Page 33 - Mallikarjun Kharge

Modi govt owes MGNREGA wages to 18 states, UTs: Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday claimed that the Modi government still owes Rs 6,366 crore in MGNREGA wages to 18 states and union territories in the country even after a one third cut in its budget. He also lauded the flagship rural employment guarantee programme MGNREGA introduced by the Congress on this day in 2005. "On this day in 2005, our Congress-UPA Government enacted MGNREGA to ensure 'Right to Work' to crores of people," he said. "Even though Modi Government has cut MGNREGA's budget by 33%, this year and it owes Rs 6,366 crore in MGNREGA wages to 18 States and Union Territories, yet this flagship programme started by the Congress party still supports 14.42 crore active workers, more than half of them are women," Kharge said on X. "MGNREGA was a lifesaver during the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic and acted as safety net to crores of workers, making up for 80% of their income loss during the pandemic," he also said. The Congress also said that on

Congress will conduct caste census in MP after winning: Mallikarjun Kharge

The Congress will conduct a caste census in Madhya Pradesh after winning the assembly polls in the state, said party president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday. He was addressing a public rally in Sagar in MP's Bundelkhand region. Assembly polls are expected to be held in the BJP-ruled state at the end of the year. The BJP government has not implemented the Bundelkhand package sanctioned on the recommendation of senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, said Kharge. The Congress president criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of not doing anything for violence-hit Manipur. Referring to the laying of the foundation stone of a Rs 100 crore memorial-cum-temple of Sant Ravidas, a revered figure for Scheduled Castes, by PM Modi earlier this month, Kharge said they laid the foundation of Saint Ravidas temple in Sagar but demolished his in Delhi. He alleged that PM Modi remembered Saint Ravidas only during elections. As per the 2011 Census, the population of Dalits in MP was 1.

Kharge's CWC: Average age 61 yrs, 66% from SCs, OBCs, women, minorities

The average age in the newly-formed 84-member Congress Working Committee under party chief Mallikarjun Kharge is 61 years, with the eldest member being former prime minister Manmohan Singh at 90. The youngest in the CWC is 31-year-old Neeraj Kundan, who is an ex-officio member of the body as the president of the National Students Union of India (NSUI), the students' wing of the party. The Congress has failed to fulfil its promise of having 50 per cent of people below the age of 50 years made in its Udaipur declaration but has maintained 66.6 per cent reservation for SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities and women as promised during its Raipur plenary session. An analysis of the decision-making body of the Congress party reveals that it has 12 members of the Scheduled Castes, four from Scheduled Tribes, 16 from other backward classes, nine among minorities and 15 women, besides 43 general category people. There are 21 'youth' members around the age of 50 years like Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sachi

Cong prez Kharge reconstitutes CWC, inducts Sachin Pilot in 39-member list

Tharoor, Pilot, and Tewari, along with several other new appointees, expressed their gratitude to the Congress president and the Gandhi family

Cong prez Kharge forms new CWC, includes some G23 members in his new team

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday reconstituted the party's top decision-making body, the Congress Working Committee (CWC). While 39 members of the all-important panel are general members, it has 32 permanent invitees, including some in-charges of state and 13 special invitees, including presidents of the Youth Congress, the National Students' Union of India, the Mahila Congress and the Seva Dal as ex-officio members. Shashi Tharoor, anand Sharma and Mukul Wasnik, who were part of the group of 23 leaders that had raised questions on the party's leadership under Sonia Gandhi, are among the general members of the new CWC. Manish Tewari and Veerappa Moily, who were also part of the grouping, have been made permanent invitees. Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Pratibha Singh have also been included in the important panel, according to a Congress statement. Sachin Pilot, who rebelled against the party's government in Rajasthan and was later removed as

Rajiv Gandhi birth anniversary: Sonia, Priyanka, and Kharge pay tribute

A prayer meeting is being held at the banks of Pangong Lake to mark the 79th birth anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi today

The real test for Kharge

Having made history twice in his political career, the veteran leader faces his most formidable challenge yet as he navigates the complexities of the forthcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha elections

