Politics

Gandhis everywhere at Kharge-led session

Published

3 weeks ago

February 25, 2023

The ongoing plenary session will formally ratify the election of the first non-Gandhi Congress president after a quarter of a century, but the party’s first family comprising Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra loomed large at the session, as party delegates tried to outdo each other by showering eulogies on them.Kharge, no doubt, appeared safely placed on the Presidential chair at the session but his Presidential stature was somewhat dimmed against the mother-son-daughter trio basking in the larger-than-posts ‘special place’ that delegates confer on them as thanks for patronage extended, and also knowing that the family will continue to wield real power in the party.

The roads leading to the session venue were lined with more posters of the Gandhi-Vadra trio than Kharge’s. The plenary venue, too, has the trio giving generous company amid Kharge’s cut-outs.

While Kharge performed his Presidential duties and delegates extended him the usual courtesies, speakers reserved their best compliments for Rahul for his Bharat Jodo Yatra, Sonia for the services rendered during her party presidency, and Priyanka for being the third member of the Congress’ first family.After Kharge’s presidential address, a special motion of thanks for Sonia’s services was moved by AICC general secretary Kumari Selja, highlighting her ‘sacrifices’, ‘renunciation act’ and “priceless services”. A brief documentary on Sonia’s Congress presidency was played before Gandhi made a thank-you address.

“I had the honour of taking office as President for the first time in 1998. Over these 25 years, our party has seen times of high achievement as well as deep disappointment. The support, goodwill and understanding of each one of you and all the Congress party workers throughout the country has given us all strength. Our victories in 2004 and 2009, along with the able leadership of Dr Manmohan Singh ji, gave me personal satisfaction, but what gratifies me most is that my innings could conclude with the Bharat Jodo Yatra,” she said.

This triggered chatter that Gandhi’s words meant she was “bidding farewell to politics”. The buzz was ironic as the same venue had cemented her (and Rahul’s) position in CWC permanently and she remains chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party. Later, some AICC functionaries were seen ‘reassuring’ many that Gandhi was only referring to her recently concluded innings as the Congress president.Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, while moving the political resolution, even invented, literally, a ‘renunciation act’ of Rahul Gandhi.

He claimed: “When I was asked whether Bharat Jodo Yatra will help the Congress and make Rahul ji PM in 2024, I said Rahul ji didn’t do Bharat Jodo Yatra for becoming the PM. In fact, in 2009, Manmohan Singh Ji had offered the PM’s post to Rahul ji. But Rahul ji declined it by saying he would rather serve the Congress.”

Delegates cheered Sukhu’s ‘distortion’ of history even as the family trio sat with a straight face on stage.

In the political resolution as well in delegates’ speeches, praises were showered on Rahul’s Yatra, clearly projecting him as the future of the Congress.

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Politics

As part of Rahul Gandhi’s trials, Kanhaiya may get bigger role in Congress

Published

3 hours ago

March 21, 2023

ironity

The Congress leadership is testing waters to appoint CPI functionary-turned-Congressman Kanhaiya Kumar in a leadership slot, with the presidentship of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) or the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) being weighed as options, according to people aware of the development.The move has triggered disquiet among sections of the DPCC and IYC leaders who consider Kumar a “political and ideological outsider”, they said.

Kumar, a former JNU students union leader, joined the Congress in 2021 by reaching out to Rahul Gandhi. While many Congress leaders of his home state Bihar were known to have resisted any active role being given to him.

With attempts to revive the Delhi PCC coming to naught, a section of Congress leadership is now known to be arguing that Kumar can be the “panacea” for Delhi Congress even as they cite how another “experiment”, of bringing Dikshit “from UP to Delhi Congress leadership” had succeeded. Similarly, IYC leadership is also being cited as a potential slot for Kumar, 36, by arguing that Srinivas BV, 42, will be soon completing four years in IYC leadership.

But many among the Delhi Congress and IYC brass are not enthused about the move. “Kumar is far too new in the Congress to be considered to head a PCC. And those arguing Sheila (Dikshit) ji too was an outsider in Delhi Congress are being dishonest because she had been a Congress leader right from the beginning,” said a Delhi Congress functionary, who did not wish to be identified. The mood is similar in IYC, especially as most IYC leaders have been fighting against the Leftists and saffron outfits.

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Politics

Meghalaya: Voice of the People’s Party stages walkout in protest of Governor’s Hindi speech

Published

5 hours ago

March 20, 2023

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The Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) staged a walk out of Meghalaya Assembly in protest against the Governor Phagu Chauhan for delivering his address in Hindi.The Governor on the first day of the Budget Session delivered his speech in Hindi.

VPP legislator from Nongkrem, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said that Meghalaya is not a Hindi speaking state and Hindi cannot be imposed by the Government of India on the people of the State. “This is against the sentiment of the people of the state.”

Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma however said that such behaviour is not accepted from an elected MLA and written English speech is already circulated in the house.Assembly Speaker, Thomas A Sangma said that he would allow the Governor to address the House in Hindi as written speech in English was circulated among all the members.

Health Minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh said, “It is important to consistently pursue with the Government of India that the indigenous people of the state are a non-Hindi speaking community. It is important to understand the inability of Meghalaya to speak and communicate in Hindi”.

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Politics

JPC probe into Adani issue will bring off BJP’s mask: Pramod Tiwari

Published

9 hours ago

March 20, 2023

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Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on March 20 said that if Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is constituted on the Adani issue, then the reality of BJP would come to the fore and all those who are involved in the issue would be exposed. “The drama that has been going on since 13th March, can’t be happening without the permission of the PM. Today, once again Parliament wasn’t allowed to function. What are we demanding? Just a JPC investigation into the biggest scam after Independence,” said Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Adani issue. “Why is BJP scared of JPC? If JPC is taken up, BJP’s mask would fall off and all those – from top to bottom – who filled the coffers of Adani by snatching away the rights of the middle class and the poor will be exposed,” he said.

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