In a recent public rally in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader, praised the INDIA bloc for effectively challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As elections approach, Gandhi’s speech resonates with themes of resilience and unity.
While addressing the crowd in support of Congress-National Conference alliance candidates, Gandhi stated, “It’s clear that the Narendra Modi of the past is not the same as the one today.” He emphasized the shifting dynamics in Indian politics, asserting, “Whatever the opposition aims to achieve, we ensure it happens. When they propose a law and we stand against it, it doesn’t pass, forcing them to bring new legislation. Their former confidence has diminished, and we have broken Narendra Modi’s psychological hold.”
Moreover, Gandhi condemned the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for promoting division through hatred and violence. He stressed that hate cannot counter love; only love can triumph. “The Congress party has established ‘shops of love in the markets of hate’ to combat this divisive agenda,” he declared.
Additionally, Gandhi expressed significant concern about the status of Jammu and Kashmir, stating, “In India, a Union Territory has been elevated to a state, and two regions of a state have also undergone changes. However, for the first time in our history, a state has been downgraded to a Union Territory here. Your democratic rights have been taken away. Therefore, our primary demand is that you should regain statehood once again.”
Furthermore, Gandhi emphasized that the Congress party will pressure the central government if Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood does not return after the Assembly elections. “If they do not restore statehood after the elections, we will exert pressure to ensure it is reinstated,” he affirmed.
As the three-phase elections for the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly unfold, the stakes remain high. Voters participated in the first phase on September 18, while the second and third phases are scheduled for this Wednesday and October 1, respectively. Election officials will announce the results on October 8.
Ultimately, Gandhi’s rally highlights the ongoing political struggles and aspirations for democracy and unity in the region, as the Congress seeks to regain a voice for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Kolkata: On Friday, January 10, 2026, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha members demonstrated against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her actions after the ED raids at the I-PAC office and its chief Pratik Jain's home. | In relation to an alleged coal smuggling case that stretches back a few years, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office and Pratik Jain's home on Loudon Street in Kolkata on Thursday, January 8, 2025. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a protest against the ED raids on I-PAC after the raid set off a political storm in the state. Why is a chief minister endorsing Pratik Jain, and who is he? Pratik Jain, a political strategist and co-founder of I-PAC, is a graduate of IIT Bombay. He is credited with helping I-PAC grow into one of the most significant political consulting organizations in India. I-PAC was established in 2015 and offers services like data-driven campaign management, support for governance, and voter outreach initiatives. It has collaborated with a number of Indian political groups throughout the years, notably West Bengal's Trinamool Congress (TMC). I-PAC reportedly collaborates closely with Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, and his office. The company oversees the IT and media division of the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and is in charge of creating its election campaigns. Mr. Jain was in charge of the Trinamool Congress's IT cell, according to Ms. Banerjee. According to his LinkedIn page, Jain, an engineering graduate from IIT Bombay, started his career as an analyst at the consulting firm Deloitte. He was one of the first members of Citizens of Accountable Governance, which later evolved into I-PAC. Arvind Kejriwal, M.K. Stalin, Jaganmohan Reddy, Uddhav Thackeray, Rahul Gandhi, and Nitish Kumar are just a few of the prominent figures with whom the political consultancy firm has collaborated.…
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