Page 5 - Congress

Cong leader held for sharing AI image of Kerala CM with gold theft accused

A Congress leader was taken into custody on Saturday for allegedly sharing an AI-generated photograph depicting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan along with Unnikrishnan Potty, an accused in the Sabarimala gold case, police said. Chevayoor police took N Subarahmanian of Karuvattoor, Political Affairs Committee member of the state unit of Congress, into custody after registering a case against him. He was booked for sharing a post on a social media platform carrying a photograph depicting the Chief Minister and Potty together, with a caption questioning the reason for their alleged close relationship. As part of the probe, a police team reached Subarahmanian's house on Saturday morning to record his statement. Later, it was decided to take him to the police station for detailed interrogation, officials said. CPI(M) has claimed that the picture circulating on social media is AI-generated. Before being taken to the police station, Subarahmanian told reporters that the picture he shared

Congress pays tribute to former PM Manmohan Singh on 1st death anniversary

Congress leaders on Friday paid tributes to former prime minister Manmohan Singh on his first death anniversary, saying his humility, honesty and legacy would continue to inspire the future generations. Describing Singh as a transformative leader, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said he reshaped the country's economic path and expanded opportunities for millions through economic reforms and lifted millions out of poverty. "Known for his humility, integrity, and wisdom, he led with dignity and compassion, ensuring that progress remained inclusive and welfare reached those most in need. The rights-based paradigm is a testament to that approach. We had built a stronger India under his vision," he said. "We pay our heartfelt tribute to a statesman whose legacy of honest public service and lasting reforms shall continue to inspire generations," the Congress chief said in a post on X. Former party president Rahul Gandhi also paid tributes to the former prime minister. "Through his

Assam in 2025: Zubeen Garg's death dominates socio-political landscape

The mysterious death of Assam's cultural icon Zubeen Garg cast a long shadow over the state in 2025, eclipsing major political and administrative developments and triggering an unprecedented public outcry that reverberated through the corridors of power. The year was also marked by political sparring ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, which included allegations involving national security, campaigns against infiltration, and the passage of a bill banning polygamy. The birth centenary celebration of another iconic son of Assam, Bhupen Hazarika, was also launched this year. Garg, who had travelled to Singapore to attend the North East India Festival, died while swimming in the sea on September 19. The unexpected news stunned Assam, while the circumstances of the singer's death sparked widespread suspicion. Lakhs of people lined the streets as Garg's mortal remains were flown back from Singapore. For three days, his body was kept in a stadium for the people to pay their homage befor

May need 'few more weeks' to finish release of Epstein files, says DOJ

The Justice Department said Wednesday that finishing the release of all of the Jeffrey Epstein files could take a few more weeks, further delaying compliance with a December 19 deadline set by Congress. The department said the US attorney's office for the Southern District of New York, as well as the FBI, found more than a million more documents that could be relevant to the Epstein case. DOJ did not say in its statement when they were informed of those new files. DOJ insisted in its statement that its lawyers are working around the clock to review those documents and make the redactions required under the law, passed nearly unanimously by Congress last month. We will release the documents as soon as possible, the department said. Due to the mass volume of material, this process may take a few more weeks.

Congress gambit to go solo in BMC polls reshapes Oppn contest in Mumbai

The Congress' decision to contest the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections independently has fragmented the Opposition space in the Mumbai civic battle and turned the January 15 polls into a multi-cornered contest. The party cited the alignment between the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray's MNS as the reason for opting out of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) arrangement for the civic polls. According to political observers, the Congress' move to go solo, focusing on local issues and ideological clarity, reflects strategic recalibration and political vulnerability. It is a bold gambit but one fraught with risk in a political landscape dominated by well-entrenched alliances and resurgent rivals, they said. How the Congress navigates this terrain in Mumbai could have long-lasting implications for its political fortunes in Maharashtra and beyond, they said. Historically, the Congress was a dominant force in Mumbai's civic politics, but the last three deca

No link between PM's 'global talk, local walk' on environment: Congress

The Congress on Thursday claimed that over 90 per cent of the Aravallis will not be protected under the redefinition of the hills and will open them up for mining and other activities. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said there is no connection between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "global talk and local walk" when it comes to environmental concerns. He also accused the government of launching a determined assault on ecological balance by weakening environmental protection laws and loosening pollution norms. Under the new definition, an "Aravalli Hill" is a landform with an elevation of at least 100 metres above its local surrounding terrain and an "Aravalli Range" is a cluster of two or more such hills within 500 metres of each other. "The Modi Sarkar is now going to protect only those Aravalli hills that are at a height of more than 100 metres. According to the Forest Survey of India's data that is authoritative, only 8.7 per cent of the Aravalli hills .

