They discussed a wide range of topics to further strengthen the natural bond that India and Bangladesh share, based on trust, cooperation, and a commitment to mutual growth…reports Asian Lite News
After attending PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on Sunday in Rashtrapati Bhavan, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday met with Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi along with Congress president Rahul Gandhi, and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
In a post on X, Congress also shared a video of the meet and said, “CPP Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji, former Congress President Shri Rahul Gandhi, and Congress General Secretary Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra ji greeted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed ji and met other delegates in New Delhi today.”
During the meeting, they discussed a wide range of topics to further strengthen the natural bond that India and Bangladesh share, based on trust, cooperation, and a commitment to mutual growth.
The India Youth Congress also shared another post on X with some sentimental pictures of Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi hugging the Bangladeshi PM underscoring the profound connection between Congress and Sheikh Hasina.
“The profound connection that has blossomed over the years is beautifully represented in these heartfelt moments between the Gandhi Family and Sheikh Hasina,” the India Youth Congress said on X.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina’s father and the founding leader of Bangladesh had a cordial relationship with Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India.
Indira Gandhi played a significant role during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, supporting Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan.
India also gave shelter to Sheikh Hasina at that time when she was going through one of the most difficult stages of her life following the assassination of her father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rehman. (ANI)
Former Congress says that every vote cast in favour of the Congress and its INDIA ally would result in better job creation and women empowerment…reports Asian Lite News
Ahead of the much-anticipated polling for the Lok Sabha in the national capital on May 25, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday urged the voters of Delhi to ensure victory for the party candidates and those put up by its INDIA bloc ally, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in what she claimed were “very important elections to save democracy and the Constitution”.
In a personalised video address to voters in the national capital on Thursday, ahead of polling for the penultimate phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Sonia said that every vote cast in favour of the Congress and its INDIA ally would not result in better job creation but also help empower women.
“These are very important elections. These are elections to save our democracy as well as the country’s Constitution. The polls are being fought on issues such as unemployment, inflation, and the attack on our institutions and constitutional bodies. You have to play your part in this fight,” the Congress stalwart said in an impassioned video address to voters in the Capital.
“Every vote that you cast will help in the generation of employment opportunities while also reducing inflation, empowering women and creating an India where every citizen is treated as an equal. These elections are not just about equality but also the bright futures of our citizens. I urge you all to ensure the victory of candidates of the Congress and the INDIA bloc by big margins in all seven Lok Sabha seats in the Capital,” the former Congress president and Lok Sabha MP from Raebareli said.
Voting for all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will be held in a single phase on May 25.
As per a seat-sharing alliance that the ruling AAP and the Congress sealed for the Lok Sabha elections in the national capital, the former will contest four seats, including the prestigious New Delhi constituency, while setting aside the remaining three for the Congress.
Significantly, in a first for electoral politics in the country, the Congress has not put up a candidate in the prestigious New Delhi constituency, which would mean that all members of the party’s first family will vote for the AAP’s candidate for the constituency, Somnath Bharti.
However, with less than 48 hours left for polling in the national capital, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AAP supremo and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are not scheduled to hold any joint roadshow for the INDIA candidates.
Headlining a massive public meeting in Delhi’s Dwarka earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi came out all guns blazing at the INDIA bloc, listing out the differences in governance styles of the previous Opposition regimes at the Centre and that of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
He said the sole ‘agenda’ of the Congress and its ‘INDI partners’ was to cater to their families.
Delhi turns into a fortress
Given the voting for the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 25, security has been beefed up in the national capital.
“In Shahdara, there are 166 polling stations and 827 polling booths. Staff has been appointed as per the guidelines of the Election Commission. A staff of 2500 will be on duty that day… The staff was briefed on May 20 and today… Drones will be used at sensitive polling booths…” said Additional DCP Vishnu Kumar Sharma.
As the mercury is on a constant rise in the national capital, the Additional DCP said that it is expected that the temperature might rise to 45 degrees Celsius. “Glucose and ORS have been distributed to the staff and they have been told that they must also carry necessary things with them to protect from heatwave,” he added.
