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We are not going to compromise: Jairam Ramesh on Adani Case

November 26, 2024, 6:57 am

On Monday, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh reiterated the opposition’s demand for a JPC probe to investigate bribery allegations against Adani executives in the United States.

Focus on Key Issues

Jairam Ramesh clarified the opposition’s priorities. “We are not going to compromise. The need for a JPC has been further reinforced by the indictment that has been handed down by the US agencies and the US courts. We will continue to demand JPC,” he said.

He also highlighted other issues. The opposition wants discussions on the situations in Manipur and Nagaland. Ramesh added, “We will continue a demand for a discussion on Manipur and Nagaland. Now, we have engineered communal violence in Uttar Pradesh. That’s also become a very important issue for all opposition parties. Many opposition parties want a discussion on free and fair elections, so there are several issues that we have discussed.”

Criticism of RSS

Ramesh accused the RSS of opposing the Constitution soon after its adoption. “I also drew attention to the fact that just four days after the Constitution was adopted, meaning the 30th of November 1949, the Organiser, which is an RSS mouthpiece, attacked the Constitution. The same people who are trying to celebrate it tomorrow and claim credit attacked the constitution, saying it was not inspired by Manusmriti; it was not based on ‘Manuwadi ideas,’” he alleged.

He also recalled Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s speech from November 25, 1949. Ramesh said, “Tomorrow, the 26th of November, marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution in the Constituent Assembly. But today, November 25th marks the 75th anniversary of Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s famous historic speech that he gave in the Constituent Assembly on the 25th of November 1949, where he said that the entire credit for the Constitution must go to the Congress Party, the discipline the Congress Party ensured in the constituent assembly.”

“Modani” Issue Takes Center Stage

The Adani bribery case disrupted both houses of Parliament. Ramesh referred to it as the “Modani issue” and explained its importance. He posted on X, “The Modani issue rocked both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha today. INDIA parties called for a Joint Parliamentary Committee investigation into the Modani scam–the case for which has been reinforced by the recent indictments of Adani’s bribery and suppression of information from Indian and American regulators.”

Opposition Bloc Stays United

Before the session, INDIA bloc leaders met to discuss their strategy. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted the need for fair business practices. He wrote on X, “We do not need monopolies and cartels to run this country. We need healthy, market-driven competition in the private sector, which facilitates equal opportunities, employment, and equitable distribution of wealth, catering to the inherent entrepreneurial spirit of India.”

Session Adjourned

Despite these demands, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned. Parliament will reconvene on Wednesday, November 27. The opposition is expected to renew its demands for a JPC and discussions on other key issues.

PM Modi Checks On Congress Chief Kharge After Health Scare

September 29, 2024, 9:34 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday, following news that Kharge fell ill during a public rally in Jammu and Kashmir. The Congress chief, aged 83, experienced dizziness while addressing the crowd in the Jasrota area of Kathua district.

Kharge Falls Ill During Rally

Kharge was delivering a speech when he began to feel unwell. According to Congress general secretary Gulam Ahmed Mir, Kharge’s colleagues quickly came to his aid, helping him sit down as he recovered from the dizzy spell.

“He was addressing the rally when he suddenly felt uneasy and dizzy. His colleagues helped him into a chair,” Mir said in a statement to PTI.

Modi’s Call to Check on Kharge

Following reports of the incident, Prime Minister Modi called Kharge to inquire about his health. The call reflected a moment of mutual respect between political rivals, despite the heated political climate.

Kharge Resumes Rally, Criticizes PM

After taking some rest, Kharge resumed his speech, reassuring the crowd that his determination remained strong. He reiterated his commitment to fight for the restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir and took a direct swipe at the prime minister.

“We will fight to restore statehood. We are not going to leave it. I am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive until PM Modi is removed from power,” Kharge declared.

Conclusion

This rally marked an important moment in the ongoing political discourse, with Kharge emphasizing his resolve and leadership, while PM Modi’s gesture demonstrated compassion. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.

Kharge Dubs Statements On Rahul By BJP, Its Allies As ‘Dangerous’

September 18, 2024, 12:34 am

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday and also highlighted that how Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has been called a terrorist by a Union Minister and how an ally of the saffron party has announced bounty to cut his tongue.

Kharge also urged the Prime Minister to rein in his ministers and ally partners to not make such statements and proper legal action should be taken against such leaders so that the politics should not stoop to such low.

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Kharge greeted him on his birthday and said, “I would like to draw your attention which is directly linked to democracy and the Constitution.”
Kharge said that you must be aware that a trend of unwarranted, violent and unfortunate statements are being used against LoP Rahul Gandhi. Highlighting the statement of three leaders, Kharge said, “With very sad note I want to state that the leaders of the BJP and its alliance partners are using violent words are very dangerous for future.”

He said that then world is amazed that a Minister of State for Railways (Ravneet Singh Bittu), BJP ruled Uttar Pradesh Minister have dubbed Rahul Gandhi as number one terrorist.
He also said that in Maharashtra, BJP alliance partner Shiv Sena’s MLA has announced bounty of Rs 11 lakh to cut Rahul Gandhi’s tongue. While a Delhi BJP (Tarwinder Singh Marwah) has threatened that Rahul Gandhi will meet same fate as of his grand mother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Kharge said that Indian culture is known for non violence, bonhomie and love across the world. The Congress leader said, “Our Geeta leaders have formed these values as India’s identity. Even Mahatma Gandhi made these values an integral part of politics during Brotish rule.”

Kharge said that since independence, ruling as well as opposition have long history of disagreements. And this feature has increased the pride of India’s democracy.
Kharge emphasised that crores of Congress workers are worried and agitated because due to such hatred Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi have to sacrifice their lives.

“The political behavior of the ruling party is the rudest example in our democratic history,” he said. The Congress leader, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said that I urge and hope that you will ask your leaders to be in discipline and ask them to maintain dignity and guide them to follow proper behavior. Kharge also said: “For such statements, strong legal actions hold be carried out so that the Indian politics can be saved from stooping further low and no untoward incident happens.”

Kharge, Rahul Meet Party’s New Team Office-Bearers

September 4, 2024, 3:53 am

Days after announcing the new team, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday met the newly appointed secretaries and joint secretaries and said that the party will reach out to every Indian. The meeting at the party office came days after the much awaited list of secretaries and join secretaries were announced last week.

