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Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Saturday took a swipe at the government over the India-US interim trade deal, saying despite its claims to make the country "atmanirbhar" (self-reliant), it seems to have become "Trump pe nirbhar" (dependent on Trump). Sibal also accused the government of agreeing to align India's foreign and economic policy with America, saying and said that such a thing had not happened in India's history. The former Union minister also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he inaugurated the new PMO, named Seva Teerth, and two buildings of the central secretariat - Kartavya Bhawan 1 and 2 -- asking whether he has fulfilled his "kartavya (duty)" towards the country. "I was very happy to read the papers today, the PM has inaugurated the Seva Teerth and Kartvaya Bhawan. Earlier there was the naming of Kartavya Path. But in the last 11 years, I want to ask the PM, what kind of kartavya he fulfilled," Sibal said at a press conference. "It is good to make ...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched an all-out attack on the Congress, accusing it of neglecting the Northeast and promoting insurgency in Assam during its rule. Addressing BJP workers at a rally here, Modi alleged that the Congress always endangered the nation's security, with fear and insecurity prevailing during its tenure in Assam. ''The Congress indulged in polarisation and vote bank politics, and took decisions that promoted these,'' he said. "The partition of the country took place due to the Muslim League, but now there is 'MMC' Maoist, Muslim, Congress and people should be aware,'' Modi said. The PM accused the Congress of protecting infiltrators, but the BJP is "committed to end illegal immigration, and so the next five years are very important for the state''. He also claimed that the Congress, being out of power in Assam for 10 years, is "more dangerous than when it was in power, and this is evident from the venomous statements made by its leaders". Fo
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday described Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as "immature" and lacking understanding of the economy and accused the opposition party of spreading misinformation as it had no constructive agenda to criticise the Narendra Modi government. Speaking to reporters here in Mumbai on the Union Budget, Goyal said Rahul Gandhi is "thousand miles away from the truth" and asserted "discredited leaders" like him may try but would not be able to stop Prime Minister Modi and his service to the nation. "The Congress is frustrated. It has no other scheme or solution except spreading misinformation and fabricated claims. It does not have any point to criticise us. They are trying to mislead our farmers by spreading wrong and false information," he said. "I am confident that discredited leaders like Rahul Gandhi of the Congress and its allies, including TMC, DMK and SP, which are parties rejected by the people, can try hundreds of thousands of ..
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday launched a sharp attack on the opposition Congress for "spreading lies" about the India-US trade agreement, asserting that the Narendra Modi government has completely safeguarded the interests of the farming community. Addressing the 64th convocation ceremony of ICAR-IARI, Chouhan said that not only the trade deal with the US, but all free trade agreements with other countries, including the one with Europe, have been done in the national interest. "All the FTAs, including one with the EU and other countries, are all in the interest of the country. The deal with the US is in India's national interest and completely safeguarded. The interests of the farmers have been kept at the top," Chouhan said. In an apparent reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the minister said some people are creating a "ruckus" on this issue. "They are creating a ruckus and saying we are looted. We are ruined. Everything is destroyed. Nation is sold
The ruling Congress has taken a lead over the opposition BRS and BJP as counting for the Telangana Municipal election progressed on Friday. Of the 2,582 wards in 116 municipalities where elections were held on February 11, Congress was ahead in 300, while BRS was leading in 170 wards at 10.45 AM. BJP candidates were ahead in 48 wards, as per initial trends. The counting process of votes is expected to take time as ballot papers were used in the election. Postal ballots were taken up first for counting. The counting of votes polled in the elections to 116 municipalities and seven municipal corporations began at 123 centres across the state at 8 AM. The outcome of the three-cornered contest between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP and BRS is crucial for all of them as it would be an indicator of their popularity among the voters. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure that the exercise passes off smoothly. DGP B Shivadhar Reddy has said comprehensive an
The Congress on Friday congratulated the BNP for winning the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge saying a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh would always be supported by all Indians for the stability and peace of the region. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday claimed victory in the crucial general elections, marred by sporadic incidents of violence, to elect a new government to replace the interim administration, which took charge after the fall of the Awami League regime in August 2024. In a post on X, Kharge said, "On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I congratulate Mr. Tarique Rahman and the BNP for winning the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh." India and Bangladesh share deep rooted bonds of history, language, culture, and multitude of other commonalities, the Congress chief said. "A democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh would always be supported by all Indians for the stability and peace o
