PCC chief Subhankar Sarkar revealed plans for a marathon 24-hour dharna from 2 PM outside Kolkata’s Chief Electoral Office. ‘We won’t tolerate genuine voters being struck off or ghosts added to the rolls,’ he declared, emphasizing the party’s consistent stance.

Sarkar pointed fingers at the SIR drive started last November 4, warning of widespread voter disenfranchisement. He highlighted that more than 10 million voters have been dragged into hearings over dubious ‘logical discrepancies,’ with their legality under fire.

The leader accused the Election Commission of decisions so poor they’ve invited judicial overrides time and again. Looking ahead, Congress vows to ramp up the movement, calling for the final list by February 28, no deletions based on flimsy grounds, and full authority for registration officials.

The agenda also covers fair processing of Forms 6, 7, and 8, plus swift reinstatement mechanisms for erroneously removed voters with transparent timelines before polling kicks off. In a related development, Calcutta High Court yesterday ordered 200 extra judges from neighboring states to beef up the verification teams handling discrepancy cases.

With elections on the horizon, this showdown highlights deepening rifts over Bengal’s voter registry, potentially reshaping the electoral landscape.

Taking to X, Vadra invoked the storied tradition of satyagraha—peaceful defiance rooted in Gandhian principles and the sacrifices of countless Indians. She accused the central government of yielding to international pressures at the expense of national interests, insisting that challenging such betrayals is in the interest of every Indian.

Targeting the action against Youth Congress members voicing public grievances, Vadra called it ‘highly reprehensible.’ Her post ended with a resolute pledge: the Congress stands rock-solid behind its intrepid youth warriors.

Party heavyweights piled on. KC Venugopal lamented the government’s deafness to protesters championing ordinary folks and farmers. Randeep Surjewala declared open defiance: opposing the regime isn’t a crime—it’s a duty Congress workers will embrace time and again.

Speaking to media, Chib’s mother Rajni Bala detailed the Monday arrest, decrying the police’s ‘conspiracy’ label on legitimate dissent. ‘Our Constitution guarantees the right to protest injustice,’ she said, drawing parallels to Congress leaders’ decades in jail during the independence movement. She contrasted this with the Congress era, when demonstrations flourished without repression.

As the controversy simmers, this episode highlights the Youth Congress’s role in galvanizing opposition against government policies. Priyanka’s intervention not only rallies the base but positions Congress as the defender of democratic dissent in an increasingly polarized landscape.

Jaiswal defended Bihar’s recent clampdown on non-veg sales in open public and sacred spaces, terming it a progressive reform. ‘Expect greater discipline and a wholesome environment post-ban,’ he predicted, stressing its role in uplifting communal vibes.

Turning to brighter prospects, the minister detailed surging investments in Bihar’s industry sector. Following Shyam Steel’s massive Rs 5,000 crore infusion, Shakti & Awadh Steel is set to pump in Rs 6,000 crore. These deals promise a job boom and accelerated growth, positioning Bihar as an investment magnet.

The conversation took a tragic turn as Jaiswal mourned the air ambulance disaster in Chatra, Jharkhand. Seven souls perished when the medical flight crashed into woods en route to Delhi. Comprising medical staff and crew, the victims’ loss is ‘profoundly unfortunate,’ he noted, extending heartfelt condolences while highlighting the perils of air travel in remote regions.

“Dignity, discipline, and responsibility are essential at international events,” Alva asserted. This comes as Delhi Police intensifies crackdowns, having detained four protesters and conducting searches across locations.

While distancing herself from the protest, Alva offered praise for Rahul Gandhi. “The public embraces him as a leader with significant contributions. I applaud his ongoing struggles,” she noted, revealing nuanced positions within the party.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi seized the opportunity to attack Congress during a Meerut public meeting. He hailed the AI Summit as a historic achievement. “No developing country has hosted such a massive event. India beamed with pride, but Congress turned it into a stage for dirty politics,” Modi remarked.

Highlighting the protesters’ extreme behavior before international guests, PM Modi quipped, “Everyone knows you’re already bare. What was the point of undressing? It’s proof that India’s grand old party is ideologically broke.”

The controversy has sparked debates on political maturity, with Alva’s intervention signaling internal pushback. As police probes deepen, the incident risks overshadowing India’s strides in artificial intelligence on the world stage.

Modi, addressing a rally in Meerut, recounted how the AI Impact Summit in Bharat Mandapam became a beacon for developing nations, with over 80 countries participating. Yet, Congress allegedly hijacked the event with vulgar protests, undermining India’s achievement.

‘This shirtless outrage by Youth Congress didn’t damage India’s reputation—it humiliated Congress on the world stage,’ Jaiswal declared. He painted a picture of a crumbling party: directionless, bereft of grassroots support, and alienating its own youth base.

Organized via the ‘Let’s Inspire’ platform at Talkatora Stadium, the summit united the global Bihari diaspora to brainstorm ‘Viksit Bharat’ visions. Jaiswal detailed Bihar’s strides in road infrastructure, seamless connectivity, burgeoning industrial zones, and pro-investment ecosystems crafted by the state government.

Calling on entrepreneurs worldwide, he invited partnerships to fuel employment generation and realize the dream of an empowered, self-sufficient Bihar, underscoring the state’s momentum in India’s growth story.

Organized by the Indian government with PM Modi’s personal invitations, the summit attracted top brass from dozens of nations. Representatives from 80-90 countries converged to discuss AI’s future, making the Congress protest particularly ill-timed and damaging. Athawale painted a vivid picture: world leaders witnessing chaos instead of India’s hospitality and innovation.

