<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/51393910.cms" />In the wake of showcause notice issued over citizenship row, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=rahul+gandhi">Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi</a> said he will deal with it. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=LK+Advani">BJP veteran LK </a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=LK+Advani">Advani</a>-led <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Lok+Sabha">Lok Sabha Ethics Committee</a> served a notice on <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> over his alleged dual nationality issue. 
 BJP MP Arjun Ram Meghwal revealed the ethics committee has served Rahul Gandhi a notice and will act on the matter only after a reply from the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> member. 
 
"Rahul Gandhi has been issued notice to seek his response on why he declared himself a British citizen. The complaint was received by the speaker (Sumitra Mahajan) and she has forwarded the complaint to the ethics committee," said Meghwal, a member of the panel. 
 
However, Rahul said downplayed the notice. 
 
"We will deal that," Rahul Gandhi told the media. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Congress">Congress</a> leaders said Rahul Gandhi does not need to prove his credentials as an Indian. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

Rahul Gandhi downplays notice on dual citizenship row, says will deal with it

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/49805428.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" />Alleging that Congress vice-president <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> had declared himself as a British citizen (2003-2009) for purpose of floating a private company in London leader <keyword id="6370187" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Subramanian-Swamy">Subramanian Swamy</keyword> has written to Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> demanding the government to strip Gandhi of his citizenship. "As you can see from the company (BLACKOPS LIMITED) Annual Record that Mr Rahul Gandhi has given his date of birth correctly but has declared himself to be of British nationality with an United <keyword id="236732" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kingdom">Kingdom</keyword> address ... this is, prima facie, a violation of the law and the constitutional position in the country ... I urge you to treat this matter with great urgency and immediately take necessary steps to see if this prima facie evidence is rebuttable, and if not, order than Mr Rahul Gandhi be of his citizenship, and his membership of the Lok Sabha, forthwith," Swamy said releasing the copy of his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a press conference today. The Congress dismissed these allegations. "It has been the habit of Subramanian Swamy to make silly statements in order to try and seek some publicity whenever he is sidelined. Nobody takes his statements seriously", Congress spokesperson <keyword id="50339" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ajay-Maken">Ajay Maken</keyword> said at the official AICC briefing in response to question on Swamy's latest allegation against Rahul Gandhi. 

	Swamy said that he will also write to Lok Sabha Speaker soon requesting her to refer the matter to the Committee on Ethics for appropriate action. 
 

	"The government will act on it," was Swamy's stock reply to a query whether he will lodge a police complaint on the basis of evidence with him. He suggested that he filed a case against National Herald against Gandhi family as that time his party (BJP) was not in power and he need not do so when BJP is in power. 
	 
	(image credit: economic times)

Subramanian Swamy demands PM to strip Rahul Gandhi of Indian citizenship

<ul><li>Modi didn’t state the reason behind doing so. And, the post left thousands of questions unanswered. </li><li>Modi has 53.3 million followers on Twitter, 35.2 million on <keyword id="819905" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Instagram">Instagram</keyword> and 44.7 million on Facebook. </li><li>Congress leader and MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor feared that the abrupt announcement may lead to banning social media throughout the country. </li></ul>On March 2, PM <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> posted on social media that he’s thinking of “giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.” With 53.3 million followers on Twitter, he is among the most followed political leaders in the world. He didn’t state the reason behind doing so. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup></colgroup><col /><col /><col /><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"> </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Narendra Modi </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">PMO India </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Twitter </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">53.3 million </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">32 million </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Instagram </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">35.2 million </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Not present </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Youtube </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4.5 million </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">718K </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Facebook </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">44.7 million </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">13 million </td></tr></tbody></table> And, the post left thousands of questions unanswered. Government officials told Economic Times that they are as unaware as the rest of the world and Modi might add more to it in a day or two. 
	<div type="twitter" handle="narendramodi" handlename="Narendra Modi" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1134082549041393672/QbihPzrL_normal.png" favoritecount="143671" retweetcount="43157" status="This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram &amp; YouTube. Will keep you all posted." createdat="1583162818000" id="1234500451850018818"></div>



 “This Sunday, thinking of giving up my social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram &amp; YouTube. Will keep you all posted," PM Modi tweeted. This Sundayhere refers to March 8 — which is also International Women's day. PM Modi may make a major announcement on the important date (March 8) about social media. Congress leader and MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor feared that the abrupt announcement may lead to banning social media throughout the country. 
	<div type="twitter" handle="ShashiTharoor" handlename="Shashi Tharoor" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/928582848784633857/sX6E0-GB_normal.jpg" favoritecount="5016" retweetcount="852" status="The PM's abrupt announcement has led many to worry whether it's a prelude to banning these services throughout the… https://t.co/NfwAUwmOCa" createdat="1583171567000" id="1234537148105121792"></div>



