Tag: Congress leaders

  • ‘Pak has nukes’ remark: ‘Pakistan Ka Samman Karo Matlab…’, Amit Shah lambasts Farooq Abdullah – The Economic Times Video

    Home Minister Amit Shah take on JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah ‘Pakistan has nuke’ remark and asserted that PoK is part of India. Further he attacked opposition over ‘respect Pak’ remark and said, respect Pakistan means what? Give up PoK? He said, “As far as PoK is concerned, it is not only the commitment of the BJP but also the commitment of the Parliament of the country. PoK is a part of India and we have rights over it. No one can deny that. Farooq Abdullah and Congress leaders are saying that Pakistan has an atom bomb, so respect them. Will an Atomic power with a 130 cr population Bharat, be scared of someone and give up its right? JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah said, “If the defence minister is saying it then go ahead. Who are we to stop? But remember, they (Pakistan) are also not wearing bangles. It has atom bombs, and unfortunately, that atom bomb will fall on us”.

  • Congress leaders meet President Droupadi Murmu over Manipur crisis 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Top Congress leaders on Tuesday met President Droupadi Murmu and sought her intervention in helping bring normalcy in violence-hit Manipur, and called for the constitution of a high-level inquiry commission headed by a serving or retired Supreme Court judge to probe the incident.

    A delegation of Congress leaders led by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge met the president and handed over a memorandum to her seeking her urgent intervention and handed over a 12-point charter of demands to be taken immediately to help bring peace and normalcy in the north-eastern state.

    It is with a deep sense of loss and hurt that we humbly submitted a memorandum to the President of India, for her kind intervention so that the extraordinary situation confronting Manipur can be redressed and normalcy can be brought in urgently. @rashtrapatibhvn1/2 pic.twitter.com/ESx0oBT0PC
    — Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) May 30, 2023
    “Though there were several lapses in the management of the situation at the early stages of violence, leading to the present imbroglio. Now it is not the time to point fingers, but to act. If the suggestions above are implemented in earnest, peace can perhaps be restored once again. The Congress party is a responsible political party and is ever ready to lend support to any initiative to restore peace, normalcy and harmony in the state of Manipur,” the Congress memorandum to the president said.

    “A high-level inquiry commission should be constituted headed by a serving or retired Supreme Court judge,” it also said.

    They also called for firm and sustained efforts must be made to control violence in every part of the state for the immediate restoration of peace, harmony, and normalcy, and urged the president to ask the central government to immediately take all possible measures to control and confine all militant groups (including those under SoO) and ensure that all armed civilian groups be stopped forthwith by taking appropriate action.

    The state government must immediately take over the management and maintenance of all relief camps and provide proper health and sanitation facilities for all, the party suggested in its memorandum.

    The letter and spirit of the existing Constitutional provisions related to the state of Manipur must be protected, and the trust between communities should be restored through reconciliation and dialogue, it also said.

    “It is with a deep sense of loss and hurt that we humbly submitted a memorandum to the President of India, for her kind intervention so that the extraordinary situation confronting Manipur can be redressed and normalcy can be brought in urgently,” Kharge said on Twitter after the meeting.

    President Droupadi Murmu in a meeting with a Congress delegation led by party President Mallikarjun Kharge, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. (Photo | PTI)

    “As a responsible political party, the Indian National Congress is ever ready to lend support to any initiative to restore peace, normalcy and harmony in Manipur. We humbly submit the following 12 demands for immediate action. Only then there will be peace in the state,” the Congress president said.

    Among those who were part of the Congress delegation that met the President besides Kharge were former chief minister Ibobi Singh, Congress leader Mukul Wasnik, former deputy chief minister Gaikhangam and PCC president Keisham Meghachandra Singh, besides AICC in-charge for Manipur Bhakt Charan Das.

    “The letter and spirit of the existing Constitutional provisions related to the state of Manipur must be protected, and the trust between communities should be restored through reconciliation and dialogue,” the memorandum also said.

    Later, addressing a press conference, AIC general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the current situation in Manipur is a result of the divisive politics of the BJP which is clearly responsible.

