Tag: congress

Rahul Writes To Speaker, Seeking Permission To Respond To Allegations

Police Arrangement Collapsed: Rahul On Cancelling Bharat Jodo Yatra In J-K

By LokMarg

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who is on Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kashmir, had to “cancel” his yatra on Friday due to an alleged security lapse at Quazigund.

“This morning during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, unfortunately, the police arrangement completely collapsed and the police who were supposed to manage the crowd was nowhere to be seen. My security people were very uncomfortable with me walking further on the yatra so I had to cancel my walk. Other yatris did the walk,” Rahul Gandhi said addressing a press conference in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag.
Further speaking on security issues, Gandhi said, “I think it is important the police manages the crowd so that we can do the yatra. It’s very difficult for me to go against what my security people are recommending.”

“I don’t know why it happened but it should not happen tomorrow and the day after tomorrow,” he added.

When asked if Rahul Gandhi would continue his padayatra in wake of security lapses by the J-K administration as alleged by his party, the Wayanad MP said, “Yes, we will. It will continue.”

Meanwhile, the party’s national spokesperson Jairam Ramesh tweeted, “Politics has its place but by playing with the security of Rahul Gandhi in the Kashmir valley, the government has stooped to its lowest level. India has already lost Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, any government or administration should desist from doing politics on such matters.”

Congress in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Rajani Patil, had earlier reported security lapses in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra and accused the administration of the Union Territory of failing to manage the crowd.

“J&K UT Administration failed to provide security to #BharatJodoYatra led by Shri @RahulGandhi. Security lapses indicate unfair & unprepared attitude of UT administration. @OfficeOfLGJandK,” Rajani Patil said in a tweet along with a picture from the spot.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary KC Venugopal also said that there was no security personnel with the Bharat Jodo Yatra for 15 minutes, and termed it a ‘serious lapse’.

“The security has been mishandled by concerned agencies here. For 15 mins, there have been no security officers with the Bharat Jodo Yatra here. This is a serious lapse. Rahul Gandhi and other yatris can not walk without security,” Venugopal said speaking to media persons.

“The sudden withdrawal of security personnel from the D-area has caused a serious security breach at the Bharat Jodo Yatra at Banihal, Kashmir. Who ordered this? The authorities responsible must answer for this lapse and take appropriate steps to prevent such incidents in future,” Venugopal tweeted.

Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra, which is in its final leg in Jammu and Kashmir, resumed on Friday morning from the National Highway-44, Banihal Railway station, in the UT’s Ramban district.

Security was tightened in the area in the wake of the recent twin blasts on the outskirts of Jammu city on January 22 which rocked a busy locality in Narwal leaving at least nine people injured.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which started in Kanyakumari on September 7, will conclude on January 30 in Srinagar after covering 3,970 km, 12 states and two Union territories. (ANI)

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Release Surgical Strike Video: Congress' Rashid Alvi Backs Digvijaya Singh | Lokmarg

Release Surgical Strike Video: Congress’ Rashid Alvi Backs Digvijaya Singh

By LokMarg

Amid the ongoing controversy over Congress leader Digvijaya Singh questioning the authenticity of the ‘2019 Surgical Strike’, Congress leader Rashid Alvi on Friday came in support of his party colleague and
asked the Centre to release the surgical strike video that it claimed it has.

“Government says it has a video (of a surgical strike) so what is wrong with Digvijaya Singh asking the government to show it? We’re not asking for proof (of strike) but the government should show the video it claims it has,” said Rashid Alvi while speaking to ANI.
Alvi’s reaction comes days after Digvijaya Singh’s remark on the surgical strike.

Digvijaya Singh had said the government talks of surgical strikes. “They (government) claim to have killed so many people but no proof is given,” Singh had said.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that the country has confidence in the security forces but can’t trust the BJP government. “We have faith in our security forces but can’t trust the BJP government,” he added.

Rashid Alvi further raised questions about various ministers’ statements surrounding the surgical strike.