The Congress on Thursday set up two key panels for the upcoming Kerala Assembly polls, with Ramesh Chennithala and Shashi Tharoor appointed chairman and co-chairman, respectively, of the party's campaign committee. Tharoor's appointment assumes significance as it comes days after he met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi for redressal of his grievances, after which he said "all is good" and "we are all on the same page". Since then, Tharoor has been seen speaking prominently for the Congress, and also initiated the discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha. Congress president Kharge has approved the proposal for the constitution of the campaign committee and the manifesto committee of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee for the upcoming Assembly elections, a party statement said. While Chennithala has been named the chairman of the campaign committee, Tharoor has been appointed its co-chairman. Congress MP Shafi Parambil will be the
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a petition filed by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh concerning retrospective environmental clearances to projects. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi questioned how can the petitioner seek a review of its earlier verdict by way of a writ petition. "Please tell us how the writ is maintainable. We know the design behind these kind of writ petitions. There was a judgement. That has been set aside by a larger bench in review. Now, you are indirectly filing a review petition," the CJI told the counsel appearing for Ramesh. "Be ready for exemplary cost," the CJI said. As the bench showed its disinclination in entertain the petition, the counsel sought permission to withdraw it. The bench permitted him to withdraw the plea with liberty to avail remedy in accordance with law. On November 18 last year, reversing its own verdict, the top court paved the way for retrospective environmental clearance by the Centre
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that the government ignored the voices of workers and farmers while making decisions concerning their future and asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will listen to them now or if there is a "grip" on him too strong. Gandhi's attack on the government came a day after he alleged that the India-US interim trade deal was a "wholesale surrender", with India's energy security handed over to America and farmers' interests compromised. In a post on X in Hindi, Gandhi said, "Today, lakhs of workers and farmers across the country are on the streets to raise their voices for their rights." He said that the workers fear that the four labour codes will weaken their rights. "Farmers fear that the trade agreement (with the US) will harm their livelihoods. And weakening or eliminating MNREGA could take away the last source of support for villages," the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said. "Will Modiji listen now? Or is there a 'grip' on
Amid some apparent strains in ties with the Congress over power-sharing, ruling DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday asserted that the alliance was "intact," but firmly ruled out accommodating allies in the cabinet. Congress MP from Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar, Manickam Tagore, a vocal proponent of power-sharing, said that it was up to the people to decide whether it was single party or coalition government. Actor Vijay-led TVK said allies being denied cabinet representation was "against social justice" as they play a key role in the alliance' victory Stalin maintained that the alliance with the grand old party was free from confusion. In the past months, this is the first time the chief minister has asserted that there is no possibility of sharing power, a concept alien to Tamil Nadu's political history that has been dominated by the Dravidian parties since 1967. Amid a war of words between a section of leaders from the DMK and the Congress over ...
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that the government has "sold Bharat Mata" through the India-US interim trade deal and that it was a "wholesale surrender" with India's energy security handed over to America and farmers' interests compromised. Participating in the debate on the Union Budget, he said that had an INDIA Bloc government negotiated the trade agreement with the US, it would have told US President Donald Trump that he should treat India as an equal. "You have sold India. Are you not ashamed of selling India? You have sold our mother, Bharat Mata," he said while referring to the trade agreement. The LoP said energy security has gone under the India-US trade deal, and the US will decide "whom we buy oil from". Gandhi said the interests of the farmers have been compromised, and the farmers are facing a "storm" as agricultural products from the US will flood Indian markets. He also alleged that the Indian textile industry is "finished". The Congress le
The Congress on Wednesday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the India-US interim trade agreement, saying the deal is a steal by the "PM's good friend in Washington" and reflects an "abject failure" of our "political huglomacy" as well as economic diplomacy. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said no matter what spin the "PM and his lie-brigade" may give, the hard reality is that the US has extracted more from India than it has conceded. "It is significant that a number of independent analysts and commentators -- who have not been Modi-unfriendly -- have criticised the India-US trade deal as a capitulation, an asymmetrical set of commitments, a sell-out, and a humiliating cave-in," Ramesh said. "Whatever the spin that the PM and his lie-brigade may give, the hard reality is that the US has extracted more from India than it has conceded. This is inspite of Mr. Modi's aggressive wooing of President Trump, including campaigning for him in