 Moreover, the BJP government has taken an adversarial position against big data companies. "Internet has emerged as a potent tool to cause unimaginable disruption to the democratic polity, it was felt that the extant rules be revised for effective regulation of intermediaries keeping in view the ever growing threats to individual rights and nation's integrity, sovereignty, and security,” IT Ministry earlier said. Further, the government wants to revise the existing rules for intermediaries or social media apps and platforms that rely on users to create their content, such as TikTok, Instagram et al Sources indicated that PM Modi might switch on to a new swadeshi social media platform and may also request his supporters to follow it. There were also rumours about a homegrown social media platform doing rounds in BJP, reported IANS. The Twitter was left divided with some following his cue of quitting social media while others thought he is running away from giving statements on crucial issues like the 3-day clashes in Northeast Delhi over Citizenship Amendment Act. Former Congress president <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> suggested Modi to give up “hate speech” rather than social media. 
	<div type="twitter" handle="RahulGandhi" handlename="Rahul Gandhi" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/974851878860312582/O-Zn2b72_normal.jpg" favoritecount="65105" retweetcount="17222" status="Give up hatred, not social media accounts. https://t.co/HDymHw2VrB" createdat="1583165336000" id="1234511012570624000"></div>



 Whereas India today editor <keyword id="98566" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rajdeep-Sardesai">Rajdeep Sardesai</keyword> said “how prepared we are to deal with coronavirus, how to revive the economy, we are now speculating why PM Modi may quit social media”. 
	<div type="twitter" handle="sardesairajdeep" handlename="Rajdeep Sardesai" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1190959165319065600/-nKwExDB_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1573" retweetcount="377" status="At a time when we should be debating how to repair fractured social relations, how prepared we are to deal with cor… https://t.co/WTNak8MsLC" createdat="1583203705000" id="1234671946685538304"></div>



 Women and Child Development Minister <keyword id="6612" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Smriti-Irani">Smriti Irani</keyword>, Urban Development Minister <keyword id="421074" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hardeep-Puri">Hardeep Puri</keyword> and Minister of State for Finance <keyword id="6364468" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="anurag-thakur">Anurag Thakur</keyword>, who is under the scanner for inflammatory statements made during Delhi elections, retweeted the post. (with inputs from agencies) See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/indias-privacy-bill-seeks-access-to-users-data-from-companies-2019-12?IR=T">India's privacy bill seeks access to users' data from companies</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/indias-personal-data-protection-bill-vs-data-laws-in-china-and-russia/articleshow/72990187.cms">Indian data laws have an uncanny resemblance to Russia’s 'new' internet and China’s 'Great Firewall'</a>

India fears a virtual crackdown on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hints at an exit from social media

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/49814097.cms" />The UK’s government department, Companies House, revealed that returns of Backops, a private firm set up by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=rahul+gandhi">Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi</a>, in 2005and 2006 showed Gandhi of British nationality. 
 
However, the UK Companies House said this could very well be an error as the annual return documents were filed electronically and could have been an input mistake. 
 
The statement by the UK department came after senior BJP leader <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=subramanian+swamy">Subramanian Swamy</a> alleged that the fourth generation scion of Nehru-Gandhi family had declared himself a British citizen in the registration papers of Backops Limited, which was dissolved in 2009. 
 
Companies House is an executive agency that also incorporates and dissolves limited companies. 
 
"We carry out basic checks to make sure that documents have been fully completed and signed, but we do not have the statutory power or capability to verify the accuracy of the information that companies send to us. We accept all information that companies deliver to us in good faith and place it on the public record. The fact that the information has been placed on the public record should not be taken to indicate that Companies House has verified or validated it in any way," the representative of the department told ET. 
 
Swamy demanded that Gandhi should be stripped off his Indian citizenship. The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Congress">Congress</a> has denied such allegations, saying Gandhi had never held citizenship of any country other than India and "nor has he represented as such". 
 
READ ALSO: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Subramanian-Swamy-demands-PM-to-strip-Rahul-Gandhi-of-Indian-citizenship/articleshow/49805407.cms">Subramanian Swamy demands PM to strip Rahul Gandhi of Indian citizenship</a> 
 
Swamy showed documents that had Gandhi registered as a British citizen. 
 Meanwhile, the Congress released the company's documents of incorporation, dated August 2003, in which <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> is shown as an Indian national. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

UK govt department says documents showing Rahul Gandhi as British national could be an input error

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/49848929.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" />Senior BJP leader <keyword id="6370187" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Subramanian-Swamy">Subramanian Swamy</keyword> once again reiterated his claim that <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> is a British national on Thursday. He alleged the firm 'run' by the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> vice president was a shell company for <keyword id="1571285" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Defence-kickbacks">defence kickbacks</keyword>. Gandhi had declared himself a British citizen in the registration papers of <keyword id="3142883" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Backops">Backops</keyword> which was dissolved in 2009, Swamy alleged. 

	"I have traced Backops as a shell firm to companies receiving kickbacks in Indian defence deals' illegal commission," Swamy tweeted, adding that he will soon hold a press conference to show papers that support his charge. 
 

	Swamy said he will ask the Enforcement Directorate to file a case against the Congress vice president for forex violation under FCRA, PMLA and FEMA.
 

	"Basic question is why an MP and a party VP needs to open a company in Britain and all in secret?," he asked.
 

	Companies House, a UK government department, had last week confirmed that the 2005 and 2006 returns of Backops, a private firm set up in the UK by Rahul Gandhi in 2003, showed his nationality as British but said it "could very well be an error made by whoever submitted the information". 
 

