Page 103 - Congress

Cong challenges Kangana to prove charge against Himachal govt, Sonia Gandhi

The Himachal Pradesh Congress on Monday challenged Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut to prove her allegation that the state government took loans and diverted the money to Sonia Gandhi, failing which it said it would file a defamation case against her. Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh told reporters that her comments showed the BJP MP's "intellectual bankruptcy". "There cannot be a bigger foolish statement than saying that funds coming from the Centre or the state's funds for development are being given to Sonia Gandhi," he said. "I openly challenge BJP MP Kangana Ranaut to show proof of even Rs 1 being diverted or apologise to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for making such baseless and unwarranted allegations against her. Otherwise, the Congress will file a defamation case against her," the minister added. Actor-politician Ranaut on Sunday claimed everyone was aware that Congress-ruled state governments had hollowed out their coffers. Attacking the Himachal Pradesh government, sh

Left, Congress in Kerala attack Sitharaman over remark on EY employee death

The ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress in Kerala on Monday lashed out at Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over her statement on the recent death of a young CA professional employed with audit major EY, and demanded her apology. Anna Sebastian Perayil, who cracked the tough Chartered Accountant exam in 2023 and worked at Ernst and Young, Pune office for four months, died in July. According to a letter her mother wrote to the EY India Chairman, Perayil was overworked with a "backbreaking" load as a new employee that affected her "physically, emotionally, and mentally". In an event held at Chennai on Saturday, Sitharaman had in an apparent reference to the incident, said families should teach the children to handle pressure through divinity. "What should families teach--whatever you study and the job you do, you should have the inner strength to handle that pressure and this can be achieved through divinity only. "Believe in God, we need to have God's grace. Seek God,

Cong on course to win polls, set to repeat 2005 performance: Surjewala

Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala has said that the BJP is suffering from a complete "bankruptcy of leadership" in Haryana, and asserted that his party is set to repeat its 2005 performance when it bagged 67 of the 90 seats in the state. The Congress MP said even issues have become blurred in the polls this time and the people want to oust the BJP. "They (BJP) have not permitted any leader to be developed and this is a pan-India problem," the Congress general secretary, who is also a former Haryana minister, told PTI. "They are killing established leadership of the BJP. What they have done in Rajasthan, got reflected in the Lok Sabha results, that people don't accept novices," he said. Dwelling on his party's prospects in the state, Surjewala asserted that the "Congress is on course to sweep the elections...we are repeating or even bettering our 2005 performance". "We just need to hold the election here. Elections is now for the Congress to take," he said. The Congress is .

PM afraid to say caste census, doesn't want Bahujans' to get rights: Rahul

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused the BJP of being "anti-Bahujan" and said no matter how many lies it spreads, "we will not let reservation be harmed". In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is afraid to even say the word 'caste census' and does not want the 'Bahujans' to get their rights. "No matter how many lies the anti-Bahujan BJP spreads - we will not let reservation be harmed," the former Congress chief said. "We will not stop until a comprehensive caste census is done and every class gets its rights, share and justice by removing the 50% limit on reservation," he said. He asserted that the Congress will not stop till the information obtained from the census does not become the basis of future policies. "Modi ji is afraid to even say 'caste census', he does not want the Bahujans to get their rights!" Gandhi said. "I repeat again - for me this is not a political issue, getting justice for the Bahujans

Amid infighting rumours, Surjewala says Selja to join Haryana Cong campaign

Sirsa MP Kumari Selja will campaign for the Congress and address a public meeting in Narwana this week, party general secretary Randeep Surjewala said on Monday after the BJP targeted the grand old party over alleged infighting amid reports that she was sulking. The 61-year-old Selja is a Congress general secretary and prominent Dalit face of the party. With Haryana going to polls on October 5, the ruling BJP has been targeting the Congress over the Dalit leader staying away from the poll campaign. Recently, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Manohar Lal Khattar had invited Selja to join the saffron party, amid reports that she was staying away from the campaign for the assembly polls. Khattar, the former Haryana chief minister, had also pointed towards the alleged infighting in the state unit of Congress ahead of the assembly polls. In a post on X, Surjewala said Selja will address a public meeting in Narwana on September 26 and will campaign for the Congress. "Today, I will .

Decisions in BJP-ruled states aimed to boost PM's friends' picking up: Cong

The Congress on Monday alleged that two large electricity tenders in Rajasthan and Maharashtra have been designed entirely to reduce the number of bidders and to "funnel more taxpayer revenues" to the Adani Group. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the tempo of decisions in BJP-ruled states aimed at enriching "the prime minister's close friends is picking up". "Two large electricity tenders in Rajasthan and Maharashtra have been designed entirely to reduce the number of bidders and to funnel yet more taxpayer revenues to Modani," he said in a post on X. Both state governments have issued tenders for the combined procuring of power across thermal and solar power sources, he pointed out. "This joined-up procurement advantages the tiny number of large players (like Modani) who operate across both sectors. Splitting the procurement into two tenders would have enabled smaller players, particularly in the renewable energy sector, to compete," he ...

