funds with BJP-ruled governments always getting precedence, he said.
Earlier, what workers used to get will be given to contractors and bureaucracy, Gandhi alleged.
&ldquo;They (BJP) want assets to be in a few hands so that the poor people are dependent on Adani-Ambani, that is their model of India,&rdquo; he charged.
They want an India where the King decides everything, he said.
Gandhi also said he was unable to remember the name of the new law and asked the audience what it was.
Workers from across the country participated in the convention, bringing a fistful of soil from their work sites that was put in plants as a symbolic gesture in the presence of Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
The Congress launched 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram', a 45-day nationwide campaign against the repeal of the UPA-era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), on January 10.
The opposition party is demanding the withdrawal of the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act and restoration of MGNREGA as a rights-based law in its original form, the right to work and the authority of panchayats.

The BJP accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of misleading voters by questioning the Maharashtra civic poll process amid counting, calling his “vote chori” remarks baseless.

BJP responds to Rahul Gandhi's 'EC gaslighting people' claim with 'khandani chor' barb

The BJP accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of misleading voters by questioning the Maharashtra civic poll process amid counting, calling his &ldquo;vote chori&rdquo; remarks baseless.

The BJP on Friday attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with a "khandani chor" barb, accusing him of misleading people by discrediting the Maharashtra civic poll process while the counting of votes was underway.
This came in response to Gandhi asserting that "vote chori is an anti-national act" and accused the Election Commission of gaslighting citizens amid a row over the quality of 'indelible' ink used in marker pens in Maharashtra civic polls.
Reacting sharply to Gandhi's remarks, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, in a post on X, said, "Bahana (excuse) brigade back! Accepting defeat before counting ends?" "Rahul Back to doing what he does best -- discredit, distort and disinform. 'Khandani chor' now regurgitating claims of Thackerays," he charged.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Bahana brigade back ! Accepting defeat before counting ends ? Rahul Back to doing what he does best Discredit , distort &amp; disinform Khandani chor now regurgitating claims of Thackerays By the way what came out of allegations Rahul made on Bihar elections vote chori ?? <a href="https://t.co/ReIHFnxntG">pic.twitter.com/ReIHFnxntG</a>
&mdash; Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shehzad_Ind/status/2012032661184004376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Poonawalla also sought to know what came out of Gandhi's 'vote chori' allegations on the Bihar elections.
The BJP has on various occasions slammed Gandhi for his vote theft allegation, terming it "baseless" and an attempt at "hiding his failures".
It has also asked Gandhi and other leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc why they did not file any petition in court or on other platforms challenging the Bihar polls results.&nbsp;

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of gaslighting citizens over the indelible ink controversy in Maharashtra civic polls, as the state election panel ordered a probe.

Rahul Gandhi Slams SEC Over Maharashtra Civic Poll Ink Controversy

Rahul Gandhi on Maharashtra Voting Ink Issue

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of gaslighting citizens over the indelible ink controversy in Maharashtra civic polls, as the state election panel ordered a probe.

Amid the row over the quality of 'indelible' ink used in marker pens in Maharashtra civic polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday asserted that "vote chori is an anti-national act" and accused the Election Commission of gaslighting citizens.
Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) on Thursday evening said it would conduct a thorough probe into the quality of the 'indelible' ink in marker pens used for the civic polls, after opposition leaders alleged that the mark on a voter's finger could be removed easily, enabling bogus voting.
Amid polling for 29 municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), social media was flooded with videos claiming to demonstrate how the ink could be removed using chemicals such as acetone, even as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the claims.
Gandhi shared on X a media report on the row which stated that "opposition, voters cry foul over fading ink markers".
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Election commission gaslighting citizens is how trust has collapsed in our democracy. Vote Chori is an anti-national act. <a href="https://t.co/3FZKkDPwDg">pic.twitter.com/3FZKkDPwDg</a>
&mdash; Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/2012029622654025753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2026</a></blockquote>
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"Election commission gaslighting citizens is how trust has collapsed in our democracy. Vote Chori is an anti-national act," Gandhi said in his post on X.
Speaking with PTI, State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare said that in view of the controversy, the SEC will not use marker pens for the coming Zilla Parishad elections but revert to the traditional ink -- produced by Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited, a company of the Karnataka government -- used in assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
"The SEC has decided to conduct a probe.....it will cover not only the ink quality but also the videos which were circulated throughout the day. The probe into videos is to ascertain whether the ink was applied on the finger while voting or in a mischievous way," Waghmare said.
"We will do a random sampling of marker pens used today across the state and verify the quality of the ink supplied to us. The formula for the quality of the ink is finalised by the Election commission of India and a private company supplied the pens to the SEC," the state election commissioner said.
"We have been using these pens since 2011 for all local body elections," he added.
Another SEC official said Kores (India) Ltd had supplied the marker pens, and those were as per the commission's specifications.
Three marker pens were provided for each polling booth, he added.
Earlier, Mumbai Congress leader and Lok Sabha member Varsha Gaikwad posted a video of her party colleague using acetone to wipe off the ink from his finger.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray also raised the issue after casting his vote in Dadar.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said he too received reports of ink being washed away.
"This is shocking," the former chief minister said, accusing SEC Waghmare of siding with the ruling BJP-led alliance and demanding his suspension.
Maharashtra Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar made the same allegation.
Notably, state minister and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat too endorsed the claim about the ink coming off fingers easily.
The SEC, however, claimed that even if someone tried to vote again by removing the ink mark, it was not possible as other safeguards were in place.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed Madhya Pradesh’s BJP-led government over the Indore water contamination incident, calling it a failure of governance and holding officials accountable for public health crises.

