Page 4 - Indian National Congress

Cong chief urges people of Tripura to vote 'without fear' in assembly polls

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday urged the people of Tripura to vote "without fear" in the assembly polls, and asserted that they were united for change. Voting for the 60-member Assembly in Tripura began at 7 am on Thursday amid tight security. "People of Tripura are united for change. Sincerely urge everyone, especially the youth to come out and participate in the festival of Democracy and vote for peace and progress," Kharge said in a tweet. "Vote, without fear," he added. Votes will be counted on March 2.

Jairam Ramesh urges RBI, SEBI to probe allegations against Adani Group

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has written to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and sought an investigation into allegations of financial irregularities and stock manipulation against the Adani Group. In his letter to Das posted on Twitter on Wednesday, Ramesh urged the RBI to ensure that "excessive debt exposure" by the Adani Group currently and in the future does not destabilise India's banking system. "The Adani Group has been described as 'deeply over-leveraged' - if the Adani Group has artificially inflated the value of its stock through manipulation by offshore shell companies and raised funds by pledging those overvalued shares, the recent sell off in stock prices is creating vulnerabilities for the Adani Group to find financing, and by implication for India's banking system," the Congress MP said in his letter dated February 14. Ramesh called on the RBI to look into

BJP received Rs 614 cr as donation, Cong Rs 94 crore in 2021-22: ADR

The BJP received Rs 614 crore as donation in 2021-22, while the Congress got Rs 95 crore, according to poll reform body ADR. According to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), the total donations (above Rs 20, 000) declared by the national parties for 2021-22 was Rs 780.774 crore from 7,141 donations. "A total of Rs 614.63 crore from 4,957 donations was declared by the BJP, followed by Rs 95.46 crore from 1,255 donations declared by Congress. The donations declared by the BJP are more than three times the aggregate declared by the Congress, NCP, CPI, CPI(M), NPEP and AITC for the same period," the ADR said. The Bahujan Samaj Party (SP) declared it did not receive any donation above Rs 20,000 during 2021-22 as it has been declaring for the past 16 years, the ADR said. The total donations of the national parties during 2021-22 rose by Rs 187.03 crore, an increase of 31.50 per cent from 2020-21. Donations to the BJP rose from Rs 477.55 in 2020-21 crore during to R

We condemn 'intimidation tactics', shows govt scared of criticism: Congress

The Congress on Tuesday termed as "intimidation tactics" the Income Tax survey operation at the BBC offices and alleged that the action shows that the Modi government is scared of criticism. The Income Tax Department on Tuesday conducted a survey operation at the BBC's offices in Delhi and Mumbai as part of an investigation into alleged tax evasion, officials said. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that while the party is demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe on the Adani issue, the "government is after the BBC". He also used a Hindi idiom to attack the government, saying "Vinash Kale, Vipreet Buddhi" (When doom approaches, a person's intellect works against his interest). "Here we are demanding JPC on the Adani issue but the government is after the BBC. Vinash Kale Viprit Buddhi," Ramesh said. Reacting to the development, Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said the IT raid at BBC's offices "reeks of desperation and shows that the Modi ..

If nothing to hide, why govt running from JPC probe into Adani issue: Cong

The Congress on Tuesday alleged that the Centre was "running away" from a JPC probe into the Adani-Hindenburg issue and said such an investigation be allowed if the government has nothing to hide in the matter. The Congress' attack on the government came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah's reported remarks that there is nothing for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to hide or be afraid of in the matter. Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said he has written to RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das and SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch for an impartial probe into the Adani issue. Reacting to Shah's reported remarks, Ramesh said, "If they do not have anything to hide, why are they running away from a Joint Parliamentary Committee (probe)." "They do not even allow us to raise the demand of the JPC in Parliament. When our leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge ji, raised the demand for JPC, their remarks were expunged

Rahul's plane 'deliberately' denied landing permission in Varanasi: Cong

The Congress Party have alleged that Rahul Gandhi's plane was denied permission to land at Varanasi's Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport on Monday.Congress leader Ajay Rai said that the airport authorities did not grant permission as they were under pressure, and that they used President Droupadi Murmu's visit as an 'excuse'.He said Rahul Gandhi's flight was scheduled to land at Varanasi airport on Monday night, but was "deliberately" not given permission."Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to arrive here and then go to Prayagraj, but the airport authority did not allow his plane to land due to pressure from the government. They said there is a heavy aircraft movement and traffic congestion and did not give permission," Rai alleged.The Congress leader also said that the BJP government is 'scared' of Rahul Gandhi and hence they did not allow the plane to land at the airport in Varanasi."Prime minister of the country has been anxious since Rahul Gandhi led the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Now, they are ...

Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned till March 13 amid Oppn's disruptions

Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till March 13 on Monday as Opposition parties disrupted the House, demanding revocation of the suspension of Congress MP Rajani Patil and setting up of a JPC to probe allegations against the Adani Group. The House, which was briefly adjourned in the morning, will now meet at 11 am on March 13 after recess. Soon after the listed papers were laid on the table of the House, Opposition MPs insisted that the Chair allow Leader of Opposition and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to speak. When Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar permitted Kharge to speak, several members from the treasury benches started raising slogans. However, Kharge's remarks were expunged by the chair. Opposition MPs too kept raising slogans. Several of them trooped into the Well of the House. Patil was suspended from the House for the remainder of the Budget session for circulating an unauthorised video of house proceedings.

Manish Tewari moves adjournment notice in LS on China transgression issue

Congress MP Manish Tewari on Monday moved an adjournment notice in the Lok Sabha to discuss the China transgressions issue.

