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BJP Accuses Rahul Of Demoralising Army

By LokMarg 18th December 2022

Bharatiya Janta Party on Saturday lambasted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his ‘Chinese soldiers beating up Indian Army personnel in Arunachal Pradesh’ remark and said he should tell the country when will he leave behaving like ‘Jaichand’, a king seen as a traitor in many historical accounts.

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said at a press conference that when the soldiers were displaying bravery and courage along the LAC with China, Rahul Gandhi was denting their morale.
“As Indians and as Bharatiya Janata Party, we are proud of the Indian Army. The soldiers who are beating the Chinese Army, showing them courage, why at that time India’s ‘Jaichand’ Rahul Gandhi is trying to break the morale of the Army,” Bhatia said.

Rahul Gandhi’s remarks that “Chinese soldiers are beating up Indian Army personnel in Arunachal Pradesh” has drawn widespread and sharp criticism from several BJP leaders.

Rahul Gandhi had accused the Centre of “sleeping” while China makes “offensive preparations” across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) days after the Chinese Army’s attempt to change the status quo was thwarted by the Indian Army in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh

Bhatia said India has the bravest army in the world and the country is diplomatically capable.

“Let me tell Rahul Gandhi that this is not the India of 1962. Not a single inch of India’s land is under anyone’s control and no one has the courage to take it. We have the bravest army in the world, we are diplomatically capable. In such a situation, it is not possible that anyone can occupy even an inch of our land,” he said.

“Rahul Gandhi should tell the nation when will he leave his character or ‘Jaichand’. Replying to a question in Parliament in 2007, the then Congress-led government had said that 43,180 sq km of land came under illegal occupation of China during Congress rule,” he added.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had told Parliament earlier this week that Chinese troops had attempted to transgress the LAC at Yangtse in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh in a bid to “unilaterally change the status quo”, but were given a firm and resolute response forcing the Chinese side to retreat.

He said the face-off led to a physical scuffle causing injuries to a few personnel on both sides but “there were no fatalities or serious casualties” to Indian soldiers.

“Our forces are committed to protecting our territorial integrity and will continue to thwart any attempt made on it,” he said. (ANI)

When Will India Have ‘China Pe Charcha’: Kharge

By LokMarg 17th December 2022

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday slammed the central government over the “Chinese build-up” on the borders and asked when will the nation have “China Pe Charcha?”

In a tweet, Kharge emphasised the Chinese build-up in Doklam and said that it was “threatening” India’s ‘Siliguri corridor’. He also said that the matter is of utmost concern now.

Kharge took to Twitter and said: Chinese build-up in Doklam up to “Jampheri Ridge” is threatening India’s strategic “Siliguri Corridor” — the gateway to the Northeastern States! This is of utmost concern for our National Security! @narendramodi ji, When will the nation have . . . “CHINA PE CHARCHA”?

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was among 17 Opposition leaders who raised the issue to hold a detailed discussion on the clash when the House assembled on Wednesday and Deputy Chairman Harivansh allowed ‘Zero Hour’ so that parliamentarians could raise their issues.

As the Opposition’s demand to hold the discussion on the India-China border clash was not allowed by the Chair, the 17 parties staged a walkout.

The MPs demanded the suspension of ‘Zero Hour’ to have a discussion on the issue which needs immediate measures to combat such aggressions and protect India’s interests along the international border.

The clash near Yangtse along the LAC in the sensitive sector occurred on December 9 amid the over 30-month border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the Centre of “sleeping” while China makes “offensive preparations” across the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Gandhi, during a press conference in Rajasthan, had flagged a “clear threat from China” and claimed that the neighbouring country is “preparing for war” and alleged that the Centre is “hiding and not accepting it”.

“There is a clear threat from China. The government is trying to hide it and ignore it. But that threat cannot be ignored or hidden. China is making offensive preparation on the side of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian government is in slumber. It doesn’t want to hear it. China is preparing for war, not for an incursion. If you see the pattern of their weapons, they are preparing for war. Our government is hiding it and is not accepting it,” Gandhi said.

However, Gandhi’s remarks invited huge backlash from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party which strongly condemned the statement for “demoralising” the Indian Army.

The BJP today hit out at Rahul Gandhi for his remark and said Congress should immediately expel him from the party.

BJP National spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia addressing a press conference in New Delhi said, “Being an Indian Bharatiya Janata Party is proud of the Indian Army, we are proud of our Army.

