Nishikant Dubey seeks action against Rahul for sharing Shah's 'edited' speech
New Delhi (PTI): Accusing Rahul Gandhi of showing "criminally edited" speech of Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has submitted a breach of privilege notice against the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha to Speaker Om Birla.
In his communication to Birla, Dubey alleged that Gandhi has exhibited yet another case of "political bankruptcy" by sharing on social media, especially X, the "edited" version of Shah's Rajya Sabha speech with the sole intent of stoking public sentiments and lowering the dignity of Parliament and the country.
The Congress has shared a short clip of Shah's speech during the discussion on the Constitution to accuse him of insulting B R Ambedkar, with the home minister charging the party with distorting his address.
He said the home minister in his speech had raised the objectionable treatment given to Ambedkar by none other than the first prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru.
He alleged that Gandhi cleverly and out-of-context quoted the parliamentary proceedings as well as Shah's speech with the ulterior motive of not only lowering the dignity of Parliament but also defaming him.
ALSO READ:BJP president Nadda asks Congress to 'stop lying' on Ambedkar issue
Dubey said, "This time he (Gandhi) has surpassed all the limits of sensible behaviour expected from the Leader of Opposition of Lok Sabha and thus committed the offence of 'Breach of Parliamentary Privileges' and 'Contempt of the House' which calls for exemplary punishment."
The punishment, he said, could not be less that his immediate suspension from the House and its committees followed by thorough investigation by the Committee of Privileges.
It will be the prerogative of the Speaker now to decide what action to take on Dubey's letter.
The fourth term BJP MP alleged that Gandhi has a long list of parliamentary misdemeanours to please his "self-proclaimed harbinger of regime change" that is George Soros, a US-based billionaire investor and liberal activist.
He accused Gandhi of trying to foment unrest and claimed that it was no coincidence that "concocted" articles to target the government or statutory bodies are published just before a Parliament session and the Congress leader uses them to defame important functionaries and institutions.
He said, "Gandhi is a habitual offender of fomenting the sentiments of public on false and fabricated narratives."
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Karnataka: GBA city corporation polls likely between June 14 and 24
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi on Friday said elections to the five city corporations under the GBA will be held anytime between June 14 and June 24.
He said the exact date for the polls will be announced after a week, asserting that the power to postpone the elections, as requested by GBA authorities, lies with the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court had directed the Karnataka government and the State Election Commission to conduct Bengaluru local body elections by June 30.
On Friday, the SEC held a consultation meeting with the GBA Chief Commissioner and commissioners of the five city corporations regarding the election schedule, as per the provisions of the GBA Act.
“During the meeting, I informed GBA officials that only the election date has to be fixed, as all other measures and formalities for conducting the polls have already been completed,” Sangreshi said.
“They requested the Commission to consider factors such as rains, exams, census work, SIR, and manpower shortages while fixing the date and sought additional time,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “I told them this meeting was not for seeking time. Elections to the five corporations under the GBA must be held before June 30, as directed by the Supreme Court, and a compliance report must be submitted to the court. I do not have the power to postpone the elections as requested.”
The Supreme Court has already given a “final opportunity,” and both the SEC and the government must comply with its directions, the State Election Commissioner said.
He asked GBA officials to suggest suitable dates between June 14 and June 24.
“While stating that they are ready for elections, the officials highlighted operational challenges, including manpower shortages. However, I have informed them that the elections will have to be held between June 14 and June 24. After a week, I will announce the final date,” he said.
Reiterating that he does not have the power to postpone the elections, Sangreshi said the authority rests with the Supreme Court, and elections must be conducted as scheduled.
“We have consulted the GBA as per the rules. It is up to them to suggest a date within the given window. If they need more time, they must approach the court. Our responsibility is to fix the date and complete the polls before June 30,” he said.
The matter regarding manpower and other concerns raised by GBA officials is already before the Supreme Court, and the State Election Commission has also filed a petition in this regard. The case is yet to be heard.
“Since the matter has not come up for hearing, the earlier order remains binding. Therefore, preparations are underway,” he added.
The tenure of the previous elected body under the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) ended on September 10, 2020, and since then, a government-appointed administrator has been managing its day-to-day affairs.
Bengaluru was divided into five municipal corporations—Central, East, West, North, and South—under the Greater Bengaluru Authority in September 2025, replacing the BBMP.
Sangreshi had earlier said that elections to the five corporations would be conducted using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines.
This follows the Congress government’s decision last September to recommend the use of ballot papers in all future panchayat and urban local body elections, citing concerns over declining public confidence in EVMs.
The state government subsequently enacted the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026, paving the way for the use of ballot papers in local body elections.
