Page 10 - Indian National Congress

'Is it time for politics': Cong slams BJP over criticism of terror response

The Congress slammed the BJP on Saturday for accusing the previous UPA government of acting with "passivity" in responding to terror attacks and said the ruling party and the government must clarify whether it is time to play politics instead of giving a message of unity. The opposition party's criticism came after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit out at the previous UPA government's approach in dealing with Pakistan. "The message to the enemies is loud and clear. Don't mess with us! Unlike the UPA regime's passivity, New India has no patience for futile peace talks," the BJP said in a post on X and shared a video montage to claim that while talks followed terror attacks during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) rule, this has changed under the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tagging the post on the microblogging platform, Congress's media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said, "So do we have to do politics now? Is it time to do ..

Himanta accuses Congress of spreading propaganda on IMF bailout to Pakistan

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday accused Congress leaders, like Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera, of indulging in propaganda on the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) bailout to Pakistan. His allegation comes after India on Friday opposed the IMF's proposal to extend fresh loans of USD 2.3 billion to Pakistan, saying that the funds could be misused for financing state-sponsored cross-border terrorism. 'Exposing the Misinformation: IMF, Pakistan, and India's Principled Stand once again, Congress leaders like Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera are indulging in reckless propaganda-twisting facts and misleading the nation over India's stand on the recent IMF bailout to Pakistan'," the chief minister posted on 'X'. He claimed that the truth should be known and 'there is no 'NO' vote at IMF". 'Contrary to what Congress wants the public to believe, the IMF does not have a system for casting a 'no' vote. The only legitimate way to register disagreement is by abstaining, which

J&K Cong slams Pakistan for targeting Jammu, says it will pay for its sins

The Jammu and Kashmir Congress on Friday condemned Pakistan for targeting Jammu and other areas in the region with missiles and drones on Thursday night, saying the neighbouring country will have to pay for its sins. J-K Pradesh Congress Committee strongly condemns the provocative and escalatory actions of Pakistan by launching drone and missile attacks in Jammu city and other parts last night, the party's chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said. "Pakistan will pay for its sins," he added. India on Thursday night thwarted Pakistan's fresh attempts to strike military sites with drones and missiles including in Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur after foiling similar bids at 15 locations across the northern and western regions of the country, as tensions soared between the two nations amid fears of a wider conflict. In a swift and precise response, Indian armed forces successfully thwarted attacks launched from across the border by intercepting and neutralising all incoming missiles and

Congress slams PM Modi, Shah over Manipur crisis on anniversary of violence

The Congress on Saturday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "continues to shun" Manipur and Union Home Minister Amit Shah proved to be a "big failure" in managing the situation in the state which has been in the grip of ethnic strife since 2023. Congress General Secretary In-charge, Communications, Jairam Ramesh said the BJP formed a government in Manipur with a massive mandate in February 2022, and exactly two years ago today, the state erupted in sectarian violence. "What began on May 3, 2023, therefore, was the self-dictated, self-directed derailment of the so-called double engine sarkar in the state. Three months later, the Supreme Court was compelled to declare that there had been an absolute breakdown of Constitutional machinery in the state," Ramesh said on X. Faced with a no-confidence motion to be moved by the Congress in the state assembly, the Modi government forced the CM to resign and finally imposed President's Rule on February 13, 2025 -- twenty months after th

When Congress, Rahul decide, govt has to accept it: Pilot on caste census

Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Thursday claimed that the government's caste census decision was the result of the pressure exerted by Rahul Gandhi and said the country has seen that when the party and the Leader of the Opposition resolve to get something done, the Centre has to accept it. Pilot also said the caste census should be done in a scientific, detailed and transparent manner as has been done in Telangana. The caste census should not be done superficially, Pilot told PTI Videos here. "Rahul Gandhi has been raising this (caste census) issue for a long time, but the BJP and the government kept opposing it, saying it is not in the interest of the country and it would divide the country. Suddenly, the government took the decision, thanks to the pressure exerted by Rahul Gandhi and the Congress," the Congress general secretary said. The entire country has witnessed that whenever the Congress and Rahul Gandhi resolve to get something done, the government has to accept it, Pilot

Ex-Union minister Girija Vyas dies at 79; Rajasthan CM condoles her demise

Veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Girija Vyas, who suffered burn injuries in March while performing aarti at her home in Udaipur, has died at a hospital in Ahmedabad, her family said on Thursday. She was 79. Vyas's brother Gopal Sharma said that she succumbed to burn injuries at the Ahmedabad hospital this evening. The Congress leader was performing aarti on March 31 during which her dupatta caught fire from a burning lamp and she suffered critical burn injuries. She was rushed to a private hospital in Udaipur and was later shifted to Ahmedabad. Her funeral will be conducted in Udaipur on Friday, Sharma said. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, former CM Ashok Gehlot, and Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra expressed grief over the death of Vyas. Sharma said Vyas's life was dedicated to public service and that she will always be remembered as a popular leader due to her gentle behaviour. The chief minister prayed to God to give a place to the depa

