Page 367 - Congress

Jolt to Telangana Congress as senior leader Shashidhar Reddy quits

Former Minister Marri Shashidhar Reddy resigned from the Congress, four days after the party expelled him for six years following his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah

MP Cong ready to welcome Rahul's BJY, Priyanka to join yatra on Wednesday

After winding up its Maharashtra leg, Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra is all set to enter its first Hindi heartland state of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday

No parallel activities can be allowed in Congress in Kerala: V D Satheesan

Apparently rattled by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's Malabar tour, Leader of Opposition in the Kerala assembly, V D Satheesan on Tuesday said any kind of sectarianism or parallel activities would not be allowed in the party and warned that such moves would be dealt with "seriously." The state unit of the Congress is on a comeback path in the state after two consecutive debacles in the Assembly elections and it is not healthy enough to afford any more parallel activities by anyone, Satheesan told reporters here. His remarks come as a significant section of the Congress party in the state was unhappy with Tharoor's ongoing tour. Asked about Tharoor's Malabar tour, Satheesan said every leader has a space within the Congress and no one is against it, but the party has its own mechanisms and systems. "The Congress in Kerala is not at all healthy to afford any more parallel activities...after suffering two drubbings in the assembly polls, the party is on a comeback mode in the state. ...

Congress slams govt over rise in NPAs, questions 'unbridled powers' to PSBs

The Congress on Tuesday alleged that NPAs have risen by 365 percent under the Modi government and questioned why "unbridled powers" were being given to PSU banks to "sell off assets at throwaway prices". Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said 38 wilful defaulters have fled the country after swindling banks and asked the government on its plans to bring them back. She claimed that the BJP does not contest elections on issues or its report card but on the face of the prime minister, and said it must answer questions on the rise in non performing assets (NPAs) and loans being written off. "The BJP or the prime minister never contests polls on issues and seeks votes on its report card as they never work. Every election is being contested on the personal background of the prime minister. But, who will answer as to why big haircuts are being given by banks," she told reporters at a press conference. The Congress leader said 61 percent of the fiscal deficit can be funded by this writ

Bharat Jodo Yatra is being held to save Congress, says Union minister Tomar

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has claimed that the real purpose of Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra was to save the Congress from becoming extinct. Gandhi's cross-country foot-march will enter Madhya Pradesh through Burhanpur on Wednesday. "The yatra is being carried out to save the very existence of the Congress which has become irrelevant in the entire country and will become more so in the days to come. The Yatra is not getting any response from the public," Tomar told reporters here on Monday. There was no need for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to get worried due to the Yatra as the people love its policies and the country is soaring to new heights under the party's nationalist leadership, he added. On the Gujarat Assembly elections, Tomar said the BJP will form a government in the state by winning more seats than the last time.

MCD campaign centred on cleanliness of Delhi, Cong out of fight: Gopal Rai

Delhi Minister Gopal Rai said that the campaign for the December 4 MCD polls has centred around two issues -- one who works for the people and the other who only defames

No parallel activities can be allowed in state Congress: Kerala LoP

Apparently rattled by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's Malabar tour, Leader of Opposition in the Kerala assembly, V D Satheesan on Tuesday said any kind of sectarianism or parallel activities would not be allowed in the party and warned that such moves would be dealt with "seriously." The state unit of the Congress is on a comeback path in the state after two consecutive debacles in the Assembly elections and it is not healthy enough to afford any more parallel activities by anyone, Satheesan told reporters here. His remarks come as a significant section of the Congress party in the state were unhappy with Tharoor's ongoing tour. Asked about Tharoor's Malabar tour, Satheesan said every leader has a space within the Congress and no one is against it, but the party has its own mechanisms and systems. "The Congress in Kerala is not at all healthy to afford any more parallel activities...After suffering two drubbings in the assembly polls, the party is on a comeback mode in the state. ...