Rahul Gandhi accuses BJP of empowering monopolies, burdening small traders

He pledged his full support to the Vaishya community, calling it a fight against the BJP's "feudal mindset"

Jairam Ramesh accuses Centre of misleading public on Aravalli Hills

"Why is the Modi Govt pushing through a fatally flawed redefinition of the Aravallis?" Ramesh asked in his tweet

BJP has completely disincentivised manufacturing in India: Rahul Gandhi

Gandhi said the automobile major was grappling with the shift from internal combustion engines to electric mobility, a transition he said was reshaping industries worldwide

Congress questions Modi govt's move to redefine Aravalli mountain range

The Aravallis are the country's natural heritage and have great ecological value, the Congress on Tuesday said, as it wondered why the Modi government was "hell-bent" on redefining the mountain range and for whose benefit. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the recent "clarifications" on the ancient mountain range given by the Environment and Forest Minister raise more questions. "Aravallis are part of our natural heritage and have great ecological value. They need substantial restoration and meaningful protection. Why is the Modi Government hellbent on redefining them? To what end? For whose benefit? "And why are the recommendations of a professional organisation like the Forest Survey of India being deliberately ignored and set aside?" he asked. Ramesh also said, "The very recent 'clarifications' given by the Union Minister of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change on the Aravallis issue raise even more questions and doubts." The Congress leader, who

Rahul Gandhi slams BJP, says party proposing elimination of Constitution

Addressing a gathering at the Hertie School in Berlin, Germany, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Centre has ;weaponised' investigating agencies

PM Modi presented distorted version of history during Assam visit: Gogoi

Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Monday alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a distorted version of Indian history during his visit to the state. He said it was deeply unfortunate that the "PM did not pay any tribute" to singer Zubeen Garg, unlike the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. "Prime Minister Modi was in Assam for two days, and addressed the people of the state on several occasions. As expected the speeches focused on attacking the Congress party and presenting a distorted version of Indian history," alleged Gogoi, the deputy leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha. Gogoi made the statement in an apparent reference to the PM's claim that a conspiracy was hatched to make Assam a part of East Pakistan, and Congress too was going to be a part of it. Modi had said that prior to Independence, when the Muslim League and the British were preparing the ground for India's Partition, a conspiracy was hatched to make Assam a part of East ...

Rahul Gandhi, high command to decide on Karnataka CM issue: Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said that ultimately, Congress top leader Rahul Gandhi and the party high command have to take a decision on the CM change issue, and everyone will abide by their decision. He said that he has spoken to the high command, and the leadership have told him that they will decide. The CM's statement came a day after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that the confusion over the leadership issue in the party's Karnataka unit exists only at the local level and not within the party high command. He had also said that the local leaders should take ownership of the internal disputes rather than blaming the high command. "I don't know about it. Rahul Gandhi and the high command have to decide. Whatever they decide, I'm committed to it," Siddaramaiah told reporters here in response to a question on Kharge's statement. Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I have spoken to the high command. They have said that they will decide. I will abi

Congress announces public agitation campaign to repeal abolition of MGNREGA

On Sunday, Jairam Ramesh said MGNREGA's core character has been altered and announced that the Congress Working Committee on December 27 will finalise a nationwide action plan

