The Congress Thursday urged the CAG to carry out a forensic audit of the "Rs 60,150-crore" Rafale fighter jet deal and bring all "facts" on record to enable Parliament to fix accountability for the alleged scam in the contract.

A delegation of Congress leaders met the Comptroller and Auditor General of India Rajiv Mehrishi -- it is the second time within a month that they met the central auditor over the Rafale deal -- and presented a memorandum to him along with fresh documents.

The party had met the CAG on September 19 and thereafter the CVC on September 24 demanding a probe into the deal.

Subsequent to the submissions made before the CAG earlier, the Congress alleged that documents and revelations made at the highest level in India and France have "exposed a deep-rooted sinister conspiracy and a clear-cut case of loss to public exchequer".

"The Rafale scam has now emerged as India's biggest 'defence scam'. Skeletons are tumbling out of the closet every day with repeated disclosures getting zero answers from the Defence Ministry. In fact, the only 'truth' of this government is 'subterfuge'. The stench of 'corruption' and 'cronyism' in the Rafale deal is nauseating, requiring urgent intervention," the Congress memorandum said.

Congress leader Anand Sharma said the party brought to the CAG's attention additional developments and revelations that have come up since it submitted the memorandum last time.

He said the party expected the CAG to take note of important developments like the statement of former French president Francois Hollande and the dissent note by a senior Defence Ministry official responsible for jets' acquisition.&nbsp;

He also pointed out that Dassault CEO Eric Trapier's statement made 17 days before the new agreement was entered into, contradicts the government's stand.

"Parliament alone has the authority then to scrutinize the CAG report and to fix accountability for 'this biggest scam of the century' i.E. PM's arbitrary decision to purchase 36 aircraft three times the price which was negotiated.

"We are also very clear that once all these facts come on record, the Congress party will insist not only demand, we will insist on a JPC to take charge of all the documents which will come along with the CAG report and then fix accountability to those who have plundered the public money and cheated the public exchequer," he told reporters.

Sharma claimed the CAG gave the assurance that it functions as per established procedures and norms and "we do hope...That all the facts come on record for the Joint Parliamentary Committee, then, through examination, fix the accountability for this big scam."

He said the issue is bound to have global ramifications and every detail and document "must go through CAG's forensic audit before a report is submitted to the Parliament".

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the party has again brought before the CAG some new facts and revelations that have come to light after it last met the auditor.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The party also alleged that in a classic case of blatant 'crony capitalism', private entity Reliance Defence was deliberately enriched by an award of a Rs 30,000- crore offset contract at the cost of state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government.&nbsp;

"The above facts reflect a clear-cut case of loss to the public exchequer and rampant corruption coupled with a concerted conspiracy of by-passing PSU, HAL. It also reveals illegal and undue benefit to 'crony friends' by the highest echelons of power in the Modi Government, in the unilateral purchase of 36 Rafale Jets from Dassault Aviation i.E India's biggest ever defence contract worth Rs 60,150 Crore," it said.

The party told the CAG that all the contours of conspiracy, corruption, endangering of national security and crony capitalism can only be uncovered through a probe by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

"It is expected that the CAG which has a Constitutional mandate and authority to scrutinize every document, in this case including original tender, an understanding reached between Dassault and HAL and the arbitrary decision of the Prime Minister without any mandate from Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will undertake a forensic audit.&nbsp;

"We, therefore, request the CAG to bring all facts on record to enable the Parliament to fix accountability for Rafale scam," the Congress memorandum said.

The opposition party had earlier taken the matter to the CAG and said the federal auditor told the party it is "already examining" the entire issue for its report to Parliament.

The government had said it does not think a JPC or a CAG audit is set up to satisfy the "ego of an ill-informed leader" who repeats lies with alarming regularity, in an apparent dig at Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress leaders who were part of the delegation to CAG also included Ahmed Patel, Jairam Ramesh, RPN Singh and Vivek Tankha.

The Congress Thursday urged the CAG to carry out a forensic audit of the "Rs 60,150-crore" Rafale fighter jet deal and bring all "facts" on record to enable Parliament to fix accountability for the alleged scam in the contract.

The Congress Thursday urged the CAG to carry out a forensic audit of the "Rs 60,150-crore" Rafale fighter jet deal and bring all "facts" on record to enable Parliament to fix accountability for the alleged scam in the contract. A delegation of Congress leaders met the Comptroller and Auditor General of India Rajiv Mehrishi -- it is the second time within a month that they met the central auditor over the Rafale deal -- and presented a memorandum to him along with fresh documents. The party had met the CAG on September 19 and thereafter the CVC on September 24 demanding a probe into the deal. Subsequent to the submissions made before the CAG earlier, the Congress alleged that documents and revelations made at the highest level in India and France have "exposed a deep-rooted sinister conspiracy and a clear-cut case of loss to public exchequer". "The Rafale scam has now emerged as India's biggest 'defence scam'. Skeletons are tumbling out of the closet every day with repeated disclosures getting zero answers from the Defence Ministry. In fact, the only 'truth' of this government is 'subterfuge'. The stench of 'corruption' and 'cronyism' in the Rafale deal is nauseating, requiring urgent intervention," the Congress memorandum said. Congress leader Anand Sharma said the party brought to the CAG's attention additional developments and revelations that have come up since it submitted the memorandum last time. He said the party expected the CAG to take note of important developments like the statement of former French president Francois Hollande and the dissent note by a senior Defence Ministry official responsible for jets' acquisition. He also pointed out that Dassault CEO Eric Trapier's statement made 17 days before the new agreement was entered into, contradicts the government's stand. "Parliament alone has the authority then to scrutinize the CAG report and to fix accountability for 'this biggest scam of the century' i.E. PM's arbitrary decision to purchase 36 aircraft three times the price which was negotiated. "We are also very clear that once all these facts come on record, the Congress party will insist not only demand, we will insist on a JPC to take charge of all the documents which will come along with the CAG report and then fix accountability to those who have plundered the public money and cheated the public exchequer," he told reporters. Sharma claimed the CAG gave the assurance that it functions as per established procedures and norms and "we do hope...That all the facts come on record for the Joint Parliamentary Committee, then, through examination, fix the accountability for this big scam." He said the issue is bound to have global ramifications and every detail and document "must go through CAG's forensic audit before a report is submitted to the Parliament". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the party has again brought before the CAG some new facts and revelations that have come to light after it last met the auditor. The party also alleged that in a classic case of blatant 'crony capitalism', private entity Reliance Defence was deliberately enriched by an award of a Rs 30,000- crore offset contract at the cost of state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government. "The above facts reflect a clear-cut case of loss to the public exchequer and rampant corruption coupled with a concerted conspiracy of by-passing PSU, HAL. It also reveals illegal and undue benefit to 'crony friends' by the highest echelons of power in the Modi Government, in the unilateral purchase of 36 Rafale Jets from Dassault Aviation i.E India's biggest ever defence contract worth Rs 60,150 Crore," it said. The party told the CAG that all the contours of conspiracy, corruption, endangering of national security and crony capitalism can only be uncovered through a probe by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). "It is expected that the CAG which has a Constitutional mandate and authority to scrutinize every document, in this case including original tender, an understanding reached between Dassault and HAL and the arbitrary decision of the Prime Minister without any mandate from Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will undertake a forensic audit. "We, therefore, request the CAG to bring all facts on record to enable the Parliament to fix accountability for Rafale scam," the Congress memorandum said. The opposition party had earlier taken the matter to the CAG and said the federal auditor told the party it is "already examining" the entire issue for its report to Parliament. The government had said it does not think a JPC or a CAG audit is set up to satisfy the "ego of an ill-informed leader" who repeats lies with alarming regularity, in an apparent dig at Congress chief Rahul Gandhi. The Congress leaders who were part of the delegation to CAG also included Ahmed Patel, Jairam Ramesh, RPN Singh and Vivek Tankha.

Congress presses for CAG audit of Rafale deal, meets auditor

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP and the RSS, the Congress on Tuesday called for a "new freedom struggle" against what it called the Modi government's politics of "polarisation and intimidation", as it held a meeting of its apex decision-making body CWC at a venue where 'Quit India' resolution was adopted in 1942 under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership.

Holding its meeting at Sewagram Ashram's Mahadev Bhavan in Wardha district of Maharashtra on Mahatma Gandhi's 149th birth anniversary, the Congress Working Committee, headed by the party chief Rahul Gandhi, also condemned the use of force against protesting farmers on their way to the national capital.

The CWC had last met in Sevagram in March 1948 and before that under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 to adopt the 'Quit India' resolution.

In a resolution adopted at the meeting, the Congress alleged the RSS had a "blatant hypocrisy" that vilified and rejected Mahatma Gandhi during his lifetime and it was now brazenly proclaiming itself to be his champion.

"It is its (RSS's) ideology that was responsible for spreading the atmosphere of hate that led to the Mahatma's tragic assassination," Congress chief spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala said quoting the resolution.

Another resolution adopted at the meeting condemned the use of force on farmers on their protest march towards the national capital from all parts of the country on Tuesday.

The CWS meeting was presided over by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and was attended by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh among other leaders.

The CWC resolution accused Modi government of "crushing debate and dissent" and "imposing artificial uniformity in a nation of extraordinary diversity".

Stating that a new freedom struggle is the urgent need of the hour, the resolution called for a massive movement to combat "the forces of divisiveness and prejudice, (and) to confront the Modi government whose politics is the politics of threat and intimidation, the politics of polarisation and divisiveness, the politics of crushing debate and dissent."&nbsp;

The Congress accused the Modi government of pursuing the politics of "hatred, vendetta, deceit, fraud and subterfuge" and subverting all constitutional values.

In a veiled reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government, the resolution said that "appropriating" Mahatma's legacy may be politically expedient for some, "but imbibing his principles and values in thought, word and deed is impossible for those who see in the Mahatma only electoral opportunities".

"One may borrow the Mahatma's spectacles for publicity campaigns, but implementing his vision will remain unfulfilled unless his principles are followed," the resolution said in an apparent reference to the logo for the government's 'Swachh Bharat' campaign.