“Sushma Swaraj, who was a minister in the government, had said that the air strike was done at a place where there was no possibility of anyone getting killed. Amit Shah claims that more than 300 terrorists were killed in the air strike. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claims that more than 400 terrorists were killed in the air strike,” Alvi pointed out.

Citing the above statements, Congress leader Alvi said that it varies and therefore if the government claims to have video proof it should be shown.

“These contradictory statements raise questions as to what exactly happened in the surgical air strike. That’s why the government if it claims that it has the video evidence of the air strike should make it public,” Rashid Alvi demanded.

Congress leader Alvi further sought an apology from the Centre in case it does not have video proof.

“If they do not have any video evidence to prove its claims, then the government should apologize,” he added.

In strong disapproval of Digvijaya Singh’s remarks on surgical strikes, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the party leader had stated a “ridiculous thing” and that he disagrees with the views.

“I do not agree with what Digvijaya Singh said. We have full trust in our Army. If Army takes action, there is no need for proof. I disagree with his (Digvijay)’s statement and Congress’ official position is also that this is his opinion,” Rahul Gandhi said.

The party had officially also distanced itself from Digvijaya Singh’s remarks on Monday. (ANI)

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chief K Annamalai

There Is No Hate… Rahul Gandhi Took 3,000 Km To Realise It: Annamalai

By LokMarg

Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief K Annamalai took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is leading Bharat Jodo Yatra, and said the Wayanad MP took 3,000 km to understand that there is no atmosphere of hatred in the country.

Attacking the Bharat Jodo Yatra, the BJP leader said Rahul Gandhi himself had admitted that there is no atmosphere of hatred in the country, indicating that the yatra has no motive.

“Rahul ji in one of the statements in Delhi said he did not see hate after walking this many miles. Then why did he start the yatra? It took him 3,000 kilometres to realise that..,” Annamalai said in the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash.

Annamalai said Congress’ mass outreach programme is useless since it lacks a clear vision.

“Padyatra should have a larger perspective. It is just that you are upset with Modi ji and you started a yatra. It should have a motive,” the Tamil Nadu BJP chief said.

On December 24, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held a mega public rally outside Red Fort in the national capital.

Addressing the rally, Rahul Gandhi said, “In Bharat Jodo Yatra, dogs also came but no one harmed them. Cow, buffaloes, pigs, all animals came. All the people came. This Yatra is like our India, I have not seen any hatred or violence among people while walking 2,800 km, and I have not seen violence or hatred anywhere in the country. But when I turn on the TV, there is hatred all the time. 24 hours there is only Hindu-Muslim in media.”

Attacking the BJP government, Rahul Gandhi said Hindu-Muslim propaganda is being done to divert attention from the real issues.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which started in Kanyakumari on September 7, will conclude on January 30 in Srinagar after covering 3,970 km, 12 states and two Union territories.

The march has so far covered Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and is presently in Jammu and Kashmir.

It is the longest march on foot by any Indian politician in the history of India, the Congress claimed earlier in a statement.

Bharat Jodo Yatra has been receiving support from various political parties and social organizations across the country.

The Congress suffered a debacle in the assembly polls held earlier this year and the Yatra is seen as an attempt to motivate the party rank and file for the upcoming electoral battles. (ANI)

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AK Antony's Son Anil Quits Congress Over BBC Docu Tweet | Lokmarg

AK Antony’s Son Anil Quits Congress Over BBC Documentary Tweet

By LokMarg

Congress leader Anil K Antony, the son of former Union Minister A K Anthony on Wednesday announced his resignation from the party, a day after he criticized the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“This is my personal decision and I do think this is the best course of action. I did not discuss it with my father. I’ve sent my resignation and I hope that the leadership will accept it. I don’t think this Congress has space for me,” Antony said.

He alleged that he had received threat calls and hate messages “through the night”.

“A lot of things that happened in the last 24 hours, especially from certain corners of Congress, have hurt me a lot,” Anthony told ANI.