Congress congratulates Sri Lanka President-elect Anura Kumara Dissanayake

The Congress on Monday congratulated Anura Kumara Dissanayake for his victory in the Sri Lankan presidential elections, and said the people of India look forward to strengthening ties and shared values for the benefit of the region. Marxist leader Dissanayake was declared the winner of the Sri Lankan presidential election by the country's Election Commission after an unprecedented second round of counting of votes. Dissanayake, 56, the leader of the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna party's broader front National People's Power (NPP), defeated his closest rival Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "On the behalf of the Indian National Congress, I extend my heartiest congratulations to Anura Kumara Dissanayake on being elected the Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka." India and Sri Lanka have a rich legacy of multi-faceted cooperation and interaction, which dates back centuries, he said in

Mayawati urges Dalit leaders to break ties with Cong ahead of Haryana polls

Ahead of the assembly elections in Haryana, BSP supremo Mayawati on Monday urged Dalit leaders to sever ties with the Congress and other "casteist parties" and follow the path laid down by Dr BR Ambedkar. The comments come amid attempts by the alliance of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) to position itself as a pro-Dalit alternative in Haryana. In a series of posts on X, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister accused the Congress and other "casteist parties" of using Dalit leaders only in times of trouble and later marginalising them. She said in Hindi, "The political developments in the country so far have proven that the Congress and other casteist parties only remember Dalits during their bad days and appoint them as chief ministers or to other key organisational positions temporarily." "But in their good days, these parties mostly sideline Dalits and replace them with casteist individuals, as is currently being witnessed in Haryana," she ...

Congress appoints Uday Bhanu Chib as president of Indian Youth Congress

The Congress on Sunday appointed Uday Bhanu Chib as the president of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), replacing Srinivas B V. Chib was currently serving as the general secretary of IYC and is a former president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has appointed Uday Bhanu Chib as the president of the Indian Youth Congress with immediate effect, a party statement said. The party appreciates the contributions of the outgoing president Srinivas BV, it added.

Congress will continue to raise voice against ruling parties: Bengal chief

Newly appointed West Bengal Pradesh Congress (WBPCC) president Subhankar Sarkar on Sunday said that his party would continue to raise its voice against the ruling parties both at the Centre and in the state. Admitting that the Congress's organisation was weak in West Bengal, Sarkar said that he would work towards strengthening it in consultation with former PCC presidents Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Pradip Bhattacharya. "Congress will continue to raise its voice against the ruling parties at both the Centre and in the state," Sarkar said, addressing a press conference at the party's state headquarters Bidhan Bhavan here. He said that the party will, however, support any constructive effort such as setting up industries in the state by either of these dispensations. Sarkar said that the Congress, if voted to power in West Bengal, will ensure that law and order in the state will be such that no parent will have to "wait anxiously for their daughter to return home or whether she will .

Rahul Gandhi urges people to visit Wayanad, help revive tourism there

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday urged people to visit Wayanad and experience its beauty, help to revive tourism, rebuild livelihoods and restore its vibrancy. He stressed that while the recent landslide tragedy affected only the Mundakkai area, it has led to a misconception that all of Wayanad has been impacted, causing a sharp drop in tourism. "Wayanad's beauty is undisputed, but it is the compassion and kindness of its people that has always drawn me to it. Today, so many of those people who rely on tourism for their livelihood are looking to you all for help," the former Congress chief said in a Facebook post. "Let me assure you, Wayanad is still vibrant and welcoming, with its spirit unbroken. I urge you to visit and experience its beauty, helping to revive tourism, rebuild livelihoods, and restore its vibrancy," he said. Earlier this month, Gandhi said it is imperative to make a concerted effort to revitalise tourism in Wayanad and encourage people

BJP govt to be out; criminals, drug smugglers should exit Haryana: Hooda

Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda Sunday claimed the BJP government in Haryana is on its way out and criminals and drug smugglers should leave the state before the Assembly poll results are declared or they have to face the heat. Campaigning for Congress candidates in the four assembly seats of Sirsa district, he expressed concern over the drug menace and said, "Today, more deaths are taking place in Haryana due to drugs than in Punjab." The Congress government will end this scourge, the former Haryana chief minister said and also hit out at the BJP government over alleged deteriorating law-and-order situation. Claiming the BJP was on its way out, Hooda said criminals and drug smugglers should leave the state before October 8, the day of election results. The senior Congress leader claimed that the "hidden" alliance of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) with the BJP has now become public. "Fearing defeat, the BJP has .

