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Aurangzeb Naqshbandi

Aurangzeb Naqshbandi covers politics and keeps a close watch on developments in Jammu & Kashmir. He has been a journalist for 16 years.

Articles by Aurangzeb Naqshbandi

Bihar Assembly Election 2020: State Congress sidelined as AICC takes control of poll preparations

The move followed allegations of irregularities in the selection of party candidates and growing dissidence in the state unit

The Congress has also deployed 70 observers in 70 constituencies it is contesting as part of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ or Grand Alliance along with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Left parties. Out of the Bihar Assembly’s 243 seats, the RJD is contesting on 144 and the Left parties on 29.(Representational Photo)

elections

Updated on Oct 20, 2020 11:58 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Congress central unit takes control of Bihar poll preparations

This is perhaps for the first time that the All India Congress Committee (AICC), the party’s central unit, has taken complete charge of election management and preparations during any state polls, people aware of the development said.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala(PTI)

elections

Updated on Oct 20, 2020 06:13 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Congress turns to traditional vote base in bid to return to power

The party has fielded 33 upper castes, of which Bhumihar are 11, Brahmin and Rajputs nine each, and Kayasthas four.

In its list of 70 candidates, the Congress has not shied away from giving tickets to the kin of senior politicians.(Reuters)

elections

Updated on Oct 19, 2020 03:55 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi, New Delhi

Bihar Assembly Election 2020: Cong releases final list of candidates

Senior Bihar Congress leader Kishore Kumar Jha said state party chief Madan Mohan Jha distributed the symbol among the selected candidates to enable them to file their nominations before declaring the list. “It is a rare occurrence. I have not seen anything like this in my 38 years in politics and the Congress party,” he added.

Grand Alliance leaders release the list of candidates at a joint press conference in Patna on Thursday.(PTI Photo)

elections

Published on Oct 16, 2020 06:46 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Luv Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha’s son, in Congress’ final list for Bihar polls

The Congress released its second and final list of 49 candidates for the remaining two phases of elections on Thursday night, hours before the nominations closed for the second phase of polling on Friday.

File photo of actor Luv Sinha. (Photo @LuvSinha)

elections

Updated on Oct 15, 2020 09:43 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Bihar Assembly Election 2020: Sharad Yadav’s daughter joins Congress

Subhashini Rao is also expected to be fielded by the party in the upcoming assembly election in the state

elections

Updated on Oct 14, 2020 04:28 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Bihar Assembly Election 2020: Congress’s poll campaign to focus on NDA’s ‘contradictions’

The Congress’s campaign will primarily focus on the discord within the NDA after the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) decided to go solo in the assembly elections following differences with the ruling Janata Dal (United)

Senior Congress leaders address a press conference in Patna earlier in September.(HT file)

elections

Updated on Oct 14, 2020 10:17 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Congress panel to discuss internal poll process

The meeting on Wednesday at the party’s headquarters in Delhi will lay the groundwork for the elections to the president’s post and also the Congress Working Committee (CWC).

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi leaves Parliament House after attending proceedings during the Budget Session, in New Delhi.(PTI/ File photo)

india news

Updated on Oct 13, 2020 05:40 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

‘Save India’s farmers from such black laws’: Cong-ruled states to intensify farm law stir

The Congress party will also collect two crore signatures from farmers from across the country and submit those to President Ram Nath Kovind.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi drives a tractor during party's 'Kheti Bachao' tractor rally against the farm laws, in Patiala on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. (Photo by Bharat Bhushan / Hindustan Times)

india news

Updated on Oct 12, 2020 06:14 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | BySaubhadra Chatterji and Aurangzeb Naqshbandi

Sachin Pilot, Ghulam Nabi Azad among Congress’ star campaigners for Bihar

The list of star campaigners also includes Sonia Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot is greeted by his supporters on his way to his constituency Tonk of Rajasthan.(PTI)

elections

Updated on Oct 11, 2020 05:12 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Congress’ Bihar manifesto likely to focus on migrants, job crisis