Kharge had named 75 secretaries and joint secretaries, whixlch includes 12 women and gave representation to over 60 per cent of the Leaders from OBCs, Schedule Caste and Schedule tribe categories. The meeting was also attended by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, party General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal at the party headquarters.

Following the meeting, Kharge took to X, formerly Twitter, said, “Congress will reach out to every Indian. We chaired a meeting of the newly appointed AICC Secretaries and Joint Secretaries. “We are determined to strengthen our organisation, involve each voice and keep speaking truth to power,” Kharge, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said. The Congress list of 75 secretaries and joint secretaries has the stamp of party’s ‘Udaipur Chintan Shivir’ held in May 2022 promising ‘50 under 50 years’ and also brining fresh sets of people with a mix of experience.

On Friday, Congress announced a new team of 66 Secretaries, including seven from Karnataka, and eight Joint Secretaries in the first large-scale reshuffle in these ranks after Mallikarjun Kharge took over as party president. Of the 66 new Secretaries, 34 of them are new faces while 32 from the old team have been retained. In the outgoing team, there were 60 Secretaries of which 28 have been dropped while among Joint Secretaries, three are new faces while three have been dropped.

According to Congress sources, Kharge was very keen on taking Udaipuur Nav Sakalp Shivir resolution and giving representation to SC, ST and OBC in the new list. The source said that more than 60 per cent representation has been given to SC, ST and OBC in the new team announced on Friday. For the last one year, Rahul Gandhi and Kharge has been taking a stand for representation of SC, ST and OBCs in the government posts. The grandmold party has also been demanding caste based census across the country.

Congress Jabs At Modi Govt’s ‘U-Turns’ Following UPS Approval

August 25, 2024, 5:18 pm

The Congress party has taken a sharp dig at the Modi government following the announcement of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), which promises a guaranteed pension of 50% of an employee’s last drawn salary. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge led the charge, claiming that the ‘U’ in UPS stands for the Modi government’s “U-turns.”

Unified Pension Scheme Announcement

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently approved the Unified Pension Scheme, which aims to fulfill long-standing demands of government employees. The scheme guarantees a minimum pension of Rs 10,000 per month for those who retire after at least 10 years of service, and also includes provisions for assured family pensions and inflation indexation.

This move is seen as a significant change from the existing National Pension System (NPS), which was introduced for government employees joining after January 1, 2004. The NPS is based on contributions from both employees and the government, unlike the newly proposed scheme, which assures a fixed pension amount.

Congress’ Critique: A Series of U-Turns

Congress President Kharge took to social media to criticize the Modi government’s latest move. “The ‘U’ in UPS stands for Modi Govt’s U-turns!” Kharge declared, listing other instances where he believes the government has reversed its stance. These include rollbacks in the budget regarding Long Term Capital Gains/Indexation, the decision to send the Waqf Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, and the withdrawal of the Broadcast Bill.

Kharge argued that these actions reflect the government’s inability to stand by its policies, stating, “We will keep ensuring accountability and protect 140 crore Indians from this despotic government!”

Political Implications Ahead of Elections

The timing of this announcement is notable, coming just before assembly elections in key states like Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. The move could be seen as an attempt to win favor with government employees, a significant voting bloc.

The new scheme is expected to benefit 23 lakh central government employees, with the potential to extend to 90 lakh employees if state governments decide to adopt the scheme.

A Response to Demands for the Old Pension Scheme?

The Unified Pension Scheme also appears to be a response to recent demands from employee organizations and non-BJP states to revert to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Under OPS, retired employees received 50% of their last drawn salary as a pension, adjusted for inflation. Critics of NPS argue that it is less secure than OPS, which, although fiscally challenging, provided more predictable retirement benefits.

Conclusion

As the debate over pension reforms continues, the Unified Pension Scheme marks a significant shift in government policy. Whether this move will satisfy the demands of government employees or further fuel political controversy remains to be seen. The Congress party’s sharp criticism suggests that the issue will remain a contentious topic in the run-up to upcoming elections.

Congress Holds Brainstorming Meeting With Leaders Of Poll-Bound States

August 21, 2024, 1:46 am

Eyeing a comeback in assembly polls following a good show in recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge held meeting with the state incharges and members of the Screening Committee to discuss the poll preparations on Monday evening.

The meeting at the party headquarters was also attended by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi where a detailed discussion took place on the strategy to go ahead in the assembly polls of Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, where the dates have been announced and also for Maharashtra and Jharkhand, which will go to polls later this year.
The meeting at the party headquarters lasted for over three hours where the leaders discussed the party’s strategy and also emphasising on giving proper candidates.
During the meeting party chief, Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha deliberated on giving tickets to candidates with clean image while Rahul Gandhi emphasised on giving tickets to leaders who have no background of corruption and have more chances of winning, the party sources claimed.

In the meeting it was also discussed.to fight the assembly polls unitedly and sidelining the personal differences which might hurt the party’s prospects.
The party leaders also asked the Screening Committee chairperson of Maharashtra Madhusudan Mistry to visit the stafe on August 27, 28 and 29 to hold discussion with the party leaders to finalise the candidates for the upcoming polls.

The Congress will be contesting the 288 member Maharashtra assembly elections in alliance with the Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (SP) as part of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance that was forged in 2019 after the election results.

Meanwhile, the party also asked the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir to finalise the seat sharing talks with the Farooq Abdullah led NC and to hold the CEC meeting soon to dinalise candidates, as elections are taking place in the union territory for the first time in 10 years.
The Election Commission has announced polling dates for J&K in three phases — September 18, September 25 and October 1.

Kharge, Rahul To Make 2-Day Visit To Jammu, Srinagar From Today

August 21, 2024, 1:44 am

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will be visiting Jammu and Kashmir, where the assembly elections will be held for the first time after abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state into union territories on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss election related issues.
In a post on X, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said, “On 21st and 22nd August, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge ji and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi ji will be visiting Jammu and Srinagar for key meetings in preparation for the upcoming assembly elections.”

The visit of the Congress leaders come in the wake of the Election Commission announcing the schedule for the three phase elections in the erstwhile state of J&K to discuss the election preparations and seat sharing deal with the Farooq Abdullah-led NC, sources said.
The source claimed that Rahul Gandhi is also set to have a detailed discussion with the party leaders and visit Vaishno Devi shrine during his two day visit.
On Monday, Kharge chaired the meeting of the Screening Committee members, which was also attended by the incharge of the J&K.