In a tweet today Anthony said that he was facing “intolerant calls” to retract one of his previous tweets in which he had condemned the documentary on PM Modi and termed it a “dangerous precedent.”

In his resignation letter, Anthony said he did not give in to the demands to retract the tweet and instead was submitting his resignation from the party. The former Defence Minister’s son also took a potshot at the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra by Rahul Gandhi.

Anil Antony tweeted today: “I have resigned from my roles in @incindia

@INCKerala. Intolerant calls to retract a tweet, by those fighting for free speech. I refused. @facebook wall of hate/abuses by ones supporting a trek to promote love! Hypocrisy thy name is! Life goes on. Redacted resignation letter below.”

Anthony said it would be “appropriate” for him to step down from his roles as the convener of the KPCC digital media and also the national co-ordinator of the Congress social media and digital communication cell.

“By now, I have been made well aware that you, your colleagues, and the coterie around the leadership are only keen to work with a bunch of sycophants and chamchas, who would unquestionably be at your beck and call. This has become the lone criterion of merit. Sadly we don’t have much common ground,” Anthony wrote.

He added, “I would prefer to continue my other professional endeavors without being fed this negativity, and being involved in these destructive narratives, many against the very core interests of India. These I strongly believe will end up in the dustbin of history with time.”

In a tweet on January 24, Anthony had hit out at the BBC terming it “a state-sponsored channel with a long history of prejudices” against India.

“Despite large differences with BJP, I think those in India placing views of BBC, a UK state-sponsored channel with a long history of prejudices, and of Jack Straw, the brain behind the Iraq war, over Indian institutions is setting a dangerous precedence, will undermine our sovereignty,” Anthony tweeted.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of CPM, the Students Federation of India (SFI), and the Congress screened the documentary ‘India: the Modi Question’ at various places in Kerala yesterday. (ANI)

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Rahul after vacating bungalow

Jammu: Rahul Offers Prayers At Raghunath Temple

By LokMarg

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday visited and offered prayers at the famous Raghunath Temple in Jammu.

The official Twitter handle of the Congress party informed about it, saying, “Today during #BharatJodoYatra @RahulGandhiji visited the famous Raghunath Temple in Jammu and received the blessings of the Lord.”

The Twitter handle of ‘Bharat Jodo’ also tweeted on it saying, “Faith and belief. Received the blessings of Shri Raghunath ji. In this journey of public welfare, Rahul Gandhi visited Raghunath Temple in Jammu and received blessings from all. #BharatJodoYatra.”

Notably, Congress’ ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ is currently in Jammu. It resumed from Vijaypur in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir amid heightened security, in wake of the twin blasts in the outskirts of the city.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which started in Kanyakumari on September 7, will conclude on January 30 in Srinagar after having covered 3,970 km, 12 states and two Union territories. (ANI)

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Rahul on utkal divas

Bharat Jodo Yatra Resumes From Hiranagar In Jammu

By LokMarg

The Bharat Jodo Yatra, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, resumed from Hiranagar in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on Sunday morning.

The Yatra continues for its final leg despite the twin blasts in Narwal area of Jammu on Saturday in which as many as nine people were injured.

“Bharat Jodo Yatra will continue no matter what,” Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal told ANI on Saturday when asked about the impact of J&K twin blasts on the Yatra.

The Yatra is on its final leg and was joined by many known faces till now. The Yatra is to conclude in Srinagar on January 30.

National Student’s Union of India (NSUI) president Isherpreet Singh on Saturday met with Gandhi during the Yatra and apprised him of the struggle of Paralympic players of Punjab.

According to an NSUI statement, Gandhi encouraged and assured them that he stands firmly with them.

Param Vir Chakra Awardee Captain Bana Singh (retired) and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut also joined the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ of Rahul Gandhi in Kathua district on Friday and expressed their happiness.

Former J-K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah, and CPI(M) leader Mohamad Yousuf will also participate in the yatra at the different locations, Congress leaders said.

Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Gandhi entered Jammu region at Kathua’s Lakhanpur area on Thursday evening. Congress supporters were seen carrying party flags and torch lights as the Yatra marched ahead later in the evening.

Gandhi, the MP from Kerala’s Wayanad, had expressed his happiness on reaching Jammu for the final leg of his Bharat Jodo Yatra.

“It is a great pleasure to reach Jammu and Kashmir as I go back to my home, where my ancestors had their roots. I am learning about and understanding more of me, every state, my country,” the Congress leader said in a tweet in Hindi.

In view of the Bharat Jodo Yatra entering Jammu, the Jammu & Kashmir Police authorities have also announced to ensure all the possible security arrangements. (ANI)

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Sanatan Dharma

TN BJP Passes Resolution Against Stalin For Disrespectful Remarks Against Governor

By LokMarg

Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday passed a resolution in the party’s executive meeting at Cuddalore against Chief Minister MK Stalin seeking his apology for ‘disrespectful’ remarks against Governor RN Ravi.

This comes after Stalin on January 14 took a veiled dig at Governor RN Ravi without mentioning his name during a Youth wing event organised to remember DMK founder Peraringar Anna.
“Today someone is lamenting that the name of Tamil Nadu should not be used. We should not give more importance to such publicity campaigns,” Stalin said.

In the BJP resolution passed today, the party condemned the state government for the incident which occurred during the Governor’s customary address at the opening session of the House in which Congress and the VCK, started raising slogans against the Governor and staged a walkout.

The resolution also condemned the Stalin government for not arresting RS Bharathi and Sivaji Krishnamoorthy who allegedly humiliated the Governor.

“If the Governor refuses to utter the name of Ambedkar in his Assembly speech, do I not have the right to assault him?” If you (Governor) do not read out the speech given by the Tamil Nadu government, then go to Kashmir, and we will send terrorists so that they’ll gun you down,” Krishnamoorthy had said.

The BJP also condemned Stalin for using ‘disrespectful’ language against the Governor.

During the meeting, it was also decided that BJP state chief Annamalai would start his yatra across the state from Tiruchendur on April 14. Further details on the yatra will be revealed later.

On Wednesday, January 9, the Governor sparked a controversy with his statement that the name ‘Thamizhagam’ would be more appropriate for the state.

Governor Ravi’s remark during his customary address at the opening session of the House on Monday, triggered an uproar, especially from the Treasury benches.

Legislators of Congress and the VCK staged a walkout.

Congress and Communist parties and other allies protested outside Raj Bhavan against TN Governor RN Ravi earlier over the speech row. CPM protested today near Little Mount. (ANI)

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Meghalaya Gujarat Rahul Bharat Jodo Yatra

Bharat Jodo Yatra Enters Jammu From Kathua Region

By LokMarg

Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi entered Jammu on Thursday evening.

The Yatra entered the region at Kathua’s Lakhanpur area. Supporters were seen carrying party flags and torch lights as the Yatra marched ahead later in the evening (Thursday).

Earlier party leaders had said that the Yatra will reach Jammu’s Kathua at 6.45 pm on Thursday.

After that, the Yatra will halt in Kathua’s Lakhanpur for the night, the party said.

Former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, and CPI (M) leader Mohamad Yousuf will also participate in the yatra at the different locations, Congress leaders said.

Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that a few politicians should not use Bharat Jodo Yatra to whitewash their past on Kathua Rape accused Lal Singh joining the Yatra.

“The INC has to make sure that the Bharat Jodo Yatra is not being used to whitewash their past,” said Abdullah.

In view of the Bharat Jodo Yatra entering Jammu, the Jammu and Kashmir police authorities have also announced to ensure all the possible security arrangements. The Yatra is to conclude in Srinagar on January 30.

