Page 63 - Congress

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

Cong attacks Centre over depreciation in value of rupee against dollar

The Congress on Monday attacked the government over depreciation in the value of the rupee against the US dollar and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has nothing to say now even though he had resorted to personal attacks against former prime minister Manmohan Singh when the Indian currency had fallen during the UPA term. AICC general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh also recalled the words of Modi in 2013 when he had claimed that UPA leadership has become directionless and are neither worried about the country's defence nor the value of its currency, but are "only worried about saving their chair". "The then-biological CM of Gujarat had run a loud campaign against the depreciation of the rupee vis-a-vis the dollar in 2014 even resorting to personal attacks on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to score political points. On 16 May, 2014, the rupee closed at Rs 58.58 per USD. "Ten years later, the rupee has touched an all time-low of 85.27 per USD. The INR has achieved the ...

News updates: Delhi records best December AQI since system began in 2015

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BJP targets Rahul Gandhi over Vietnam trip after Manmohan Singh's death

In a fresh political uproar, BJP criticised Rahul Gandhi for allegedly travelling to Vietnam to celebrate the New Year just days after former PM Manmohan Singh's death

Skipped Manmohan Singh's ashes immersion to ensure family privacy: Cong

With the BJP criticizing the grand old party leaders for not accompanying former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's family during the immersion of his ashes in the Yamuna, the Congress on Monday said it was to ensure privacy to them. Congress leader Pawan Khera said the senior leaders did not accompany the family to gather and immerse the ashes of Dr Singh "out of our deference to the privacy of the family". He said after the cremation of our beloved departed leader, senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met the family at their residence here. "After discussing with them, it was felt that since the family did not get any privacy at the time of the cremation and some extended family members could not reach the pyre site, it would be appropriate to give them some privacy for the 'Phool Chunana' and the immersion of the ashes which is an emotionally painful and difficult ceremony for close family members," Khera said in a statement. There has been a bitter war of words

TMC's Banerjee slams sports, film celebs over 'silence' on MMS' demise

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday criticised prominent figures in the sports and film domain, claiming that they have remained silent in paying respects to former prime minister Manmohan Singh. Describing Singh as one of India's "greatest statesmen" whose visionary leadership reshaped the nation's economy, he also claimed that the "complete silence" of the sports and film fraternities may have stemmed from fear of government backlash. "It is both shocking and disheartening to see the complete silence from prominent figures in the SPORTS and FILM industries individuals who are often celebrated as ROLE MODELS'. "Their reluctance to even acknowledge Dr Singh's passing raises uncomfortable questions about their priorities, responsibility and integrity. It appears this silence is driven by fear of government backlash, as staying silent on national issues has become the norm for many of these so-called ICONS'," Banerjee wrote in a post on X. Singh, 92, was cremated with

Sad that govt stooped to this level: Manickam Tagore over cremation of MMS

A war of words has broken out between BJP and Congress leaders over the cremation of Manmohan Singh at Delhi's Nigambodh Ghat

Govt marked space for Dr Singh's memorial, Cong doing cheap politics: Nadda

BJP president JP Nadda on Saturday said the Centre had allocated space for Manmohan Singh's memorial and informed his family about it as he accused the Congress of indulging in "cheap politics" over the former prime minister's cremation. The BJP chief's reaction came after the Congress accused the Centre of insulting Singh, the country's first Sikh prime minister, by performing his last rites at Nigambodh Ghat instead of a designated spot that could be turned into his memorial. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the BJP-led Centre had "totally insulted" Singh, a great son of Mother India and the first prime minister from the Sikh community, by performing his last rites at Nigambodh Ghat. Reacting sharply, Nadda said, "It's very unfortunate that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and incumbent Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge are not refraining from playing politics even over the former prime minister's sad demise." "No amount of condemnation is enough

Cong accuses govt of insulting ex-PM Singh for last rites at Nigambodh Ghat

The Congress on Saturday accused the Centre of insulting Manmohan Singh, the country's first Sikh prime minister, by carrying out his last rites at the Nigambodh Ghat instead of a designated spot that could later become his memorial. The opposition party had written to the Centre for identifying a designated place for Singh's last rites, where a memorial could be set up for him. As politics over the matter erupted, the Centre said a decision to set up a memorial has already been taken and a trust would be formed to identify the place soon. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the great son of Mother India and the first prime minister from the Sikh community has been "totally insulted" by the BJP-led Centre by performing his last rites at the Nigambodh Ghat on Saturday. He said Singh was the prime minister for 10 years, the country became an economic superpower during his tenure and his policies are still the support system for the poor and backward classes. "Til