Caste census: Allocate sufficient funds, fix time limit, Kharge tells govt

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday urged for allocation of sufficient funds and fixing of a time limit for the caste enumeration in the next census, which has been announced by the Central government. The Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said, Congress and other opposition parties demanded for caste census and had staged agitation for it throughout the country, and now they are happy that they have achieved what they intended for. "I had written a letter two years back on caste census along with general census, they did not agree then, but now the government has taken a decision to conduct a caste census along with general census. It is a good thing and we will fully cooperate for this, but they (BJP) should not comment unnecessarily on Jawaharlal Nehru saying he was opposed to it, this and that," Kharge said. Speaking to reporters here, he said, Jan Sangh and RSS by birth are against reservation, and such people are talking about Congress not being in favour of ..

Rahul Gandhi backs caste census move, seeks clear timeline from government

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said he welcomes the government's "sudden" decision to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming census after "11 years of opposing it" but it should give a timeline for its implementation. His comments came within hours of the government announcing that caste enumeration would be included in the forthcoming census exercise in a "transparent" manner. Addressing a press conference here, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said, "We support this (government's decision) completely but we want a timeline. We want to know by when it will be done." Welcoming the Narendra Modi dispensation's "sudden" decision to include caste enumeration in the census exercise after "11 years of opposing it", he said, "This is the first step and Telangana is a model for caste census." While reiterating the demand for removing the 50 per cent cap on reservations, Gandhi said funds should be allocated for the caste census. "We want people's censu

What steps govt is taking to ensure BSF jawan's safe return, asks Congress

Pakistan Rangers apprehended constable Sahu from a farming field along Punjab's Ferozepur on April 23

Strengthening party at grassroots our priority: Cong's Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said efforts are underway to strengthen the party at the grassroots. Talking to reporters after the Congress executive meeting at Totuka Bhawan here, Kharge said if the party is strong at the division, block and district levels, it will become strong at the national level. He also praised the Rajasthan unit of the Congress, saying it was doing good work in the state and everyone was working unitedly. "We are going to the grassroots level to strengthen the organisation. The efforts of all the leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, are to strengthen the party," he said. Asserting that the Congress has appointed district-wise observers, Kharge said, "Our effort is to keep the Congress organisation strong from villages to the cities". Kharge said he interacted with the workers, district presidents and state executives. After the executive meeting, Kharge, along with organisation general secretary K C Venugopal, left for Delhi. Earlier in the

Negligence, security failure behind Pahalgam attack: Andhra Cong chief

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president YS Sharmila has alleged that the Pahalgam terror attack is a result of "negligence and security failure", which the "BJP is deviating". Taking out a candle light rally in solidarity with the 26 people who were gunned down by terrorists, she accused the RSS of allegedly creating the impression that a religion is being attacked. "This is an attack on our countryand there is negligence and security failure behind it. The BJP is diverting this matter," Sharmila in a release on Friday, adding that "Muslims were also there among the deceased victims". According to the Congress leader, this is not an attack on a religion but against India. She noted that the BJP is "building a narrative that this attack is against a religion" and called it sad. Meanwhile, BJP leader S Yamini Sharma criticised Sharmila for her comments and told her to "control her tongue". Throwing a challenge to Sharmila, Sharma dared her to debate with her about how "sa

Rahul, Robert Vadra naive, says Digvijaya's brother on Pahalgam attacks

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh's brother and former MLA Lakshman Singh on Friday tore into the leadership of his party in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and asserted Rahul Gandhi and Robert Vadra were nave. He said he did not mind getting expelled from the party for these statements since the security of the country was paramount for him. Lakshman Singh, a Congressman who has had a stint with the BJP, also claimed Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah "may be in cahoots" with terrorists. During a condolence meeting organised in Raghogarh to pay tribute to those who died in Tuesday's attack, Lakshman Singh said, "Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah may be in cahoots with terrorists. In such a situation, the Congress should withdraw support from the National Conference government (in the Union Territory). I am going to write to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in this regard." Lakshman Singh also came down heavily on the statements of ...