Union budget 'exclusionary', minorities 'brutally discriminated': Congress

Dubbing the Union Budget "exclusionary", Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleged on Friday that the minorities have been "brutally discriminated" against in the allocations and that many view it as part of a series of Islamophobic policy decisions by the government. Concluding a discussion on the budget in Lok Sabha, Chowdhury also asked the government to answer questions raised in the US-based short seller Hindenburg Research's report on billionaire Gautam Adani's companies that triggered an unprecedented stock crash. He reiterated the Opposition's demand for a joint parliamentary committee probe or a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the matter. Chowdhury alleged that the Union Budget for 2023-24 was nothing but "skewed numbers" and had neglected regions such as Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. He claimed that the budget had failed to cater to vulnerable sections of society, including women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and ...

Rajasthan Budget: Free electricity to farmers using less than 2,000 units

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday announced free electricity to more than 11 lakh farmers who consume less than 2,000 units per month. Providing uninterrupted power supply for farming is a priority for the state government, the chief minister said in his Budget speech for 2023-24. Farmers consuming up to 2,000 units per month will get free electricity from the 2023-24 financial year, Gehlot said. He also announced the enactment of the Rajasthan Farmers Debt Relief Act in order to protect the land of small and marginal farmers from being auctioned off.

Is there pressure on NSE, SEBI to go 'easy' on Adani Group, asks Congress

The Congress alleged on Thursday that the National Stock Exchange (NSE) "failed" to take action against the embattled Adani Group and asked if there was "pressure" on the bourse and market regulator SEBI to go easy on the conglomerate. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posed a set of three questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of the party's "HAHK (Hum Adani ke Hain Kaun)" series to target the government in the wake of the fraud-allegation-triggered rout in Adani Group company stocks. Ramesh alleged that the "failure" of market regulators like the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to protect Indian capital markets has "tarnished" their image and put a question mark on the integrity of India's financial markets. In a statement addressing the prime minister, Ramesh said, "You (PM) have used strong words in the past, calling on world leaders at G20 meets 'to eliminate safe havens for economic offenders', to 'track down and unconditionally extradite money

Opposition attacks PM for 'not giving answers' on Adani rout issue

The opposition hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday for not responding to allegations related to industrialist Gautam Adani, which they termed "the elephant in the room", with former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi accusing Modi of "protecting" the billionaire. The opposition's attack came after Modi said the trust reposed in him by crores of people is his protective shield, which cannot be breached by abuse and allegations from his detractors. Replying to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address in the Lok Sabha, the prime minister said people know that he has come to their help in times of crisis and asked the opposition parties how would these same people agree with their abuses and allegations. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh described the prime minister's reply in Parliament as diversionary and said there was not even a word on his "links" with his "favourite businessman". Trinamool Congress's (TMC) leader in the Lok Sabha Sudip ...

ED has done what voters couldn't; united the Opposition, says PM Modi

She guided millions of Indians; her presence as the head of the republic is historic and inspiring, said PM Modi in his reply to the motion of thanks on the President's address

United on Adani, but divided on alliance: Oppn's fragile equations

Keeping their differences aside, even the BRS and AAP attended the Opposition's meeting convened on Friday to work out a strategy to corner the government in Parliament

Parliament likely to witness disruptions over Adani issue for 2nd day

The opposition parties had stalled proceedings on Thursday over the issue and according to sources aware of developments, disruptions are likely to continue

Adani row: Cong to stage nationwide protest near LIC, SBI branches on Feb 6

The Opposition is taking this line of argument, that the exposure of LIC and public sector banks like the SBI to the Adani Group has significant implications for middle-class savings

Adani's morality similar to his Prime Mentor's humility: Congress

The Congress Thursday took a dig at Adani Enterprises over its decision to withdraw its Rs 20,000-crore share sale, saying Gautam Adani speaking of being "morally correct" is like his "Prime Mentor" preaching humility, sobriety and large-heartedness. Adani Enterprises on Wednesday said it has decided to withdraw its fully subscribed Rs 20,000-crore follow-on public offer (FPO) and will return the proceeds to investors. Adani Group company stocks have lost over USD 90 billion in value since a US short seller made damning allegations. "Given these extraordinary circumstances, the company's board felt that going ahead with the issue will not be morally correct," Gautam Adani, chairman of Adani Enterprises, said. "The interest of the investors is paramount and hence to insulate them from any potential financial losses, the Board has decided not to go ahead with the FPO," Adani said. Reacting to the remarks, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said on Twit

Congress to hold MPs' meeting ahead of Budget presentation in Parliament

Congress has convened a meeting of its Lok Sabha MPs ahead of the budget presentation in Parliament to devise strategy

Sonia to attend President's address as Congress leaders stuck in Srinagar

Sonia Gandhi will attend the President's address to Parliament on Tuesday as many party MPs, including Leader of Opposition are stuck in Srinagar due to inclement weather

All-party meet ahead of Budget session, opposition raises Adani issue

The government on Monday said it was willing to discuss every issue under rules during the Budget Session of Parliament and sought the support of the Opposition in running the proceedings smoothly. Briefing the media after an all-party meeting convened by the government ahead of the Budget Session beginning Tuesday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the government was willing to discuss every issue in Parliament under rules. "We seek Opposition's cooperation" in running the House smoothly. At the meet, Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjay Singh, RJD's Manoj Jha, DMK, Left parties and others raise the Adani issue and sought discussion on it in Parliament during the session. The US-based short seller Hindenburg Research has accused the Adani Group of wrongdoing like stock manipulation. The company has dismissed the allegations as "nothing but a lie". The YSR Congress demanded a nationwide caste-based economic census at the meet. It is necessary to know the economic status of ...