Page 281 - Congress

Attempts being made to breathe new life into NDA after Oppn meeting: Cong

The Congress on Monday asserted that Opposition unity would be "a game changer" for the Indian political scenario and took a swipe at the BJP, saying those who used to talk of defeating the opposition parties alone are now making attempts to breathe new life into the NDA which had become a "ghost". Addressing a press conference here on the two-day crucial deliberations of Opposition parties starting this evening, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has suddenly remembered the NDA. "Attempts are being made to breathe new life into the NDA. There used to be no talk about NDA and suddenly since the past few days we are hearing and reading about it. Suddenly, it was reported that an NDA meeting has been called for tomorrow. So NDA, which had become a ghost, attempts are now being made to breathe a new life into it," Ramesh said. This is a result of the meeting in Patna, he added. Also addressing the presser alongside Ramesh, Congress general ...

Congress has regularly compromised interest of its state units: BJP

The Congress has regularly compromised the interest of its state units and reduced itself to a bunch of people running around Rahul Gandhi to keep him relevant, the BJP on Sunday charged after the opposition party came out in support of AAP on Delhi Ordinance issue. The BJP's reaction came after the Congress made it clear that it will not support the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi and will oppose any attempt of the central government to "sabotage federalism" in the country. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which governs Delhi, said the Congress' "unequivocal opposition" to the Delhi ordinance was "a positive development". However, the BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya lashed out at the Congress' central leadership. Delhi Congress had opposed support for AAP. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is standing up against Mamata Banerjee's murderous regime in West Bengal. But in both states, the central leadership of the Congress has struck a deal with AAP and th

AAP will participate in Oppn parties' meeting in Bengaluru: Raghav Chadha

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will attend a meeting of opposition parties in Bengaluru to chalk out a joint strategy to take on the BJP unitedly in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, party leader Raghav Chadha announced on Sunday. After a meeting of the AAP's highest decision making body -- political affairs committee (PAC) -- at party national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence here, Chadha also welcomed the Congress' decision to oppose in Parliament the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi. The AAP had earlier said it would join the meeting in Bengaluru only if the Congress extended its support to the AAP in opposing the Delhi ordinance in Parliament. After the PAC deliberations, Chadha announced that the AAP under the leadership of Kejriwal will participate in the opposition meeting in Bengaluru, beginning with a dinner on Monday. This will the second meeting of more than a dozen opposition parties as they seek to chalk out a jo

Farmers are India's strength, they are honest and sensible: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said farmers are India's strength and many problems of the country could be solved "if we listen to them and understand their point of view". Gandhi shared on social media a video capturing his visit to paddy fields in Madina village of Haryana's Sonepat on July 8. The about 12-minute YouTube video shows him having a conversation with farmers and their families, ploughing the fields, planting paddy saplings and later breaking bread with the farmers on a string cot. "Farmers are the strength of India," he tweeted in Hindi, sharing a short clip from the video. "In Sonepat, Haryana, I met two farmers -- Sanjay Malik and Tasbir Kumar. They are childhood best friends and have been farming together for many years." "Together with them, we helped in the fields, sowed paddy, drove a tractor, and discussed many things. The women farmers of the village gave us love and respect like their own family members, and brought homemade food. "The farmers of In

Nadda launches BJP campaign against Gehlot-led Congress govt in Rajasthan

BJP president J P Nadda launched the party's "Nahi Sahega Rajasthan" campaign against the Congress government in the state at a public meeting in Jaipur on Sunday. The campaign will be run across the state. Nadda launched the campaign and a theme video which highlights crime against women, the murder of Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur, communal riots and other issues. He also released a "Fail Card" of the Congress-led state government. Assembly elections in the state are due later this year.

Congress will not support Centre's Delhi ordinance in Parliament

The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday said the Congress' "unequivocal opposition" to the Centre's ordinance on the control of administrative services in Delhi was "a positive development". The AAP is, however, yet to make it clear if it will join a meeting of several opposition parties in Bengaluru beginning Monday. The party had earlier said it would join the meeting only if the Congress extended its support to the AAP in opposing the Delhi ordinance in Parliament. Earlier in the day, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said the party's stand is clear as it will oppose any such move by the Centre to intervene in states ruled by opposition parties through the governors and has decided to oppose the Delhi ordinance in Parliament whenever a bill comes up. "We took the decision yesterday. We are not going to support any attempt to sabotage the federal system of the country and to intervene in the state matters through governors. We are not going to support the Delhi ordinance," he told