The CWC resolved to expose "the hollowness and doublespeak of the ideologies and organisations who have never believed in, let alone followed the Gandhian path of truth, tolerance, harmony and non-violence".

The CWC also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary.

"'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' is not a slogan but a cardinal principle of faith for the Congress party," it stated.

The Congress, which has been trying to project itself as the pivot to head a united front against the BJP in future polls, said it embodies the true ethos of inclusive and secular "Bharat".

"It is only the Congress that is deeply committed to the principles of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. The CWC resolves that this fundamental message must be renewed and propagated to all corners of India, especially to the younger generation, by every member of the Congress party," the resolution stated.

The Congress further said the "ideological battle" has to be unswerving, irrespective of elections.

It called upon the people to fight the politics of "fear, intimidation, lies and deception without "bending".

It also recalled Sevagram having served as the "karmbhoomi" of Mahatma Gandhi for over a decade from the time he set up his ashram there in April 1936 and also holsted the CWC meeting which had adopted the "Quit India" resolution on July 14, 1942.

The quit India movement was launched a month later under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.

Referring to the use of force on farmers on their way to Delhi, Surjewala said they were seeking loan waiver, doubling of their income and a fair price for their produce.

"Five to 18 per cent GST is levied on fertilisers and farmers want it should be waived," he said.

Surjewala said the Congress would never accept "such atrocities".

"Farmers who had come to seek grievance redressal were beaten up and lathi-charged. Water canons and tear gas were also used. We condemn the autocratic Modi government and the prime minister who is drunk with power. We express solidarity with the farmers and resolve to redress their grievances if voted to power," he said.

The CWC also passed a resolution condoling the recent demise of party leaders R K Dhawan and Gurudas Kamat.

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP and the RSS, the Congress on Tuesday called for a "new freedom struggle" against what it called the Modi government's politics of "polarisation and intimidation", as it held a meeting of its apex decision-making body CWC at a venue where 'Quit India' resolution was adopted in 1942 under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership.

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP and the RSS, the Congress on Tuesday called for a "new freedom struggle" against what it called the Modi government's politics of "polarisation and intimidation", as it held a meeting of its apex decision-making body CWC at a venue where 'Quit India' resolution was adopted in 1942 under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership. Holding its meeting at Sewagram Ashram's Mahadev Bhavan in Wardha district of Maharashtra on Mahatma Gandhi's 149th birth anniversary, the Congress Working Committee, headed by the party chief Rahul Gandhi, also condemned the use of force against protesting farmers on their way to the national capital. The CWC had last met in Sevagram in March 1948 and before that under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in 1942 to adopt the 'Quit India' resolution. In a resolution adopted at the meeting, the Congress alleged the RSS had a "blatant hypocrisy" that vilified and rejected Mahatma Gandhi during his lifetime and it was now brazenly proclaiming itself to be his champion. "It is its (RSS's) ideology that was responsible for spreading the atmosphere of hate that led to the Mahatma's tragic assassination," Congress chief spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala said quoting the resolution. Another resolution adopted at the meeting condemned the use of force on farmers on their protest march towards the national capital from all parts of the country on Tuesday. The CWS meeting was presided over by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and was attended by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh among other leaders. The CWC resolution accused Modi government of "crushing debate and dissent" and "imposing artificial uniformity in a nation of extraordinary diversity". Stating that a new freedom struggle is the urgent need of the hour, the resolution called for a massive movement to combat "the forces of divisiveness and prejudice, (and) to confront the Modi government whose politics is the politics of threat and intimidation, the politics of polarisation and divisiveness, the politics of crushing debate and dissent." The Congress accused the Modi government of pursuing the politics of "hatred, vendetta, deceit, fraud and subterfuge" and subverting all constitutional values. In a veiled reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government, the resolution said that "appropriating" Mahatma's legacy may be politically expedient for some, "but imbibing his principles and values in thought, word and deed is impossible for those who see in the Mahatma only electoral opportunities". "One may borrow the Mahatma's spectacles for publicity campaigns, but implementing his vision will remain unfulfilled unless his principles are followed," the resolution said in an apparent reference to the logo for the government's 'Swachh Bharat' campaign. The CWC resolved to expose "the hollowness and doublespeak of the ideologies and organisations who have never believed in, let alone followed the Gandhian path of truth, tolerance, harmony and non-violence". The CWC also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary. "'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' is not a slogan but a cardinal principle of faith for the Congress party," it stated. The Congress, which has been trying to project itself as the pivot to head a united front against the BJP in future polls, said it embodies the true ethos of inclusive and secular "Bharat". "It is only the Congress that is deeply committed to the principles of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. The CWC resolves that this fundamental message must be renewed and propagated to all corners of India, especially to the younger generation, by every member of the Congress party," the resolution stated. The Congress further said the "ideological battle" has to be unswerving, irrespective of elections. It called upon the people to fight the politics of "fear, intimidation, lies and deception without "bending". It also recalled Sevagram having served as the "karmbhoomi" of Mahatma Gandhi for over a decade from the time he set up his ashram there in April 1936 and also holsted the CWC meeting which had adopted the "Quit India" resolution on July 14, 1942. The quit India movement was launched a month later under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. Referring to the use of force on farmers on their way to Delhi, Surjewala said they were seeking loan waiver, doubling of their income and a fair price for their produce. "Five to 18 per cent GST is levied on fertilisers and farmers want it should be waived," he said. Surjewala said the Congress would never accept "such atrocities". "Farmers who had come to seek grievance redressal were beaten up and lathi-charged. Water canons and tear gas were also used. We condemn the autocratic Modi government and the prime minister who is drunk with power. We express solidarity with the farmers and resolve to redress their grievances if voted to power," he said. The CWC also passed a resolution condoling the recent demise of party leaders R K Dhawan and Gurudas Kamat.

Congress vows 'new freedom struggle' against Modi govt, attacks RSS

BJP MLA Ashish Deshmukh, a staunch proponent of separate Vidarbha state, has announced his resignation as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly as well as from the primary membership of the party.

Speculation is that Deshmukh is joining the Congress, as he is meeting party president Rahul Gandhi in Wardha this evening. Gandhi is in Wardha to attend the meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC).

Deshmukh, who represents Katol constituency in Nagpur district, will meet Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagde Wednesday to submit his resignation.

He has accused the BJP government of ignoring the plight of farmers and youths in the country and indulging in "divisive and vote bank politics".

Deshmukh, the son of former president of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee Ranjeet Deshmukh, has been demanding that Vidarbha be carved out from Maharashtra.

"The situation of farmers and the youth has worsened in the last four years but the government is indulged only in the politics of vote bank for wining elections and dividing the nation," he said.

As the BJP has been ignoring the people of India, I am tendering my resignation as an MLA and a member of the BJP, he added.

BJP MLA Ashish Deshmukh, a staunch proponent of separate Vidarbha state, has announced his resignation as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly as well as from the primary membership of the party.

BJP MLA Ashish Deshmukh, a staunch proponent of separate Vidarbha state, has announced his resignation as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly as well as from the primary membership of the party. Speculation is that Deshmukh is joining the Congress, as he is meeting party president Rahul Gandhi in Wardha this evening. Gandhi is in Wardha to attend the meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC). Deshmukh, who represents Katol constituency in Nagpur district, will meet Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagde Wednesday to submit his resignation. He has accused the BJP government of ignoring the plight of farmers and youths in the country and indulging in "divisive and vote bank politics". Deshmukh, the son of former president of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee Ranjeet Deshmukh, has been demanding that Vidarbha be carved out from Maharashtra. "The situation of farmers and the youth has worsened in the last four years but the government is indulged only in the politics of vote bank for wining elections and dividing the nation," he said. As the BJP has been ignoring the people of India, I am tendering my resignation as an MLA and a member of the BJP, he added.

BJP MLA Ashish Deshmukh announces resignation; to meet Rahul

Six opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party (SP), on Sunday vowed to form an alliance with the Congress against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, but failed to float a united front following the Left parties' "aversion" to the Congress heading the prospective bloc.

The CPI(M) claimed that the Congress was pursuing the politics of "soft Hindutva" in the state.

The eight parties that met on Sunday, including the CPI and the CPI(M), would meet again on October 7 to take their coalition talks forward, a Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) leader said.

Representatives of the LJD, SP, Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Bahujan Sangharsh Dal (BSD), Gondwana Gantantra Party (GPP), Rashtriya Samanta Dal (RSD) and Prajatantrik Samadhan Party (PSP) discussed the prospective alliance for the Assembly polls, due later this year.

"All the parties agreed to join hands, but the CPI and the CPI(M) disagreed to align with the Congress to take on the BJP in the upcoming polls," LJD leader Govind Yadav told PTI after the meeting.

He said the Congress, by virtue of being the main opposition party, should take the lead in forming the alliance "as the time is running out".

The meeting was called to work out an alliance against the BJP, which has been in power in Madhya Pradesh since 2003.

"Six of the eight parties agreed on an alliance to be headed by the Congress, but the CPI and the CPI(M) were averse to the Congress steering the bloc," Yadav said.

State CPI(M) secretary Jaswinder Singh said the Congress was peddling "soft Hindutva".

"The Congress is pursuing a soft Hindutva agenda, while the BJP hard Hindutva. We see no difference between both the parties," he said.

Stating that the Left parties were against communalism and were keen to form an alliance to defeat the BJP, Singh said, "But we do not want the group to be steered by the Congress."

The Congress, trying hard for its political revival in Madhya Pradesh, had courted the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) for a tie-up. However, the Mayawati-led party dashed the

Congress's hopes by announcing its first list of 22 candidates on September 20.

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath had said his party was keen to join hands with the like-minded parties such as the BSP for taking on the BJP.

The Congress MP had also met BSP supremo Mayawati on July 15.

However, the BSP is maintaining that it will contest all the 230 Assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh on its own.

It seems that after the BSP announced its first list of candidates, the LJD has now set the ball rolling for talks on the anti-BJP alliance.

