Page 32 - Indian National Congress

'One nation, one election' not possible, BJP's 'gimmick': Oppn slams govt

The opposition on Monday slammed the government over the 'one nation, one election' issue, saying it was not possible under the present Constitution and just a "gimmick" of the ruling BJP which keeps "releasing hot air balloons" to test waters. The Congress, the TMC and the CPI rejected the idea, saying it was not pragmatic. The opposition parties' assertion came after reports said the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government would implement 'one nation, one election' during its current tenure. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said it is not possible under the present Constitution and requires at least five constitutional amendments. Replying to a question on reports that the BJP-led NDA government would implement 'one nation, one election' within its current tenure, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not have the numbers to place those constitutional amendments either in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. Addressing reporters in Chandigarh, Chidambaram said

Cong to get chairship of external affairs, agri, rural dev, edu committees

The Congress will chair the parliamentary standing committees on external affairs, agriculture, and rural development in the Lok Sabha and education in the Rajya Sabha, party sources said on Monday, with talks between the government and the opposition over the panels' chairship concluding. In all, the Congress is set to have the chairship of four department-related standing committees -- three in the Lok Sabha and one in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress will chair the Department Related Standing Committee on External Affairs; Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing; Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in the Lok Sabha; and Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports in the Rajya Sabha, a source told PTI. Significantly, the Congress will chair the crucial committee on external affairs after a gap of five years. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor headed the panel on external affairs between September 2014 and May 2019. The Congress last held the chairship of two ...

Ashwini Vaishnaw issues stern warning amid rise in train derailment efforts

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's statement follows a series of train accidents, many of which are suspected to be part of a 'coordinated sabotage' to cause derailments

Do you back Rahul's demand of removing 50% cap on reservations: Cong to VP

Hitting back at Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar for his apparent attack at Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on reservation, the Congress on Sunday asked Dhankhar if he supports the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha's demand of removal of 50 per cent cap on reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs. The opposition party's jibe came after Dhankhar said, "A person from a constitutional post saying on a foreign land that reservation should be ended underscores the same anti-constitutional mindset. The baton of prejudices against reservation has been handed over. It is the same old anti-constitutional mindset." "Reservation is not against meritocracy, but it is the soul of the country and the Constitution. It is an affirmative action and not negative. It is not depriving someone of opportunity but hand holding those who are pillars of strength of the society," the vice president said addressing a public event in Mumbai. Reacting to the remarks, Congress' media and publicity department head Paw

Haryana polls: If elected, health, employment will be top focus, says BJP

Pitted against his cousin and Congress rival Mohd Illyas, BJP candidate from Punhana segment of Haryana's Nuh district Mohd Aizaz Khan said employment, health and education will be his focus and asserted that the lotus bloom will bloom in the region. Khan is among two candidates from the Muslim community fielded by the BJP for the Haryana polls, the other being Naseem Ahmed, a former MLA, who is in fray from the Ferozepur Jhirkha segment. The BJP candidate said people remember the time when his father Chaudhary Sardar Khan, a former Haryana minister, gave jobs to nearly 4,600 youth from Mewat region. "Employment, health, and education will be my top focus (if elected). My aim will also be to bring a university to the region, improve infrastructure and fulfil the dreams which my father had for this region...Going by the huge support of the people I am getting, I am confident that 'lotus' will bloom here," the 56-year-old law graduate told PTI. He asserted that the BJP government in

Women's Reservation Act opportunity for us to support women leaders: Rahul

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the Women's Reservation Act is an opportunity for the Congress to nurture and support both established and aspiring women leaders. In his message on the 40th anniversary of the All India Mahila Congress (AIMC), Gandhi said that during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra, he met remarkable women across India determined to make a difference. "Many had the passion, perseverance and commitment to drive far reaching changes in society. Some of the fiercest and most fearless voices against injustice were of women," the former Congress chief said. In this day and age, there is no reason whatsoever to deny women meaningful opportunities in public life, he asserted. Gandhi congratulated Mahila Congress leaders and members, both past and present, who built this organisation brick by brick. AIMC has come a long way since the 1984 Bangalore Convention, he said, adding that over the last four decades, the AIMC has

Haryana polls: Hisar, Julana among 11 high-stake seats. Full list, details

The upcoming Haryana Assembly elections are generating significant anticipation, as the BJP and Congress prepare to contest across 90 seats. Polling is set for Oct 5, and results will be out on Oct 8