Rahul Gandhi slams BJP, says Indore getting ‘no water, just poison’

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed Madhya Pradesh&rsquo;s BJP-led government over the Indore water contamination incident, calling it a failure of governance and holding officials accountable for public health crises.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday targeted the BJP's double-engine government in Madhya Pradesh after at least 10 people died allegedly due to contaminated water in Indore and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is always silent whenever poor die.
Gandhi alleged that Madhya Pradesh has become the epicentre of misgovernance and cited various instances of casualties reportedly due to cough syrups, poor hygiene at government hospitals and now due to contaminated water.
"Not water, but poison was distributed in Indore, and the administration remained in deep slumber," he said in a post on X in Hindi.&nbsp;
"Every home is filled with mourning, the poor are helpless - and on top of that, BJP leaders are making arrogant statements. Those who lost their lives and livelihoods needed solace; the government offered arrogance," he said.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
इंदौर में पानी नहीं, ज़हर बंटा और प्रशासन कुंभकर्णी नींद में रहा। घर-घर मातम है, गरीब बेबस हैं - और ऊपर से BJP नेताओं के अहंकारी बयान। जिनके घरों में चूल्हा बुझा है, उन्हें सांत्वना चाहिए थी; सरकार ने घमंड परोस दिया। लोगों ने बार-बार गंदे, बदबूदार पानी की शिकायत की - फिर भी&hellip;
&mdash; Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/2006997931820453940?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2026</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Senior MP cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Thursday triggered a controversy after he used an objectionable word on camera &mdash; ghanta (loosely translating to nonsense) &mdash; when questioned by a TV journalist about the water contamination incident.
Gandhi, in his post, asked why complaints were not heard when people repeatedly complained about dirty, smelly water. "How did sewage get mixed with the drinking water? Why wasn't the supply stopped in time? When will action be taken against the responsible officers and leaders?" the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha asked.
"These aren't trivial questions &mdash; they demand accountability. Clean water isn't a favour, it's a right to life. And the BJP's double engine government, its negligent administration, and insensitive leadership are solely responsible for the destruction of this right," he said.
"Madhya Pradesh has now become the epicentre of misgovernance - deaths from cough syrup, rats killing children in government hospitals, and now deaths from drinking sewage-contaminated water. And whenever the poor die, Modi ji remains silent, as always," Gandhi alleged.
Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava on Friday said he has received information about 10 deaths due to a diarrhoea outbreak caused by contaminated water in the Bhagirathpura area of the city. However, local residents have claimed that 14 individuals, including a six-month-old infant, have died due to the health crisis. The health department has not confirmed this claim.
Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Madhav Prasad Hasani said on Thursday that laboratory test reports from a city medical college had confirmed that the drinking water from the locality was contaminated due to a leakage in a pipeline. The CMHO, however, did not share the detailed findings of the report. Administrative officials have also been avoiding giving clear information about it.
Officials said a leakage was found in the main drinking water supply pipeline near a police outpost in Bhagirathpura, at a spot over which a toilet has been constructed. They claimed the leakage led to contamination of the water supply.
More than 1,400 people have been affected by vomiting and diarrhoea in Bhagirathpura over the past nine days.

Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid tributes to former prime minister Manmohan Singh on his first death anniversary.

Congress Tributes to Ex-PM Manmohan Singh's Legacy

Manmohan Singh's Legacy Honored by Congress

Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid tributes to former prime minister Manmohan Singh on his first death anniversary.

Congress leaders on Friday paid tributes to former prime minister Manmohan Singh on his first death anniversary, saying his humility, honesty and legacy would continue to inspire the future generations.
Describing Singh as a transformative leader, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said he reshaped the country's economic path and expanded opportunities for millions through economic reforms and lifted millions out of poverty.
"Known for his humility, integrity, and wisdom, he led with dignity and compassion, ensuring that progress remained inclusive and welfare reached those most in need. The rights-based paradigm is a testament to that approach. We had built a stronger India under his vision," he said.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
On his first punyatithi, we remember with deep respect the immense contribution of Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to India&rsquo;s nation-building. A transformative leader, he reshaped the country&rsquo;s economic path and expanded opportunities for millions through economic&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/8hpCBiLFuW">pic.twitter.com/8hpCBiLFuW</a>
&mdash; Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) <a href="https://twitter.com/kharge/status/2004402191281672635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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"We pay our heartfelt tribute to a statesman whose legacy of honest public service and lasting reforms shall continue to inspire generations," the Congress chief said in a post on X.
Former party president Rahul Gandhi also paid tributes to the former prime minister.
"Through his visionary leadership, he empowered India economically. His historic efforts and bold decisions for the underprivileged and poor gave India a new identity on the world stage," Gandhi said.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
भारत के पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री डॉ. मनमोहन सिंह जी की पुण्यतिथि पर उन्हें विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि। अपने दूरदर्शी नेतृत्व से उन्होंने भारत को आर्थिक रूप से सशक्त किया। देश के वंचितों और गरीबों के लिए उनके ऐतिहासिक प्रयासों और साहसिक निर्णयों ने भारत को विश्व मंच पर एक नई पहचान दिलाई। उनकी&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/wlsxbeWrlj">pic.twitter.com/wlsxbeWrlj</a>
&mdash; Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/2004414996730860002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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"His humility, hard work, and honesty will always be an inspiration to all of us," he said.
The Congress said on X, "We remember a statesman of integrity, humility, and vision."
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
On the death anniversary of Dr. Manmohan Singh, we remember a statesman of integrity, humility, and vision. His leadership strengthened India&rsquo;s economy and democracy. Tributes to the Prime Minister who served the nation selflessly and with determination. <a href="https://t.co/V9X9ChypjA">pic.twitter.com/V9X9ChypjA</a>
&mdash; Congress (@INCIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/2004359003380633773?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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"His leadership strengthened India's economy and democracy. Tributes to the Prime Minister who served the nation selflessly and with determination," the party said.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
भारत के पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री, पूर्व वित्त मंत्री एवं रिजर्व बैंक के गवर्नर डॉ मनमोहन सिंह जी की पुण्यतिथि पर उन्हें सादर नमन। डॉ मनमोहन सिंह जी समानता में विश्वास रखने वाले, दृढ़ निश्चयी, साहसी और गरिमापूर्ण व्यक्तित्व की मिसाल थे, जो सच्चे अर्थों में देश की प्रगति के लिए समर्पित&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/I0TG9Gr2wd">pic.twitter.com/I0TG9Gr2wd</a>
&mdash; Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/priyankagandhi/status/2004396707275329667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "Manmohan Singh ji was a strong believer in equality, a strong, courageous, and dignified figure, truly dedicated to the nation's progress. His simplicity, honesty, and dedication to his country will always inspire us all."