Delhi is undergoing voting in a single phase on all seven Lok Sabha seats on May 25, with a fierce contest between the BJP and the INDIA bloc, comprising the AAP and Congress.
The Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress are fighting the elections in alliance in the national capital, with the AAP contesting four and the Congress three seats.
The seven parliamentary constituencies in Delhi are Chandni Chowk, East Delhi, New Delhi, North East Delhi, North West Delhi, South Delhi, and West Delhi.
Notably, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said on Saturday that a total of 889 candidates from eight States and Union Territories (UTs) will contest elections in 58 constituencies. The voting will begin at 7 a.m. and end at 6 p.m.
The 2024 general elections are held in India in seven phases, from April 19 to June 1, to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha. The results will be announced on June 4. (ANI)
Gandhi further stated that the “Congress and INDIA alliance is dedicated to protecting the Constitution and democracy”…reports Asian Lite News
As the third phase of Lok Sabha elections is underway, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday urged the voters to vote for her party to secure a “brighter future” for the country adding that Bharatiya Janata Party’s only goal is to gain power at any cost and they have promoted “hatred” for political gain.
In a video message, Sonia Gandhi said that youth, women, Dalits, tribals, backward classes and minorities are facing “terrible discrimination” under the BJP government.
“This atmosphere is due to the intentions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. Their focus is only on gaining power at any cost. They have promoted hatred for political gain. The Congress Party and I have always fought for the progress of all, justice for the deprived and to strengthen the country. I want your support. Our Nyay Patra and our guarantees are also aimed at keeping the country united and giving strength to the poor, women, farmers, workers and deprived communities,” Sonia Gandhi said.
Gandhi further stated that the “Congress and INDIA alliance is dedicated to protecting the Constitution and democracy”.
“Vote for Congress for a bright future for all and together let us build a strong and united India,” she added.
The polling started for 93 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and union territories in the third phase of the general election on Tuesday at 7:00 am.
The states and Union Territories where the elections are being held in this phase are Assam (4), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (7), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2), Goa (2), Gujarat (25), Karnataka (14), Maharashtra (11), Madhya Pradesh (8), Uttar Pradesh (10) and West Bengal (4). The BJP has bagged the Surat seat unopposed.
In this phase, more than 1300 candidates, including around 120 women, are in the fray. A total of 17.24 crore voters are eligible to cast their franchise in this phase at 1.85 lakh polling stations. Seventy-five delegates from 23 countries will see the poll process, the poll panel said.
In the 2019 general election, the BJP won 72 of the 93 seats that go to the polls today. Polling for more than half of the total number of constituencies will be completed by the end of this phase. The Lok Sabha elections are being held across seven phases, from April 19 to June 1.
The counting is scheduled for June 4. The Narendra Modi-led BJP is seeking a third term in power, while the opposition INDIA bloc is aiming to wrest power by stopping the juggernaut.
British Raj-like conditions in India, says Priyanka
Launching a sharp attack on the Central government, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said that under the reign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “British Raj-like conditions” are prevailing in the country, with the government policies only benefiting billionaires.
“British Raj-like conditions are prevalent in the country. The policies of the Modi government are not being made keeping in mind the poor but have been made to benefit the billionaires. International reports show that today the condition of inequality in India is worse than British rule,” Priyanka Gandhi said on Tuesday while addressing Congress workers in the Rae Bareli constituency in Uttar Pradesh, where her brother and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is contesting.
“All the institutions which strengthen democracy are being weakened, be it media or Parliament. Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru had fought against the British to strengthen the rights of the people, little did they know that a day would come in independent India when the government would be bent upon depriving the people of their rights,” she added.
She alleged that efforts are being made to change the Constitution, which provides a system like reservation that has changed the lives of crores of people. It is the misfortune of the country that today a person is sitting on the Prime Minister’s chair whose language, behaviour and actions are of low standard, she said.
“We have always given priority to development and have dreamed of a developed and prosperous Rae Bareli. When we got the opportunity, we created employment and development opportunities in Rae Bareli but the Modi government either closed many of the projects started by us or promoted them in its name,” Priyanka Gandhi said.
Raebareli constituency goes to the polls on May 20. In the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi won the constituency, bagging 534,918 votes. Her closest rival, Dinesh Pratap Singh, put up a formidable challenge, gathering 367,740 votes.
Rahul Gandhi had been representing the neighbouring Amethi constituency in Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2019, when he lost to the BJP’s Smriti Irani. (ANI)
On the party’s rout in the Assembly elections to Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Congress leader said the party’s ideology and values are the guiding light at this difficult time…reports Asian Lite News
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on the BJP-led Centre over the bulk suspension of Opposition members from both Houses of Parliament, saying democracy has been strangled by the government.
A total of 141 MPs — 95 from Lok Sabha and 46 from Rajya Sabha — were suspended over two raising a ruckus and disrupting proceedings in both Houses over a demand from Union Minister Amit Shah on the Parliament security breach incident.
However, Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi skirted comments on the suspension of Opposition members.
Addressing the Congress’s Parliamentary Party Meeting on Wednesday, Sonia said, “Democracy has been strangulated by this government. Never before have so many Opposition Members of Parliament been suspended from the house, and that too, simply for raising a perfectly reasonable and legitimate demand.”
“All that the opposition Members of Parliament asked for was a statement to be made by the Home Minister in the Lok Sabha addressing the extraordinary events of December 13. There are no words to describe the arrogance with which this request was treated,” she added.
The party chairperson said the incident on December 13 could be justified.
Hitting out at the ruling BJP, she said, “What happened on December 13 is inexcusable and cannot be justified. It took four days for the Prime Minister to address the nation and express his views on the incident, and he did so outside of the Parliament. By so doing, he clearly indicated his disdain for the dignity of the house and his disregard for the people of our country. I leave it to you to imagine how the BJP would have responded had they been in opposition today.”
Earlier, Rahul, speaking to reporters, claimed that the December 13 security breach was the fallout of ‘unemployment’ and ‘inflation’ in the country.
On the Bills pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir that were passed recently by the Parliament, Sonia said, “This session has seen the passage of some important Bills relating to Jammu and Kashmir. Those who distort history and twist historical facts just to defame great patriots like Jawaharlal Nehru have been running a relentless campaign. In these efforts, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister have taken the lead themselves, but we will not be intimidated or cowed down. We will persist in telling the truth.”
“Our position on Jammu and Kashmir has been clear and consistent: Full statehood must be restored immediately, and elections must be held at the earliest. The aspirations of the people of Ladakh are equally important, they must be addressed and shown the respect they deserve,” the Congress leader added.
On the Women’s Reservation Bill, the veteran Congress leader said, “We believe that the passing of the Women’s Reservation Bill with a rider – that it shall only be implemented after delimitation or a census, is an eyewash intended to mislead women and garner their votes while reneging on that which is rightfully owed to them.”
“Women’s representation in parliament is long overdue. There is no time to waste. It is our firm belief that reservation for women must be implemented immediately and it should cover women belonging to all communities including the OBC community. I congratulate our party colleagues in Telangana for working towards the assembly elections with dedication and determination. The people of Telangana have given us a clear mandate. We must strive our utmost to fulfil their trust and confidence,” she added.
Expressing her happiness over the passage of the Bill to set up a Central Tribal University in Congress-ruled Telangana, Sonia said, “I am happy that this session saw the passage of the Bill to establish a Central Tribal University in Telangana. This was a commitment enshrined in the Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act, 2014. It has taken a government that prides itself on its efficiency, nine long years to fulfil that promise”.
On the party’s rout in the Assembly elections to Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Congress leader said the party’s ideology and values are the guiding light at this difficult time.
“To say that the assembly election results in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have been very disappointing for our party is an understatement. The Congress President has already had a first round of reviews to understand the reasons for our poor performance and draw the needed lessons for our organization. We are facing enormous challenges, yet I am confident that our fortitude and resilience will see us through,” she said.
“Our ideology and our values are our guiding light at this difficult time. We must never forget that our leaders fought against insurmountable odds, with great courage and fortitude, to give us our freedom,” the Congress chairperson added.
Stressing the importance of looking ahead to the Lok Sabha polls next year, Sonia said, “The Lok Sabha elections will be held in the next few months. We have our task cut out both as a party in our own right and also as a member of the INDIA group. The Congress President has already launched our poll preparations. The rally being organized in Nagpur on our Foundation Day is a significant step in this direction.”
“The issues at stake are fundamental. This government has conducted a systematic assault on democracy and the institutions that are its essential pillars, including Parliament,” she added.
Further hitting out at the Centre, she said, “Diversity has been the strength that has distinguished India among the nations of the world. We have always been proud of the manner in which diverse religions, castes and ethnicities have co-existed and participated in building our beautiful nation. However, the actions of this government and the BJP have methodically weakened the very spirit of this unity. The Constitution of the Republic of India is under attack. Economic inequalities are widening. There is a significant gap between the Prime Minister’s boasts about economic growth and the ground reality.”
“Unemployment is soaring higher than in decades, and wealth is being concentrated in the hands of a select clique of industrialists. Prices of everyday commodities are skyrocketing. The poor are suffering. It is imperative that we take these issues to the public. It is equally our duty to fight with all our might against the forces that are damaging the social fabric that has sustained our nation throughout,” she added.
She also thanked the party’s national president Mallikarjun Kharge and other party leaders for their hard work and support.
“Friends, before closing, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kharge-ji on our collective behalf for the leadership he has demonstrated over the past year. My thanks also go out to our CPP office bearers for all their hard work and support. I am also grateful to all our colleagues and workers for campaigning tirelessly for the recent assembly elections. We must channel our disappointment into a positive drive for the coming general elections,” she said.
“You are well aware of the innovative campaign that has been launched to strengthen our party’s finances, its importance cannot be minimized. I am confident that each and every one of you will do your part to ensure that it remains a sustained and successful effort,” she added.
“Finally, as Chairperson of the CPP, I am deeply grateful for the unstinted co-operation I have received from all members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. I wish you all the very best for 2024 and beyond,” Sonia signed off saying. (ANI)
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly session is to be held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, next week…reports Asian Lite News
Thanking the people of Karnataka for electing the Congress to power in the southern State, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said that the newly-formed government will work for development of the state.
In a personalised video address, the former Congress president said, “From my heart, I wish to thank all of you, the people of Karnataka for giving the Congress party such a historic mandate. This mandate is for the pro-people’s government and for the pro-poor government. It is a rejection of politics of divisiveness and a rejection of corruption. I would like to reassure the people of Karnataka that the Congress government which has been sworn in today will stand by its commitment to implement the promises made to them. I am proud that the first Cabinet meeting has already approved the immediate implementation of our five guarantees. The Congress party remains committed to the prosperity, peace and progress of Karnataka. Jai Hind.” Earlier in the day, the newly elected Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the first Cabinet meeting has issued orders for the implementation of five guarantees which were promised by the party before the elections.
The five ‘main’ guarantees are 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti); Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi); 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya); Rs 3,000 every month for unemployed graduate youth and Rs 1,500 for unemployed diploma holders (both in the age group of 18-25) for two years (Yuva Nidhi) and free travel for women in public transport buses (Uchita Prayana).
Addressing a press briefing after the first Cabinet meeting in Vidhan Soudha, here, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said, “Five guarantees in the manifesto were promised and the order for the implementation of those five guarantees was given after the first cabinet meeting. All will be in force after the next cabinet meeting which will be called within a week.”
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly session is to be held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, next week.
As many as eight Congress MLAs were sworn in as ministers in the Karnataka Cabinet during the oath-taking ceremony in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s son Priyank Kharge, party’s MLAs G Parameshwara and MB Patil were among the eight MLAs.
The other MLAs who took oath included KH Muniyappa, KJ George, Satish Jarkiholi, Ramalinga Reddy and BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan.
Top brass of the Congress party including the Gandhi family members Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, party’s national president Mallikarjun Kharge were present on the occasion.
The Chief Ministers of the Congress-ruled states including Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, and Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel attended the event.
The party had also sent an invitation to numerous opposition parties and their leaders.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his Deputy Tejashwi Yadav, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah were also present during the swearing-in ceremony.
Other opposition leaders who were present included Sharad Pawar, and Kamal Haasan.
Congress bagged 135 seats in the May 10 elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly ousting the ruling BJP, which got 66 seats while the Janata Dal (Secular) secured 19 seats in the results declared on May 13. (ANI)
Cabinet gives approval to implement 5 guarantees
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that as promised, the Congress government has in principle approved the 5 Guarantees announced in the party’s manifesto before the elections.
The chief minister was addressing the media about the decisions taken in his first cabinet meeting after assuming office. It is estimated that Rs 1200 crore is required to implement Griha Jyoti scheme, to provide 200 Unit free power to every household. Rs 2000 per month will be transferred to the head woman of the family, 10 kg rice will be given under Anna Bhagya and Rs 3000/month will be given to unemployed graduates and Rs 1500 to diploma holders who have passed out during the current educational year for up to 2 years. Women, who are residents of the State would be given free bus pass to travel in Government Buses, he informed.
Guidelines are being worked out in detail and will be discussed in the next cabinet meeting, he said, adding that Cabinet has also decided to convene a legislature session from May 22 to 24, and the Budget will be presented in July.
According to preliminary estimates, Rs 50,000 crore is required annually to fulfill the 5-guarantees, he said. Chief Minister also added that information about Indira canteen is also being sought and they would be started soon.
The newly sworn-in CM said that during the previous term, “We had fulfilled 158 out of 165 promises made in the Election Manifesto. We have kept our promises. Along with fulfilling the promises, we have implemented more than 30 new schemes such as Indira Canteen, loan waiver, Vidya siri, Shoe Bhagya, Pashu Bhagya etc., which were not included in the manifesto.”
“Opposition is misleading the people by stating that the Guarantee schemes we announced will make our state reel under huge debt and Prime Minister himself has stated in his Mann Ki Baat that the economy will collapse and State will incur huge debts by launching such schemes. But according to our calculations, Rs 50,000 crore is required annually to implement these schemes and it is not impossible to mobilise resources,” the CM said.
The State budget size is Rs 3.10 lakh crore and it increases by around 10 per cent every year. “We will present a 3.25 lakh crore budget in July. We will mobilise the additional Rs 15,000 crore by taking stringent measures to collect taxes,” he said.
It is stated that a mere Rs 50,000 crores have been allocated by the 15th Finance Commission in this year’s budget, whereas “we were entitled to get Rs 1 lakh crore from the Central Government.” The previous Government lacked the will to get the State’s share of grants from the Central Government. Karnataka contributes Rs 4 lakh crore in taxes annually, he explained.
The previous Government and the MPs of the State have failed to get the special Grant in Aid of Rs 5495 crores, recommended by the 15th Finance Commission in its interim report, he said.
CM recalled when former PM Manmohan Singh left office, the debt of the country was Rs 52,11,000 crore.
“Today it has been increased by Rs 155 crore. During the last 9 years Rs 102 lakh crore has been borrowed by the Government of India. By the end of our previous tenure in 2018, the debts of the State were Rs 2,42,000 crore. Our Government had borrowed Rs 1,16,000 crore during 5 years. But in 2023-24, the borrowings have increased to Rs 5,64,000 crore. During the 4 year tenure, BJP Government has borrowed Rs 3,22,000 crore. Our Government will ensure that all the guarantee schemes and other programmes will be implemented without causing a financial crunch to the State exchequer,” he said.
During 2023-24, Rs 56,000 crore is required to repay the interest and principal amount of the debts, he said.
Chief Minister was confident of launching new programmes, without affecting the economy, by taking stringent measures such as efficiency in tax collection, controlling unnecessary expenditure, avoiding borrowings etc.
Siddaramaiah on Saturday took oath as the chief minister of Karnataka and DK Shivakumar as his Deputy chief minister.
Congress bagged 135 seats in the May 10 elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly ousting the ruling BJP, which got 66 seats while the Janata Dal (Secular) secured 19 seats in the results declared on May 13. (ANI)
Indian-origin Conservative party politician Sunak on Tuesday officially became the Prime Minister after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace…reports Asian Lite News
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairman Sonia Gandhi has congratulated UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and expressed hope that bilateral ties will be further strengthened.
“I am delighted at your taking over as Prime Minister of Great Britain. It is certainly a matter of pride for all of us in India.
“Indo-British relations have always been very special and I am confident that they will be further deepened during your tenure,” she said in a letter to Sunak.
Indian-origin Conservative party politician Sunak on Tuesday officially became the Prime Minister after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.
He is the UK’s third leader in seven weeks after winning a Tory leadership contest triggered by Liz Truss stepping down as the Prime Minister after around a month and a half in office.
Congress leaders Ajay Maken and Mallikarjun Kharge are set to submit the report to Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi
Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi on Monday sought detailed report on the drama in party-ruled Rajasthan, where a number of MLAs supporting Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, came out in open revolt, from state in charge Ajay Maken.
A meeting on Rajasthan was held at Gandhi’s 10, Janpath residence with Ajay Maken, senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge and General Secretary, Organisation, K.C. Venugopal present.
Both Maken and Kharge, who were in Jaipur on Sunday, briefed her about the sequence of events in the state.
“I have briefed Congress President… she has sought a detailed report which I will send to her..,” Maken told media persons after the meeting.
Maken, who was in Jaipur along with Kharge to convene the CLP meeting on Sunday for deciding the new CM face but instead faced a high-voltage drama, on Monday told the media that three members from the Gehlot camp had met them with three proposals, which they did not accept as it raised conflict of interest.
Status quo likely
In wake of embarrassment for the Congress in Rajasthan with a number of MLAs, close to Chief Ashok Gehlot, openly revolting, sources said that the party may adopt a wait and watch strategy and maintain status quo till election of the new chief but no final decision has been taken till now by party President Sonia Gandhi.
A meeting is going on between Sonia Gandhi, Kamal Nath and Priyanka Gandhi to chalk out strategy for Rajasthan. Gehlot, who is set to file papers for the Congress Presidential election, was tipped to quit in favour of Sachin Pilot but his supporters came out strongly against it, and the Congress legislature party meet on Sunday had to be called off.
With party observers slamming some actions of loyalists of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, sources said decision on issuing show cause notices to miffed MLAs, who have been vocal in public, will be taken after interim chief looks Sonia Gandhi into the report by the observers sent to the state.
“Status-quo to be maintained till Congress president election nominations. Decision on issuing of show cause notices to miffed MLAs, vocal in public, will be taken after interim chief takes action on a report by observers,” a source said.
The process for filing nominations for Congress presidential elections will end on September 30.
Maken, who is AICC incharge of Rajasthan, said the three ministers who met them at Gehlot’s residence put forward three conditions.
He said they demanded that a decision on a CLP resolution should be after the declaration of Congress presidential poll results on October 19. Rejecting the condition, Maken said a resolution is not passed with conditions and also noted that any such move will be “a conflict of interest” for Gehlot.
He said the ministers also demanded that MLAs should meet the observers in groups and this was not acceptable. “We wanted to meet every MLA individually so that the decision is free and fair,” Maken said.
He said the three ministers also said that a successor to Gehlot should be chosen from among 102 MLAs, who had stood by him during the crisis in 2020. The Gehlot government had faced political crisis in 2020 over demands led by Sachin Pilot and MLAs loyal to him.
Maken on Sunday met three members from the Gehlot camp – Shanti Dhariwal, C.P. Joshi and Pratap Khachriyawas who had put forward their proposals.
Sources said Sonia Gandhi asserted that the polls will be fair and she will not endorse any candidate…reports Asian Lite News
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who is most likely to contest the poll to elect the next Congress President scheduled to held on October 17, met interim party chief Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Wednesday.
In the meeting which lasted for nearly two hours, sources said Sonia Gandhi asserted that the polls will be fair and she will not endorse any candidate.
The sources said that the issue of Rajasthan in the event of Gehlot joining national politics was also discussed, but there is no official word on it yet.
Gehlot is tipped to file his nomination next week for the Congress President’s post; however, he is reportedly reluctant to leave the Chief Minister’s chair in Rajasthan.
Gehlot, who arrived in the national capital on Wednesday morning, had told the media ahead of the meeting that he will not back out from any responsibility.
“I will not back out from any responsibility and will serve the party wherever and in whichever capacity I am required in this hour of crisis,” he said.
However, Gehlot also said that the party wants Rahul Gandhi to take over as the next Congress President.
Gehlot also dropped hint that he can manage the posts of both the party chief and Chief Minister of Rajasthan simultaneously.
The Rajasthan Chief Minister said he is not aspiring for any post, but wants to work towards ousting the ‘fascist’ BJP government.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday arrived at the AICC office here to check the delegates’ list ahead of the issuance of notification for the Congress presidential polls, as he is also expected to file his nomination for the top post next week.
‘Will stay where party benefits’
Amid the ongoing speculation about his candidature in the Congress presidential polls, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said that he would like to stay where the party benefits.
He said “If the people of the party want me, if they feel that I am fit for the post of president or the post of CM, then I cannot refuse. Position doesn’t matter to me.”
Will you continue to be the chief minister, he was asked.
He replied, “I am not talking about staying or not, time will tell where I live, where I do not live, but I would like to live where the party benefits from my stay. I will not remain behind in that case,” he added.
Gehlot, speaking about his visit to Kochi said, “4-5 days ago, I had proposed in the Pradesh Congress Committee that Rahul Gandhi ji should accept the post of president, we wish that he agrees to travel as Congress president, then there will be more aura for the party. I am going to talk to him one more time, I will request one more time to Rahul Gandhi ji, after that I will decide, then I will meet you,” he told the media.
Speaking on the one post, one person formula, he said, “My wish is not to stay in any position, because I have held many positions. Party should benefit from my presence, Congress should be strong, I want this. The party has given me a lot.”
Asked if he can handle both the posts — chief minister and president — Gehlot said, “I told you that whether I am in first position, 2nd position, 3rd post or anywhere, I will not mind. My wish will be that I will not stay on any post now, I have held a lot of posts, now I should enter the field, tour with Rahul Gandhi ji, travel, bring people on the streets and open a front against fascist people, the party has given me everything, today the party is in trouble. I will not back down wherever I am needed to strengthen the Congress,” he added.
Recently, during a meeting of Congress delegates in Jaipur, Gehlot had passed a resolution demanding that Rahul Gandhi be elected as the party president by asking members to raise their hands.
Gehlot’s visit to Kochi is also being seen as a similar exercise. After Gehlot’s visit to Delhi and Kochi, there is a program of further political tours. For three to four days, Gehlot will stay in Delhi and prepare a strategy for the election of the president.
Gehlot’s visit to Kochi is considered important for the election of the party president as well as for the politics of Rajasthan. If he contests the election of the president, then there will be a discussion on the role of his former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot. Pilot has also gone to Kochi to join Rahul Gandhi’s Yatra.
During her interrogation, she was accompanied by her son Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra…reports Asian Lite News
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, who appeared before the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to the National Herald paper, left the agency’s office after three hours of questioning.
Upon reaching the ED’s headquarters at around 12.10 p.m., Sonia was interrogated by a team of additional director Monika Sharma.
During her interrogation, she was accompanied by her son Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
A few minutes later, Rahul left the ED’s headquarters while Priyanka stayed backed with her mother’s medicine box.
Priyanka had requested to be present at ED’s headquarters with her mother.
Taking Sonia’s health into considering, the ED allowed Priyanka to stay back but in a separate room.
The Congress leader was earlier summoned by the central agency who sought more time owing to her ill-health.
Sources say that she was asked the same set of questions which were asked to Rahul during his five-day questioning, ED sources claimed.
Sonia had problem while speaking
Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi is an asthmatic and due to post Covid complications, she was using Nebulizer to stabilize her breath while being questioned in the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday.
Sources said that Sonia Gandhi is suffering post Covid complications and she had problems while speaking.
Earlier, Priyanka Gandhi had told ED officials that her mother doesn’t keep well, and she was looking after her medicines. She said that she would assist her mother due to her poor health. She had requested the officials to let her be present in the ED office during her questioning which was accepted.
Sources said that Sonia Gandhi’s second round of questioning couldn’t take place due to her poor health.
Now she will join the probe on July 25. There are possibilities that her questioning can go on for a few days like her son Rahul Gandhi.
People familiar with the development said her questioning schedule might not be as hectic as that Rahul Gandhi, who was grilled for 10 hours over five days last month…reports Asian Lite News
Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for her interrogation in the National Herald newspaper money laundering case even as Congress workers and party leaders protested in Lutyens’ Zone, a reminder of last month’s protests outside ED office when Rahul Gandhi was questioned by the federal agency.
Accompanied by her son Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sonia Gandhi reached the ED office around noon.
The 75-year-old interim president of the grand old party, who is being questioned for the first time ever, is under investigation along with her son for alleged transfer of party funds to Associated Journals Limited, the company which ran National Herald, and running of Young Indian Pvt Ltd, in which she is a majority stakeholder.
People familiar with the development said her questioning schedule might not be as hectic as that Rahul Gandhi, who was grilled for 10 hours over five days last month.
However, she could be called for questioning again on consecutive days to answer the queries of the investigation team.
Keeping in mind her age and health, as special exemption, daughter Priyanka was allowed to accompany Sonia Gandhi inside the ED office, according to an officer.
However, Priyanka will be made to sit in a separate room, not in the interrogation room, the officer said. Rahul Gandhi, however, joined his mother only till outside the ED office.
Sonia Gandhi was originally supposed to be questioned on in first week of June but due to Covid-19 infection, the date was postponed to June 23. She had sought four weeks’ time from the central agency as she was strictly advised to rest at home following her hospitalisation last month due to Covid-19 infection. Her request had been accepted by the ED on June 23 and fresh summons were issued for Thursday.
She is likely to be questioned about her role in day-to- day functioning of Young Indian Pvt Ltd (YI), a company in which she is a majority stakeholder along with her son Rahul Gandhi; acquisition of Associated Journals Ltd by YI; a loan of ₹90.21 crore given by the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) to AJL; and transactions related to the development of a property in Mumbai.
Rahul Gandhi was questioned for five days on similar lines last month in the case. Both are 76% stakeholders in Young Indian.
Congress party claimed that Gandhis are being hounded by the Centre. It has claimed that the transaction from AICC to AJL was done to help save the newspaper and pay the salaries of journalists and staffers at a time when AJL faced huge debts. It has further argued that the decision helped revive the organisation and blames the central government for raking up an old issue to target the Gandhi family and for political vendetta.
However, investigators have said that YI is not a charity. According to another officer, who didn’t want to be named, said, “as reflected in the Income Tax department’s probe, even though YI was registered under section 25 of Companies Act, 1956 in November 2010, it has no business or income of its own and has not carried out any charitable activities”.
During Rahul Gandhi’s extensive questioning in mid-June, hundreds of Congress workers and senior leaders protested in the national Capital and gave arrests alleging political vendetta by the Centre.