He took direct aim at Rahul Gandhi, suggesting the leader’s strategy is self-sabotage for Congress. These protests, he said, prioritize personal agendas over national interests, exposing a deeper anti-India sentiment.

Addressing Maharashtra’s quota row, Athawale laid out facts: Muslims have long enjoyed OBC benefits, with 80% of their castes covered under Mandal recommendations. The EWS quota further aids economically disadvantaged Muslims. Pushing faith-specific reservations flies in the face of constitutional principles and Supreme Court rulings, justifying Maharashtra’s decisions.

Regarding infiltrators, Athawale relayed Amit Shah’s zero-tolerance policy. Illegal stayers get no rights; bogus voter registrations face probes. ‘Infiltrators out of voter lists and out of India,’ Shah has vowed. Voter roll purification combats fraud like ghost voters, ensuring fair polls without political bias.

Athawale also championed Bharat Ratna for Ram Vilas Paswan, reminiscing about their strong bond. A fierce Ambedkarite and social justice warrior, Paswan shaped politics in Bihar and beyond. The demand for this award deserves prompt attention from New Delhi.

Athawale’s broadside reflects escalating NDA-opposition tensions, framing Congress actions as detrimental while bolstering the government’s narrative on development, security, and equity.

Party spokespersons revealed plans for thousands of aggrieved farmers to highlight the perils of the deal. Harish Chaudhary, the state overseer, recounted historical US sanctions during 1965 and 1971 wars that starved India of food supplies, only overcome by the Green Revolution. ‘This trade pact risks repeating that nightmare,’ he cautioned, pointing to threats from imported soybeans hitting farmers’ incomes and cotton imports undermining self-sufficiency.

Jitu Patwari, Madhya Pradesh Congress chief, declared farming as the nation’s spine, never compromised post-independence until now. He slammed Modi for betraying farmers to American interests, kickstarting protests with events in Budhni and Vidisha. ‘This isn’t trade; it’s an insult to our toiling farmers,’ Patwari asserted.

Umang Singhar, opposition leader in the assembly, decried the deal as anti-national, suspecting ulterior motives amid US support for Pakistan. With domestic farmers still struggling, flooding markets with US goods spells ruin.

This Bhopal showdown marks the ignition of a pan-India farmer uprising, as Congress mobilizes to safeguard India’s agrarian heartland from global trade pitfalls.

During an IANS interview, Naqvi laid bare what he called a ‘chronology of criminal acts’ meticulously orchestrated by Congress. He harked back to 2015, when heads of state from 54 African countries gathered in India, only for the ‘Return of Awards’ movement to hog headlines and undermine the occasion.

Fast-forward to 2019-20: As American President and his team landed amid international media glare, Shaheen Bagh blockades protesting CAA dominated narratives. ‘While PM Modi and Trump deliberated crucial issues, global reporters chased chaos at JNU and Shaheen Bagh,’ Naqvi observed.

The pattern persisted at the G20, with Rahul Gandhi’s globe-trotting rants about constitutional threats. At the ongoing AI Summit drawing 20-nation representatives, Congress stooped to vulgar protests. ‘They can’t fathom a poor, backward-class man propelling India forward,’ Naqvi remarked pointedly.

Constitutional rights allow expression, Naqvi stressed, but not license for hooliganism. ‘If Congress persists in these conspiracies to malign India, their downfall is certain,’ he predicted.

Commenting on Gujarat’s parental consent mandate for weddings, Naqvi called for straightforward social policies rooted in transparency. ‘Governments act with pure intent—to foster societal good without ambiguities.’

Naqvi’s words resonate as a broader indictment of opposition tactics, positioning Modi’s India as resilient against orchestrated sabotage. With AI innovation at the forefront, such protests merely underscore Congress’s irrelevance in a rising nation.

Posting on social media platform X, Shinde didn’t mince words: Rahul Gandhi has shown he’s not equipped to manage his own party, let alone handle the responsibilities of Leader of Opposition in India. He invoked Mark Twain’s witty observation: ‘Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society,’ implying a lack of substance in Congress’s approach.

While PM Narendra Modi orchestrated a landmark global AI conference uniting top innovators, investors, and leaders to highlight India’s rising stature, Congress opted for disruptive demonstrations. These antics, Shinde argued, shame the country at a moment primed to elevate its global prestige.

India’s transformation under Modi’s stewardship—from digital leader to economic giant—enables it to host such events with poise and power. True leadership builds; opposition merely disrupts with clamor instead of contributions. A credible opposition is democracy’s cornerstone, yet Congress falls short.

The world watches India’s ascent. No amount of political theater can eclipse the visionary guidance steering the nation toward innovation supremacy. Shinde urged the opposition to prioritize national interest with sincerity and patriotism.

Thakur painted a stark contrast: ‘The globe is witnessing India’s AI leadership, but Congress opts for disruption over dignity.’ He accused the party of evolving from a national entity to one synonymous with shame, fueled by relentless anti-Modi and anti-NDA campaigns that now target the nation itself.

Under Rahul Gandhi, Thakur alleged, Congress excels at promoting anti-India narratives to appease foreign influences, ignoring genuine national development. ‘Global praise for our tech might is met with Congress’s vile attempts to smear our prestige,’ he stated, framing the protest as an assault on India’s international standing, not merely government policy.

Thakur linked this to a broader Congress pattern—protests erupting precisely when India progresses. Their ideology, he charged, opposes technology, growth, Modi, and ultimately the country. ‘Are they trying to intimidate investors, debilitate India, and hijack global platforms for anti-national agendas?’ he posed pointedly.

Urging widespread denouncement, Thakur warned against Congress’s slide into chaos-mongering. With India poised for AI dominance, he contrasted the party’s negativity with the government’s forward march, calling for rejection of such divisive antics.