Rahul Gandhi claims BJP is attempting to undermine India’s Constitution and institutional framework, calling Indian democracy a global asset and pledging organized opposition resistance.

BJP proposing elimination of Indian Constitution: Rahul Gandhi in Berlin

Rahul Gandhi claims BJP is attempting to undermine India&rsquo;s Constitution and institutional framework, calling Indian democracy a global asset and pledging organized opposition resistance.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the BJP is proposing "elimination of the Constitution" that grants equal rights to all and vowed to create a system of opposition's resistance that will succeed in removing the party from power.
Speaking at the Hertie School in Berlin last week, Gandhi also alleged that the BJP has launched a full-scale assault and has captured the institutional framework of the country to help use it as a tool for building its political power and that is what the Opposition is fighting against.
In an hour-long video released by the Congress on Monday, Gandhi said India's largest and complex democracy is a global asset and the "assault" on the Indian democratic system is also an attack on the global democratic system.
"What the BJP is proposing essentially is the elimination of the Constitution. Elimination of the idea of equality between states, elimination of the idea of equality between languages and religions, elimination of the idea of the central core of the Constitution which is that every individual will have the same value," the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha said to a group of students at the Hertie School.
In the video, 'Politics is the art of listening', Gandhi said, "We will create a method, a system of opposition resistance that will succeed. But, we're not fighting the BJP. You have to understand that we're fighting their capture of the Indian institutional structure."
Answering queries of students, Gandhi claimed that there is a weaponization of the institutional framework.
"We fundamentally believe that there is a problem with the electoral machinery in India. Second thing is that there is a wholesale capture of our institutional framework. There is a full-scale assault taking place on the institution framework of our country," he claimed.
He noted that there is an atmosphere in India where the institutions are not performing the role they should be performing.
Gandhi said while the Europeans struggled to build a European Union, India built an economic and political union in 1947, which was based on the Constitution.
"If you are going to have any conversation about democracy on the planet, you cannot ignore by far the largest and most complex democracy in the world. That is why I say Indian democracy is a global public good, it is not just an Indian asset, it is a global asset.
"So when I talk of the attack on the Indian democratic system, I don't say it but it is actually an attack not just on the Indian democratic system, it is an attack on the global democratic system," Gandhi observed.
The Congress leader was on a tour to Germany last week.

Rahul Gandhi claims Modi government is creating monopolies, harming small businesses. He urges empowering MSMEs to boost jobs and affordable options for the public.

Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Modi Over Economic Monopoly Promotion

Rahul Gandhi on Modi's Economic Monopoly Policy

Rahul Gandhi claims Modi government is creating monopolies, harming small businesses. He urges empowering MSMEs to boost jobs and affordable options for the public.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the Modi government of creating a "monopoly or duopoly" in every sector and called for putting the reins of India's economy back into the hands of MSMEs.
Gandhi said that during the Winter Session of Parliament, he met a delegation of small and medium ice cream manufacturers, and by listening to their problems, it became clear that the government is determined to destroy small businesses for the benefit of its favoured industrialists.
"Monopoly or duopoly is a curse for India &mdash; and the Modi government has been doing exactly this in every sector, every industry," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said in a post in Hindi on his WhatsApp channel.
"During the Jan Sansad (People's Parliament), I met with a delegation of small and medium-sized ice cream manufacturers. Talking to them and listening to their problems made it clear that the government is determined to destroy small businesses for the benefit of its favoured industrialists," Gandhi said.
The customers of these small ice cream manufacturers are the poor and lower middle-class people of India, he said. Gandhi pointed out that there are thousands of such small ice cream manufacturers across the country, providing employment to millions of people.
"The GST is so complex for these small businesses that it becomes difficult for them to bear the burden. This is why a special 'composition scheme' was created for small businesses, but the BJP government deliberately excluded ice cream from this scheme. At the same time, BJP-ruled states and municipal corporations have sharply increased fees," he said.
Faced with this onslaught of high taxes, increasing paperwork, and rising fees, small ice cream manufacturers are collapsing, Gandhi said, adding that today, they are hardly visible even at tourist spots like India Gate.
"This story is being repeated in every sector. Only the Prime Minister's favourite monopolists, who fund the BJP, survive &mdash; and in return, they get a complete monopoly over the market," he alleged.
"We must break this vicious cycle and put the strong reins of India's economy back into the hands of MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), so that young people get jobs, the public gets affordable and quality options, and small businesses can become equal partners in the country's progress," Gandhi said.
In the video posted on Gandhi's channel, he said the problems being faced by small ice cream manufacturers are the same as every small and medium business in India is facing.
"If you want to create jobs for the people, small and medium businesses are the place where it is going to be done. What specifically Mr Narendra Modi does is to help monopolies crush these people," Gandhi alleged.
"When you hand monopoly power to somebody, you basically destroy the market. The monopolist can do whatever he wants, and there is no control over the manufacturers," he said.
Gandhi said he feels it is important to give preference to small and medium industries, and they are looked after because they have a space in the economy.
"There is a reason why Mr Narendra Modi is ensuring that monopolies are built. It is because that is the easiest way for him to find the BJP &mdash; these poor fellows, they don't have access to him, they don't have access to his offices, so they can't basically finance the BJP," he said.
Gandhi alleged that the BJP is creating monopolies everywhere, and while the largest ones are Adani and Ambani, in every sector, they have done so.
"This is dangerous for the country, it weakens the structure of the country, and it ensures a large number of Indian youngsters are unemployed," Gandhi said.

