Page 9 - Indian National Congress

VP Dhankar's concerns on farmers ignored repeatedly, says Congress

The Congress on Thursday cited Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's remarks on farmers to take a swipe at the Modi government, saying he should be listened to seriously by those throwing out slogans and filmi dialogues thinking that theatrics is governance. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said sadly, Dhankhar continues to be ignored when he raises concerns of farmers. Ramesh's remarks came after Dhankhar said Viksit Bharat does not mean the rank of the country's economy and to make it a reality, the income of people needs to increase eightfold. Speaking to reporters after paying homage to former prime minister Charan Singh on his birth anniversary, Dhankhar said, "Today, when we talk about Viksit Bharat, it doesn't mean what the rank of our economy is. To define Viksit Bharat and make it a ground reality, the income of everyone needs to be increased by eight times." "This will happen but the farmers need to be farsighted. Today, our farmers are limite

Historic step: Rahul on Karnataka move to enact ordinance on gig workers

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday hailed as historic the Karnataka government's move to promulgate an ordinance aimed at providing social security to platform-based gig workers, stressing that this was the party's vision it would take to every state. The ordinance, promulgated on Tuesday, also proposes the establishment of a welfare board and creation of a dedicated welfare fund for the gig workers. " 'Rating nahi, haq chaahiye'. 'Insaan hai hum, ghulaam nahi'. These powerful words from gig workers stayed with me during the Bharat Jodo Yatra," Gandhi said in a post on X. "Our Congress government in Karnataka has taken a historic step by issuing an ordinance that guarantees rights, dignity, and protection to gig worker... These workers bring us food, deliver essentials, and drive us safely -- in the heat, cold, and rain," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha added. Yet, they are too often blocked from their apps without explanation, denied sick leave, and paid according

Ramesh criticises PM over delay in all party meeting on Pahalgam attack

He accused the Prime Minister of ignoring urgent national issues and instead focusing on marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency

Nehru stood for democracy, not demagoguery: Cong pays tribute to first PM

The Congress on Tuesday paid rich tributes to India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary and said he simply refuses to go away in spite of a systematic "6D effort" being made since 2014 to defame, distort, deny, denigrate, diminish, and demolish him and his legacy. Paying tributes to Nehru, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi asserted that Nehru laid a strong foundation of independent India with his visionary leadership. Gandhi said Nehru's contribution in the establishment of social justice, modernity, education, Constitution and democracy is invaluable. Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi paid floral tributes to Nehru at his memorial at Shanti Van here. In a post in Hindi on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge shared a quote of Nehru that "Citizenship lies in serving the country". "Humble tributes on the death anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru ji, who took India from zero to the top, the creator of modern India, the fearless guar

Time has come for a new normal against terrorism, says Shashi Tharoor

Noting that India has been suffering from terrorism for four decades, Shashi Tharoor said that India has reached a point of "resolved determination" against terrorism

Code, not clout: Congress brings QR-based ticket process to Bihar

Congress has introduced QR-based candidate applications in Bihar for transparency in ticket distribution. Aditi Phadnis looks at the rationale and challenges

'Ayogya body': Cong slams NITI meet as exercise in 'hypocrisy', 'diversion'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Saturday chair the 10th governing council meeting of the NITI Aayog, which will focus on states, with a view to make India a developed nation by 2047

YS Sharmila on hunger strike to support Visakhapatnam Steel Plant workers

Congress leader Sharmila criticised the management of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, accusing them of ignoring workers' problems and acting in a harsh and controlling manner

Rahul, Kharge pay tribute to ex-PM Rajiv Gandhi on 34th death anniversary

Congress, in a post on X, also remembered the former PM and said that Rajiv Gandhi's contribution in the creation of modern India is unforgettable

In BJP's model, money goes to rich; Congress gives it to poor: Rahul Gandhi

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday said that the BJP follows a model under which select rich people get entire money and resources, whereas in the Congress' model, money is put into the bank accounts and the pockets of the poor. The Congress leader was speaking at an event to mark Karnataka Congress government's two years in office, during which over one lakh title deeds were distributed to eligible beneficiaries, whose "undocumented habitations" have been declared as revenue villages. "Congress party government has completed two years. During the election, we made you promises. We had promised five guarantees. The BJP people said that Congress party will not be able to fulfill it. The Prime Minister said this won't be done," Gandhi said. Listing out the five guarantee schemes implemented by the government, he said, "We have told you that we will put money into the bank account of Karnataka's poor. Today, thousands of crores of rupees is being directly p

Govt can't hide 'India's biggest scam', truth is out: Cong on Adani issue

The Congress on Tuesday flagged media reports claiming that SEBI has warned two offshore funds holding Adani Group shares with penalties and said the market regulator's actions might appear on the surface to represent progress but the probe has dragged on for over two years with the conglomerate benefitting from the delay. There was no immediate reaction from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) or the Adani Group on the claims. Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said the "double-engine" Modani saga continues. "SEBI has reportedly threatened two Mauritius-based offshore funds controlled by Elara Capital --? Elara India Opportunities Fund and Vespera Fund --? with penalties and licence cancellations for failing to provide shareholding details," he said on X. Ramesh said, these funds have been accused of "stock parking" -- being fronts for benami Adani investments in their own companies in violation of SEBI rules. "The two funds have

'Damning indictment of govt': Cong on SC ban on environmental clearances

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday hailed the Supreme Court decision striking down the measures enabling the grant of ex-post facto environmental clearances and said it was a "damning indictment" of the Modi government whose domestic walk is completely at variance with its global talk on environmental protection. The Supreme Court last Friday said the right to live in a pollution free atmosphere was a part of the fundamental right as it struck down the Centre's office memorandum allowing ex post facto or retrospective environmental clearances to projects in violation of norms. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan made scathing remarks in its judgement delivered on a plea filed by Vanashakti organisation and said, "The Union Government, as much as individual citizens, has a constitutional obligation to protect the environment. Former environment minister Ramesh hailed the judgement which he claimed was a "damning indictment" of the Modi government. "In a ...