Congress has 'unique position' in the ranks of Oppn parties: Chidambaram

Ahead of the crucial Bengaluru meeting, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday exuded confidence that the Opposition, by staying united, can certainly challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and asserted that the leader of the anti-BJP bloc will emerge in "due course". In an interview with PTI, Chidambaram said the Congress has a "unique position" in the ranks of the opposition parties but there was "no need to talk about it now". The former Union minister also said that the manner in which the AAP formulated and posed the Delhi ordinance issue at the Patna meeting of the opposition parties was "unfortunate". Each issue will be decided on its own merits and at the appropriate time and place, he said. Chidambaram stressed that the Opposition parties have several objectives in common as they are opposed to the social and economic policies of the BJP government, are concerned about slow economic growth, high inflation and rising unemployment, as well

Rahul targets PM Modi on Manipur, Rafale; BJP calls him 'frustrated dynast'

Rahul Gandhi on Saturday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that the Rafale deal got him a "ticket to the Bastille Day Parade" while the BJP, hitting back at the Congress leader, dubbed him a "frustrated dynast" and accused him of sullying the ambitious 'Make in India' drive. Union minister Smriti Irani reacted furiously to the Congress leader's barb at the prime minister over the Rafale purchase and the tense situation in Manipur. Gandhi tweeted, "Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses India's internal matter. PM hasn't said a word on either! Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade." Attacking the former Congress president, Irani tweeted, "A man who seeks international intervention in India's internal matters, a frustrated dynast who sullies the 'Make in India' ambition mocks India when our PM receives a National honour. Rejected by people, he seethes as defence contracts no longer land at the doorstep of the dynasty." Irani had defeated .

Congress holds Lok Sabha elections strategy meet for northeastern states

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday met party leaders from six northeastern states and deliberated on the strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. During the meeting, the leaders from the states of Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura and Sikkim also expressed concern over the "deteriorating" situation in Manipur, party sources said. Manipur has been witnessing violent clashes, especially between Kuki and Meitei communities, since early May. Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal, AICC in-charge of Sikkim, Tripura and Nagaland Ajoy Kumar and former Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh were among those present at the meeting held at the AICC headquarters here. Kharge has been holding key strategy meetings with leaders of various states, including some that are due to go to polls later this year. He has already held separate meetings with leaders of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.

Congress holds closed-door meeting on implementation of Uniform Civil Code

Article 44 of the Constitution of India says that the state shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) throughout the territory of India

Manipur burns, EU Parl discusses it but PM hasn't said a word: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the situation in Manipur and the European Parliament discussing it, saying he has not uttered a word on either of these. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, who has been attacking the government over its handling of the situation in Manipur, also slammed the Centre. Taking to Twitter, Gandhi said, "Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses India's internal matter. PM hasn't said a word on either!" "Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade," he added. Targeting the Centre, Ramesh said, "In January 1977 Richard Nelson a noted economist at Yale University published a very influential essay called The Moon and the Ghetto. It became required reading for people like me in graduate school. Nelson poses the question: why is it that a technologically dynamic America is able to land man on the moon but is unable to meaningfully address its problems at home especially in the inner ..

BJP chief Nadda writes to Chirag Paswan to join NDA meeting on July 18

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan is likely to attend the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance meeting on July 18 as the ruling party goes all out to put up a show of strength amid hectic efforts by the opposition to unite against the Modi government. Union minister Nityanand Rai met with Paswan on Friday night for the second time in a week, and the LJP(R) also shared a letter written by BJP president J P Nadda to the young leader, inviting him to attend the NDA meeting. Nadda described the regional party as a key constituent of the NDA and a key partner in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's push for the development and welfare of the poor. The BJP's outreach to Paswan, son of late stalwart Dalit leader Ram Vilas Paswan, underscores its push to bring him back into the NDA's fold after he walked out of the alliance in Bihar in the 2020 state assembly polls to campaign against Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was then the BJP's biggest ally. While a

Kerala HC stays trial against staff of Rahul Gandhi's Wayanad office

The Kerala High Court has stayed trial proceedings in a case against staffers of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's office in Wayanad for allegedly causing damage to a photograph of Mahatma Gandhi kept inside the office. Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan issued an interim order staying the proceedings at a local court against four staff members of Rahul Gandhi in the case which was registered last year. In June last year, the student wing of the CPI(M) had allegedly vandalised the office during a protest and later a case was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by a lawyer claiming that the photograph of Mahatma Gandhi was damaged by unnamed persons. The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala had alleged that it was Rahul Gandhi's personal staff who had damaged Mahatma Gandhi's photo to put blame on SFI activists. The court, in an order dated July 13, also issued notice to the complainant in the case registered in 2022. The petitioners claimed that they were added as accused, and a final report wa

Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh government showcases start-up report card

According to a government spokesperson, the new industrial policy (2019-24) included provisions for the establishment and operation of incubators for the first time

