Page 5 - Mallikarjun Kharge

Bihar Congress defers launch of state-wide padayatra to January 5

The Bihar Congress on Sunday deferred the launch of its state-wide padayatra on the lines of the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' to January 5 next year and said AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge will start the foot march from Banka district. Earlier, Kharge was supposed to launch the state-wide 1200-km march on December 28. Bihar Congress spokesperson Asit Tiwary told reporters that now the "padayatra would be launched by all India Congress committee president Mallikarjun Kharge on January 5, not on December 28 as announced earlier". He, however, did not mention any reason for the deferment of the foot march. All the district units have been informed about the change of the schedule of the long march, he said. Besides the main 3,570-km Kanyakumari to Kashmir yatra, the Congress is organising several sub-marches in states from where the main foot march will not pass. When the state-wide yatra will reach Patna, a rally will be organised which will be addressed by either Sonia Gandhi or Priyank

When will nation have 'China pe Charcha'?: Mallikarjun Kharge asks PM Modi

The Congress on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not allowing a discussion in Parliament on the situation along the border with China and asked why he was not taking the nation into confidence in the matter. His attack on the government came days after Indian Army personnel clashed with Chinese soldiers in the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh. Claiming that Chinese build-up in Doklam is threatening the strategic "Siliguri Corridor" -- the gateway to northeastern states -- the party asked when the nation will have "China pe charcha". "Chinese build-up in Doklam up to 'Jampheri Ridge' is threatening India's strategic 'Siliguri Corridor' the gateway to Northeastern States! This is of utmost concern for our National Security! @narendramodi ji, When will the nation have... 'CHINA PE CHARCHA'?" Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted, in a swipe at Prime Minister Modi's campaign initiative "chai pe charcha". Congress general secretary communications Jairam Rames

BJP calls Rahul 'Jaichand', says Congress chief Kharge should expel him

The BJP launched a fierce attack on Rahul Gandhi on Saturday for his remark that Chinese soldiers are beating up Indian Army personnel in Arunachal Pradesh and said the Congress should immediately expel him from the party. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said if Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is not "remote-controlled" and if the opposition party stands with the country, then Gandhi should be expelled for his comments, which "belittle" India and break the morale of its armed forces. Bhatia likened Gandhi to Jaichand, the king of Kannauj who is projected as a betrayer to the Indian cause in some historical accounts, and alleged that the former Congress chief has constantly tried to break the armed forces' morale, be it after the surgical and airstrikes on terror camps in Pakistan or after the Galwan valley clashes, in which 20 soldiers had laid down their lives. While Gandhi allegedly sought evidence of the armed forces' strikes on terrorists inside ...

BJY has taken shape of national Jan Andolan: Kharge hails Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday congratulated party leader Rahul Gandhi for completing 100 days of the Bharat Jodo Yatra', saying it has taken the shape of a national Jan Andolan. He said the yatra has reached a historic milestone by completing 100 days on Friday. "I congratulated Rahul Gandhi ji on this occasion. The Bharat Jodo Yatra is getting the support and confidence of lakhs of people. In the yatra we are directly interacting with people, with youths, farmers, oppressed sections of society, women, ex-servicemen, social workers and all sections of society," Kharge said in a video message on the 100 days of the yatra. He said the yatra is uniting the country primarily on three issues -- the first is against the hatred being spread in society in the wake of rising atrocities against scheduled castes, backward classes and minorities. The Congress is raising its voice against these atrocities, he added. In the last eight years, the country is grappling with ...