The Congress claimed the Modi government’s “politically motivated prosecution” stands exposed after a Delhi court refused to take cognisance of the ED’s National Herald money laundering case against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.

Court Dismisses ED Charges Against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in National Herald Case

Court Rejects ED Charges Against Gandhis

The Congress claimed the Modi government&rsquo;s &ldquo;politically motivated prosecution&rdquo; stands exposed after a Delhi court refused to take cognisance of the ED&rsquo;s National Herald money laundering case against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress on Tuesday claimed the "illegality" of the Narendra Modi government and its "politically motivated prosecution stands fully exposed" after a court here refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate's National Herald money laundering case against Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and others.
In a statement, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the ED's proceedings against Congress leadership -- Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi -- in the case have been found to be "completely illegal and mala fide" by the court.
"The mala fide and illegality of the Modi government stands fully exposed. The court has ruled that the ED case is without jurisdiction; it has no FIR, without which there is no case. This politically motivated prosecution by the Modi government over the last decade of the principal opposition party stands exposed before the people of India," she said.
"No case of money laundering, no proceeds of crime and no movement of property; all baseless charges that have been a part of a political witch hunt, propaganda, reputation assassination and campaign which stands defeated today," Shrinate said.
She said the Congress party and its leadership are committed to fighting for the truth and for the rights of every Indian. "We cannot, and will not ever be intimidated, because we fight for the truth," she added.
Party general secretary K C Venugopal said, "Through this judgment, the court has exposed the illegal and mala fide political targeting by the Narendra Modi government."
"From day one, the opposition, especially Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, has been targeted without any legal basis or wrongdoing. This judgment clearly vindicates our stand," he added.
Refusing to take cognisance of the federal probe agency's money laundering charge against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and five others in the National Herald case, the court noted that the chargesheet filed is based on a probe into a complaint by a private person and not on an FIR of a predicate offence.
Its cognisance is impermissible in law, the judge said.
Reading out the operative part from the order, the judge said the Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing has already lodged an FIR in the case, and hence it will be premature to adjudicate on ED's arguments in the case based on merits.
The ED has accused Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, as well as late party leaders Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes, along with Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, and a private company, Young Indian, of conspiracy and money laundering.
It has been alleged that they acquired properties worth approximately Rs 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which publishes the National Herald newspaper.
The investigation agency further alleged that the Gandhis held the majority 76 per cent shares in Young Indian, which "fraudulently" usurped the assets of AJL in exchange for a Rs 90 crore loan.

A Delhi court refused to take cognisance of the ED’s money laundering charges against Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and others in the National Herald case, citing lack of a predicate offence FIR.

Court Dismisses ED's Money Laundering Charges Against Gandhis

Court Dismisses Charges Against Gandhis

A Delhi court refused to take cognisance of the ED&rsquo;s money laundering charges against Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and others in the National Herald case, citing lack of a predicate offence FIR.

A Delhi court on Tuesday refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate's money laundering charge against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and five others in the National Herald case.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne noted the chargesheet filed in the case is based on an investigation into a complaint by a private person and not on an FIR of a predicate offence. Its cognisance is impermissible in law, the judge said.
Reading out the operative part from the order, the judge said the Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing has already lodged an FIR in the case, and hence it will be premature to adjudicate on ED's arguments in the case based on merits.
The ED has accused Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, as well as late party leaders Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes, along with Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, and a private company, Young Indian, of conspiracy and money laundering.
It has been alleged that they acquired properties worth approximately Rs 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which publishes the National Herald newspaper.
The investigation agency further alleged that the Gandhis held the majority 76 per cent shares in Young Indian, which "fraudulently" usurped the assets of AJL in exchange for a Rs 90 crore loan.

Rahul Gandhi raised concerns over rising air pollution in major Indian cities, calling for a solution-focused discussion in the Lok Sabha. The government expressed readiness for a debate.

Rahul Gandhi Calls for Unified Approach to Combat Air Pollution

Gandhi Urges Joint Efforts Against Air Pollution

Rahul Gandhi raised concerns over rising air pollution in major Indian cities, calling for a solution-focused discussion in the Lok Sabha. The government expressed readiness for a debate.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday raised the issue of air pollution in major cities of the country and sought a discussion on it in the Lok Sabha.&nbsp;
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Gandhi said the discussion on the issue can be framed in an interesting manner where the opposition and the government do not trade abuses at each other, but find a solution to the problem.
"This is not an ideological issue. Everybody in this House would agree that air pollution, the damage it is doing to our people, is something that we would like to cooperate on," Gandhi said.&nbsp;
The Congress leader said the prime minister can then put in place a plan to deal with the issue of air pollution.&nbsp;
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was ready for a discussion on the issue and the Business Advisory Committee of the Lok Sabha can allot time for the same.&nbsp;
"Most of our major cities are living under a blanket of poisonous air. Millions of children are getting lung disease. Their future is being destroyed. People are getting cancer. Older people are struggling to breathe," Gandhi said.&nbsp;

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed he challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss his press conferences on “vote chori” in Parliament, but received no response, calling Shah’s replies panicked and defensive.