LJD mentor Sharad Yadav, who originally hails from Madhya Pradesh, has been trying hard to cobble up the Congress-led opposition.

Six opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party (SP), on Sunday vowed to form an alliance with the Congress against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, but failed to float a united front following the Left parties' "aversion" to the Congress heading the prospective bloc.

Six opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party (SP), on Sunday vowed to form an alliance with the Congress against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, but failed to float a united front following the Left parties' "aversion" to the Congress heading the prospective bloc. The CPI(M) claimed that the Congress was pursuing the politics of "soft Hindutva" in the state. The eight parties that met on Sunday, including the CPI and the CPI(M), would meet again on October 7 to take their coalition talks forward, a Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) leader said. Representatives of the LJD, SP, Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Bahujan Sangharsh Dal (BSD), Gondwana Gantantra Party (GPP), Rashtriya Samanta Dal (RSD) and Prajatantrik Samadhan Party (PSP) discussed the prospective alliance for the Assembly polls, due later this year. "All the parties agreed to join hands, but the CPI and the CPI(M) disagreed to align with the Congress to take on the BJP in the upcoming polls," LJD leader Govind Yadav told PTI after the meeting. He said the Congress, by virtue of being the main opposition party, should take the lead in forming the alliance "as the time is running out". The meeting was called to work out an alliance against the BJP, which has been in power in Madhya Pradesh since 2003. "Six of the eight parties agreed on an alliance to be headed by the Congress, but the CPI and the CPI(M) were averse to the Congress steering the bloc," Yadav said. State CPI(M) secretary Jaswinder Singh said the Congress was peddling "soft Hindutva". "The Congress is pursuing a soft Hindutva agenda, while the BJP hard Hindutva. We see no difference between both the parties," he said. Stating that the Left parties were against communalism and were keen to form an alliance to defeat the BJP, Singh said, "But we do not want the group to be steered by the Congress." The Congress, trying hard for its political revival in Madhya Pradesh, had courted the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) for a tie-up. However, the Mayawati-led party dashed the Congress's hopes by announcing its first list of 22 candidates on September 20. Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath had said his party was keen to join hands with the like-minded parties such as the BSP for taking on the BJP. The Congress MP had also met BSP supremo Mayawati on July 15. However, the BSP is maintaining that it will contest all the 230 Assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh on its own. It seems that after the BSP announced its first list of candidates, the LJD has now set the ball rolling for talks on the anti-BJP alliance. LJD mentor Sharad Yadav, who originally hails from Madhya Pradesh, has been trying hard to cobble up the Congress-led opposition.

Six parties vow to join hands with Congress in MP; CPI, CPI(M) reluctant

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday took a potshot at the Congress party for "taking credit" for the Rail Neer plant - situated in Congress president Rahul Gandhi`s Parliamentary constituency, Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.

Referring to the Congress party` Twitter post where it mentioned that the plant, set up in 2014, can produce 72000 units of bottled water per day, the BJP stated that this is "another lie by Congress".

"The Rail Neer plant in Amethi, set up in 2014, has the capacity to produce 72000 units of bottled water per day for Indian Railways. #MadeInAmethi," the Congress party wrote.The tweet received a sharp reaction from the BJP, which claimed that all work for the plant was done by Modi government, but Congress is taking credit for it."

"Congress announced the plant in 2010-2011. In 2014, only Foundation stone was laid just before election on February 19.

Plant was commissioned by IRCTC under Railway Ministry .on&nbsp;on 02-06-2015

All work done by Modi government, but look who`s taking credit?" BJP tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Another lie by Congress 
 
- Congress announced the plant in 2010-2011 
 
- In 2014, only Foundation stone was laid just before election on 19th February 
 
- Plant was commissioned by IRCTC under Railway Ministry on 02-06-2015 
 
All work done by Modi govt, but look who's taking credit? <a href="https://t.co/IsZn0wCVvc">https://t.co/IsZn0wCVvc</a>
— BJP (@BJP4India) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4India/status/1045704567684517889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The BJP further said that it is the first Rail Neer Plant set up by the IRCTC on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

"M/s Ion Exchange Purified Drinking Water Pvt. Ltd. is the Developer cum Operator. Fully automatic, state of art plant with eight stage filtration system," it stated.

The plant is located 125 kms away from Lucknow Railway Station at the UPSIDC site in Tikaria in Amethi district. It supplies Rail Neer water to major stations like Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad, Gorakhpur and Varanasi.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday took a potshot at the Congress party for "taking credit" for the Rail Neer plant - situated in Congress president Rahul Gandhi`s Parliamentary constituency, Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday took a potshot at the Congress party for "taking credit" for the Rail Neer plant - situated in Congress president Rahul Gandhi`s Parliamentary constituency, Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. Referring to the Congress party` Twitter post where it mentioned that the plant, set up in 2014, can produce 72000 units of bottled water per day, the BJP stated that this is "another lie by Congress". "The Rail Neer plant in Amethi, set up in 2014, has the capacity to produce 72000 units of bottled water per day for Indian Railways. #MadeInAmethi," the Congress party wrote.The tweet received a sharp reaction from the BJP, which claimed that all work for the plant was done by Modi government, but Congress is taking credit for it." "Congress announced the plant in 2010-2011. In 2014, only Foundation stone was laid just before election on February 19. Plant was commissioned by IRCTC under Railway Ministry .on on 02-06-2015 All work done by Modi government, but look who`s taking credit?" BJP tweeted. Another lie by Congress - Congress announced the plant in 2010-2011 - In 2014, only Foundation stone was laid just before election on 19th February - Plant was commissioned by IRCTC under Railway Ministry on 02-06-2015 All work done by Modi govt, but look who's taking credit? https://t.co/IsZn0wCVvc — BJP (@BJP4India) September 28, 2018 × The BJP further said that it is the first Rail Neer Plant set up by the IRCTC on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. "M/s Ion Exchange Purified Drinking Water Pvt. Ltd. is the Developer cum Operator. Fully automatic, state of art plant with eight stage filtration system," it stated. The plant is located 125 kms away from Lucknow Railway Station at the UPSIDC site in Tikaria in Amethi district. It supplies Rail Neer water to major stations like Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad, Gorakhpur and Varanasi.

BJP accuses Congress of 'taking credit' for Amethi's Rail Neer plant

Reiterating that the Congress-JD(S) coalition government headed by him in Karnataka is stable, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Saturday said there should be no apprehension of it completing its five-year term.

"This governments intention is to provide a good future to the people of the state... We know how to run this government, we will run it," he said while addressing a 'Udyoga Mela' (job fair) organised by the government.

The coalition government has several senior leaders with whose guidance the government would complete its five year term, he said.

"Let there be no apprehensions in this regard," he said.

His statement comes amid speculation that some 'disgruntled' MLAs were being wooed by BJP and there was factionalism in Congress and Janata Dal(S) on several issues that affect the functioning of the government.

"There may be several problems... Some sections of people may feel that the government will fall in 24 hours.

Amid all this, the government with stability, is working for the development of the state, its people, and providing employment to youth," he added.

The chief minister said the government was moving in the right direction to implement people-friendly programmes and taking steps towards industrialisation.

Reiterating that the Congress-JD(S) coalition government headed by him in Karnataka is stable, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Saturday said there should be no apprehension of it completing its five-year term.

Reiterating that the Congress-JD(S) coalition government headed by him in Karnataka is stable, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Saturday said there should be no apprehension of it completing its five-year term. "This governments intention is to provide a good future to the people of the state... We know how to run this government, we will run it," he said while addressing a 'Udyoga Mela' (job fair) organised by the government. The coalition government has several senior leaders with whose guidance the government would complete its five year term, he said. "Let there be no apprehensions in this regard," he said. His statement comes amid speculation that some 'disgruntled' MLAs were being wooed by BJP and there was factionalism in Congress and Janata Dal(S) on several issues that affect the functioning of the government. "There may be several problems... Some sections of people may feel that the government will fall in 24 hours. Amid all this, the government with stability, is working for the development of the state, its people, and providing employment to youth," he added. The chief minister said the government was moving in the right direction to implement people-friendly programmes and taking steps towards industrialisation.

Congress-JD(S) coalition govt in Karnataka stable: Kumaraswamy

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/exploring-alternative-oil-supplies-ensure-our-friend-indias-economy-not-adversely">Exploring alternative oil supplies to ensure 'our friend India's economy' not adversely affected: US&nbsp;</a>

With a tougher round of US sanctions on Iran coming into effect from November 4, a top Trump administration official said Washington recognises India's need for significant oil imports and is having conversations to ensure there are alternative supplies of the fuel "so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/apple-employee-dead-after-being-allegedly-shot-police-168410">Gun went off accidentally, says </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/apple-employee-dead-after-being-allegedly-shot-police-168410">cop</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/apple-employee-dead-after-being-allegedly-shot-police-168410"> who fatally shot Apple employee</a>

The police constable who fatally shot the Apple employee Vivek Tiwari in Lucknow after the latter did not stop the car has said that his gun went off accidentally, reported news agency ANI. &nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-disrespecting-sardar-patel-modi-168441">Congress is spreading lies, disrespecting Sardar Patel, says Modi</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Congress of spreading lies over the world`s largest statue of Sardar Patel named "Statue of Unity" being built in Gujarat.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/maldives-election-body-endorses-opposition-leader-solihs-victory-amid-threats-168401">Maldives election body endorses opposition leader Solih's victory amid threats</a>

The Elections Commission of Maldives on Saturday officially declared opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih winner of the country's national election, defeating president Abdulla Yameen who had sought a delay in publication of the final results.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/west-asia/swedish-academy-has-postpones-years-nobel-literature-prize-168421">Swedish Academy postpones this year's Nobel Literature Prize</a>

In tatters after a #MeToo scandal, the Swedish Academy has postponed this year's Nobel Literature Prize, leaving an empty page for 2018 as it attempts to reform the venerable institution.

Exploring alternative oil supplies to ensure 'our friend India's economy' not adversely affected: US With a tougher round of US sanctions on Iran coming into effect from November 4, a top Trump administration official said Washington recognises India's need for significant oil imports and is having conversations to ensure there are alternative supplies of the fuel "so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected".

