Page 3 - Congress

Constitution under constant attack from BJP-RSS, says Rahul Gandhi

Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the Constitution is under attack and called it a document that represents the voices of Dr B R Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi that must be protected. He was addressing a 'Bahujan Swabhiman Sabha' in Raebareli, his parliamentary constituency, in memory of revolutionary Veera Pasi who belonged to the district. "While listening to other speakers, I felt that we remember Veera Pasi and Dr Ambedkar, but the ideology they stood for is not being protected properly because, in front of our eyes, an attack is being made on the Constitution," Gandhi said. The Congress leader said the Constitution is not an ordinary document, but one that carried the ideology of Ambedkar, Veera Pasi and Mahatma Gandhi, along with the contributions of several reformers such as Narayana Guru in Kerala and Basavanna in Karnataka. Gandhi also referred to Buddha, Guru Nanak, and Kabir, saying their voices were reflected in the Constitution. He alleged tha

Kerala govt scraps Silverline project, to revoke land acquisition notices

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said that his government has decided to scrap the Silverline high-speed rail project, an ambitious initiative of the previous LDF administration. Satheesan said at a press conference here that the notifications with regard to acquiring land for the project will be revoked. Besides that, the government will also recommend withdrawal of the criminal cases lodged against those who opposed the Silverline project, and it will be subject to the court's decision, the CM said after a Cabinet meeting chaired by him. The cabinet also decided to extend the validity of the public service commission's rank lists till November 30, as hardly any appointments were made during the election period, Satheesan said.

Govt pursuing policy of 'continued calibrated capitulation' to China: Cong

The Congress on Wednesday targeted the Modi government over its approach towards Beijing and accused it of pursuing a "4C policy of continued, calibrated capitulation to China". Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh also raised the issue of the Great Nicobar project to attack the government. In a post on X, Ramesh claimed, "The Modi Govt has now launched a propaganda campaign through its ecosystem to portray all those concerned about the ecological havoc that will be caused by the Great Nicobar Island Project as being 'soft on China'". "This is the height of hypocrisy, coming as it does from a government that practices the 4C policy - Continuing, Calibrated Capitulation to China," he said in his post. The Congress leader said it was the prime minister who gave an "inexplicable clean chit" to China on June 19, 2020, in a "brazen insult" to the 20 jawans martyred earlier in Ladakh. "It is the Modi Government that has, in negotiations with China, given up

Congress should stop being 'obstructionists', says FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Responsible Opposition does not engage in fear-mongering, says FM Sitharaman

Rahul Gandhi warns of 'economic storm', attacks Modi govt over fuel hike

He claimed that the financial modifications made by the Prime Minister would inevitably collapse, with the common citizen bearing the heaviest burden

Rahul slams PM Modi for 'not taking' Norwegian journalist's questions

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over allegations that he did not take questions from journalists in Norway, saying "when there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear". The Congress leader made these remarks on X while sharing a video of a journalist in Norway, where Modi was seen walking away as she tried to ask a question. "What happens to India's image when the world sees a compromised PM panic and run from a few questions?" Gandhi said on X. Prime Minister Modi, who is on a six-day five-nation tour, arrived in Oslo earlier in the day to attend the third India-Nordic Summit and hold key bilateral engagements with Nordic leaders. Later, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh shared a picture of Modi with Netherlands PM Rob Jetten and wondered what the Indian PM is explaining to his Dutch counterpart. "What bogus gyaan is the self-styled but thoroughly exposed Vishwaguru giving to the Dutch PM who actually called him out?" Ramesh sa

VD Satheesan sworn in as Kerala CM, 20 Cabinet ministers also take oath

V D Satheesan on Monday took oath as Kerala's Chief Minister, and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to the Congress Legislature Party leader here. Satheesan took oath in the name of God. Besides Satheesan, his 20-member Cabinet will also be sworn in by the Governor. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, among others, attended the swearing-in ceremony. Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states, former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Left leaders, and BJP representatives also attended the ceremony. Thousands of Congress workers arrived in the state capital from across Kerala for the event. The Assembly elections to the 140-member House were held on April 9, with the results declared on May 4. The Congress-led UDF won 102 seats, while the LDF secured 35 and the BJP won three.