Karnataka CM Bommai urges Kharge, Gandhis to clear their stand on terrorism

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday asked the AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, former party presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to clear their stand on terrorism and terrorists

Kharge to meet key leaders to check Congress' Karnataka poll preparedness

The 3 pm meeting will be likely attended by state Congress chief DK Shivkumar, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, senior leader MB Patil and AICC In-charge of the state Randeep Singh Surjewala

Ahead of K'taka polls, Kharge calls meeting of state Cong leaders in Delhi

As assembly elections in Karnataka are due in the next few months, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has called a meeting of the party's senior leaders from the state on Monday in New Delhi, to discuss the preparations and the strategy for the polls. According to a party functionary, 14 leaders from the state, including Karnataka Congress President D K Shivakumar, and state Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah, among others will be attending the meeting at the AICC office in the national capital. Amid signs of factionalism within the state unit, Kharge is likely to instruct the party leaders to work in a united manner for ensuring victory, the functionary said, adding that discussions are likely to take place regarding preparations, tour plans, preliminary discussions regarding candidate selection, among others. Confirming former chief minister Siddaramaiah's attendance at the meeting, his office in a statement said the Leader of Opposition in the assembly will be travelling to

Himachal Pradesh new CM and Dy CM to be sworn-in on Dec 11: Kharge

The new Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister will be sworn in on December 11, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said on Saturday . The veteran leader, who is on a maiden visit to his home town of Kalaburagi, after taking over as the AICC chief, urged the Karnataka Congress leaders and workers to work with unity to bring the party to power in the state, which will go to polls by April-May 2023. "We have won in Himachal Pradesh by giving a 10-point programme. We have won there with a good majority. Tomorrow there is a swearing-in ceremony there. That's the reason I had gone out to discuss with our senior leaders," Kharge said. Addressing a mega gathering here, he said after discussion with everyone we have decided to have a swearing-in ceremony for the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister tomorrow. "It (Himachal Pradesh) like victory should repeat in Karnataka also, everyone should join hands and march forward.... I want Congress party and the Congress .

Congress to take 'consensus' decision based on views of MLAs in HP: Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said the views of the newly-elected MLAs in Himachal Pradesh were being sought to bring out a consensus on who will be their leader. He said the observers sent to the hill state were seeking the individual views of all party legislators and they would convey to him their opinions, based on which the party will take a decision on the chief ministerial candidate. Kharge said in the Congress party, there is a procedure in place and the party observers go and take the opinion of all legislators.

Cong leaders greet Sonia on birthday, Kharge hails her 'indomitable spirit'

Several Congress leaders greeted former party chief Sonia Gandhi on her birthday on Friday, with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge saying her "indomitable spirit" in the wake of adversity has inspired millions. The former Congress president is in Rajasthan on her 76th birthday and is spending time with her children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Rahul Gandhi is leading the Bharat Jodo Yatra that is currently passing through Rajasthan.Today is a pre-declared holiday for the Yatra. In a tweet, Kharge said, "Extending my warm birthday greetings to CPP Chairperson, Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji. Her grace, dedication, indomitable spirit and dignity in the wake of adversity has inspired millions. I wish her a long and healthy life". The Congress, from its official Twitter handle, said, "Warm birthday wishes to Smt Sonia Gandhi who epitomizes sacrifice, courage & dedication.Her sense of duty and grace is an inspiration." Several top Congress leaders including party general secretary ...

Too early to speak now: Kharge on Gujarat, Himachal election results

In Himachal Pradesh, as per the latest trends by the ECI, the BJP is currently leading in 24 seats after registering victory in one of the 68 assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh

Laws passed in haste, court's comments not good, says Kharge in Rajya Sabha

Speaking on Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's first day as the Rajya Sabha Chairman, Leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said that he hoped that no law will be passed in haste

Kharge makes strong pitch for fixing accountability in Cong organisation

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday strongly pitched for organisational accountability from top to bottom in the party, and said those unable to fulfil their responsibilities will have to make way for their colleagues. In his opening remarks at the first meeting of the Congress steering committee constituted by him, Kharge also asked state in-charges to submit a roadmap for holding mass movements on people's issues over a period of 30 to 90 days, and called for a schedule of plans of the party in states where elections are due before 2024. "I believe that the biggest part of our responsibility towards the party and the country is -- organisational accountability from top to bottom. If the Congress organisation is strong, accountable, lives up to the expectations of the people, then only we will be able to win elections and serve the people of the country," the Congress chief said. In a stern message to office-bearers, Kharge also said that while there are very responsibl

