Union minister Kiren Rijiju today said the leaders of the Congress were making a beeline for the BJP because of the ineptitude of Rahul Gandhi both as a speaker and a leader. “Rahul Gandhi doesn’t have hope — that’s the biggest issue… He is extremely negative,” Mr Rijiju told NDTV in an exclusive interview. “That’s why all young leaders of Congress are leaving — they want future prospects but Rahul Gandhi can’t offer that,’ he claimed.

Mr Gandhi — who is currently traversing the northeast on his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra — “embarrasses” his party leaders when he speaks, Mr Rijiju alleged.

“Many Congress leaders, some sensible ones, I meet them. They are aghast. They say they are helpless. When Rahul speaks, they are worried,” he said.

“I feel sorry for some good people in Congress party, whether it is Kharge or anybody. In parliament, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is Congress’s leader in the Lok Sabha but he has no authority. Our leader leads from the front and speaks with authority. When PM speaks about any subject, there is no equivalent voice in parliament,” he remarked.

Dismissing Mr Gandhi’s current Manipur to Mumbai yatra, Mr Rijiju said it was the BJP’s Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra was the actual yatra.

“There is a great difference between our yatra and theirs… The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is the actual yatra as it is reaching out and carries the message of Modi ki guarantee,” he added.

Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon are all set to team up for their first film together, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya. The film’s trailer arrived today and the film’s cast turned up in style at the trailer launch event.

For the trailer launch, Kriti Sanon opted for a stunning black dress with a thigh-slit. Shahid Kapoor opted for a black leather jacket with blue jeans. The two posed for the paparazzi.

Check out the photos here:

Sriram Raghavan’s Merry Christmas starring Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi garnered praise from audiences and critics alike. The holiday-set mystery thriller saw a fresh pairing. Katrina is now opening up about how she prepared for the role.

In a recent Ask Me Anything session on Instagram Katrina Kaif revealed that learning Tamil was “very hard” but her co-star Vijay Sethupathi supported her through the process.

Check it out here:

Sharing the process of delivering lines in Tamil, Katrina wrote, “Very very hard…. But I had great support from @actorvijaysethupathi all throughout…” 

Merry Christmas released in theatres on January 12 this year after facing quire a few delays.