Page 89 - Indian National Congress

LS adjourned in seconds amid ruckus over Rahul Gandhi's disqualification

Along with Congress members, MPs belonging to the DMK, NCP, the Left and BRS also wore black

Youth Congress protest in Delhi against Rahul's disqualification, detained

Scores of Indian Youth Congress activists staged a protest at the Jantar Mantar here on Monday against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha and were detained when they tried to march towards Parliament. Indian Youth Congress (IYC) activists from across the country gathered at the Jantar Mantar to show solidarity with Gandhi and criticised the central government for "silencing" voices of the democratic opposition. Carrying IYC flags and "Satyameva Jayate" placards, the protesters demanded justice for Gandhi. "The Centre has shown that no one can speak or question the Modi government. Rahul ji raised questions about Adani...so they attempted to silence him by disqualifying him," said Vikram, one of the protesters. "Rahul Gandhi is fearless and will continue to question the government over their wrong deeds," he added. The protesters said they would "gherao" Parliament to as part of their protest. They were detained when they tried to march towards Parliament. IYC

16 Cong MLAs suspended from Gujarat Assembly for remaining Budget session

As many as 16 of 17 MLAs of Congress were suspended from the Gujarat Assembly on Monday for the remainder of the Budget session till March 29 for creating ruckus and staging protests in the House over the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as an MP. Some MLAs of the main Opposition party, including Imran Khedawala, Geniben Thakor and Amrtutji Thakor, were evicted by marshals as they sat in the well of the House and refused to go back to their seats despite repeated appeals made by Speaker Shankar Chaudhary. Except for Anant Patel, the rest 16 MLAs of Congress were present in the House on Monday. As soon as the question hour began, Congress Legislative Party leader Amit Chavda demanded a discussion on the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha claiming he had been "silenced by the BJP government" for raising the issues concerning people. Gandhi was disqualified as an MP after a court in Surat convicted him on March 23 in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname"

BS Weekend Bites: Crises, Finance Bill, Rahul, and PhysicsWallah in winter

In which we munch over the week's platter of news and views

Rahul trying to divert and mislead people, insulted OBCs, says BJP

While addressing a press conference, BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad said Rahul Gandhi's problem is that the people are not voting for the Congress party

Rahul's disqualification excessive, Centre was too harsh: Prashant Kishor

Political strategist turned activist Prashant Kishor on Saturday termed as "excessive" the two years' imprisonment awarded to Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case and urged the ruling dispensation to show "a big heart" on the Congress leader's disqualification. Kishor, who is now touring Bihar, his home state, as part of "Jan Suraaj" campaign, also underscored that the Congress did not seem to be well prepared to reach out to the masses with the message that it has been wronged. "I am not a legal expert but with due respect to the process of law, the sentence awarded to Rahul Gandhi seems to be excessive. In the heat of elections, people say all types of things. This was not the first instance and not going to be the last", asserted the IPAC founder who has, in his professional capacity, worked with many political parties, including the BJP and the Congress. "Two years in prison seems to be excessive for what is essentially a defamation case", said Kishor, adding "I would like to remin

Modi govt played 'active role' in Rahul's disqualification: Lalan

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) on Saturday charged the Narendra Modi government at the Centre with having played an "active role" in ensuring "hasty" disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha. JD(U) national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan also alleged that the CBI case against Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, was an instance of "central agencies being used to settle scores with political opponents". Lalan was responding to questions, here, from reporters on the disqualification of Gandhi following his conviction, by a Gujarat court, in a defamation case. "A due procedure should be followed in disqualification of a member of Parliament and legislature upon conviction in a case. There should be a notification from the Election Commission on which the Lok Sabha Speaker should act after seeking the approval of the President. Obviously, this takes some time", said Lalan. He added, "in case of Rahul Gandhi, though t

Democracy under attack, says Rahul Gandhi after disqualification from LS

A day after he was disqualified from the Lok Sabha following his conviction in a defamation case, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday

Rahul Gandhi convicted in Modi surname defamation case: What we know so far

After conviction, Rahul Gandhi's sentence was suspended and bail was granted to enable him to move an appeal against his conviction within 30 days

Crude oil price decline should lead to lower petrol prices: Congress

The Congress has demanded that the Centre transfer the benefits of declining crude oil prices to the consumers

RS adjourned till 2 pm as govt, oppn trade barbs over Rahul, Adani issues

Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned within minutes of the House assembling for the day on Monday, as the ruling and opposition parties traded barbs over Rahul Gandhi's 'democracy in danger' remark in London and a demand for a probe into allegations against the Adani Group. Both the ruling BJP and the opposition parties shouted slogans in support of their demands, prompting Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to adjourn the proceedings till 2 pm. Dhankhar said he had received notices under rule 267-9 from Congress members, including Pramod Tiwari, Rajneet Ranjan, Kumar Ketkar, Syed Nasir Hussain, Amee Yajnik, AKhilesh Prasad Singh, Neeraj Dangi and Mukul Wasnik, to discuss the failure of the government to constitute a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) to look into allegations of accounting fraud and stock market manipulation against the Adani Group. Binoy Viswam (CPI) and Elamaram Kareem (CPM) wanted a high-level probe monitored by the Supreme Court into the allegations made by US-based .