The Congress is all set to hold the CEC meeting to finalise the candidates for the upcoming elections. The elections for J&K will be condictedin three phases — September 18, 25 and October 1 and counting of votes will take place on October 4.

The Central government had abrogated the Article 370 and bifurcated the state into two union territories of J&K and Ladakh in August 2019. The assembly elections in the erstwhile state was last held in 2014. Since 2019, Jammu and Kashmir has been governed as a Union Territory, with key powers resting with the Lieutenant Governor.
In the last Assembly polls held in 2014, the BJP and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) formed a coalition government, with Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as the Chief Minister.
After Sayeed’s death in January 2016, his daughter Mehbooba Mufti succeeded him following a brief period of Governor’s Rule.

In June 2018, the BJP walked out of the PDP-led coalition government, leading to the dissolution of the Assembly by then-Governor Satya Pal Malik in November of that year. Since then, Jammu and Kashmir has not had an Assembly.

Selja, Bhan Clash At AICC Meet In Delhi

August 15, 2024, 2:12 am

The Congress party’s struggle with internal discord in Haryana has reached a boiling point, exposing the leadership’s deepening crisis. The latest came during a high-stake meeting in Delhi wherein senior leaders Kumari Selja and Uday Bhan frantically indulged in an argument, putting the party’s already strained unity to the test.

The confrontation unfolded in front of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing rift between the factions led by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Selja. The incident occurred during a crucial All India Congress Committee (AICC) meeting, where Kharge had summoned Haryana Congress leaders to assess the party’s standing ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
The dispute erupted when Uday Bhan highlighted the success of Hooda’s ‘Haryana Mange Hisab Yatra,’ which he claimed was resonating well with the electorate. In response, Kharge acknowledged the positive impact but suggested a more inclusive approach.

Selja, representing the rival faction, challenged Bhan’s claims, leading to an exchange of accusations. Shelja directly accused the party president of favouritism, alleging that only one faction was being invited and given preference in meetings. Rahul Gandhi was compelled to step in, advising that these issues be resolved at the state-level rather than in the national forum. In response, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal requested a separate meeting to discuss the issue and calm the situation. Following the meeting, the in-charge and the president went to the General Secretary’s office to explain the situation.

The General Secretary reportedly reprimanded the state president, noting that this was not the first complaint. In-charge Deepak Bawaria was instructed to promptly address the grievances of the other faction and submit a report. On Wednesday, Selja met with Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi at 10 Janpath in Delhi to address the situation. In media interaction, she dismissed reports of a heated argument, framing it as a misunderstanding and reiterating the need for party unity to secure electoral victory. “ These are just stories, nothing is like that. I had previously mentioned that everyone needs to work together as our main target is to win the state”, She said after the meeting.

The BJP seized the opportunity to criticise the Congress, with Haryana BJP President Mohan Lal Badoli mocking the party’s internal chaos. Badoli remarked, “They went to seek reconciliation but returned with a fight,” highlighting the ongoing dysfunction within Congress ranks.

Kiren Rijiju Defends Union Budget 2024-25, Criticizes Opposition for Political Posturing

July 25, 2024, 11:40 am

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly defended the Union Budget 2024-25 against opposition criticism on Thursday. Rijiju accused opposition leaders of focusing on political tactics rather than offering constructive feedback. He described the budget as “historical” and criticized the opposition for what he deemed disrespectful remarks that undermined the democratic process and the budget’s significance.

Rijiju emphasized that the budget is designed to position India as the world’s third-largest economy, with allocations for infrastructure, women, employment, and farmers. He urged a meaningful discussion on the budget, dismissing opposition critiques as purely negative and politically motivated.

Opposition MPs, including those from the INDIA bloc, protested the budget within Parliament, labeling it “discriminatory” and accusing the Finance Minister of empty promises. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge expressed their dissatisfaction on social media, criticizing the budget for allegedly favoring allies and failing to address common citizens’ needs.

‘There is pressing need for meaningful and robust second-generation reforms’

July 25, 2024, 3:05 am

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said that his party takes immense pride in the “groundbreaking achievement of the Liberalisation Budget of 1991” and asserted that there is a pressing need once again for meaningful and robust second-generation reforms.
In a post on X, Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said that July 1991 marked a watershed moment in India’s history as the Liberalisation Budget, spearheaded by then Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao and Finance Minister Manmohan Singh, ushered in a new era of economic reforms.
This visionary move revolutionised the country, empowering the middle class and uplifting millions from poverty and marginalisation, he said.
“The Congress party takes immense pride in this groundbreaking achievement, which catalysed India’s growth trajectory and continues to inspire progress and prosperity,” Kharge said.
“Today, once again, there is a pressing need for meaningful, robust second generation reforms, which help both the middle class and the deprived,” he said.
Even Congress general secretary and communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh recalled the historic moment and in a tweet said, “Today, 33 years ago, Finance Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh presented his first Budget that took India into a whole new world. “Today, 33 years ago, was also the day when the New Industrial Policy was unveiled, which catalysed the economic transformation of India anchored in the philosophy of Continuity with Change. I have written of the events of July 24 1991 and the background to them in To the Brink and Back: India’s 1991 Story,” he said.
Pawan Khera, who is the Chairman of the Congress’ publicity and media department said, “No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come’. These historic words of Victor Hugo were spoken by Dr Manmohan Singh on July 24, 1991 while presenting his first budget – a budget that revolutionised India’s economy. Today marks the 33rd anniversary of that landmark budget.”
He also issued a video statement he said that when the India was going through a balance of payment crisis where our foreign reserves would have catered our needs of two weeks. The process of economic reforms needs to be mentioned in the 80s by the landmark budget of Manmohan Singh that crystallized through reforms and various policies.

He also highlighted the several landmark decisions taken in the budget for industries and common people and how license raj was abolished.

Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge At Rashtrapati Bhavan For Oath Ceremony

June 9, 2024, 7:09 pm

Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge has arrived at Rashtrapati Bhavan to attend Narendra Modi’s third consecutive oath-taking ceremony.

#WATCH | Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan for the oath ceremony pic.twitter.com/gfhrSB1Z5M

— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2024

He is invited to the ceremony in the capacity of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Rajya Sabha.

Congress party said INDIA bloc members were not invited for the ceremony. Congress leader KC Venugopal had said that the opposition leaders had not received any information from the government regarding the swearing-in ceremony of PM-designate Narendra Modi.

