Page 5 - Congress

Congress trying to bring in law to protect infiltrators in Assam: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday alleged that the Congress, if it comes to power in Assam, will bring in a law to protect infiltrators, which the BJP and its allies will not allow. Addressing a poll rally at Gogamukh in Dhemaji district, Modi said the Congress' aim is to "turn the majority community into a minority and create a permanent vote bank of infiltrators''. "Congress leaders are openly saying that they will bring in a new law in Assam to protect infiltrators and are openly supporting them," the PM alleged. He also accused the grand old party of "trying to divide the country as the Muslim League did during Partition". "The Congress have also stabbed the Constitution prepared by Babasaheb Ambedkar," Modi said. The Prime Minister said if the BJP returns to power, it will "implement the Uniform Civil Code and safeguard tribals under the Sixth schedule to protect Assam's identity". ''The BJP's 10-year rule heralded a new dawn of 'seva' (service) and 'sushasan' (good

Govt's plan to expand LS will disadvantage southern states: Congress

The Congress on Wednesday claimed that the Modi government is proposing to "bulldoze" a bill to increase the size of the Lok Sabha by 50 per cent with the number of seats allocated to each state also to be increased by 50 per cent, and said such a move would "disadvantage" smaller states in the South, Northeast and West. There was no official word on the Opposition party's claims. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has already raised an alarm over the issue and others may very well follow as this proposal becomes officially public. "The Modi government is proposing to bulldoze a Bill to increase the size of the Lok Sabha by 50%. The number of seats allocated to each state is also proposed to be increased by 50%," Ramesh claimed on X. The argument that a 50 per cent increase in seats across-the-board is equitable is deceptive, he said. Proportions may not change for the present but there are deeper ...

Health, land & women schemes: What BJP, Congress promise in Assam polls

The BJP and Congress have released their respective manifestos for the Assam Assembly polls, promising cash support for women, expanded health cover and welfare for senior citizens

Nation was sold half-baked scheme: Rahul Gandhi on Smart Cities Mission

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the Modi government on Tuesday over its Smart Cities Mission, alleging the scheme's objective was never to develop the entire city and the nation was sold a "half-baked scheme", packaged as a narrative of total transformation. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said this scheme serves as a prime example of the Modi government's "true modus operandi" - grand announcements, even grander publicity, and zero accountability. "No city can truly be 'smart' if it fails to provide its citizens with basic dignity - clean water, clean air, and safety. You surely remember the Modi government's Smart Cities Mission - a scheme the Prime Minister never tired of lauding with extravagant praise!" Gandhi said in a post on his WhatsApp channel. "Now that this scheme is nearing its conclusion, I sought an account from the government in Parliament regarding its actual outcomes. And the truth that emerged can be described as nothing short of a deception: the .

Sonia Gandhi discharged from hospital after recovery from infection

Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi was discharged from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Tuesday morning after recovering from a "systemic infection", doctors said. She had been admitted on the night of March 24 at around 10.20 pm with a fever and spent seven days in the hospital. According to hospital chairman Dr Ajay Swaroop, Gandhi underwent treatment for a systemic infection and responded well to antibiotics. A systemic infection occurs when pathogens such as bacteria enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, rather than staying localised. Doctors said she has now recovered and will continue further treatment and follow-up at home.

Congress flags Registrar General remarks, opposes rush on amendment bills

The Congress on Monday cited Census Commissioner Mritunjay Kumar Narayan's remarks that many Census data sets will be published in 2027 itself to claim that the grounds on which Constitution amendment bills are being sought to be "bulldozed" through Parliament are "false". In a post on X, the Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said, "Constitution amendment Bills are being sought to be bulldozed through in the next few days on the grounds that Census results will not be available since 2029." "This information given by the RG&CCI proves that these grounds are false," he said and tagged a post on Narayan's remarks that the first set of Census data will be issued in 2027. Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner Narayan on Monday asked people to give accurate information to Census enumerators, asserting that the individual data will remain confidential and cannot be used as evidence or for getting any benefit under any scheme. Addressing .

