Page 125 - Congress

Stop using 'derogatory' language against Smriti Irani: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi calls for respectful discourse amid criticism of Smriti Irani following her defeat in the Lok Sabha elections

Congress, INDIA bloc to raise Manipur issue in Parliament: Rahul Gandhi

The Congress and the INDIA bloc will raise the need for peace in Manipur with full force in Parliament to put pressure on the government to end this tragedy, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said on Thursday, days after his visit to the violence-hit state. He also reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should personally visit Manipur, listen to the problems of the people of the state and appeal for peace. Gandhi made the remarks in a post in Hindi on X as he shared a video of his interactions with the people of Manipur during his day-long visit to the violence-hit state on Monday. "I have visited Manipur three times since violence broke out there, but unfortunately there is no improvement in the situation -- even today the state is divided into two parts. Houses are burning, innocent lives are in danger and thousands of families are forced to live in relief camps," the former Congress chief said. The prime minister should personally visit Manipur, listen to

Maha Vikas Aghadi discuss seat-sharing, Congress likely to keep most seats

Congress is likely to contest 120-130 assembly seats; the Shiv Sena (UBT) 90-100 seats while the NCP-SP is likely to contest 75-80 seats in the coming elections, sources said

Can expect implementation of AP Reorganisation Act now: Cong's jab at PM

The Congress on Thursday claimed that the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014 was implemented by the Modi government at a "lackadaisical pace" but with Prime Minister Narendra Modi having "lost majority" on his own, a rapid implementation of the legislation can be expected. Congress general secretary, in-charge communications, Jairam Ramesh's assertion came over a media report which claimed that the Centre has acceded to a major demand of setting up an oil refinery and petrochemical hub in Andhra Pradesh with an investment of over Rs 60,000 crore. "An oil refinery and petrochemical complex in Andhra Pradesh was originally a commitment made by Dr. Manmohan Singh's Government in the Thirteenth Schedule of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014," Ramesh said. "In fact, the 'one-third' Pradhan Mantri's government was legally obliged to deliver the project within the last ten years, and IOC/HPCL were obliged to examine the feasibility of the project within six months " he said. T

PM Modi's systematic bludgeoning of MSMEs economic catastrophe: Congress

The Congress on Wednesday accused the government of "systematically bludgeoning" India's MSMEs and claimed that 140 crore Indians are now paying the economic consequences of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "cronyism, arbitrary policy-making, and refusal to engage constructively on issues". Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh cited a new report by credit ratings firm India Ratings to claim that the three shocks of demonetisation, "botched roll-out of GST" and imposition of a nationwide lockdown without prior notice have been devastating for the economy. The India Ratings report has confirmed what the Congress has repeatedly warned --"the non-biological Prime Minister's systematic bludgeoning of India's MSMEs and informal businesses has been an economic catastrophe", Ramesh said. "Three shocks in particular have been devastating. The non-biological PM's surprise announcement of demonetisation on 8th November 2016, which virtually halted all economic activity for the following ...

Ahead of PM visit, Jairam reminds of Nehru's role in Austria's emergence

The Congress on Tuesday recalled the key role India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru played in the early fifties in the emergence of a sovereign and neutral Austria, and said those "suffering from Nehruphobia" like Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also do well to recall it. Ahead of Modi's Austria visit, Congress general secretary, in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh said the Republic of Austria was established fully only on October 26, 1955, which is celebrated as its National Day and one person who was critical to this becoming a reality was none other than the man "Mr. Modi loves to hate and defame". "Dr. Hans Kochler, a noted Austrian academic, has written about the key role Jawaharlal Nehru played in the early fifties in the emergence of a sovereign and neutral Austria after a decade of occupation by the victorious World War II powers," Ramesh said. One of Nehru's most ardent global admirers was the legendary Bruno Kreisky, who was Chancellor of Austria during ..

Congress slams govt over 'private investment plans slumping to 20-year low'

Expressing concern over new private investment plans reportedly slumping to a 20-year low in the first quarter of this fiscal, the Congress on Monday alleged India has suffered due to "random policy changes" and an atmosphere of "fear and intimidation". Congress general secretary, in-charge communications, Jairam Ramesh, in a statement alleged that everyday in the "Modi-Made Anyay Kaal" is a new record of economic failure. "We have already seen a 45-year high unemployment rate, a 50-year low household savings rate, and the first-ever decrease in real rural consumption. Now, we have another disturbing fact to reckon with. The Hindu reports that in the April-June quarter of this 2023/24 fiscal year, fresh investments announced by corporates is just Rs. 44,000 crore. This is a 20-year low," Ramesh said in a post on X. "Compare the decade of Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister with that of the non-biological PM. Investment as percentage of GDP (average over time) was 33.4% during the UPA a