Rahul Gandhi Challenges Amit Shah on 'Vote Chori' in Parliament

Rahul Gandhi Accuses Amit Shah of 'Vote Chori'

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed he challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss his press conferences on &ldquo;vote chori&rdquo; in Parliament, but received no response, calling Shah&rsquo;s replies panicked and defensive.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said he directly challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss his press conferences on "vote chori" in Parliament but did not get any answer.
A day after the Lok Sabha witnessed a heated exchange between him and Shah during a debate on election reforms, Gandhi claimed that Shah appeared to be "under pressure".
"He (Shah) used the wrong language, his hands were shaking, you would have seen all this. He is under pressure mentally that was witnessed in Parliament, the whole country saw it," the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha told reporters in the Parliament House complex.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Delhi | On Union Home Minister Amit Shah's speech in the Parliament yesterday, Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, "Amit Shah ji was very nervous yesterday. He used the wrong language, his hands were trembling... He is under tremendous mental pressure.&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/O7rXBMAzBu">pic.twitter.com/O7rXBMAzBu</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1999002279895310675?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
"The things I have said, he did not address, did not give any proof. We have said it publicly in press conferences. I directly challenged him to let us discuss my press conferences in Parliament. Did not get an answer. You know the reality," Gandhi said.
Gandhi on Wednesday called the home minister's response during the debate "completely defensive" and asserted that "vote chori" is the "biggest treason".
He also claimed that the home minister did not respond to any of the points raised by him and remained evasive including on transparent voter lists, EVMs and granting immunity to the chief election commissioner.
The opposition MPs, including Gandhi, staged a walkout in the Lok Sabha during the debate on electoral reforms.
Later in a post on X, Gandhi said the home minister's response in Parliament on "vote theft" was "panicked" and "defensive".&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi launched a fierce attack in Lok Sabha alleging the BJP and Election Commission are colluding to enable “vote chori”, calling it the most serious anti-national act while demanding key electoral reforms.

'Vote chori most serious anti-national act': Rahul slams 'BJP-EC collusion'

Rahul Gandhi launched a fierce attack in Lok Sabha alleging the BJP and Election Commission are colluding to enable &ldquo;vote chori&rdquo;, calling it the most serious anti-national act while demanding key electoral reforms.

In a no-holds-barred attack, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said "vote chori" is the "most serious anti-national act" and alleged that the BJP and the Election Commission are "colluding to destroy" India's democracy and "rob people of their voice".
Participating in a discussion on election reforms in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi posed three questions which he claimed make it clear that the BJP is "directing and using" the Election Commission (EC) to damage India's democracy.
Making suggestions, Gandhi called for providing machine readable voter list to all parties one month before elections, taking back the law that allows destruction of CCTV footage after 45 days, giving access to EVMs, and changing the law that allows the election commissioners "to get away with whatever they want to do".
"When you destroy the vote, you destroy the fabric of this country, you destroy modern India, you destroy the idea of India," Gandhi said, gesturing towards the treasury benches.
Later, in a post on X, Gandhi said, "Vote Chori is the most serious anti-national act. Vote chori sabse bada deshdroh (treason) hai."
He said India is not only the biggest but the greatest democracy in the world.
"BJP and the Election Commission are colluding to destroy our democracy and rob people of their voice," Gandhi said on X.
In his speech in the Lok Sabha, the former Congress chief also asked why the chief justice of India was removed from the selection panel for the appointment of the chief election commissioner and the election commissioners.
"Why is it that the CJI was removed from the selection panel for (appointing) the election commissioners? What motivation could there be to remove the CJI? Do we not believe in the CJI? Of course, we believe in the CJI. Why is he not in that room?" he said.
"I sit in that room. It is a so-called democratic decision. On one side, there is Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. On the other side, the leader of the opposition. I have no voice in that room. What they decide is what happens," he said.
So, why are the prime minister and home minister so keen on choosing exactly who the election commissioner is going to be, Gandhi asked.
"No prime minister has done this in the history of India. In December 2023, this government changed the law to make sure that no election commissioner could be punished for any action they take," the Congress leader said.
"Why would the prime minister and home minister give this gift of immunity to the election commissioner?" he said.
He further questioned why the law with regard to CCTV footage was changed.
"Why was a law put in place that allows the Election Commission to destroy CCTV footage 45 days after the election? What is the need? The answer given is that it is a question of data. But it is not a question of data. It is a question of stealing the election," he said.
Gandhi further said electoral reform is very simple, but the government doesn't want to do it.
"What does electoral reform require? Nothing more than what we've been saying. Give machine-readable voter lists to all political parties one month before the election. Take back the law that allows the destruction of CCTV footage.
"While you're doing that, also tell us what the architecture of the EVM is. Give us access to the EVM. Let our experts go and see what is inside the EVM. Till today, we have not had access to the EVM," he said.
"Change the law that allows the election commissioner to get away with whatever he wants to do. That's all the electoral reforms you need," he said.
Gandhi said he wants to remind the election commissioners that they might be under the impression that this law lets them get away with any wrongdoing but it is not so.
"Let me remind them: don't worry, we are going to change the law, and that too retroactively. And we are going to come and find you," he said.
In his speech in the Lok Sabha, elaborating on the "result of controlling" the chief election commissioner and the EC, Gandhi also said "we have a set of election campaigns that are tailored for the prime minister".
"Secondly, we have a Brazilian woman who appears 22 times on the voter list of Haryana. And not only that, there is one woman whose name has appeared over 200 times in one constituency in Haryana. And it is very clear, and I have proven without doubt that the election in Haryana was stolen, and the vote chori was ensured by the Election Commission of India," he said.
Gandhi also asked why after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, "1.2 lakh duplicate photos exist in Bihar voting list".
"If you've cleaned up the voting list, why are there 1.2 lakh duplicates in Bihar?These are straightforward questions. But the Election Commission has no answer to these questions," he said.
America calls itself the oldest democracy. But the democracy that weaves together the largest number of people, the largest diversity of people, the largest number of languages, and the largest number of states is India, Gandhi said.
"So our most powerful asset, the thing that stitches together the entire concept of modern India, brings people together, and allows them to build this great nation, is being attacked by these people," he said in an apparent attack at the BJP.
"They're destroying it. You know they're destroying it. I know they're destroying it. And they themselves know they're destroying it," he added.
In his remarks, Gandhi recalled that on January 30, 1948, three bullets pierced the chest of Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse assassinated the "father of our nation".
"Today, our friends (in the BJP) don't embrace him and push him away, as he is an uncomfortable truth. But that's not where the project ended," he said.
After Gandhiji's assassination, the next step of the project was the "wholesale capture" of India's institutional framework, he alleged.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi will lead the Lok Sabha debate on election reforms, with both the BJP and Congress fielding senior leaders for the two-day discussion.