Cong reviews poll preparedness in Delhi, asks leaders to strengthen party

Congress leaders from Delhi on Wednesday held a meeting with the party's top leadership to review the preparedness for the Lok Sabha elections and discussed ways and means to strengthen the organisation in all seven parliamentary constituencies in the national capital. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi, who were present at the meeting, asked party leaders to remain united and connected with the people, sources said. Delhi Congress president Anil Chaudhary and former Union minister Ajay Maken, who were also present at the meeting, pointed out to the issues relating to a possible alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the sources said. "In view of the Lok Sabha elections, a consultation was held with the leaders of the Delhi Congress today. Revitalisation of the Delhi Congress is our priority, in which participation of all leaders and workers is necessary. We had made Delhi prosperous and happy, our struggle for the people of Delhi continues .

Congress president Kharge skips Independence Day function at Red Fort

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Tuesday skipped the Independence Day function at the Red Fort from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation and after facing flak from the BJP said he did not attend as he would have missed other I-Day functions lined up due to security restrictions. A chair reserved for Kharge, who is also the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, was seen empty during the 77th Independence Day function at the Red Fort. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was among several dignitaries, diplomats and ministers present at the event at the Mughal-era fort. Kharge, however, unfurled the national flag at his residence and later at the Congress headquarters where the Independence Day function was also attended by Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders. The BJP hit out at Kharge saying it shows the party's "mindset" and that it cannot think beyond "dynasty". The Congress president said he has a problem in his eyes and also had to unfurl the national

Modi will again unfurl national flag, but at his own house: Congress chief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is speaking out of his "arrogance" by claiming that he will unfurl the national flag at Red Fort next year too, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said on Tuesday, asserting that he would do so but at his residence. Kharge also hit out at the prime minister for criticising the opposition in his Independence Day address. "What he is saying is talk of arrogance. Now it is 2023 and to say that he will again unfurl the national flag in 2024 (at the Red Fort) is speaking out of 'durankaar, ahankaar' (arrogance)," the Congress chief told reporters when asked about the prime minister's remarks. "He (PM) also keeps on criticising the opposition and if he keeps doing so even on Independence Day, then what kind of India will he make," he said. "He (the PM) will again unfurl the flag, but at his own house," Kharge said. The Congress president had skipped the Independence Day function at the Red Fort. Congress leader Rajiv Shukla said, "It is the power of the

Congress Prez Kharge urges people to back Congress in 2024 LS elections

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday expressed confidence that his party will once again win the Chhattisgarh assembly polls due by the year-end, and urged people to support it in the next year's Lok Sabha elections "to save Constitution and democracy". He was speaking at 'Bharose Ka Sammelan', an event organised here by the Congress government in Chhattisgarh. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and leaders of the ruling party were present at the event. "The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre is trying to destroy the people. But people should remain alert and elect the Congress to power in the next Lok Sabha election. We are confident of the party's victory in Chhattisgarh (assembly polls)," Kharge said. "We want to save the Constitution and democracy. Therefore, we have to work in the entire country," he said. He criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "not answering questions" asked by Rahul Gandhi and opposition INDIA alliance leaders on the Manipur issue during his ...

Kharge to attend event in Chhattisgarh's Janjgir-Champa district on Aug 13

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will visit Chhattisgarh on Sunday to attend a state government event in Janjgir-Champa district, officials said on Saturday. Kharge will attend the 'Bharose Ka Sammelan' programme to be held in Janjgir city at 1:30 pm, they said, adding that chief minister Bhupesh Baghel will also remain present. This will be the second visit of Kharge to the Congress-ruled state after assuming charge as the AICC chief last October. The visit is seen as a launch of Congress' campaign for the Chhattisgarh assembly polls, due later this year. Kharge will land at Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur at around 12:10 pm on Sunday and will leave for Janjgir in a helicopter, an official said. After attending the event, he will depart from Raipur for Delhi at 4:20 pm, he said. In the 2018 assembly elections, the Congress, despite a landslide victory, could win only two of the six seats in Janjgir-Champa district. Of the rest, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the .

