'Rahul Gandhi Did Not Push Anyone': Khera Rejects BJP Claims
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera rejects BJP claims that Rahul Gandhi manhandled a woman journalist during protests against the Election Commission.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera has launched a fierce rebuttal against allegations made by the BJP, claiming that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi manhandled a woman journalist. The controversy erupted following protests directed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, but Khera has dismissed the accusations as entirely baseless.
'Completely False,' Says Pawan Khera
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Khera stood firm in his defense of the Congress leader. He stated that the claims of physical misconduct were a fabrication intended to distract from the core issues being raised by the opposition.
"Rahul ji did not push anyone. That is completely false. I have no further comment on that. Everything is out in the open for everyone to see," Khera told reporters.
Khera suggested that the truth of the incident is already evident to the public, implying that the video evidence or eyewitness accounts would contradict the BJP's narrative.
INDIA Alliance Plans Future Strategy
Beyond the immediate controversy, Khera highlighted that the opposition is focused on a broader movement. He indicated that the INDIA alliance is moving toward a more coordinated approach to challenge the current administration and protect democratic institutions.
The spokesperson revealed that upcoming discussions will involve a wide range of stakeholders, including:
- Members of the INDIA alliance
- Allies involved in the ongoing student movements
- Associated members of civil society
According to Khera, the primary objective is to determine a unified strategy to push protests forward and "save the democracy of this country," as per the expectations of the citizens.
Legal Hurdles in Supreme Court Petition
While the political battle heats up, the legal challenge against the Election Commission of India (ECI) has hit a procedural snag. The Supreme Court Registry has identified 14 defects in a writ petition filed by a high-profile group of opposition leaders.
The petition, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, was submitted by Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and nine other prominent leaders from the INDIA bloc, including:
- Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party)
- Tejashwi Yadav (Rashtriya Janata Dal)
- Saugata Roy (TMC)
- Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena UBT)
- Supriya Sule (NCP)
- Mahua Majhi (JMM)
The group is challenging the ECI's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging irregularities in how the poll panel manages and implements decisions regarding voter lists. However, the Registry has demanded clarification on why individual Election Commissioners—Gyanesh Kumar, SS Sandhu, and Vivek Joshi—were named as private respondents in the petition.