	The Congress denied the allegation about Gandhi's nationality saying that from the day he was born, he had never held citizenship of any country other than India, "nor has he represented as such".
 

	AICC spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said, "You have the government, you have the entire machinery and you should be able to put a single proof and not these straws in the winds by a person like Swamy. If you are the government, you should have produced some material rather than relying on Swamy's allegations which are false." 
 Swamy has written to Lok Sabha Speaker <keyword id="6354934" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sumitra-Mahajan">Sumitra Mahajan</keyword>, urging her to refer the matter of Rahul's alleged violation of Constitution and ethical code on citizenship to the Ethics Committee and disqualify him as MP if he is guilty. 

	He has demanded that Gandhi be stripped of Indian citizenship and Lok Sabha membership.

Rahul Gandhi's UK firm a shell firm for defence kickbacks, says Subramanian Swamy

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/28593954.cms" /> NEW DELHI: <keyword id="5268" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> as <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword>’s PM candidate is an idea whose time may have come. 
 Just days after PM <keyword id="6359397" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Manmohan-Singh">Manmohan Singh</keyword> ruled himself out as the <keyword id="19496" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="leader">leader</keyword> of a possible Congress-led coalition, chances of Rahul being named as replacement have dramatically brightened, raising the possibility that he may take the baton at the AICC session, set for January 17 in Delhi. 
 The leadership has hedged its stand on whether Congress will be going into the <keyword id="6355187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword> elections with a <keyword id="2007935" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="declared-PM">declared PM</keyword> candidate, but well-placed sources acknowledge that momentum has been inexorably built up for the party to spell out its choice for the top job. “There is a greater recognition among us that times have changed and the party cannot go to elections without a face,” said a source. 
 
A final decision is expected to be taken in a meeting ahead of the January 17 session. 
 
TOI had written about the rising possibility of Rahul’s projection in its editions on December 27 and again on January 4. 
 Two factors seem to have brought about the change in party’s stand on the leadership issue. While Rahul himself is no longer reluctant to take up the mantle, the party also realizes that despite <keyword id="260213" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Arvind-Kejriwal">Arvind Kejriwal</keyword>’s entry in the arena, the 2014 contest will be framed as a Rahul versus <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> battle irrespective of whether the Congress names its spearhead. The leadership is wary that getting into the ring without a stated choice may create the perception of lack of confidence. 
 
Rahul as PM pick can help party: Congress 
 
Although the party feels that Rahul, ideally, should have been projected in better political climes, they say there can be little downside to his being put up for prime ministerhsip even now, considering that he is in any case facing criticism for failures. Ambiguity over his position in the hierarchy has not buffered him. 
 
The leadership agrees that results of the assembly elections were a pointer to the uphill task that faces the party this year. However, it believes that the Modi-led BJP can still be denied the big trophy by scoring small tactical victories and stitching alliances. 
 
Party tacticians feel that Rahul’s projection can help the rearguard battle it may have to wage to stop Modi. 
 
The GenNext leaders in Congress who owe loyalty to Rahul argue that the party should announce the decision on January 17. 
 A <keyword id="6358932" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Union-Minister">Union minister</keyword> argued that little would be lost by naming Rahul as PM candidate because he anyway has to lead the party in the future, whatever the result in 2014. A repeat of diarchy or dual power centres like the present scheme where <keyword id="689" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Sonia-Gandhi">Sonia Gandhi</keyword> heads the party while a <keyword id="71" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Prime-Minister">Prime Minister</keyword> leads the government is not considered feasible. Many believe Gandhi helming the “secular alliance” would change the mood in the coming months. 
 Even in case of a debacle, leaders believe Rahul would have a perfect grounding as an <keyword id="64553" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Opposition-leader">opposition leader</keyword> which would project him nationally as the ‘shadow PM’. His leadership in difficult times would be the glue to keep the party together given that Sonia Gandhi’s health may hamper her active involvement. 
 
Plans for moving “private member resolutions”, as reported by TOI earlier, at the AICC session on January 17 are no secret now. Backing away from such overwhelming demand may not make for good optics, likely to be seized upon by the opposition to say that Congress has conceded the battle in advance.

