Weekly Update: Congress Party’s Ceaseless Leadership Crisis; Vaccination Surge

The Congress party’s troubles never cease. The latest crisis that has hit it is the resignation of Captain Amarinder Singh, chief minister of Punjab,one of just three states where the Congress is in the driver’s seat in terms of governance. Captain Singh’s tenure has been marked by feuds with the head of his party’s state unit, Mr.Navjot Singh Sidhu.

But this is not the only crisis that the beleaguered party finds itself in.The 136-year-old party, which, till not long ago,was India’s most resilient, widespread and dominant national political party, is now chronically ill. Some would even say terminally so. Popular support for what was once called the Grand Old Party has been ebbing and its performance in parliamentary elections has been abysmal. In 2014, it managed to win just 44 of the 543 seats in Lok Sabha; and, in the most recent elections, in 2019, it fared as badly, winning just 52 seats. It has now lost its prime position as India’s strongest national political party conceding that place to the Bharatiya Janata Party, which leads the coalition that has been ruling in India for the past seven years.

Two years since Rahul Gandhi resigned as the president of the party, the Congress has not been able to appoint a full-time incumbent for that position. Mr Gandhi’s mother, Ms. Sonia Gandhi has been holding the fort as interim president. The Congress has also recently suffered other setbacks such as an exodus of some of its key young leaders who left the party to join the BJP.  Now,the party’s leadership troubles have percolated down to the state level. There are just three states where the Congress is in the driver’s seat with a party leader as chief minister: Punjab, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan. In three other states, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, the Congress is a subordinate partner in alliance with regional parties that call the shots in the government.

Trouble is brewing in those three states where the Congress is in the driver’s seat with a party leader as chief minister. In Punjab, where Captain Amarinder Singh just resigned as chief minister, his bete noire was none other than his own party’s state president, former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu. Mr Sidhu has been sparring with Captain Singh and has been publicly embarrassing the chief minister at every opportunity he gets. And more than 30 MLAs of Congress’s 78 in the state owed allegiance to Mr Sidhu and had called for Captain Singh’s removal. A full-blown rift in the state unit of the party was imminent and Captain Singh’s resignation was its precipitation. Significantly, Mr Sidhu’s political career has been a chequered one: in 2004, he joined the BJP and won local elections before being nominated to the Rajya Sabha; but in 2017, he jumped ship and joined the Congress.

In Chattisgarh, where the Congress defeated the BJP, which had ruled the state for15 years, and came to power in 2018, the health minister of the state, Mr. T.S. Singh Deo has been restive and wants the party to honour a pre-poll proposal of having a rotational chief minister. In other words, he is staking a claim to unseat his party colleague, the incumbent chief minister, Mr Bhupendra Baghel. The latter has till now been unwilling to concede to those demands and both parties have met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to sort out the issue. Till now, however, the matter remains unresolved and the state unit of the party is riven by acrimony.

In Rajasthan where the Congress has been in power, it is an old vs. young conflict. The chief minister, Mr. Ashok Gehlot, 70, and his deputy, Mr. Sachin Pilot, 44, don’t see eye-to-eye over many issues, notably the composition of the council of ministers in which Mr. Pilot ostensibly would like more of his nominees. The situation is in a stalemate at the moment with both sides (Mr. Pilot is believed to command the loyalty of more than a third of the 106 Congress MLAs in the state). 

The crises in the three states is likely a consequence of the lack of a strong leadership in the Congress party at the national level. It is a classic case of the emperor losing control of his feudal warlords. While the party’s state leaders and chief ministers need autonomy and independence, the central leadership has to ensure coherence if chaos of the sort that is prevailing in Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Rajastahan is to be avoided. The genesis of the problem in the Congress party is not down the line at the state level. It starts from the top where there is clearly a vacuum in leadership and an inability to control its leaders even in the few states where it is in power.

Record Vaccination And Self-Promotion

Vaccination drive against Covid-19 is making deep strides into the rural swathes now. The cumulative score of doses administered has crossed the 80-crore mark. A commendable achievement made possible by a network of vaccine producers, cold-chain logistics and the health-workers.

What is not so commendable, however, is the way Team Narendra Modi has used this collective effort to push his image. As if the pictures on each Vaccine Certificate was not enough, they also flooded social media and government sites with his posters when India celebrated administering of 2.5 crore vaccines on a single day, Modi ji’s birthday.