Kharge makes strong pitch for fixing accountability in Cong organisation

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday strongly pitched for organisational accountability from top to bottom, and said those unable to fulfil their responsibilities will have to make way for their colleagues. In his opening remarks at the first meeting of the Congress steering committee constituted by him, Kharge asked state in-charges to submit a roadmap for movement on people's issues in the next 30 to 90 days. "I believe that the biggest part of our responsibility towards the party and the country is -- organisational accountability from top to bottom. If the Congress organisation is strong, accountable, lives up to the expectations of the people, then only we will be able to win elections and serve the people of the country," the Congress chief said. In a stern message to office-bearers, Kharge also said that while there are very responsible people in the party who were doing their duty, some people had assumed that lack of responsibility will be ignored. "This is neit

Congress steering panel meet today to decide plenary session date, venue

The first meeting of the Congress steering committee constituted by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge will be held here on Sunday to decide the schedule and venue for its plenary session besides holding discussions on organisational matters. The steering committee was formed in place of the working committee, the highest decision-making body of the party, after Kharge took charge as the new chief last month. "There is a meeting of the Congress steering committee. Its main purpose is to decide the dates of the plenary session and where it should be held and there will be a discussion on this issue," AICC general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh told reporters on Saturday. During the all-important steering committee meeting, discussions on several organisational matters would also be taken up, party sources said. All members of the CWC were made part of the steering committee soon after Kharge assumed charge as the Congress president. Kharge's election as the Congress president

BJP not filling up 500k posts as most will go to Dalits: Kharge in Gujarat

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday claimed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dispensation in Gujarat was not filling up five lakh posts in government and semi-government departments and institutions because half of them will go to aspirants from Dalit, tribal and other backward caste communities. Kharge, addressing an election rally in the Scheduled Tribe (ST)-reserved Assembly constituency of Bhiloda in Aravalli district ahead of the second phase of polling on December 5, alleged the BJP-ruled state has seen a 17 per cent rise in cases of atrocities against Dalits and adivasis. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and local leaders talk about a "double engine" government, a term often used by the BJP to highlight benefits of having the same party in power at the Centre and states, and questioned why this "engine" failed, leading to Gujarat having three chief ministers in six years. The BJP has brought in an army of five party chief ministers, 40 central ministers and 15

BJP's loot continues even when crude prices fall: Cong on high fuel rates

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi on Thursday hit out at the government over high prices of petrol and diesel in the country and said the BJP's "loot" continues even when global crude oil prices were down in the last few months. "On May 16, 2014 (Delhi) - Crude per barrel was USD 107.09. Petrol - Rs 71.51. Diesel - Rs 57.28. On December 1, 2022 - Crude per barrel is USD 87.55. Petrol - Rs 96.72. Diesel - Rs 89.62. Crude is 10-month low, But BJP's Loot remains high!" Kharge said on Twitter. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said while global crude oil rates have come down by 25 per cent but the government has not reduced a single rupee in petrol and diesel prices in the country. He alleged that while the people are suffering from high inflation, the prime minister is busy in recovering money from taxes. "In the last 6 months, crude oil has become cheaper by more than 25 per cent. Petrol and diesel prices in the country can be reduced by more t

Kharge was tutored to compare me with Ravana, says PM Modi in Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge was tutored to compare him with Ravana.

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Kharge hits at Modi govt for stopping scholarships for minority students

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday asked the Modi government what will it gain by "snatching away" the money from poor students, a day after it stopped scholarships for minority students of classes 1 to 8. On Tuesday, the government limited its pre-matric scholarship scheme meant for minority communities to students of classes 9 and 10, stating that the Right to Education Act covers compulsory education up to class 8 for all students. Earlier, the pre-matric scholarship used to cover education for grades 1 to 8 as well as for students belonging to minority communities. SC and ST students are covered from classes 9 and 10 only on a full-time basis under the pre-matric scholarship scheme. "Narendra Modi ji, your Government has shut down Pre- Matric Scholarship meant for SC, ST, OBC and Minority students of Class 1 to Class 8. What is the point of depriving scholarships to poor students? How much will your Government earn or save by snatching this money from poor ...