Rahul Gandhi May Take Congress Baton At January 17 Party Session

<ul class="generic-article__summary--ul content--ul"><li class="generic-article__summary--li content--li">With at least two major regional elections in 2020, all eyes are on how the BJP will arrest the fallout from the citizenship act and local poll defeats.</li><li class="generic-article__summary--li content--li">Analysts say the BJP will concentrate on centralising power and a hardened focus on Hindu nationalism.</li></ul> December was a difficult month for <a href="https://www.scmp.com/topics/india" class="link-text">India</a> Prime Minister <a href="https://www.scmp.com/topics/narendra-modi" class="link-text">Narendra Modi</a> and Amit Shah, his top lieutenant in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).The BJP is facing the biggest challenge of its five-and-a-half-year rule as it scrambles to defuse crises on multiple fronts. How Modi and Shah, the home minister, respond to these problems could determine whether the party maintains its comfortable political edge over rivals, observers say. The current problems – <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3043741/thousands-take-part-rival-protests-over-indias-citizenship-law" class="link-text">mass protests</a> over a controversial <a href="https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3042045/modis-surgical-strike-muslims-puts-india-war-itself" class="link-text">citizenship law</a> and back-to-back state election defeats – are seen in some quarters as an early sign that the public is pushing back against their aggressive advocacy of the Hindu nationalist agenda over broader national interests.<img src="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/12/30/3aac2950-2980-11ea-9939-941d1970c7f1_1320x770_101157.jpg" class="wrapper__img preview-img-item img--landscape" /> Activists wear masks of Home Minister Amit Shah, Indian Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> and West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh during a protest against the citizenship bill. Photo: AFP The two men are lifelong members of RSS, the hardline Hindu nationalist group that serves as the ideological fountainhead of the BJP. Political researcher Neelanjan Sircar said the state election defeats also happened “due to the BJP’s desire to centralise power in Modi and Shah. It does not want strong regional leaders and units”. At the moment, the biggest headache for the BJP going into 2020 is the mass protest action around the country over the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, which was passed on December 12. The law paves the way for immigrants from non-Muslim minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and <keyword id="6354759" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bangladesh">Bangladesh</keyword> to obtain Indian citizenship. Demonstrators, many of whom are students, say the legislation brings out into the open what they claim is the BJP’s plan to systematically drive out the country’s 200 million Muslims as it seeks to create a Hindu Rashtra, or a Hindu nation. The belief is that the CAA, along with the government’s plan to initiate a National Register of Citizens, will create a scenario wherein Muslims who do not have documents to prove their citizenship will be declared illegal immigrants. Hindus and other minorities will not face such a predicament. Modi and Shah have found themselves in an embarrassing bind over this issue because while Shah had explicitly outlined this plan in multiple speeches – saying it targeted “infiltrators” and not Muslims – Modi came out after the protest to directly contradict this position. The prime minister declared his government had no plans to implement the National Register of Citizens. ELECTION SETBACKS If this was not enough of a quandary, the BJP is also reeling from two setbacks in state elections. Earlier in December, the BJP’s oldest ally, the regional party Shiv Sena – with which it has partnered for 25 years – cut ties with the Modi administration and formed a coalition government with the opposition Congress to govern the state of Maharashtra following state polls there. On Christmas Eve, the BJP lost power in Jharkhand, a small but crucial state which holds 40 per cent of India’s mineral wealth. Despite ruling the state for five years, the BJP could only manage 25 seats in the 81-member assembly, while the Congress and its ally got 46 seats. This was its fifth major loss in regional polls in the last year. <img src="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/12/30/676f8176-2980-11ea-9939-941d1970c7f1_1320x770_101157.jpg" class="wrapper__img preview-img-item img--landscape" /> Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a rally to launch the BJP campaign for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections. Photo: EPA-EFE With at least two major regional elections in 2020, in the capital New Delhi, and in the eastern state of Bihar, all eyes are on how Modi and Shah arrest the fallout from the citizenship act saga and the poll defeats. Also weighing on their popularity is the slowing economy, which grew at its lowest rate since 2013 in the July-September quarter. Sircar, an assistant professor at the Ashoka University in the state of Haryana, cautioned against using state poll results as a crystal ball into Modi and Shah’s longer term fate as the ruling party had been struggling to win state elections even before it cruised to a general election victory in May. The Congress, which held power for decades and which continues to be led by the country’s influential Nehru-Gandhi clan, swept regional polls in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan months before the general election. But what the results do reveal is that local elections are no longer swayed by Modi’s popularity alone, said Sircar, whose research interests include studying election data. After 2014, when Modi first came to power, his party won state elections in most major states and governed over 70 per cent of India’s land mass until March 2018. This has now come down to half, partly due to the BJP’s efforts to centralise power in the two leaders, said Sircar. Meanwhile, continuing confusion in the opposition ranks is harming efforts to build an anti-BJP front. The Congress, for instance, still has a temporary party chief in <keyword id="689" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sonia-Gandhi">Sonia Gandhi</keyword> after her son and former party chief Rahul Gandhi quit, taking blame for its election defeat. The fragmentation of opposition unity is likely to rear its head during the upcoming Delhi elections, in which the Congress might not want to ally with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to defeat the BJP. <img src="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/12/30/47d73854-2a52-11ea-9939-941d1970c7f1_1320x770_101157.jpg" class="wrapper__img preview-img-item img--landscape" /> Congress president Sonia Gandhi and ex-party president Rahul Gandhi (L) attend a sit-in protest. Photo: AFP HONEYMOON PERIOD Another crucial reason why the current situation might not affect the BJP’s long-term standing is timing. There is an important reason it introduced the legislation in the first six months of its five-year term. “The BJP has been very effective in setting its own narratives and winning elections. Hence, while it does seem like the BJP is floundering, it is too early in its term for it be considered a threat to their popularity,” said Sudha Pai, a retired professor in political science from New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University. Pai points to the 2019 elections, when Modi managed to divert attention away from issues such as development, infrastructure, a slump in the economy and the highest unemployment rate in 45 years, to rake up nationalism against Pakistan and come back to power with an enhanced margin. The BJP has probably learned this from experience. In 2016, India’s campuses were rocked with student protests against the government but this did not feature in the discourse during the general elections. The face of the protests, youth activist Kanhaiya Kumar, lost by over 400,000 votes to a controversial BJP leader, Giriraj Singh. <img src="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/12/30/646f1f5e-2980-11ea-9939-941d1970c7f1_1320x770_101157.jpg" class="wrapper__img preview-img-item img--landscape" /> A man wearing a mask of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves the BJP flag during a rally in New Delhi. Photo: AP COURSE CORRECTION? Since Modi’s re-election in May, his government’s two major moves – the decision to revoke <a href="https://www.scmp.com/topics/kashmir" class="link-text">Jammu &amp; Kashmir’s special status</a> and bifurcate the state, and the citizenship law amendment – have seen a similar approach being employed. Both were passed in Parliament without much debate, despite acrimonious opposition.Even in the face of the protests, Modi and Shah have remained defiantly supportive of the police action, which has so far resulted in 23 deaths. Most of these occurred in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, where the BJP’s controversial chief minister <keyword id="43254" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Yogi-Adityanath">Yogi Adityanath</keyword> hailed the police crackdown. But both Pai and Sircar believe the protests and Jharkhand defeat will come as a rude shock to the BJP. “No matter what the final outcome is, there is a sense that the mood in the country is changing, that nationalism might not be enough to win elections any more and that the BJP is not invincible,” said Pai. Such widespread protests have not occurred in the last few decades. “Somewhere, this is affecting Modi’s popularity, bit by bit,” Pai said. <img src="https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/12/30/50fb3d72-2980-11ea-9939-941d1970c7f1_1320x770_101157.jpg" class="wrapper__img preview-img-item img--landscape" /> Indian Prime Minister and BJP leader Narendra Modi. Photo: DPA Opinions are mixed on whether these issues will result in a course correction in the next four years of the BJP’s term. Sircar does not see a shift by the BJP any time soon. “I don’t see the BJP’s model changing. Centralising power in their own hands is a very important project for both Modi and Shah. Taking decisions without consultation is also integral to it; to consult means to slow down the process,” said Sircar. Pai, however, is slightly more optimistic, but also believes the next four years will see a hardened focus on Hindu nationalism. “It depends on what happens with the protests and how long they sustain. But I think the BJP will realise that nationalism and warmongering have diminishing returns. It will have to deliver.”