The Central Election Committee (CEC) of the Congress met to discuss the future course after the party and unanimously urged Rahul Gandhi to take up the post of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

Sonia Gandhi Unanimously Re-elected As Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson

June 8, 2024, 7:08 pm

The Congress party on Saturday convened a Parliamentary Party meeting at the Central Hall of Parliament, where former party President and Rajya Sabha MP Sonia Gandhi was unanimously re-elected as the chairperson. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge proposed her name, followed by endorsements from party leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Tariq Anwar, and K Sudhakaran.

The meeting was attended by several other prominent party figures, including Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Shashi Tharoor, Ajay Maken, Karti Chidambaram, and Punjab’s former CM Charanjit Singh Channi, among others.

Speaking about Sonia Gandhi’s re-election, Kharge said, “It is good she (Sonia Gandhi) has been re-elected as CPP and she will keep guiding us.” He added that she sacrificed her happiness to serve the party.

Watch:-

#WATCH | Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge says, “It is good she (Sonia Gandhi) has been re-elected as CPP and she will keep guiding us…” pic.twitter.com/X3JnkPifrM

— ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2024

INDIA Bloc Leaders Convene At Mallikarjun Kharge’s Home Today

June 5, 2024, 1:23 pm

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said on Wednesday that a meeting of the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance bloc meeting will be held this evening in the national capital.

“The INDIA Janbandhan leaders will be meeting today at 6 PM at 10, Rajaji Marg to discuss the election results and strategy thereafter,” Kharge posted on X.

The INDIA Janbandhan leaders will be meeting today at 6 PM at 10, Rajaji Marg to discuss the election results and strategy thereafter.

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) June 5, 2024

The 2024 Lok Sabha election results were tallied on Tuesday. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP secured 240 seats, a notable decrease from its 2019 count of 303. Conversely, the Congress demonstrated significant growth, winning 99 seats. While the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance acquired 292 seats, the INDIA bloc exceeded the 230 mark, presenting formidable competition and defying expectations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has clinched a third term, yet the BJP will require support from other parties in his coalition, primarily JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu. The INDIA bloc is attempting to entice some of BJP’s allies to shift the balance in its favour.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Congress President announced plans for discussions with both existing allies and potential “new partners.”

“Till we don’t talk to our alliance partners and the new partners who are going to ally with them, we will talk to them as well and see how we can make a majority. If I talk about all the strategies here, Modiji will become clever,” the Congress president said at a press conference.

“I thank our INDIA bloc partners. Everyone campaigned for each other and worked. Our fight hasn’t reached its conclusion, we have to keep fighting for people’s rights, the protection of the Constitution and democracy, the nation’s development, and safety on the border,” Kharge added.

Kharge, Rahul speak to candidates, PCC presidents

June 3, 2024, 2:39 am

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday held a ‘zoom’ meeting with the party’s Lok Sabha candidates, the PCC presidents and the Congress Legislative Party leaders in different states.

The two leaders took the feedback from the candidates and senior state leaders. They expressed confidence that the INDIA bloc was headed for a comfortable majority with at least 295 seats. AICC General Secretaries KC Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh also participated in the marathon meeting.

Later briefing reporters, Congress general secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh, along with Pawan Khera and Supriya Shrinate, dismissed the exit polls saying that these have been proved wrong in the past also. He pointed out, in 2004, all exit polls predicted landslide victory for Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA and when the actual results were out, the NDA got defeated. He said, history of the 2004 General Elections is going to be repeated in 2024.

The Congress general secretary objected to the Prime Minister holding meetings with the officials ahead of the results. He observed that this was a clear attempt to influence the officers and convey them that BJP is coming back.

He also referred to the reports of union Home Minister Amit Shah calling the Deputy Commissioners/Returning officers with a clear intention to influence them.

He said, just before the elections, some policy decisions were taken, even officers were transferred and contracts were allotted in clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
He said, this has never happened in the history of India that the Prime Minister was holding meetings ahead of results and planning for next 100 days.

He said, although the party had lodged 117 complaints with the Election Commission of India, its response was not encouraging.

Pawan Khera, while apprehending some conspiracy, observed that an atmosphere was being created through these exit polls. He warned that the entire country was watching as to why such an atmosphere was being created through such numbers.

Kharge’s Remark On Modi’s Meditation: “Reserve Faith For Home”

May 31, 2024, 3:10 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari drew comments from Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge. Kharge emphasized the separation of politics and religion, stating that practicing faith should be a personal affair conducted at home, not intertwined with public activities.

Kharge said “Politics and religion should never be brought together. these two should be kept separate. A man of one religion can be with you and a man of another religion can be against you. It is wrong to link religious sentiments with elections. He is going to Kanyakumari and performing drama. How much money in the country is being wasted by employing so many police officers? The show-off you are doing by going there is only going to cause harm to the country. If you have faith in God, then do it at your home.”

The Congress President said “Whatever he (PM Modi) may say, the people of the country have decided that they won’t accept the leadership of PM Modi. Inflation and unemployment have worked in this election. The issue of the constitution and democracy are also there in people’s minds. In Andhra, they (BJP) will get some (seats) but in Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra. Congress has the advantage. In UP also, we will get more seats due to the alliance. I think the alliance’s government will be formed.”

If BJP’s intentions were good, they would’ve filled 30 lakh central govt vacancies, with over half going to the poor, Dalits, and backward. Until untouchability persists and equal rights elude reserved categories, reservations will remain,” he concluded.

Kharge responded critically to Prime Minister Modi’s comment linking global awareness of Mahatma Gandhi to the 1982 movie ‘Gandhi.’

He expressed surprise that someone from Gujarat, Gandhi’s home state, would lack awareness of him, emphasizing the need for promoting Gandhi as the nation’s father and highlighting Gandhi’s Gujarati roots. Kharge also raised concerns about promoting Nathuram Godse, Gandhi’s assassin, over Gandhi himself.

Congress Leaders Honor Jawaharlal Nehru on 60th Death Anniversary

May 27, 2024, 8:28 am

On Monday, Congress leaders paid tribute to former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his 60th death anniversary at his memorial, Shanti Van, in New Delhi. Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, party’s Parliamentary Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and Rajya Sabha MP Ajay Maken were among those who honored Nehru’s memory.