Exploring alternative oil supplies to ensure 'our friend India's economy' not adversely affected: US With a tougher round of US sanctions on Iran coming into effect from November 4, a top Trump administration official said Washington recognises India's need for significant oil imports and is having conversations to ensure there are alternative supplies of the fuel "so that our friend India's economy is not adversely affected". Gun went off accidentally, says cop who fatally shot Apple employee The police constable who fatally shot the Apple employee Vivek Tiwari in Lucknow after the latter did not stop the car has said that his gun went off accidentally, reported news agency ANI. Congress is spreading lies, disrespecting Sardar Patel, says Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Congress of spreading lies over the world`s largest statue of Sardar Patel named "Statue of Unity" being built in Gujarat. Maldives election body endorses opposition leader Solih's victory amid threats The Elections Commission of Maldives on Saturday officially declared opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih winner of the country's national election, defeating president Abdulla Yameen who had sought a delay in publication of the final results. Swedish Academy postpones this year's Nobel Literature Prize In tatters after a #MeToo scandal, the Swedish Academy has postponed this year's Nobel Literature Prize, leaving an empty page for 2018 as it attempts to reform the venerable institution.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday accused the Congress of running the Defence ministry "probably with brokers and dalals" and the party is now feeling restless since they could neither buy nor make money in the Rafale deal.

Sitharaman said, "Allegations are thrown every time the Congress becomes frustrated. They probably ran the Defence Ministry with a lot of brokers and `dalals` in between. The current government is showing that it is possible to run the Defence Ministry without brokers. With brokers and `dalals` they were still spending time and not buying important equipment that we need. Congress is now feeling restless because they couldn`t buy, they couldn`t make money. They couldn`t perform and left the Air Force where it was."

The Defence Minister`s comments came as she addressed a detailed press conference on the occasion of the second anniversary of the surgical strike and touched upon a number of issues including infiltration, Rafale deal and Defence cooperation with Russia among others.

On being asked about speculations of Dassault and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) having some `working agreement` in the past, the Defence Minister clarified, "There isn`t anything called a working agreement, negotiations happen. No agreement with HAL was made even during the past regime."

Sitharaman also rubbished former French president Francois Hollande`s claim that Reliance Defence was nominated by the Indian government to partner with Dassault Aviation for the deal, asserting that this matter would have international implications.

She said, "It`s a commercial agreement with a company in France with a company in India. There are 70-80 companies with whom Dassault is going with the agreement. Former French president had said that they were given no option, so does it mean we gave a list of 70-80 companies and said to go ahead with all these? This matter will now have an impact on international relations. I am not saying it is true or not, but former president of France is facing an allegation of his associate having received some funds for some purpose and in such a situation, he said this. Does it mean that he just wanted to say something to divert (attention of) journalists?"

"The intergovernmental agreement does not name anybody. If on a commercial consideration, a company goes to have an agreement with another company, it is their look out to see who they have to go with", She added.

Sitharaman also accused the Congress-led government of delay in decision making which hampered the operational readiness of the Air Force. "Every comparison that is being made, be of the price, procedure, etc are all with that situation where the UPA did not buy it, did not had a contract with anybody, UPA delayed its decision making.

When the squadron strength of the Air Force was drastically falling down from 42 squadrons to 33, they just kept spending time without having any consideration for the operational readiness of the Air force," she said.

Speaking on S-400 air defence negotiations, she asserted, "Negotiation on S-400 air defence systems has been on for a long while and it is at a stage where it can be finalised. We have a big legacy of buying Defence equipment from Russia and even today many of these equipment are still working. Our continuing Defence cooperation with Russia is a big legacy issue."

On being quizzed about the alleged politicisation of the surgical strike, Sitharaman said, "Surgical strikes happened because we are repeatedly having these attacks in the name of many non-state actors who are intruding and we are trying to eliminate them. In an unfortunate incident they managed to get into a military base and attacked people who were sleeping and we did attack back. Our soldiers did their duty after facing unprovoked attack in their own military base. Is it wrong to retaliate in this given circumstances? If the soldiers have taken this action, are we to be ashamed of it?"

Replying to a question of alleged rise in infiltration, the Defence Minister said, "There are intrusions in the border and we are also eliminating a lot of them at the border itself. I would believe an action of this kind would deter Pakistan from training and sending in the terrorists. My action will continue at the border irrespective of whether they have learned a lesson or not."

Sitharaman, however, refused to comment on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh`s cryptic comment in which he had said that, "something big has happened in past two-three days across the border to avenge the brutal killing of the soldier".&nbsp;

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday accused the Congress of running the Defence ministry "probably with brokers and dalals" and the party is now feeling restless since they could neither buy nor make money in the Rafale deal.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday accused the Congress of running the Defence ministry "probably with brokers and dalals" and the party is now feeling restless since they could neither buy nor make money in the Rafale deal. Sitharaman said, "Allegations are thrown every time the Congress becomes frustrated. They probably ran the Defence Ministry with a lot of brokers and `dalals` in between. The current government is showing that it is possible to run the Defence Ministry without brokers. With brokers and `dalals` they were still spending time and not buying important equipment that we need. Congress is now feeling restless because they couldn`t buy, they couldn`t make money. They couldn`t perform and left the Air Force where it was." The Defence Minister`s comments came as she addressed a detailed press conference on the occasion of the second anniversary of the surgical strike and touched upon a number of issues including infiltration, Rafale deal and Defence cooperation with Russia among others. On being asked about speculations of Dassault and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) having some `working agreement` in the past, the Defence Minister clarified, "There isn`t anything called a working agreement, negotiations happen. No agreement with HAL was made even during the past regime." Sitharaman also rubbished former French president Francois Hollande`s claim that Reliance Defence was nominated by the Indian government to partner with Dassault Aviation for the deal, asserting that this matter would have international implications. She said, "It`s a commercial agreement with a company in France with a company in India. There are 70-80 companies with whom Dassault is going with the agreement. Former French president had said that they were given no option, so does it mean we gave a list of 70-80 companies and said to go ahead with all these? This matter will now have an impact on international relations. I am not saying it is true or not, but former president of France is facing an allegation of his associate having received some funds for some purpose and in such a situation, he said this. Does it mean that he just wanted to say something to divert (attention of) journalists?" "The intergovernmental agreement does not name anybody. If on a commercial consideration, a company goes to have an agreement with another company, it is their look out to see who they have to go with", She added. Sitharaman also accused the Congress-led government of delay in decision making which hampered the operational readiness of the Air Force. "Every comparison that is being made, be of the price, procedure, etc are all with that situation where the UPA did not buy it, did not had a contract with anybody, UPA delayed its decision making. When the squadron strength of the Air Force was drastically falling down from 42 squadrons to 33, they just kept spending time without having any consideration for the operational readiness of the Air force," she said. Speaking on S-400 air defence negotiations, she asserted, "Negotiation on S-400 air defence systems has been on for a long while and it is at a stage where it can be finalised. We have a big legacy of buying Defence equipment from Russia and even today many of these equipment are still working. Our continuing Defence cooperation with Russia is a big legacy issue." On being quizzed about the alleged politicisation of the surgical strike, Sitharaman said, "Surgical strikes happened because we are repeatedly having these attacks in the name of many non-state actors who are intruding and we are trying to eliminate them. In an unfortunate incident they managed to get into a military base and attacked people who were sleeping and we did attack back. Our soldiers did their duty after facing unprovoked attack in their own military base. Is it wrong to retaliate in this given circumstances? If the soldiers have taken this action, are we to be ashamed of it?" Replying to a question of alleged rise in infiltration, the Defence Minister said, "There are intrusions in the border and we are also eliminating a lot of them at the border itself. I would believe an action of this kind would deter Pakistan from training and sending in the terrorists. My action will continue at the border irrespective of whether they have learned a lesson or not." Sitharaman, however, refused to comment on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh`s cryptic comment in which he had said that, "something big has happened in past two-three days across the border to avenge the brutal killing of the soldier".

Congress probably ran Defence ministry with brokers: Sitharaman

The Congress Friday hoped that the Maharashtra Police will conduct investigations in the Koregaon-Bhima violence case as per the law and not according to the "whims and fancies" of the BJP.

The Supreme Court Friday refused to interfere with the arrest of the five rights activists in connection with the case and declined to appoint a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe their arrest.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, in a 2:1 verdict, refused the plea filed by noted historian Romila Thapar and others, seeking the immediate release of the activists.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the apex court has decided that police will conduct the investigations in the case and no one can be held guilty before conviction in a court.

"We hope that any person who is found in any clandestine activity against the Indian state would be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law rather than according to the whims and fancies of (BJP chief) Amit Shah who has already seen the writing on the wall in the five election-bound states," he told reporters.

Polls in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram are scheduled this year.

Therefore, "frustrated and scared", Shah, fearing defeat in these poll-bound states, is prone to making intemperate remarks, and the Congress rejects them," he told reporters.

Shah, attacking the Congress for its alleged support to Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements, has said "there is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress".&nbsp;

The BJP chief's response came after the Supreme Court judgment.&nbsp;

The Congress leader said, "I do not think the law or the Constitution permits anyone to be held guilty without the verdict of a court".

Shah has been a "Tarhipaar" (externed) and has been in jail. "He should know what that is - it is only on conviction that anybody is found guilty," he said.

On the BJP demanding an apology from Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his support to "urban naxals", Surjewala said, "Let (prime minister) Narendra Modi and

Shah first apologise to the nation for inviting dreaded Pakistani ISI to our Pathankot Air Base."

"Let Shah apologise for reposing confidence in the ISI which is the benefactor, protector and harbinger and exporter of terrorism from Pakistan to India. Why was he having confidence in them?&nbsp;

"Let Shah and Modi apologise to people of India for thanking Pakistan and separatists after they formed a PDP-BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

The Congress leader also asked Shah and the prime minister to apologise for members of the BJP's IT Cell in Madhya Pradesh, who were allegedly found spying on the Indian Army.&nbsp;

"Will you apologise Shri Amit Shah? Will you apologise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji? We challenge you," he said.&nbsp;

The Congress Friday hoped that the Maharashtra Police will conduct investigations in the Koregaon-Bhima violence case as per the law and not according to the "whims and fancies" of the BJP.