After a torrid December, how will India’s Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and the BJP fare in 2020?

Telecom Minister <keyword id="6354886" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ravi-Shankar-Prasad">Ravi Shankar Prasad</keyword> on Monday hit out at British telco Vodafone for "dictating" terms to India when it threatened of withdrawing from the Indian market following a SC ruling. He also said Mahanagar Telecom Nagar Ltd and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd are strategic assets that should remain in the fray and ensure better competition. After the Supreme Court's ruling on the adjusted gross revenues (AGR) that created a liability of Rs 1.4 lakh crore for telecom firms, Vodafone's global leadership had cast doubts over the future of the company in India.
 "I don't appreciate this kind of statement, firmly and clearly. We have given all the options of doing business but no one should dictate terms to us. India is a sovereign country," Prasad said while speaking at the Times Network's India Economic Conclave.
 "India is a sovereign country, we are open to give all the benefits, all the indulgence, all the help, open to all the suggestions. But, any form of dictation is plainly not acceptable," the minister added.
 Prasad welcomed the explanation given by the company, wherein it had said those remarks were misquoted.
 He said the government has given a potential benefit of up to Rs 42,000 crore by agreeing to defer the spectrum repayment period for the telcos and expressed an inability to do anything beyond that.
 State-owned companies such as GAIL and RailTel Corporation of India have also made representation to the ministry.
 Prasad exhorted the private sector telcos to provide flawless service with enriching customer experience by making the right investments.
 Meanwhile, on the Citizenship Amendment Act-related protests, Prasad said the violence "is regrettable and is also sponsored".
 He also said, "Some people are trying to provoke communal violence. Political parties have to rise beyond petty politics."
 He also decried Rahul Gandhi's statement on Veer Savarkar over the weekend, terming it as "irresponsible and deliberate denigration of a great son of india". See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-airtel-and-vodafone-idea-face-more-financial-burden/articleshow/72513282.cms">Three reasons why the Indian telecom sector's troubles went from bad to worse in the last 24 hours</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/the-telecom-sectors-roller-coaster-over-the-past-four-years/articleshow/71755349.cms">The telecom sector's roller coaster over the past four years</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/reliance-jio-and-mukesh-ambani-have-unlimited-money-says-airtel-top-boss-sunil-mittal/articleshow/72485785.cms">Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio has ‘unlimited’ access to finance, says Airtel top boss Sunil Mittal in his clarion call for government support</a>