VD Satheesan: Lawyer, debater and face of Congress' comeback, now Kerala CM

Vadasseri Damodara Menon Satheesan, who was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Kerala on Monday, is a lawyer-turned-politician from Kochi who rose through the ranks of the Congress party with a reputation for sharp speeches and organisational discipline. Known for his calm public style and aggressive attacks on the Left government inside the Assembly, V D Satheesan--called VD or VDS by his supporters--became the face of the Congress revival in Kerala after he was made Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly five years ago. As Leader of the Opposition, Satheesan put the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government on defensive mode on various issues, including alleged nepotism and financial irregularities, pushed the Congress towards younger leadership and a more energetic campaign. He led the Congress-led UDF to power in the April 9 polls, marking the alliance's return to power in Kerala after a decade. Supporters see him as practical and accessible, while critics say his biggest

'Pariksha ki Samiksha' is need of the hour: Cong slams govt amid NEET row

Amid the NEET cancellation row, the Congress on Saturday claimed that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan doesn't appear to be cut out for the task and said that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi gives great publicity to his annual "Pariksha pe Charcha extravaganza", what is needed is "Pariksha ki Samiksha (review of exams)". Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh flagged the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education's recommendations on the National Testing Agency (NTA), sharing a media report on it on X. "The Modi Government's education ecosystem -- populated by third-rate academic mediocrities -- has proven itself to be supremely incompetent, politicised, and corrupt over the last few years," Ramesh alleged. "Every passing month brings up a new crisis - the NCERT textbook row, the UGC's draft regulations on the appointment of VCs, the constant paper leaks, the NAAC bribery scandal, the ICHR scam, the blatantly unconstitutional withholding of ...

Delhi Congress protests against fuel, milk price hikes across capital

The Delhi Congress on Saturday staged protests across the national capital against rising inflation, a day after the BJP-led Centre increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre. The demonstrations were held outside petrol pumps and dairy booths across Delhi under all 258 Block Congress Committees (BCCs), with party workers protesting against the rising prices of fuel and milk. "The failed policies of the Modi government have set petrol, diesel, and milk prices on fire," the party said in a post on X. Several Congress workers from the Chandni Chowk District Congress Committee also held a protest carrying placards over rising fuel prices. The placards bore slogans such as "Expensive diesel, expensive oil, the Modi government has failed" and "Costly diesel and oil have left the public distressed." Protesters alleged that the rising prices of fuel and essential commodities were burdening common people and worsening inflation. Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav also joined

Goa Congress leader Ketan Bhatikar dies of snakebite in Karnataka

Goa Congress leader Dr Ketan Bhatikar, who was the party's face during the recently cancelled Ponda assembly bypoll, died after being bitten by a snake, police said on Friday. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal, who is visiting the coastal state, offered their condolences on Bhatikar's demise. The incident occurred on Thursday night when Bhatikar (38) was on his way to Dandeli village in Karnataka. "Bhatikar had got down at Karmal Ghat, on the Goa-Karnataka border, for some reason, when a snake bit him. He was rushed to the Primary Health Centre in Dharbandora, Goa, where doctors declared him brought dead," a police official said. Bhatikar was the Congress candidate for the Ponda by-election, which was cancelled following a high court verdict. He had moved the Supreme Court against the HC order through a Special Leave Petition, which is pending before the apex court. CM Sawant paid tribute to Bhatikar, calling his death a profound loss

Cong links Indo-US trade deal to US's move to drop charges against Adani

The Congress on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over media reports claiming that US authorities are moving to drop charges against billionaire Gautam Adani, saying it is now clear why the PM agreed to the "hopelessly one-sided" Indo-US trade deal and why he abruptly halted Operation Sindoor. The opposition party's attack came after media reports claimed that US authorities are moving to settle the fraud charges against the Indian billionaire. Reacting to the reports, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "It is now clear why the PM agreed to the hopelessly one-sided Indo-US trade 'deal' that was really a steal by the US. And it is also clear why he abruptly halted Operation Sindoor on May 10 2025, acting on President Trump's threats rather than on our national interest." "Reportedly, the Trump Administration is about to drop all charges of corruption against Modani," he said on X. How much more "compromised" can the PM get, Ramesh ..

