Four legislators, including three Congress defectors, on Saturday took oath as ministers in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/goa-chief-minister-pramod-sawant-seeks-resignations-of-four-ministers-235370&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiC28vc-7HjAhWP6XMBHVlWCsQQFjAAegQIBRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0fHhDaOFlP2RsyULNEBuY3">Chief Minister Pramod Sawant</a>-led BJP government here.

The three Congress legislators who were made ministers are Chandrakant Kavelkar, Jennifer Monserrate, and Filipe Nery Rodrigues.

This comes soon after four ministers -- Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sardesai, Rohan Khaunte, Vinod Paliencar, and Jayesh Salongakar were sacked from the ministry to accommodate the Congress MLAs who defected to the BJP.BJP MLA Michael Lobo, who resigned from the post of Deputy Speaker, also joined the government as a minister.

Earlier, Sawant had sought the resignation of four of his ministers -- three of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-decision-on-cabinet-reshuffle-central-leadership-to-take-call-pramod-sawant-234847">Goa</a> Forward Party and an independent, but they refused.

Speaker Rajesh Patnekar has said that the Assembly will function as the per schedule.

"Though new ministers have been inducted, the Assembly will go on as per the schedule.&nbsp;

The new ministers will have to study their portfolios while answering questions on the floor of the House."

"As far as I am concerned, there is no rescheduling of the Assembly and the Congress party will have to give the name of Leader of Opposition by Monday," Patnekar told ANI.

On the night of July 10, Chief Minister Sawant had gone to Delhi along with 10 MLAs to meet senior BJP leaders including working president JP Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the development.

Following this, the rebel MLAs joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.

With 10 MLAs changing the sides, the strength of Congress on the floor of the House has been reduced to five.

The MLAs who defected include Kavlekar, Isidore Fernandes, Francis Silveira, Filipe Neri Rodrigues, Jennifer, Atanasio Monserrate, Antonio Fernandes, Nilakanth Halarnkar, Clafacio Dias and Wilfred D`Sa.

Four legislators, including three Congress defectors, on Saturday took oath as ministers in Chief Minister Pramod Sawant-led BJP government here. The three Congress legislators who were made ministers are Chandrakant Kavelkar, Jennifer Monserrate, and Filipe Nery Rodrigues.

Four legislators, including three Congress defectors, on Saturday took oath as ministers in Chief Minister Pramod Sawant-led BJP government here. The three Congress legislators who were made ministers are Chandrakant Kavelkar, Jennifer Monserrate, and Filipe Nery Rodrigues. This comes soon after four ministers -- Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sardesai, Rohan Khaunte, Vinod Paliencar, and Jayesh Salongakar were sacked from the ministry to accommodate the Congress MLAs who defected to the BJP.BJP MLA Michael Lobo, who resigned from the post of Deputy Speaker, also joined the government as a minister. Earlier, Sawant had sought the resignation of four of his ministers -- three of Goa Forward Party and an independent, but they refused. Speaker Rajesh Patnekar has said that the Assembly will function as the per schedule. "Though new ministers have been inducted, the Assembly will go on as per the schedule. The new ministers will have to study their portfolios while answering questions on the floor of the House." "As far as I am concerned, there is no rescheduling of the Assembly and the Congress party will have to give the name of Leader of Opposition by Monday," Patnekar told ANI. On the night of July 10, Chief Minister Sawant had gone to Delhi along with 10 MLAs to meet senior BJP leaders including working president JP Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the development. Following this, the rebel MLAs joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. With 10 MLAs changing the sides, the strength of Congress on the floor of the House has been reduced to five. The MLAs who defected include Kavlekar, Isidore Fernandes, Francis Silveira, Filipe Neri Rodrigues, Jennifer, Atanasio Monserrate, Antonio Fernandes, Nilakanth Halarnkar, Clafacio Dias and Wilfred D`Sa.

Goa's Cabinet reshuffle: Three Congress MLAs take oath as ministers in BJP government

It is writing on the wall. The defeat of the Congress is like the tip of an iceberg. Instead of regrouping and putting heads together, the entire opposition remains disorganised. The only glue which binds the Opposition together is BJP.

Today, it is easy to blame BJP for breaking MLAs, destroying governments, but the fact remains that Congress does not provide any ideological reason for the representatives to stay put in their respective camps. Trouble is bigger for the Congress as it has not been able to put its own house in order. There exists vacuum at the top and no senior Congress leader at the Centre has shown the courage to bell the cat. Punjab’s chief minister Amarinder Singh is the sole politician to have written an editorial on this issue and put his views in public.

Rest have chosen to address the issue in political mumbo jumbo. Congress government is on verge of collapse in Karnataka and 10 MLAs have joined BJP in Goa. The shift represents hollowing out of the ideological axis of all the regional parties including that of the Congress.

Fact is that Congress has nothing to offer to the public except 'Gandhis', which as a brand has been defeated in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections making the party even more vulnerable.&nbsp;

What is different today from yesteryears is that parties opposed to Congress in the first 50 years also had a different ideological axis. They were either rooted in socialist ideology or made ingress into the Congress vote through hard identity politics at the state level.&nbsp;

Today, identity politics at the level of caste has been decimated by BJP. Its ideological axis revolves around nationalism and Hindutva. The Opposition, on the other hand, has neither shown intellectual resilience nor political astuteness in dealing with such a narrative.

All regional parties, including Congress, have no ideological glue to bind workers and leaders together at the time of political crisis. 
&nbsp; 
Meanwhile, the regional parties are either tied to a dynasty or strong regional issue which is divorced from a larger world view. For example, Jagan Mohan Reddy has inherited Congress in Andhra Pradesh because local Congress politicians felt cheated by the Congress high command. TRS victory was based on the creation of Telangana and massive subsidy scheme. Mamata’s 'Ma Maati Manush' feels old and BJD is on brink of imitating AIADMK in Odisha as it has no succession plan in place. 
&nbsp; 
Congress continues to procrastinate and has failed to come up with a succession plan. Earlier, even when Opposition was crushed and defeated by Congress, senior opposition leaders like Ram Manohar Lohia, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Namboodiripad, RK Hegde, Charan Singh, Jai Prakash Narayan, Chandrashekhar, Somnath Chatterjee, LK Advani, Rajmata Scindia, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and many others could grab the attention of the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and his government. They could capture space in national media. None of that exists today.

Imagine, Bharatiya Jan Sangh dissolved itself and became part of Janata Party in 1977 but the experiment failed. It rebooted itself as BJP in 1980. By 1990 it had 89 seats in Lok Sabha and senior leadership at the state level. The Opposition has none today. If it wants to be a force against BJP, then it will need to articulate as to what does it stand for and what are its cherished ideological principles. Crass opportunism will not work this time around.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It is writing on the wall. The defeat of the Congress is like the tip of an iceberg. Instead of regrouping and putting heads together, the entire opposition remains disorganised.

It is writing on the wall. The defeat of the Congress is like the tip of an iceberg. Instead of regrouping and putting heads together, the entire opposition remains disorganised. The only glue which binds the Opposition together is BJP. Today, it is easy to blame BJP for breaking MLAs, destroying governments, but the fact remains that Congress does not provide any ideological reason for the representatives to stay put in their respective camps. Trouble is bigger for the Congress as it has not been able to put its own house in order. There exists vacuum at the top and no senior Congress leader at the Centre has shown the courage to bell the cat. Punjab’s chief minister Amarinder Singh is the sole politician to have written an editorial on this issue and put his views in public. Rest have chosen to address the issue in political mumbo jumbo. Congress government is on verge of collapse in Karnataka and 10 MLAs have joined BJP in Goa. The shift represents hollowing out of the ideological axis of all the regional parties including that of the Congress. Fact is that Congress has nothing to offer to the public except 'Gandhis', which as a brand has been defeated in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections making the party even more vulnerable. What is different today from yesteryears is that parties opposed to Congress in the first 50 years also had a different ideological axis. They were either rooted in socialist ideology or made ingress into the Congress vote through hard identity politics at the state level. Today, identity politics at the level of caste has been decimated by BJP. Its ideological axis revolves around nationalism and Hindutva. The Opposition, on the other hand, has neither shown intellectual resilience nor political astuteness in dealing with such a narrative. All regional parties, including Congress, have no ideological glue to bind workers and leaders together at the time of political crisis. Meanwhile, the regional parties are either tied to a dynasty or strong regional issue which is divorced from a larger world view. For example, Jagan Mohan Reddy has inherited Congress in Andhra Pradesh because local Congress politicians felt cheated by the Congress high command. TRS victory was based on the creation of Telangana and massive subsidy scheme. Mamata’s 'Ma Maati Manush' feels old and BJD is on brink of imitating AIADMK in Odisha as it has no succession plan in place. Congress continues to procrastinate and has failed to come up with a succession plan. Earlier, even when Opposition was crushed and defeated by Congress, senior opposition leaders like Ram Manohar Lohia, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Namboodiripad, RK Hegde, Charan Singh, Jai Prakash Narayan, Chandrashekhar, Somnath Chatterjee, LK Advani, Rajmata Scindia, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and many others could grab the attention of the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and his government. They could capture space in national media. None of that exists today. Imagine, Bharatiya Jan Sangh dissolved itself and became part of Janata Party in 1977 but the experiment failed. It rebooted itself as BJP in 1980. By 1990 it had 89 seats in Lok Sabha and senior leadership at the state level. The Opposition has none today. If it wants to be a force against BJP, then it will need to articulate as to what does it stand for and what are its cherished ideological principles. Crass opportunism will not work this time around. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

BJP is the only glue which binds 'disorganised' Opposition together

The Metropolitan Court here on Friday granted bail to <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-jds-alliance-going-strong-despite-efforts-to-destabilise-kumaraswamy-235169&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiYn5j2ta_jAhWJaCsKHbwZB-QQFjAAegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ZkjNUdt89h4W1Ee09jN6I">Congress</a> president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/it-feels-like-coming-home-says-rahul-gandhi-on-his-first-visit-to-amethi-after-lok-sabha-elections-234731">Rahul Gandhi</a> in connection with a criminal defamation suit filed against him by Ahmedabad District Cooperative Bank and its chairman Ajay Patel.

Rahul arrived at the Court to appear in connection with the case.

Earlier in the day, Congress leader had informed through a tweet that he would be appearing in another <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rss-defamation-case-rahul-gandhi-pleads-not-guilty-232947&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjYstyztq_jAhXTfCsKHT5KDXAQFjACegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0_ph_LmpPiyLaitcOhnMtC">case filed against him by his "political opponents in the RSS and BJP</a>."

"I am in Ahmedabad today, to appear in another case filed against me by my political opponents in the RSS/BJP.&nbsp;

I thank them for providing me with these platforms and opportunities to take my ideological battle against them to the public.&nbsp;

Satyameva Jayate," he said in the tweet.

Last year in August, two separate criminal defamation cases were filed against Rahul and party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala for their remark that Ahmedabad District Cooperative Bank (ADCB) had exchanged Rs 745.58 crore in just five days during demonetisation.

"Within a mere five days of the implementation of the demonetisation drive, old denominations worth Rs 3,118 crore were deposited in 11 district corporative banks that had links to the BJP leaders.&nbsp;

The most noteworthy of them was Ahmedabad District Cooperative Bank, whose directors include BJP president Amit Shah," Surjewala had said.

He had further said that the bank, which is chaired by Ajay Patel, a close associate of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, received Rs 745.58 crore from November 10 to November 14.&nbsp;

Before appearing in connection with the criminal defamation suit, Rahul also visited Swathi restaurant in Ahmedabad where he was seen interacting with people and clicking selfies with them.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Metropolitan Court here on Friday granted bail to Congress president Rahul Gandhi in connection with a criminal defamation suit filed against him by Ahmedabad District Cooperative Bank and its chairman Ajay Patel.