India's telecom minister hits out at Vodafone for 'dictating' terms

<ul><li><keyword id="6388361" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prashant-Kishor">Prashant Kishor</keyword>, the brain behind the party’s election campaign, gets into the prime talk in the media following AAP’s thumping victory in the Delhi Assembly Elections which secured the party 62 out of 70 seats. </li><li>While <keyword id="6366391" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prashant">Prashant</keyword> is touted as an election magician, the talk of the town says his strategies have created success stories for parties in state and national elections. </li><li>In the making of this political strategist, we see some shaping influences that have helped him evolve to this stature.</li></ul>AAP won the Delhi assembly elections with an overwhelming majority of 62 out of 70 seats. And everyone is talking about the man who made it happen - campaign strategist Prashant Kishor In December last year, Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP president invited Prashant Kishor to shape his election campaign. The results proved that Kejriwal chose well. Who is Prashant Kishor and what shaped him as a successful election strategist is an interesting story. Kishor rose to fame after 2014 lok sabha elections when he managed Narendra Modi’s election campaign and steered it towards a historic victory. Prashant Kishor’s background Kishor, who was born in 1977, worked as a public health specialist at the UN, before he jumped into Indian political scene. He planned election strategies for both BJP and Congress. His first ever major political campaign in 2011 when he helped Narendra Modi win Gujarat assembly’s elections for the third time in 2012. Nevertheless, the mission that secured him immense popularity and led him to lead BJP’s election campaign during 2014 elections. That too was a historic win for Modi. Later, Kishor moved away from Modi and initiated a political outfit called Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). Prashant Kishor coordinating some election campaigns so far Nitish Kumar hired Kishor to shape the party’s strategies during 2015 Bihar assembly elections when he helped him become the state chief minister for the third time. It was said Kishor decided the resource allocation, strategies and alliances of the party. That relationship soured in January 2020 and he was expelled from the Janata Dal (U) party. This was after he criticized Kumar, the party head’s stand in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act (2019). In 2017 Punjab assembly elections, Prashant Kishor helped the Congress candidate Amarinder Singh win the elections and become the CM after the party had lost two consecutive elections in the state. He was also employed by the Congress party for UP election campaign in 2017. This time he had failed but he blamed Rahul Gandhi’s failing image for it. In 2019, Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy designated Kishor’s organization as his campaign partner and his party won 151 out of 175 seats. On February 2020, the DMK chief M K Stalin declared that Prashant Kishor had been signed up as the election strategist for the party for assembly elections in 2021. Political circles say that he would now focus on the Bihar and Bengal elections next.

The Making of Prashant Kishor, The Election Magician

<ul><li>India’s Solicitor General <keyword id="243257" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tushar-Mehta">Tushar Mehta</keyword> told the <keyword id="6355014" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi-high-court">Delhi High Court</keyword> that the issue of hate speeches inciting violence in Northeast districts of Delhi is not ‘urgent enough’. </li><li>When asked the issue of urgency, Mehta claimed ignorance and said that he had not seen any of the videos that are being circulated on social media. </li><li>Justice Muralidhar then ordered the court to play the video of BJP leader Kapil Mishra’s speech for everyone present. </li><li>“We can’t let another 1984 scenario happen in this city, not under the watch of this court,” said Muralidhar.</li><li>The bench has asked the Delhi Police to take a conscious decision on registration of FIRs for hate speech by tomorrow.</li></ul>It has been four months since protests and clashes have been rocking Delhi over India’s new citizenship laws. This week, however, things took a violent turn compromising the peace and security of its citizens. Recognising the urgency of the situation, the Delhi High Court agreed to hear the petition filed by social activist Harsh Mander seeking an independent judicial inquiry into the violence currently plaguing Northeast districts of New Delhi. <div type="image" title="5801fd99db6b3a6bc3bea6b8e4fa59d5" msid="74318880" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Violent clashes continue over India&amp;#39;s new citizenship laws in Northeast districts of New Delhi for the third day&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>
 The petition draws a link between the turbulence and the provocative speeches by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders like Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur and Pravesh Verma, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/LiveLawIndia/status/1232279423899955201">LiveLaw</a>. But when the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta — the second-highest ranking law officer in the country — came to court to argue on the behalf of the government he claimed that making a case to arrest BJP leaders for making hate speeches is not ‘urgent enough’ to be addressed today. <div type="image" title="4f871e42498d0e9ebc614fcba403b5cb" msid="74318966" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Areas affected by violence in Northeast Delhi&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>
 The issue of urgency When the bench started to discuss the issue of urgency, Mehta claimed ignorance. “I’m not aware of the facts, I need to do that first before making my submissions,” he said. Justice Muralidhar however pointed out that he was only asking Mehta’s opinion as an officer of the law — bearing in mind that thousands of people were exposed to videos of the speeches online and social media. 
 To this Mehta responded, “I haven’t watched the videos,” according to <a href="https://twitter.com/LiveLawIndia/status/1232567358218231808">LiveLaw</a>. Muralidhar cited concern and ordered for the clip of Kapil Mishra’s speech to be played in court so that everyone can watch it. Mehta tried one last Hail Mary claiming that he doesn’t watch television news before making his submissions.“Unfortunately, that's not the privilege that judges have,” quipped Muralidhar and continued to play the video. The police officer present in court was able to identify the Sub Inspector present in the video. As the court adjourned for lunch, reports came in of an intelligence officer found dead in Northeast Delhi. “We can’t let another 1984 scenario happen in this city, not under the watch of this court,” said Muralidhar when the court reconvened. Hate speeches The petition filed by Mander argues that hate speeches added fuel to fire. They flared up people against CAA protestors with communal slogans like, “Goli maaro gadaron ko” (shoot the traitors) and “Jai Sriram” (victory to Lord Ram). It specifically points to a speech made by Kapil Mishra on February 23 where he asked a group of people to “take action” against the protests. <div type="image" title="91e4aef10f87b8a0dfb4fc2ed36fc111" msid="74318994" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Anti-CAA protests in New Delhi&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>
 At the time of filing the petition, the 10 people had reportedly died as a result of the violence in the Northeast districts of New Delhi. In less than a day, the death toll has nearly doubled. Over 180 are injured and languishing at hospitals. The petition also points out that in addition to inciting violent clashes, the police has also been a quiet spectator as the incidents of arson and rioting unfolded. <div type="image" title="a4a5ac2370e5b2e63251e008fcfa0d8d" msid="74319022" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Police gathers to address the violent clashes in Northeast Delhi&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>
 When the hearing began at 12:30 pm, Mehta submitted that he had been authorised by the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi to appear. However, when the petitioner’s lead counsel Rahul Mehra argued that the LG can’t authorise any such action without the advice of the council of ministers, Mehta tried to defer the proceedings to tomorrow. As multiple cases are running across courts, the Supreme Court yesterday believed the situation was ‘urgent’. "This city has seen enough violence," concluded Muralidhar. The bench has asked the Delhi Police to take a conscious decision on registration of FIRs for hate speech by tomorrow. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/congress-president-sonia-gandhi-asks-amit-shah-to-quit-over-delhi-violence/articleshow/74315680.cms">Congress president Sonia Gandhi asks Amit Shah to quit over Delhi violence</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/delhi-violence-news-riots-in-north-east-on-caa-in-bhajanpura-and-maujpur-latest-death-toll-10-says-police/articleshow/74305556.cms">The violence in Delhi is exploding— at least 10 dead, a mosque burnt, and journalists attacked is making rest of India anxious</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/delhi-violence-news-and-updates/articleshow/74298031.cms">Delhi violence: HC urges Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to visit the affected areas 'for confidence-building among people'</a>