In a post on social media platform X, Kharge praised Nehru as the “Jewel of India,” acknowledging his significant contributions to the nation. Kharge highlighted Nehru’s role as a key architect of modern India, emphasizing his efforts in advancing the country in scientific, economic, and industrial domains, and his dedication to democracy. He quoted Nehru, underscoring the importance of national defense, progress, unity, and equal opportunities for all citizens, irrespective of their religion, state, or language. Kharge affirmed that the Congress Party continues to pursue the path of justice championed by Nehru.

Jawaharlal Nehru, a prominent freedom fighter and a pivotal figure in India’s independence movement, became the first Prime Minister of independent India in 1947. He held this position for over 16 years until his death from a heart attack on May 27, 1964. His tenure was succeeded by Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India. Nehru is also recognized as a founder of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Known affectionately as ‘Chacha Nehru’ for his affection towards children, his birth anniversary on November 14 is celebrated as Children’s Day in India.

BJP, RSS Targeting Reservation of Dalits, Tribals, Backward Classes: Kharge

May 14, 2024, 2:03 am

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Monday, alleging their aim is to abolish reservation for Dalits, tribals, and backward classes. Speaking on ‘X’, Kharge highlighted statements from top RSS-BJP leaders advocating an end to reservation.

Kharge cited the issue of vacant government jobs, suggesting that instead of filling these positions, the government has favored privatization and contractual employment. He noted that over the past decade, 30 lakh government positions have remained unfilled, potentially benefiting SC, ST, and OBC communities if filled. However, Kharge accused the BJP government of promoting contractual and temporary roles over permanent appointments.

Furthermore, Kharge alleged a conspiracy to eliminate reservation in government colleges, emphasizing the BJP-RSS’s purported intention to amend the Constitution and abolish the reservation system altogether.

Asserting the significance of Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution, Kharge urged against the erosion of these rights, including the right to vote, equality, and reservation. He questioned whether people want these rights to be revoked, underlining their importance.

In conclusion, Kharge urged voters not to support the BJP, cautioning against empowering a government that prioritizes its own interests over the welfare of citizens.

Modi and Shah both are sellers: Mallikarjun Kharge Addresses Audience in Assam

April 27, 2024, 6:30 pm

On Saturday, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of privatizing Public Sector Undertakings to industrialists Ambani and Adani. He also claimed that the BJP-led government’s policies were harmful to the country’s advancement.

During a public address in Barpeta, the Congress president alleged that Prime Minister Modi had misappropriated funds intended for the underprivileged and redistributed them to the affluent.

“They are selling government-owned enterprises i.e. railways, roads, ports, airports. Modi and Shah both are sellers and who are the buyers? Adani and Ambani are the two buyers. This is how the country develops. They are not for the development of the country. PM Modi looted the money of the country, of the poor, and gave it to the rich. They have waived off Rs 16 lakh crore of the rich but haven’t given anything to the poor or the farmers,” Kharge stated.

He praised Indira Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru for implementing the White and Green Revolutions in India. The Green Revolution has ensured food security in the country and generated surplus produce for export. Indira Gandhi inaugurated the White Revolution in Motihari, Bihar.

“These people (BJP) advertise that PM Modi is the only one who was born to help the poor. In a country where rice and wheat weren’t enough produced and we had to import from America, today we are producing the amount of wheat, rice, and pulses that are sufficient for the people of the country to have their meals. This is all because of Congress, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, and Indira Gandhi who brought the Green Revolution and White Revolution to the country,” he continued.

“In a country where not even a needle used to be manufactured, if someone dared to launch rockets, it was Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and Indira Gandhi,” he stated.

He continued by stating that Prime Minister Modi’s ongoing hostility towards the party stems from his fear of the Congress.

“Modiji keeps abusing us all day long because he is afraid of Congress. He is afraid of Rahul Gandhi. Modi Ji talks about bullet trains, but he did not even provide a train here (Assam). We promise you that as soon as the INDIA coalition government comes… – We will complete the railway line here, strengthen the health sector of Barpeta, double the income of Anganwadi and Asha workers and in villages with a population of more than 2,500, one more ASHA sister will be appointed,” he assured the people of Assam.

During the second phase of voting on April 26, encompassing five parliamentary constituencies in the state, Assam recorded a voter turnout of 77.35 percent.

In the Nagaon parliamentary constituency, 80.56 percent of voters participated in the election; in Darrang-Udalguri, 78.41 percent; in Silchar, 75.97 percent; in Karimganj, 75.63 percent; and the Diphu seat, 73.11 percent.

During the initial round of voting in five parliamentary constituencies (Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, Kaziranga, and Sonitpur) on April 19, Assam registered a voter turnout of 78.25 percent.

The third phase of voting in Assam’s Lok Sabha elections, encompassing four constituencies – Guwahati, Barpeta, Kokrajhar, and Dhubri, is scheduled for May 7.

In the third phase of voting, 47 candidates are contesting, with an anticipated voter turnout of over 8.1 million people.

On Friday, the second phase of voting included a total of 88 Lok Sabha constituencies. These comprised all 20 seats in Kerala, 14 in Karnataka, 13 in Rajasthan, 8 in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh each, 5 in Assam and Bihar each, 6 in Madhya Pradesh, and 3 in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal each. Additionally, 1 seat each from Tripura, Manipur, and Jammu and Kashmir were also part of this phase.

On April 19, the first phase of voting for the seven-phase Lok Sabha election took place across 102 constituencies spanning 21 states and Union Territories. The voter turnout exceeded 62%. The counting of votes from all seven phases of the Lok Sabha elections is scheduled for June 4, 2024.

Mallikarjun Kharge: “PM did not implement even one of his electoral promises”

April 27, 2024, 3:41 pm

Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing critique against PM Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday, alleging that despite the Prime Minister’s failure to fulfill any of his electoral promises, he still claimed significant achievements for the country.

During a press briefing held today, Kharge asserted that the Congress, as a party, consists of individuals who played a pivotal role in securing India’s independence, while emphasizing that the BJP has historically not been supportive of this endeavor.

“He (PM Modi) did not implement even one of what he said (electoral promises). Still, he says that Modi did a lot of work for the country. Congress is a party of those who made India independent. The BJP never fought for the independence of India or the development of India. We built this country. They (BJP) speak so much about patriotism that Nehru is nothing before them, Indira Gandhi is nothing before them and Lal Bahadur Shastri is nothing before them–Modi is everything. They even put the idea that India attained independence after 2014 and the country was not independent before that – all of these are reflected in his words,” he stated.

Kharge criticized the defectors who departed from the party and joined the BJP, questioning their rationale for spending three to four decades within the Congress if they believed it to be so unsatisfactory.

