Page 280 - Congress

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Remembering Oommen Chandy — A people’s chief minister

Ex-Kerala CM and Congress leader, Oommen Chandy, passed away at the age of 79. Despite battling health issues for over three years, Chandy remained a competent administrator and a Congress loyalist.

Oommen Chandy: A political tactician and a people's chief minister

The UDF, racked with bitterness and division, probably never needed a leader like Oommen Chandy more than it does today. His death is the end of an era of decent politics

Opposition meeting to protect democracy, Constitution, secularism: Kharge

The Congress is not interested in power or the post of prime minister, party president Mallikarjun Kharge said on Tuesday as leaders of 26 Opposition parties got together here to discuss strategy ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. In his inaugural address on the second day of the key Opposition meeting, he said, "Our intention in this meeting is not to gain power for ourselves. It is to protect our Constitution, democracy, secularism and social justice". He admitted to differences among opposition parties at the state level but noted that these are not ideological. "These differences are not so big that we cannot put them behind us for the sake of the common man and middle class which is suffering due to inflation, for the sake of our youth who are suffering from unemployment, for the sake of the poor, Dalits, adivasis and the minorities whose rights are being crushed silently behind the scenes," the Congress chief said. He said 26 parties are here together, and in government in 1

Oppn unity meet underway in Bengaluru, UPA likely to get new name

NCP leader Sharad Pawar on Tuesday joined the opposition unity meeting here which will hold deliberations on giving the grouping of 26 opposition parties a name, structure and common agenda to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. While the first day of the meeting saw informal discussions followed by a dinner meeting, Tuesday will see formal deliberations. All political parties were asked at the dinner meeting on Monday night to suggest names for the alliance and the same would be discussed and consensus would be arrived at during the deliberations. Sources said the parties are also likely to issue a joint declaration and finalise a committee for the functioning of the grouping. Sources say the name of Sonia Gandhi as chairperson of the new grouping is also suggested. Sonia Gandhi was the chairperson of UPA 1 and 2, which remained in government from 2004 to 2014. They will also announce two sub-committees one for finalising the common minimum programme along with communica

Defamation case: SC to hear Rahul's appeal against Gujarat HC verdict

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on July 21 an appeal of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi challenging the Gujarat High Court's July 7 verdict which dismissed his plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark. A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Mishra agreed to hear the plea after senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Gandhi, sought listing of the appeal on July 21 or July 24. The bench said it would hear it on July 21. In his appeal filed on July 15, Gandhi has said that if the judgment is not stayed, it would lead to throttling of free speech, expression, thought, and statement. He contended that if the high court verdict is not stayed it would contribute to the systematic, repetitive emasculation of democratic institutions and the consequent strangulation of democracy which would be gravely detrimental to the political climate and future of India. Purnesh Modi, a former ministe

PM Narendra Modi condoles former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy's demise

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the passing away of veteran Congress leader and former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy, and said "we have lost a humble and dedicated leader who devoted his life to public service and worked towards the progress of Kerala". Chandy, who served as the chief minister of Kerala twice, passed away in Bengaluru in the early hours of Tuesday, his family said. He was 79. In a tweet, Modi said, "I recall my various interactions with him, particularly when we both served as Chief Ministers of our respective states, and later when I moved to Delhi. My thoughts are with his family and supporters in this sorrowful hour. May his soul rest in peace". The death of the former Kerala chief minister was announced by his son, Chandy Oommen, in a Facebook post. The Kerala government has announced Tuesday as a public holiday and two-day mourning as a mark of respect for the former chief minister.

Former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy passes away at 79 after battling cancer

Oommen Chandy represented the Puthupally constituency in Kottayam district for more than 50 years. He was the MLA from Puthupally

In show of strength on Tuesday, it's Opposition's 26 vs NDA's 38

Incidentally, 38 political parties have representation -- one or more seats -- in the Lok Sabha

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Rajasthan received Rs 1,024.4 crore green tax in last five years: Minister

The Rajasthan government has received Rs 1,024.4 crore as green tax in the last five years, the state assembly was told on Monday. Addressing members in the Rajasthan assembly in a written reply, Minister of State for Transport Brijendra Singh Ola said the government received Rs 1,024.4 crore green tax between 2018-19 and 2022-23. Replying to a question by BJP MLA Satish Poonia, Ola said the figure was available as per the accounts prepared after tallying the numbers with figures received from the Accountant General. He said there is no official information available regarding the inclusion of Jaipur and Jodhpur in the list of 15 most polluted cities of the world in the report of the World Health Organisation. He said the one-time tax and surcharge on other taxes and green tax imposed on old and new vehicles are collected under the Rajasthan Transport Infrastructure Development Fund under the Rajasthan Motor Vehicle Taxation Act, 1951 and surcharge on stamp duty is collected under

Govt to take firm decision on anti-farmer agriculture laws: CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said the government will take a firm decision on the anti-farmer agricultural laws implemented by the previous BJP government in the state. Speaking to a delegation of farmers led by legislators B R Patil and Darshan Puttannaiah, who met him today, Siddaramaiah said the government will take decisions to protect the interest of farmers. The Land Reforms Act has been discussed and a clear decision will be taken within the next session. There was a discussion in the House today about the amendment of the APMC Act. He said that a separate meeting will be held to discuss the problems of farmers in detail, a statement issued by the Chief Minister's office said.

