Jaipur, June 17: A day before Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s high-stakes ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ rally in Kota, a fresh political battle has erupted in Rajasthan, with the Congress accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of removing posters, intimidating stakeholders, and attempting to undermine the Opposition leader’s outreach to students.

The Congress claims the state administration has begun taking down banners and hoardings promoting Rahul Gandhi’s Wednesday event and is exerting pressure on coaching institutes, PG operators and guest-house owners to discourage student participation.

The BJP has however denied the charges, calling them “baseless” and “politically motivated”.

The confrontation comes as Rahul Gandhi prepares to spotlight issues such as paper leaks, recruitment exam irregularities and unemployment from Kota, India’s coaching capital and a city symbolic of the aspirations and frustrations of millions of students.

Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra accused the BJP of being rattled by the response to the programme.

He alleged that authorities were removing publicity material ahead of the rally and said the event would proceed regardless of any hurdles.

Dotasra also said that while Rahul Gandhi is expected to travel to Kota by train, a charter aircraft has been kept ready as a contingency plan.

“If the train is delayed, the programme schedule could be affected. Therefore, a Plan B has been arranged. Whether Rahul Gandhi arrives by train or charter, the programme will take place as scheduled,” he added.

Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot sharpened the attack on BJP, saying that repeated paper leaks and recruitment controversies have shattered young people’s faith in the system.

He said launching a movement centred on students from Kota carries a powerful political message and alleged that attempts were being made to create obstacles around Rahul Gandhi’s visit.

Gehlot also alleged that a situation is being created around Rahul Gandhi’s programme suggesting that Lok Sabha Speaker and Kota MP Om Birla is opposed to the visit.

He noted that complaints regarding the intimidation of coaching institutes and other individuals are surfacing, which is not a good sign for the democratic system.

The Congress’ official X account also accused the BJP government of trying to suppress student voices by removing banners and posters.

“Posters can be removed, but the voice of the youth cannot be silenced,” the Congress said.

Rahul Gandhi, meanwhile, has framed the rally as a platform for students and job aspirants.

In a social media appeal, he accused the Narendra Modi government of failing the country’s youth through paper leaks, examination mismanagement, rising education costs and shrinking opportunities.

Meanwhile, young Congress leader Nirmal Chaudhary also raised questions, asking why complaints regarding the removal of posters and pressure tactics concerning the event are surfacing if the BJP is not afraid of Rahul Gandhi.

He remarked that while posters can be removed, the questions raised by lakhs of students cannot be erased.

The BJP, however, has dismissed the allegations as a desperate attempt to generate political attention.

Senior BJP leader Rajendra Rathore challenged Congress leaders to provide evidence for their claims and criticised attempts to drag Lok Sabha Speaker and Kota MP Om Birla into the controversy.

According to officials, several hoardings were removed because they had allegedly been installed without the required municipal permissions.

With both BJP and Congress involved in a war of words, what was planned as a student-focused rally has already evolved into a political flashpoint.

As Rahul Gandhi arrives in Kota to amplify youth concerns, the battle over posters, permissions and political messaging has become a story in itself.

Bhopal, June 16: With the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026 scheduled to be held on June 21, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday reviewed the state’s preparedness and directed government officials to ensure a “transparent, secure and error-free conduct” of the examination across all examination centres.

Chairing a high-level review meeting via video conference from the Mantralaya, the Chief Minister said the credibility of a national-level examination depends on meticulous planning and flawless execution.

“NEET is a national-level examination. All preparations must be completed in advance and the examination should be conducted with complete transparency. There should be no lapses or errors at any stage,” Chief Minister Yadav said in statement.

The examination will be conducted at 283 centres spread across 30 districts of the state, with Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior and Jabalpur accounting for the largest number of centres.

The examination will be held from 2 to 5:15 p.m. on June 21 in pen-and-paper mode.

Against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny of competitive examinations in recent years, the Chief Minister directed government officials to strengthen security arrangements and ensure that biometric verification systems, CCTV cameras and jammers are installed at all examination centres by June 19.

He also ordered trial runs of the equipment a day before the examination.

The review meeting paid special attention to Jabalpur, where President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit on the same day.

Chief Minister Yadav instructed district administration and police officials to formulate a detailed traffic management plan to ensure that candidates reach their examination centres without delays.

He also noted that the International Yoga Day programmes would coincide with the examination and said administrative arrangements should be made to prevent any disruption to students.

“No candidate should suffer because of transportation or traffic-related issues. If required, administrative and police officials should assist students in reaching examination centres through available government resources,” the Chief Minister said.

Mumbai, June 16: Amid the buzz and speculation over ‘Operation Tiger’ intensifying in Maharashtra, suggesting more MPs and MLAs are ready to abandon the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena camp, a startling claim from SS (Shinde camp) MLC Krupal Tumane has sent political temperatures soaring within the Opposition ranks.

Krupal Tumane, speaking to media, said, “Out of nine MPs of SS(UBT), seven are willing to work under the leadership of Eknath Shinde. They want to work according to his policies and ensure development of their constituencies.”

“At least seven UBT MPs and 16 MLAs are in contact with us,” he said, emphasising the scale of “discontent and disgruntlement” within the Uddhav camp.

Tumane further stated that the “discussions” with them were in an advanced stage and the switchover may happen sooner rather than later.

The assertions by MLC Krupal Tumane come in the backdrop of heightened speculation of a fresh break-up in the Uddhav camp and how shifting loyalties could shake up the Bal Thackeray-founded party and ‘perennially’ alter the support bases of the two Shiv Sena factions in the state.

The speculations have, however, been refuted strongly by at least two Shiv Sena MPs, including Uddhav Thackeray’s staunch loyalist Sanjay Raut.

SS(UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has rubbished all speculations of ‘Operation Tiger’ and affirmed that the party remains “intact, united and strong”.

Voices of discontent and unease within the camp started surfacing over a recent meeting of the Sena MPs convened at ‘Matoshree’, the residence of Uddhav Thackeray.

Conflicting reports claimed that the informal meet was given a miss by most Sena Parliamentarians, and only a handful turned up. The party later, in a clarification, stated that all the MPs had joined the meeting, though some via virtual mode. This only gave strength to speculations that something was amiss within, as this marked a clear diversion from previous such meets.

Bhausaheb Wakchaure, another Shiv Sena(UBT) MP from Shirdi, dismissed the speculation as merely hearsay and stated that too much was being read into it, for stoking fresh turmoil in Maharashtra politics.

“I am with SS(UBT). These are just speculations; they have been going on for a year. I don’t know why they are going on,” he stated.

“Today, I am standing with UBT; I can’t say about tomorrow; I am not a soothsayer,” he said, giving fresh fodder for political watchers to interpret his remarks.