The Congress Friday hoped that the Maharashtra Police will conduct investigations in the Koregaon-Bhima violence case as per the law and not according to the "whims and fancies" of the BJP. The Supreme Court Friday refused to interfere with the arrest of the five rights activists in connection with the case and declined to appoint a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe their arrest. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, in a 2:1 verdict, refused the plea filed by noted historian Romila Thapar and others, seeking the immediate release of the activists. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the apex court has decided that police will conduct the investigations in the case and no one can be held guilty before conviction in a court. "We hope that any person who is found in any clandestine activity against the Indian state would be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law rather than according to the whims and fancies of (BJP chief) Amit Shah who has already seen the writing on the wall in the five election-bound states," he told reporters. Polls in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram are scheduled this year. Therefore, "frustrated and scared", Shah, fearing defeat in these poll-bound states, is prone to making intemperate remarks, and the Congress rejects them," he told reporters. Shah, attacking the Congress for its alleged support to Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements, has said "there is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress". The BJP chief's response came after the Supreme Court judgment. The Congress leader said, "I do not think the law or the Constitution permits anyone to be held guilty without the verdict of a court". Shah has been a "Tarhipaar" (externed) and has been in jail. "He should know what that is - it is only on conviction that anybody is found guilty," he said. On the BJP demanding an apology from Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his support to "urban naxals", Surjewala said, "Let (prime minister) Narendra Modi and Shah first apologise to the nation for inviting dreaded Pakistani ISI to our Pathankot Air Base." "Let Shah apologise for reposing confidence in the ISI which is the benefactor, protector and harbinger and exporter of terrorism from Pakistan to India. Why was he having confidence in them? "Let Shah and Modi apologise to people of India for thanking Pakistan and separatists after they formed a PDP-BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir," he said. The Congress leader also asked Shah and the prime minister to apologise for members of the BJP's IT Cell in Madhya Pradesh, who were allegedly found spying on the Indian Army. "Will you apologise Shri Amit Shah? Will you apologise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji? We challenge you," he said.

Police shouldn't probe Koregaon-Bhima violence case as per BJP's 'whims and fancies': Congress

Attacking the Congress for its alleged support to Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements, BJP president Amit Shah Friday said "there is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress".

Shah's response came after the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the arrest of five rights activists by the Maharashtra Police in connection with the Koregaon-Bhima violence case and declined to appoint a SIT to probe their arrest.

"There is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress. Support 'Bharat Ke Tukde Tukde Gang' (break India gang), Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements. Defame all those who are honest and working.&nbsp;Welcome to Rahul Gandhi's Congress," he said in a tweet.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
There is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress. Support ‘Bharat Ke Tukde Tukde Gang’, Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements. Defame all those who are honest and working.&nbsp; 
 
Welcome to Rahul Gandhi’s Congress.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BhimaKoregaon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BhimaKoregaon</a> <a href="https://t.co/eWoeT0qo1L">https://t.co/eWoeT0qo1L</a>
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah/status/1045572928153116673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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He used the hashtag Bhima Koregaon.

The Bharatiya Janata Party chief was responding to a tweet posted by Congress president Rahul Gandhi on August 28.

Gandhi had said following the arrests that there is a place for only one NGO in India and it's called the RSS.

"Shut down all other NGOs. Jail all activists and shoot those that complain. Welcome to the new India," he said.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, in a 2:1 verdict, Friday refused the plea seeking the immediate release of the activists.

Attacking the Congress for its alleged support to Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements, BJP president Amit Shah Friday said "there is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress".

Attacking the Congress for its alleged support to Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements, BJP president Amit Shah Friday said "there is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress". Shah's response came after the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the arrest of five rights activists by the Maharashtra Police in connection with the Koregaon-Bhima violence case and declined to appoint a SIT to probe their arrest. "There is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress. Support 'Bharat Ke Tukde Tukde Gang' (break India gang), Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements. Defame all those who are honest and working. Welcome to Rahul Gandhi's Congress," he said in a tweet. There is only one place for idiocy and it's called the Congress. Support ‘Bharat Ke Tukde Tukde Gang’, Maoists, fake activists and corrupt elements. Defame all those who are honest and working. Welcome to Rahul Gandhi’s Congress. #BhimaKoregaon https://t.co/eWoeT0qo1L — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 28, 2018 × He used the hashtag Bhima Koregaon. The Bharatiya Janata Party chief was responding to a tweet posted by Congress president Rahul Gandhi on August 28. Gandhi had said following the arrests that there is a place for only one NGO in India and it's called the RSS. "Shut down all other NGOs. Jail all activists and shoot those that complain. Welcome to the new India," he said. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, in a 2:1 verdict, Friday refused the plea seeking the immediate release of the activists.

Only one place for idiocy and it's called Congress: Amit Shah

The Delhi Congress on Thursday made it clear it will have no alliance with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for 2019 Lok Sabha elections, after Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel advocated participation of the AAP in the proposed grand alliance of opposition parties to take on the BJP.

The Congress leaders and workers are against any alliance with the AAP, whose vote share is "fast eroding", for 2019 Parliamentary elections, Delhi Congress chief spokesperson Sharmishtha Mukherjee and senior leader Chatar Singh said in a statement.

"Congress will have no alliance with Aam Aadmi Party in the Parliamentary elections in Delhi in 2019," they said.

Referring to Goel's statement, they said there is "no change in the Congress stand" that it will not have any tie-up with the AAP in the Parliamentary elections in 2019.

The Delhi Assembly Speaker, on the sidelines of an event, said that participation of AAP in proposed Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) will be in thee interest of Delhi and the country.

After a meeting with the district Congress committees on June 2 this year, Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken had said that the Congress workers and leaders of Delhi do not want any electoral understanding with Arvind Kejriwal's party in the 2019 Parliamentary elections."

Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) that won 67 out of 70 Assembly seats in the 2015 Assembly elections in Delhi, is now "struggling" to keep its flock together as the popularity of the party has been fast "eroding", the Congress leaders claimed.

The vote share of ruling AAP came down to 26 per cent in last year's municipal corporation elections while the vote percentage of Congress went up from 9.5 percent to 26 per cent, they said.

"Congress graph has been steadily going up since the 2015 Assembly elections. The average vote percentage of the Congress in elections held following 2015 Assembly polls in Delhi had been 26.24 per cent while that of the AAAP came down to 28 per cent from as high as 56-57 per cent," they claimed.

The Delhi Congress on Thursday made it clear it will have no alliance with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for 2019 Lok Sabha elections, after Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel advocated participation of the AAP in the proposed grand alliance of opposition parties to take on the BJP.

The Delhi Congress on Thursday made it clear it will have no alliance with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for 2019 Lok Sabha elections, after Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel advocated participation of the AAP in the proposed grand alliance of opposition parties to take on the BJP. The Congress leaders and workers are against any alliance with the AAP, whose vote share is "fast eroding", for 2019 Parliamentary elections, Delhi Congress chief spokesperson Sharmishtha Mukherjee and senior leader Chatar Singh said in a statement. "Congress will have no alliance with Aam Aadmi Party in the Parliamentary elections in Delhi in 2019," they said. Referring to Goel's statement, they said there is "no change in the Congress stand" that it will not have any tie-up with the AAP in the Parliamentary elections in 2019. The Delhi Assembly Speaker, on the sidelines of an event, said that participation of AAP in proposed Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) will be in thee interest of Delhi and the country. After a meeting with the district Congress committees on June 2 this year, Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken had said that the Congress workers and leaders of Delhi do not want any electoral understanding with Arvind Kejriwal's party in the 2019 Parliamentary elections." Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) that won 67 out of 70 Assembly seats in the 2015 Assembly elections in Delhi, is now "struggling" to keep its flock together as the popularity of the party has been fast "eroding", the Congress leaders claimed. The vote share of ruling AAP came down to 26 per cent in last year's municipal corporation elections while the vote percentage of Congress went up from 9.5 percent to 26 per cent, they said. "Congress graph has been steadily going up since the 2015 Assembly elections. The average vote percentage of the Congress in elections held following 2015 Assembly polls in Delhi had been 26.24 per cent while that of the AAAP came down to 28 per cent from as high as 56-57 per cent," they claimed.

Delhi Congress rules out any alliance with AAP for 2019 parliamentary polls

A court here has directed police to register an FIR against senior <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vyapam-scam-cbi-files-charge-sheet-against-former-madhya-pradesh-minister-84-others-32231">Congress leaders</a> Digvijay Singh, Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia and an RTI activist on charges of "fabricating evidence" in the Vyapam scam case.

The special court of Additional District Judge Suresh Singh here in Madhya Pradesh issued the order Wednesday in response to a private complaint filed by advocate Santosh Sharma.

The judge asked police to immediately register an FIR and submit its copy before the court, and also sought the investigation report in the case by November 13.

The Vyapam scam refers to irregularities in exams held by the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board, also called Vyavasayik Pareeksha Mandal or Vyapam, for admission in professional courses and state services.

Sharma had filed the private complaint in the court Monday, alleging that the Congress leaders and Prashant Pandey, a whistle-blower earlier in the Vyapam issue, were providing false evidence and misguiding the court in this connection.

His complaint came after Digvijay Singh deposed on Saturday in a court here in connection with his private complaint seeking criminal prosecution of Madhya Pradesh Chief

Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union minister Uma Bharti and five others in the Vyapam scam.

Singh had deposed for over two hours before judge Suresh Singh of the special court dealing with cases related to MLAs and MPs.

Singh's lawyer Kapil Sibal had then said that the former had submitted the copy of a document connected with the Vyapam scam in which Chouhan's name figures 48 times.

Singh had also submitted documents running into 27,000 pages to accompany his charges, his senior counsel Vivek Tankha had said.