Will Congress tie up with AAP for Delhi polls? Jairam Ramesh answers

Jharkhand, Haryana, and Maharashtra are slated to go to the polls later this year, while Assembly elections in Delhi will be held early next year

Accusing it of practising Cronyism, Congress asks govt to check oligopolies

Accusing the Modi government of practising "cronyism", the Congress on Monday said companies must expand but at the same time, the government has a responsibility to ensure oligopolies or monopolies do not emerge and that undue advantage arising out of access to political power is not exercised. Congress general secretary, in-charge communications, Jairam Ramesh alleged that market concentration continues to grown under Prime Minister Modi's watch, and has reached a new high in key industries such as telecom, airlines, cement, steel, and tyres. He also shared on X a media report which claimed market concentration continued to increase in India's key industries as top players grabbed a larger share of the business in 2023-24 either through organic growth or acquisition. In his post on X, Ramesh said, "Cronyism is the non-biological Prime Minister's primary economic policy. Market concentration continues to grow under Mr. Modi's watch, and has reached a new high in key industries such

I stand with people of Assam, their soldier in Parliament, says Rahul

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that he stands with the people of Assam and is their 'soldier in Parliament'. He urged the Centre to extend all possible help and support to the state immediately. 'I stand with the people of Assam, I am their soldier in Parliament, and I urge the central government to extend all possible help and support to the state expeditiously', Gandhi posted on 'X', after visiting a flood relief camp at Fulertal in Assam's Cachar district. Assam needs a 'comprehensive and compassionate vision-relief, rehabilitation and compensation in the short term, and a pan-Northeast water management authority to do everything necessary to control floods in the long term', he said. 'The extreme devastation caused by flooding in Assam is heartbreaking-with innocent children like 8-year old Avinash being taken away from us. My heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families across the state', he said. Avinash and his father fell into an uncove

'Will PM ensure safe return of Indians fighting in war zone,' asks Cong

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi headed to Russia on Monday, the Congress asked whether he would take up the issue of Indian nationals fighting for the Russian Army in the war zone and ensure their safe return to India as soon as possible. The prime minister will hold summit talks with President Vladimir Putin amid the conflict in Ukraine during his visit. This his first trip to Russia since 2019 and the first since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Congress general secretary, in-charge communications, Jairam Ramesh posed a series of questions for the prime minister in a post on X. "India inherited a rich relationship with first the USSR and later Russia due to the astute diplomacy and strategic initiatives of various Congress governments through the decades. More recently, in his ten years as Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh met Vladmir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev (the two Presidents of Russia who served during his tenure) 16 times in India or Russia. By

PM Modi goes to Moscow while Rahul heads for Assam, Manipur, says Cong

The Congress on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying while it will be Rahul Gandhi's third visit to Manipur since violence broke out in May last year, the PM has neither found the time nor even had the inclination to visit the state for even a few hours. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "Today, the non-biological PM goes to Moscow while the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha heads for Assam and Manipur." "Of course, the drumbeaters of the non-biological PM have claimed that he stopped the Russia-Ukraine war for some time. Presumably, this Moscow trip will lead to even more bizarre claims," he said. This is Rahul Gandhi's third visit to Manipur ever since the "state blew up" fourteen months ago, Ramesh said. "The non-biological PM has not found the time nor even had the inclination to visit Manipur even for a few hours after the grave crisis erupted on May 3rd, 2023, " he said. "He (Modi) has not even met the CM of the state - who happens to be

Impact on southern politics from GOP's move to field Priyanka in Wayanad

While Priyanka's win from the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat appears assured, her entry into Kerala politics may have wider ramifications, explains SHINE JACOB

Congress will extend metro service to Manesar from Gurugram: Ex-CM Hooda

Former Haryana chief minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday said if his party wins the upcoming state assembly polls, it will extend the metro line from here to Manesar. He was addressing a Congress workers' conference to thank them for their efforts in the Lok Sabha election in the Gurgaon constituency. BJP's Rao Inderjit Singh won the seat by defeating Congress' Raj Babbar. Hooda, who is the leader of opposition in the Haryana assembly, said it was the Congress that did the "historic" work of bringing the Delhi Metro service to Gurugram, Faridabad, Ballabhgarh and Bahadurgarh in Haryana. The work on extending the service to other parts stopped after the BJP came to power in the state, he claimed. "Gurugram, which the Congress was developing as a global city, has been left with heaps of garbage, traffic problems and sewerage issues by the BJP," Hooda said. He also alleged that the law and order has collapsed in the state and people do not feel safe. "Gurugr