    “It is the intelligence failure, the administrative failure and the political failure in Manipur,” Ramesh told reporters, accusing the BJP of its divisive politics which is responsible for the current situation in the northeastern state.

    He said the current crisis is the result of BJP’s “neeyat and neetiyon” (intent and policies) and alleged that there was a lack of will on the part of the state and central government to resolve it.

    “This is the second time in the last 22 years. Manipur burned in the June of 2001 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji was the prime minister, Manipur is burning in 2023 when Mr Narendra Modi is the prime minister. There is something in the politics and ideology of the BJP, there is something in the way the BJP manages the diversity of Manipur and other states that is not conducive to social harmony in the long run,” Ramesh said.

    AICC General Secretary Jairam Ramesh with Congress leaders addresses a press conference, at AICC headquarters in New Delhi, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. (Photo | PTI)

    He said several innocent people have lost their lives, hundreds of houses burns and thousands of people have been displaced from their homes, but the state government and the central government have remained silent so far.

    He added that the Congress leaders in the state are flying back to Imphal and have sought a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah for seeking the immediate restoration of peace and normalcy there.

    “It’s the RSS/BJP’s politics of divide and rule that is responsible for the current crisis in Manipur. The last time Manipur burned was 22 years ago when BJP was ruling in the Centre. This time things have turned from bad to worse,” he also tweeted.

    Ramesh said today morning a delegation led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge submitted a memorandum to the Hon’ble President of India on the ongoing ethnic clash in Manipur and made 12 demands.

    He said 15 months ago the BJP received a big mandate in Manipur due to the help of militant groups there.

    “Why did you compromise with them to win elections. The current crisis in Manipur is the result of the divisive policies of the BJP,” he asked.

    Ibobi Singh asked why prime minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have remained silent so far and what their intentions were not resolving the crisis and bringing immediate peace.

    “What is the law and order responsibility of the government as killings and burnings are continuing. Is Manipur under India. Why is the prime minister silent? Why is Amit Shah silent? They have remained a silent spectator,” the former chief minister alleged.

    Alleging that violence could have been stopped on the very first day but it was allowed to continue till now, he said, “The prime minister’s silence shows there is some deep conspiracy”.

    “Do you want to divide the state or hand over to others. Why is there such an approach,” he asked.

    The Congress demanded that the villages near the foothills of both communities must be covered with adequate security so that armed militants do not intrude and disturb the peace.

    “The Union government should take steps for the rehabilitation of all displaced persons at their original place or in safer areas with suitable security arrangements. Payment of dignified and reasonable compensation for loss of life, property, and all other things concerned to all the victims and affected persons. There is a need for immediate identification of those who have lost their lives and handing their bodies over to the bereaved families for the last rites,” the party also demanded, adding that a special drive must be carried out to trace many numbers of missing people.

    NEW DELHI: Top Congress leaders on Tuesday met President Droupadi Murmu and sought her intervention in helping bring normalcy in violence-hit Manipur, and called for the constitution of a high-level inquiry commission headed by a serving or retired Supreme Court judge to probe the incident.

    A delegation of Congress leaders led by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge met the president and handed over a memorandum to her seeking her urgent intervention and handed over a 12-point charter of demands to be taken immediately to help bring peace and normalcy in the north-eastern state.

    It is with a deep sense of loss and hurt that we humbly submitted a memorandum to the President of India, for her kind intervention so that the extraordinary situation confronting Manipur can be redressed and normalcy can be brought in urgently. @rashtrapatibhvn
    1/2 pic.twitter.com/ESx0oBT0PCgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
    — Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) May 30, 2023
    “Though there were several lapses in the management of the situation at the early stages of violence, leading to the present imbroglio. Now it is not the time to point fingers, but to act. If the suggestions above are implemented in earnest, peace can perhaps be restored once again. The Congress party is a responsible political party and is ever ready to lend support to any initiative to restore peace, normalcy and harmony in the state of Manipur,” the Congress memorandum to the president said.

    “A high-level inquiry commission should be constituted headed by a serving or retired Supreme Court judge,” it also said.

    They also called for firm and sustained efforts must be made to control violence in every part of the state for the immediate restoration of peace, harmony, and normalcy, and urged the president to ask the central government to immediately take all possible measures to control and confine all militant groups (including those under SoO) and ensure that all armed civilian groups be stopped forthwith by taking appropriate action.