Haryana polls: Congress to contest 89 seats; one left for CPI(M). Full list

Haryana Assembly elections: The Congress aims to unseat the BJP by contesting 89 of the 90 constituencies, running solo after it failed to sign an alliance deal with the Aam Aadmi Party

Haryana elections: BJP's full list out; AAP-Congress name more candidates

All parties in Haryana are finalising their Assembly election candidates as the nomination deadline approaches on Thursday. The BJP has named contenders on all 90 seats

Haryana elections: AAP to contest all 90 seats. Full list of candidates

Haryana elections: AAP, after failed Congress alliance talks, has so far announced 40 candidates for Haryana's 90-seat assembly, resulting in many overlaps with its INDIA ally

Cong chief to rein in leaders weighing in for CM post: K'taka minister

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said the Congress state President D K Shivakumar will respond to calls by some party leaders to rein in those weighing in for the Chief Minister post, in the event of leadership change in the state. As Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's petition challenging the Governor's sanction for his prosecution in a site allotment case is being heard in the High Court, Congress leaders seem to be preparing for a race to become CM with several of them openly expressing their desire. A group of Congress leaders on Tuesday wrote to Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi requesting him to warn party leaders including senior Ministers, who are weighing in for the Chief Minister's post, in the event of leadership change. The signatories of the letter, including current and former lawmakers and some ex-Ministers, have also asked him to direct them not to issue damaging statements in future. State Congress working president Manjunath Bhandary and

Don't lecture us, address allegations against aides: Congress to Kerala CM

A day after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan categorically denied allegations of a CPI(M)-RSS nexus, the Congress on Wednesday urged him to address the serious allegations against his close aides, IPS officer ADGP M R Ajith Kumar and political secretary P Sasi, rather than lecturing the opposition. Coming down heavily on the chief minister, the grand-old party said the people of the state, who know history, would dismiss with contempt Vijayan's claim that it was the Marxist party that had opposed the RSS in Kerala and the Congress had no role in it. Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, V D Satheesan, asked seven questions to Vijayan and accused the Left veteran of playing the hide and seek game without giving a clear reply. "Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPI(M)'s connection with the RSS is an open secret," he alleged. The LoP asked whether veteran Left leader E P Jayarajan was removed as LDF convenor because of his meeting with BJP's Prakash Javadekar. If so, shouldn't CM Vijayan

Congress vs Sebi chief Buch: Trading strategies in M&M, Pidilite, Wockhardt

After ICICI and Wockhardt; M&M, Dr.Reddy's and Pidilite are the latest company names to be dragged in the Congress versus Sebi chief controversy. Here's a technical outlook on these stocks.

Haryana polls: No alliance with Congress; AAP issues new list of candidates

Haryana polls: The Congress-AAP alliance seems to have collapsed as AAP released its second candidate list for Haryana on Tuesday and said that it will contest all 90 seats to challenge the BJP

'I don't agree with Narendra Modi but I don't hate him': Rahul Gandhi in US

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, currently on his US visit, said he disagrees with Prime Minister Narendra Modi but does not hate him

Congress criticises Adani's China venture, warns of national security risks

The Congress' criticism comes amid reports that the Adani Group has formed a subsidiary in China to carry out the business of providing supply chain solutions and project management services

Centre dissolves key statistics panel; Oppn alleges link to census demand

The Congress criticised the Centre for dissolving the Standing Committee on Statistics, claiming it was due to their questions about the delayed 2021 Census

Haryana polls: Congress releases new list of candidates. Check key players

The Congress announced nine new candidates for Haryana's Assembly elections, covering a total of 41 seats so far. The party is also holding talks with the AAP to secure an alliance against the BJP

Rahul Gandhi arrives in US to further bolster India-America bond

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday arrived in the US on a three-day visit during which he will hold "meaningful discussions and insightful conversations" to further strengthen the bond between India and America. "I am truly delighted by the warm welcome I've received in Dallas, Texas, USA, from the Indian Diaspora and members of the Indian Overseas Congress," Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said in a Facebook post. "I eagerly look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions and insightful conversations that will further strengthen the bond between our two nations during this visit," he said, sharing some photographs of his arrival. In a post on X, the Congress party said that Gandhi received a "warm and enthusiastic" welcome at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Indian Overseas Congress chairperson Sam Pitroda said last week that the Opposition leader is not coming to the US in his official capacity but will have a chance to interact with a variety of

Bajrang Punia appointed working president of All India Kisan Congress

Phogat and Punia met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence and later joined the party at the AICC headquarters on Friday