No 'Bahujan' representation in top leadership of institutions: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the 'Bahujans' have absolutely no representation in the senior leadership of any institution and it is against this discrimination that "we are fighting". The leader of opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha vowed to ensure that every section of society secures equal participation and representation in every institution across the nation. Gandhi made the remarks as he shared on social media a video of his recent interaction with a delegation from the SC-ST Welfare Association of the Gramin Bank at a 'Jan Sansad' -- his meetings with a cross-section of people at his office in the Parliament House complex during sessions. "A few days ago, I met with a delegation from the SC-ST Welfare Association of the Gramin Bank at a 'Jan Sansad'. As I listened carefully to their grievances, the very point I have consistently emphasised was reaffirmed: the 'Bahujans' (marginalised masses) hold absolutely no representation in the senior positions of any ...

Infra push meets fiscal reality in Assam ahead of Assembly elections

Development, fiscal stress and identity issues dominate Assam polls, as parties battle over growth claims and governance ahead of elections

Atrocities against Dalits, Adivasis have intensified in Gujarat: Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that the environment of hatred, discrimination and atrocities against the Dalit and Adivasi communities in Gujarat has steadily intensified under the BJP government. The leader of opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha also expressed solidarity with the victims of the 2016 Una flogging case and vowed to continue to amplify their voices until justice is served. Gandhi made the remarks on social media while putting out a video of his recent interaction with a delegation of representatives from the Dalit and Adivasi communities from Gujarat, including those affected by the Una incident, in which self-proclaimed cow vigilantes flogged four youths. "This meeting was deeply distressing and gave me much pause for reflection," he said in his post accompanied by the video. The flogging incident had occurred in Mota Samadhiyala village near Una town of Gir-Somnath district on July 11, 2016, when four Dalit youths, as part of their traditional ...

DMK finalises seat-sharing pact with allies ahead of Assembly polls

The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu on Saturday completed the seat-sharing process with its allies for the April 23 Assembly polls, identifying the constituencies to be contested by the Congress, Left parties, VCK and DMDK, among others. DMK leads the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) in the state. According to the understanding reached, DMK's principal ally Congress' 28 seats include Ponneri, Erode East, Vilavankode, Sivakasi and Karaikudi. DMDK, led by Premalatha Vijayakanth has already been allotted 10 seats, and they include Vriddhachalam and Pallavaram. Thol Thirumavalvan-led Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) will contest from, among the allotted eight seats, Kattumannarkoil, Panrutti and Tindivanam. The allocations to CPI (M) include Padmanabhapuram and Palani, while CPI will face the polls from Thalli and Bhavanisagar (SC), among others. Both Left parties have been given five seats each. The DMK also identified seats for other allies, including the Vaiko-led MDMK, which will

'All united on national interest': Tharoor stresses unity amid Iran crisis

Tharoor stressed the importance of cooperation between the Centre and states, emphasising mutual respect and federal collaboration in addressing challenges

Sonia Gandhi's health shows improvement, will be discharged soon: Doctors

Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's health is showing steady improvement, and she will be discharged from the hospital within one to two days, her doctors said on Friday. The 79-year-old leader was admitted to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Tuesday night at around 10:22 pm after developing a fever. According to hospital chairman Ajay Swaroop, Gandhi is "much better", showing medical improvement and is comfortable. "She is walking around and has taken her breakfast. Overall, her progress is smooth, and we hope that she will be fit to be discharged within a day or two," he said. According to the doctors attending the Congress leader, Gandhi is undergoing treatment for a systemic infection and is responding well to antibiotics. She remains under the supervision of a team of senior doctors, who are closely monitoring her condition. Sources said she is likely to stay under observation for a short period as a precaution, though her condition is stable and not serious.

Opposition calls fuel duty cut 'late', links move to polls; BJP defends

The Congress on Friday claimed that the government's excise cuts will not change prices for dealers and consumers, and that the relief exists only in the narrative, not in reality. The government has slashed excise duty on petrol to Rs 3 per litre and exempted diesel fully from the duty. The Congress said the government should focus on delivering actual relief to consumers, instead of "manufacturing headlines and fooling people." The party's media and publicity department head, Pawan Khera, said, "If you saw the headlines about petrol and diesel prices 'coming down' and thought the government had offered relief to your pocket, you'd be mistaken." As of now, prices remain the same for dealers and for consumers, he claimed. "What has actually been reduced is the 'special additional excise duty' - a levy paid by Oil Marketing Companies to the government. The words 'special' and 'additional' reveal how unnecessary this tax is," Khera said on X. He pointed out that these companies ha

