Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday stated that the BJP and Congress are engaged in an ideological battle. Addressing a public rally in Jaipur, Rajasthan, the Congress leader said that when he addressed the topic of caste census in Parliament, BJP MPs tried to muzzle him. Speaking on the newly passed women's quota bill in Parliament, the Wayanad MP stated that the BJP wants women's reservation to be implemented in ten years, whilst the Opposition wants it implemented immediately and with OBCs included, news agency ANI reported.


Addressing the gathering, Rahul Gandhi stated: "First, they (Central govt) were not talking about the Women's Reservation... They announced a special session to discuss the India vs Bharat row. But when they saw that people did not accept this topic, they panicked because the special session was already announced. so they brought the women's reservation bill. We supported the bill... BJP is saying that a new census and delimitation is needed to implement the women's reservation but in reality, the 33% reservation can be implemented today. But the BJP wants to delay the reservation for 10 years and we want it to be implemented and we want OBC women to benefit from it."






He also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the caste census, saying that if the PM talks about OBCs and respects them, why is he frightened of the census?


Rahul Gandhi stated that for the first time in Indian history, the highest punishment in a defamation case was meted out, and that his Lok Sabha membership was immediately suspended, PTI reported. "They (BJP) did it because they are scared," he added. 






Rahul further claimed that his Lok Sabha membership was cancelled after he made speech against Adani in the Parliament. 


Meanwhile, Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge stated: "We are not only fighting with the BJP... In elections, the BJP has fielded four candidates against us. One is their own, one is from ED, one from CBI and one from the Income Tax... We have to win against all of these... They will release CBI or ED whenever they feel like it... We are raided whenever we have meetings or sessions."






Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge questioned centre over not inviting the President Droupadi Murmu to the inauguration of the New Parliament building. Highlighting that the Congress is an inclusive party whereas BJP doesn't let anyone outside their social fabric near them, Kharge stated: "You (BJP) called the people from the cinema industry... Why did you not invite President Murmu?... She is the President, you insulted the President... When the foundation was laid (for the New Parliament Building), the then President Ramnath Kovind was not invited. Because he is 'untouchable'. Had the foundation been laid by an 'untouchable', they would have needed to wash it with 'Gangajal'."






The senior Congress leader delivered a speech to a public assembly at Mela Ground. Rahul is holding his second rally in two months. On World Tribal Day, August 9, Rahul addressed a big gathering in Banswara's Mangarh, which was largely attended by tribals.


Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge arrived in Jaipur early in the morning. Rahul Gandhi was greeted at the Jaipur airport this morning by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Rajasthan Congress chief Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, state president Govind Singh Dotasara, and other Congress officials joined Gandhi in welcoming Gandhi.


Kharge, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and party leader Rahul Gandhi lay the groundwork for the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) in Jaipur, Rajasthan.






Rahul Gandhi, a Congress MP, gave two-wheelers to meritorious female students at Maharani College.






Rajasthan's assembly elections are scheduled for later this year. The Congress party ousted the BJP administration led by Vasundhara Raje in the 2018 Assembly elections. Only 73 seats were won by the BJP. Since 2018, Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot have been locked in a power battle.


(With Inputs From Agencies)