The soldiers who are beating the Chinese army on the border, are showing their strength. Why is ‘Jaichand’ Rahul Gandhi doing the work of breaking the morale of our army?

BJP President JP Nadda also condemned Rahul Gandhi’s remarks.

“Rahul Gandhi’s statement works to demoralize our Army; no matter how much it is condemned, it is less. Indian army is a symbol of bravery and valour. We know that the Communist Party of China had signed MoU with the Congress party,” Nadda said. (ANI)

We Will Be Lucky To Get 5% Growth Next Year: Rahugram Rajan

By LokMarg 15th December 2022

Former Governor of Reserve Bank of India Raghuram Rajan has said he believes the country will be lucky if it achieves 5 percent growth next year.

The former governor also said next year is going to be more difficult than this one. “Of course, this one had a lot of difficulties with the war and all that. Growth is going to slow in the world. People are raising interest rates that bring down growth,” he said.

While talking with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the former governor of the Reserve Bank of India said, “India is also going to be hit. India’s interest rates have also gone up but Indian exports have been slowing quite a bit.”

“India’s inflation problem is more about commodities inflation problem, vegetables’ inflation problem. That is also going to be negative for the growth,” he said on Wednesday in a candid talk with the Gandhi scion.

The economist said, “I think we will be lucky if we do 5 percent next year.”

The problem with the growth numbers is that you have to understand what you are measuring with respect to, he said. “We had a terrible quarter last year. And, you measure with respect to that you look very good. So ideally what you do is look before the pandemic in 2019 and look at now.”

He said, “If you look at 2022 vis-a-vis 2019, it’s about 2 percent a year. It’s too low for us.”

While being asked what he attributes this to, Rahul Gandhi, he said, “Pandemic was part of the problem but we were slowing before the pandemic. We had gone from 9 to 5. And, we haven’t really generated reforms that will generate growth.”

Rahul Gandhi had asked him in the candid talk: “There is one thing happening, 4-5 persons are getting rich and they could go into any businesses and the rest of the people have remained backward. Farmers and the poor have formed a new Bharat. These 4-5 persons’ dreams are fulfilled while those of the rest are dashed. What should we do with this inequality?

“This is a big problem. This is not about industries,” the economist said, adding, “The upper middle class has gained because they could work during the pandemic whereas the poor would have to go to factories and the factories were closed during the pandemic,” he said. “This divide has grown during the pandemic,” he said further.

Economist Raghuram Rajan said, “The poorest could get ration. They get everything. These rich didn’t suffer any difficulties. Those in between — the lower middle class — had to lose a lot. They lost their jobs. Joblessness went up. Debts went up. We should look at them. Because they have suffered a lot.”

On the subject of the concentration of wealth among the industrialists, he said we should also look at them. He said, “We couldn’t be against capitalism. But we should be fighting for competition. We could be up against monopoly. Monopoly is not good for the country.”

He said India’s issue was that our exports will also go down and growth would also decrease. “Technological support is needed, credit loans, there should be certainty about policies.”

He said there could be change. “If banks know that sales of small businesses are good and the steady revenue stream, they can lend but we need that information to be collected and made available. That is happening now. They are starting to think about all these in the fintech revolution right now. But in India, it needs to be 10 times,” he added.

Too many of our small companies don’t grow big. They need a path to grow, he said.

“Here is the problem, they get used to some of the benefits of staying small. If you don’t pay taxes, officers won’t come to them. They stay under the radar scan of the government instead of being helped by the government.”

He said, “You (company) stay under the radar until you get a revenue stream. Once your business grows, it should be like I’m going to look at you, I’m going to help you. I’m not going to tax you or make your life miserable. We need that situation.”

He added as soon as these businesses get better, the government takes away those benefits. “There is no incentive to grow bigger. Why not say, if you grow bigger, you will get these incentives for five years? By the time they are big, they don’t care,” the economist added. (ANI)

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Oppn Leaders Meet At Kharge Office Ahead Of Parl Session

By LokMarg 14th December 2022

Ahead of the beginning of the day’s proceedings in Parliament, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday convened a meeting with floor leaders of opposition parties to discuss the December 9 faceoff between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal’s Tawang sector.

On Tuesday, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were rocked by the issue with the Opposition staging a walkout after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a statement in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the Tawang clash.
“A total of 17 parties attended today’s meeting and decided to raise the issue for discussion if not allowed it has been decided that parties will walk out from the house,” a leader who participated in the meeting told ANI.

