RAHUL GANDHI

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi claims that connections don't matter in the Youth Congress and no one had "landed by parachute" there. Here's a reality check on the unit's officebearers in different states. In most cases, talent plays second fiddle to lineage. Milind Deora Member of Rahul Gandhi's core committee One of the youngest members of the current Lok Sabha and MoS for IT, Milind is also known to be extremely close to the Gandhi scion. His entry into politics was facilitated by his father and former Union minister Murli Deora, who enjoyed a close friendship with the Gandhi family. Murli managed to get an election ticket for his son from South Mumbai while he was a Rajya Sabha member. But Milind, unlike many others, has proved his credentials and carved a niche for himself. His clout in Delhi is enormous as he is considered Rahul's close friend. He is popular among South Mumbai's intelligentsia and even criticises his own party or the g...

In the backdrop of persistent reports that Rahul Gandhi may be elevated to the position of working president of the Congress, the party gave clear indications on Tuesday that his role would expand.  Without going into the specifics of the future position for Rahul, already a General Secretary, Media Department chief Janardan Dwivedi said that there was no suspense that he would have a bigger role in the party.  "There is no suspense about it. He has a role, which is increasing constantly. In natural course, his role will go on increasing. This is what Congressmen want and this is what in their opinion is natural. There is no doubt about it that Congressmen want his role to increase," Dwivedi, who is also General Secretary, told reporters.  The statement by Dwivedi came in the backdrop of speculation that the young leader could be made Working President in a month or two or it could be as early as November 19, Indira Gandhi's birth anniversary. One of the media rep...

The buzz is more audible now and it almost sounds like “the Rahul era is beginning”. Although Rahul Gandhi has not formally been offered a promotion in the Congress, he is widely seen as having begun to play a larger role. He has been deeply involved in political decision-making, has increased his interventions in governance matters, and regularly receives formal briefings on national politics. “Unlike in the past, he is not restricting himself to the activities of the Youth Congress and the NSUI (the party’s student arm). He has expanded his role and the Uttar Pradesh election is the pivotal event that will decide how soon he takes  over,” a young leader considered close to Rahul told  The Telegraph . Several seniors backed this assessment. Sources said Rahul had taken complete charge of the Uttar Pradesh campaign and was monitoring the poll strategies for Punjab and Uttarakhand too. Some leaders, particularly the younger ones, want him clearly design...

Two days after their fairy tale wedding, King Jigme Khesar Nagyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema were on Saturday accorded a ceremonial reception by the Royal Bhutan Army on their first visit post-marriage to the seat of government here, an event where Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi was the only guest.  As the dawn broke in the tiny Himalayan kingdom, the newly-wed walked hand-in-hand to the TashichhoDzong, the office of the King, along with a ceremonial procession of over 100 people, including traditional artistes and red-robe monks.  The couple got married on Thursday in a traditional Buddhist ceremony at an imposing monastic fortress in Punakha, 71 km from here, with Wangchuck crowning his childhood sweetheart Pema, who was educated in India.  Upon their arrival at the Dzong, the royal couple were received by the King's father Jigme Singye Wangchuck and chief monk of the country Je Khenpo. The 'Grand National Flag' was unfurled and the Guard of Honour...

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi accompanied Union Minister of State for Rural Development Pradeep Jain for a raid on a food godown in Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh on Monday evening. Gandhi, who has taken on the Mayawati government on several occasions, has earlier made such visits as a regular drill. His presence at the godown took food department officials by surprise. In fact, such was the impact that they locked their offices and fled. The Gandhi scion spent the night in Medhki village of the district. He had dinner at a villager's house, held a village meeting and slept in a school building.