    The state government must immediately take over the management and maintenance of all relief camps and provide proper health and sanitation facilities for all, the party suggested in its memorandum.

    The letter and spirit of the existing Constitutional provisions related to the state of Manipur must be protected, and the trust between communities should be restored through reconciliation and dialogue, it also said.

    “It is with a deep sense of loss and hurt that we humbly submitted a memorandum to the President of India, for her kind intervention so that the extraordinary situation confronting Manipur can be redressed and normalcy can be brought in urgently,” Kharge said on Twitter after the meeting.

    President Droupadi Murmu in a meeting with a Congress delegation led by party President Mallikarjun Kharge, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. (Photo | PTI)

    “As a responsible political party, the Indian National Congress is ever ready to lend support to any initiative to restore peace, normalcy and harmony in Manipur. We humbly submit the following 12 demands for immediate action. Only then there will be peace in the state,” the Congress president said.

    Among those who were part of the Congress delegation that met the President besides Kharge were former chief minister Ibobi Singh, Congress leader Mukul Wasnik, former deputy chief minister Gaikhangam and PCC president Keisham Meghachandra Singh, besides AICC in-charge for Manipur Bhakt Charan Das.

    “The letter and spirit of the existing Constitutional provisions related to the state of Manipur must be protected, and the trust between communities should be restored through reconciliation and dialogue,” the memorandum also said.

    Later, addressing a press conference, AIC general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the current situation in Manipur is a result of the divisive politics of the BJP which is clearly responsible.

    “It is the intelligence failure, the administrative failure and the political failure in Manipur,” Ramesh told reporters, accusing the BJP of its divisive politics which is responsible for the current situation in the northeastern state.

    He said the current crisis is the result of BJP’s “neeyat and neetiyon” (intent and policies) and alleged that there was a lack of will on the part of the state and central government to resolve it.

    “This is the second time in the last 22 years. Manipur burned in the June of 2001 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji was the prime minister, Manipur is burning in 2023 when Mr Narendra Modi is the prime minister. There is something in the politics and ideology of the BJP, there is something in the way the BJP manages the diversity of Manipur and other states that is not conducive to social harmony in the long run,” Ramesh said.

    AICC General Secretary Jairam Ramesh with Congress leaders addresses a press conference, at AICC headquarters in New Delhi, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. (Photo | PTI)

    He said several innocent people have lost their lives, hundreds of houses burns and thousands of people have been displaced from their homes, but the state government and the central government have remained silent so far.

    He added that the Congress leaders in the state are flying back to Imphal and have sought a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah for seeking the immediate restoration of peace and normalcy there.

    “It’s the RSS/BJP’s politics of divide and rule that is responsible for the current crisis in Manipur. The last time Manipur burned was 22 years ago when BJP was ruling in the Centre. This time things have turned from bad to worse,” he also tweeted.

    Ramesh said today morning a delegation led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge submitted a memorandum to the Hon’ble President of India on the ongoing ethnic clash in Manipur and made 12 demands.

    He said 15 months ago the BJP received a big mandate in Manipur due to the help of militant groups there.

    “Why did you compromise with them to win elections. The current crisis in Manipur is the result of the divisive policies of the BJP,” he asked.

    Ibobi Singh asked why prime minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have remained silent so far and what their intentions were not resolving the crisis and bringing immediate peace.

    “What is the law and order responsibility of the government as killings and burnings are continuing. Is Manipur under India. Why is the prime minister silent? Why is Amit Shah silent? They have remained a silent spectator,” the former chief minister alleged.

    Alleging that violence could have been stopped on the very first day but it was allowed to continue till now, he said, “The prime minister’s silence shows there is some deep conspiracy”.

    “Do you want to divide the state or hand over to others. Why is there such an approach,” he asked.

    The Congress demanded that the villages near the foothills of both communities must be covered with adequate security so that armed militants do not intrude and disturb the peace.

