Page 5 - Sonia Gandhi

'Unacceptable tone': Jaya Bachchan demands apology from RS Chair Dhankhar

The Opposition staged a walkout on Friday after Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan accused Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar of using unacceptable' tone

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi meet Irish envoy to India

Irish Ambassador to India, Kevin Kelly and Deputy Head of Mission, Raymond Mullen met Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday.They discussed about the deep historical connections between Ireland and India among other things.In a post on X, the Congress said, "H.E. Kevin Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland and Raymond Mullen, DCM meet CPP Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji & LoP Shri @RahulGandhi."Kevin Kelly thanked the two leaders for their invitation to their home.In a post on X, Kelly said, "Thanks for the warm welcome yesterday at your home Mme Sonia Gandhi and @RahulGandhi. It was interesting to hear your perspectives on the future of this great country and talk about the deep historical connections between Ireland and India".Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday headed to Wayanad to take stock of the situation in the Kerala constituency that was rocked by devastating landslides in which the ..

INDIA bloc MPs protest in Parliament for discrimination in Union Budget

INDIA bloc MPs, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, staged a protest in Parliament premises on Wednesday over the alleged discrimination against opposition-ruled states in the Union Budget. Besides Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, several MPs of the Congress, TMC, Samajwadi Party, DMK and the Left joined the protest held on the steps leading up to the Makar Dwar of Parliament. Protesting against the budget, Kharge said, "This Budget is anti-people, no one has got justice. They have talked about special package but special status has not been given. This is a deceptive budget and injustice to the people." The MPs raised placards such as 'We want India budget not NDA budget' and 'NDA betrays India in Budget'. "Yesterday, through the budget, the government of India violated all the principles to keep the federal system," Congress general secretary, organisation, K

Swamy, Sonia, Rahul to file short notes on plea in National Herald case: HC

The Delhi High Court asked BJP MP Subramanian Swamy and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to file a short note on the submissions in the National Herald case. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna directed them to file the written note on the arguments within four weeks and said thereafter, the written submissions will be accepted with costs of Rs 15,000. The court listed the matter for arguments on October 29. The high court was hearing a plea moved by Swamy seeking to lead evidence before the trial court in the National Herald case, in which the Gandhis and others are accused. It had, on February 22, 2021, issued notice to the Gandhis, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Oscar Fernandes (since died), Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda and Young India (YI), sought their stand on Swamy's plea and stayed the proceedings in the case. The court said on Monday that the interim order of stay shall continue till the next date of hearing in the matter. The Congress leaders w

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Impact on southern politics from GOP's move to field Priyanka in Wayanad

While Priyanka's win from the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat appears assured, her entry into Kerala politics may have wider ramifications, explains SHINE JACOB

Rahul Gandhi to be Leader of Oppn in LS; decision after INDIA bloc meet

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will occupy the post of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a letter about the decision has been sent to Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab. The decision on Rahul Gandhi's appointment as the Leader of Opposition was made after a meeting of the floor leaders of the INDIA bloc at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's residence. "Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson (Sonia Gandhi) wrote to Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab, informing him of the decision to appoint Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha," senior party leader KC Venugopal told reporters after the meeting. He said the decision on other appointments will be decided later. Rahul Gandhi has been an MP for five terms and currently represents the Rae Bareli constituency in the Lok Sabha. He took oath as an MP on Tuesday while holding a copy of the Constitution. The Congress, being the single largest opposition party, gets the post of opposition leader after a gap of 10

Chidambaram launches sharp attack on PM Modi over remark on 1975 Emergency

Congress leader P Chidambaram said Tuesday the people of the country have voted for the 18th Lok Sabha in such a manner that no "divine ruler" can change the basic structure of the Constitution. In a post on 'X', he said the people have voted to curtail the ambitions of the BJP. "Hon'ble Prime Minister said that 'Emergency reminds us to protect the Constitution'. Very true," Chidambaram said. "I may add, the Constitution reminded the people to prevent another Emergency, and they voted to curtail the ambitions of the BJP. The people voted for the 18th Lok Sabha in such a manner that no human or divine ruler can change the basic structure of the Constitution," he added. "India will remain a liberal, democratic and secular Union of States," the Congress leader added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday those who imposed the Emergency have no right to profess love for the Constitution. On the 49th anniversary of the 1975 Emergency, the prime minister said its dark days are a ..