Rahul Gandhi to initiate debate on election reforms in Lok Sabha

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi will lead the Lok Sabha debate on election reforms, with both the BJP and Congress fielding senior leaders for the two-day discussion.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will initiate the debate on election reforms in the Lower House on Tuesday.&nbsp;
The opposition has been demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Parliament since the monsoon session, but the government suggested having a debate on election reforms, citing that the Election Commission was an independent, autonomous and constitutional body.&nbsp;
The BJP is expected to field senior leaders Nishikant Dubey, P P Chaudhary, Abhijit Gangopadhyay and Sanjay Jaiswal in the debate which will take place over two days.&nbsp;
Besides Gandhi, the Congress is expected to field K C Venugopal, Manish Tewari, Varsha Gaikwad, Mohammed Jawed, Ujjwal Raman Singh, Isa Khan, Ravi Mallu, Imran Masood, Gowaal Padavi and Jothimani in the debate.&nbsp;

Congress claims Bihar Assembly election results reflect massive ‘vote chori’ by PM Modi, Amit Shah, and EC, while NDA secures sweeping victory with BJP as single-largest party.

Bihar election results: Congress alleges ‘vote chori’, vows to protect democracy

Congress claims Bihar Assembly election results reflect massive &lsquo;vote chori&rsquo; by PM Modi, Amit Shah, and EC, while NDA secures sweeping victory with BJP as single-largest party.

The Congress on Friday alleged that the Bihar Assembly election results reflect &ldquo;vote chori on a gigantic scale&rdquo;, claiming that the outcome was masterminded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Election Commission.&nbsp;
The NDA, led by the BJP-JD(U) alliance, surged ahead in over 200 of 243 seats, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party, registering about a 90 per cent strike rate, reaffirming the popularity and campaign clout of Prime Minister Modi.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described the results as "truly surprising" and said, "We could not achieve victory in an election that was not fair from the very beginning. I express my heartfelt gratitude to those millions of voters in Bihar who expressed their trust in the Mahagathbandhan. This fight is for the protection of the Constitution and democracy. The Congress party and the INDIA bloc will conduct an in-depth review of this result and make more effective efforts to save democracy."
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
मैं बिहार के उन करोड़ों मतदाताओं का हार्दिक आभार व्यक्त करता हूं, जिन्होंने महागठबंधन पर अपना विश्वास जताया। बिहार का यह परिणाम वाकई चौंकाने वाला है। हम एक ऐसे चुनाव में जीत हासिल नहीं कर सके, जो शुरू से ही निष्पक्ष नहीं था। यह लड़ाई संविधान और लोकतंत्र की रक्षा की है। कांग्रेस&hellip;
&mdash; Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1989360424199049520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that while respecting the decision of the people of Bihar, his party will continue to fight against forces engaged in weakening democracy.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
हम बिहार की जनता के फ़ैसले का सम्मान करते हुए, ऐसी ताक़तों के खिलाफ़ अपनी लड़ाई जारी रखेंगे जो संवैधानिक संस्थाओं का दुरुपयोग कर, लोकतंत्र को कमज़ोर करने में जुटी हैं। हम चुनाव के परिणामों का गहराई से अध्ययन करेंगे और नतीजों के कारणों को समझने के बाद विस्तृत बात रखेंगे। बिहार&hellip;
&mdash; Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) <a href="https://twitter.com/kharge/status/1989357314185535603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
He added, "We will conduct a thorough study of the election results and will present a detailed perspective after understanding the reasons for the outcomes. We are deeply grateful from the bottom of our hearts to those voters in Bihar who supported the 'mahagathbandhan'."
Addressing party workers, Kharge urged them not to lose heart, saying, "I want to tell every Congress worker that there is no need for you to feel discouraged. You are our pride, honor, and glory. Your hard work is our strength. We will leave no stone unturned in raising awareness among the people. We will continue the struggle to save the Constitution and democracy by staying among the people. This fight is long - and we will fight it with complete dedication, courage, and truth."
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also condemned the poll outcome, asserting, "Without doubt the election results in Bihar reflect vote chori on a gigantic scale - masterminded by the PM, the HM, and the Election Commission. The Indian National Congress renews its resolve to continue with even greater strength its campaign to protect the Constitution and save our democracy."
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Without doubt the election results in Bihar reflect vote chori on a gigantic scale - masterminded by the PM, the HM, and the Election Commission. The Indian National Congress renews its resolve to continue with even greater strength its campaign to protect the Constitution and&hellip;
&mdash; Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1989353719599915439?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
Friday's results mark a sweeping mandate for the NDA, signaling a decisive victory for the ruling alliance in the 243-seat Bihar Assembly.