'United We Stand' is Oppn's slogan as leaders begin brainstorming session

With a call for unity, top leaders of 26 opposition parties began crucial deliberations on Monday to chalk out their joint programme aimed at defeating the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee, who were seated next to each other, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, chief ministers M K Stalin, Nitish Kumar, Arvind Kejriwal and Hemant Soren and RJD chief Lalu Prasad were among those who attended the dinner meeting where discussions were held to finalise the agenda for the formal talks starting Tuesday morning. Sources said NCP chief Sharad Pawar was the only leader among the invitees not present at the meeting at Taj West End Hotel and he would arrive on Tuesday along with his daughter Supriya Sule. "It was a good meeting," Mamata Banerjee later said. The leaders sat in front of a huge banner with "United We Stand" slogan, which was also put on posters that dotted the streets of Bengalu

Chhattisgarh Assembly session from July 18; BJP to bring no-trust motion

The Chhattisgarh legislative Assembly's monsoon session will begin on Tuesday and it is likely to be a stormy affair with the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) looking to corner the Congress government on a number of issues, including alleged scams, and also bring a no-trust motion ahead of polls. It will be the last session of the Assembly before the state goes to polls by the year-end. The BJP has decided to corner the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress dispensation on several issues, including alleged scams and agitations being staged by contractual employees of government departments demanding regularisation of service. The main Opposition party will also move a no-confidence motion against the Congress government during the four-day-long session. The people of Chhattisgarh are angry with the Congress government and its policies. We will raise the voice of people in the House. The BJP will raise the issue of scams related to coal, liquor, land, ration and the Public Service ...

Lok Sabha elections 2024: BJP-led NDA, Opposition set up meetings tomorrow

The Opposition meeting will be hosted by the Congress, and the NDA meeting will be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President J P Nadda

Kejriwal thanks Kharge for Cong's decision to oppose Delhi Ordinance

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday thanked Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for the party's decision to oppose Delhi Ordinance.CM Kejriwal called the ordinance "anti-India" and added that it ought to be "fought tooth and nail"."Thank u Kharge ji for standing wid the people of Delhi. This ordinance is anti-India and anti-national and ought to be fought tooth and nail," Kejriwal shared in a tweet.Earlier today Kharge said that 'no individual is bigger than the country' on Congress' decision to oppose the Delhi Ordinance, adding that if there is any attack on the Constitution/democracy, then it is our duty to unitedly fight against it."This is not about just one person. If the democracy and Constitution of the country suffer a blow, it becomes our responsibility to unite and work together to save democracy & Constitution. No individual is bigger than the country...," Kharge said.Meanwhile, speaking on Congress' decision to oppose the ordinance and AAP attending the

We have united to defeat BJP: Stalin on Oppn unity meeting; slams ED raid

Speaking to reporters at the Chennai airport before flying to Bengaluru to attend the Opposition meet, CM Stalin said, 'All Opposition parties have united to defeat the BJP-led Central government

Like-minded parties united against Modi govt's 'vendetta politics': Kharge

Condemning the Enforcement Directorate raids at multiple premises of DMK leader K Ponmudy, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said all like-minded parties are united against the "vendetta politics" of the Modi government and shall not be bogged down by these "cowardly tactics to trample upon democracy". The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday conducted raids at multiple premises of Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister Ponmudy and his MP son Gautham Sigamani Pon in a money laundering case linked to alleged illegal mining, official sources said. Escorted by armed personnel of the CRPF, the officials of the federal probe agency searched the premises under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). In a tweet, Kharge said, "We condemn the ED raids against Tamil Nadu Education Minister, Dr. K. Ponmudy, just before our crucial opposition meeting." This has become Modi government's predictable script in order to intimidate and divide the opposition, h

Spoke to Sharad Pawar, he is coming for Oppn meet tomorrow: Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said he has spoken with NCP chief Sharad Pawar and was informed that he would participate in the Opposition meeting in Bengaluru on July 18. Responding to reports that Pawar would skip the Opposition meeting on Monday and take part in it on Tuesday, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh rejected such insinuations, saying the official meeting of opposition parties is on Tuesday and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is only hosting a dinner on Monday. Asked about Pawar, Kharge, while interacting with reporters, said he has spoken with Pawar earlier in the day. "He said the (Maharashtra) Assembly is starting there today and he would like to be there (Mumbai). But he will be present for the meeting tomorrow. I called him up to say that it is important for him to come... He said he is coming on July 18 morning, there is no concern about that," Kharge said. "There is no problem, everyone is coming. Mamata ji is coming, read in the ..

Oppn unity meeting has already started creating an impact: Sitaram Yechury

The CPI (M) General Secretary said that cooperation among the opposition is needed in order to ensure that the country we are born in remains the country we were born in