    “The Union government should take steps for the rehabilitation of all displaced persons at their original place or in safer areas with suitable security arrangements. Payment of dignified and reasonable compensation for loss of life, property, and all other things concerned to all the victims and affected persons. There is a need for immediate identification of those who have lost their lives and handing their bodies over to the bereaved families for the last rites,” the party also demanded, adding that a special drive must be carried out to trace many numbers of missing people.

  • Modi’s security scare? AP Police denies lapse as black balloons released near PM chopper

    By Express News Service

    VIJAYAWADA: In what is termed as a security breach by the State BJP unit, a group of Congress leaders released black balloons into the air as a protest against the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the State without fulfilling the assurances he made before the elections. Police, however, said there was no security breach and arrested four Congress leaders for the protest.

    The AP Congress Committee (APCC) gave a call to release black balloons into the air as a mark of protest against the failure of the Centre to fulfill the assurances made to the State during Modi’s visit to the State.

    After finishing his two-day visit to Hyderabad, Narendra Modi arrived at Gannavaram airport in the morning where Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, and other officials welcomed him grandly.

    From there, the dignitaries were supposed to reach Amiram village near Bhimavaram in Mi-17 choppers to take part in the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of revolutionary freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju.

    #WATCH | A Congress worker released black balloons moments after PM Modi’s chopper took off, during his visit to Andhra Pradesh.(Source: unverified) pic.twitter.com/ZYRlAyUcZK
    — ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2022
    Minutes before Modi’s arrival, Congress workers Sunkara Padmashree and two others were seen walking toward the airport holding placards and black balloons to stage a protest against BJP and Modi. 

    “Immediately, we took three Congress leaders Sunkara Padmashree, Challa Savithri, and Kishore into our custody and booked them under sections 353, 341, 188, and 145 of IPC,” Krishna district SP P Jashuva told TNIE.

    However, some other leaders managed to release black balloons from the terrace of a building while the choppers carrying Modi and others took off.

    Responding to this, BJP State president Somu Veerraju suspected a ‘bigger conspiracy’ behind the release of balloons when three dignitaries including the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, and Governor were taking off and demanded a detailed probe into the incident. Veerraju said he would lodge a complaint with the Union Home Ministry.

    Meanwhile, Gannavaram police arrested four Congress leaders for releasing black balloons while a hunt is on to nab another person Rajiv Ratan who was said to be the mastermind behind the idea of releasing balloons.

    Though there was no damage the incident triggered panic as the balloons allegedly reached close to the chopper in which Narendra Modi and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy were travelling. “This will be viewed as a breach of security of the Prime Minister. The Special Protection Group (SPG), Intelligence, and other agencies are probing how the Congress workers managed to enter the premises where the security cover was in place,” said a senior official.

    Clarifying that there is no breach of security during PM Modi’s visit to Gannavaram airport, Krishna district Superintendent of Police Jashuva explained that two Congress leaders Rajeev Ratan and Ravi Prakash climbed an under-construction apartment which is 4.6 kilometers away from the airport and released balloons five minutes after the departure of Prime Minister.

    “Five minutes after Narendra Modi’s chopper took off from Gannavaram airport, at a place named Soorampalli, 4.5 kilometers away from the airport, Rajeev Ratan and Ravi Prakash climbed an under-construction apartment and released the balloons. 

    By the time they released the balloons, the chopper attained maximum height and there are no chances of balloons going close to the chopper and turning out a danger for VIPs,” he observed.

    While Ravi Prakash has been taken into custody, police teams formed to trace the absconding Rajeev Ratan. “The police are on the lookout for him,” he said adding that 350 personnel were placed for Narendra Modi’s security and anti-domination teams were deployed three kilometres around the airport to avoid any untoward incident.

  • More Congress leaders to leave party ahead of assembly elections: Sources

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Congress could see exit of some other party leaders and results of five assembly elections could be crucial as many disgruntled leaders could leave the party in coming days, say sources.

    Exit of former union minister and general secretary RPN Singh has again brought focus on growing list of disgruntled Congress leaders, who feel sidelined in the party and look for better future prospects.

    Sources said that results of five election-bound states would be important as many party leaders are waiting to see how party performs.

    “Many party leaders are in touch with other parties and we could see exodus in coming days. Party’s win in Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa is important and if we lose Punjab, it will be a big setback,” said a senior party leader.