The Metropolitan Court here on Friday granted bail to Congress president Rahul Gandhi in connection with a criminal defamation suit filed against him by Ahmedabad District Cooperative Bank and its chairman Ajay Patel. Rahul arrived at the Court to appear in connection with the case. Earlier in the day, Congress leader had informed through a tweet that he would be appearing in another case filed against him by his "political opponents in the RSS and BJP." "I am in Ahmedabad today, to appear in another case filed against me by my political opponents in the RSS/BJP. I thank them for providing me with these platforms and opportunities to take my ideological battle against them to the public. Satyameva Jayate," he said in the tweet. Last year in August, two separate criminal defamation cases were filed against Rahul and party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala for their remark that Ahmedabad District Cooperative Bank (ADCB) had exchanged Rs 745.58 crore in just five days during demonetisation. "Within a mere five days of the implementation of the demonetisation drive, old denominations worth Rs 3,118 crore were deposited in 11 district corporative banks that had links to the BJP leaders. The most noteworthy of them was Ahmedabad District Cooperative Bank, whose directors include BJP president Amit Shah," Surjewala had said. He had further said that the bank, which is chaired by Ajay Patel, a close associate of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, received Rs 745.58 crore from November 10 to November 14. Before appearing in connection with the criminal defamation suit, Rahul also visited Swathi restaurant in Ahmedabad where he was seen interacting with people and clicking selfies with them.

Ahmedabad Court grants bail to Rahul Gandhi in criminal defamation case

The government has plans to raise as much as 3.25 trillion rupees in the next five years by reducing its stakes in some large state-owned firms to 40%, two senior government officials told Reuters, in the nation's biggest privatisation push in more than two decades.

Last week, finance minister <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/budget-2019-nirmala-sitharaman-to-launch-study-in-india-initiative-to-encourage-foreign-students-233240&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjngeeHjK_jAhULbo8KHQhRD_0QFjAAegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw05Zl3o-mH6_vHpdxNAwju9">Nirmala Sitharaman</a> in her budget announced that the government will look to reduce direct controlling stakes in some state-run firms on a case-by-case basis.

The plan will open up a steady stream of state companies to greater private investment, and target the kind of annual divestment revenue that will be crucial to meet fiscal deficit targets.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration already sold government stakes in a host of companies to raise a record $40.92 billion in his first five-year term, nearly three times the divestment proceeds of $14.52 billion achieved by the Congress party government in 2009-2014. Modi was re-elected for a second term in a landslide victory in April-May.

The government has identified a number of state-owned firms, including explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corp, oil refiner Indian Oil Corp, gas transmitter GAIL (India) Ltd, power producers NHPC Ltd and NTPC, miners NMDC Ltd and Coal India, and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, said the sources, who declined to be named due to the sensitive nature of the matter.

"We have done a calculation on current prices and we could get 3.25 trillion rupees if we bring our stake down to 40% in government companies, excluding banks," one of the officials, said.

The government has plans to raise as much as 3.25 trillion rupees in the next five years by reducing its stakes in some large state-owned firms to 40%, two senior government officials told Reuters, in the nation's biggest privatisation push in more than two decades.

The government has plans to raise as much as 3.25 trillion rupees in the next five years by reducing its stakes in some large state-owned firms to 40%, two senior government officials told Reuters, in the nation's biggest privatisation push in more than two decades. Last week, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her budget announced that the government will look to reduce direct controlling stakes in some state-run firms on a case-by-case basis. The plan will open up a steady stream of state companies to greater private investment, and target the kind of annual divestment revenue that will be crucial to meet fiscal deficit targets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration already sold government stakes in a host of companies to raise a record $40.92 billion in his first five-year term, nearly three times the divestment proceeds of $14.52 billion achieved by the Congress party government in 2009-2014. Modi was re-elected for a second term in a landslide victory in April-May. The government has identified a number of state-owned firms, including explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corp, oil refiner Indian Oil Corp, gas transmitter GAIL (India) Ltd, power producers NHPC Ltd and NTPC, miners NMDC Ltd and Coal India, and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, said the sources, who declined to be named due to the sensitive nature of the matter. "We have done a calculation on current prices and we could get 3.25 trillion rupees if we bring our stake down to 40% in government companies, excluding banks," one of the officials, said.

Government seeks to raise $47 billion from stake sales in state firms over five years: Sources

Ten Goa Congress MLAs, who merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, have left for Delhi along with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to meet Union Home Minister and BJP president Amit Shah.

"We are taking the 10 Goa Congress MLAs that joined BJP, to Delhi to meet party president Amit Shah. There will be a meeting tomorrow (on Thursday), everything else will be decided there," Sawant told ANI.

The Congress MLAs who severed ties with the grand old party are - Chandrakant Kavlekar, Isidore Fernandes, Francis Silveira, Filipe Neri Rodrigues, Jennifer, Atanasio Monserrate, Antonio Fernandes, Nilakanth Halarnkar, Clafacio Dias and Wilfred D'Sa.

"BJP has got a clear mandate today. The number of MLAs is up to 27 and with this, we can do people's work," said Goa Assembly Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo.

Filipe Neri Rodrigues said, "We have already joined the BJP. We are part of it now. It's a collective opinion of all the Congress legislators that BJP has got the mandate of people... What we could not deliver to the people of Goa being in Opposition, we will also try to take benefit of this government to the people."

Ten Goa Congress MLAs, who merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, have left for Delhi along with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to meet Union Home Minister and BJP president Amit Shah.

Ten Goa Congress MLAs, who merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, have left for Delhi along with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to meet Union Home Minister and BJP president Amit Shah. "We are taking the 10 Goa Congress MLAs that joined BJP, to Delhi to meet party president Amit Shah. There will be a meeting tomorrow (on Thursday), everything else will be decided there," Sawant told ANI. The Congress MLAs who severed ties with the grand old party are - Chandrakant Kavlekar, Isidore Fernandes, Francis Silveira, Filipe Neri Rodrigues, Jennifer, Atanasio Monserrate, Antonio Fernandes, Nilakanth Halarnkar, Clafacio Dias and Wilfred D'Sa. "BJP has got a clear mandate today. The number of MLAs is up to 27 and with this, we can do people's work," said Goa Assembly Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo. Filipe Neri Rodrigues said, "We have already joined the BJP. We are part of it now. It's a collective opinion of all the Congress legislators that BJP has got the mandate of people... What we could not deliver to the people of Goa being in Opposition, we will also try to take benefit of this government to the people."

10 ex-Goa Congress MLAs to meet Amit Shah today

Congress party national media coordinator Rachit Seth on Thursday resigned from the post stating that there is no "meaning for me to continue on this post," after Rahul Gandhi's resignation.&nbsp;

Some of the biggest and most prominent party leaders called it quits from their currently held posts after Rahul Gandhi, a week back, took to microblogging site Twitter and posted a long letter confirming his resignation as the party president.&nbsp;

Congress leader and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jyotiraditya-scindia-resigns-as-congress-general-secretary-233778">former Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia</a> on Sunday announced to resign from the post of party general secretary.

"Accepting the people's verdict and taking accountability, I had submitted my resignation as General Secretary of AICC to Shri @RahulGandhi. I thank him for entrusting me with this responsibility and for giving me the opportunity to serve our party," Scindia tweeted from his official Twitter account.

Mumbai Congress president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-congress-president-milind-deora-resigns-says-looking-forward-to-play-national-role-to-help-stabilise-party-233767">Milind Deora</a> also tendered his resignation from the post the same day. He said that he is looking forward to playing a role at the "national level to stabilise the party".

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Delhi: Rachit Seth tenders his resignation from the post of National Media Coordinator of Congress party. He writes, 'After Rahul Gandhi's resignation as Congress President, there is no meaning for me to continue on this post.' <a href="https://t.co/2vXiGcdJTM">pic.twitter.com/2vXiGcdJTM</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1149224625861287936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The resignations come at a time when the party leaders from several states are offering their resignation as an expression of solidarity with Rahul Gandhi.

Meanwhile, the 13-month old Congress-JD(S) government slumped into crisis following the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/meet-karnataka-assembly-speaker-at-6pm-today-supreme-court-directs-rebel-karnataka-mlas-234874">resignation of 10 MLAs</a> from the membership of the state Assembly last week.

The Supreme Court of India on Thursday directed the rebel Congress-JDS MLAs of Karnataka to meet state Assembly Speaker in the evening today and serve their resignation if "they wish to do so".

Congress party national media coordinator Rachit Seth on Thursday resigned from the post stating that there is no "meaning for me to continue on this post," after Rahul Gandhi's resignation.

Congress party national media coordinator Rachit Seth on Thursday resigned from the post stating that there is no "meaning for me to continue on this post," after Rahul Gandhi's resignation. Some of the biggest and most prominent party leaders called it quits from their currently held posts after Rahul Gandhi, a week back, took to microblogging site Twitter and posted a long letter confirming his resignation as the party president. Congress leader and former Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday announced to resign from the post of party general secretary. "Accepting the people's verdict and taking accountability, I had submitted my resignation as General Secretary of AICC to Shri @RahulGandhi. I thank him for entrusting me with this responsibility and for giving me the opportunity to serve our party," Scindia tweeted from his official Twitter account. Mumbai Congress president Milind Deora also tendered his resignation from the post the same day. He said that he is looking forward to playing a role at the "national level to stabilise the party". Delhi: Rachit Seth tenders his resignation from the post of National Media Coordinator of Congress party. He writes, 'After Rahul Gandhi's resignation as Congress President, there is no meaning for me to continue on this post.' pic.twitter.com/2vXiGcdJTM — ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2019 × The resignations come at a time when the party leaders from several states are offering their resignation as an expression of solidarity with Rahul Gandhi. Meanwhile, the 13-month old Congress-JD(S) government slumped into crisis following the resignation of 10 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly last week. The Supreme Court of India on Thursday directed the rebel Congress-JDS MLAs of Karnataka to meet state Assembly Speaker in the evening today and serve their resignation if "they wish to do so".

Congress national media coordinator Rachit Seth steps down, says 'no meaning for me to continue after Rahul Gandhi's resignation'

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday slammed the Uttar Pradesh government accusing it of not taking strict action against officials extorting money from people. 
 
Taking to Twitter, she said, "Like Neeraj, there are many others who are also facing the same issue. For everything, money is taken from them and no one addresses their grievances. My heart is aching. Where the BJP government is sleeping?." 
 
The statement from Vadra came just days after a flour-mill owner committed suicide after being allegedly harassed by a state government official. 
 
Identified as Niraj Kumar, the reportedly consumed poison in the premises of Bijnor Collectorate on Tuesday. In a suicide note recovered from the spot, he claimed that he was being harassed by a junior engineer of the state power corporation. Saini had been booked Kumar in a power theft case. More details in this regard are awaited.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday slammed the Uttar Pradesh government accusing it of not taking strict action against officials extorting money from people.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday slammed the Uttar Pradesh government accusing it of not taking strict action against officials extorting money from people. Taking to Twitter, she said, "Like Neeraj, there are many others who are also facing the same issue. For everything, money is taken from them and no one addresses their grievances. My heart is aching. Where the BJP government is sleeping?." The statement from Vadra came just days after a flour-mill owner committed suicide after being allegedly harassed by a state government official. Identified as Niraj Kumar, the reportedly consumed poison in the premises of Bijnor Collectorate on Tuesday. In a suicide note recovered from the spot, he claimed that he was being harassed by a junior engineer of the state power corporation. Saini had been booked Kumar in a power theft case. More details in this regard are awaited.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tears into UP government over corruption

Congress leaders including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday staged a protest in Parliament over the political crisis in Karnataka and Goa. 
 
Congress leaders Anand Sharma, Adhir Ranjan Choudhury, Shashi Tharoor, Gaurav Gogoi, and many others joined the demonstrating lawmakers who raised slogans while carrying black and white banners.

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Delhi: Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Anand Sharma protest in front of Gandhi statue in Parliament. Rahul Gandhi tells ANI, "We are protesting against Karnataka and Goa issue" <a href="https://t.co/wmZCj7Pihn">pic.twitter.com/wmZCj7Pihn</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1149185194047475712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The protest comes a day after 10&nbsp;Goa Congress MLAs out of 15 split from the Congress and merged with the BJP on Wednesday, reducing the Congress strength to just five members. Strength of BJP has now risen to 27.

In Karnataka, Several JD(S) and Congress MLAs have resigned&nbsp;withdrawing support from the coalition government in the state.

Congress leaders have repeatedly accused the BJP and the Central government of orchestrating the current crisis in Karnataka and Goa, a charge the BJP has denied. 
 