Congress names VD Satheesan as next Kerala CM after days of suspense

The decision was taken at a meeting of newly elected Congress MLAs at the KPCC headquarters, ending days of internal deliberations over the state leadership

Cong picks VD Satheesan as Kerala chief minister after days of suspense

The 61-year-old leader is widely credited with the United Democratic Front's (UDF's) historic 102-seat victory in the 16th Assembly elections held last month

TVK govt wins trust vote in TN Assembly, AIADMK rebel group backs govt

The floor test proceedings to prove the strength of the C Joseph Vijay-led TVK government were underway in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday with the Congress and Left parties extending support to the government while the opposition DMK staged a walkout and abstained from voting. BJP with its lone MLA, stayed 'neutral.' Earlier, Chief Minister Vijay moved a resolution seeking the confidence vote. Floor leaders of the respective parties were allowed to speak first. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami opposed the Vijay-led government in the proceedings. The party's rebel leader S P Velumani declared support to TVK government, even as the Palaniswami faction opposed him. The main opposition party, DMK, staged a walkout and abstained from taking part in the voting. Congress, CPI , CPI (M), VCK, IUML and AMMK extended support to the government while the BJP said its stand was "neutral." Anbumani Ramadoss-led PMK, which has four MLAs, said it was "abstaining." The vote

Congress to announce its Kerala chief ministerial pick on Thursday

Kerala is likely to know the name of its next Chief Minister later on Wednesday, with indications that the Congress high command could make an announcement before noon. The delay in the decision has kept the camps of three top contenders--AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala on edge. As the Congress leadership continued discussions over the selection of Kerala's next Chief Minister, party leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday met former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) presidents in Delhi to gather their views and help end the prolonged uncertainty. Sources said the Kerala leaders called to Delhi by the party leadership during crucial discussions on Tuesday expressed their views on the Chief Ministerial choice, with the names of Venugopal, Satheesan and Chennithala figuring prominently in the consultations as the high command continued its deliberations. Former KPCC chief K Muraleedharan, after meeting Gandhi

Bigger the theft, bigger the reward: Rahul slams Centre on WB appointments

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took a swipe at the appointments of erstwhile chief election officer Manoj Agarwal as the new West Bengal chief secretary and Subrata Gupta as the chief advisor to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, saying that in the BJP-EC "chor bazaar", the bigger the theft, the bigger the reward. The Congress has claimed that the appointments reflected the "brazen collusion and connivance" between the Election Commission and the BJP. In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said, "In the BJP-EC's 'chor bazaar'' the bigger the theft, the bigger the reward." The opposition party had on Monday said that there is not even an attempt to keep the collusion discrete or concealed. Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, had said the BJP-led West Bengal government has appointed the erstwhile chief election officer Agarwal, a 1990-batch IAS officer responsible for overseeing the recent Assembly elections in the state, as the new chief ...

Kerala CM suspense continues: Is there a deadline to form the govt?

Kerala's CM decision remains pending even after Congress-led UDF's decisive win, as contention among the three top leaders delays the decision, raising questions on government formation timelines

'Proofs of failure': Rahul Gandhi slams PM Modi over seven appeals

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi further accused PM Modi of shifting the responsibility to the public so that the government could itself escape from accountability

Triangular contest continues in Kerala as BJP eyes next Assembly polls

BJP begins strategising for next Assembly polls; Modi says 'saffron sun' rising in Bengaluru. Archis Mohan writes