Modi govt caved to US pressure on IMF bailout for Pakistan: Jairam Ramesh

In a post on X, Ramesh argued that India abstained from voting on May 9 when there was a provision to vote "No" in the Executive Board meeting

Anand Sharma, Gogoi among Cong's picks for Op Sindoor diplomatic outreach

The Congress on Saturday said it was asked by the government to submit names of four MPs for the all-party delegations to be sent abroad to explain India's stance on terrorism from Pakistan and it nominated Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Syed Naseer Hussain and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. The Congress' remarks came after the government announced that it will send seven all-party delegations to key partner countries, including members of the UN Security Council, later this month to convey India's message of zero tolerance against terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "Yesterday morning, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju spoke with the Congress President and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The INC was asked to submit names of 4 MPs for the delegations to be sent abroad to explain India's stance on terrorism from Pakistan." He said, "By noon yesterday May ..

Cong questions BJP's ties with nations supporting Pak after Pahalgam attack

Congress leaders responded after BJP's Amit Malviya shared a video of Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera, accusing the party of being 'disconnected' from public sentiment after the Pahalgam terror attack

Mayawati condemns remarks on Col Qureshi, Cong wants MP minister's sacking

BSP chief Mayawati on Wednesday condemned the purported objectionable remarks made by Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah against Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, terming them "deeply saddening and shameful." The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister demanded strict action to prevent communal disharmony and uphold the dignity of India's armed forces. In a strongly worded post on X, Mayawati said, "First the Foreign Secretary and then a woman officer of the Army have been subjected to disgusting, indecent and inappropriate remarks. This is actually an attempt to destroy the positive atmosphere of enthusiasm and pride prevailing across the country over the success of 'Operation Sindoor' carried out by the Indian Army against Pakistan. This is extremely painful and shameful." Col Qureshi was a prominent face during media briefings on Operation Sindoor, In a follow-up post, the BSP supremo said, "In this context, the indecent comment made by a senior Madhya Pradesh minister regarding

Cong seeks 10 marla plots, ₹5 lakh each for relocating J&K border residents

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) working president Tara Chand on Tuesday demanded 10 marla plots and Rs 5 lakh for each family residing in border areas for their settlement at safer places in Jammu and Kashmir. The former deputy chief minister also batted for immediate grant of relief to the residents of border villages who have been directly affected by heavy cross-border shelling and continuous drone strikes. "We demand that 10 marla plots and Rs 5 lakh be granted in favour of families living along the border, which comes within the firing range of Pakistan. This will facilitate their rehabilitation at safer places along the border," he told reporters. Chand said most of the forward areas are vacant and people are facing miseries in these camps due to non-availability of ration and relief. The Congress leader said the government distributed a few items to these families in a pick-and-choose manner. "We urge the Centre as well as J&K government to provide ...

Goa not BJP's laboratory: Cong on Centre's suggestion about nuclear plant

Opposition parties have objected to the Centre's suggestion to set up a nuclear power plant in Goa, with Congress saying the coastal state is not "a laboratory for BJP's dangerous experiments". Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said that the Central government has suggested that the states examine the feasibility of setting up nuclear power plants in their respective areas and send proposals. Speaking to reporters, Khattar said he had discussed the possibility of setting up a nuclear power plant in a review meeting of the Urban Development and Power sector in Goa. In a post on X, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar said, "Goa is not a laboratory for @BJP4India's dangerous experiments. I strongly condemn Shri @mlkhattar's absurd proposal of setting up a nuclear power plant in our peaceful, eco-sensitive state of Goa." He alleged that the BJP government had already destroyed Goa's hills, forests, agriculture and

Congress urges Centre to clarify third-party mediation in Kashmir issue

The Congress on Monday urged the Centre to clarify whether it is open to third-party mediation on the Kashmir issue, warning that such as stance could potentially violate the Simla Agreement. The grand old party pointed to US President Donald Trump's daily statements, claiming that he was intervening in the matter, and said a clarification from the union government on the matter was inevitable. While addressing a party programme here, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said the party wants to know whether there has been a shift in the country's foreign policy, and therefore the matter has to be taken up in the Parliament at the earliest. Questions are now being raised if the Simla Agreement has been violated. "Was the Simla Agreement, which rejects any third-party involvement in the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan, violated? Trump has been making statements daily, claiming that he has intervened in the matter. We need the government's clarification," Venugopal said. "Th

Ex-CM Baghel raises concern over increasing road accidents in Chhattisgarh

Former Chhattisgarh CM Baghel requested the BJP-led government to come up with some solutions to prevent road accidents, along with providing ex gratia to the families of the victims