BJP leaders have asserted that the Saffron Party has nothing to do with the ongoing crisis in both states. 
&nbsp; 
Meanwhile, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday chaired a meeting of &nbsp;Congress MPs of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha at Congress office in Parliament. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Congress leaders including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday staged a protest in Parliament over the political crisis in Karnataka and Goa. Congress leaders Anand Sharma, Adhir Ranjan Choudhury, Shashi Tharoor, Gaurav Gogoi, and many others joined the demonstrating lawmakers who raised slogans while carrying black and white banners.

Congress leaders including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday staged a protest in Parliament over the political crisis in Karnataka and Goa. Congress leaders Anand Sharma, Adhir Ranjan Choudhury, Shashi Tharoor, Gaurav Gogoi, and many others joined the demonstrating lawmakers who raised slogans while carrying black and white banners. Delhi: Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Anand Sharma protest in front of Gandhi statue in Parliament. Rahul Gandhi tells ANI, "We are protesting against Karnataka and Goa issue" pic.twitter.com/wmZCj7Pihn — ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2019 × The protest comes a day after 10 Goa Congress MLAs out of 15 split from the Congress and merged with the BJP on Wednesday, reducing the Congress strength to just five members. Strength of BJP has now risen to 27. In Karnataka, Several JD(S) and Congress MLAs have resigned withdrawing support from the coalition government in the state. Congress leaders have repeatedly accused the BJP and the Central government of orchestrating the current crisis in Karnataka and Goa, a charge the BJP has denied. BJP leaders have asserted that the Saffron Party has nothing to do with the ongoing crisis in both states. Meanwhile, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday chaired a meeting of Congress MPs of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha at Congress office in Parliament. (With inputs from agencies)

Congress leaders stage protest over political crisis in Karnataka and Goa; Sonia Gandhi meets party MPs

Karnataka Congress Minister DK Shivakumar and JD(S) MLA Shivalinge Gowda on Wednesday arrived in Mumbai on a special flight from Bengaluru to meet rebel MLAs amid political <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-crisis-assembly-speaker-writes-to-governor-asks-rebel-mlas-to-meet-him-234261">turmoil in the state</a>.

Meanwhile, security has been increased outside Hotel Renaissance in Powai in Mumbai where the 10 dissident Karnataka Congress-JD(S) MLAs are staying.

Maharashtra State Reserve Police Force and Riot Control Police have been deployed outside the hotel.

When asked about the heavy security deployed outside the hotel ahead of his visit, Shivakumar told ANI,&nbsp;"Let Mumbai Police or any other force be deployed. Let them do their duty. We have come to meet our friends.

We were born together in politics, we will die together in politics.

They are our party men. We have come to meet them.

"The security has been tightened as the disgruntled MLAs had earlier written a letter to Mumbai Commissioner of Police seeking protection, stating "We have heard Chief Minister and DK Shivakumar are going to storm the hotel, we feel threatened."

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DK Shivakumar,outside Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel: I've booked a room here. My friends are staying here.There has been a small problem, we've to hold negotiations.We can't go for a divorce immediately. There is no question of threatening, we love&amp;respect each other <a href="https://t.co/RRcazlhbRq">pic.twitter.com/RRcazlhbRq</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1148790855060398080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"We the following elected members of Legislative Assembly of the state of Karnataka are staying at Hotel Renaissance Powai in Mumbai. We have heard that Shri Kumaraswamy and DK Shivakumar and others are going to storm in the hotel premises, we feel threatened for the same," read the letter written by the legislators.

"We do not want to meet him (Shivakumar), kind request to help us in this matter and do not allow them to enter the hotel premises," the MLAs added in the letter.

Among the MLAs who have signed the letter are Shivram Hebbar, Pratap Gowda Patil, BC Patil, ST Somshekar, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Byrati Basavraj, Gopalaiyya, H Vishwanath, Narayan Gowda, and Mahesh Kumutali.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Police stated that "Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar will not be allowed inside the hotel where 10 rebel Karnataka Congress-JD(S) MLAs are staying". However, "He will not be stopped before the gates of the hotel," police said.

The 13-month old Congress-JD(S) government slumped into crisis following the resignation of 11 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly last week.

The state Assembly has 225 members, including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark in the 225-member Assembly is 113.

The Congress-JD(S) coalition is making all efforts to protect its government which seems to have fallen short of a majority.

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has also claimed that they will overcome the crisis.

All the ministers from the two parties have resigned paving way for the restructuring of the state Cabinet in a bid to accommodate the dissident MLAs.

The Congress party has been constantly accusing the BJP of conspiring to topple Congress-JD(S) coalition government in Karnataka.

However, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in his reply in Parliament, asserted that his party is committed to parliamentary democracy and has no relation with the developments in Karnataka.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Karnataka Congress Minister DK Shivakumar and JD(S) MLA Shivalinge Gowda on Wednesday arrived in Mumbai on a special flight from Bengaluru to meet rebel MLAs amid political turmoil in the state.

Karnataka Congress Minister DK Shivakumar and JD(S) MLA Shivalinge Gowda on Wednesday arrived in Mumbai on a special flight from Bengaluru to meet rebel MLAs amid political turmoil in the state. Meanwhile, security has been increased outside Hotel Renaissance in Powai in Mumbai where the 10 dissident Karnataka Congress-JD(S) MLAs are staying. Maharashtra State Reserve Police Force and Riot Control Police have been deployed outside the hotel. When asked about the heavy security deployed outside the hotel ahead of his visit, Shivakumar told ANI, "Let Mumbai Police or any other force be deployed. Let them do their duty. We have come to meet our friends. We were born together in politics, we will die together in politics. They are our party men. We have come to meet them. "The security has been tightened as the disgruntled MLAs had earlier written a letter to Mumbai Commissioner of Police seeking protection, stating "We have heard Chief Minister and DK Shivakumar are going to storm the hotel, we feel threatened." DK Shivakumar,outside Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel: I've booked a room here. My friends are staying here.There has been a small problem, we've to hold negotiations.We can't go for a divorce immediately. There is no question of threatening, we love&respect each other pic.twitter.com/RRcazlhbRq — ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2019 × "We the following elected members of Legislative Assembly of the state of Karnataka are staying at Hotel Renaissance Powai in Mumbai. We have heard that Shri Kumaraswamy and DK Shivakumar and others are going to storm in the hotel premises, we feel threatened for the same," read the letter written by the legislators. "We do not want to meet him (Shivakumar), kind request to help us in this matter and do not allow them to enter the hotel premises," the MLAs added in the letter. Among the MLAs who have signed the letter are Shivram Hebbar, Pratap Gowda Patil, BC Patil, ST Somshekar, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Byrati Basavraj, Gopalaiyya, H Vishwanath, Narayan Gowda, and Mahesh Kumutali. Meanwhile, Mumbai Police stated that "Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar will not be allowed inside the hotel where 10 rebel Karnataka Congress-JD(S) MLAs are staying". However, "He will not be stopped before the gates of the hotel," police said. The 13-month old Congress-JD(S) government slumped into crisis following the resignation of 11 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly last week. The state Assembly has 225 members, including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark in the 225-member Assembly is 113. The Congress-JD(S) coalition is making all efforts to protect its government which seems to have fallen short of a majority. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has also claimed that they will overcome the crisis. All the ministers from the two parties have resigned paving way for the restructuring of the state Cabinet in a bid to accommodate the dissident MLAs. The Congress party has been constantly accusing the BJP of conspiring to topple Congress-JD(S) coalition government in Karnataka. However, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in his reply in Parliament, asserted that his party is committed to parliamentary democracy and has no relation with the developments in Karnataka.

Karnataka crisis: Congress minister Shivakumar arrives in Mumbai to meet rebel MLAs

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who recently stepped down as the party president, arrived in Amethi on Wednesday and met the party workers. 
 
He met the party workers in Nirmala Devi Institute and asked them&nbsp;to remain prepared for a long battle to resurrect the Congress. 
 
"I very happy after coming to Amethi. It feels like coming home," he tweeted in Hindi soon after reaching his erstwhile Lok Sabha constituency. 
&nbsp;

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अमेठी आकर बहुत खुश हूँ। अमेठी आना घर आने जैसा लगता है। <a href="https://t.co/B6YW2f7aLg">pic.twitter.com/B6YW2f7aLg</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1148896960339795968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Earlier today, the Gandhi scion tweeted that he will celebrate his increasing follower count&nbsp;on Twitter with Congress&nbsp;workers and supporters in Amethi today.

"10 Million Twitter followers - thank you to each and every one of you! I will celebrate the milestone in Amethi, where I will be meeting our Congress workers and supporters today," Gandhi tweeted. 
&nbsp;

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10 Million Twitter followers - thank you to each and every one of you! 🙏🙏 
 
I will celebrate the milestone in Amethi, where I will be meeting our Congress workers &amp; supporters today.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1148810062984466433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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This is&nbsp;his first visit to Amethi after Congress's debacle in just-concluded Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/in-a-neck-and-neck-battle-smriti-irani-defeats-rahul-gandhi-in-amethi-221025">Rahul had lost Amethi seat to BJP leader Smriti Irani </a>in the Lok Sabha elections. Rahul held the seat for the last 15 years.&nbsp;

On July 3, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/honour-for-me-to-serve-congress-party-rahul-gandhi-tweets-his-resignation-letter-232732">Rahul Gandhi had made his resignation letter public</a>. "It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love, " he had tweeted. 
&nbsp;

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It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. 
 
I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love. 
 
Jai Hind 🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/WWGYt5YG4V">pic.twitter.com/WWGYt5YG4V</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1146359704815194112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who recently stepped down as the party president, arrived in Amethi on Wednesday and met the party workers. He met the party workers in Nirmala Devi Institute and asked them to remain prepared for a long battle to resurrect the Congress.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who recently stepped down as the party president, arrived in Amethi on Wednesday and met the party workers. He met the party workers in Nirmala Devi Institute and asked them to remain prepared for a long battle to resurrect the Congress. "I very happy after coming to Amethi. It feels like coming home," he tweeted in Hindi soon after reaching his erstwhile Lok Sabha constituency. अमेठी आकर बहुत खुश हूँ। अमेठी आना घर आने जैसा लगता है। pic.twitter.com/B6YW2f7aLg — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 10, 2019 × Earlier today, the Gandhi scion tweeted that he will celebrate his increasing follower count on Twitter with Congress workers and supporters in Amethi today. "10 Million Twitter followers - thank you to each and every one of you! I will celebrate the milestone in Amethi, where I will be meeting our Congress workers and supporters today," Gandhi tweeted. 10 Million Twitter followers - thank you to each and every one of you! 🙏🙏 I will celebrate the milestone in Amethi, where I will be meeting our Congress workers & supporters today. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 10, 2019 × This is his first visit to Amethi after Congress's debacle in just-concluded Lok Sabha elections. Rahul had lost Amethi seat to BJP leader Smriti Irani in the Lok Sabha elections. Rahul held the seat for the last 15 years. On July 3, Rahul Gandhi had made his resignation letter public. "It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love, " he had tweeted. It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love. Jai Hind 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/WWGYt5YG4V — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 3, 2019 × The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha. (With inputs from agencies)

Rahul Gandhi visits Amethi for first time after Congress's debacle in Lok Sabha elections, meets party workers

Janardan Dwivedi, the former speech writer of Sonia Gandhi and longest serving general secretary of the Congress, has said that the reason for the party's defeat in India's general election is inside, not outside of the organisation.

He also said that some constitutional mechanism should have been put in place by Rahul Gandhi after he resigned as Congress president so that party could have properly moved ahead. "Some constitutional mechanism should have been constituted by the party president under which opinion of members of working committee should have been taken," the 73-year-old leader said.

Dwivedi served as general secretary of the Congress party from 2004 to 2017, but was replaced by KC Venugopal. Dwivedi was finally cast out of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) last year.

He said that there were number of issues on which he differed from the leadership. "I also apprised them of my differences. Reservation for economically backward classes was one such issue where I and leadership differed," Dwivedi said.

The basic objection raised by Dwivedi is that the consultation process is taking place under the banner of coordination committee which should not have been the case. He also said that many leaders are still sitting pretty and not ready to vacate their position after a major defeat.