INDIA bloc's show of unity in Parliament, raise call to save Constitution

INDIA bloc MPs gathered in the Parliament complex on Monday in a show of strength on the first day of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, holding copies of the Constitution and raising slogans on "saving democracy". Opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, Trinamool Congress' Sudip Bandyopadhyay, DMK's TR Baalu, among others assembled at the spot where the Gandhi statue once stood in the Parliament complex. Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi also joined the MPs. Holding copies of the Constitution in their hands, they raised slogans such as "long live Constitution", "we will save Constitution", "save our democracy". Rahul Gandhi said they would not allow the Constitution to be "attacked" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. "This attack is not acceptable to us and that is why we held the Constitution and took oath," he said. "Our message is reaching the public and no power can touch the Constit

Wayanad or Rae Bareli? Cong to hold discussions to decide on Rahul's seat

Congress' top leadership on Monday held discussions on Monday at party chief Mallikarjun Kharge's residence here to decide whether Rahul Gandhi should vacate his Wayanad or Rae Bareli seat. The meeting also discussed whether Rahul Gandhi would take up the post of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, sources said. Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former party president Rahul Gandhi and party general secretaries K C Venugopal and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were present during the discussions. Sources said the leaders are learnt to have held crucial discussions on which seat should Rahul Gandhi vacate or keep, and whether he should take up the position of Leader of Opposition. Rahul Gandhi had won both from Wayanad and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha constituencies and he has to vacate one of the seats within 14 days of the Lok Sabha results, which came out on June 4. The Congress Working Committee, the highest decision-making body of the party, has also urged Rahul Gandhi to tak

EVMs in India are 'black box', nobody allowed to scrutinise them: Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said EVMs in India are a "black box" which nobody is allowed to scrutinise, and asserted that "serious concerns" are being raised about transparency in India's electoral process. "Democracy ends up becoming a sham and prone to fraud when institutions lack accountability," Gandhi said and tagged a media report which claimed that a relative of Shiv Sena's candidate, who won the polls from Mumbai's north west by 48 votes, had a phone that unlocks an EVM. The former Congress president also tagged the post on X by Elon Musk in which he talked about eliminating EVMs. "We should eliminate electronic voting machines. The risk of being hacked by humans or AI, while small, is still too high," Musk had said in his post. The opposition parties have been raising concerns over EVMs for some time now and had demanded a 100 per cent count of the VVPAT slips which was not allowed.

Former PM Indira Gandhi 'mother of India': Union Minister Suresh Gopi

Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Wednesday described former PM Indira Gandhi as the "mother of India" and late Congress Chief Minister K Karunakaran as a "courageous administrator". The BJP leader also called Karnuakaran and Marxist veteran E K Nayanar as his "political gurus". Gopi was speaking to reporters after visiting the memorial of Karunakaran, "Murali Mandiram" located in Punkunnam here. Interestingly, Suresh Gopi had won Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency by dashing the hopes of Karunakaran's son and Congress leader K Muraleedharan who finished third in a triangular contest in the April 26 polls. Urging mediapersons not to add any political connotation to his visit to Karunakaran memorial, the BJP leader said he came here to pay his respects to his "guru". He said like Nayanar and his wife Sarada Teacher, he had close relations with Karunakaran and his wife Kalyanikutty Amma also. He had visited Nayanar's home in Kannur and renewed his relationship with his family members on .