The poll document, which contains promises, programmes and policies of a party for the next five years if voted to power, is being given final shape and will be released soon, the party’s manifesto committee chairman Anand Mahadev said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Sonia Gandhi arrive to attend India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony at the presidential palace in New Delhi, May 30, 2019.(REUTERS)

elections

Updated on Oct 10, 2020 05:13 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Farm bills: Congress to continue opposition, unlikely to move court

Rahul Gandhi hit out at the government on Monday saying none of its policies over the last six years has benefitted the poor

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led a tractor rally in Punjab and Haryana this week as the party stepped up its attack on the government over the laws.(HT Photo)

india news

Updated on Oct 08, 2020 03:27 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | BySaubhadra Chatterji and Aurangzeb Naqshbandi

Congress releases first list of 21 candidates for Bihar elections

A Congress functionary said the party released the names of 21 candidates for the first phase a few hours before the close of the nominations to avoid strong reactions from ticket aspirants.

The Congress list included seven Rajputs, four Bhumihars, four Dalits and two Brahmins. There is only one woman candidate in the first list.(HT PHOTO.)

elections

Updated on Oct 07, 2020 11:17 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi | Edited by Sohini Sarkar

Bihar election: Congress defers 3 nominations over charges of sexual exploitation

The Congress has put on hold at least three names suggested for selection as party candidates in the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar, pending further scrutiny following objections by some leaders over their alleged involvement in sexual exploitation cases, people familiar with the development said.

The move is seen as an immediate fallout of last month’s Hathras gang-rape and murder case in Uttar Pradesh on which the Congress leadership has taken a strong stand, a party functionary said on condition of anonymity.(File photo for representation)

india news

Updated on Oct 07, 2020 06:20 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Congress works to sustain Hathras momentum in Uttar Pradesh

Several Congress leaders, including former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy, compared their Hathras visit to Indira Gandhi’s trip to Belchi in Bihar in 1977. The visit is said to have revived the electoral fortunes of the Congress after its humiliating defeat in the 1977 national elections

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra interact with the family members of the alleged gangrape victim in Hathras on Saturday.(ANI)

india news

Updated on Oct 05, 2020 10:18 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Bihar Assembly Election 2020: Congress set to finalise first list of candidates today

The Congress is expected to finalise its first list of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar at a meeting of the party’s central election committee (CEC) on Monday, people familiar with the development said.

After sealing a seat-sharing deal with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Saturday, the Congress is fielding its candidates in 70 constituencies, the highest number of seats it is contesting in the 243-member assembly since 2010.(File photo for representation)

elections

Updated on Oct 05, 2020 07:37 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Rivals NDA, Grand Alliance on verge of sealing poll pacts

The opposition alliance’s latest proposal is that the Congress will contest 70 seats, the Left parties, 29, and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) of Mukesh Sahani, 11.

A hawker selling T-shirts with Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal United national president Nitish Kumar’s face printed on them outside party office, in Patna, Bihar.(Santosh Kumar/ Hindustan Times)

elections

Updated on Oct 03, 2020 04:41 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi and Smriti Kak Ramachandran

RJD-Congress close to sealing seat talks in Bihar, announcement soon

As per the fresh proposal, the Congress will contest on 70 seats, the left parties on 29 and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) of Mukesh Sahani on 11.

A formal seat-sharing announcement will be made in the next few days after the six constituents of the ‘mahagathbandhan’ or grand alliance identify their respective seats, a Congress leader said. (HT Photo)

elections

Updated on Oct 02, 2020 07:19 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Babri Masjid demolition case: Verdict counter to SC judgment, says Congress

The party said every Indian, who has innate faith in the Constitution as also in the spirit of communal amity and brotherhood, expects and urges the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government to file an appeal against the special court’s decision

Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala addresses a press conference in New Delhi.(PTI photo)

india news

Updated on Sep 30, 2020 05:19 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Congress sets in motion organisational polls, asks states to update list of AICC delegates