He said that a gap has been left after Rahul Gandhi's resignation and norms and conventions which should have been followed in ideal condition have been set aside. He also made a point to share his resignation letter of September 15, 2014, which was rejected by the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Congress is grappling with one of biggest crises in its 150-year-old history. A major setback in the April-May general elections in India saw Congress's tally reduced to a meagre 52, threatening an existential crisis for it and subsequently leading to the resignation of its president Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul resigned as the party chief taking reponsiility for the party's dismal performance in the elections. But for weeks, Congress leaders kept urging Rahul to take back his resignation and asking him not to be too harsh on himself. The drama finally ended last week when Rahul Gandhi tweeted his resignation letter and asked the party to take the process of appointing his successor forward.

Janardan Dwivedi, the former speech writer of Sonia Gandhi and longest serving general secretary of the Congress, has said that the reason for the party's defeat in India's general election is inside, not outside of the organisation.

Janardan Dwivedi, the former speech writer of Sonia Gandhi and longest serving general secretary of the Congress, has said that the reason for the party's defeat in India's general election is inside, not outside of the organisation. He also said that some constitutional mechanism should have been put in place by Rahul Gandhi after he resigned as Congress president so that party could have properly moved ahead. "Some constitutional mechanism should have been constituted by the party president under which opinion of members of working committee should have been taken," the 73-year-old leader said. Dwivedi served as general secretary of the Congress party from 2004 to 2017, but was replaced by KC Venugopal. Dwivedi was finally cast out of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) last year. He said that there were number of issues on which he differed from the leadership. "I also apprised them of my differences. Reservation for economically backward classes was one such issue where I and leadership differed," Dwivedi said. The basic objection raised by Dwivedi is that the consultation process is taking place under the banner of coordination committee which should not have been the case. He also said that many leaders are still sitting pretty and not ready to vacate their position after a major defeat. He said that a gap has been left after Rahul Gandhi's resignation and norms and conventions which should have been followed in ideal condition have been set aside. He also made a point to share his resignation letter of September 15, 2014, which was rejected by the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Congress is grappling with one of biggest crises in its 150-year-old history. A major setback in the April-May general elections in India saw Congress's tally reduced to a meagre 52, threatening an existential crisis for it and subsequently leading to the resignation of its president Rahul Gandhi. Rahul resigned as the party chief taking reponsiility for the party's dismal performance in the elections. But for weeks, Congress leaders kept urging Rahul to take back his resignation and asking him not to be too harsh on himself. The drama finally ended last week when Rahul Gandhi tweeted his resignation letter and asked the party to take the process of appointing his successor forward.

Reason for electoral loss is inside and not outside the Congress, says old loyalist Janardhan Dwivedi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who recently stepped down as the party president, will visit Amethi on Wednesday and hold meetings with party workers.

This will be his first visit to Amethi after Congress's debacle in just-concluded Lok Sabha elections. He will also take feedback from Congress workers to assess the reason behind his party's humiliating defeat.

Rahul had lost Amethi seat to BJP leader Smriti Irani in the Lok Sabha elections. Rahul held the seat for the last 15 years.&nbsp;

The Gandhi scion has made his resignation letter public last week. "It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love, " he had tweeted. 
&nbsp;

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It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. 
 
I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love. 
 
Jai Hind 🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/WWGYt5YG4V">pic.twitter.com/WWGYt5YG4V</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1146359704815194112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Rahul Gandhi had also said that his party should elect a new Congress president without any further delay.&nbsp;

"Party should decide on the new president quickly without further delay, I'm nowhere in this process. I have already submitted my resignation and I am no longer the party president. CWC should convene a meeting at the earliest and decide," he said.

 
Rahul Gandhi had offered to step down on May 25 at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee after party's debacle in the Lok Sabha elections. However, his offer of resignation was unanimously rejected by the CWC.

Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince Rahul Gandhi to reconsider his decision to quit as the party chief, he remained unfazed.

The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who recently stepped down as the party president, will visit Amethi on Wednesday and hold meetings with party workers. This will be his first visit to Amethi after Congress's debacle in just-concluded Lok Sabha elections.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who recently stepped down as the party president, will visit Amethi on Wednesday and hold meetings with party workers. This will be his first visit to Amethi after Congress's debacle in just-concluded Lok Sabha elections. He will also take feedback from Congress workers to assess the reason behind his party's humiliating defeat. Rahul had lost Amethi seat to BJP leader Smriti Irani in the Lok Sabha elections. Rahul held the seat for the last 15 years. The Gandhi scion has made his resignation letter public last week. "It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love, " he had tweeted. It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love. Jai Hind 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/WWGYt5YG4V — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 3, 2019 × Rahul Gandhi had also said that his party should elect a new Congress president without any further delay. "Party should decide on the new president quickly without further delay, I'm nowhere in this process. I have already submitted my resignation and I am no longer the party president. CWC should convene a meeting at the earliest and decide," he said. Rahul Gandhi had offered to step down on May 25 at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee after party's debacle in the Lok Sabha elections. However, his offer of resignation was unanimously rejected by the CWC. Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince Rahul Gandhi to reconsider his decision to quit as the party chief, he remained unfazed. The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha. (With inputs from agencies)

Rahul Gandhi to visit Amethi for first time after Congress's debacle in Lok Sabha elections

Amid <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kumaraswamy-led-govt-in-karnataka-in-trouble-as-11-ruling-party-lawmakers-resign-233558">ongoing political turmoil in Karnataka</a>, state Congress leader DK Shivakumar met JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda at his residence on Sunday.

JD(S) leaders joined HD Revanna, D Kupendra Reddy, HK Kumaraswamy and DC Thammanna also joined the meeting.

The two leaders met at noon, a day after the 13 month-old coalition government of their parties slumped into crisis following the resignation of 11 of their legislators from the membership of the state Assembly.

Responding to the developments, BJP state chief BS Yeddyurappa on Sunday said, "I am going to Tumkur and I will come back at 4 pm. You know about the political developments. Let's wait and see. I do not want to answer to what HD Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah say. I am nowhere related to this."

While senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said he wants the alliance government to continue. "We want that this should go on smoothly," he said.

However, JD(S) MLA H Vishwanath on Saturday said that 14 MLAs have jointly tendered resignations to Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar and requested him to accept them.

However, the Speaker has not yet accepted the resignations.After the dramatic turn of events, the state government appears to have fallen into a minority forcing Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who is in the US, to cut short his visit. He is expected to fly back here on Sunday.

Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah late on Saturday evening held a meeting with the party MLAs where he is believed to have discussed among other things the current political situation in the state.

The meeting took place at his house.The strength of the ruling coalition in Karnataka has come down to 105, which is eight short of the half-way mark of 113.

Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Ramesh Jarkiholi resigned from the government earlier this week.

Those MLAs, who resigned from the Assembly, include BC Patil, H Vishwanath, Narayan Gowda, S Hebbar, Mahesh Kumatalli, Gopalayya, Ramesh Jharkiholi, and Pratap Gowda Patil. The dissident MLAs have reached Mumbai and are staying in Sofitel Hotel.&nbsp;

Amid ongoing political turmoil in Karnataka, state Congress leader DK Shivakumar met JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda at his residence on Sunday. JD(S) leaders joined HD Revanna, D Kupendra Reddy, HK Kumaraswamy and DC Thammanna also joined the meeting.

Amid ongoing political turmoil in Karnataka, state Congress leader DK Shivakumar met JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda at his residence on Sunday. JD(S) leaders joined HD Revanna, D Kupendra Reddy, HK Kumaraswamy and DC Thammanna also joined the meeting. The two leaders met at noon, a day after the 13 month-old coalition government of their parties slumped into crisis following the resignation of 11 of their legislators from the membership of the state Assembly. Responding to the developments, BJP state chief BS Yeddyurappa on Sunday said, "I am going to Tumkur and I will come back at 4 pm. You know about the political developments. Let's wait and see. I do not want to answer to what HD Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah say. I am nowhere related to this." While senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said he wants the alliance government to continue. "We want that this should go on smoothly," he said. However, JD(S) MLA H Vishwanath on Saturday said that 14 MLAs have jointly tendered resignations to Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar and requested him to accept them. However, the Speaker has not yet accepted the resignations.After the dramatic turn of events, the state government appears to have fallen into a minority forcing Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who is in the US, to cut short his visit. He is expected to fly back here on Sunday. Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah late on Saturday evening held a meeting with the party MLAs where he is believed to have discussed among other things the current political situation in the state. The meeting took place at his house.The strength of the ruling coalition in Karnataka has come down to 105, which is eight short of the half-way mark of 113. Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Ramesh Jarkiholi resigned from the government earlier this week. Those MLAs, who resigned from the Assembly, include BC Patil, H Vishwanath, Narayan Gowda, S Hebbar, Mahesh Kumatalli, Gopalayya, Ramesh Jharkiholi, and Pratap Gowda Patil. The dissident MLAs have reached Mumbai and are staying in Sofitel Hotel.

Karnataka: DK Shivakumar, HD Deve Gowda meet amid crisis

The issue of leadership in Congress came up briefly at the informal meeting of party leaders here held to discuss the political developments in Karnataka but no names were discussed, party sources said.

The sources said discussions will continue in the coming days ahead of Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting for which no date has been fixed as yet.

Congress Communications chief Randeep Singh Surjewala later said that Rahul Gandhi is the Congress president and will continue to be so till the CWC takes a decision on his resignation.

He said crores of party workers feel that Gandhi was the only person who can lead the party effectively against the BJP which was "disregarding democracy".

"The last decision will be taken by Rahul Gandhi and CWC," he said.

Gandhi had offered to resign at the CWC meeting in May taking responsibility for the party's debacle in Lok Sabha elections and had earlier this week emphasised his decision in a letter released to the media.

Surjewala urged the media not to go by speculations that Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi will not attend the CWC meeting which will be called to discuss the leadership issue.

"Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are the most important part of the CWC. Whenever it is held, all of them will come to attend it," he said.

Surjewala, however, said no discussion was held on the leadership issue at Saturday's meeting and it was also not authorised to do it.&nbsp;

The issue of leadership in Congress came up briefly at the informal meeting of party leaders here held to discuss the political developments in Karnataka but no names were discussed, party sources said.

The issue of leadership in Congress came up briefly at the informal meeting of party leaders here held to discuss the political developments in Karnataka but no names were discussed, party sources said. The sources said discussions will continue in the coming days ahead of Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting for which no date has been fixed as yet. Congress Communications chief Randeep Singh Surjewala later said that Rahul Gandhi is the Congress president and will continue to be so till the CWC takes a decision on his resignation. He said crores of party workers feel that Gandhi was the only person who can lead the party effectively against the BJP which was "disregarding democracy". "The last decision will be taken by Rahul Gandhi and CWC," he said. Gandhi had offered to resign at the CWC meeting in May taking responsibility for the party's debacle in Lok Sabha elections and had earlier this week emphasised his decision in a letter released to the media. Surjewala urged the media not to go by speculations that Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi will not attend the CWC meeting which will be called to discuss the leadership issue. "Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are the most important part of the CWC. Whenever it is held, all of them will come to attend it," he said. Surjewala, however, said no discussion was held on the leadership issue at Saturday's meeting and it was also not authorised to do it.

Leadership issue comes up at Congress leaders' meet, no names discussed

Indian Youth Congress president Keshav Chand Yadav on Saturday resigned from his post while taking "full responsibility" of the party's defeat in the Lok Sabha elections.

In a letter addressed to Rahul Gandhi, Yadav wrote, "I joined politics after being inspired by your vision for development and welfare of India. It is just because of your revolutionary step to inculcate one of the finest democratic process in IYC that a common man like me could make a stand in politics. Sir, as you are well aware that I toiled from being a social worker to block level party worker and presently the National President of IYC."

He added, "But now after giving a serious thought on the current political scenario and to stand by your fight and cause, I do hereby take the full responsibility of the 2019 electoral defeat and tender my resignation from my current post. I have always been and will continue to serve the party as a dedicated and responsible worker of the Congress."

Keshav Chand Yadav, who hails from Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh was appointed the Youth Congress chief in May last year. He had been the national general secretary of Indian Youth Congress and was in charge of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

Rahul Gandhi himself had resigned from the post of Congress president recently.

Indian Youth Congress president Keshav Chand Yadav on Saturday resigned from his post while taking "full responsibility" of the party's defeat in the Lok Sabha elections.

