Page 62 - Congress

Capital conundrum: Welfare promises versus infra push ahead of Delhi polls

Amid increasing poll promises ahead of Delhi elections, the spending choices of Congress and AAP regimes, and the fiscal challenges ahead for the next government

Congress slams BJP for Ramesh Bidhuri's sexist remark on Priyanka Gandhi

Shrinate said that Bidhuri's statement against Congress Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad, was not only shameful but also shows his 'disgusting' mentality towards women

K'taka govt likely finding excuses to halt guarantee schemes: Kumaraswamy

Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of finding ways to discontinue its flagship guarantee schemes, while "burdening" the common people with increased costs such as the recent 15 per cent hike in public transport bus fares. Speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy said, "The Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) is someone who has presented the most number of budgets in the state, as he has also held a finance portfolio, with his consent the five guarantee schemes were implemented and they (Congress) claim that they have walked the talk, but to walk the talk they are playing with the lives of the common man." Expressing concern over the fare hike, he said it impacted farmers, labourers, and the working class. By increasing bus fares by 15 per cent, what has this government achieved? These hikes affect the lives of the common people, not the wealthy or ministers' families, he said, adding that the hike reflects the government's insensitivity towards

For guaranteed quality education, govts need to spend more: Rahul Gandhi

Quality education cannot be achieved through privatisation and financial incentives, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Saturday, underlining the importance of governments spending more on education and strengthening public institutions. In a conversation with IIT Madras students held sometime back, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha talked on a host of issues including on the changes he would want to initiate to improve the education system. "I believe it is one of the foremost responsibilities of any government to guarantee quality education to its people. This cannot be achieved through privatisation and financial incentives. "We need to spend a lot more money on education and strengthening government institutions," he said in a post on X, while sharing an edited video of his conversation with the students. On his WhatsApp channel, he said they discussed discuss "redefining success and reimagining education in India". "Our conversation centered on empowering students to .

Kharge sends 'chadar' for Ajmer Sharif dargah with message of brotherhood

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday sent a 'chadar' on his and the party's behalf to be offered at Ajmer Sharif dargah on the occasion of Urs of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. He referred to the Ganga-Jamuni culture of the country and called for spreading love and affection and defeating the forces of hatred. Kharge said the roots of national unity and brotherhood are so deep that they cannot be shaken by a few people with distorted mindset. During the day, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju offered a ceremonial 'chadar' sent by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the dargah and read out the prime minister's message which called on people from across religions to work together in harmony. In a post in Hindi on X, Kharge wrote, "With utmost devotion and respect, I feel very fortunate to send a chadar on behalf of myself and the Congress party on the occasion of the 813th Urs Mubarak of Khwaja Garib Nawaz Moinuddin Chishti Ajmeri. Being the Congress Presiden

BJP demands Priyank Kharge's resignation in contractor's suicide case

The BJP on Saturday staged a protest here demanding the resignation of Minister Priyank Kharge in connection with the suicide of a Bidar-based civil contractor. BJP State President B Y Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Assembly R Ashoka, Legislative Council Leader of Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy led the protest. The saffron party leaders gathered at Jagat Circle in large numbers holding placards, raising slogans against the Minister amid tight security presence. As the BJP planned lay siege to Kharge's residence, the Minister decided to counter them in a unique way. Police personnel were also seen deployed outside the residence as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident. "We have ordered tender coconuts, coffee, tea, bottled drinking water for the BJP leaders who will get tired after the protest," a Kharge supporter told PTI. Reacting to the protest, Kharge told reporters that neither he nor the government will succumb to the opposition

AAP will shrink to single digit in polls for their misdeeds: Cong's Dikshit

Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said the Aam Aadmi Party will face defeat in the upcoming Delhi assembly election as a result of their misdeeds. The elections are scheduled for February this year. AAP has already announced candidates for all 70 seats, while Congress has named 48 candidates so far. During an interview with the PTI, Dikshit, who has been fielded from the New Delhi constituency by the Congress for upcoming assembly polls, also said that they need to highlight what Sheila Dikshit did for Delhi during her tenure. When asked about Congress not having a chief minister face, Dikshit said, "We do not have any CM face and we never give it. Even when Sheila Dikshit became the chief minister for the first time, it was evident that if Congress will win, she will become the CM, but we never announced her face for it. This has not been the habit of Congress. It happens sometimes that if there is a big leader, then people believe that he or she will become the CM, but this is not