In dilemma on whether to retain Wayanad or Rae Bareli LS seat: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who won from Wayand and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 general elections said on Wednesday that he was in a dilemma as to which constituency he should relinquish. Gandhi, however, said that whatever decision he takes, both constituencies will be happy with it. He thanked the people of Wayanad for electing him for a second term in Lok Sabha and said, "I look forward to seeing you soon." "I have a dilemma before me, whether I should be the MP of Wayanad or of Rae Bareli. What I will commit to you is that both Wayand and Rae Bareli will be happy with my decision," the Congress leader said while speaking at a public meeting here. It is his first appearance in the state after winning the Wayanad LS seat by a huge margin for the second consecutive time. Gandhi took a dig at Narendra Modi by saying that he does not receive any directions from God on what has to be done the way the PM does. Mocking at Modi, the Congress leader said God directs the PM

Sonia Gandhi re-elected as chairperson of Congress Parliamentary Party

At a meeting of party MPs, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge proposed Sonia Gandhi's name as the chairperson of the parliamentary party

Senior Congress leaders begin deliberations on poll results at CWC meet

The Congress' top leadership on Saturday began crucial deliberations on the Lok Sabha election results to chalk out its future strategy at a meeting of the party's working committee here. The extended meeting of the party's top decision-making body -- the Congress Working Committee (CWC) -- started at Hotel Ashok here. Senior party leaders and members of the CWC, along with Congress Legislature Party leaders and Pradesh Congress Committee presidents from various states, will analyse the party's performance and suggest measures to strengthen the organisation. The Congress' top brass, including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, besides other leaders will participate in the deliberations. Kharge, who has convened the meeting, will also host a dinner for all extended CWC members and party MPs at the hotel. A meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party comprising all newly-elected MPs of the Lok Sabha and those of the Rajya Sabha will

Exit polls 2024: How political leaders reacted to pollsters' predictions

Exit polls for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections project a big victory for the BJP-led NDA. BJP leaders welcomed the predictions, while Opposition dismissed them as a 'psychological and corporate game'

Hopeful results will be totally opposite to exit polls, says Sonia

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi said Monday her party is very hopeful that the results of the Lok Sabha election will be totally opposite to what has been shown in the exit polls. "We have to wait, just wait and see," Gandhi told PTI when asked about her expectations from the results scheduled to be announced on Tuesday. "We are very hopeful that our results are completely opposite to what the exit polls are showing," she added. Most exit polls have predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain power for a third straight term, with the BJP-led NDA expected to win a big majority in the Lok Sabha polls. While some exit polls have given the NDA more than 400 seats, most have predicted that it will win over 350, which is way above the majority mark of 272 seats needed to form the government. The Congress and other INDIA bloc parties have trashed the exit polls, claiming that these surveys were a work of "fantasy" and asserting that the opposition alliance will form the next ...

Cong to leave no stone unturned to fulfil guarantees in Telangana: Sonia

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Sunday said the party's government in Telangana led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will leave no stone unturned to fulfil the 'guarantees' made to people. Gandhi's video message was played at the 10th Telangana state formation day celebrations organised by the state government at the Parade Grounds here. The former Congress president, who began her speech by paying homage to those who sacrificed their lives for the cause of statehood to Telangana, recalled that she had promised at Karimnagar in the state in 2004 that the grand old party would fulfil the people's demand for a separate state. There was dissent within the party after the announcement, with many people quitting the party. However, the people's resolve gave her the strength towards fulfilling the statehood demand, she said. Telangana people have given her a lot of love and respect during the past 10 years, she observed. The former Congress president said she considers it her duty to .

LS polls: China encroached on our land but PM Modi is silent, says Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday alleged that China has encroached on India's land and is constructing houses and roads but Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent. Where is the 56-inch chest, Kharge asked, taking a dig at the prime minister in his address at a rally in Himachal Pradesh's Rohru. The Congress leader said his party is fighting to save the people of the country and the Constitution and will fill 30 lakh government vacancies if it is voted to power in the Lok Sabha elections. Kharge said, "We fought against Pakistan and got independence for Bangladesh. China encroached on our land and is constructing houses and roads and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent. Where is the 56-inch chest?" The Congress chief also hit out at the Centre for allegedly not providing aid to the Himachal Pradesh government in the aftermath of the 2023 floods. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had sought Rs 10,000 crore aid from the Centre after the floods

Sonia, Kharge pay homage to former PM Rajiv Gandhi on death anniversary

Other Congress leaders like P Chidambaram and Sachin Pilot also paid their respects to the former prime minister in the national capital