Indian Youth Congress president Keshav Chand Yadav on Saturday resigned from his post while taking "full responsibility" of the party's defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. In a letter addressed to Rahul Gandhi, Yadav wrote, "I joined politics after being inspired by your vision for development and welfare of India. It is just because of your revolutionary step to inculcate one of the finest democratic process in IYC that a common man like me could make a stand in politics. Sir, as you are well aware that I toiled from being a social worker to block level party worker and presently the National President of IYC." He added, "But now after giving a serious thought on the current political scenario and to stand by your fight and cause, I do hereby take the full responsibility of the 2019 electoral defeat and tender my resignation from my current post. I have always been and will continue to serve the party as a dedicated and responsible worker of the Congress." Keshav Chand Yadav, who hails from Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh was appointed the Youth Congress chief in May last year. He had been the national general secretary of Indian Youth Congress and was in charge of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Rahul Gandhi himself had resigned from the post of Congress president recently.

Indian Youth Congress president Keshav Chand Yadav resigns

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy will be flying back to India from the US on Sunday evening.

Kumaraswamy had to cut short his visit due to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-dk-shivakumar-hd-deve-gowda-to-meet-amid-crisis-233725">ongoing political turmoil triggered in the state</a> in his absence.

The JD(S) has called for a legislative party meeting today evening. Meanwhile, a meeting took place between senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar and JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda in the backdrop of the dramatic developments in the state.

Karnataka coalition government of Janata Dal (Secular) and Congress on Saturday slumped into crisis following the resignation of their 11 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly.

However, JD(S) MLA H Vishwanath claimed that 14 MLAs have jointly tendered resignations to Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar and requested him to accept them.

The Speaker, however, has not yet accepted the resignations. Siddaramaiah late on Saturday evening held a meeting with his party MLAs where he is believed to have discussed among other things the current political situation in the state.

The meeting took place at his house. The strength of the ruling coalition in Karnataka has come down to 105, which is eight short of the half-way mark of 113 for a majority.

Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Ramesh Jarkiholi resigned from the government earlier this week.

Those MLAs, who resigned from the Assembly, include BC Patil, H Vishwanath, Narayan Gowda, S Hebbar, Mahesh Kumatalli, Gopalayya, Ramesh Jarkiholi, and Pratap Gowda Patil. The dissident MLAs have reached Mumbai and are staying in Sofitel hotel.&nbsp;

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy will be flying back to India from the US on Sunday evening. Kumaraswamy had to cut short his visit due to the ongoing political turmoil triggered in the state in his absence.

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy will be flying back to India from the US on Sunday evening. Kumaraswamy had to cut short his visit due to the ongoing political turmoil triggered in the state in his absence. The JD(S) has called for a legislative party meeting today evening. Meanwhile, a meeting took place between senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar and JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda in the backdrop of the dramatic developments in the state. Karnataka coalition government of Janata Dal (Secular) and Congress on Saturday slumped into crisis following the resignation of their 11 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly. However, JD(S) MLA H Vishwanath claimed that 14 MLAs have jointly tendered resignations to Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar and requested him to accept them. The Speaker, however, has not yet accepted the resignations. Siddaramaiah late on Saturday evening held a meeting with his party MLAs where he is believed to have discussed among other things the current political situation in the state. The meeting took place at his house. The strength of the ruling coalition in Karnataka has come down to 105, which is eight short of the half-way mark of 113 for a majority. Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Ramesh Jarkiholi resigned from the government earlier this week. Those MLAs, who resigned from the Assembly, include BC Patil, H Vishwanath, Narayan Gowda, S Hebbar, Mahesh Kumatalli, Gopalayya, Ramesh Jarkiholi, and Pratap Gowda Patil. The dissident MLAs have reached Mumbai and are staying in Sofitel hotel.

Karnataka Chief Minister to reach Bangalore today evening amid turmoil

As fresh trouble has gripped the ruling <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-dk-shivakumar-hd-deve-gowda-to-meet-amid-crisis-233725">Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress coalition</a> with the resignation of 11 lawmakers, senior BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa on Sunday said he is not related to the developments in any way.

Grappling with the crumbling coalition, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, on the other hand, responded to the resignation of party strongman Ramalinga Reddy stating that his grievances will be looked into.

"I am going to Tumkur and I will come back at 4 pm. You know about the political developments. Let's wait and see. I do not want to answer to what HD Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah say. I am nowhere related to this," Yeddyurappa said while speaking to media persons here.

Kharge said that he wants the alliance to run smoothly in the state.On being asked about are reports about the possibility of him being made the state's chief minister, Kharge said, "I do not know. I want this alliance government to continue. We want that this should go on smoothly. These are all flimsy information being fed to the press just to divide us."

Responding to Ramalinga Reddy's resignation, he said, "Ramalinga Reddy ji is a senior leader and a Congressman. For long he has been holding Congress's fort in Bengaluru. Let us see what are his grievances and what we can do."

The 13 month-old Karnataka coalition government of JD(S) and Congress slumped into crisis following the resignation of their 11 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly on Saturday.

JD(S) MLA H Vishwanath had on Saturday said that 14 MLAs have jointly tendered their resignations to Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar and requested him to accept them.

But, the Speaker has not yet accepted their resignations.With the dramatic turn of events, the state government appears to have fallen into a minority forcing Chief Minister Kumaraswamy, who is in the US, to cut short his visit. He is expected to fly back here today.

Former Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah late on Saturday evening held a meeting with the party MLAs where he is believed to have discussed among other things the current political situation in the state. The meeting took place at his house.

The strength of the ruling coalition in Karnataka has come down to 105, which is eight short of the half-way mark of 113.

Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Ramesh Jarkiholi resigned from the government earlier this week.Those MLAs, who resigned from the Assembly, include BC Patil, H Vishwanath, Narayan Gowda, S Hebbar, Mahesh Kumatalli, Gopalayya, Ramesh Jharkiholi, and Pratap Gowda Patil. The dissident MLAs late on Saturday arrived in Mumbai and are staying at a hotel.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

As fresh trouble has gripped the ruling Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress coalition with the resignation of 11 lawmakers, senior BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa on Sunday said he is not related to the developments in any way.

As fresh trouble has gripped the ruling Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress coalition with the resignation of 11 lawmakers, senior BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa on Sunday said he is not related to the developments in any way. Grappling with the crumbling coalition, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, on the other hand, responded to the resignation of party strongman Ramalinga Reddy stating that his grievances will be looked into. "I am going to Tumkur and I will come back at 4 pm. You know about the political developments. Let's wait and see. I do not want to answer to what HD Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah say. I am nowhere related to this," Yeddyurappa said while speaking to media persons here. Kharge said that he wants the alliance to run smoothly in the state.On being asked about are reports about the possibility of him being made the state's chief minister, Kharge said, "I do not know. I want this alliance government to continue. We want that this should go on smoothly. These are all flimsy information being fed to the press just to divide us." Responding to Ramalinga Reddy's resignation, he said, "Ramalinga Reddy ji is a senior leader and a Congressman. For long he has been holding Congress's fort in Bengaluru. Let us see what are his grievances and what we can do." The 13 month-old Karnataka coalition government of JD(S) and Congress slumped into crisis following the resignation of their 11 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly on Saturday. JD(S) MLA H Vishwanath had on Saturday said that 14 MLAs have jointly tendered their resignations to Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar and requested him to accept them. But, the Speaker has not yet accepted their resignations.With the dramatic turn of events, the state government appears to have fallen into a minority forcing Chief Minister Kumaraswamy, who is in the US, to cut short his visit. He is expected to fly back here today. Former Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah late on Saturday evening held a meeting with the party MLAs where he is believed to have discussed among other things the current political situation in the state. The meeting took place at his house. The strength of the ruling coalition in Karnataka has come down to 105, which is eight short of the half-way mark of 113. Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Ramesh Jarkiholi resigned from the government earlier this week.Those MLAs, who resigned from the Assembly, include BC Patil, H Vishwanath, Narayan Gowda, S Hebbar, Mahesh Kumatalli, Gopalayya, Ramesh Jharkiholi, and Pratap Gowda Patil. The dissident MLAs late on Saturday arrived in Mumbai and are staying at a hotel.

Karnataka crisis: 'Let's wait and see,' says Yedyurappa as Congress gets into huddle

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday said that he hopes to see another "dynamic youth leader as Congress president to galvanise the party".

He added that the Congress Working Committee (CWC) should "take note of young India's need for a young leader". &nbsp;

"After the unfortunate decision of Rahul Gandhi to quit, hope to see another dynamic youth leader as Congress president to galvanise party. Urge CWC to take note of young India’s need for a young leader, aligned to aspirations of large youth population and with grassroots connect," Singh stated.&nbsp;

Earlier this week, Rahul Gandhi put all speculations and anticipations to end by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/honour-for-me-to-serve-congress-party-rahul-gandhi-tweets-his-resignation-letter-232732">taking to Twitter and posting a mammoth letter</a>, solidifying his decision to stand firm with respect to his resignation as the party chief.&nbsp;

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Punjab CM: After unfortunate decision of Rahul Gandhi to quit, hope to see another dynamic youth leader as Congress president to galvanise party. Urge CWC to take note of young India’s need for young leader, aligned to aspirations of large youth population&amp;with grassroots connect <a href="https://t.co/eAg8LvF4Ox">pic.twitter.com/eAg8LvF4Ox</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1147378807336316928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love. Jai Hind," he said in his tweet which also has a copy of his resignation letter.

"As president of the Congress party, I am responsible for the loss of the 2019 election," Gandhi said in his letter sent to the CWC.

Rahul also removed his designation as Congress president from his official Twitter handle.

Earlier on Wednesday, he had said that Congress should elect a new president without any further delay.

"Party should decide on the new president quickly without further delay, I'm nowhere in this process. I have already submitted my resignation and I am no longer the party president. CWC should convene a meeting at the earliest and decide," he told reporters.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday said that he hopes to see another "dynamic youth leader as Congress president to galvanise the party". He added that the Congress Working Committee (CWC) should "take note of young India's need for a young leader".

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday said that he hopes to see another "dynamic youth leader as Congress president to galvanise the party". He added that the Congress Working Committee (CWC) should "take note of young India's need for a young leader". "After the unfortunate decision of Rahul Gandhi to quit, hope to see another dynamic youth leader as Congress president to galvanise party. Urge CWC to take note of young India’s need for a young leader, aligned to aspirations of large youth population and with grassroots connect," Singh stated. Earlier this week, Rahul Gandhi put all speculations and anticipations to end by taking to Twitter and posting a mammoth letter, solidifying his decision to stand firm with respect to his resignation as the party chief. Punjab CM: After unfortunate decision of Rahul Gandhi to quit, hope to see another dynamic youth leader as Congress president to galvanise party. Urge CWC to take note of young India’s need for young leader, aligned to aspirations of large youth population&with grassroots connect pic.twitter.com/eAg8LvF4Ox — ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2019 × "It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love. Jai Hind," he said in his tweet which also has a copy of his resignation letter. "As president of the Congress party, I am responsible for the loss of the 2019 election," Gandhi said in his letter sent to the CWC. Rahul also removed his designation as Congress president from his official Twitter handle. Earlier on Wednesday, he had said that Congress should elect a new president without any further delay. "Party should decide on the new president quickly without further delay, I'm nowhere in this process. I have already submitted my resignation and I am no longer the party president. CWC should convene a meeting at the earliest and decide," he told reporters.

Hope to see dynamic youth leader as Congress president: Amarinder Singh

The Congress on Friday termed the Budget 2019 as 'old wine in a new bottle', claiming that there was nothing new in the budget.

"This is old wine in new bottle. They have walked back on all their old promises. People's misery is only going to increase. There is nothing new in this budget," Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told the media in Parliament.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the Budget was uninspiring and directionless.

"An utterly lacklustre, nondescript, uninspiring and directionless Budget 2019. Zero on economic revival. Zero on rural growth. Zero on job creation. Zero on urban rejuvenation. Can a mundane jugglery of `acronyms` pass off for vision for a `New India`?" Surjewala asked. 
&nbsp;

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An utterly lacklustre, nondescript, uninspiring &amp; directionless <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Budget2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Budget2019</a>. 
 
Zero on Economic Revival. 
Zero on Rural Growth. 
Zero on Job Creation. 
Zero on Urban Rejuvenation. 
 