Meanwhile, state Congress spokesman Bhupendra Gupta said a new "disturbing" trend has emerged in Madhya Pradesh, ruled by the BJP since the last 15 years, where the complainants in cases were being booked.&nbsp;

A court here has directed police to register an FIR against senior Congress leaders Digvijay Singh, Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia and an RTI activist on charges of "fabricating evidence" in the Vyapam scam case.

A court here has directed police to register an FIR against senior Congress leaders Digvijay Singh, Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia and an RTI activist on charges of "fabricating evidence" in the Vyapam scam case. The special court of Additional District Judge Suresh Singh here in Madhya Pradesh issued the order Wednesday in response to a private complaint filed by advocate Santosh Sharma. The judge asked police to immediately register an FIR and submit its copy before the court, and also sought the investigation report in the case by November 13. The Vyapam scam refers to irregularities in exams held by the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board, also called Vyavasayik Pareeksha Mandal or Vyapam, for admission in professional courses and state services. Sharma had filed the private complaint in the court Monday, alleging that the Congress leaders and Prashant Pandey, a whistle-blower earlier in the Vyapam issue, were providing false evidence and misguiding the court in this connection. His complaint came after Digvijay Singh deposed on Saturday in a court here in connection with his private complaint seeking criminal prosecution of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union minister Uma Bharti and five others in the Vyapam scam. Singh had deposed for over two hours before judge Suresh Singh of the special court dealing with cases related to MLAs and MPs. Singh's lawyer Kapil Sibal had then said that the former had submitted the copy of a document connected with the Vyapam scam in which Chouhan's name figures 48 times. Singh had also submitted documents running into 27,000 pages to accompany his charges, his senior counsel Vivek Tankha had said. Meanwhile, state Congress spokesman Bhupendra Gupta said a new "disturbing" trend has emerged in Madhya Pradesh, ruled by the BJP since the last 15 years, where the complainants in cases were being booked.

Vyapam case: Court orders FIR against senior Cong leaders

The Income Tax department is conducting searches at the residences of Telangana Congress working president A Revanth Reddy on Thursday. 
The Congress condemned the raids and termed it as "political vendetta" by the ruling TRS in the state and the BJP at the centre.

A senior official of the I-T department confirmed the searches but did not reveal details such as what triggered the raids.

Calls made to Revanth Reddy for his reaction went unanswered.

Reddy was appointed as one of the Working Presidents of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee recently.

Jubilee Hills police inspector P Chandra Shekar said they deployed police force near Reddy's residence to avoid any untoward incident.

The city police had earlier issued notice to the Congress leader and former MLA seeking his appearance as part of investigations in a case relating to alleged irregularities committed by office-bearers of a Co-operative Housing Society in 2004.

Describing the I-T searches as "politically motivated", TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy tweeted that the TRS and BJP were hand in glove.

"IT &amp; ED raids at @INCTelangana Working President @revanth_anumulas house is pure political vendetta to demoralise our strong MLAs (sic). The people will teach KCR a lesson for being hand in glove with the BJP and the Central govt. I severely condemn these politically motivated raids," he tweeted.

On May 31, 2015, Revanth Reddy, then in Telugu Desam Party, was caught by Anti-Corruption Bureau while allegedly paying a bribe of Rs. 50 lakh to Elvis Stephenson, a nominated MLA, for supporting TDP nominee Vem Narendar Reddy in Legislative Council elections held on June 1, 2015.

&nbsp;"First (sic) it was @JaggaReddyT &amp; now @revanth_anumula, this is a clear sign of KCRs cowardice. He has no capacity to take on any of our leaders &amp; hence resorts to these backdoor moves. @INCTelangana will be united in its fight to rid Telangana soon of his autocratic &amp; whimsical rule," the TPCC president said in another tweet.

The Income Tax department is conducting searches at the residences of Telangana Congress working president A Revanth Reddy on Thursday. The Congress condemned the raids and termed it as "political vendetta" by the ruling TRS in the state and the BJP at the centre.

The Income Tax department is conducting searches at the residences of Telangana Congress working president A Revanth Reddy on Thursday. The Congress condemned the raids and termed it as "political vendetta" by the ruling TRS in the state and the BJP at the centre. A senior official of the I-T department confirmed the searches but did not reveal details such as what triggered the raids. Calls made to Revanth Reddy for his reaction went unanswered. Reddy was appointed as one of the Working Presidents of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee recently. Jubilee Hills police inspector P Chandra Shekar said they deployed police force near Reddy's residence to avoid any untoward incident. The city police had earlier issued notice to the Congress leader and former MLA seeking his appearance as part of investigations in a case relating to alleged irregularities committed by office-bearers of a Co-operative Housing Society in 2004. Describing the I-T searches as "politically motivated", TPCC president Uttam Kumar Reddy tweeted that the TRS and BJP were hand in glove. "IT & ED raids at @INCTelangana Working President @revanth_anumulas house is pure political vendetta to demoralise our strong MLAs (sic). The people will teach KCR a lesson for being hand in glove with the BJP and the Central govt. I severely condemn these politically motivated raids," he tweeted. On May 31, 2015, Revanth Reddy, then in Telugu Desam Party, was caught by Anti-Corruption Bureau while allegedly paying a bribe of Rs. 50 lakh to Elvis Stephenson, a nominated MLA, for supporting TDP nominee Vem Narendar Reddy in Legislative Council elections held on June 1, 2015. "First (sic) it was @JaggaReddyT & now @revanth_anumula, this is a clear sign of KCRs cowardice. He has no capacity to take on any of our leaders & hence resorts to these backdoor moves. @INCTelangana will be united in its fight to rid Telangana soon of his autocratic & whimsical rule," the TPCC president said in another tweet.

Income Tax department raids Telangana Congress chief's house

Congress social media chief Divya Spandana has been reportedly booked under sedition charges for allegedly posting an "insulting" tweet against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, news agency PTI reported on Wednesday.

According to media reports, Divya Spandana posted a photoshopped picture of&nbsp;PM Modi&nbsp;showing him painting “chor” (thief) on his own wax statue’s forehead. She also reportedly used “ChorPMChupHai”.

A case was registered on Tuesday at the Gomtinagar Police Station here, PTI reported.&nbsp;

"An FIR was registered against Divya Spandana under the Information Technology Act and the relevant sections of the IPC," news agency PTI quoted Gomtinagar SHO DP Tiwari as saying.

The FIR was lodged on a complaint by lawyer Syed Rizvan Ahmed, who alleged that Spandana had tweeted an "utterly insulting" post against the prime minister, he said.

In the complaint, Ahmed alleged that the post had the potential to "instigate hatred" against Modi.

On Wednesday, Spandana took to Twitter to say that “India should do away with its sedition law, it's archaic and misused”.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Thank you guys for extending your support and for those who didn’t like the tweet, well, what can I say? Will keep it ‘classy’ next time 😊 
India should do away with the sedition law, it’s archaic and misused. 
To the folks who filed the FIR- <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PMChorHai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PMChorHai</a> 🤭😀
— Divya Spandana/Ramya (@divyaspandana) <a href="https://twitter.com/divyaspandana/status/1044982008236183552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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So far no official statement has been issued by Congress reacting to the FIR.

&nbsp;

Congress social media chief Divya Spandana has been reportedly booked under sedition charges for allegedly posting an "insulting" tweet against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, news agency PTI reported on Wednesday.

Congress social media chief Divya Spandana has been reportedly booked under sedition charges for allegedly posting an "insulting" tweet against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, news agency PTI reported on Wednesday. According to media reports, Divya Spandana posted a photoshopped picture of PM Modi showing him painting “chor” (thief) on his own wax statue’s forehead. She also reportedly used “ChorPMChupHai”. A case was registered on Tuesday at the Gomtinagar Police Station here, PTI reported. "An FIR was registered against Divya Spandana under the Information Technology Act and the relevant sections of the IPC," news agency PTI quoted Gomtinagar SHO DP Tiwari as saying. The FIR was lodged on a complaint by lawyer Syed Rizvan Ahmed, who alleged that Spandana had tweeted an "utterly insulting" post against the prime minister, he said. In the complaint, Ahmed alleged that the post had the potential to "instigate hatred" against Modi. On Wednesday, Spandana took to Twitter to say that “India should do away with its sedition law, it's archaic and misused”. Thank you guys for extending your support and for those who didn’t like the tweet, well, what can I say? Will keep it ‘classy’ next time 😊 India should do away with the sedition law, it’s archaic and misused. To the folks who filed the FIR- #PMChorHai 🤭😀 — Divya Spandana/Ramya (@divyaspandana) September 26, 2018 × So far no official statement has been issued by Congress reacting to the FIR.

Congress social media chief Divya Spandana booked for insulting PM Modi in tweet

Congress president Rahul Gandhi thanked the Supreme Court for its verdict on the Aadhaar Act on Wednesday and said that it was an "instrument"&nbsp;for his party but a tool of "oppression and surveillance"&nbsp;for the BJP.

"For Congress, Aadhaar was an instrument of empowerment.

"For the BJP, Aadhaar is a tool of oppression and surveillance.

"Thank you Supreme Court for supporting the Congress vision and protecting India," Rahul Gandhi said on Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
For Congress, Aadhaar was an instrument of empowerment. 
 
For the BJP, Aadhaar is a tool of oppression and surveillance. 
 
Thank you Supreme Court for supporting the Congress vision and protecting 🇮🇳. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AadhaarVerdict?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AadhaarVerdict</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1044891845782896640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday upheld the constitutionality of the Aadhaar scheme.