Finalising the list of AICC delegates, comprising state and central leaders, is one of the key tasks in conducting the organisational polls, as they elect the party president and the Congress Working Committee, the apex decision-making body of the 135-year-old party

Interim Congress president Sonia Gandhi had formed the CEA for holding internal polls while carrying out a major organisational reshuffle on September 11.(HT Archive)

india news

Published on Sep 30, 2020 08:21 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Bihar assembly election 2020: Congress, RJD in impasse over seat sharing in Bihar

Things worsened after Congress leader Avinash Pande, who heads the party’s screening committee for Bihar, stated that the alliance with the RJD would be firmed up only if there is a respectable seat-sharing understanding between the two parties.

The matter has now reached Congress president Sonia Gandhi(Mohd Zakir/HT File Photo)

india news

Updated on Sep 30, 2020 02:21 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

After CWC, key Congress poll panel set for rejig

Chances of the CEC being reconstituted before the Bihar elections are bright, given that the panel will select the party candidates for the assembly polls

The central election committee (CEC), an important panel that selects party candidates for an election after being shortlisted at various levels, is currently headed by Sonia Gandhi.(Representational Photo/HT)

india news

Published on Sep 29, 2020 09:09 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Rahul Gandhi likely to join farmers’ protest in Punjab

Gandhi is also expected to address a rally, the date and venue of which is being finalised

india news

Updated on Sep 28, 2020 10:16 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Bihar assembly election 2020: Congress divided over continuing RLSP tie-up

While the Congress has maintained that the alliance was yet to discuss the issue, its leaders claim that the party will not have any objection to Tejashwi Yadav as the chief ministerial face

Out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, only the Congress from the opposition grouping could manage to win one seat.(Arabinda Mahapatra/HT File Photo)

elections

Updated on Sep 28, 2020 08:22 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Farm bills: Congress begins its nationwide mass movement against government

The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020, have been passed by both the Houses of Parliament during the monsoon session and await Presidential assent

Youth Congress workers protest against the farm bills are dispersed by police using a water canon in Karnal, Haryana on Wednesday.(HT Photo)

india news

Updated on Sep 24, 2020 09:39 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Farm bills: Ghulam Nabi Azad to meet President today

Azad will also apprise the President about the Rajya Sabha passing important legislations in both Houses of Parliament in the absence of Opposition parties

Senior Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad and other Opposition lawmakers march from Gandhi statue to Ambedkar statue in protest against the recent farm and labour bills, during the ongoing Monsoon Session, at Parliament House in New Delhi, Wednesday.(PTI)

india news

Updated on Sep 23, 2020 04:04 PM IST

Hindustan Tims, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Sonia, Rahul return to India amid Opposition’s standoff with government over farm bills

Before leaving, Sonia Gandhi had carried out major organisational changes, reconstituted the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and her team of office bearers, and also formed a special panel to help her in organisational and operational matters

Rahul and Sonia Gandhi had left for the US on September 12.(PTI)

india news

Updated on Sep 22, 2020 03:27 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Cong plans campaigns, month-long protest across India from Sept 24

The two agricultural reform bills — the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and the Farming Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 — were cleared by voice vote in Parliament on Sunday.

Opposition members stormed the well of the House, insisting on a division of votes and demanding that the proposed laws be sent to a select committee for greater scrutiny.(ANI)

india news

Updated on Sep 22, 2020 12:26 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

Oppn MPs hold first-ever night protests near House

Colourful bed sheets were hurriedly brought from an MP’s flats from South Avenue. The aides also ensured enough supply of food for the MPs to sustain them.

The leaders urged the President to not grant his assent to the proposed legislations and expressed concern over the way farm bills were passed in the Rajya Sabha.(PTI)

india news

Updated on Sep 22, 2020 12:46 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | BySaubhadra Chatterji and Aurangzeb Naqshbandi

All-India protest against farm bills from September 24, says Congress

The agitation will continue till the government repeals the “anti-farmer, anti-poor and anti-people laws”, said senior Congress leader AK Antony.