Can a mundane jugglery of ‘acronyms’ pass off for vision for a ‘New India’?
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) <a href="https://twitter.com/rssurjewala/status/1147067759974604800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
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'Betrayal of India's youth,' Surjewala said in another tweet. 
 
&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Budget2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Budget2019</a> 
 
‘Betrayal’ of India’s Youth! 
 
1. Not a word on Unemployment. 
2. Not a word on New Opportunities. 
3. Not a word on Public Education. 
4. Not a word on High Fee Structure.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) <a href="https://twitter.com/rssurjewala/status/1147080962414653440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia dubbed the budget hogwash and said the budget session was reduced to only a table-thumping gathering.&nbsp;

"Aren't we missing something here? No reference to the highly anticipated plan for job creation, no measures to help farmers combat price collapse &amp; droughts I can see intent, but where is the content? This budget session was reduced to only a table-thumping gathering," he tweeted. 
&nbsp;

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Aren't we missing something here? 
No reference to the highly anticipated plan for job creation, no measures to help farmers combat price collapse &amp; droughts 
I can see intent, but where is the content? This budget session was reduced to only a table thumping gathering. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Budget2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Budget2019</a>
— Jyotiraditya Scindia (@JM_Scindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/JM_Scindia/status/1147049527687278594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"It is a mere hogwash if Govt thinks that by appealing to farmers to implement #ZeroBudgetFarming, it can pursue its illusion of doubling farmers income. This from a Govt which hasn’t let NCRB publish #FarmerSuicides data since 2016," he said in another tweet. 
&nbsp;

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It is a mere hogwash if Govt thinks that by appealing to farmers to implement <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ZeroBudgetFarming?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ZeroBudgetFarming</a>, it can pursue its illusion of doubling farmers income. This from a Govt which hasn’t let NCRB publish <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FarmerSuicides?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FarmerSuicides</a> data since 2016.
— Jyotiraditya Scindia (@JM_Scindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/JM_Scindia/status/1147064015564111873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her first Budget in Lok Sabha today. 'Reform, perform is the mantra of NDA government,' the finance minister said in her opening remarks.

Before presenting her budget, Sitharaman bowed before her parents who were present in the House.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior BJP leaders congratulated the finance minister for her maiden budget. Opening his post-budget address, the prime minister said that the budget "has given hope to the country".

"It testifies that the path we are on is right and that we will reach our target," PM Modi said, adding that the budget will help facilitate the creation of 'New India'.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Congress on Friday termed the Budget 2019 as 'old wine in a new bottle', claiming that there was nothing new in the budget. "This is old wine in new bottle. They have walked back on all their old promises.

The Congress on Friday termed the Budget 2019 as 'old wine in a new bottle', claiming that there was nothing new in the budget. "This is old wine in new bottle. They have walked back on all their old promises. People's misery is only going to increase. There is nothing new in this budget," Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told the media in Parliament. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the Budget was uninspiring and directionless. "An utterly lacklustre, nondescript, uninspiring and directionless Budget 2019. Zero on economic revival. Zero on rural growth. Zero on job creation. Zero on urban rejuvenation. Can a mundane jugglery of `acronyms` pass off for vision for a `New India`?" Surjewala asked. An utterly lacklustre, nondescript, uninspiring & directionless #Budget2019. Zero on Economic Revival. Zero on Rural Growth. Zero on Job Creation. Zero on Urban Rejuvenation. Can a mundane jugglery of ‘acronyms’ pass off for vision for a ‘New India’? — Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) July 5, 2019 × 'Betrayal of India's youth,' Surjewala said in another tweet. #Budget2019 ‘Betrayal’ of India’s Youth! 1. Not a word on Unemployment. 2. Not a word on New Opportunities. 3. Not a word on Public Education. 4. Not a word on High Fee Structure. — Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) July 5, 2019 × Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia dubbed the budget hogwash and said the budget session was reduced to only a table-thumping gathering. "Aren't we missing something here? No reference to the highly anticipated plan for job creation, no measures to help farmers combat price collapse & droughts I can see intent, but where is the content? This budget session was reduced to only a table-thumping gathering," he tweeted. Aren't we missing something here? No reference to the highly anticipated plan for job creation, no measures to help farmers combat price collapse & droughts I can see intent, but where is the content? This budget session was reduced to only a table thumping gathering. #Budget2019 — Jyotiraditya Scindia (@JM_Scindia) July 5, 2019 × "It is a mere hogwash if Govt thinks that by appealing to farmers to implement #ZeroBudgetFarming, it can pursue its illusion of doubling farmers income. This from a Govt which hasn’t let NCRB publish #FarmerSuicides data since 2016," he said in another tweet. It is a mere hogwash if Govt thinks that by appealing to farmers to implement #ZeroBudgetFarming, it can pursue its illusion of doubling farmers income. This from a Govt which hasn’t let NCRB publish #FarmerSuicides data since 2016. — Jyotiraditya Scindia (@JM_Scindia) July 5, 2019 × Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her first Budget in Lok Sabha today. 'Reform, perform is the mantra of NDA government,' the finance minister said in her opening remarks. Before presenting her budget, Sitharaman bowed before her parents who were present in the House. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior BJP leaders congratulated the finance minister for her maiden budget. Opening his post-budget address, the prime minister said that the budget "has given hope to the country". "It testifies that the path we are on is right and that we will reach our target," PM Modi said, adding that the budget will help facilitate the creation of 'New India'. (With inputs from agencies)

'Old wine in new bottle': Congress on Budget 2019

A day after Rahul Gandhi made&nbsp;his resignation letter public, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday took to Twitter extending her support to&nbsp;Rahul.

"Few have the courage that you do @rahulgandhi. Deepest respect for your decision," tweeted Priyanka.

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Few have the courage that you do <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rahulgandhi</a>. Deepest respect for your decision. <a href="https://t.co/dh5JMSB63P">https://t.co/dh5JMSB63P</a>
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/priyankagandhi/status/1146619515339444224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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On Wednesday, Rahul had tweeted his resignation letter as party president, asking Congress to decide on the new party chief without any further delay.

"It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love. Jai Hind," he tweeted.&nbsp;

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It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. 
 
I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love. 
 
Jai Hind 🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/WWGYt5YG4V">pic.twitter.com/WWGYt5YG4V</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1146359704815194112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Rahul has also removed the tag of party president from his Twitter bio. He changed his bio from "President of Indian National Congress" to "Member of Indian National Congress." "This is the official account of Rahul Gandhi | Member of the Indian National Congress| Member of Parliament," his bio on Twitter now reads.

Rahul Gandhi had offered to step down on May 25 at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee after party's debacle in the Lok Sabha elections. However, his offer of resignation was unanimously rejected by the CWC.

Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince Rahul Gandhi to reconsider his decision to quit as the party chief, he remained unfazed.

On Tuesday, party workers and leaders staged a sit-in outside Congress headquarters and urged an unrelenting Rahul Gandhi to withdraw his resignation.&nbsp;

The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A day after Rahul Gandhi made his resignation letter public, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday took to Twitter extending her support to Rahul. "Few have the courage that you do @rahulgandhi.

A day after Rahul Gandhi made his resignation letter public, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday took to Twitter extending her support to Rahul. "Few have the courage that you do @rahulgandhi. Deepest respect for your decision," tweeted Priyanka. Few have the courage that you do @rahulgandhi. Deepest respect for your decision. https://t.co/dh5JMSB63P — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) July 4, 2019 × On Wednesday, Rahul had tweeted his resignation letter as party president, asking Congress to decide on the new party chief without any further delay. "It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love. Jai Hind," he tweeted. It is an honour for me to serve the Congress Party, whose values and ideals have served as the lifeblood of our beautiful nation. I owe the country and my organisation a debt of tremendous gratitude and love. Jai Hind 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/WWGYt5YG4V — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 3, 2019 × Rahul has also removed the tag of party president from his Twitter bio. He changed his bio from "President of Indian National Congress" to "Member of Indian National Congress." "This is the official account of Rahul Gandhi | Member of the Indian National Congress| Member of Parliament," his bio on Twitter now reads. Rahul Gandhi had offered to step down on May 25 at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee after party's debacle in the Lok Sabha elections. However, his offer of resignation was unanimously rejected by the CWC. Despite senior members making serious attempts to convince Rahul Gandhi to reconsider his decision to quit as the party chief, he remained unfazed. On Tuesday, party workers and leaders staged a sit-in outside Congress headquarters and urged an unrelenting Rahul Gandhi to withdraw his resignation. The Congress won 52 seats in the recent general elections, which is just eight more than 2014 in the outgoing Lok Sabha. (With inputs from agencies)

'Few have the courage': Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Rahul's resignation

Congress party is all set to send former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan, highly placed sources in the party told ANI on Tuesday.

The seat has been vacant after the death of state BJP president Madan Lal Saini. Saini was elected to the Rajya Sabha last year when the BJP was in power in the state.

However, this time around, the Congress party is in majority in the Legislative Assembly.

Manmohan Singh's name as a candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat has almost been finalised though a final decision in this regard will be taken only after the announcement of elections, a senior Congress leader said.

A minister in Rajasthan government also confirmed that a discussion about sending Manmohan Singh from Rajasthan is on.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met the former Prime Minister at his residence here on Monday after meeting the party president Rahul Gandhi.

When asked about the development, Singh's office said that no information in this regard has been shared by the party.

Even the elections have not been announced yet, his office said, while terming his meeting with Gehlot as a courtesy call.

The former Prime Minister represented Assam in the Rajya Sabha for 28 years before his tenure ended last month. Last month, the Congress had approached the DMK for help in sending Singh to the Upper House of Parliament.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Congress party is all set to send former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan, highly placed sources in the party told ANI on Tuesday.

Congress party is all set to send former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan, highly placed sources in the party told ANI on Tuesday. The seat has been vacant after the death of state BJP president Madan Lal Saini. Saini was elected to the Rajya Sabha last year when the BJP was in power in the state. However, this time around, the Congress party is in majority in the Legislative Assembly. Manmohan Singh's name as a candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat has almost been finalised though a final decision in this regard will be taken only after the announcement of elections, a senior Congress leader said. A minister in Rajasthan government also confirmed that a discussion about sending Manmohan Singh from Rajasthan is on. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met the former Prime Minister at his residence here on Monday after meeting the party president Rahul Gandhi. When asked about the development, Singh's office said that no information in this regard has been shared by the party. Even the elections have not been announced yet, his office said, while terming his meeting with Gehlot as a courtesy call. The former Prime Minister represented Assam in the Rajya Sabha for 28 years before his tenure ended last month. Last month, the Congress had approached the DMK for help in sending Singh to the Upper House of Parliament.

Congress all set to send Manmohan Singh to Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan

Congress Parliamentary Party chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-reaches-out-to-sonia-gandhi-ahead-of-parliament-session-225236">Sonia Gandhi </a>on Tuesday said that government was seeking to surreptitiously "privatise" the Modern Coach Factory in Rae Bareli, adding that it has caused uncertainty among employees and their families.&nbsp;

Raising the issue during zero hours in the Lok Sabha, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-sonia-gandhi-to-attend-narendra-modis-swearing-in-ceremony-as-prime-minister-222569">Sonia Gandhi</a> said that privatization leads to thousands of people getting unemployed and is against the objectives for which the plant had been set up.

"The real concern is that they have chosen Modern Coach Factory for the experiment," the Rae Bareli lawmaker said.&nbsp;

She added that the factory had been set up by the UPA government to boost manufacturing in the country and is the "most modern plant" that makes good quality coaches at cheap prices.

"The employees have also not been taken into confidence. It is a matter of sadness that their and their families` future is in danger," she said."I urge the government to protect the Modern Coach Factory and other PSUs and give respect to the farmers and their families," the senior Congress leader said.&nbsp;

The UPA chairperson also expressed concerns over the condition of some public sector undertakings, including HAL, BSNL and MTNL."Their condition is not hidden from anyone," she said.&nbsp;

Gandhi said privatisation leads to priceless assets going to a few private hands at very cheap prices and thousands getting unemployed.&nbsp;

She also expressed unhappiness over BJP-led NDA government`s decision to merge the rail budget with the general budget.

Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday said that government was seeking to surreptitiously "privatise" the Modern Coach Factory in Rae Bareli, adding that it has caused uncertainty among employees and their families.

Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday said that government was seeking to surreptitiously "privatise" the Modern Coach Factory in Rae Bareli, adding that it has caused uncertainty among employees and their families. Raising the issue during zero hours in the Lok Sabha, Sonia Gandhi said that privatization leads to thousands of people getting unemployed and is against the objectives for which the plant had been set up. "The real concern is that they have chosen Modern Coach Factory for the experiment," the Rae Bareli lawmaker said. She added that the factory had been set up by the UPA government to boost manufacturing in the country and is the "most modern plant" that makes good quality coaches at cheap prices. "The employees have also not been taken into confidence. It is a matter of sadness that their and their families` future is in danger," she said."I urge the government to protect the Modern Coach Factory and other PSUs and give respect to the farmers and their families," the senior Congress leader said. The UPA chairperson also expressed concerns over the condition of some public sector undertakings, including HAL, BSNL and MTNL."Their condition is not hidden from anyone," she said. Gandhi said privatisation leads to priceless assets going to a few private hands at very cheap prices and thousands getting unemployed. She also expressed unhappiness over BJP-led NDA government`s decision to merge the rail budget with the general budget.

Sonia Gandhi opposes move to privatise Rae Bareli coach factory

The Chief Minister may change but <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-results-to-decide-fate-of-karnatakas-coalition-213500">Karnataka government</a> will not dissolve, said Congress legislator Satish Ramappa at a time when cracks are seeming to appear in the JD(S)-Congress coalition, following the resignation of two MLAs of his party.&nbsp;

"I am not bothered about the resignations of MLAs. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amid-coalition-worries-hd-kumaraswamy-holds-talks-with-siddaramaiah-223537">HD Kumaraswamy</a> may remain as the Chief Minister or any other can come. I hope Kumaraswamy continues. The chief minister may change, but the government will not dissolve," Harihara constituency MLA Ramappa said while speaking to ANI here on Monday.&nbsp;

This comes a day after the resignation of Congress MLAs, &nbsp;Anand Singh and Ramesh Jarkiholi from the Assembly, bringing the party`s strength down to 77.&nbsp;

State Forest Minister Satish Jarkiholi, brother of Ramesh Jarkiholi, said that the party had put in all the efforts to convince Ramesh but he did not agree to it.

&nbsp;"Ramesh had been talking about the resignation for the past six months. There is nothing new to it. The party tried to convince him but he did not agree to it. It is his personal matter. We will see when by-elections would come. More resignations can come but such moves will not affect our party," the Forest minister said.

&nbsp;Sources said as many as four MLAs may resign in the coming days, including Mahesh Kumathalli, Pratap Gowda Patil and BC Patil. Both JD(S) and Congress have repeatedly maintained that there is no threat to the alliance and the government would complete its full term.&nbsp;

In the recently held Lok Sabha polls, Congress and the JD(S) failed to make a mark with the BJP bagging 25 of the 28 seats along with an Independent backed by it, leaving just one seat each to the coalition partners.

The Chief Minister may change but Karnataka government will not dissolve, said Congress legislator Satish Ramappa at a time when cracks are seeming to appear in the JD(S)-Congress coalition, following the resignation of two MLAs of his party.

The Chief Minister may change but Karnataka government will not dissolve, said Congress legislator Satish Ramappa at a time when cracks are seeming to appear in the JD(S)-Congress coalition, following the resignation of two MLAs of his party. "I am not bothered about the resignations of MLAs. HD Kumaraswamy may remain as the Chief Minister or any other can come. I hope Kumaraswamy continues. The chief minister may change, but the government will not dissolve," Harihara constituency MLA Ramappa said while speaking to ANI here on Monday. This comes a day after the resignation of Congress MLAs, Anand Singh and Ramesh Jarkiholi from the Assembly, bringing the party`s strength down to 77. State Forest Minister Satish Jarkiholi, brother of Ramesh Jarkiholi, said that the party had put in all the efforts to convince Ramesh but he did not agree to it. "Ramesh had been talking about the resignation for the past six months. There is nothing new to it. The party tried to convince him but he did not agree to it. It is his personal matter. We will see when by-elections would come. More resignations can come but such moves will not affect our party," the Forest minister said. Sources said as many as four MLAs may resign in the coming days, including Mahesh Kumathalli, Pratap Gowda Patil and BC Patil. Both JD(S) and Congress have repeatedly maintained that there is no threat to the alliance and the government would complete its full term. In the recently held Lok Sabha polls, Congress and the JD(S) failed to make a mark with the BJP bagging 25 of the 28 seats along with an Independent backed by it, leaving just one seat each to the coalition partners.

Chief Minister may change but government won't dissolve: Karnataka Congress legislator Satish Ramappa

Apart from the drama of absurd which <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cms-of-congress-ruled-states-to-meet-rahul-gandhi-today-to-urge-against-the-resignation-decision-231881">Congress party may witness</a> on Tuesday, Congress Working Committee (CWC) is all set to meet either on Wednesday or Thursday to discuss the future of the party.&nbsp;

Despite young office holders planning to go in an indefinite strike in AICC to persuade Rahul Gandhi to remain as Congress president, two names have emerged as front runners for the position of the party president.&nbsp;

Two names are - former home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and former leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge. Though Shinde lost the elections and also came under political storm because of the saffron terror controversy, he remains a Gandhi loyalist.&nbsp;

Shinde has also served in various positions in his forty-year career which includes the position of a governor and union minister. Mallikarjun Kharge's too is a very senior leader who started his career in 1972 but his stint at the Centre started in 2014 when he was appointed as the leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party in Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

As a last-ditch move, Congress chief ministers are meeting Rahul Gandhi to impress upon him that he should continue as the president of the party.

Sources also say that Rahul Gandhi remains firm on his decision and may join his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra with his mother Sonia Gandhi by end of the week in the United States where Robert Vadra is undergoing surgery.

It is a matter of debate as to what will happen inside the Congress Working Committee, but senior leaders have confirmed that the only way to end the crisis in the party is to convene the CWC. Only the CWC can pass a resolution for a particular person, as the name can only be ratified by the AICC. As per the rule, senior most general secretary of AICC can convene a CWC in the absence of a president.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, in a related development, an open rift has opened between junior and senior leaders. A source in the Congress confirmed that leaders going on protest have been told that they must not name senior leaders from the podium to resign. A point to be noted is that as of now no senior leader, CWC member or chief minister has offered to resign.

Apart from the drama of absurd which Congress party may witness on Tuesday, Congress Working Committee (CWC) is all set to meet either on Wednesday or Thursday to discuss the future of the party.

Apart from the drama of absurd which Congress party may witness on Tuesday, Congress Working Committee (CWC) is all set to meet either on Wednesday or Thursday to discuss the future of the party. Despite young office holders planning to go in an indefinite strike in AICC to persuade Rahul Gandhi to remain as Congress president, two names have emerged as front runners for the position of the party president. Two names are - former home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and former leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge. Though Shinde lost the elections and also came under political storm because of the saffron terror controversy, he remains a Gandhi loyalist. Shinde has also served in various positions in his forty-year career which includes the position of a governor and union minister. Mallikarjun Kharge's too is a very senior leader who started his career in 1972 but his stint at the Centre started in 2014 when he was appointed as the leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party in Lok Sabha. As a last-ditch move, Congress chief ministers are meeting Rahul Gandhi to impress upon him that he should continue as the president of the party. Sources also say that Rahul Gandhi remains firm on his decision and may join his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra with his mother Sonia Gandhi by end of the week in the United States where Robert Vadra is undergoing surgery. It is a matter of debate as to what will happen inside the Congress Working Committee, but senior leaders have confirmed that the only way to end the crisis in the party is to convene the CWC. Only the CWC can pass a resolution for a particular person, as the name can only be ratified by the AICC. As per the rule, senior most general secretary of AICC can convene a CWC in the absence of a president. Meanwhile, in a related development, an open rift has opened between junior and senior leaders. A source in the Congress confirmed that leaders going on protest have been told that they must not name senior leaders from the podium to resign. A point to be noted is that as of now no senior leader, CWC member or chief minister has offered to resign.

Sushil Kumar Shinde emerges frontrunner as CWC set to meet this week

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-working-committee-to-meet-this-week-over-rahuls-resignation-231962">Congress chief Rahul Gandhi</a> on Monday met with Jammu and Kashmir Congress leaders at his residence in New Delhi and discussed the upcoming Assembly elections, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ambika Soni were present during the meeting along with other state leaders and Lok Sabha candidates.

The leaders discussed party's poll debacle in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. This was the first time when the state unit was meeting with the party president after the general elections.

Meanwhile, the Congress Working Committee is expected to meet this week to discuss Rahul Gandhi's resignation and deliberate on the future of the party.&nbsp;

Gandhi, earlier in the day, also met Congress chief ministers who impressed upon him to continue as the president of the party.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Monday met with Jammu and Kashmir Congress leaders at his residence in New Delhi and discussed the upcoming Assembly elections, news agency ANI reported.

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Monday met with Jammu and Kashmir Congress leaders at his residence in New Delhi and discussed the upcoming Assembly elections, news agency ANI reported. Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ambika Soni were present during the meeting along with other state leaders and Lok Sabha candidates. The leaders discussed party's poll debacle in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. This was the first time when the state unit was meeting with the party president after the general elections. Meanwhile, the Congress Working Committee is expected to meet this week to discuss Rahul Gandhi's resignation and deliberate on the future of the party. Gandhi, earlier in the day, also met Congress chief ministers who impressed upon him to continue as the president of the party. (With inputs from ANI)

Jammu and Kashmir Congress leaders meet Rahul Gandhi, discuss upcoming Assembly polls

Minister of State (MoS) for Prime Minister`s Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh on Saturday slammed the National Conference (NC) and the Congress and said both the parties used the special status to Jammu and Kashmir as per their convenience.&nbsp;

"This special status is an alibi created by the National Conference and Congress. When it suits them they are special, when it does not they aren`t,'' he said.

During the blackest era of independent India, during the Emergency, when the term of the state assemblies was extended to six years, the then chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Sheikh Abdullah, promptly adopted this legislation, without caring for special status. But just three years later, when it was reversed by the Morarji government, Abdullah again became special and refused. As a result, even after 40 years today, J&amp;K is the only state whose assembly has a six-year term, Singh reportedly told news agency ANI.

Singh pointed out that all provisions of the Constitution related to J&amp;K have been made during Congress and NC rule.

"All the provisions of the Constitution of India which apply to the state of J&amp;K took place during Congress and NC rule. The merits and demerits of the Special Status apart, the sincerity to it itself smells of deep-rooted opportunism," he added.&nbsp;

Minister of State (MoS) for Prime Minister`s Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh on Saturday slammed the National Conference (NC) and the Congress and said both the parties used the special status to Jammu and Kashmir as per their convenience.

Minister of State (MoS) for Prime Minister`s Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh on Saturday slammed the National Conference (NC) and the Congress and said both the parties used the special status to Jammu and Kashmir as per their convenience. "This special status is an alibi created by the National Conference and Congress. When it suits them they are special, when it does not they aren`t,'' he said. During the blackest era of independent India, during the Emergency, when the term of the state assemblies was extended to six years, the then chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Sheikh Abdullah, promptly adopted this legislation, without caring for special status. But just three years later, when it was reversed by the Morarji government, Abdullah again became special and refused. As a result, even after 40 years today, J&K is the only state whose assembly has a six-year term, Singh reportedly told news agency ANI. Singh pointed out that all provisions of the Constitution related to J&K have been made during Congress and NC rule. "All the provisions of the Constitution of India which apply to the state of J&K took place during Congress and NC rule. The merits and demerits of the Special Status apart, the sincerity to it itself smells of deep-rooted opportunism," he added.

NC and Congress use special status to Jammu and Kashmir as per their convenience: Jitendra Singh 

The drama at the AICC took a quick turn on Saturday when senior leaders like PL Puniya and Nana Patole also put in their papers. PL Puniya was the general secretary in charge in Chattisgarh and Patole was looking after the agriculture cell of the party.&nbsp;

Sources informed WION that from July 2 roughly 1000 to 2000 workers and junior AICC functionaries will go on an indefinite sit-in. The purpose of the sit-in is to pressurize Rahul Gandhi to take back his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mass-resignations-of-congress-leaders-part-of-scripted-drama-bjps-tom-vadakkan-231500">resignation</a> and make other senior leaders resign from their respective positions.&nbsp;

Virendra Vashisht, one of the AICC secretaries who put in their papers said, "Most of the young people have been promoted by Rahul Gandhi. If Rahul Gandhi does not continue as the president then we would continue to only function as normal workers of the party.” Sources also said that the purpose is to build pressure within the organization so that Rahul Gandhi can recast the party.&nbsp;

When WION asked the question to Congress spokesperson, Pawan Khera, he said, "It is a way to request Rahul Gandhi that he must continue as the president of the Congress. It is not about junior leaders versus senior leaders".