Clearly they have learnt little. On January 16 this year, when the vaccination drive against Covid-19 began in India, the NDA Government was so immersed in self-praise and promotion that it launched Vaccine Maitri, a diplomatic initiative that gifted millions of vaccine vials to various nations, patting its back with the Vishwaguru theme-song as the background score.

By the first week of May, there was a shortage of vaccines and hospitals began turning away people due to dried up supply. In some cases, a different dose was administered, against any medical advisory.

Some quiet prevailed on the promotion front although Modi’s ministers, head buried into sand, denied any shortage whatsoever. A few months later, when the time came for a cabinet reshuffle, Health Minister’s head was the first to roll. Everyone knew why.

Luckily, the vial supplies have recovered. But no lesson has been learnt; self-promotion is back on Modi’s agenda as state elections draw near. But this time various social media handles are digging out what NCP leader Nawab Malik had to say about Modi’s promotional campaign. “The way PM Modi’s photo is put on vaccination certificates, we demand that his photo should also be put on Covid death certificates. If they are taking credit for vaccination, they have to take the blame for deaths too.”

Akansha Ranjan Flooded With B’day Wishes

As actor Akansha Ranjan Kapoor turned a year older on Saturday, friends and fellow celebrities poured in their heartfelt wishes for the birthday girl on social media.

A slew of celebrities including Kiara Advani, Bhumi Pednekar, Vaani Kapoor and more took to their respective social media handles and extended their love-filled greetings. Kiara, who worked with Akansha in the film ‘Guilty’, shared a super fun picture on her Instagram Story to wish her co-star.

“Happy Birthday kanch! I know an instastory is the most important wish these days! Big love Big girl! Now answer your phone for a more meaningful wish,” she captioned the photo.

Bhumi also took to her Instagram Story and shared an uber-cool picture of Akansha.

Along with it, she penned a sweet birthday message.

“Happy birthday Kanchi. May this year be full of all things beautiful. Eat tons of cake and have a baller time you sweer sweet girl,” Bhumi wrote.

Vaani Kapoor uploaded a gorgeous picture of her with Akansha on her Instagram Story and added a lovely message along with it.

“Happiest day to this cute monster!! Hope this is the beginning of the best year ever !!! Miss you. Have a fabulous one,” she penned.

Akansha’s friend and actor Athiya Shetty posted a series of pictures and a video clip of the birthday star laughing her heart out.

“Kanchi day,” she wrote in a picture in which she can be seen hugging her friend.

Several other celebrities including Malaika Arora, Huma Qureshi and more took to their Instagram handles to wish Akansha on her special day.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Akansha was recently seen in the films ‘Ray’ (2021) and ‘Guilty’ (2020).

She will be seen in the Netflix thriller ‘Monica, O My Darling’ which stars Rajkummar Rao, Radhika Apte and Huma S Qureshi in the lead roles. (ANI)

Capt Amarinder Resigns As CM, Says ‘I Feel Humiliated’

Embattled Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday stepped down from his post ahead of the scheduled meeting of party legislators in the faction-ridden state unit.

The Chief Minister went to meet Governor Banwari Lal Purohit to hand over his resignation.

After resigning, the Chief Minister expressed his unhappiness with the decision of the party leadership. “I feel humiliated,” he said, adding that he had been summoned thrice by the central leadership in the past two months.

Raveen Thukral, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister, said Capt Amarinder Singh has resigned with his council of ministers.

“CM @capt_amarinder has met Punjab Governor and submitted his and his council of ministers’ resignation. He will address the media at the Raj Bhavan gate in a few minutes from now,” Thukral said in a tweet.

The move came as factionalism again surfaced in the state unit with sections opposed to him requesting a meeting of Congress Legislature Party. Punjab is scheduled to go to the polls early next year.

Four rebel ministers and MLAs had written to the party’s command demanding a meeting of the legislature party. Some of them conveyed that he does not enjoy the support of the majority of MLAs.

When the tussle in Punjab escalated in August, the party’s central leadership has sought to bury the hatchet by appointing Navjot Singh Sidhu as the Congress chief apparently against the desire of the Chief Minister.