The Opposition, the participant said, has also decided that if a discussion is not allowed, they will boycott the House.

The meeting was held in Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s chambers to plan the Opposition strategy on India -China tussle and other issues in the House.

Kharge on Tuesday said that the opposition staged the walkout as Singh did not give a clarification on his statement in Parliament on the reports of clashes between the Indian Army and Chinese troops.

Speaking in both Houses separately, the Defence Minister informed that the “Indian Army bravely stopped the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) PLA troops from encroaching on Indian territory, and forced them to withdraw to their posts”.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary meeting also took place in the Parliament Library building today in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Singh and National BJP president JP Nadda were also present at the meeting.

The BJP MPs gave a rousing reception to PM Modi and also congratulated the BJP state president of Gujarat CR Paatil for the historic win in the western state.

The Winter Session of the Parliament began on December 7 and will have 17 working days. (ANI)

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Credit For Gujarat Victory Goes To State Unit, CR Paatil: Modi

By LokMarg 14th December 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday credited Bharatiya Janata Party’s victory in the recent Gujarat assembly polls to the party’s state unit and its president CR Paatil.

After the BJP Parliamentary party meeting held this morning, BJP Gujarat president Paatil told ANI, “I am very happy that the Prime Minister give credit to the state unit and every party worker who has worked very hard for the election.”

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi spoke to media persons after today’s meeting held at Parliament Library.

“Prime Minister addressed the meeting, he said the credit for victory in the Gujarat polls should be given to Gujarat state unit and its president CR Patil. Also, he extended congratulations to JP Nadda and BJP workers for the victory. He said it is an example of a party’s organizational strength and how a party can achieve such results. The results achieved on the basis of work done in Gujarat.”

BJP swept the Gujarat Assembly election winning a whopping 156 seats in the 182-member Assembly, which is the highest number of seats any party has won after the formation of the state in the year 1960.

The party’s seventh consecutive Assembly poll win in Gujarat is its biggest since the state was founded in the year 1960.

BJP leader Bhupendra Patel on December 12 took oath as the 18th Chief Minister of Gujarat. The oath was administered by Governor Acharya Devvrat at the helipad ground inside the new secretariat complex in Gandhinagar.

The opposition Congress could manage only 17 seats in the recently held elections while Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party had to be content with just 5 seats. Three seats went to Independent candidates while the Samajwadi Party (SP) won a lone seat in the state.

The BJP, which has won its seventh straight election in Gujarat, not only improved its own best record of 127 seats in 2002– the first election with Narendra Modi as Chief Minister — but the Congress’ tally of 149 seats in 1985. (ANI)

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Sonia, Congress Leaders Pay Tributes To Parl Attack Martyrs

By LokMarg 13th December 2022

Congress leader and Waynad MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday remembered the security personnel, who laid their lives during the terror attack in Parliament in 2001, by saying that their sacrifice inspires us to dedicate everything in the service of the country.

“I pay tribute to the heroes of the country who laid down their lives to protect the honour of India on this day in 2001, during the dastardly terrorist attack on Parliament. The whole country is indebted to their sacrifice, which inspires us to dedicate everything to the service of the country,” the Congress leader tweeted in Hindi.

Congress Party former president Sonia Gandhi paid floral tributes to the victims on the 21st anniversary of the Parliament Attack on Tuesday.

Sonia Gandhi was accompanied by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to the Parliament.

Earlier on Tuesday, Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla led the nation in paying tributes to the security personnel and victims who lost their lives while defending the Parliament 21 years ago.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Cabinet Ministers, and Parliamentarians also paid floral tribute to the security personnel and victims, who sacrificed their lives in defending the Parliament during the terror attack in 2001.

President of India Droupadi Murmu also remembered the victims.

“The nation pays homage to the valiant martyrs who laid down their lives while defending the Parliament against terrorist attack on this day in 2001. We will always remain grateful to the bravehearts for their courage and supreme sacrifice,” a tweet from Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju also paid tributes to the victims of the Parliament attack.

Taking to Twitter, Union Minister said, “Tributes to the brave personnel who sacrificed their lives while protecting our Parliament against the dastardly terrorist attack on this day in 2001. Their supreme sacrifice and bravery will never be forgotten.”

