Page 14 - Opposition Parties

PM Modi pressured Assam govt to prevent Rahul from visiting temple: Ramesh

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi exerted pressure on the Assam government to prevent Rahul Gandhi from visiting the birthplace of Vaishnav saint Srimant Sankardeva to pay his obeisance. Gandhi was prevented from visiting the venue this morning and stopped at Haiborgaon where he along with senior Congress leaders, party workers and supporters have sat on a dharna. The managing committee of Sri Sankardeva Sattra on Sunday had announced that they will not allow the Congress leader to visit the sattra before 3pm on January 22 after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier in the day said at a press conference that he requested Gandhi not to visit before the consecration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. 'We were given permission to visit the Sattra on January 11. But suddenly on January 20, we were told that Gandhi can visit only after the consecration of Ram temple', he said. It is clear that 'the arrogant powers want the entire focus of

Rahul stopped from visiting Assam temple, makes veiled jibe at PM Modi

"I want to go to the temple, what is wrong with this? Earlier we were invited but now the administration is saying that we cannot go," Rahul Gandhi said

Cong to protest today over 'planned attacks' on Nyay yatra in Assam

The Congress on Sunday announced it will hold demonstrations across state and district headquarters over what it said were "planned attacks" on the convoys of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam. In a late night post on X, Congress general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal alleged that since the yatra's entry in Assam, "the most corrupt CM in India has been carrying out relentless attacks on our convoys, properties and leaders using his goons." "This is a matter that every Indian must take seriously, because it exposes the BJP's fascism and hooliganism. All across India, PCCs and DCCs are instructed to hold large scale protests tomorrow evening and exposing how the Modi-led BJP is killing democracy in Assam through their corrupt CM," Venugopal said. "Our fight for justice - social, economic and political - will continue undeterred!" he said. In his letter to all Pradesh Congress Committee chiefs, state in-charges, AICC secretaries, heads of frontal organisations, departments and .

On eve of Ram temple ceremony, BJP targets leaders of opposition parties

On the eve of consecration of Lord Ram's idol in Ayodhya, the BJP on Sunday targeted a host of opposition leaders for their alleged insult of 'Sanatan Dharma' and demeaning references to the Ram temple. The BJP posted various past comments of leaders like Rahul Gandhi of the Congress, Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party, Mamata Banerjee of the TMC, Udhayanidhi Stalin of the DMK and Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party and asked people to identify these 'adharmi' (irreligious) people. The Congress leaders had questioned the existence of Lord Ram, it said and also accused RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his son and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav of defaming Ram temple for vote bank. Before the Ram temple construction, leaders like Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav and Kejriwal made statements questioning and mocking it. They are now resorting to deception, the BJP claimed in a series of posts on X. They "hate" Ram, have opposed the Ram temple and insulted Sanatan dharma, the ruling

AAP holding talks on LS seat from Goa with INDIA bloc partners: Kejriwal

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday indicated that it was keen on contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Goa, with its national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal saying his party was holding talks on a seat in the coastal state with INDIA bloc constituents. Goa has two Lok Sabha constituencies - North Goa and South Goa. However, Kejriwal did not specify which of the two seats the AAP was eyeing to contest. "AAP is discussing a Goa seat as a part of the INDIA alliance. We will come back to you once something is decided. Whatever discussion that takes place, do vote for INDIA alliance candidate in the Lok Sabha elections," Kejriwal said while addressing a public meeting in Benaulim assembly segment in South Goa. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan, Rajya Sabha member Sandeep Pathak, AAP's Goa unit chief Amit Palekar, MLA Venzy Viegas were also present on the occasion. Kejriwal further said that AAP has been doing "kam ki rajneeti" (politics of work). "No on

Doesn't happen so quickly in alliance: Lalu on seat sharing in INDIA bloc

Earlier on January 15, RJD leader and Bihar Deputy CM Tejashvi Yadav said that the BJP had become nervous after the formation of the INDIA bloc

Presenting alternative vision with Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Rahul Gandhi

The Congress leader said said that the idea of his Yatra is to make sure that even if people are from a small state, they should feel equal to all people in the country

With Ram temple in front and centre, BJP expects rich political dividends

As it reckons Opposition's rejection of invites to the temple consecration ceremony may polarise electorate again

Will welcome Milind Deora if he joins Shiv Sena, says Maha CM Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday was evasive on former Union minister Milind Deora, who quit the Congress earlier in the day, joining the Shiv Sena but said his party will welcome him if he chooses to do so. "I have heard about his move. If he is joining the party, I will welcome him," Shinde said. In a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, earlier in the day Deora said, "Today marks the conclusion of a significant chapter in my political journey. I have tendered my resignation from the primary membership of the Congress, ending my family's 55 year relationship with the party. I am grateful to all leaders, colleagues and karyakartas for their unwavering support over the years." Speculation is rife in political circles over the past few days that he is likely to join the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

Senior Cong leader T H Mustafa dies at 82 due to age-related ailments

Senior Congress leader and former state minister T H Mustafa died on Sunday at a private hospital here due to multiple age-related ailments. He was 82 and is survived by wife and eight children, family sources said. Mustafa was a former Food Minister in the K Karunakaran cabinet and a five-time legislator. He was undergoing treatment for various ailments at the private hospital where he breathed his last at 5.43 AM, hospital sources told PTI. Leaders cutting across party lines condoled Mustafa's demise. Kerala Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Mustafa had left his mark on the public life of Kerala as a minister, a legislator and a Congress leader. Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, V D Satheesan, said Mustafa strengthened the Congress and led it well in Ernakulam district. KPCC chief K Sudhakaran termed Mustafa's demise as a 'great loss' to the party. "He has played a major role in strengthening the Congress party in Ernakulam District. He was a great orator and an .