Congress records one of its worst performances in Bihar assembly elections, securing only six seats as its 'vote chori' campaign fails and organisational weaknesses deepen losses amid NDA’s strong pro-incumbency advantage.

Bihar election results: Congress faces embarrassing defeat, Rahul’s ‘vote chori’ falls flat

Congress records one of its worst performances in Bihar assembly elections, securing only six seats as its 'vote chori' campaign fails and organisational weaknesses deepen losses amid NDA&rsquo;s strong pro-incumbency advantage.

The Congress on Friday delivered one of its poorest electoral performances in Bihar&rsquo;s history, winning only six of the 61 seats it contested in the Assembly elections.
The party, which once dominated Bihar politics, managed to finish just ahead of Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM and Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), both of which secured five seats each.
This outcome marks the Congress&rsquo; second-worst show ever in the state, narrowly better than its tally of four seats in 2010. The party secured a vote share of 8.75 per cent, slightly higher than the 8.17 per cent recorded 15 years ago.
Senior Leaders Defeated
The Congress&rsquo; state unit president Rajesh Kumar lost from the Kutumba seat, where he was defeated by NDA&rsquo;s HAM candidate Lalan Ram. Shakeel Ahmed Khan, the legislature party leader in the outgoing assembly, was defeated by JD(U) candidate Dulal Chandra Goswami from the Kadwa seat by a margin of 18,368 votes.
Winning Congress Candidates
The six Congress candidates who succeeded are:
- Surendra Prasad (Valmiki Nagar)
- Abhisekh Ranjan (Chanpatia)
- Manoj Bishwas (Forbesganj)
- Abidur Rehman (Araria)
- Mohd. Qamrul Hoda (Kishanganj)
- Manohar Prasad Singh (Manihari)
 &lsquo;Vote Chori&rsquo; Narrative Fails to Connect
The Congress&rsquo; campaign, centred heavily around Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s 'vote chori' charge, did not resonate with voters.
The party&rsquo;s messaging through Gandhi&rsquo;s "Voter Adhikar Yatra", anti-Election Commission statements, SIR criticism, and appeals to the youth to "restore democracy" had little impact.
In a state where 40% of the population is below 18 and 23% is between 18 and 29, the Congress failed to attract young voters.
The caste census pitch&mdash;once a significant Opposition plank&mdash;lost relevance after the NDA announced caste inclusion in the upcoming census.
Structural, Organisational Challenges Deepen
Persistent issues within the Opposition alliance also contributed to the Congress&rsquo; poor show. RJD, Congress, and Left candidates clashed on at least eight seats, diluting the coalition&rsquo;s influence.
Lack of unity, failure to project a cohesive narrative, and leadership shortcomings&mdash;including the political handling by state in-charge Krishna Allavaru&mdash;added to the party&rsquo;s struggles.
NDA&rsquo;s Advantage
The ruling NDA benefited from:
- Strong pro-incumbency
- Support from women, youth and extremely backward classes
- Schemes such as ₹10,000 under Mahila Rozgar Yojana
- Job promises and pension assurances
- Effective messaging around the RJD&rsquo;s &lsquo;jungle raj&rsquo; period
Fragmentation of anti-NDA votes due to Tej Pratap Yadav contesting separately and Prashant Kishore&rsquo;s Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) further boosted NDA's performance.
Historical Decline Continues
The Congress, which once won 239 seats with 41.38% voteshare in 1952, has seen a steady decline for decades:
- 196 seats in 1985
- 71 in 1990
- 29 in 1995
- 23 in 2000
- Single digits in 2005
- Only six seats in 2024, representing one of its worst performances
Road Ahead Looks Challenging
Insiders say the party must &ldquo;return to the drawing board&rdquo; to rework its organisational structure, strategy, and voter engagement. With the EC initiating special intensive revision (SIR) in states going to polls next year, the Congress must decide whether to continue its 'vote theft' campaign or craft a new narrative.
The Bihar setback comes ahead of major battles in Assam and Kerala in 2026, where it faces a strong BJP and CPI(M), respectively. In West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, the party remains a marginal player.

The BJP dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of 25 lakh fake voters in Haryana as false, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accusing him of defaming India’s democracy and avoiding due legal process.

BJP rejects Rahul Gandhi’s 'vote theft' claim in Haryana, calls it false and baseless

The BJP dismissed Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s allegations of 25 lakh fake voters in Haryana as false, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accusing him of defaming India&rsquo;s democracy and avoiding due legal process.

The BJP on Wednesday dismissed Rahul Gandhi's allegation of mass vote theft in the Haryana Assembly Polls as "false and baseless" and accused the Congress leader of raising questions on the Election Commission to hide his failures and defame the country's democracy.
Rijiju's retort came hours after Gandhi cited electoral list data from Haryana to claim that 25 lakh entries were "fake" and the victory in the state was "stolen" from his party last year.
Gandhi said he had "100 per cent" proof of the malfeasance he alleged.
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, in a press conference, accused Gandhi of "playing games" in collusion with "anti-India" forces to defame the country.
He said Gandhi goes abroad during elections, does not meet people on the ground, and cries foul after his party loses.
He derided him as someone who cannot work hard or live among the people.
If there is any irregularity with the voting, then one must flag it with the EC or approach the court. "But he never does it," he said about the Congress leader.

Election Commission officials dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s claim of 25 lakh fake voters in Haryana, stating no appeals or objections were filed and urging him to present evidence in court.

EC rejects Rahul Gandhi’s allegations, says no evidence or appeals filed over 'fake voters' in Haryana

Election Commission officials dismissed Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s claim of 25 lakh fake voters in Haryana, stating no appeals or objections were filed and urging him to present evidence in court.