J&K's UT status diminution of 'crown of India': Cong leader Karan Singh

Senior Congress leader and veteran politician Karan Singh has demanded the immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and said that the current status of the region is an "unacceptable" diminution of the "crown of India". In a recent interview to PTI Videos, Singh, a three-time Rajya Sabha MP and Sadr-i-Riyasat (constitutional head) of the erstwhile state, also voiced his concerns over the changes following the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution. He noted that before this constitutional change, the entire debate used to revolve around how much autonomy was to be accorded to the state. "The whole game has changed after the abrogation of (Article) 370," Singh said. He said Jammu and Kashmir's transition to a union territory is a diminution of the erstwhile state and it is "unacceptable". Singh noted that a former Indian ambassador to the US said that the current status of Jammu and Kashmir has put it behind states like Himachal Pradesh and Haryana in terms of

BJP has vested interest in Manipur unrest, PM can't evade blame: Kharge

After fresh violence erupted in Manipur, the Congress on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he could not escape the constitutional culpability of not following "rajdharma". In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the BJP had some vested interest in keeping the border state on the boil. "The BJP is the matchstick which burnt Manipur!" he said in his post. He also shared a screengrab of a news report about the latest violence. The Congress chief said in the post, "Narendra Modi ji, your last visit to Manipur was for seeking votes for the BJP, way back in January 2022. Violence erupted in the state on May 3, 2023." "More than 600 days have passed, and media reports through satellite images have now revealed that villages after villages have been wiped off in the state," he added. Kharge said fresh violence was witnessed recently when a mob attacked the Kangpokpi district superintendent of police, resulting in injuries. "Your incompe

Kejriwal's work common, holds no reality on ground: Sandeep Dikshit

Dikshit further said that even in the field of education, the pace of progress during Sheila Dikshit's tenure was much faster

Updates: Grap 3 curbs back in Delhi-NCR amid rise in air pollution levels

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Delhi elections: Congress fields Alka Lamba from Kalkaji against CM Atishi

Alka Lamba, the president of the All India Mahila Congress, is a former Aam Aadmi Party leader and an ex-legislator from Chandni Chowk

Prayer meet for late former PM Manmohan Singh to be held on Friday

Leaders from across the political spectrum will pay their tributes to former prime minister Manmohan Singh at a prayer meeting on Friday. The 'Shabadv Kirtan and Antim Ardas' of Dr Singh would be held at the Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib at 3 pm. Before the prayer meet, the family of the former PM would also hold a 'bhog' of the 'Akhand Path' kept in the memory of Singh at their 3, Motilal Nehru Marg residence. Singh, who steered the country as prime minister from 2004 to 2014, was considered the architect of India's economic reforms in the 1990s. He died at AIIMS Delhi December 26. He was 92.

News updates: US NSA Jake Sullivan set to visit India early next week

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Cong to launch 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' campaign on Jan 3

The Congress will launch its 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan Abhiyan' in all blocks, districts and states on January 3. The campaign will culminate in a public rally at Mhow on January 26. The campaign was to be launched on December 27 but was suspended in view of the demise of former prime minister Manmohan Singh on December 26 and the announcement of a seven-day mourning in his honour. The decision to organise the campaign was taken at the last meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) at Belagavi on December 26. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the implementation of the CWC resolution of December 26 was suspended for a week as a mark of "deep respect' and reverence for Singh. "It will take more time to get used to the fact that he is no longer with us," he said. "Even so the Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan Abhiyan will resume in blocks, districts and states, on January 3, 2025 leading up to rally in Dr. Ambedkar's 'janmabhoomi' Mhow on January 26, 2025 w

Biren Singh hits back at Congress, accuses past leaders for Manipur crisis

Manipur CM Biren Singh apologised for the ongoing unrest, blaming Congress' past actions. He responded to Jairam Ramesh's criticism, citing political neglect by Congress leaders

Business Standard wishes all its readers a very happy new year

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As CM Biren says sorry, Cong asks why PM can't go to Manipur and apologise

After Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday apologised for the ethnic conflict in the state, the Congress asked why can't Prime Minister Narendra Modi go there and do the same even though he travels across the country and the world. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the people of Manipur cannot understand their neglect by the prime minister, whom he accused of deliberately avoiding a visit to Manipur. "Why can't the Prime Minister go to Manipur and say the same thing there? He has deliberately avoided visiting the state since May 4, 2023, even as he jets around the country and the world," Ramesh said in his post. "The people of Manipur simply cannot understand this neglect," he said. His comments came hours after Biren Singh apologised for the ethnic conflict in Manipur, which claimed over 250 lives and rendered thousands homeless since May 2023, appealing to all communities to forget and forgive past mistakes and live together in a "peaceful"

After 2024 report card, ministers get ready for work on New Year's Day

Although the talk about the New Year agenda within the government was subdued on December 31, the day started with promise of work in 2025

Rahul Gandhi gone for a pre-planned event: Congress MP Pramod Tiwari

Singh passed away at the age of 92 due to age-related medical issues in Delhi on December 26. On Saturday, Singh was cremated with full state honours at Nigambodh Ghat