Throughout Saturday, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/resignations-pour-in-in-support-of-rahul-gandhi-pressure-on-senior-congress-leaders-to-resign-231254">number of resignations</a> continued to pour in from various state units of the Congress party. Sources also indicated that young leaders were directly in touch with the aides of Rahul Gandhi who seem to be providing oxygen to the idea of a sit-in. The Congress president, in the last party parliamentary meeting, had categorically said that he would not change his decision.&nbsp;

The issue is that only the Congress Working Committee can select a new president but can only be convened by the party president. Till now, Rahul Gandhi has not convened it and no other senior member constitutionally can convene the committee. Setting aside the legality, the party is politically adrift.&nbsp;

The drama at the AICC took a quick turn on Saturday when senior leaders like PL Puniya and Nana Patole also put in their papers. PL Puniya was the general secretary in charge in Chattisgarh and Patole was looking after the agriculture cell of the party.

The drama at the AICC took a quick turn on Saturday when senior leaders like PL Puniya and Nana Patole also put in their papers. PL Puniya was the general secretary in charge in Chattisgarh and Patole was looking after the agriculture cell of the party. Sources informed WION that from July 2 roughly 1000 to 2000 workers and junior AICC functionaries will go on an indefinite sit-in. The purpose of the sit-in is to pressurize Rahul Gandhi to take back his resignation and make other senior leaders resign from their respective positions. Virendra Vashisht, one of the AICC secretaries who put in their papers said, "Most of the young people have been promoted by Rahul Gandhi. If Rahul Gandhi does not continue as the president then we would continue to only function as normal workers of the party.” Sources also said that the purpose is to build pressure within the organization so that Rahul Gandhi can recast the party. When WION asked the question to Congress spokesperson, Pawan Khera, he said, "It is a way to request Rahul Gandhi that he must continue as the president of the Congress. It is not about junior leaders versus senior leaders". Throughout Saturday, the number of resignations continued to pour in from various state units of the Congress party. Sources also indicated that young leaders were directly in touch with the aides of Rahul Gandhi who seem to be providing oxygen to the idea of a sit-in. The Congress president, in the last party parliamentary meeting, had categorically said that he would not change his decision. The issue is that only the Congress Working Committee can select a new president but can only be convened by the party president. Till now, Rahul Gandhi has not convened it and no other senior member constitutionally can convene the committee. Setting aside the legality, the party is politically adrift.

Young Congress leaders to go on indefinite strike from July 2 

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Sheila Dikshit has dissolved all 280 block Congress committees in the national capital "with immediate effect."

According to a press release, Dikshit took this decision "keeping in line with the report submitted by the five-member fact-finding committee constituted for the Lok Sabha elections 2019."

For the second time in a row, the Congress party drew a blank in the national capital in recently concluded parliamentary elections. BJP won all seven Lok Sabha seats in the city.

Dikshit unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha poll against BJP's Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari from the North-East Delhi seat.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Congress President Rahul Gandhi has appointed Mohan Markam as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-appoints-legislator-mohan-markam-as-head-of-congresss-chhattisgarh-unit-231211">president of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee</a>.

The two-time Kondagaon MLA will replace Baghel as party's head in the state.

"Congress president has appointed Mohan Markam as the new president of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee with immediate effect. The party appreciates the contribution of outgoing PCC president Bhupesh Baghel," said an AICC release signed by party general secretary KC Venugopal.

The decision came after drubbing in general elections in which the Congress party could only win two seats when there was his government in the state.

BJP won nine Lok Sabha seats out of 11 constituencies.

Under the leadership of Baghel, Congress dislodged three-time Chief Minister Raman Singh`s government in the Assembly polls in December by winning 68 out of the 90 seats.&nbsp;

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Sheila Dikshit has dissolved all 280 block Congress committees in the national capital "with immediate effect." According to a press release, Dikshit took this decision "keeping in line with the report submitted by the five-member fact-finding committee constituted for the Lok Sabha elections 2019.

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Sheila Dikshit has dissolved all 280 block Congress committees in the national capital "with immediate effect." According to a press release, Dikshit took this decision "keeping in line with the report submitted by the five-member fact-finding committee constituted for the Lok Sabha elections 2019." For the second time in a row, the Congress party drew a blank in the national capital in recently concluded parliamentary elections. BJP won all seven Lok Sabha seats in the city. Dikshit unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha poll against BJP's Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari from the North-East Delhi seat. Meanwhile, Congress President Rahul Gandhi has appointed Mohan Markam as the president of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee. The two-time Kondagaon MLA will replace Baghel as party's head in the state. "Congress president has appointed Mohan Markam as the new president of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee with immediate effect. The party appreciates the contribution of outgoing PCC president Bhupesh Baghel," said an AICC release signed by party general secretary KC Venugopal. The decision came after drubbing in general elections in which the Congress party could only win two seats when there was his government in the state. BJP won nine Lok Sabha seats out of 11 constituencies. Under the leadership of Baghel, Congress dislodged three-time Chief Minister Raman Singh`s government in the Assembly polls in December by winning 68 out of the 90 seats.

Sheila Dikshit dissolves all 280 Block Congress committees in Delhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday appointed Mohan Markam head of the party's Chhattisgarh unit, replacing Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

Markam's elevation to the post comes at a time when the party is coming to terms with its debacle in the Lok Sabha polls in which it could win just two parliamentary seats from the state despite coming to power with a massive mandate in the December assembly poll.

Kondagaon MLA Markam succeeds Baghel, who said last week that he has asked Gandhi to appoint someone to head the state unit as he has his hands full as the chief minister.

Baghel led the party to an emphatic win in the assembly polls in December, dislodging the Raman Singh government by winning 68 out of the 90 seats that went to the polls.

The appointment by Gandhi also assumes significance as it comes amid uncertainty over him continuing as Congress president. He has been adamant on his decision to resign as the chief, citing accountability.&nbsp;

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday appointed Mohan Markam head of the party's Chhattisgarh unit, replacing Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. Markam's elevation to the post comes at a time when the party is coming to terms with its debacle in the Lok Sabha polls in which it could win just two parliamentary seats from the state despite coming to power with a massive mandate in the December assembly poll.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday appointed Mohan Markam head of the party's Chhattisgarh unit, replacing Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. Markam's elevation to the post comes at a time when the party is coming to terms with its debacle in the Lok Sabha polls in which it could win just two parliamentary seats from the state despite coming to power with a massive mandate in the December assembly poll. Kondagaon MLA Markam succeeds Baghel, who said last week that he has asked Gandhi to appoint someone to head the state unit as he has his hands full as the chief minister. Baghel led the party to an emphatic win in the assembly polls in December, dislodging the Raman Singh government by winning 68 out of the 90 seats that went to the polls. The appointment by Gandhi also assumes significance as it comes amid uncertainty over him continuing as Congress president. He has been adamant on his decision to resign as the chief, citing accountability.

Rahul Gandhi appoints legislator Mohan Markam as head of Congress's Chhattisgarh unit

Haryana Congress leader&nbsp;Vikas Chaudhary was shot dead by unidentified men in Faridabad on Thursday.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a> Congress leader Vikas Chaudhary has succumbed to injuries <a href="https://t.co/H6ZSDNJpnr">https://t.co/H6ZSDNJpnr</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1144112643919138817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Vikas Chaudhary was shot by more than ten bullets after he came out of a gym.&nbsp;The incident took place in Sector 9 in Faridabad.

''He was brought to the hospital in the morning. Doctors tried their best to save him… But we could not save him,'' a doctor said.

"We are deeply angered and saddened by this act of grotesque violence against a member of the Congress Party. We urge the Haryana government to bring the perpetrators to justice at the earliest. Our sincere condolences to his family in this time of grief," the Congress tweeted.

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We are deeply angered &amp; saddened by this act of grotesque violence against a member of the Congress Party. We urge the Haryana govt. to bring the perpetrators to justice at the earliest. Our sincere condolences to his family in this time of grief. <a href="https://t.co/hp5qNlKk06">https://t.co/hp5qNlKk06</a>
— Congress (@INCIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/1144119515158077440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Hitting out at the state government, Haryana Congress president Ashok Tanwar said, "It's 'jungle raj', there is no fear of law. The same kind of incident happened yesterday, where a woman who opposed molestation was stabbed. There should be an investigation."

Haryana Congress leader Vikas Chaudhary was shot dead by unidentified men in Faridabad on Thursday. #UPDATE Congress leader Vikas Chaudhary has succumbed to injuries https://t.

Haryana Congress leader Vikas Chaudhary was shot dead by unidentified men in Faridabad on Thursday. #UPDATE Congress leader Vikas Chaudhary has succumbed to injuries https://t.co/H6ZSDNJpnr — ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2019 × Vikas Chaudhary was shot by more than ten bullets after he came out of a gym. The incident took place in Sector 9 in Faridabad. ''He was brought to the hospital in the morning. Doctors tried their best to save him… But we could not save him,'' a doctor said. "We are deeply angered and saddened by this act of grotesque violence against a member of the Congress Party. We urge the Haryana government to bring the perpetrators to justice at the earliest. Our sincere condolences to his family in this time of grief," the Congress tweeted. We are deeply angered & saddened by this act of grotesque violence against a member of the Congress Party. We urge the Haryana govt. to bring the perpetrators to justice at the earliest. Our sincere condolences to his family in this time of grief. https://t.co/hp5qNlKk06 — Congress (@INCIndia) June 27, 2019 × Hitting out at the state government, Haryana Congress president Ashok Tanwar said, "It's 'jungle raj', there is no fear of law. The same kind of incident happened yesterday, where a woman who opposed molestation was stabbed. There should be an investigation."

Haryana Congress leader Vikas Chaudhary shot dead in Faridabad

Sources in the Congress party&nbsp;have confirmed that a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting may take place in the next fortnight to deliberate on the issue of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-gets-down-to-business-without-its-president-rahul-gandhi-227096">new president as Rahul Gandhi</a> has not changed his mind on his decision to quit.

Sources confirmed that the choice for the top job is limited but appointment needs to come soon as the party will need to prepare for elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Haryana. Senior leaders are reticent to address the issue in the open as they feel they can be targeted in the process but privately admit that the issue needs a quick resolution.

Rahul Gandhi was asked this question outside Parliament and he said&nbsp;that it is the party and not him who is going to decide about the next Congress president. He also reiterated his stand on the Rafale deal. His response was sought on Rafale finding a mention in the Presidential address to which he said that he maintains the position that "theft" did take place.

Rafale as a Lok Sabha election issue had backfired for the Congress. The issue instead of discrediting the prime minister, ended up discrediting&nbsp;Congress. The party has already petitioned CVC for a probe in the alleged scam in the Rafale fighter jet deal.

Sources in the Congress party have confirmed that a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting may take place in the next fortnight to deliberate on the issue of a new president as Rahul Gandhi has not changed his mind on his decision to quit.

Sources in the Congress party have confirmed that a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting may take place in the next fortnight to deliberate on the issue of a new president as Rahul Gandhi has not changed his mind on his decision to quit. Sources confirmed that the choice for the top job is limited but appointment needs to come soon as the party will need to prepare for elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Haryana. Senior leaders are reticent to address the issue in the open as they feel they can be targeted in the process but privately admit that the issue needs a quick resolution. Rahul Gandhi was asked this question outside Parliament and he said that it is the party and not him who is going to decide about the next Congress president. He also reiterated his stand on the Rafale deal. His response was sought on Rafale finding a mention in the Presidential address to which he said that he maintains the position that "theft" did take place. Rafale as a Lok Sabha election issue had backfired for the Congress. The issue instead of discrediting the prime minister, ended up discrediting Congress. The party has already petitioned CVC for a probe in the alleged scam in the Rafale fighter jet deal.

CWC meeting on new Congress president may take place soon

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