The top court, in its verdict today, stated that "Aadhaar cannot be insisted upon in schools and private companies. CBSE, UGC and NEET making Adhaar making mandatory are bad," the ruling noted.&nbsp;

The verdict also rendered the unique identification number not mandatory for new mobile connections and banking services, however, it will still be required for Personal Account Number (PAN) and for filing ITR.&nbsp;

Congress president Rahul Gandhi thanked the Supreme Court for its verdict on the Aadhaar Act on Wednesday and said that it was an "instrument" for his party but a tool of "oppression and surveillance" for the BJP.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi thanked the Supreme Court for its verdict on the Aadhaar Act on Wednesday and said that it was an "instrument" for his party but a tool of "oppression and surveillance" for the BJP. "For Congress, Aadhaar was an instrument of empowerment. "For the BJP, Aadhaar is a tool of oppression and surveillance. "Thank you Supreme Court for supporting the Congress vision and protecting India," Rahul Gandhi said on Twitter. For Congress, Aadhaar was an instrument of empowerment. For the BJP, Aadhaar is a tool of oppression and surveillance. Thank you Supreme Court for supporting the Congress vision and protecting 🇮🇳. #AadhaarVerdict — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 26, 2018 × The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday upheld the constitutionality of the Aadhaar scheme. The top court, in its verdict today, stated that "Aadhaar cannot be insisted upon in schools and private companies. CBSE, UGC and NEET making Adhaar making mandatory are bad," the ruling noted. The verdict also rendered the unique identification number not mandatory for new mobile connections and banking services, however, it will still be required for Personal Account Number (PAN) and for filing ITR.

Rahul thanks Supreme Court for supporting 'Congress's vision' on Aadhaar

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday claimed that the Congress party scrapped the Rafale deal with France as United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra's company was not accepted as a 'middleman'.

Union Minister and BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, while addressing a press conference, said that in order to take revenge for the same, the Congress is working hard to jeopardise the deal finalised by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

"The Congress intended to make arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari and Robert Vadra's company as a middleman in the Rafale deal. But when this did not happen, they scrapped the deal and now they are trying to take revenge for the same by jeopardising the deal finalised by the NDA," the BJP leader said.

Shekhawat further alleged that the Congress is politicising the Rafale deal and is taking help of foreign forces to remove Prime Minister Narendra Modi from power.

The Rs. 58,000 crore controversial deal was signed by the NDA government in 2016 after scrapping negotiations made by the UPA government earlier.

The UPA's original plan was to buy 18 off-the-shelf jets from France's Dassault Aviation, with 108 others being assembled in India by the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru.

The controversy over the Rafale jet intensified after former French president François Hollande, in an interview to a French media house, claimed that the France government had no other option but to choose Reliance Defence as an offset partner for Dassault Aviation.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday claimed that the Congress party scrapped the Rafale deal with France as United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra's company was not accepted as a 'middleman'.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday claimed that the Congress party scrapped the Rafale deal with France as United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra's company was not accepted as a 'middleman'. Union Minister and BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, while addressing a press conference, said that in order to take revenge for the same, the Congress is working hard to jeopardise the deal finalised by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. "The Congress intended to make arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari and Robert Vadra's company as a middleman in the Rafale deal. But when this did not happen, they scrapped the deal and now they are trying to take revenge for the same by jeopardising the deal finalised by the NDA," the BJP leader said. Shekhawat further alleged that the Congress is politicising the Rafale deal and is taking help of foreign forces to remove Prime Minister Narendra Modi from power. The Rs. 58,000 crore controversial deal was signed by the NDA government in 2016 after scrapping negotiations made by the UPA government earlier. The UPA's original plan was to buy 18 off-the-shelf jets from France's Dassault Aviation, with 108 others being assembled in India by the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru. The controversy over the Rafale jet intensified after former French president François Hollande, in an interview to a French media house, claimed that the France government had no other option but to choose Reliance Defence as an offset partner for Dassault Aviation.

Congress scrapped Rafale deal as Vadra's firm wasn't made middleman: BJP 

The Congress Tuesday rejected BJP's claim that Rahul Gandhi wanted the Rafale deal scrapped to help a firm linked to his brother-in-law Robert Vadra and said the Modi government was responding to the alleged "scam" with abuses and mud-slinging.

On Monday, the BJP alleged that the Congress president was involved in a "conspiracy, internationally" and former French president Francois Hollande was part of the "nexus" to sabotage the Rafale deal.

Responding to the claims, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the Congress government gave the contract to state-run firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave it to Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence.

"The tender was issued in 2007 August, and on December 12, 2012, it was opened...And in March 13, 2014, the Congress government gave the offset contract to state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited," Surjewala told reporters.

He cited the statements made by Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier and former HAL chairperson T S Raju.

Hitting out at Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and the Modi government, Surjewala said they were responding to the Rafale "scam" with abuses and mud-slinging.

"The country has heard the tale of Ali Baba aur Chaalis Chor, now it is asking that when will Modi Baba and Chaalis Chor answer," Surjewala said in a word play on the folk tale "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves".

"Are you Ambani's PM, or the country's prime minister?" he asked.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat had dragged the Gandhi family into the intensifying political row over the fighter aircraft deal, alleging that the UPA government had called off the multi-billion dollar deal after a private company linked to Vadra was not chosen as a broker.

The Rafale controversy took a new turn last week after Hollande, who was French president when the Rs 58,000 crore deal was announced, was quoted as saying by French publication Mediapart on Friday that France was given "no choice" on selection of the Indian partner for Dassault and the Indian government proposed the name of Reliance as offset partner for the French aerospace giant.

Modi had announced the procurement of 36 Rafale fighters after holding talks with Hollande on April 10, 2015, in Paris.&nbsp;

The Congress Tuesday rejected BJP's claim that Rahul Gandhi wanted the Rafale deal scrapped to help a firm linked to his brother-in-law Robert Vadra and said the Modi government was responding to the alleged "scam" with abuses and mud-slinging.

The Congress Tuesday rejected BJP's claim that Rahul Gandhi wanted the Rafale deal scrapped to help a firm linked to his brother-in-law Robert Vadra and said the Modi government was responding to the alleged "scam" with abuses and mud-slinging. On Monday, the BJP alleged that the Congress president was involved in a "conspiracy, internationally" and former French president Francois Hollande was part of the "nexus" to sabotage the Rafale deal. Responding to the claims, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the Congress government gave the contract to state-run firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave it to Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence. "The tender was issued in 2007 August, and on December 12, 2012, it was opened...And in March 13, 2014, the Congress government gave the offset contract to state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited," Surjewala told reporters. He cited the statements made by Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier and former HAL chairperson T S Raju. Hitting out at Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and the Modi government, Surjewala said they were responding to the Rafale "scam" with abuses and mud-slinging. "The country has heard the tale of Ali Baba aur Chaalis Chor, now it is asking that when will Modi Baba and Chaalis Chor answer," Surjewala said in a word play on the folk tale "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves". "Are you Ambani's PM, or the country's prime minister?" he asked. Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat had dragged the Gandhi family into the intensifying political row over the fighter aircraft deal, alleging that the UPA government had called off the multi-billion dollar deal after a private company linked to Vadra was not chosen as a broker. The Rafale controversy took a new turn last week after Hollande, who was French president when the Rs 58,000 crore deal was announced, was quoted as saying by French publication Mediapart on Friday that France was given "no choice" on selection of the Indian partner for Dassault and the Indian government proposed the name of Reliance as offset partner for the French aerospace giant. Modi had announced the procurement of 36 Rafale fighters after holding talks with Hollande on April 10, 2015, in Paris.

BJP responding to Rafale 'scam' with abuses, mud-slinging: Congress

The Congress in Chhattisgarh has hit out at Mayawati-led BSP for <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/would-ban-alcohol-but-not-for-tribals-ex-chhattisgarh-chief-minister-ajit-jogi-153615">allying with former chief minister Ajit Jogi</a>'s party for the upcoming state assembly election and claimed the pre-poll tie-up has the support of the ruling BJP.

The main opposition party was hoping for an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party to take on the BJP in upcoming polls.

It said the BSP has allied with Jogi, an ex-Congressman, as it was facing heat from central government agencies.

The Congress said the alliance between the BSP and Jogi's Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC) has the support of the BJP, which is ruling the state since 2003.

The alliance between the BSP and the JCC was announced in Lucknow Thursday by Mayawati, who said Jogi will be its chief ministerial candidate. According to her, the

BSP will contest 35 seats and the JCC 55 in the 90-member House.

"Pressure from the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate on the BSP has led to the creation of this alliance.

"This alliance had been formed with the BJP's support and the people of the state had an understanding of it," state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel said Thursday.

He claimed the BSP had been fielding candidates on the direction of the BJP in all elections in the state so far.

"In the coming polls too, the BSP will field candidates as per the ruling party's choice. This time the party has been exposed by supporting Jogi who has acted as a 'B' team of the BJP," Baghel said.

On the other hand, the BJP said it sees no threat from the BSP-JCC tie-up and is hopeful that the alliance will benefit it.

"Hopes of the Congress were dashed as it had been trying for an alliance with the BSP. The political scenario emerging after the alliance between the BSP and the JCC reflects that the state will see a triangular fight in the coming election," state BJP president Dharamlal Kaushik said.

"However, the BJP is not at all worried as it (BSP-JCC tie-up) will benefit the party and it will storm back to power for a fourth consecutive term," Kaushik said.

The BJP had been working on a mission to win 65 of the 90 assembly seats this time and it will achieve its goal, Kaushik said.

Political observers said the alliance has come as a jolt to the Congress, which was hoping to end the long reign of the BJP in the state.

The BJP and the Congress have dominated the bipolar political landscape in Chhattisgarh, which came into existence in November 2000, and there has been a very limited impact of smaller parties in elections.

However, the BSP-JCC alliance will make the contest triangular when the elections are held by the year-end.

"The Congress has suffered a setback with the move as it was attempting to take the BSP to his side for the upcoming election in view of the latter's hold among

Scheduled Caste population, particularly the Satnami community, in districts like Janjgir-Champa, Raigarh and Bilaspur," veteran journalist Ramesh Nayyar told PTI.

However, the development has made the BJP anxious, Nayyar said.

The BSP-JCC combination will prompt both the national parties to devise strategies to attract Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe voters, who comprise nearly 50 per cent of the population of the state, and Jogi has considerable influence among these sections, he added.

Ajit Jogi's son Amit, a legislator, said only the BSP-JCC alliance is capable of stopping the BJP from coming to power in the state.