I don't fear anyone, no one needs to fear me: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday, while continuing his Malabar tour, met senior leaders of UDF-ally IUML at Panakkad here and also said that he fears no one and there is no reason for anyone to fear him. In response to a query by the media as to who was afraid of his tour in Kerala, Tharoor said, "I do not fear anyone and there is no need for anyone to be afraid of me." His remarks assume significance amidst speculation that some of the Congress leadership in Kerala appear to be apprehensive over the increasing support he was enjoying and the emergence of a 'Tharoor group' within the party in the state. Tharoor, however, downplayed his meeting with the IUML leaders at the residence of Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal by saying that it was just a courtesy call on the way to an event in the district. Other senior Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leaders present there also termed his visit as nothing unusual and said they all go and meet Thangal whenever they pass through the area. The

Priyanka Gandhi to join 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' as it enters MP on Wednesday

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will join the Bharat Jodo Yatra on Wednesday when it enters Madhya Pradesh, senior party leader Jairam Ramesh said. This is the first time that Priyanka Gandhi, general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh, will be joining the yatra. In a tweet, Ramesh said Tuesday was a rest day for the Yatra which will resume on Wednesday when it will enter Madhya Pradesh near Burhanpur. "Priyanka Gandhi will join the Yatra there and participate for four days," the Congress general secretary in-charge communications said in his tweet in Hindi. Former Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with other party leaders and workers, began the cross-country Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7. It has traversed through the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra so far.

Time has come to realise Mahatma Gandhi's dream of disbanding Cong: Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Yogi Adityanath on Monday hit the campaign trail in poll-bound Gujarat and said the time has come to realise Mahatma Gandhi's dream of disbanding the Indian National Congress. Addressing a poll rally in Porbandar, the home town of the Father of the Nation, Yogi alleged the Congress would have usurped the funds meant for the treatment and vaccine during the coronavirus pandemic had it been in power. The elections for 182 Assembly seats in Gujarat will be held in two phases on December 1 and 5. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 8. "The BJP always keeps its promises, unlike Congress. Congress never stands with the people during crises. That is the reason Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi) had suggested that the party should be disbanded once India attains Independence," said Yogi, one of the star campaigners of BJP, while canvassing for the party candidate Babubhai Bokhiria. "The time has come to realise the dream of Bapu (of disbanding

PM used a child for Gujarat campaign: Congress asks agencies to take note

The Congress on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using a child for the poll campaign in Gujarat as it asked the Election Commission and NCPCR to take note. The charge came after the prime minister shared a video of a girl seated with him who spoke in Gujrati about the BJP's governance under Modi. The video was shared by many BJP leaders and some union ministers too. "A small child is being used by the prime minister for election campaign. This is a clear violation of the law. Where is the Election Commission? Where is the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)?" asked AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Twitter. "This is blatant, but EC and NCPCR will do nothing," Ramesh also said in response to another Congress leader's charge in a tweet. Congress spokesperson and social media in-charge Suprya Shrinate also shared the video and alleged that this was a clear violation of the law. "This is how children are used in politics -- PM Modi is using a

Cong to file review petition in SC on release of Rajiv murder convicts

The Congress will file a review petition in the Supreme Court challenging the decision to release six convicts of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, party sources said on Monday. The petition will be filed this week, they said. "A fresh review application challenging the Supreme Court decision to release the convicts on the grounds set out in the order will be filed on behalf of the party in the next few days," a party insider said Facing criticism from the Congress, the government last week moved the Supreme Court seeking a review of its order for premature release of the convicts in the case. The Supreme Court on November 11 directed the premature release of the six, including Nalini Sriharan and R P Ravichandran, serving life term in the case. It noted that the Tamil Nadu government has recommended remission of their sentence. Besides Nalini and Ravichandran, the four others released were Santhan, Murugan, Robert Payas and Jayakumar. The top court also took into account that

Gandhi family gave nothing except 'deceit' to Amethi: Smriti Irani

Union Minister Smriti Irani on Monday attacked senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying despite the people of Amethi blessing the Gandhi family, it gave nothing to them except "deceit". The minister for Women and Child Development had defeated Rahul Gandhi in his family's bastion Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. "The people blessed Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi family by electing them as public representatives from Amethi (previously). But, they gave nothing to the people except deceit and just one glimpse in five years," she said. Irani also said she was receiving full support from the Centre, state government and the district administration in implementing development works. During her day-long visit to the constituency, Irani laid foundation stones for projects worth Rs 6.85 crore in Dih block, distributed nutrition kits to tuberculosis patients and inaugurated a blood donation camp. She also interacted with the local people and heard their grievances.