Cong slams PM over rising oil, gas import dependence amid supply concerns

The Congress on Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over India's increasing dependence on crude oil, LPG and natural gas imports. "The gas grandly promised by Mr Modi has remained that -- gas," Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said on X, pointing to India's dependence on natural gas imports. "Between 2014-15 and 2024-25, India's dependence on crude oil imports went up from 84% to 90%. Between 2014-15 and 2024-25, India's dependence on LPG imports went up from 46% to 62%," Ramesh said, adding that "all this when the mantra was supposed to be Atmanirbharta, or self-reliance. The natural gas story is murkier, he claimed. "On June 26, 2005, the then CM of Gujarat (Modi) boasted that the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation had discovered India's biggest gas reserve in the deep waters of the Krishna-Godavari river basin. Mr Modi announced that this would make India energy independent," Ramesh said. He claimed that five CAG (Comptroller and ..

Govt planning 'special session' to amend women quota Act: Opposition

Cabinet skips Women's Reservation Act amendment as Opposition alleges a special Parliament session plan, raising concerns over census, delimitation, and Lok Sabha expansion

Sonia Gandhi to remain under medical observation for a few more days

Veteran Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, who is admitted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here, is stable and under close medical supervision, doctors said on Wednesday. According to hospital authorities, she was admitted at around 10.22 pm on Tuesday. Chairman Dr Ajay Swaroop said that her condition remains stable and a team of doctors is closely monitoring her health. Doctors are conducting further examinations to check for a possible infection in the stomach and urinary tract, and antibiotics have been administered as part of the treatment, the hospital said. Sources had earlier said that Gandhi was unwell, possibly due to the weather change, and was admitted for observation. They said there is no cause for concern and her condition is not serious.

Congress gets final eviction notices for Akbar Road, Raisina Road offices

The Congress party has received notices from the Estate department to vacate its 24, Akbar road office and 5, Raisina Road premises in Lutyens Delhi by March 28, according to sources. The party faces eviction of its old party office, which it has held since 1978, as this is the final notice sent by the estate department. The party continues to have its headquarters at its Akbar Road office, while the Indian Youth Congress functions from the Raisina Road premises. The sources said that the notice was delivered a few days and has not even given a week's time to the grand old party. Sources in the party said the Congress is yet to formulate its strategy on the issue and may even approach court in view of the sudden notice. The Congress has already constructed its new party office at Indira Bhawan. While the party did not say anything officially, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said the government should apply its rule uniformly to all and not single it out.

Cong slams PM bid for 'special session' to pass women quota law amendments

Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress on Wednesday said the "U-turn Ustad" now wants to implement the women's reservation law without completing the delimitation and census operations. It said the prime minister has let it be known that a "special two-day session" will be convened in the next fortnight to pass the amendments necessary to implement the law. The opposition party alleged that this was a "weapon of mass diversion" to change the narrative from "foreign policy failures and setbacks and from the LPG and energy crisis facing the country". Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said the Modi government is also planning to increase the size of the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabhas by 50 per cent, which also needs careful deliberation. In September 2023, the new Parliament House was inaugurated with the passage of the women's reservation bill -- or Nari Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 -- that amended the Constitution to provide for

Sonia Gandhi hospitalised due to weather change, under observation

A team of doctors is attending to her, but there is nothing serious, the sources said

Why 'Vishwaguru' not advancing Brics summit on West Asia crisis: Congress

Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress on Monday asked why the "self-styled Vishwaguru" is not advancing the BRICS+ Summit that India is set to host this year to put together a diplomatic initiative to deal with the crisis in West Asia. The opposition party also claimed that Modi does not want to "antagonise" US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, pointed out that the 18th annual BRICS+ Summit will take place in New Delhi under India's Presidency later this year, with Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the UAE as members. "Why is the self-styled Vishwaguru not advancing the Summit to put together a diplomatic initiative to deal with the crisis in West Asia and its impacts? Clearly, he does not want to antagonise President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu," Ramesh said on X. "Mr Modi has reported