Amarinder Singh, who was Captain during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, took the oath as the 26th Chief Minister of Punjab in 2017 after Congress won the Assembly Elections with the majority.

He served as president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee from 2010 to 2013.

Singh had served as a member of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha for five terms representing Patiala (Urban) thrice and Samana and Talwandi Sabo once each.

In 2015, he was again elected as President of the Punjab Congress. Singh resigned from Lok Sabha on November 23, 2016, and fully dedicated himself to Punjab polls and the party came in power in the state with a majority. (ANI)

Babul Supriyo Joins Trinamool ‘To Serve Bengal’

Joining the bandwagon of Trinamool Congress (TMC), former Union Minister and sitting Asansol MP Babul Supriyo on Saturday said he is proud of changing his decision of leaving politics as he got a “great opportunity to serve Bengal”.

Briefing mediapersons, Supriyo said, “I meant it from my heart when I said I will leave politics. However, I felt there was a huge opportunity that was entrusted upon me (on joining TMC). All my friends said my decision to leave politics was wrong and emotional. I am very proud that I am changing my decision. I am coming back for a great opportunity to serve Bengal. I am very excited. I will meet Didi (Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee) on Monday. I am overwhelmed by the warm welcome.”
Supriyo said he will quit his MP post from the Asansol constituency.

“Didi and Abhishek have given me a great opportunity. As I have joined TMC, there is no point in holding on to my seat in Asansol. I have come into politics because of Asansol. I will do for that constituency as much as possible,” he added.

Former Union Minister and ex-BJP MP Babul Supriyo on Friday formally joined TMC.

Supriyo had quit the BJP following recent Union Cabinet reshuffle.

Sitting MP Babul Supriyo joined the Trinamool family in the presence of National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien.

Earlier in August, BJP leader Babul Supriyo said he will continue to work constitutionally as a Member of Parliament but has withdrawn himself from active politics.

“I will continue to work constitutionally as an MP in Asansol. Politics is beyond the constitutional post and I withdraw myself from it. I will not join any other party. I will vacate the MP bungalow in Delhi and release security personnel from their duties soon,” Supriyo had told ANI.

Earlier, Supriyo had announced he was leaving politics and will also resign as an MP. He had stated that he would not join any political party and neither have the parties including the Trinamool Congress, CPI(M) or Congress had called him.

Babul Supriyo had resigned in August as minister of state for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. In a Facebook post, he said that there was a difference of opinion between him and the state BJP leaders and that the difference of opinion among senior leaders was “harming the party”.

Notably, Supriyo’s security cover has been changed to Y from the Z category this morning. He has been given security by the central government. Supriyo has a security cover of the Central Reserve Police Force. (ANI)

Covid Negative Report Must For Chardham Pilgrims

The Uttarakhand government on Friday, in its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Chardham Yatra, made it mandatory for pilgrims to possess a Covid negative report.

According to the SOPs, registration and e-pass will be mandatory for darshan in the four pilgrimages. A Covid negative report is compulsory unless there is a certificate to prove that both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been administered.

For the three states most affected by corona infection, that is, Kerala, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, the negative report of corona test up to 72 hours before the date of travel has been made mandatory, despite both doses of the vaccine.

As per the SOPs, only three devotees will be allowed to have darshan in the Dhams at a time and bathing in the pools is prohibited. For compliance with the arrangements related to the journey, checkpoints will be set up on the travel routes.

Culture, Endowment, Pilgrimage Management and Religious Fair Secretary Harichandra Semwal issued the SOPs for the yatra late on Friday evening. According to the SOPs, strict compliance with the Covid protocol will be ensured for the safe conduct of the journey.

Earlier on June 28, the High Court had put a stay on the Chardham Yatra until further orders on the basis of lack of health services in the yatra districts, lack of adequate preparations to control COVID-19 infection, shortage of doctors and the report of the district administration.

The Nainital High Court on Thursday lifted the ban on Chardham Yatra and allowed only fully Covid vaccinated people with a mandatory COVID-19 negative report for the annual pilgrimage.

After getting permission for the conditional yatra from the High Court, the government had made it clear on Thursday night that the yatra would start from Saturday.