PM rattled, involving in defame to inflame politics: Congress hits back

The Congress on Monday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi undertaking the Bharat Jodo Yatra, claiming the PM is "rattled" and indulging in his typical "defame to inflame" brand of politics. In an apparent reference to Gandhi during an address in Surendranagar town of poll-bound Gujarat, Modi said those who have been thrown out of power were taking out foot marches to get back to power. Responding to this, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said the Bharat Jodo Yatra aims to awaken the nation's conscience to growing economic inequalities, social polarisation and political authoritarianism. Anyone who shares these concerns, believes in the Gandhian way and is committed to the Constitution in letter and spirit is welcome to join the Yatra, he said. "The PM is indulging in his typical defame to inflame' brand of politics while criticising the Yatra. He is clearly desperate and rattled by the response o

BJP using 'money, muscle power' to intimidate voters, says Delhi Cong

The BJP is using "money and muscle power" to intimidate voters in the civic body elections, Delhi Congress president Anil Chaudhary alleged on Monday and said his party will file a police complaint in the matter. Chaudhary claimed that "corruption" in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi in the last 15 years has whipped up a strong anti-BJP tide in Delhi and the saffron party will go to any extent to win the upcoming civic body polls. "We will file a police complaint against the BJP as their youth wing workers are using money and muscle power to intimidate the voters. We will urge the Delhi Police to detain such goons so that people can cast their votes in a peaceful and democratic manner," he said. The voting for MCD will be held on December 4 and votes will be counted on December 7. He further claimed that the BJP is "using intimidatory tactics" and said it will boomerang on them in the upcoming polls. "Instead of raising issues like corruption, pollution and the garbage menace, t

Rahul's Bharat Jodo Yatra to enter Madhya Pradesh on Nov 23: Jairam Ramesh

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra will enter Madhya Pradesh from Maharashtra on Wednesday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted on Monday

Congress president Kharge to campaign in Gujarat from Nov 26 ahead of polls

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will campaign in Gujarat from November 26 to 28, sources close to him said here. Kharge will address a public meeting in Ahmedabad on November 26 and is likely to address a press conference the next day, they said. He will address a public meeting in Indore after participating in the Bharat Jodo Yatra with Rahul Gandhi on November 27. The yatra enters Madhya Pradesh on November 23. Kharge will address another public meeting near Gandhinagar on November 28. The Gujarat assembly elections will be held in two phases on December 1 and 5. Results will be declared on December 8. Other details of Kharge's poll meetings are being worked out, the sources said. The new Congress president, who took over from Sonia Gandhi recently, had earlier addressed public meetings in Himachal Pradesh, where assembly elections were held on November 12.

Congress to file review petition in SC on release of Rajiv case convicts

The Congress will file a review petition in the Supreme Court challenging the decision to release the convicts of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, party sources said on Monday. The petition challenging the grounds set out in the order will be filed this week, they said. The Centre has already filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against the release of the convicts.

Congress oblivious to existence of tribals in India, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took a swipe at Congress saying its leaders remained oblivious to tribals for a very long time even though tribals have been living in the country since the days of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. Canvassing for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jambusar town in tribal-dominated Bharuch district in poll-bound Gujarat, the prime minister also said leaders of Congress mocked him for wearing traditional tribal attire at public functions. "For a very long time, Congress leaders remained unaware of the existence of tribals in India. Weren't they living here since the days of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna?.. Weren't they part of the 1857 mutiny? Tribals did so many things for this country. But, Congress leaders never knew that Adivasis exist." "Otherwise, why was there no separate ministry for tribals until Atal Bihari Vajpayee became prime minister? It was Ataljee's government at the Centre which carved out a separate ministry and allocated a budget for their

BJP files complaint against Cong workers camping outside EVM rooms in HP

The BJP's Himachal Pradesh unit filed a complaint with the state Chief Electoral Officer on Monday, claiming that Congress members were violating election rules by camping outside EVM strong rooms and could tamper with the machines. Co-convener of the BJP election cell Dinesh Chouhan said his party candidates from various assembly constituencies have informed that Congress workers have pitched tents outside strong rooms, where EVMs are kept, at several places and have been freely moving inside the campus. They are not maintaining the required distance. This amounts to a violation of the model code of conduct, he alleged in the complaint and specifically cited the case of strong rooms in Nahan. "The Congress is making an attempt to take advantage on the pretext of guarding EVMs and the threat of EVMs safety and sanctity being compromised looms large,'' he said. He requested the Chief Electoral Officer to ensure that the guidelines of the poll panel are followed strictly. Assembly .