Aurangzeb Naqshbandi

Rajasthan turmoil exposes fault lines, indecisiveness in Congress

The power struggle between Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot has been going on for a long time. It escalated after the Congress came to power in the 2018 assembly elections.

From MP in 2004 to a rebel in 2020: Sachin Pilot’s journey in Congress

Since Pilot was considered close to Rahul Gandhi, the Gehlot camp viewed his appointment as state chief as an attempt to cut the veteran leader to size.

Rajasthan crisis exposes infighting, indecisiveness in Congress

How Ashok Gehlot retained support, made inroads into Sachin Pilot camp

A Rajasthan Congress functionary said on condition of anonymity that Gehlot was able to convince four Pilot loyalists that they would have no future with Pilot, who was then rumoured to be joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Congress ejects Pilot from power; CM Gehlot still in Rajasthan cockpit

As the intra-Congress battle took a decisive turn, the BJP — which had, so far, claimed to be just “watching the developments” and blamed it on the Gandhi family — indicated that its doors were open for Pilot, and claimed that Gehlot’s government had lost its majority.

Sachin Pilot changes his Twitter bio after Congress sacks him, says truth cannot be defeated

Now, Pilot’s Twitter bio reads: MLA (member of legislative assembly) Tonk and a former Minister of IT, Telecom & Corporate Affairs, Government of India.

Rajasthan turmoil continues as Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot dig in heels

Monday witnessed dramatic political developments in both Jaipur and Delhi as the situation remained fluid due to three factors -- the shifting arithmetic in the assembly; the lack of clarity about steps Congress would take against Pilot and the nature his next move; and uncertainty about the BJP’s plan of action.

Pilot hardens stance, to skip 2nd CLP meet

Sachin Pilot hardens stand after setback in Jaipur, preps for Round 2

Pilot and a group of lawmakers loyal to him kept away from Monday’s meeting. But Congress leaders underlined that Gehlot still had the majority support in the Rajasthan Assembly after accounting for the support from other parties and Independents.

Ashok Gehlot aces 1st test, sequesters MLAs in luxury resort to prep for more

Rajasthan political crisis: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot is preparing for the next round of attacks that could come from the rival Bharatiya Janata Party

Rajasthan govt in crisis as Sachin Pilot leads rebels out

In a late-night statement released on WhatsApp, Sachin Pilot’s camp said the deputy chief minister has the backing of about 30 legislators in the 200-member assembly.

Cong flays govt over handling of Covid-19

Sonia Gandhi said the government is not convening Parliament and shying away from important questions on critical matters.

CWC meeting likely soon to extend Sonia’s tenure

The extension is a technical requirement under the Congress’s constitution given that a regular president is yet to be elected, a Congress functionary said. It is also a prerequisite for the party to inform the Election Commission of its decision.

Congress Working Committee may have to give extension to Sonia Gandhi

A Congress functionary said the extension would be a technical requirement as per the party constitution because a regular president is yet to be elected.

Govt sets up panel to probe 3 Gandhi family-run trusts

The Congress alleged this was an effort to intimidate the party leadership, which would not succeed, and asked the government to probe finances of organisations closely associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Tejashwi Yadav as Bihar CM face? Allies unsure

The RJD had projected 30-year-old Tejashwi as the chief ministerial candidate of the grand alliance last year. The announcement came after the RJD’s national council meeting passed a resolution in Patna on December 10, 2019.

Sonia writes to PM on denial of reservation to OBCs in state medical colleges

Gandhi quoted the data compiled by the federation to claim that OBC candidates lost over 11,000 seats, in All India Quota, due to non-implementation of OBC reservations in medical colleges in states and UTs.

UP Congress leaders want Priyanka Gandhi to shift base to Lucknow

The plea was made two days after the Centre asked Priyanka Gandhi to vacate her government accommodation in Delhi within a month.

Tests reduced despite rising Covid-19 deaths, cases: AIIMS worker to Rahul Gandhi

“This is, indeed, a sad state of affairs. I want to inform you about some statistics. On May 27, the infection rate in Delhi was 13.7%. We were doing 7,000 tests per day. By June 12-13, our infection rate had crossed 30% and we are doing under 5,000 tests per day,” said Vipin Krishnan, who has been working at AIIMS for the past two years.

‘Suggested multiple times’: Congress after PM Modi extends free ration scheme

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the announcement came in response to Sonia Gandhi’s letter to Modi on June 22 in which she had requested him to provide free food grains to the poor for three more months.

TRS, Congress in tussle to claim legacy of ex-PM Narasimha Rao

TRS supremo and Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, popularly known as KCR, made a strong pitch for conferring Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award, on Rao and placed him at par with the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Cong leaders told to intensify protests over fuel prices rise

Fuel prices rise: Congress leaders told to intensify protests

Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal asked leaders to register a strong protest against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre through demonstrations against the “extortionate increase” in fuel rates.

In Priyanka Gandhi’s double-barrelled attack on UP govt, Mayawati also target

The attack came a day after the Uttar Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued a notice to Priyanka Gandhi, asking her to file a reply within three days for her “misleading” comment on the Kanpur shelter home where 57 girls tested positive for Covid-19.

BJP, Cong spar on 45th Emergency anniversary

On the 45th anniversary of Emergency on Thursday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress traded accusations about lack of democracy in their respective political parties.

BJP’s JP Nadda, Congress spar over LAC standoff

Ruling BJP chief Nadda hit out at the Congress and the Gandhi family for questioning the government’s stand on June 15 face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh, saying “a rejected and ejected dynasty is not equal to the entire opposition”.

Govt mismanaging border situation: Sonia Gandhi at CWC meeting

The main national opposition also accused the government of “profiteering” by “fleecing” citizens with the repeated increases in petrol and diesel prices.

Gehlot pushes for Rahul as Cong chief at CWC meet; party says no discussion

A Congress leader familiar with the development said Ashok Gehlot’s suggestion was endorsed by former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat. However, no other CWC member spoke on the matter, he added.

Sonia Gandhi hits out at Modi government over border standoff with China, economic crisis, fuel hike

The Congress party says Modi’s stand contradicted past remarks by defence minister Rajnath Singh, foreign minister S Jaishankar and army chief Gen MM Naravane on the Chinese intrusions.

Ensure justice for 20 Indian soldiers killed by Chinese: Manmohan Singh to PM Modi

In his first remarks on the border standoff, Manmohan Singh said China is brazenly and illegally seeking to claim parts of Indian territory, such as Galwan Valley and Pangong Lake, by committing multiple incursions from April onwards.