The tributes reminded everyone about the horrific terror attack on the Indian Parliament on December 13, 2001.

It may be recalled that it was on December 13, 2001, that Jagdish, Matbar, Kamlesh Kumari; Nanak Chand and Rampal, Assistant Sub-Inspectors, Delhi Police; Om Prakash, Bijender Singh and Ghanshyam, Head Constables in Delhi Police; and Deshraj, a gardener, CPWD, had sacrificed their lives while defending the Parliament against the terrorist attack.

The perpetrators belonged to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)– two Pakistan-raised terrorist organisations– attacked the Parliament on December 13, 2001, that led to the deaths of five Delhi Police personnel, two Parliament Security Service personnel, one CRPF Constable and a gardener and led to increased tensions between India and Pakistan, resulting in the 2001-2002 India-Pakistan standoff.

A total of five terrorists, who infiltrated the Parliament in a car with Home Ministry and Parliament labels, were killed on December 13, 2001 attack.

More than 100 people, including major politicians, were inside the parliament building at the time. The gunmen used a fake identity sticker on the car they drove and thus easily breached the security deployed around the parliamentary complex. The terrorists carried AK47 rifles, grenade launchers and pistols.

The gunmen drove their vehicle into the car of Indian Vice President Krishan Kant (who was in the building at the time), got out, and began shooting. The Vice President’s guards and security personnel shot back at the terrorists and then started closing the gates of the compound.

Indian security agencies and the Delhi Police officials said that gunmen received instructions from Pakistan and the operation was carried out under the guidance of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. (ANI)

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Cong MP Demands House Discussion On Arunachal Face-off

By LokMarg 12th December 2022

Raising concerns over a report of a face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, Congress MP and former Union Minister Manish Tewari on Monday demanded a comprehensive discussion over the matter in the ongoing Winter session in Parliament.

“The clash is unfortunate. Galwan 2020 was in Eastern Ladakh. This is Twang, Arunachal Pradesh extreme North East. Chinese military posture and political disposition qua India especially after the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party warrants a full discussion in Parliament,” tweeted Tewari.

A face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday led to minor injuries “to a few personnel” from both sides, sources said on Monday, noting that both sides immediately disengaged from the area.

The sources said on December 9, PLA troops contacted the LAC in the Tawang Sector of Arunachal Pradesh which was contested by Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner.

The Indian troops deployed in the area of face-off on Friday in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang sector gave a befitting response to the Chinese troops and the number of Chinese soldiers injured in the clash is more than the Indian soldiers, sources said on Monday.

They said the Chinese had come heavily prepared with around 300 soldiers but did not expect the Indian side also to be well prepared. The sources said earlier that the face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides and noted that both sides immediately disengaged from the area.

They said as a follow-up to the incident, India’s Commander in the area held a Flag Meeting with his counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity.

The sources said in certain areas along the LAC in the Tawang Sector in Arunachal Pradesh there are areas of differing perception, wherein both sides patrol the area up to their claim lines.

This has been the trend since 2006. (ANI)

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Sukhu Took Oath As The 15th CM Of Himachal

By LokMarg 11th December 2022

Congress leader Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, who climbed the political ladder up from the grassroots level in Himachal Pradesh, took oath as the 15th Chief Minister of the hill state at a ceremony in Shimla on Sunday.

The oath-taking ceremony took place at 1.30 pm on Sunday at Raj Bhavan, Shimla.
A loyalist of the Gandhi family, Sukhu is a four-time MLA (58) and former chief of Congress in the state.

Sukhu is known as an affable and approachable leader who has a vast network in the hill state due to his long years in the organization. He also holds a broad organizational experience in the state owing to his connection with the grand old party for many years.

He was the party’s state unit president from 2013 to 2019 and spoke his mind even if it was not to the liking of the party’s tallest leader Virbhadra Singh, a six-time Chief Minister.

Sukhu has been in favor of promoting and grooming younger Congress leaders in Himachal Pradesh.

With Congress chief ministers over the past four decades coming from Rampur Bushahr, Congress central leadership was apparently keen to expand its choice.

Sukhu will be the first Congress leader from “lower Himachal” to come to the top post.

Sukhu belongs to a middle-class family. He was active in politics from his student days and fought elections as an NSUI candidate. He was president of NSUI and the Indian Youth Congress in the state. He fought and won elections for Shimla Municipal Corporation. Sukhu won the assembly election for the first time in 2003 from Nadaun.