Amid seat-sharing dispute, Mamata asserts TMC to stay with INDIA bloc

TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday asserted that it will remain part of the INDIA bloc in the fight against the BJP, days after fissures appeared in the alliance over seat-sharing disagreement between her party and the Congress in West Bengal. Banerjee conveyed her stance during a closed-door organisational meeting of the TMC's West Midnapore district unit. "Our party supremo clearly stated that the TMC would remain in the INDIA bloc in the fight against the BJP. Although critical of the CPI(M), she did not utter a single word against the Congress," said a senior TMC official present in the meeting, who did not wish to be named. The CPI(M), Congress and the TMC collectively constitute the 28-party strong INDIA bloc. However, in West Bengal, the CPI(M) and Congress have allied against the TMC and BJP. Banerjee's statement follows TMC's Lok Sabha Party leader Sudip Bandopadhyay's recent remark that the party has an "open heart" for the Congress regarding seat-sharing in West ..

INDIA parties should speed up seat-sharing in favourable states: Omar

INDIA bloc partners should speed up their seat-sharing talks for the Lok Sabha elections in states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Punjab where their prospects are better, National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters here, he said such talks for the seats in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh have not started yet. "We are a part of the INDIA alliance. We have a total of six seats including Ladakh and I do not think it will take us more than 15 minutes to take a decision on that. I want that wherever we have hopes of winning seats like in UP, WB, Maharashtra, Bihar, Punjab, Delhi, TN, and Kerala, we should speed up the process of seat-sharing discussions," he said. Abdullah said the National Conference has also not started intra-party talks on its candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, due in April-May. Asked whether he would contest the elections, he said, "I have not had the opportunity to discuss this....

SP chief should introspect before taking a jibe at BSP, says Mayawati

BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday asked her SP counterpart Akhilesh Yadav to introspect before making any unrestrained jibe at her party. Mayawati's comment comes a day after the Samajwadi Party (SP) chief took a jibe at the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) while speaking to reporters during an event in Ballia district. Asked whether the BSP would join the INDIA alliance, Yadav questioned in return, "Who will give an assurance after that?" In a post on X in Hindi, Mayawati said, "The SP chief who is helpless owing to his and his government's anti-Dalit policies, habits and style of working, should introspect before making any unrestrained comment on the BSP and check how tainted his reputation is in this strengthening the BJP and reconciling with them." "Also, who can forget the blessings given by the then SP chief to the BJP before and after winning the parliamentary elections. And then how can the public forget the meetings of the SP leadership with the BJP leadership after their government

INDIA bloc faces Trinamool Congress test over chairperson, convenor posts

According to sources in the Congress and other constituents of the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), the discussions on seat sharing have been smoother than expected

Congress to focus on just 255 seats in Lok Sabha elections, says report

2024 general elections: The Congress leadership stated that seat-sharing negotiations with INDIA partners would commence soon

Belarus' Prez gives himself immunity from prosecution, limits challengers

President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus signed a new law on Thursday that gives him lifelong immunity from criminal prosecution and prevents opposition leaders living abroad from running in future presidential elections. The law theoretically applies to any former president and members of his or her family. In reality, it only is relevant to the 69-year-old Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist for almost 30 years. The new measure appears aimed at further shoring up Lukashenko's power and eliminating potential challengers in the country's next presidential election, which is due to take place in 2025. The law significantly tightens requirements for presidential candidates and makes it impossible to elect opposition leaders who fled to neighboring countries in recent years. Only citizens of Belarus who have permanently resided in the country for at least 20 years and have never had a residence permit in another country are eligible to run. Belarus was rocked by mass

INDIA bloc all about infighting, says BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

They (INDIA bloc) don't have a clue how to come together or who would lead or guide them going forward, says Naqvi

S Korean Oppn leader recovering well from surgery after stabbing attack

South Korea's main opposition leader is recovering well from surgery after being stabbed in the neck earlier this week, his doctor said Thursday, as police seek a formal arrest warrant to extend the suspect's custody. Lee Jae-myung, head of the liberal Democratic Party, South Korea's biggest political party, was stabbed by a knife-wielding man who approached him asking for his autograph at an event in the southeastern city of Busan on Tuesday. The man was immediately detained by police. The assault left Lee, 59, bleeding and slumped on the ground. After emergency treatment, he was flown to a Seoul hospital for an operation that lasted about 100 minutes. After the surgery, Lee was placed an an intensive care unit at Seoul National University Hospital and then transferred to an ordinary ward on Wednesday evening, according to party officials. In his first briefing since the surgery, Min Seung-kee, a vascular surgeon at the hospital who performed the operation, said Thursday that Lee i

Discussions started on next meeting of INDIA bloc, says Tejashwi Yadav

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday said that discussions were on among leaders of the INDIA bloc on the next meeting of the coalition, where some key decisions were expected. Yadav was approached with queries here by journalists who wanted his take on reports in a section of the media that a meeting was likely to be held in the virtual mode. The young RJD leader, who along with his father and party president Lalu Prasad, has been present at all meetings of the newly-formed coalition held so far, said, "There are discussions with regard to the date and the modalities. It will be made known to all when a headway is made." One of the key decisions expected at the meeting is defining the role of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) president, who had junked the BJP around two years ago vowing to defeat the NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls by bringing the opposition together. The longest-serving chief minister of Bihar has been maintaining that he was past all ...

Digvijaya questions ECI's transparency, calls for release of source code

"Why is ECI stonewalling opposition meeting with them? How do we trust ECI who refuses to meet Principal Opposition Parties?" Singh said in a post on X