The Chardham Yatra, which includes a visit to the Kedarnath temple, attracts lakhs of tourists and devotees every year from across the country and abroad. (ANI)

Shilpa Shares Posts About ‘Bad Decisions’

Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty Kudra started her Saturday on a thoughtful note with a message about ‘bad decisions’ and ‘brand new ending’, amid the ongoing porn racket controversy surrounding her husband Raj Kundra.

Shilpa took to her Instagram handle and shared a Story featuring a picture from a book that included a quote by Carl Bard.
The quote read, “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”

Below the quote was a note that explained how humans spend a lot of time thinking and analysing their bad decisions, mistakes and more. It further expressed that while one can’t change the past, one can move forward in life to make better decisions.

It ended with a thought, “I don’t have to be defined by things I’ve done in the past. I can make the future what I want it to be.”

Recently, Shilpa had paid a visit to Mata Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra to seek the blessings of the Lord. Pictures doing rounds on the internet showed her taking the journey to the shrine on a horse. She even interacted with other devotees there.

Her pilgrimage visit came at the same time when Mumbai Police’s crime branch filed a supplementary charge sheet against Raj in the pornography case.

As per information shared by Mumbai police on Thursday, the 1500-page charge sheet contained the statements of 43 witnesses including Shilpa. The charge sheet also included the names of two wanted accused in the case.

Raj was arrested by police on July 19 along with 11 other people on charges related to the alleged creation of pornographic films.

Meanwhile, on the work front, after taking a brief hiatus following Raj’s arrest, Shilpa is once again busy judging the dance reality show ‘Super Dancer 4’, alongside Geeta Kapur and Anurag Basu.

On the film front, she was recently seen in Priyadarshan’s ‘Hungama 2’. (ANI)

Nirmala Sitharaman

Petro Products Not To Be Included Under GST: Sitharaman

Petroleum products will not be included under the Goods and Services Tax (GST), said Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday.

The 45th meeting of the GST Council was held today in Lucknow under the chairmanship of Sitharaman.
Briefing the media persons after the meeting, the Union Minister said, “There has been a lot of speculation on whether petroleum products will be brought under the ambit of GST. I make it absolutely clear that this came on today’s agenda purely because of the Kerala High Court order where it suggested the matter to be placed before GST Council. GST Council Members made it clear they do not want petroleum products to be included under GST. We will report to Kerala High Court that the matter has been discussed and Council felt it was not the time to bring petroleum products under GST.”

Sitharaman announced a reduction in GST rate on biodiesel, which is supplied to oil marketing companies for blending with diesel, from 12 per cent to 5 per cent.

Giving relief to transporters and exporters, the Finance Minister said, “National Permit Fee charged by states for granting permits to goods vehicles to operate throughout India or in contiguous states is being exempted from GST. Transport of export goods by vessels and air is exempt from GST; this was given due to difficulties being faced by exporters for getting Input Tax Credit refund due to technical issues on GST Portal. Although GST portal is stable now, keeping in view the COVID19 pandemic, this exemption is being extended by one year, so that exporters do not suffer.”

Further, the GST rate on fortified rice kernels which can be used in schemes like Integrated Child Development Services Scheme has been reduced from 18 per cent to 5 per cent.

“Specified renewable energy devices attract 5 per cent GST now, however, all their inputs are taxed at 18 per cent. This inversion leads to the embedding of input tax credit (ITC) on input services and capital goods. To reduce inversion, GST will be 12 per cent for those specified renewable devices. This will help domestic industry and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, particularly at a time when India is looking at emphasizing Renewable Energy,” she stated.

The Finance Minister said IGST payable on import of aircraft or other goods imported on lease shall now be exempted from double taxation.

“This will facilitate domestic industry and aviation sector. These will also allow transfer of goods imported under lease without payment of IGST,” she added.

GST on Railway parts and locomotives and other rail parts will be increased from 12 per cent to 18 per cent to correct inverted duty structure.

Sitharaman said that GST on retro-fitment kits for vehicles used by Divyang Persons with Disabilities has been reduced to 5 per cent.

“To give prominence to skill development, training programmes wholly funded by Central/State governments are already exempt from GST. Training programmes where the government bears 75 per cent or more of the cost shall now be exempt from GST. GST on pen parts is 18 per cent, while GST in certain kinds of pens is charged 12 per cent. It has been decided to correct this inversion by making the rate on all pens and pen parts to 18 per cent,” she said. (ANI)

Centre Plans 100 Crore Vaccine Doses Before Mid-October

The Central government has started preparing for another historic landmark by administering 100 crore vaccine doses before mid-October and is expected to reach the target between October 5-10, sources said on Friday.