Sukhu was chairman of the Congress Campaign Committee for the assembly elections in which the party focused on local issues and made lucrative promises including an old age pension scheme.

He will be the second chief minister from Hamirpur district after BJP’s Prem Kumar Dhumal.

Congress won the Assembly polls in the state, winning 40 seats. (ANI)

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Cong Fights Unitedly: Kharge On Victory In Himachal

By LokMarg 11th December 2022

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday arrived in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Chief Minister-designate Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu.

Sukhu received the Congress president and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at Sanjauli helipad.
Kharge, on the occasion, said that the party’s victory in the state Assembly polls is an example of what happens when the party fights unitedly.

“This is a victory that belongs to the people of Himachal Pradesh. This is an example of what emerges when the Congress party fights unitedly,” he told ANI.

Ashok Gehlot said that the victory of the party in the state was a new beginning for Congress and the people of the state.

“This is a new beginning for Congress as well as the people of Himachal Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi’s yatra against inflation, and unemployment, will become stronger from Himachal,” he said.

Sachin Pilot, who also arrived here, confided that Sukhu will be able to deliver the promises made during the campaign.

“I believe that Sukhu will be able to deliver all the promises given by Cong. The people of Himachal Pradesh always supported Congress. We all will work together for the development of the state,” he said.

Himachal Pradesh CM designate Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu met State Congress Chief Pratibha Virbhadra Singh at her residence.

Following the meeting, Pratibha said that it is her “prime duty” to take part in the oath-taking ceremony which will take place today afternoon.

“Why won’t I attend his oath-taking ceremony? Of course, I will go. It is my prime duty to be there with him as he takes oath as CM today,” she said.

Mukesh Agnihotri, the leader of the opposition in the outgoing Assembly, will take oath as the Deputy Chief Minister.

The oath-taking ceremony will take place at 1.30 pm on Sunday, Raj Bhavan sources told ANI.

After being chosen as the Chief Minister, the Congress leader said that he is thankful to the Congress and Gandhi family for giving him this opportunity.

Sukhu said that he is happy that despite being from an ordinary family he is going to be the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.

“I am happy that I am going to be CM despite being from an ordinary family. I am thankful to the Congress party and the Gandhi family for giving me this opportunity. My mother never stopped me from being in politics. I have reached here today because of her blessings,” said Sukhu.

Sukhu is a grassroots politician who has risen from the ranks and has wide organisational experience in the hill state.

Sukhu was chairman of the Congress Campaign Committee for the assembly elections in which the party focused on local issues and made lucrative promises including an old pension scheme.

He will be the second chief minister from Hamirpur district after BJP’s Prem Kumar Dhumal.

Congress won the Assembly polls in the state, winning 40 seats. (ANI)

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Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu To Take Oath As Himachal’s CM

By LokMarg 10th December 2022

Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu was on Saturday chosen as leader of the Congress Legislature Party in Himachal Pradesh paving way for his elevation as the new Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.

The newly-elected MLAs had on Friday adopted a resolution authorizing the party high command to select the leader of the legislature party. A meeting of party MLAs was held here in the evening.
Congress leadership had earlier in the day sounded that Sukhu will be the new chief minister after which supporters of state Congress chief Pratibha Singh had raised slogans demanding that she should be made the Chief Minister.

Himachal Pradesh Congress in-charge Rajeev Shukla, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Himachal observer Bhupesh Baghel, Himachal Pradesh Congress Chief Pratibha Virbhadra Singh, and several other Congress leaders were in Shimla to oversee the election of the new leader.

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel said that the high command has chosen Sukhu as leader of the legislature party and Mukesh Agnihotri will be Deputy Chief Minister.

“Oath ceremony will take place tomorrow at 11 am,” he said.

Sukhu, 58, lauded Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi after his election and said the party will fulfill its poll promises.

He said the new government will “bring change”.

“I am thankful to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and the people of the state. Our government will bring change. It is my responsibility to fulfill the promises we made to the people of Himachal Pradesh. We have to work for the development of the state,” he said.

Sukhu said he and Mukesh Agnihotri, who will be made Deputy Chief Minister, will work as a team.

“Deputy CM designate Mukesh Agnihotri and I will work as a team. I started my political career at the age of 17 years. I will never be able to forget what the Congress party has done for me,” he said.

Congress won the assembly polls in the state and got 40 seats. (ANI)