Cong damaged dignity of Dr Singh, now playing politics in his name: BJP

Congress had demanded a funeral in a place where a memorial to Singh could be built. However, the Centre said land for a memorial would be earmarked in the next few days

Cong leader Sandeep Dikshit accuses AAP of snooping on him, LG orders probe

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has ordered inquiries into Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit's allegations of snooping and large sums of cash being brought into the city from Punjab ahead of the next year's Assembly election. In a letter dated December 25, Dikshit flagged the alleged presence of intelligence personnel from the "Punjab Government" outside his residence in Delhi. He alleged that "official vehicles" associated with these personnel had been often seen outside his home, suggesting surveillance and intimidation. There was no immediate response available from the Aam Aadmi Party, which governs both Delhi and Punjab. Saxena has sought a report on the allegations within three days. In addition, Dikshit also accused the Punjab government of sending "large sums of cash" (in crores) to Delhi to influence voters ahead of the election. He said "private vehicles," often escorted by Punjab Police, were coming through Haryana and Rajasthan to Delhi. The LG office has ordered

Delhi LG orders probe into AAP schemes; Kejriwal slams BJP, Congress

LG's office has issued separate directives to Delhi chief secretary and commissioner of police, following complaints filed by Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit

ED raids Chhattisgarh Cong MLA Kawasi Lakhma, son in money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday conducted raids at the premises of Chhattisgarh Congress MLA and former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma, his son and some others as part of a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged liquor scam in the state, official sources said. They said a total of seven premises -- including Lakhma's residence in Raipur and his son Harish Lakhma's premises in Sukma district apart from that of some linked persons -- are being searched under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Chhattisgarh Congress alleged the raids were part of a conspiracy by the BJP to harass the opposition party's leaders ahead of urban body and panchayat polls. Lakhma, 71, is a six-time MLA from Konta assembly seat and served as excise minister in the previous Congress government. Harish Lakhma is stated to be a panchayat president in his district. The ED sources said they are investigating allegations made by some "key accused" that Lakhma wa

Memorial space for Manmohan will be allocated: Centre amid BJP-Congress row

he Centre has assured space for Manmohan Singh memorial as BJP accused Congress of politicising his death; Congress calls delay in site allocation disrespectful to the late leader

Former PM Manmohan Singh cremated with state honours at Nigambodh Ghat

Former PM Manmohan Singh passed away on December 26 at the age of 92 after battling age-related ailments

From LS polls surprise to NEET protest: Key political events in 2024

From political continuity - and shifts - to landmark ceremonies, 2024 saw power struggles, protests, and symbolic moments

Centre declined Dr Singh's family request for funeral site, memorial: Badal

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal Friday claimed the Centre has "declined" the request of Manmohan Singh's family for performing the funeral and last rites at a place where an appropriate memorial may be built. The government announced that a State funeral will be accorded to Singh and it will take place at 11:45 AM Saturday at Nigambodh Ghat. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold the funeral for Singh at a place where a memorial can be built later. He also said that this would be a befitting tribute to a leader of Singh's stature and also in keeping with past traditions of former prime ministers. There is no official word from the government on Kharge's request. However, Badal took to X to post, "Shocking and unbelievable! It is condemnable in the extreme that Union Govt has declined the request of Dr Manmohan Singh Ji's family for performing the funeral and last rites of the highly distinguished leader at a place where a

Not having memorial for Singh a deliberate insult to 1st Sikh PM: Ramesh

The Congress on Friday said that not finding a location for the cremation and memorial for Manmohan Singh is a deliberate insult to the country's first Sikh prime minister. The Congress raked up the issue after the Union home ministry said in a statement that Singh's last rites will be held at New Delhi's Nigambodh Ghat at 11:45 AM on Saturday with full state honours. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said party president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to conduct Singh's last rites at a location where a memorial could be built to honour his legacy. "The people of our country are simply unable to understand why the Government of India could not find a location for his cremation and memorial that is befitting of his global stature, record of outstanding achievements, and exemplary service to the nation for decades," Ramesh said in a post on X. "This is nothing but a deliberate insult to the first Sikh Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan