Page 8 - Congress

Amit Shah lights into Cong for forgetting those who fought for Hyderabad

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday lit into the Congress, alleging that it never remembered those who fought and sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Hyderabad from the brutal' Nizam rule. Addressing a public gathering after inaugurating the Gorata Martyrs' Memorial and statue of the country's first Home Minister late Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Gorata village in the district, Shah also slammed the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Telangana government for "hesitating" to celebrate the Hyderabad Liberation Day. Recalling the horror of Gorata on May 9, 1948, the Union Minister said 200 people were massacred by the brutal" Nizam even though the country had become independent. More than 200 people were massacred here in Gorata by the brutal Nizam but due to its appeasement policy, the Congress never remembered those who fought and sacrificed their lives for Hyderabad liberation only for its greed for vote bank, Shah said. Paying his obeisance to Sardar Patel, he said had there not

Cong in Telangana holds 'deeksha' protest against Rahul's disqualification

: The Congress in Telangana on Sunday began a day-long dharna at Gandhi Bhavan here against the disqualification of senior party leader Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President, A Revanth Reddy, party MPs from the state, AICC incharge of party affairs in Telangana Manikrao Thakre and several leaders took part in the protest and expressed their solidarity with Rahul Gandhi. The Congress leaders, addressed the 'deeksha' and condemned Rahul Gandhi's disqualification as an MP following his conviction by a Surat court in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark. The Lok Sabha Secretariat had in a notification said that his disqualification was effective from March 23 -- the day of his conviction.

Rahul Gandhi updates Twitter bio, describes himself as 'Dis'Qualified MP'

Following his disqualification from the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday changed his bio on Twitter where he described himself as a "Dis'Qualified MP". He also wrote "Dis'Qualified MP" on his the official Wayanad Twitter account. Gandhi was disqualified from the Lok Sabha on Friday, a day after a court in Gujarat's Surat convicted him in a 2019 defamation case. The disqualification will prevent Gandhi (52), a four-time MP, from contesting elections for eight years unless a higher court stays the conviction. Even though Gandhi is yet to file a review petition, the Congress has said it would fight it legally and politically.

Martyr PM's son who walked for unity can never insult country: Priyanka

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday said a martyred prime minister's son who walked thousands of kilometres for national unity can never insult the country as the Congress held a nationwide protest against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha. Priyanka Gandhi was addressing a gathering at Rajghat -- the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi -- here to protest against Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a 2019 defamation case and his subsequent disqualification from the Lok Sabha. She said the time had come to raise a voice against an "arrogant government" as barring Rahul Gandhi from contesting elections does not bode well for the country and its democracy. The Congress leader alleged that Rahul Gandhi was disqualified for questioning the prime minister on industrialist Gautam Adani and people will give a befitting reply to those behind the action. "My family's blood has ploughed democracy in this country. We are ready to do anything for this country's ...

Rahul's disqualification will 'put in more steel' in Congress: Chidambaram

Former finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday said his party's leader Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha would strengthen the Congress party, helping its prospects in next year's general election. Describing the political landscape as an undeclared emergency, Chidambaram in an exclusive emailed interview said the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has made the Congress its prime target wishing its elimination in order to more easily manage the regional parties. However, he asserted that Congress would not be eliminated and regional parties would rise and fight the BJP. Excerpts: Q: In the backdrop of Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from the Lok Sabha after a court judgement in a defamation case, how do you read the country's political landscape? A: The country is already in an emergency-like situation. It is an undeclared emergency. One of the complaints during the emergency was that press freedom was snuffed out. Is it any different today?

Congress workers in Himachal protest disqualification of Rahul from LS

Lodging their protest against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha, Congress leaders on Sunday held a 'Sankalp Satyagraha' here. The Congress leaders and workers gathered at the Ridge and protested against the move. The party would launch a statewide protest against the alleged attempt of the BJP government to "kill democracy" and "muzzle" the voice of the people from Monday, said Congress leaders. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had on Friday maintained that a conspiracy had been hatched to defame Rahul Gandhi, who has been raising the issues of public concern. Gandhi undertook a march from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, and is the only leader who is raising the true voice of the people and keeping democracy alive, he had stated. Opposition is very important for a healthy democracy but the BJP has "throttled" democracy by not allowing the Congress leaders to speak inside Parliament as well as outside, Sukhu added.

Sankalp Satyagrah: Gujarat Congress functionaries detained while protesting

Several Congress functionaries were detained in Gujarat on Sunday during the party's 'Sankalp Satyagrah' agitation against the disqualification of their leader Rahul Gandhi as Lok Sabha MP following his conviction in a defamation case by a Surat court. Gandhi was sentenced to two years in jail on Thursday in a criminal defamation case over his Modi surname and thieves remark, and his disqualification notice was issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat a day later. Police detained state Congress chief Jagdish Tahor, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Amit Chavda and senior leader Bharatsinh Solanki along with party workers when they arrived at Lal Darwaza here to protest. The protesters were taken to the police stadium where they continued to shout slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party. "We have the power of Truth and resolution of Satyagraha. To expose the loot of BJP, with a firm determination to protect democracy, each and every worker of Gujara

JKPCC holds Sankalp Satyagraha against Rahul's disqualification from LS

The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Sunday held a day-long Sankalp Satyagraha' against Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha, with party leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir accusing the BJP government at the Centre of being undemocratic. Scores of party activists led by former JKPCC president Ghulam Ahmad Mir held the Sankalp Satyagraha' at the party's headquarter at M A Road here. Speaking to reporters, Mir said not only Congress party, but all non-BJP secular parties have come together, and are wailing over the death of democracy in the country. The BJP government has not left any sign of the Constitution in the country, all the steps it takes are illegal and undemocratic, he charged. Mir said after February 7 when Gandhi lifted the veil over Prime Minister Narendra Modi-(Gautam) Adani relation, the BJP government allegedly rushed to process of conviction and the subsequent disqualification. Gandhi raised questions over the relationship between the two, and how

Cong Rajasthan chief calls Rahul's disqualification 'murder of democracy'

The Congress' Rajasthan unit on Sunday began its day-long "Sankalp Satyagraha" here in support of Rahul Gandhi following his disqualification from the Lok Sabha. The party's state unit chief Govind Singh Dotasra, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas and several other leaders are taking part in the protest at the Collectorate Circle. Similar protests are also being organised in other districts. The Congress has launched a day-long satyagraha at all states and district headquarters to protest against Gandhi's conviction in a 2019 defamation case and his subsequent disqualification from the Lok Sabha. Gandhi was disqualified from the Lok Sabha on Friday, a day after a court in Gujarat's Surat convicted him in the defamation case. The disqualification will prevent Gandhi (52), a four-time MP, from contesting elections for eight years unless a higher court stays the conviction. Calling Gandhi's disqualification "murder of democracy", Dotasra said, "We are holding

Congress begins day-long Sankalp Satyagraha at Rajghat in support of Rahul

The Congress on Sunday began a day-long "Sankalp Satyagraha" at Delhi's Rajghat in support of Rahul Gandhi following his disqualification from the Lok Sabha. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, senior leaders KC Venugopal, P Chidambaram and Salman Khurshid were among the party's top brass taking part in the satyagraha at Rajghat. Jairam Ramesh, Mukul Wasnik, Pawan Kumar Bansal, Saktisinh Gohil, Jothimani, Pratibha Singh and Manish Chatrath were also present at the protest site. Several leaders of the party's Delhi also took part in the protest while a large number of party workers gathered outside the venue despite the police refusing to grant permission for the satyagraha. In a letter, the Delhi Police said the request for holding the satyagraha was rejected due to law and order and traffic reasons and prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC had been imposed in and around Rajghat. A senior police officer told PTI that while permission f

Delhi Police refuses Cong to observe 'satyagraha' in solidarity with Rahul

The Delhi Police has denied permission to the Congress for holding 'satyagraha' at Rajghat to protest against Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from the Lok Sabha, officials said on Sunday. In a letter, the Delhi Police said the request was rejected due to law and order and traffic reasons and prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC have been imposed in and around Rajghat. A senior police officer told PTI that while permission for holding the satyagraha has been denied, adequate security arrangements have been put in place. The Congress has announced plans to hold a day-long satyagraha in front of Gandhi statues at all states and district headquarters on Sunday to protest against Gandhi's disqualification. Gandhi was disqualified from the Lok Sabha on Friday, a day after a court in Gujarat's Surat convicted him in a 2019 defamation case. The disqualification will bar Gandhi (52), a four-time MP, from contesting polls for eight years unless a higher court stays his conviction.

Rahul's disqualification: Cong to observe day-long Satyagraha across nation

The Congress will hold a day-long 'Satyagraha' in front of Gandhi statues at all states and district headquarters on Sunday to protest against Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha. The satyagraha will begin at 10 AM and end at 5 PM. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will stage the satyagraha at Raj Ghat in the national capital. Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from the Lok Sabha on Friday, a day after a court in Gujarat's Surat convicted him in a 2019 defamation case. The disqualification will bar Gandhi (52), a four-time MP, from contesting polls for eight years unless a higher court stays his conviction. The Congress leader claimed that the action against him was taken because Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "scared" of his next speech in Parliament on the Adani issue and alleged that the "whole game" was to distract people from the issue and the panic the government was feeling over the matter. The Congress has said

Congress in Goa to hold Satyagraha to protest Rahul's disqualification

The Congress in Goa has planned to hold 'Satyagraha' on Sunday at Mahatma Gandhi Statue in Old Goa to protest against the disqualification of party leader Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha

Youth Congress workers block Delhi-Jaipur Highway on RaGa disqualification

Many Youth Congress workers on Saturday blocked the Delhi-Jaipur Highway here and burnt tyres in protest against the disqualification of party leader Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha. The party workers led by Haryana Youth Congress chief Divyanshu Budhiraja reached near Kherki Daula toll plaza at around 12:30 pm and raised slogans against the BJP government. The Centre has cancelled the membership of Rahul Gandhi to suppress the voice of the Opposition. We will protest on the streets against the dictatorial decision of the BJP government which is scared of the support received by Gandhi-led 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'," Budhiraja said. The Gurugram police reached the protest site and detained one of the protesters. "Vikas Parmar alias Lala, a resident of Rohtak, was detained. He was released later," a police officer said. Following the complaint of ASI Yogender Kumar, an FIR was registered against about 20 protesters under sections 147 (riots), 283 (obstruction in public way), 341 (wrongfu

BJP wants a developed Karnataka, Congress sees as its ATM: PM Modi

In poll-bound Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a strong pitch for the return of the ruling BJP, lashed out at politics of manipulation and addressed a public rally at Davanagere after getting yet another rousing reception in his seventh visit to the southern state. The PM wrapped up a busy day of public engagements that also included a tribute to the legendary Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya and a Metro rail ride on a new route that Modi inaugurated. In yet another stinging attack on the Congress, he said it looks at Karnataka as an "ATM" to fill the coffers of its leaders. Seeking a resounding mandate for a successive stint for the BJP in Karnataka, Modi said a stable government led by the saffron party was the need of the hour for the State's fast paced development. Stressing that Karnataka should be brought out of the "politics of manipulation", he said BJP wants to make the State a driving force of developed India, while the Congress looks at it as "an ATM t

LIVE: Indian boxer Saweety Boora becomes light heavyweight world champion

Catch all the latest news updates from across the globe here

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi trying to become 'martyr': Ravi Shankar Prasad

"Rahul Gandhi did the press conference in Delhi in a well planned manner. He wants to present himself sacrificial and take benefit in the Karnataka assembly election," the BJP leader asserted

Will fight for democracy even if disqualified permanently: Rahul Gandhi

A combative Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that even if he is disqualified from Parliament for life or jailed, he would keep defending the democratic nature of the country, and claimed that a "panic-stricken" government has handed the Opposition a "weapon" with the move to disqualify him. At his first press conference after being disqualified from the Lok Sabha, Gandhi claimed that he has been disqualified because Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "scared" of his next speech on the Adani issue and alleged that the "whole game" was to distract people from the panic that the government was feeling over the matter. Gandhi said the moot question remains who invested Rs 20,000 crore in Adani shell firms and that he will keep raising it. "I am here defending the democratic voice of the Indian people, I will continue to do that. I am not scared of these threats, of these disqualifications, allegations, prison sentences. I am not scared of them. These people don't understand me yet, I am not

Congress releases first list of 124 candidates for Karnataka Assembly polls

The Congress on Saturday announced its first list of 124 candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka with former chief minister Siddaramaiah being fielded from his Varuna seat. Pradesh Congress Committee chief DK Shivakumar will contest the elections from his Kanakapura assembly constituency, according to the list. The party has fielded former deputy chief minister G Parameshwara from the Koratagere (SC) constituency. Former ministers KH Muniappa and Priyank Kharge will contest from Devanahalli and Chitapur (SC), respectively. Priyank is the son of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. The party's central election committee cleared the first list of candidates after a meeting in Delhi on March 17. The committee is chaired by Congress chief Kharge. Rahul Gandhi was also present at the meeting. The Congress is the first party to release its candidates' list for the elections in Karnataka. The Election Commission is yet to announce the schedule for assembly polls in the .

Rahul Gandhi Lok Sabha disqualification row: Here is what you need to know

Rahul Gandhi during press conference earlier today said that he can't be silenced by being disqualified from Lok Sabha