Rahul Gandhi's vote manipulation charge is "unfounded" as no appeals were filed against the electoral rolls in Haryana, nor was any multiple voting flagged when it happened, Election Commission officials said on Wednesday.
The poll body officials were reacting to Gandhi's claim that 25 lakh entries were "fake" and that the Haryana Assembly Polls last year were "stolen." They also questioned why Congress's booth agents did not flag voters who had cast multiple votes in the election in October 2024.
"Why were no claims and objections raised by INC's Booth-Level Agents during revision to avoid multiple names?" an official said, countering Gandhi's allegation. Booth-level agents, or BLAs, are appointed by political parties to flag irregularities, if any, in electoral rolls.
EC officials underlined that "zero appeals" were filed against electoral rolls and only 22 election petitions were currently pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. As many as 23 election petitions were filed, and one was later withdrawn.
They said Gandhi has raised the issue of the Rai and Hodal assembly seats in Haryana. "Since election petitions have been filed in both the constituencies among the 23 filed for Haryana assembly elections, Mr Gandhi may be advised to use all his evidence there," an official suggested.
An election petition can be filed within 45 days of the announcement of the results in the high court of that state. "What were the polling agents of INC doing in the polling stations? They are supposed to object if the elector has already voted or if the polling agents doubt the identity of the elector," the official said.
Referring to EC's efforts to clean up the voter lists across states, officials wondered whether Gandhi supports the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which removes duplicate, dead, and shifted voters along with verification of citizenship. "Or is he opposing SIR," an official asked.
"Why were no claims and objections raised by INC's BLAs during revision to avoid multiple names in Bihar? Why were no claims and objections raised by INC's BLAs during revision to avoid multiple names in Haryana?" the official asked.
The BJP won 48 seats in the 2024 Haryana Assembly Polls, while the Congress, which was predicted to win by many exit polls, won 37 seats. The INLD won two seats while independent candidates bagged three in the 90-member Assembly.
On the issue of zero house numbers, EC officials said 'House Number Zero' is also for houses where the panchayat and municipalities have not given house numbers. House Number 'zero' has been given by booth-level officers, where no house number is allotted by municipalities or panchayats.

Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of colluding with the BJP in Haryana’s 2024 Assembly polls, alleging 25 lakh fake voters and manipulation to turn a Congress win into defeat.

Rahul Gandhi accuses BJP and Election Commission of 'stealing' Haryana polls with 25 lakh fake voters

Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of colluding with the BJP in Haryana&rsquo;s 2024 Assembly polls, alleging 25 lakh fake voters and manipulation to turn a Congress win into defeat.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday cited electoral list data from Haryana to claim that 25 lakh entries were "fake" and the assembly polls last year were "stolen", as he accused the Election Commission of colluding with the BJP to make them win.
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said he is questioning the Election Commission and the democratic process in the country and therefore, is doing so with 100 per cent proof. Gandhi alleged that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the two election commissioners colluded with the BJP to ensure its victory in Haryana and claimed that "they are in partnership" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
'Operation Sarkar Chori' was launched to convert the landslide Congress victory into loss in Haryana, the former party president alleged. He also alleged that CEC Gyanesh Kumar is "lying" to the people of India when he stated that house number zero is given to homeless people and that is the reality of zero number houses.
Addressing a press conference at the Indira Bhawan here, Gandhi cited the electoral list of Haryana to claim that 25,41,144 were fake voters with multiple examples of duplicate voters, invalid addresses and bulk voters.
"Why is the Election Commission not removing duplicates? It is because if it does so, it would result in fair elections and it doesn't want fair elections," Gandhi said. "All polls pointed to a Congress victory in Haryana. The five top exit polls said Congress is sweeping. The other thing that was surprising was that for the first time in Haryana, the postal votes were different from the result. In postal ballots, Congress got 73 seats while the BJP got 17 seats," he said.
Gandhi claimed that thousands of people associated with the BJP voted both in UP and Haryana both. During the presser, Gandhi showed a picture of a woman who appears on the voter list 22 times in 10 booths in the Rai assembly constituency and said this shows that this was a 'centralised operation'.
He claimed that the picture of the woman used for multiple entries is from Brazil. She is one of 25 lakh such records in Haryana which is proof of a centralised operation, Gandhi said. He alleged that there were 25,41,144 'vote chori' entries on the list which are fake in Haryana.
"One in 8 voters in Haryana are fake and despite that the Congress loses by 22,779 votes which was the difference in eight seats," Gandhi said. "I was in shock, I simply could not believe what we found. I asked the team to cross check multiple times. I want young people, Gen Z to understand this clearly as your future is being stolen," Gandhi said.
He claimed that a plan was in motion to convert a landslide victory of the Congress into a loss in Haryana. Gandhi also played out a video of now Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who two days before counting, stated that the BJP would win and "we have a system in place".
"We suspected, once we did Mahadevapura and Aland, that this is not happening in just one constituency but this is being done at the state and national level," Gandhi said.
In September, Gandhi had accused CEC Kumar of protecting those who "destroyed democracy" and cited data from Karnataka Assembly constituency Aland to claim that votes of Congress supporters were being systematically deleted ahead of elections.
In August, Gandhi, citing data from the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, had claimed that over one lakh votes were "stolen" through manipulation in Mahadevapura assembly segment in Karnataka. The Election Commission had, however, dubbed the charges as "incorrect and baseless" and asserted that no deletion of votes can happen without giving an opportunity of being heard to the affected person.
The BJP won 48 seats in the 2024 assembly polls. The Congress, which was predicted to win by many exit polls, won 37 seats. The INLD won two seats while independent candidates bagged three in the 90-member Assembly.

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