“What is sad is that those who were nurtured by the Congress party and became leaders also say the same. If Congress was so bad, why did you spend 30-40 years of your life on it unnecessarily? I don’t know what has happened to them, but they too criticize Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi,” he continued.

The Congress national president also underscored the significance of the 2024 election in safeguarding democracy and upholding the Constitution.

“This election is very important. It is not an election to humiliate any person. This election is to showcase the democracy of the country. This election is to save the Constitution. Fighting for rising inflation and unemployment. But the people of the government, especially Modi, always say that Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas. There was no development, everything was destroyed. GST is imposed on farmers, on food and drinks. He told the youth that he would provide two crore jobs. Farmers were promised to double their income. Nothing was implemented,” Mallikarjun Kharge stated.

In reaction to the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s choice not to field a Muslim candidate in the Maharashtra Lok Sabha elections, Kharge stated, “There is an alliance of three parties. All three parties make decisions together. There are some misunderstandings, too. They will be compensated for Rajya Sabha and Assembly seats. There is no problem from our side.”

Kharge proceeded to condemn PM Modi for his reaction, referring to it as a “tight slap” after the Supreme Court dismissed requests for 100% VVPAT verification of votes cast through electronic voting machines. He alleged that Modi often makes such remarks.
“It is Modi’s habit to speak such things. The plea was by an advocate, not my party. It was done by lawyers and NGOs,” he stated.

Lok Sabha Polls: Congress holds CEC meeting for Punjab

April 21, 2024, 12:10 pm

A Central Election Committee meeting of the Congress party took place at the party headquarters in New Delhi, chaired by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Sonia Gandhi. The objective was to finalize candidates for the remaining Lok Sabha seats in Punjab and other states, with senior Congress leaders from Punjab in attendance.

The polling for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab is scheduled for the last phase on June 1. The Congress, contesting independently in the state, has nominated candidates such as Gurjeet Singh Aujla from Amritsar, Amar Singh from Fathgarh Sahib, Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu from Bhatinda, Sukhpal Singh Khaira from Sangrur, Dharamvir Gandhi from Patiala, and former CM Charanjit Singh Channi from Jalandhar. Despite being allies in other states, the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress are contesting separately in Punjab.

Earlier, AAP had announced four candidates for Punjab. Tajinder Singh Bittu, former AICC Secretary-in-Charge of Himachal Pradesh, resigned from Congress and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the party headquarters in Delhi in the presence of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and party general secretary Vinod Tawde. Bittu’s departure adds to the string of setbacks for the Congress party, which has witnessed several key leaders leaving in recent weeks. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, the INC-led UPA alliance secured eight seats, while the NDA won four. The Aam Aadmi Party clinched one seat in its debut.

AAP’s Sanjay Singh Meets Congress President Kharge to Discuss Election Strategy

April 14, 2024, 4:28 pm

AAP MP Sanjay Singh met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence in Delhi to discuss the INDIA bloc’s Common Minimum Programme (CMP) for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. They also discussed the development of a common manifesto, with Singh expressing optimism about reaching a decision soon. This was Singh’s first meeting with Kharge since being released from prison.

Singh commented on the meeting, saying, “He (Kharge) encourages us in the House. He is our leader of the opposition. After being released from jail, I had to meet him and take his blessings for the upcoming fight.”

“We also discussed the proposal of issuing an INDIA bloc’s Common Minimum Programme (CMP), to outline the key issues we will prioritize after forming the INDIA bloc government,” added Singh, who is an AAP Rajya Sabha MP.

Regarding other topics discussed, Singh mentioned, “We also talked about the erosion of democracy and the Constitution, the unjust arrests of Opposition leaders, the misuse of agencies like the ED and CBI, and the denial of basic rights to Arvind Kejriwal.”

Kejriwal is currently in Tihar Jail following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money-laundering case linked to an alleged liquor scam in Delhi.

Delhi is scheduled to hold elections on May 25. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured all seven seats in Delhi. Vote counting will take place on June 4.

Congress extends Bihar Day greetings, urges people to ‘save democracy’

March 22, 2024, 2:27 pm

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge congratulated the people of the state on the occasion of Bihar Day, noting that today again the time has come when Bihar has to secure democracy and play a favorable role in saving the Constitution, while Rahul Gandhi said the state has shown direction to the country for centuries.

In a post on X, Kharge said, “Bihar is the birthplace of democracy. Hearty best wishes and congratulations to all the people of the state on Bihar Day. It was from Bihar that Gandhiji raised the voice of Indians against the British rule. Today again the time has come when Bihar has to secure democracy and play a favorable role in saving the Constitution”.

बिहार लोकतंत्र की जन्मस्थली है।

बिहार दिवस पर सभी प्रदेशवासियों को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ व बधाई।

बिहार से ही गाँधी जी ने अंग्रेज़ी हुकूमत के ख़िलाफ़ भारतीयों की आवाज़ बुलंद की थी।

आज फिर वो समय आ गया है जब बिहार को लोकतंत्र सुरक्षित करना है और संविधान को बचाने के लिए अनुकूल… pic.twitter.com/ze8uak5xV5

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) March 22, 2024

Bihar Day (Bihar Diwas) is observed every year on March 22, marking the formation of the state of Bihar. It was on this day when the British carved out the state from Bengal in 1912 and is observed as a public holiday in Bihar.

Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X, “Bihar, rich in civilization and a rich history, has shown direction to the country by becoming the knowledge base of India for centuries. Best wishes to all the people of the state on Bihar Day”.

सभ्यता और एक समृद्ध इतिहास के धनी बिहार ने सदियों से भारत का ज्ञान पुंज बन कर देश को दिशा दिखाई है।

बिहार दिवस की सभी प्रदेशवासियों को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। pic.twitter.com/Ysw0CKNLk3

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 22, 2024

Meanwhile, voting will be held in seven phases in Bihar. The first phase of polling will be held on April 19, the second phase on April 26, the third phase on May 7, the fourth phase on May 13, the fifth phase on May 20, the sixth phase on May 25, and the seventh phase on June 1.