Cong's 'falsehood' will not work; BJP will win by heavy margin: Haryana CM

People know the fate of tall promises made by the Congress in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, but their "falsehood" won't work in Haryana, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said. Asserting that the BJP is set to return to power in Haryana with a full majority after the October 5 Assembly polls, he said the party will accelerate the ongoing development works. "As you can see, there is tremendous enthusiasm among people. The BJP will form government for the third time and with full majority," Saini told PTI after addressing a poll rally in Siwan in Kaithal district. The chief minister on Saturday addressed the rally in favour of BJP candidate from Guhla segment, Kulwant Bazigar. The 54-year-old Saini, who is contesting from Ladwa, attacked the Congress, saying everyone knows about the tall promises they made to the people of Himachal, Karnataka and Telangana before polls. "Misleading people by telling lies to grab power is nothing new for them", he said. "Just take the ex

Cong hits out at crimes against women in BJP-ruled states, questions PM

The Congress on Saturday questioned the "silence" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged sexual assault on an Army officer's fiancee in police custody in Odisha and other incidents of crime against women in BJP-ruled states. Congress leader Ajoy Kumar said in Odisha, some men misbehaved with the daughter of an Army brigadier, who is also the fiancee of an Army captain, and when she went to a "model police station" to get a complaint lodged, she and her fiance were brutally beaten up. "Then a fake case is made and the victim and her companion are taken into custody. In this case, an Army officer writes a letter to a high court judge, saying 'give us justice'. But Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are silent in this entire matter," Kumar said at a joint press conference with the chairman of the All India Congress Committee's (AICC's) ex-servicemen department, Colonel (retired) Rohit Chaudhry. In Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Army officers

Can't scrap reservation till untouchability, social injustice exist: Kharge

Terming the remarks as attributed to Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi as "untrue", Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said that reservation would continue until there is untouchability and a lack of social justice for various sections of the society in the country. Kharge sidestepped a direct reply about the National Conference's (NC) resolve to restore Article 370 and said their agenda is to restore "statehood". "Reservation cannot be scrapped until there is casteism in the Hindu religion. Until there is untouchability and lack of social justice, reservation will continue. It will continue till my death. I will tell my children to fight for it," Kharge told a press conference here. Responding to a question about Gandhi's remarks on reservation, Kharge clarified, "He has not said so. He will not even say so. We will not even allow him to say (anything like this)". The Congress president emphasized that his party fully supports reservation. "It will not go. We w

J&K poll: 'Our priority is to restore statehood,' says Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated on Saturday that the priority of Congress is to restore statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, adding that the State has never been changed to Union Territory before."The state has never been changed to Union Territory. We are asking, why have you not given statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, you have all the power, then why are they doing it?" congress president Kharge asked BJP, while addressing a press conference in Jammu."...We have declared seven guarantees. Our priority is to restore statehood to J & K. The second guarantee is to provide a health insurance scheme that will provide coverage of Rs 25 lakh to every family in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.Further describing Congress Party's promises for Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "A monthly benefit of Rs 3,000 will be given to women heads of families. An interest-free loan of Rs 5 lakh will also be given to women...OBCs to get their rights as enshrined in the Constitution... 1 lakh ..

Rahul assures EY employee's parents to fight for better working conditions

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday spoke with the parents of Anna Sebastian Perayil, who died due to alleged extreme work pressure at Ernst & Young, and assured them that he will fight for the cause of improving working conditions for the millions of professionals in India. Gandhi spoke with the parents of Anna Sebastian via a video call arranged by the Chairman of All India Professionals' Congress (AIPC) Praveen Chakravarty who visited their home in Kochi. He offered his sympathies at Anna's sudden and tragic demise and lauded the family's courage and selflessness to speak up at this extremely difficult moment about this issue in the larger interest of improving working conditions for the millions of professionals in India, a statement issued by the AIPC said. Gandhi assured them that he will fight for this cause in his capacity as the Leader of the Opposition, it said. Gandhi also instructed the AIPC Chairman to create an awareness movement in Anna's .

Kharge approves formation of committees for Jharkhand Cong ahead of polls

Earlier, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren had met Kharge and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi

Mockery of public accountability: Congress slams Sebi over RTI rebuff

The Congress has slammed SEBI's refusal to disclose instances when its chairperson Madhabi Buch recused herself due to conflict of interest and said that this makes a "mockery" of public accountability and transparency. The cases where Buch recused herself due to potential conflict of interest is not "readily" available and collating them would "disproportionately divert" its resources, the securities market regulator said in an RTI response on Friday. In the response furnished to transparency activist Commodore Lokesh Batra (retd), the regulator also refused to provide copies of Buch's declarations to the government and SEBI Board on the financial assets and equities held by her and her family members on the grounds of these being "personal information" and that their disclosure may "endanger" personal safety. Reacting to the development, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "The multiple conflicts of interest of the SEBI Chairperson that have bee

Exploring journey of India's women Chief Ministers: From Sucheta to Atishi

Mayawati became the first Dalit woman to hold the post, meanwhile, Syeda Anwara Taimur was the first Muslim woman