Ex-Chhattisgarh Congress chief Mohan Markam takes oath as cabinet minister

Two days after he was replaced as the Congress party's Chhattisgarh unit president, tribal leader Mohan Markam was sworn in as a minister in the Bhupesh Baghel-led cabinet on Friday. Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Markam during a swearing-in ceremony at the Raj Bhavan here. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was present on the occasion. Markam is yet to be assigned a portfolio. The resignation of state School Education Minister Premsai Singh Tekam on Thursday paved the way for Markam's entry into the Baghel cabinet. The development comes a few months ahead of the state Assembly elections. Markam (56), who represents the Kondagaon assembly seat, is a prominent tribal face of the grand old party in Bastar region-south Chhattisgarh. A two-time MLA, Markam had been leading the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee since June 2019. He was the first tribal president of the state Congress after Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh

Uttarakhand Cong leaders meet Kharge, Rahul; 2024 LS polls on agenda

The Congress on Thursday said it will establish a dialogue with the people in Uttarakhand through a padayatra as its leaders from the state met party president Mallikarjun Kharge and former chief Rahul Gandhi here to chalk out a plan for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. A similar meeting was held with members of the Maharashtra Congress unit earlier this week. More such meetings with other state units will follow. The Uttarakhand Congress leaders, who participated in the meeting, included former chief minister Harish Rawat, PCC president Karan Mahara and AICC in-charge for the state Devender Yadav. Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal and all party secretaries for the hill state were also present at the meeting. In a message to the state unit, Kharge said the Congress is committed to environment-friendly development of Himalayan states. He said the party has pledged to work for flood victims, adding that that the Congress will keep raising the voice of the people of the

Centre placing publicity funds of ministries under CBC: Congress slams govt

The Congress on Thursday accused the Modi government of usurping 40 percent funds allocated to various ministries by Parliament for publicity and handing the same to the Central Bureau of Communications, asking whether it was not misappropriation. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that by doing so the government has undermined the sanctity of the Budget voted by Parliament. He also dubbed the Central government as "Central(ised) propaganda machine under PM Modi". Parliament votes budgets for all departments and ministries of the Government of India and each programme/scheme has a distinct budget head, he noted. Ramesh said in an unprecedented move, the Ministry of Finance on May 19 ordered that 40 percent of the funds voted by Parliament for 'Advertising and Publicity' in various departments or ministries should be placed at the disposal of the Central Bureau of Communications (CBC) in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Sharing the Finance Ministry's orde

Uttarakhand Cong leaders meet Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, 2024 LS polls on agenda

Top Congress leaders from Uttarakhand on Thursday met party resident Mallikarjun Kharge and former chief Rahul Gandhi here to review the party's preparedness for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. A similar meeting was held with members of the Maharashtra Congress unit earlier. The Uttarakhand Congress leaders, who participated in the meeting, included former chief minister Harish Rawat, PCC president Karan Mahara and AICC in-charge for the state Devender Yadav. AICC general secretary organisation K C Venugopal and all AICC secretaries for the hill state were also present at the meeting. In a message to the state unit, Kharge said the Congress is committed to environment-friendly development of Himalayan states. He said the party has pledged to work for flood victims, adding that that the Congress will keep raising the voice of the people of the state.

Modi govt 'hell-bent' on killing scientific research in country: Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday hit out at the Centre over scientists at top research institutions having not received funds for this financial year, alleging that the Modi government is "hell-bent" on killing scientific research in the country. His attack came over a media report which claimed that scientists at top research institutions who ought to have received funds from central agencies for this financial year in April, were still waiting, "Modi Govt is hell-bent to kill scientific research in the country, thus hampering a nation's progress," Kharge said in a tweet. Scientists at top research institutions are yet to receive funds for this financial year and are forced to use their hard-earned savings to continue research, he said. "At a time when government has promised more funding by setting up a National Research Foundation (NRF), their purchases are on hold and project staff have not been paid for three months. Private funding is welcome, but the Governm

Free power supply to Telangana farmers, discussing more options: Congress

The Congress' Telangana in-charge Manikrao Thakre on Wednesday said free power supply to farmers will be among the Assembly poll promises of his party and it is considering what more can be provided to them. His comments come in the wake of state Congress president A Revanth Reddy's alleged remarks that three hours of free power is enough for farmers and that round-the-clock free electricity supply is not required. While Reddy, who is currently on a visit to the United States, denied making any such remark, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha and other party leaders in Telangana held protests in Hyderabad against the Congress. Addressing reporters in the national capital, Thakre claimed that BRS supremo and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) was indulging in "politics of lies" by "misinterpreting" Reddy's remarks to stop the rise of Congress in the state. "The Congress party is with farmers. KCR has said 24x7 free electricity is given for three crops. The ...