Cong leader Selja to launch 'padyatra' in Haryana's urban areas in July end

Congress leader Kumari Selja has decided to launch a "padayatra" in July end to connect with Haryana's urban voters ahead of the Assembly polls slated to be held later this year. According to a statement, the main objective of the foot march is to strengthen the Congress in urban areas and gain a decisive advantage over the BJP. It stated that a study of the 2024 Lok Sabha election results has shown that the BJP gained an edge in 44 assembly areas of the state, most of which are urban. Of the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana, the BJP and the Congress bagged five each in the recently concluded general elections. "With the assembly elections approaching, the Congress needs to focus on urban assembly areas with a new strategy. Therefore, Kumari Selja has decided to conduct a 'Padayatra' in the urban areas to strengthen the party," the statement said. Through this "Padyatra", the message of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi will be communicat

'Papers of 17 out of 19 recruitment exams leaked in Raj during Cong rule'

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Sunday claimed that question papers of 17 out of 19 recruitment exams were leaked in the state during the Congress government's rule, "pushing youths into the depths of despair". As soon as the BJP formed government in the state, a special investigation team (SIT) was formed to investigate paper leak cases that took concrete action in the matter and arrested 108 accused, he said. Addressing a gathering after the inauguration of the Rajpurohit Global Center of Excellence (Rajpurohit Hostel) here, the chief minister said, "During the tenure of the previous government, 17 out of 19 papers were leaked." Targeting the Congress, he alleged that the previous government had "pushed our youth power into the depths of despair". The morale of hard-working and honest students was broken due to the incidents of paper leak, Sharma claimed. "Around 108 people have been arrested in paper leak cases. These are the people who shattered the dreams of the .

'Jobless growth': Cong slams govt over 'accentuated unemployment crisis'

The Congress on Sunday alleged that the Modi government had accentuated India's "unemployment crisis" with the decimation of job-creating MSMEs through the "Tughlakian demonetisation, a hastily rushed GST, and rising imports from China". In a statement, Congress general secretary, in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh cited a new report by Citigroup, a global bank, to flag "alarming numbers", which he claimed confirmed what the Congress stated throughout the recent election campaign. "The Indian National Congress has been sounding the alarm on India's unemployment crisis for the past five years at least. The crisis has been accentuated with the decimation of job-creating MSMEs through the 'Tughlakian demonetisation, a hastily rushed through GST, and rising imports from China," Ramesh said. "With his economic policies that favour only large conglomerates, the non-biological prime minister has created India's highest unemployment rate in 45 years, with the unemployment rate for .

Cong govt in K'taka mired in competition for CM, Dy CM posts: Union min

Accusing the Congress government in Karnataka of being in deep slumber and mired in competition for Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister posts and internal rifts, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje on Sunday urged the CM Siddaramaiah and his administration to "wake up" and save the people. Highlighting health issues such as dengue cases, also deteriorating law and order situation, stalled infrastructure projects in the state and the city among others, the Member of Parliament from Bangalore North accused the Siddaramaiah government of having forgotten the people amid its internal rifts. "There are several issues in the city and the state, and there is no government here that responds to it. This government is in a deep slumber. There is no use of telling anything to this government, it will be like pouring water on a rock," Karandlaje said. While speaking to reporters here, she said the only thing that is happening in this government is, competition as to who should become the Chi

Despite KCR's efforts, BRS at receiving end with desertion of MLAs, MLCs

After its defeat in the Legislative Assembly elections last year, the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi is now faced with the defection of its MLAs and MLCs to the ruling Congress in Telangana. Till date, seven MLAs and six MLCs of BRS switched over to the Congress since the Assembly polls. Several other leaders, including BRS Rajya Sabha member K Keshav Rao, his daughter and Hyderabad Mayor Vijaya Laxmi R Gadwal, also joined the Congress. Keshav Rao has, however, quit his post after joining Congress. With the ruling Congress and the BJP looking to consolidate their gains in the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls, the BRS faces an uphill task to resurrect itself following the exodus of leaders. BRS chief Chandrasekhar Rao has been holding meetings with party leaders and activists assuring that the party would bounce back as the ruling party is "fast losing its popularity." The series of desertions from BRS began with party MLA from Khairatabad here Danam Nagender crossing o

Rahul Gandhi meets kin of victims of various tragedies in Gujarat

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday met the family members of those who lost their lives in various tragedies in Gujarat in recent years, and promised to raise their grievances in Parliament. Relatives of the victims of the TRP game zone fire in Rajkot, a boat capsizing incident in Vadodara, the Morbi bridge collapse of 2022 and the 2016 Una Dalit flogging case met the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha at the Gujarat Congress headquarters in Paldi area here. "Rahul Gandhi interacted with the family members of victims, understood their issues, and promised that he will raise them in Parliament so that justice is done," said Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani who coordinated the interaction. Narendra Parmar, who lost his ten-year-old daughter in the Morbi bridge collapse, said they have lost faith in the "corrupt system" in the BJP-ruled Gujarat. "I told Gandhi that all the key accused are out on bail and court proceedings are going on at a very slow pace. We have lost our faith i