Priyank Kharge claims G RAM G Act weakens MGNREGA's rights-based framework

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday strongly criticised the Union government's VB-G RAM G act 2025 that replaced MGNREGA, claiming that changes in the new legislation weaken and undermine the previous act's core promise as a rights-based rural employment programme. In a post on social media platform 'X', Priyank Kharge said the act would gradually make the scheme untenable by transforming it from a demand-driven legal entitlement into a supply-driven arrangement, thereby stripping citizens of their right to demand work. He observed that while the Centre would retain most decision-making powers, states would be forced to shoulder the bulk of the financial and administrative burden. "Much has been spoken about the VB-G RAM G Bill. But beyond everything else, these changes will slowly make the scheme untenable and eventually kill the idea of a rights-based rural employment guarantee," Priyank Kharge, son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, said in his post. The minister,

Will negatively effect rural economy: Karti Chidambaram slams G RAM G law

The law guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household, up from the existing 100 days, for adult members willing to undertake unskilled manual work

Congress accuses govt of surreptitiously raising rail fares, seeks rollback

The Congress on Sunday accused the Centre of "surreptitiously" raising railway fares and said instead of allocating greater funds from the Union Budget, the government is now trying to "squeeze the already-suffering" poor. The opposition party also demanded that the hike be scrapped immediately to ensure that passengers aren't burdened with higher fare. The Railway Ministry on Sunday announced a hike in ticket prices by 1 paise per km for ordinary class beyond a journey of 215 km, and 2 paise per km for non-AC classes of mail/express trains and AC classes of all trains. The new rates will be effective from December 26, 2025. Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal claimed that in yet another move to harass the poor and middle classes, the government is "surreptitiously" raising railway fares across the country. "Under the Modi regime, ordinary passengers have been subjected to a hell-ride,? with overcrowded trains, stampedes on railway stations and a total l

PM slams Congress for anti-national activities, aiding immigrants in Assam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing the party of engaging in "anti-national" activities and helping illegal Bagladeshi immigrants to settle in the state. Addressing a public rally after unveiling a Rs 10,601-crore fertiliser plant at Namrup in Assam's Dibrugarh, Modi also alleged that the Congress did not make any effort to modernise the old plant here, and find solutions to problems faced by farmers. "The Congress is indulging in anti-national activities. They want illegal Bangladeshi immigrants to settle in Assam," the PM claimed. The opposition party is not concerned with the identity, existence and pride of Assamese people, which the BJP has been trying to protect, he said. "The Congress is opposing the revision of voter lists as it only wants to grab power... They oppose whatever good I try to do... The BJP government will always work to protect the identity, land, pride and existence of Assamese people," Modi asserted.

SHANTI Bill bulldoze not only for 'TRUMP but also for ADANI': Congress

The Congress on Saturday took a swipe at the Modi government over the passage of the SHANTI Bill, saying it was bulldozed in Parliament not only for TRUMP but also for ADANI. Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, shared a screenshot of a media report on X, which claimed that the Adani group plans a nuclear energy foray after private firms get a go-ahead to enter the sector. Parliament on Thursday passed the nuclear energy Bill, with the Rajya Sabha giving its nod to the legislation seeking to open the tightly-controlled civil nuclear sector for private participation. "SHANTI was bulldozed through in Parliament not only for TRUMP (The Reactor Use Management Programme) but also for ADANI (Accelerated Damaging Adhiniyam for Nuclear India)," Ramesh claimed. The Congress on Saturday alleged that the SHANTI Bill was "bulldozed" in Parliament only to help Prime Minister Narendra Modi restore SHANTI with his once good friend. Ramesh had said the SHANTI Bil

Leadership row: Will wait for Congress high command's call, says Shivakumar

With the leadership issue involving him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah coming to the fore again, deputy CM D K Shivakumar on Saturday said the Congress high command has told the two leaders as to when they will be called to Delhi to discuss the matter. He said that both of them will go to Delhi and meet the high command, when called. "I will inform you, I won't do anything without informing you. I will not go hiding from you," Shivakumar told reporters here in response to a question on him and Siddaramaiah's likely visit to the national capital to meet the party high command after the just concluded legislature session in Belagavi. Asked if there was any invitation from the high command, asking him and CM to come to Delhi, he said, "they have told something to both of us, they have told both of us over phone as to when they will call us. We will go, both of us will go." "They (high command) have said they will call both of us at the appropriate time, we will wait for the call," th