Congress demands MSP for tomato as prices plummet in Madhya Pradesh

The Congress on Friday demanded that the Madhya Pradesh government declare a minimum support price (MSP) for tomato as the wholesale price of the kitchen staple has fallen to as low as Rs 3 per kg. "The Centre and state government talk about doubling the income of farmers, but the wholesale price of tomato in Chhatarpur market has fallen to Rs 3 per kg," Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jeetu Patwari said here. Farmers are unable to recover even their production cost, and some have been forced to stop irrigating the crop in the fields to save on costs, he claimed, adding that in some places, farmers are feeding their crop to cattle. The BJP government in the state should declare an MSP and open procurement centers in every district, Patwari demanded. He also sought a relief package for farmers who are in trouble due to the fall in tomato prices. Experts blamed the price crash on the arrival of excess crop in wholesale markets, saying the cultivation of tomato is proving to be a ...

Kapil Sibal urges PM Modi to pass resolution to express national sentiment

Sibal further suggested sending a delegation of ruling and Opposition MPS to countries such as Africa, the US, Europe, and other countries to raise awareness about the situation

'Cowardly' Pahalgam attack by Pakistan a direct assault on republic: CWC

The Congress on Thursday said the "cowardly" Pahalgam attack has been masterminded by Pakistan and is a direct assault on the "values of our republic", even as it accused the BJP of exploiting the tragedy to promote discord and polarisation at a time when unity is most needed. The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision-making body of the party, adopted a resolution expressing its deepest shock and condemnation of the heinous terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent tourists and left more than 20 others grievously injured. "The Congress Working Committee extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families. It stands with them wholeheartedly in this moment of profound anguish. "This cowardly and calculated act of terror, masterminded by Pakistan, is a direct assault on the values of our republic. The deliberate targeting of Hindus was done to inflame passions across the country," the party's resolution said. "We appeal for calm in the face of this

Pahalgam attack: Congress holds emergency CWC meet, pays tribute to victims

Top Congress leaders on Thursday held an emergency meeting of the party's working committee to deliberate on the Pahalgam terror attack and are expected to pass a resolution condemning it. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, general secretaries K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, among others, attended the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting here at the party's 24, Akbar Road office. The meeting started with leaders paying homage to the victims of the attack by observing a moment of silence in their memory. Rahul Gandhi had cut short his visit to the United States to attend the CWC meeting. The Congress is expecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be chairing an all-party meeting on the attack later this evening, to take all political parties into confidence as well as build a collective resolve. Earlier, Kharge and Rahul Gandhi had spoken with Home Minister Amit Shah, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minist

Rahul Gandhi returns to Delhi, cuts short US visit after Pahalgam attack

As many as least 26 people were killed in the dastardly attack by terrorists on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday

J&K terror attack: Cong seeks govt accountability, calls for all-party meet

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday condemned the terror attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam, saying it is a blot on humanity. He also said the country's national security is paramount and urged the central government to take corrective measures. "I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The entire nation is united in fighting the scourge of cross-border terrorism. "These dastardly targeted attacks are a blot on humanity. News reports indicate that precious lives have been lost. On behalf of the Congress party, my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured," the Congress president said in a post on X. "India's National Security is paramount and we urge the GOI to take corrective measures to ensure the same," Kharge said. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also denounced the attack as a highly condemnable and shameful act, and said the ...

Cong accuses Mahayuti of spending ₹150 cr on cabinet meet; govt cites error

Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the ruling Mahayuti coalition, accusing it of spending a whopping Rs 150 crore on preparations for a cabinet meeting in Ahilyanagar district. The BJP-led government, however, clarified it had given an advertisement for a tender of works worth Rs 1.5 crore for the proposed cabinet meeting, but the amount was published "incorrectly" as Rs 150 crore. In a post on X, Sapkal attached a tender notice published in newspapers stating that Rs 150 crore will be spent on mandaps (a temporary platform), staging, green rooms, toilets, barricading, sound, air conditioners, electricity, fire brigade and CCTV set up for the meeting. The notice states an e-tender will be floated on April 24. A cabinet meeting is scheduled on April 29 in Chondi, the birthplace of the legendary 18th century Malwa queen Ahilyabai Holkar, whose 300th birth anniversary year is being observed. Last year, the western Maharashtra .

Former Congress MLA Sangram Thopte joins BJP with supporters in Pune

Former Congress MLA Sangram Thopte on Tuesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with his supporters from Bhor taluka in Pune district. Maharashtra BJP chief and state Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and the party's working president Ravindra Chavan welcomed Thopte into the fold. Thopte, who had represented the Bhor constituency in Pune district three times, was defeated by NCP candidate Shankar Mandekar in the 2024 assembly polls. His family is rooted in Congress tradition. Thopte is the son of party veteran Anantrao Thopte, who had represented Bhor six times and was an archrival of NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar. Thopte resigned from the party last week. Speaking on the occasion, Thopte said, "I was a hardcore Congressman. I worked for the party and the Maha Vikas Aghadi. But my work and loyalty weren't recognised. My father and I struggled for the party to ensure the Congress ideology reaches the grassroots." He said he had been a Congress loyalist, but the party f