India’s second-highest ranking law officer sees no 'urgency' in a case on Delhi violence

Data from nine different elections show that Congress can be on the winning side but not the winner

142 million voters go to polls today in 20 states—  here’s a look at the key issues in every state

Former "Daily Show" correspondent John Oliver premiered his new, weekly news recap show "Last Week Tonight" Sunday on HBO.
In case you didn't catch the premiere episode, here's what you missed.
There's a cool opening sequence.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535e9ae4ecad0426031f732a/john-oliver-last-week-tonight.gif" border="0" alt="john oliver last week tonight" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCmriZSxxk&amp;feature=player_embedded">HBO/Last Week Tonight</a></div></div></div>
Oliver began by welcoming viewers to "whatever this is."<img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535e8cb96bb3f7dd2dd4a33e-1200-632/screen shot 2014-04-28 at 12.18.37 pm.png" border="0" alt="John Oliver Last Week Tonight" />
The week's news recap was led by the Donald Sterling <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-sterling-racist-history-2014-4" target="_blank">racist remarks story</a>. Oliver's takeaway on the Clippers owner getting upset with his girlfriend for posting photos with black people to Instagram: "Wow, that is genuinely shocking - an 80-year-old man knows about Instagram!"<img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535e8cb9ecad04304b1f732a-1200-632/screen shot 2014-04-28 at 12.20.11 pm.png" border="0" alt="John Oliver Last Week Tonight" />
It was a nice lead-in to controversial <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cliven-bundy-racist-comments-slaves-ranch-2014-4" target="_blank">Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy</a>'s TV interview, in which he defended his racist comments while holding a dead calf. Oliver mocked the situation by saying, "This old thing? I didn't even know I was carrying it."<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535e8cbc69bedded059c9154-1200-632/screen shot 2014-04-28 at 12.21.15 pm.png" border="0" alt="John Oliver Last Week Tonight" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCmriZSxxk&amp;feature=player_embedded">YouTube/HBO/"Last Week Tonight"</a></div></div></div>
Oliver then switched gears to Pope Francis making history this week with the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/04/27/thousands-fill-st-peter-square-to-celebrate-canonization-pope-john-xxiii-john/" target="_blank">dual canonization</a> of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II. "Two popes at once? That's the papal sainthood equivalent of a Kentucky Fried Chicken double down," he joked.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535e8cbc6bb3f7a030d4a33e-1200-632/screen shot 2014-04-28 at 12.22.51 pm.png" border="0" alt="John Oliver Last Week Tonight" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCmriZSxxk&amp;feature=player_embedded">YouTube/HBO/"Last Week Tonight"</a></div></div></div>
Next up, Oliver blasted Oregon for lagging behind in Obamacare sign ups. "Oregon spent a quarter of a billion dollars on a website designed to sign people up in one sitting, which did that for exactly nobody, and they're now handing the keys over to Healthcare.gov. That's got to be a bitter pill to swallow for the people of Oregon - or it would be, if they could get the pill, which they can't because their sh---- website doesn't work."<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535e8cbcecad04784c1f7328-1200-632/screen shot 2014-04-28 at 12.35.58 pm.png" border="0" alt="John Oliver Last Week Tonight" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCmriZSxxk&amp;feature=player_embedded">YouTube/HBO/"Last Week Tonight"</a></div></div></div>
"Last Week Tonight" even went so far as to create a fake commercial, starring Lisa Loeb, to get "Oregon idiots" to sign up for Obamacare.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535e8cbceab8eaf62ad4a33e-1200-632/screen shot 2014-04-28 at 12.38.41 pm.png" border="0" alt="John Oliver Last Week Tonight" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCmriZSxxk&amp;feature=player_embedded">YouTube/HBO/"Last Week Tonight"</a></div></div></div>
Oliver then addressed the U.S.'s upcoming presidential election, heatedly explaining that "Cable news doesn't need to be focusing on an election happening in 926 days, when there's an important one happening right now that they are all completely ignoring - India's election."<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535e8cbeecad04ef461f7332-1200-667/screen shot 2014-04-28 at 12.41.36 pm.png" border="0" alt="John Oliver Last Week Tonight" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCmriZSxxk&amp;feature=player_embedded">YouTube/HBO/"Last Week Tonight"</a></div></div></div>
He compared candidate Rahul Gandhi to "an Indian Han Solo," exclaiming, "Wow, that guy is handsome!"<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535e8cbeecad042a4b1f7329-1200-667/screen shot 2014-04-28 at 12.44.46 pm.png" border="0" alt="John Oliver Last Week Tonight" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCmriZSxxk&amp;feature=player_embedded">YouTube/HBO/"Last Week Tonight"</a></div></div></div>