Earlier, Jan Adhikar Party chief Pappu Yadav merged his party into Congress ahead of Lok Sabha elections 2024. He is a former five-time MP from Bihar and the husband of Congress Rajya Sabha MP Ranjeet Ranjan. He is known for influencing the Seemanchal area of Bihar in terms of politics.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA, consisting of BJP, JDU ( (Janata Dal-United), and LJP (Lok Janshakti Party), secured victory by taking the lead on 39 out of 40 seats. Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), INC (Indian National Congress), and RLSP (Rashtriya Lok Samta Party), only managed to secure one seat.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP won 17 seats with a vote share of 24.1 per cent, JD(U) secured victory on 16 seats with a vote share of 22.3 per cent. LJP had won 6 seats with a vote share of 8 per cent while INC had won only one seat with a vote share of 7.9 per cent. The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will be held in seven phases from April 19. Counting of votes on June 4.

“Anti-farmer”: Congress launches fresh attack on Centre amid farmers protest

March 4, 2024, 1:13 pm

A MSP on farmers’ crops is among the demands that farmers are pressing for, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge claimed on Monday that the Center has “left no stone unturned” to “break” their backs.

The leader of the Congress claimed that the MSP and double income guarantees “turn out to be fake” and that the Modi government was “anti-farmer” and that farmers were being treated like “enemies” for standing up for their rights.

Kharge claimed in a series of tweets in hindi, “To benefit its select capitalist friends, the Modi government has consistently sacrificed the interests of farmers. When the farmer who provides food to the country wants to produce a bumper crop and export it. Then Modi government bans the export of wheat, rice, sugar, onion, pulses etc.”

According to his post, the BJP has continued in this manner throughout its duration, and as a result, agricultural exports, which rose by 153% under Congress-UPA control, only by 64% under BJP leadership.

“Not only did the Modi government’s guarantee of MSP and double income turn out to be fake, the anti-farmer BJP left no stone unturned to break the backs of our 62 crore farmers,” he alleged.

“Now when farmers are demanding their rights, So Modi government is treating them like enemies,” he said.

Sarwan Singh Pandher, the general secretary of the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, stated on Monday that there has been no change in the intention to march towards Delhi.

According to the leader of the farmers, the groups of farmers will stay at the borders of Shambhu and Khanauri till the government opens the routes leading to Delhi.

“The farmers from Punjab and Haryana will remain here (Khanauri and Shambhu border), we will not move forward without our tractors and trolleys. We have not changed our decision to march towards Delhi, we will wait until the government reopens the roads,” Pandher said while speaking to ANI on Monday.

On March 14, the national Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) organization called on the Mahapanchayat in Delhi to bring attention to matters concerning the legal guarantee of MSP, opposition to the power reform bill, debt relief, pensions for the elderly, reversal of labor laws, and other outstanding issues.

Congress claims Skill India Mission falls short, says perishing future of our youth

February 22, 2024, 1:06 pm

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has heavily criticized the Union government’s Skill India Mission, claiming it has not fulfilled its promises. In a social media post, Kharge stated that despite being launched in 2015 with the ambitious goal of training 400 million people by 2022, the mission has only managed to train a meager 3.5% as of December 2023.

Kharge further alleged that a significant portion of those trained, around 83%, remain unemployed, and 20% dropped out of the program entirely. He also highlighted a 94% reduction in Skill Training Centers since 2015, raising concerns about the program’s accessibility. Kharge concluded his post by accusing the Union government of lacking the necessary skills to address the issue, claiming their actions are “perishing the future of our youth.”

Earlier, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the interim budget for 2024-25, stated that the Skill India Mission had trained 14 million youth, upskilled and reskilled 5.4 million youth.

On February 15, during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Bihar’s Aurangabad, Kharge criticized the ruling BJP, alleging that it had not provided the promised number of jobs and that the country’s debt situation had worsened under its regime. He questioned the whereabouts of the promised two crore jobs, the Rs 15 lakh that Prime Minister Modi had promised, and highlighted the increase in the country’s debt from Rs 55 lakh crores during the UPA era to Rs 185 lakh crores in the Modi era.

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra enters 37th day

February 19, 2024, 10:20 am

As the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra enters its 37th day, Congress General Secretary in Charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, announced on Monday that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will attend a public rally in Babuganj.

“Today is the 37th day of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will address a public rally in Babuganj. We will stay in Amethi tonight and reach Raebareli tomorrow morning. We will stay in Lucknow tomorrow and in Kanpur the day after. Then, we will take 2 days’ rest on 22nd and 23rd February…” said Congress leader, Jairam Ramesh.

When asked about Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh joining Bharat Jodo Naya Yatra, Jairam Ramesh said, “I expect that he will join the Yatra tomorrow. Earlier, Apna Dal leader Pallavi Patel also joined the yatra.”

Previously, the Samajwadi Party Chief welcomed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s invitation to participate in the Yatra, stating that he will do it in Amethi or Rae Bareli. However, with little progress being made in the two parties’ seat-sharing talks, there are indications that the SP Chief will remain away from the Yatra as it passes through Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi appealed on Sunday for the country’s youth to wake up and fight for their rights.
He claimed that the youth should have the primary claim to the country’s wealth and resources, rather than “people like Adani and Ambani”.

On the thirty-sixth day of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in this holy city of ‘Sangam’, Rahul Gandhi addressed a large crowd of people, the majority of whom were youth, and agreed with and shared their concerns, particularly about their future, career, and employment opportunities, which were shrinking.

Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi fired a new salvo at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre over Shri Ram Lalla’s ‘Pran Pratishtha’ event at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple, claiming that the OBCs, Dalits, and Backward Class people, who make up 73% of the country’s total population, were nowhere to be found during the mega event.

Gandhi was addressing a crowd during the ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’, followed by the party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, intends to span 6,700 kilometers through 15 states, with Lok Sabha elections just around the corner.

Mallikarjun Kharge slams Modi Govt. and says only Congress Govt can guarantee MSP for farmers

February 17, 2024, 11:52 am

On Saturday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, describing it as a ‘curse’ for the country’s farmers.
Kharge also accused the administration of treating farmers as enemies. Kharge claimed that only the Congress party can guarantee farmers the legal entitlement to a Minimum Support Price (MSP).

“The Modi government is a curse for the country’s food-providing farmers. Due to the continuous false ‘Modi’s Guarantee’, the first 750 farmers lost their lives and now, yesterday, 1 farmer has been martyred and 3 have lost their eyesight due to rubber bullets. The Modi government has treated farmers like enemies, Only Congress will give them the legal right of MSP!” Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on ‘X’.