Mallikarjun Kharge defends Adhir Chowdhury's 'Nirav Modi' remark in RS

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said his party colleague Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's suspension from Lok Sabha for using "Nirav Modi" for the prime minister was not right as "nirav" means "silent". Chowdhury, the leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, was suspended on Thursday for allegedly attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and disturbing the ministers. The matter will be referred to the privileges committee. "Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was suspended on a flimsy ground. He had just said 'Nirav Modi'. 'Nirav' means "shaant and silent". For uttering 'Nirav Modi', you are suspending (a member)," Kharge said in the Upper House of Parliament. During a debate, certain remarks are made. "If (a remark) is unparliamentary and hurts someone, at that moment, you can say it is unparliamentary and not correct to use," he said. Kharge kept on speaking even as Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said it happened in the other House. "I am pleading with you as Vice President of

PM not God: Kharge insists on his presence in RS during Manipur debate

Opposition INDIA bloc members in Rajya Sabha Thursday proposed a discussion on Manipur under a rule that requires a resolution to be passed in the House but the ruling parties opposed their demand for the prime minister's presence, forcing an adjournment in the pre-lunch session. The opposition parties had till now been calling for a debate under Rule 267, which entails voting, and a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government has been insisting since the start of the Monsoon session on a short-duration discussion under Rule 176, which does not involve voting or any minister replying to the debate. On Thursday, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge requested Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to allow a discussion under Rule 167 in the prime minister's presence. As the treasury benches protested this, Kharge quipped, "What will happen if the prime minister comes to the House? Is he parmaatma (almighty)? He is no God." This led to a ruckus in the House, forcing

Rahul Gandhi put across voice of India in Lok Sabha: Cong Prez Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said Rahul Gandhi put across the voice of the people in Lok Sabha on the Manipur issue and asked whether the Modi government feels the suffering of the people or its politics is only aimed at getting votes. He alleged that the people of Manipur are suffering due to the "insensitivity" of the BJP. "Rahul Gandhi put across the voice of India in Lok Sabha today. Pandit Nehru had said - 'Bharat Mata' are the people of India only. Our brothers and sisters are facing violence in Manipur, they are suffering due to the insensitivity of the BJP. "Modi ji's ministers are talking here and there, but they are not telling how the violence happened, why it was allowed to spread, why the prime minister did not appeal for peace, why he did not go there and ask the people about their sorrows and pains," Kharge posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, in Hindi. "Does the Modi government have nothing to do with the suffering of the people? Is all thei

LIVE: Shah appeals to Meitei, Kuki communities to engage in dialogue

Catch all the latest news updates on the second day of the no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha today

Arvind Kejriwal thanks Congress for support on Delhi Services Bill

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi expressing his gratitude "on behalf of the people of Delhi" for voting against the Services Bill. Parliament had on Monday passed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, that gives the central government control over bureaucrats in the Delhi government, with the Rajya Sabha approving it with 131 votes in favour and 102 against. "I write to you expressing gratitude on behalf of the 2 crore people of Delhi for their party's support in rejecting and voting against the GNCTD (Amendment) Bill, 2023," the AAP national convener said in his letter.

Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned till 2 pm amid protest from Opposition

Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Wednesday amid protest by opposition parties after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that Tushar Gandhi has been arrested on a day India marks anniversary of the Quit India movement. After the listed papers were tabled, opposition MPs raised the issue of Tushar Gandhi's arrest. Several members from the ruling side countered them. When Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar asked Kharge to express his views on the matter, the Congress leader said: "You mentioned about Quit India movement and we stood in silence for two minutes. But Tushar Gandhi was arrested this morning". As opposition members protested, MPs from treasury benches tried to counter them. Tushar Gandhi is the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. The chairman appealed to the protesting members to take their seats. Amid the ruckus, Dhankhar also expressed anguish over AAP MP Sushil Gupta coming to the House wearing a garland of tomatoes. "There is a limit to which we ca

Telangana State Congress accuses BRS, AIMIM of cheating minorities

Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge is likely to visit Telangana on August 18, which is expected to give party workers a morale boost ahead of the Assembly elections at the end of 2023

Supreme Court shows the yellow card: Rahul Gandhi back in the field

Now Rahul Gandhi is not only to be reinstated in Parliament, but he can also lead the Congress party in the 2024 general election and contest from any constituency of his choice