Oliver ripped leading candidate Narendra Modi for appearing in the streets of India as a hologram (comparing him to Tupac at Coachella) and promising to put toilets in every home.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535e8cbe69beddf2059c9157-1200-632/screen shot 2014-04-28 at 12.50.15 pm.png" border="0" alt="John Oliver Last Week Tonight" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCmriZSxxk&amp;feature=player_embedded">YouTube/HBO/"Last Week Tonight"</a></div></div></div>
But Oliver thinks India's coverage of the election is even worse than the candidates.
"That graphic is from CNN India. A little fact check - India has just over 800 million voters so their own graphic is wrong by the entire population of Brazil. You truly are a member of the CNN family."<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535e8cbf69bedd6e7e9c915c-1200-667/screen shot 2014-04-28 at 12.52.41 pm.png" border="0" alt="John Oliver Last Week Tonight" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCmriZSxxk&amp;feature=player_embedded">YouTube/HBO/"Last Week Tonight"</a></div></div></div>
We were then introduced to a segment called "John McCain Tells The Same Joke 6 Different Times In 6 Different Places." News clips were then shows of McCain saying "Russia is a gas station masquerading as a country" over and over again.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535e8cbe69bedd44029c9156-1200-632/screen shot 2014-04-28 at 12.56.04 pm.png" border="0" alt="John Oliver Last Week Tonight" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCmriZSxxk&amp;feature=player_embedded">YouTube/HBO/"Last Week Tonight"</a></div></div></div>
Oliver then explained the case of Pom Wonderful vs. Coca Cola. Pom believes one of Coke's products is misleading the public by calling a juice "pomegranate juice" when it only contains 1% pomegranate. Oliver jokes that the juice should also list "rat urine" as an ingredient because "let's face it, there's a little bit of rat urine in everything."<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535e8cb6eab8ead92ed4a33e-1200-632/screen shot 2014-04-28 at 1.01.26 pm.png" border="0" alt="John Oliver Last Week Tonight" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCmriZSxxk&amp;feature=player_embedded">YouTube/HBO/"Last Week Tonight"</a></div></div></div>
The NFL was awarded "Workplace Of The Week" for the Buffalo Bills' <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/buffalo-bills-cheerleader-rules-2014-4" target="_blank">ridiculous list of "Lady Body Maintenance" rules</a> for cheerleaders.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535e8cb669beddf1059c9154-1200-632/screen shot 2014-04-28 at 1.05.31 pm.png" border="0" alt="John Oliver Last Week Tonight" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCmriZSxxk&amp;feature=player_embedded">YouTube/HBO/"Last Week Tonight"</a></div></div></div>
Oliver then sat down for a comical interview with former NSA director Keith Alexander, who wasn't in on the joke. Watch the interview <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8lJ85pfb_E" target="_blank">here.</a><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/535e8cb66bb3f77e2fd4a34a-1200-632/screen shot 2014-04-28 at 1.08.58 pm.png" border="0" alt="John Oliver Last Week Tonight" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCmriZSxxk&amp;feature=player_embedded">YouTube/HBO/"Last Week Tonight"</a></div></div></div>
To watch the full episode of "Last Week Tonight," <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tCmriZSxxk&amp;feature=player_embedded" target="_blank">click here &gt;</a>

You Searched For "Rahul Gandhi dual citizenship" and got 13 results

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BI India Bureau

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UK govt department says documents showing Rahul Gandhi as British national could be an input error

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Rahul Gandhi May Take Congress Baton At January 17 Party Session

Times Of India

After a torrid December, how will India’s Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and the BJP fare in 2020?

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The Making of Prashant Kishor, The Election Magician

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India’s second-highest ranking law officer sees no 'urgency' in a case on Delhi violence

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Data from nine different elections show that Congress can be on the winning side but not the winner

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142 million voters go to polls today in 20 states— here’s a look at the key issues in every state

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All Of The News Stories John Oliver Mocked In His HBO Show Premiere

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