The Union Health Ministry is planning to celebrate the day with events across the country that involves Covid warriors and healthcare workers who played an important role in vaccination.
The expected date of celebration can be on October 7 as it will coincide with the day when PM Modi was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for the first time in 2001.

“Once, we cross 100 crore vaccinations, we are planning a celebration to be held at various places across the country with Covid warriors, frontline workers and healthcare workers,” sources told ANI.

77.24 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive, the minister informed earlier today.

The Union Health Ministry also plans to pay tribute to those who lost their lives to COVID-19.

To make the achievement of 100 crore vaccinations remarkable, the ministry has many plans to be implemented, sources said.

Today, India administered more than two crore doses and is expected to cross 2.5 crore vaccinations.

India set a new record on Friday by administering over 2 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses on Friday.

As per the COWIN portal till 5:19 pm, 2,02,74,365 vaccine doses so far today.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and several state governments have aimed to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday historic by setting a record number of Covid vaccinations today.

Taking to Twitter, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that the historic feat is a gift to PM Modi on behalf of the health workers and the countrymen.

“#VaccineSeva A gift to Prime minister Narendra Modi on behalf of the health workers and the countrymen. Today, on his birthday, India has crossed the historical figure of administering 2 crore vaccines in a day, setting a new record. Well done India!” Mandaviya tweeted. (ANI)

Article 370, 35A Will Be Restored In J-K In Future: Mehbooba

Slamming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said a time will come when Article 370 and 35A will be restored in Jammu and Kashmir and the government will be compelled to say that it had done wrong.

Addressing a public meeting here, Mufti said, “We all need to unite because they want to divide us. There is so much corruption in Jammu and Kashmir government now. Peace cannot be achieved through force. The environment in Jammu and Kashmir after August 5, 2019, has become suffocating.”
“We should not be disheartened. I believe that a time will come when not only Article 370 and Article 35A will be reinstated but the Government will be compelled to say that they did wrong and they will ask that what more do we want for Jammu and Kashmir,” the PDP chief added.

In August 2019, the Centre abrogated Article 370 which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the region into two territories- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. (ANI)

GST Concessions On Covid Medicines Extended Till Dec 3

The GST Council on Friday extended Goods and Services Tax concessions on COVID-related medicines till December 31 this year.

Briefing media persons after the 45th meeting of GST Council held in Lucknow, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said GST rate on biodiesel which is supplied to oil marketing companies for blending with diesel has also been reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent.
She said extension has been given in existing concessional GST rates on COVID-19 treatment drugs up to December 31. The exemption was valid till September 30.

These drugs are Amphotericin B (nil), Remdesivir ( 5 pc), Tocilizumab (nil) and anti-coagulants like Heparin – (5 pc).

The minister said that transport of export goods by vessels and air is exempt from GST till September 30 and this exemption was given because of difficulties being faced by exporters in getting a refund of ITC (Input Tax Credit) due to technical issues on the GST portal.

She said this exemption is being extended by one more year.

The minister spoke about tax concessions on medicines not related to COVID-19.

“We have seen in the last one year and probably earlier that some life-saving drugs, which are not connected with Corona and are very expensive. Exemptions have been given for such drugs. I am giving the names of two because those two are very expensive drugs — Zolgensma and Viltepso. These two are very important drugs which cost something like Rs 16 crores. So the council has decided to grant exemption from GST for these two,” she said.

“Drugs that are suggested by the Ministry of Health for treating muscular atrophy, on the recommendation of Health Ministry and Department of Pharmaceuticals, are also exempted for IGST on import for personal use. The concessional GST rates on corona-related medicines have been extended till December 31, 2021. GST rate on seven other medicines, which are recommended by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, have also been recommended for reduction from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. That is also extended till December 31, 2021,” she added.

Sitharaman said that cancer-related drugs – Keytruda – along with similar other medicines used in the treatment of cancer as per the Health Ministry are being recommended for tax concession from 12 to 5 per cent.

The Minister further said National Permit Fee charged by states for granting permits to goods vehicles to operate throughout the country or in contiguous states is being exempted from GST.(ANI)