Delhi Police at RaGa's home over 'women being sexually assaulted' remark

The Delhi Police on Sunday reached the residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with a notice issued to him over his women are still being sexually assaulted remark made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The police team headed by Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Sagar Preet Hooda arrived at Gandhi's 12, Tughlaq Lane residence, officials said. Taking cognisance of social media posts, police had sent a questionnaire to the Congress leader and asked him to give details about the women who approached him regarding sexual harassment". According to police, Gandhi gave a statement in Srinagar during the Bharat Jodo Yatra that 'I have heard that women are still being sexually assaulted'. Police had asked him to give details of these victims so that security could be provided to them, the officials said.

Delhi Police action is to divert attention from Adani issue: Kharge

After Delhi Police reached residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday, party's National President Mallikarjun Kharge said that Congress will not stop questioning on Adani row

Remarks against PM: SC to hear Congress leader Pawan Khera's plea on Monday

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea of Congress leader Pawan Khera seeking transfer and clubbing of FIRs lodged against him in Assam and Uttar Pradesh for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud on Friday deferred the hearing on Khera's plea to March 20 after taking note of submissions that senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for the Congress leader, was unavailable. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Uttar Pradesh and Assam, urged the bench that the matter can be taken up for hearing on Monday instead of Friday. "Ok, we will take it up on Monday," said the bench, which also comprises justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala. The apex court had earlier extended the interim bail of Khera, who was arrested by Assam Police in the case, till March 17. Earlier, Assam and Uttar Pradesh governments, in their separate affidavits, opposed Khera's plea seekin

Rahul Gandhi promises police to share info about his remarks, seeks time

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has assured the Delhi Police that he will share the information about the claims that he had made during his Bharat Jodo Yatra speech in Srinagar

Like Congress, BJP will lose for misusing central agencies: Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday asserted that the BJP would be politically finished in the days to come, just like the Congress, for misusing central agencies against opposition parties. Yadav also pressed for the caste census, which he said would be a major issue in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. "Earlier, the Congress used to misuse the central agencies, and now BJP is doing the same. Congress is now finished. The BJP, too, will meet a similar fate, he told a press conference here. He claimed that the Congress during the UPA-2 regime had promised to conduct a caste census, but later backtracked. "We want the BJP-led central government to conduct the caste census. Several leaders have been demanding it. But like the Congress, the saffron party is also not keen on conducting it," Yadav said. Asked what would be the formula of the proposed opposition front ahead of the general elections, Yadav said it won't be disclosed. "We won't reveal the formula of the opposition fr

Congress is essential to any meaningful opposition in 2024: Jairam Ramesh

No Opposition front to take on the BJP is possible without the Congress and if a coalition is formed for the 2024 general elections, the party will have a central role in it, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has said. In an interview with PTI, Ramesh, however, said it was too early to talk about all this right now as the Congress' first priority was the upcoming elections in Karnataka and the string of state polls this year. Ramesh's remarks come after both Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Uttar Pradesh's Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) saying the two parties would stay away from both the Congress and the BJP, and indicating possible talks with other regional players ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Asked whether the TMC and SP's actions could jolt Opposition unity, Ramesh said, "The TMC, Samajwadi, people keep meeting, the Third Front, Fourth Front will continue to be formed, but it is necessary to have the Congress in the Opposition." "If an ...

Cong says NSE lifted ASM on Adani Group stocks, questions SEBI's 'inaction'

The Congress claimed on Friday that the National Stock Exchange (NSE) has lifted additional surveillance on some Adani Group company stocks and asked why stock exchange regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is standing by and allowing investors to take on added exposure to such stocks. Congress general secretary, communications Jairam Ramesh posed questions on Twitter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Adani issue as part of the opposition party's "Hum Adanike Hain Kaun" series. "Another day of adjournment and protest. The PM-linked Adani 'Maha Mega Scam' continues to be the subject of agitation by the Opposition and stonewalling by the Government. Here is HAHK (Hum Adanike Hain Kaun)-31. Chuppi Todiye Pradhan Mantriji," Ramesh said in a tweet. He claimed that even as global index providers such as MSCI, S&P Dow Jones and FTSE Russell reviewed the position of the Adani stocks in their equity indices, the NSE went the other way and included five Adani Group ...

Former Andhra Pradesh CM Kiran Kumar Reddy resigns from Congress

Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy has resigned from the Congress. Reacting to Reddy's resignation, Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Manickam Tagore on Sunday said that those who got everything from the party and finished the Andhra Pradesh Congress now leave for the BJP. Reddy was the last chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh. In a letter dated March 11 and addressed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Reddy wrote, "Please accept this letter as my resignation from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress." Reddy had earlier resigned from the Congress in 2014 over the then UPA government's decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh and carve out Telangana. He had floated his own political outfit Jai Samaikyandhra Party but returned to the Congress in 2018.

'Hath se Hath Jodo' yatra aims at mobilising support before 2024 elections

Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Vikar Rasool Wani on Sunday said the party's 'Hath se Hath Jodo' yatra is aimed at mobilising public support with an eye on next year's general elections. Wani, along with Congress working president Raman Bhalla, led the yatra through the Makhanpur Gujran Panchayat and highlighted issues of public concern such as property tax, inflation and unemployment. "Hath se Hath Jodo yatra is aimed at reaching out to people in the hinterlands ahead of the 2024 general elections...it will strengthen the Congress' prospects and act as an extension of the Kanyakumari-Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra which concluded in Srinagar," Wani said. "The aim of the campaign is to apprise the people of the hatred which is seen in society and the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir. We have presented certain facts before the public on inflation, joblessness and downgrading and bifurcation of J&K into two Union territories," he said. Bhalla said the campaign has received .