In another similar development, Jammu and Kashmir Congress spokesperson Deepika Pushkar Nath has resigned from the party after its state unit “allowed” former BJP leader and minister Choudhary Lal Singh to join Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra. (ANI)

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Cong Punjab Chief Slams Badal After Saffron Switch

Cong Punjab Chief Slams Badal After Saffron Switch

By LokMarg

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Wednesday hit out at Manpreet Singh Badal following his switchover to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), calling him “congenitally power hungry”.

Hours after resigning from the Congress on Wednesday, Badal joined the BJP in the presence of Union minister Piyush Goel and BJP general secretary Tarun Chugh.
Raja Warring alleged that Badal had joined the Congress in anticipation that it was winning the last Assembly polls.

“Good riddance. @MSBADAL is congenitally power-hungry. He joined @INCIndia knowing the party was winning (the Punjab Assembly polls). 5 yrs is a long time for someone like him to stay out of power for unknown reasons. Instead of crying martyrdom, he should be apologising to Congress for betrayal,” tweeted the Congress state president.

Badal on Wednesday resigned from the primary membership of the Congress alleging that the party’s state unit was actively aiding and abetting ‘factionalism’.

A nephew of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) patriarch and former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, Manpreet Badal started his political career in 1995, winning the Gidderbaha Assembly bye-election on a Congress ticket.

BJP is the fourth party that Badal joined in an almost three-decade-long political career. He had previous dalliances with the People’s Party of Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal and most recently, the Congress.

According to reports, he had a tenous working relationgship with the Congress state chief Raja Warring and his resignation is being seen as a fallout of his differences with him.

Speaking to mediapersons after his saffron switch, Badal said, “
Main aaya BJP office mein, aapne mujhe hatho pe nahi aankho pe bitha lia
(I came to the BJP office and they accorded me a rousing reception).”

In a parting shot at his former party earllier, Badal wrote to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi claiming that a coterie of leaders based in the national capital, New Delhii, was running party affairs in the state and it had given rise to factionalism.

He added that the way the Congress was conducted itself and taking decisions, especially with regard to Punjab, was ‘disappointing’.

Exploiting cracks in the Congress amid alleged factionalism in its Punjab unit, the BJP had earlier weaned away a dozen former party leaders, including heavyweights Captain Amarinder Singh and Sunil Jakhar. (ANI)

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Rajasthan elections

EC Announces Bypolls To 6 Seats Across 5 States On Feb 27

By LokMarg

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday announced the schedule for the bye-elections to six assembly seats across five states.

Bye-elections to one assembly constituency, each in Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and two assembly constituencies in Maharashtra will be held on February 27. The parliamentary constituency of Lakshadweep will also vote in bypolls on February 27.
The counting of votes to all bypolls will be held on March 2.

Lakshadweep’s parliamentary constituency will go to the polls due to the disqualification of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Mohammed Faizal PP.

In Arunachal Pradesh’s Lumla the seat was vacant after the death of BJP leader Jambey Tashi and in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh the election was necessary because of the disqualification of Congress leader Mamta Devi.

The election was necessitated after the death of Congress leader Thiru E Thirumahan Everaa from Tamil Nadu’s Erode (east) and West Bengal’s Sagardighi seat was vacant after the death of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Subrata Saha.

The election in Maharashtra’s Kasba Peth and Chinchwad was necessary because of the death of BJP leaders Mukta Shailesh Tilak and Laxman Pandurang Jagtap respectively.

The date of the issue of gazette notification is January 31, while February 7 is the last date for filing nominations.

The scrutiny of nominations will be done on February 8 while the last Date for Withdrawal of candidatures is February 10.

Earlier, the Election Commission also announced the schedule for Assembly elections to the northeastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland to be held in February-March this year. The results of all three states will be declared on March 2, 2023.

“Voting for Assembly elections in Tripura will be held in a single phase on February 16 and in Nagaland and Meghalaya on February 27. The results will be declared on March 2,” Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said during a press conference.

The Assembly polls in the northeastern states of Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura were announced on Wednesday, thus beginning the election season in 2023.

The CEC said that the terms of the poll-bound states of Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura are coming to an end on March 12, 15, and 22 respectively. (ANI)

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