    The results will also be crucial to decide the party’s new chief with election scheduled in September this year.

    “A win in key states where Congress is strong will set the road for Rahul Gandhi’s take over as Congress president and poor performance means that there will be some dissent as he is as of now taking all decisions in the party,” said another party leader.

    The party has seen series of senior party leaders leaving saying the party has changed and it lacks leadership to work for the welfare of people. Leaders leaving include, close aide of former party chief Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

    There is buzz that veteran party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, another young leader Milind Deora are also likely to change track. Azad has been working in Jammu and Kashmir and could float a new party ahead of election in union territories.

    “There will be an exodus from the party in Gujarat ahead of assembly elections later this year. Many leaders are in touch with other parties and any wrong decision by the party could hurt the parties prospects,” said another leader.  

    Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh by end of this year.

  • Rahul Gandhi leads ‘arrest me too’ campaign as cops detain people over critical poster on PM Modi

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with his colleagues and leaders of other parties, on Sunday hit out at the Centre over reports of several people being arrested in Delhi for allegedly putting up posters critical of the government’s handling of the Covid crisis.

    Led by Rahul Gandhi, Congress leaders replaced their profile pictures on Twitter with the poster asking why Covid vaccines were sent abroad. 

    The principal opposition party said tough questions will be asked to the prime minister if people don’t get vaccines, medicines and oxygen.

    “Arrest me too,” Rahul tweeted along with an image of the poster which read “Modi ji, why did you send vaccines meant for our children, abroad?”

    At least 17 people have been arrested by the Delhi Police over the posters that had appeared in the national capital criticising PM Modi’s handling of the pandemic.

    Arrest me too.मुझे भी गिरफ़्तार करो। pic.twitter.com/eZWp2NYysZ
    — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 16, 2021

    The Trinamool and the CPM, too, voiced their opposition to the arrests.

    “Busy with election rallies & building the Central Vista, Modi govt didn’t have time to plan for vaccines, but has time to arrest the poor asking,” the CPM tweeted, repeating the line: “Why did you send our children’s vaccines abroad?”

    Congress leader Jairam Ramesh dared the PM and home minister to arrest him, saying he was putting up such posters on his compound wall.

    “Putting up critical posters against PM is now a crime? Is India run by the Modi Penal Code now?” he asked.

  • CM Bhupesh Baghel will discuss with Congress leaders today about the prevention of Corona, PL Punia, Mohan Markam will be involved

    The second wave of Corona has raised the government’s concern. The Bhupesh government is churning every day to prevent infection. In this sequence, CM Baghel will hold discussions with Congress leaders today. The Chief Minister will discuss the prevention of corona with Congress leaders through video conferencing at 12 noon. The Chief Minister’s video conferencing will also include state in-charge PL Punia, PCC Chief Mohan Markam and senior Congress leaders of the state and all Congress district presidents. CM Baghel will also discuss with Congress legislators about the prevention of corona through video conferencing. It is noteworthy that the second wave of Corona has created a furore in the state. The condition of the state became worrisome due to the record patients getting every day. On the other hand, the government is engaged in beating Corona from all levels.

  • Congress leaders can talk on many issues including press conference, agricultural law, PSC, paddy purchase today

    Congress party press conference will be held in Raipur today. Congress leaders will address the press conference at 1 pm in Rajiv Bhavan.
    In this, many issues including agriculture law, paddy procurement and PSC can be discussed.
    It is noteworthy that BJP has purchased paddy in the state and has made many allegations against the government on the issues of PSC. Apart from this, Congress may also once again talk about agricultural laws.

  • Bhupesh Baghel will leave for Delhi today, will meet with senior Congress leaders

    Bhupesh Baghel will leave for Delhi at 3 pm today. CM will meet with senior Congress leaders in Delhi.
    This is CM’s first visit to Delhi after being appointed Senior Observer of Assam Congress. He returned to Raipur by touring Assam on 18 and 19 January. On this tour, CM discussed the condition of the Congress after discussing with senior leaders of the northeastern states including Assam.
    CM will inform the senior leaders about the political situation there. CM Bhupesh is also expected to meet Union ministers.