Senior leader Ahmed Patel told reporters that the Congress will take this issue to the people of the country. (Videograb)

india news

Updated on Sep 21, 2020 07:06 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAurangzeb Naqshbandi

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Aurangzeb Naqshbandi

Aurangzeb Naqshbandi covers politics and keeps a close watch on developments in Jammu & Kashmir. He has been a journalist for 16 years.

The move followed allegations of irregularities in the selection of party candidates and growing dissidence in the state unit

This is perhaps for the first time that the All India Congress Committee (AICC), the party’s central unit, has taken complete charge of election management and preparations during any state polls, people aware of the development said.

The party has fielded 33 upper castes, of which Bhumihar are 11, Brahmin and Rajputs nine each, and Kayasthas four.

The Congress released its second and final list of 49 candidates for the remaining two phases of elections on Thursday night, hours before the nominations closed for the second phase of polling on Friday.

Subhashini Rao is also expected to be fielded by the party in the upcoming assembly election in the state

The Congress’s campaign will primarily focus on the discord within the NDA after the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) decided to go solo in the assembly elections following differences with the ruling Janata Dal (United)

The meeting on Wednesday at the party’s headquarters in Delhi will lay the groundwork for the elections to the president’s post and also the Congress Working Committee (CWC).

The Congress party will also collect two crore signatures from farmers from across the country and submit those to President Ram Nath Kovind.

The list of star campaigners also includes Sonia Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The poll document, which contains promises, programmes and policies of a party for the next five years if voted to power, is being given final shape and will be released soon, the party’s manifesto committee chairman Anand Mahadev said.

Rahul Gandhi hit out at the government on Monday saying none of its policies over the last six years has benefitted the poor

A Congress functionary said the party released the names of 21 candidates for the first phase a few hours before the close of the nominations to avoid strong reactions from ticket aspirants.

Several Congress leaders, including former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy, compared their Hathras visit to Indira Gandhi’s trip to Belchi in Bihar in 1977. The visit is said to have revived the electoral fortunes of the Congress after its humiliating defeat in the 1977 national elections

The Congress is expected to finalise its first list of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar at a meeting of the party’s central election committee (CEC) on Monday, people familiar with the development said.

The opposition alliance’s latest proposal is that the Congress will contest 70 seats, the Left parties, 29, and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) of Mukesh Sahani, 11.

As per the fresh proposal, the Congress will contest on 70 seats, the left parties on 29 and the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) of Mukesh Sahani on 11.

The party said every Indian, who has innate faith in the Constitution as also in the spirit of communal amity and brotherhood, expects and urges the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government to file an appeal against the special court’s decision

Finalising the list of AICC delegates, comprising state and central leaders, is one of the key tasks in conducting the organisational polls, as they elect the party president and the Congress Working Committee, the apex decision-making body of the 135-year-old party

Things worsened after Congress leader Avinash Pande, who heads the party’s screening committee for Bihar, stated that the alliance with the RJD would be firmed up only if there is a respectable seat-sharing understanding between the two parties.

Chances of the CEC being reconstituted before the Bihar elections are bright, given that the panel will select the party candidates for the assembly polls

Gandhi is also expected to address a rally, the date and venue of which is being finalised

While the Congress has maintained that the alliance was yet to discuss the issue, its leaders claim that the party will not have any objection to Tejashwi Yadav as the chief ministerial face

Azad will also apprise the President about the Rajya Sabha passing important legislations in both Houses of Parliament in the absence of Opposition parties

Before leaving, Sonia Gandhi had carried out major organisational changes, reconstituted the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and her team of office bearers, and also formed a special panel to help her in organisational and operational matters

The two agricultural reform bills — the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 and the Farming Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020 — were cleared by voice vote in Parliament on Sunday.

Colourful bed sheets were hurriedly brought from an MP’s flats from South Avenue. The aides also ensured enough supply of food for the MPs to sustain them.

The agitation will continue till the government repeals the “anti-farmer, anti-poor and anti-people laws”, said senior Congress leader AK Antony.

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