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday asserted that whatever the Congress high command decides on the CM change issue is final, and that he will be committed to what the leadership says. He also clarified that he is not going to Delhi to discuss the issue, and will go only if he is called by the high command. The CM was responding to comments made by his deputy and another claimant for the Chief Minister post D K Shivakumar earlier in the day that he has "no confusion" over the leadership issue, as he and Siddaramaiah have discussed the matter in presence of the Congress high command. "I will not speak about it now. Whatever the high command says is final. There is no use of you asking unnecessary questions," the CM told reporters here. When reporters said that they were merely asking what Shivakumar had stated, a visibly upset Siddaramaiah said, "if he has said something, you ask him. I don't know. I'm committed to what the high command says." Stating that he is not go
The transfer of nearly 20 acres of land located close to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) here, allegedly for constructing an Islamic educational institution, has come under scrutiny. The land was purportedly allotted around two decades ago by the then Congress government. According to a preliminary inquiry conducted by Vikasnagar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vinod Kumar, the plot of land, situated in the Dhaulas area near the IMA, is now being sold in smaller plots for residential purposes, posing a threat to the security of the military training institution. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told reporters that his government would take strict action in the matter. "It is clear from this case that these people (Congress), who talked about building a Muslim university, would have proceeded in that direction if they had come to power. We will take strict action (in the land case)," Dhami said. Reacting to the allegation, Congress leader and former Chief Minister Harish Rawat said t
The Delhi Police has registered an FIR over the circulation of an unpublished book of former Chief of Army Staff Gen M M Naravane on social media, an official statement said Monday. "The Delhi Police has taken cognisance of information circulating on social media platforms and online news forums claiming that a pre-print copy of a book titled 'Four Stars of Destiny' is being circulated without mandatory clearance from competent authorities," the statement said. According to the police statement, it was also reported that the necessary clearance for publication of this book is yet to be received from the relevant authorities. "Upon verification, it was found that a PDF copy of a type-set book with the same title and apparently prepared by M/s Penguin Random House India Pvt Ltd is available on certain websites and, also, some online marketing platforms have displayed the finished book cover as if it is available for purchase," it read. The police said a case has been registered with
Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Monday with opposition parties insisting that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi be allowed to speak before the House takes up discussion on the Union Budget. As Krishna Prasad Tennati called Congress' Shashi Tharoor to initiate the debate on the Budget, opposition members dug in their heels and said Gandhi be allowed to speak first. Tennati underlined that the discussion was on the Budget and Tharoor's name had been given by the Congress as its lead speaker. He said he would need to get clarity on whether LoP can be allowed to speak. He also asked Gandhi whether he wanted to speak on the Budget. Tharoor, meanwhile, said he yields to the LoP. As the stalemate continued, Tennati adjourned the House till 2 pm. Earlier, Lok Sabha proceeding were adjourned till 12 noon after Speaker Om Birla slammed opposition members for "planning" disruptions. As the House took up Question Hour, opposition members started raising issues which they
Opposition members of the Rajya Sabha on Monday staged a walkout from the House while raising the issue of LoP Mallikarjun Kharge not being allowed to speak. Congress member Kharge rose during Question Hour to say that the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to speak on the Motion of Thanks. Chairman C P Radhakrishnan, however, did not allow him to raise the issue relating to the Lok Sabha and said "nothing that he says will go on record". Earlier, Kharge raised the issue of Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal making a statement last week on the India-US trade deal, outside the House when Parliament was in session. As the Chairman did not allow Kharge to speak, members of the entire Opposition were on their feet, raising their protest. As the Chairman proceeded with the Question Hour, Opposition members continued with their protest and later staged a walkout from the House.
The Congress on Saturday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the interim trade agreement with the US, claiming the deal is stacked heavily against India and all the "huglomacy and photo-ops" have not amounted to much. Slamming the government, the opposition party cited a White House release which said the US will now monitor whether India is importing oil from Russia, and said "Naam Narender, Kaam Surrender". Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said the US-India joint statement just issued is silent on details. "But from what has been revealed, it is clear that: India will no longer import oil from Russia. Separately, the US has announced that a 25 per cent penalty could be reimposed if India buys oil directly or indirectly from Russia," Ramesh said on X. It has also been revealed that India will slash import duties to help American farmers at the cost of Indian farmers, Ramesh claimed. "India's annual imports from the USA will trip