The security forces stationed at the Shambhu Border continued to prevent agitating farmers seeking to reach the national capital on Saturday, as the protests entered their fifth day.
Hundreds of farmers and journalists have been hurt as protestors clashed with police repeatedly in an attempt to break through the multi-layered barriers.
The protesting farmers have been camped at border crossings since the March began on Tuesday, February 13.

A third round of discussions with the central government ended in an impasse on Thursday, amid a standoff between protesters and security officers on the Punjab-Haryana border. There will be another round of discussions on Sunday.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have called for a ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to pressure the BJP-led Centre to adopt their demands.

The farmers have presented 12 demands to the central government, for which they are marching to Delhi. This time, the demonstration has been called by the non-political Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, which is led by farmer union leaders Jagjeet Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher.

According to the protesting farmers, the Centre guaranteed them higher crop prices, therefore they halted their 2021 protest. They want a law that guarantees a minimum support price (MSP) for all crops, as outlined in the Swaminathan Commission report.
They also want a comprehensive debt waiver and a system to pay pensions to farmers and farm workers.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Holds Crucial Meeting with AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi

January 13, 2024, 6:54 pm

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is currently engaged in a crucial meeting with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi. The meeting, taking place at Kharge’s residence, is attended by prominent figures including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AAP MP Raghav Chadha.

Yesterday evening witnessed a substantial gathering of leaders from both the Congress and AAP, focusing on discussions related to seat sharing. The two-hour meeting took place at the residence of Congress leader Mukul Wasnik, with sources from both parties describing it as a positive step forward.

Simultaneously, Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) national president Nitish Kumar reportedly declined the role of convenor for the INDIA bloc on Saturday. Sources reveal that Kumar suggested a representative from the Congress should assume the responsibility.

A virtual meeting of INDIA bloc leaders commenced on Saturday afternoon, addressing seat-sharing arrangements, participation in Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, and other alliance-related matters. Following the virtual meeting, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed optimism about the positive trajectory of seat-sharing talks.

In a social media post on X, Kharge extended an invitation to all INDIA bloc parties to join Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ at their convenience. He stated, “Leaders of the INDIA Coordination Committee today met online and had a fruitful discussion on the alliance. Everyone is happy that the seat-sharing talks are progressing positively.”

Furthermore, INDIA Alliance, under the chairmanship of Mallikarjun Kharge, held a meeting, as confirmed by Sharad Pawar. Pawar highlighted that decisions on seat sharing would be expedited, and there was consensus on Kharge leading the alliance.

The developments mark a crucial phase in the alliance-building process, as parties collaborate on seat-sharing arrangements and joint initiatives in the forthcoming days.

Congress Unveils Logo and Slogan for ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ Led by Rahul Gandhi

January 6, 2024, 2:37 pm

The Congress party has officially revealed the logo and slogan for the upcoming ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,’ a significant political journey set to be spearheaded by party leader Rahul Gandhi. The unveiling ceremony took place at the All India Congress Committee headquarters in Delhi, with the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Jairam Ramesh (General Secretary in-charge of Communications), and KC Venugopal (General Secretary).

The Yatra’s slogan, “Nyay ka haq milne tak” (Until the right to justice is achieved), encapsulates the mission’s commitment to delivering economic, social, and political justice to the people of the country. Scheduled to commence on January 14, the ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership aims to cover a substantial distance of 6,713 kilometers. The route will traverse through 100 Lok Sabha constituencies, 337 assembly segments, and encompass 110 districts.

Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized the significance of the Yatra, describing it as a robust initiative toward justice for the people. He underscored the party’s commitment to addressing economic, social, and political issues plaguing the nation. Kharge took the opportunity to criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting his absence in Manipur amid ethnic violence and accusing the government of stifling parliamentary discourse.

“We are going among the people to tell them that there is no other way. We tried to speak in the Parliament and raise the issues. But the Government gave us no opportunity. 146 MPs were suspended for the first time in the history of this country,” said Kharge. He added that the Yatra represents a grassroots effort to connect with the people, emphasizing the challenges faced in parliamentary discussions.

Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ is scheduled to conclude in Mumbai on March 20 or 21, marking a substantial journey through diverse constituencies and districts. As the Congress party unveils its emblem and rallying cry, anticipation builds for the impact of this political odyssey on the socio-political landscape of the country.

‘Nitish Kumar ‘PM of ideas’ of INDIA alliance’: JD(U) leader KC Tyagi

December 30, 2023, 3:01 am

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was unanimously re-elected as President of Janata Dal (United) at a meeting of the party’s national executive in Delhi on Friday afternoon. The Bihar Chief Minister was re-appointed minutes after aide Lalan Singh stepped down.
Addressing the media after the meeting, JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said, “After the resignation of Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh, CM Nitish Kumar has been elected as the new national president of the party…”

Tyagi further called the Bihar CM the ‘prime minister of ideas’ of the Opposition bloc INDIA- an alliance forged for putting up a united front against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls under the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance umbrella.
“(Bihar CM) Nitish Kumar is the convenor and Prime Minister of the ideas of the INDIA alliance. He has given so much priority to the issue of social justice,” Tyagi said.

Earlier, Bihar Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary confirmed the offer of resignation from Lalan Singh saying “There is a national executive meeting of JD(U) going on. If they accept our proposal, then Nitish Kumar will be the party president. Lalan Singh told CM Nitish Kumar that he will be busy with elections, so he wants to hand over the post of party president to him and Nitish Kumar accepted it…”
Speaking on the same, Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav said that it is a good thing that CM Nitish has become chief of his party.

“ If he (Nitish Kumar) has become the president of his party (JD(U)) then it is the decision of their party. He has been the President of JD(U) earlier as well. He is a senior leader of his party so it is a good thing if he has become the President of JD(U)”
Earlier in the day, some members of JDU were seen raising slogans “Desh ka Pradhan Mantri kaisa ho? Nitish Kumar jaisa ho” outside the Constitution Club in Delhi where the national executive meeting was held. The meeting comes just days after the critical INDIA alliance meeting in Delhi. The JDU which is part of the alliance will now be getting into hectic parleys with the Congress on the alliance combination for the state.

Many JDU leaders are making a pitch for Nitish to lead the INDIA bloc, even as Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal publicly announced Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge as prospective PM Candidate. At the national executive meeting venue, posters featuring Bihar CM Nitish Kumar read ‘Pradesh ne pehchana, ab desh bhi pehchanega’ (The state of Bihar recognised him, now the nation will) have also been put up. However, on the question of the invitation for the consecration ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi said that his party has not been invited yet for the ceremony.