Politics

AICC session to assert Congress’s pivotal role in anti-BJP Opposition alliance

Published

1 month ago

February 20, 2023

The upcoming All India Congress Committee (AICC) plenary session in Raipur is set to assert the central role of Congress as a prerequisite for any reliable anti-BJP Opposition mobilisation ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, party leaders indicated. This is meant as messaging of not only Congress’ readiness to anchor and lead an anti-BJP alliance but also to underscore that any Opposition mobilisation by regional parties against BJP by sidestepping Congress will be devoid of political heft, they said.

The plenary session will also project the recently concluded Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra as its showpiece, showcase Gandhi as the inspiring leader-cum Congress face against BJP, and his yatra effort as the propeller for Congress’ future organisational and electoral mobilisation.

AICC said on Sunday that the yatra follow-up plan, ‘haath se haath jodo abhiyan’, will be the central theme of the plenary session. Last year’s Udaipur Chintan Shivir Declaration is expected to serve as a broad base for the plenary resolutions.Congress leaders made it clear before media persons that the party requires no patronising sermons on the need to strengthen the efforts for fighting BJP.

On JDU leader Nitish Kumar’s remarks that he had some ideas and his call to Congress to make efforts for opposition mobilisation against BJP, AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said, “Congress knows its role in bringing together various opposition parties for forging an alliance ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to take on BJP and oust it from power. Congress has already taken the initiative during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The Congress president has taken the initiative in bringing Opposition parties in Parliament. We will certainly bring them together against BJP in the 2024 elections. The direction on Opposition unity will come from the party’s plenary session.”

His colleague Jairam Ramesh said, “Strong Opposition unity is impossible without a strong Congress… Congress is the only party that has never compromised with BJP.”

Without taking names he recalled how many non-Congress Opposition parties and leaders have had ties with BJP in the past.

Just as in the Udaipur Declaration, the AICC plenary is expected to stress on the twin tasks of strengthening Congress and rallying an anti-BJP alliance. AICC general secretary Tariq Anwar, the convenor of plenary session, said, “The Raipur plenary session will mark Congress preparations for the upcoming elections in the state and for 2024 Lok Sabha polls… The energy that the Bharat Jodo Yatra has brought for the Congress party will have to be taken forward and the plenary session will give the party people a message towards that.”

AICC general secretary Kumari Selja said, “The plenary session will reflect on the message of Bharat Jodo Yatra and Rahul ji’s historic efforts given the circumstances of divisive politics being played out in the country. Each Congressperson will take this message forward with renewed vigour from the 85th AICC plenary session.”

About 15,000 delegates, including 1,338 elected AICC members, will attend the Raipur session.

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Politics

BJP plans campaign against Rahul Gandhi’s ‘insult to backwards’

Published

6 hours ago

March 29, 2023

ironity

New Delhi: The BJP has planned a campaign from April 6-14 to highlight Congress leader Rahul Gandhi‘s disqualification from the Lok Sabha as a decision stemming from his “insult to OBCs (other backward classes)” and the work done by the Modi government for the community.On Tuesday, the BJP’s OBC members from both Houses took out a march from Parliament complex to Vijay Chowk protesting against Gandhi’s comments on the “Modi surname“, which led to his disqualification, and demanded an apology.

Union minister Smriti Irani, who defeated Gandhi in the 2019 general election from Amethi, termed his refusal to apologise to the OBC community for his “indecent” comments yet another “manifestation of the Gandhi family’s political arrogance”.

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Politics

State denied legitimate funds, claims West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

Published

6 hours ago

March 29, 2023

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday accused New Delhi of denying the state ‘legitimate’ funds for several government welfare programs, upping the ante before Panchayat polls that political pundits believe will be a dress rehearsal for the general elections scheduled next year. She slammed the Centre on Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections, alleging ‘deprivation’ of the state from allocation of central funds.

“In the name of GST, the Centre is taking all the money. It was our fault to support it. We thought various states would benefit from it,” Banerjee said. “But now the Centre is not paying money for 100-day projects and other Central schemes.”

She said that MGNREGA funds worth ₹7,000 crore were yet to be paid besides funds allocated for other central welfare plans, such as rural-road building, PM Awas Yojana and scholarships for needy students.”I will arrange alternative work for the 100-day job-card holders for several projects in the state, including rural road construction, and PWD projects,” Banerjee said. “The Centre is not paying money for 100-day MGNREGA work from last year. We have decided to construct 12,000 km-long rural roads, and 100-day job card holders will be deployed and receive an alternative employment.”

She has already announced that she will sit for a two-day dharna near Dr Ambedkar Statue in the city, starting from tomorrow, against deprivation of the state and non-disbursal of funds by the Centre. Similar protests will be organized by the Trinamool workers all across the state.

In all gram panchayats, altogether 9,000-plus roads will be constructed, totalling more than 12,000 km in length, Banerjee said. “In 22 districts, work will be undertaken in 30,000 villages and expenditure will be approximate nearing Rs 4,000 crore,” the chief minister said.”Launched today, the Pathashree-Rastashree project will ensure better connectivity through 12,000 km of roads in 22 districts. With this, we take another step forward in the direction of development,” she said.

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Politics

As Rahul Gandhi decides to move out, Mallikarjun Kharge offers his residence

Published

6 hours ago

March 29, 2023

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New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi formally informed the authorities on Tuesday that he will comply with the directive to vacate his official bungalow on 12, Tughlaq lane following his disqualification as a member of the Lok Sabha after his court conviction. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge suggested Gandhi could stay at his mother Sonia Gandhi‘s 10 Janpath official residence or else move to Kharge’s Rajaji Marg official residence.

Within a day after he received the official directive, Gandhi wrote back to the concerned official of the Lok Sabha secretariat. “As an elected member of the Lok Sabha over the last 4 terms, it is the mandate of the people to which I owe the happy memories of my time spent here. Without prejudice to my rights, I will, of course , abide by the details contained in your letter.” Gandhi has one month to vacate the house and his letter meant he was not seeking an extended stay there.

Kharge lashed out at the government for asking Gandhi even as he made his own suggestion and offer. “He can go and live with his mother or he can come to me, I will vacate one (his official residence) for him,” he said.

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