"BSP chief Mayawati was well aware of the fact that the Congress is a sinking ship. She knows it is only the JCC which has the potential to snatch power from the ruling BJP," said Amit Jogi, MLA from Marwahi seat.

"The people of the state will get a better alternative this time and very soon a joint programme of both the leaders (Mayawati and Ajit Jogi) will be held in the state," he said. 
In the 2013 poll, the BJP had won 49 seats, Congress 39, the BSP 1 and Independent 1. The BJP had secured 41.04 per cent of the total votes polled, the Congress 40.29 per cent and the BSP 4.27 per cent. 
Ajit Jogi quit the Congress in 2016 and launched his own party.&nbsp;

The Congress in Chhattisgarh has hit out at Mayawati-led BSP for allying with former chief minister Ajit Jogi's party for the upcoming state assembly election and claimed the pre-poll tie-up has the support of the ruling BJP.

The Congress in Chhattisgarh has hit out at Mayawati-led BSP for allying with former chief minister Ajit Jogi's party for the upcoming state assembly election and claimed the pre-poll tie-up has the support of the ruling BJP. The main opposition party was hoping for an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party to take on the BJP in upcoming polls. It said the BSP has allied with Jogi, an ex-Congressman, as it was facing heat from central government agencies. The Congress said the alliance between the BSP and Jogi's Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC) has the support of the BJP, which is ruling the state since 2003. The alliance between the BSP and the JCC was announced in Lucknow Thursday by Mayawati, who said Jogi will be its chief ministerial candidate. According to her, the BSP will contest 35 seats and the JCC 55 in the 90-member House. "Pressure from the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate on the BSP has led to the creation of this alliance. "This alliance had been formed with the BJP's support and the people of the state had an understanding of it," state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel said Thursday. He claimed the BSP had been fielding candidates on the direction of the BJP in all elections in the state so far. "In the coming polls too, the BSP will field candidates as per the ruling party's choice. This time the party has been exposed by supporting Jogi who has acted as a 'B' team of the BJP," Baghel said. On the other hand, the BJP said it sees no threat from the BSP-JCC tie-up and is hopeful that the alliance will benefit it. "Hopes of the Congress were dashed as it had been trying for an alliance with the BSP. The political scenario emerging after the alliance between the BSP and the JCC reflects that the state will see a triangular fight in the coming election," state BJP president Dharamlal Kaushik said. "However, the BJP is not at all worried as it (BSP-JCC tie-up) will benefit the party and it will storm back to power for a fourth consecutive term," Kaushik said. The BJP had been working on a mission to win 65 of the 90 assembly seats this time and it will achieve its goal, Kaushik said. Political observers said the alliance has come as a jolt to the Congress, which was hoping to end the long reign of the BJP in the state. The BJP and the Congress have dominated the bipolar political landscape in Chhattisgarh, which came into existence in November 2000, and there has been a very limited impact of smaller parties in elections. However, the BSP-JCC alliance will make the contest triangular when the elections are held by the year-end. "The Congress has suffered a setback with the move as it was attempting to take the BSP to his side for the upcoming election in view of the latter's hold among Scheduled Caste population, particularly the Satnami community, in districts like Janjgir-Champa, Raigarh and Bilaspur," veteran journalist Ramesh Nayyar told PTI. However, the development has made the BJP anxious, Nayyar said. The BSP-JCC combination will prompt both the national parties to devise strategies to attract Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe voters, who comprise nearly 50 per cent of the population of the state, and Jogi has considerable influence among these sections, he added. Ajit Jogi's son Amit, a legislator, said only the BSP-JCC alliance is capable of stopping the BJP from coming to power in the state. "BSP chief Mayawati was well aware of the fact that the Congress is a sinking ship. She knows it is only the JCC which has the potential to snatch power from the ruling BJP," said Amit Jogi, MLA from Marwahi seat. "The people of the state will get a better alternative this time and very soon a joint programme of both the leaders (Mayawati and Ajit Jogi) will be held in the state," he said. In the 2013 poll, the BJP had won 49 seats, Congress 39, the BSP 1 and Independent 1. The BJP had secured 41.04 per cent of the total votes polled, the Congress 40.29 per cent and the BSP 4.27 per cent. Ajit Jogi quit the Congress in 2016 and launched his own party.

Congress slams BSP over Jogi alliance, sees BJP role in tie-up

The Shree Karni Sena of Jaipur has threatened Rajsthan's education minister, Kiran Maheshwari to chop off her nose and ears for comparing rats equating Rajputs with ''rats''.

On Monday while addressing a media conference Kiran Maheshwari was asked to comment on Sarv Rajput Samaj Sangharsh Samiti is compaigning agianst the BJP to which she reportedly responded saying that, "Aise bhi log hai jo barsati choose hain, jo chunav aate he bilon se nikal aatein hain (There are people like rainy rats who come out of their holes during election time)."&nbsp

According to media reports, the Karni Sena after holding a meeting&nbspin Jaipur&nbspwarned Maheshwari to apologise for the statement immediately or will face dire consequences.

They also reportedly added that Maheshwari should have remembered the Deepika Padukone incident during the 'Padmaavat'&nbspcontroversy while making such remark.

However, Kiran Maheshwari later denied that she equated rats with Rajputs and&nbspclarified&nbspthat she was targetting Congress. She also added that her statement was twisted to incite the community.

The Karni Sena has also said that they hold women in high regard but will not tolerate any women insulting the community.

Meanwhile, Congress' Rajsthan chief Sachin Pilot also asked Maheshwari to apologise to the community for her offensive language.

The Karni Sena said that Kiran Maheshwari should have remembered the Deepika Padukone incident during the 'Padmaavat' controversy while making such remark

The Shree Karni Sena of Jaipur has threatened Rajsthan's education minister, Kiran Maheshwari to chop off her nose and ears for comparing rats equating Rajputs with ''rats''. On Monday while addressing a media conference Kiran Maheshwari was asked to comment on Sarv Rajput Samaj Sangharsh Samiti is compaigning agianst the BJP to which she reportedly responded saying that, "Aise bhi log hai jo barsati choose hain, jo chunav aate he bilon se nikal aatein hain (There are people like rainy rats who come out of their holes during election time)." According to media reports, the Karni Sena after holding a meeting&nbspin Jaipur&nbspwarned Maheshwari to apologise for the statement immediately or will face dire consequences. They also reportedly added that Maheshwari should have remembered the Deepika Padukone incident during the 'Padmaavat'&nbspcontroversy while making such remark. However, Kiran Maheshwari later denied that she equated rats with Rajputs and&nbspclarified&nbspthat she was targetting Congress. She also added that her statement was twisted to incite the community. The Karni Sena has also said that they hold women in high regard but will not tolerate any women insulting the community. Meanwhile, Congress' Rajsthan chief Sachin Pilot also asked Maheshwari to apologise to the community for her offensive language.

Karni Sena threatens Rajasthan education minister to chop off her nose and ears

Former Union minister P Chidambaram's son Karti controlled two firms which allegedly received Rs. 1.16 crore as bribe money in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday said in its charge sheet filed before a Delhi court.

Though the name of P Chidambaram, who was also questioned recently by the CBI and the ED in the INX media and the Aircel-Maxis money laundering cases respectively, was mentioned in the charge sheet, the Congress veteran has not been arrayed as an accused in the probe report which would now be considered by the court on July 4.

The ED filed the charge sheet before Additional Sessions Judge Ruby Alka Gupta for consideration and subsequent issuance of summons to the accused including Karti.

Reacting to the filing of the charge sheet, which is called prosecution complaint in official parlance, P Chidambaram said that it would be "vigorously contested" before the special court.

"The complaint filed by ED against Karti Chidambaram and others is seriously flawed. Since the matter is in Court, I shall not make a public comment. The complaint will be vigorously contested before the Special Court," the former minister tweeted.

The ED probe report said the payments of Rs. 26 lakh to Advantage Strategic Consultancies Private Limited (ASCPL) and Rs. 90 lakh to Chess Management Services Pvt Limited (CMSPL) respectively were made as alleged bribe money by parent company of Aircel Ltd, namely Aircel Televentures Ltd (ATVL) and Maxis and its associate Malaysian companies respectively.

Referring to contents of the charge sheet, special public prosecutors Nitesh Rana and NK Matta said that Karti Chidambaram was controlling ASCPL and CMSPL, the alleged beneficiaries of bribe amount of Rs. 1.16 crore, and Karti Chidambaram was trying to project this as untainted money.

The probe agency also made clear that it may file supplementary charge sheets in the case which apparently keeps open the chances of arraying more persons as accused.

Apart from Karti Chidambaram, the agency has also named ASCPL and its directors Padma Bhaskararamana and Ravi Viswanathan, and CMSPL and its director Annamalai Palaniappa in the charge sheet under section 4 (punishment for money laundering) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

"Investigation carried out under the PMLA so far as revealed that Karti P Chidambaram is linked with individuals and companies involved in financial transaction and companies holding such companies as per diagram...

"Investigation has revealed that ASCPL and CMSPL are controlled and owned by Karti Chidambaram and his close associate S Bhaskararaman. The investigation has further revealed that ASCPL received money from ATVL, parent company of Aircel Ltd., in close proximity to receipt to FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board)," the charge sheet, filed through advocate AR Aditya, said.

It alleged that Karti Chidambaram received Rs. 26 lakh from ATVL in ASCPL, on April 11, 2006, immediately after the approval under the head of payment of consultancy services, it said.

"Similarly CMSPL received an amount of approximately USD 2,02,447 between period 2007-11 against invoices raised between 2007-09. The payments were received from Maxis and its associates in the guise of charges for a software which was designed for use by an Indian company and could not at all of any use by a Malaysian company," it said.

The ED had registered the case under the sections of PMLA on February 7, 2012 on basis of an FIR registered by the CBI.

It said that during the investigation it was found that ASCPL was already in a financial transaction with the other companies namely Chess Healthcare Care Solutions Pvt LTD, M/s Chess Management Services Pvt LTD (CMSPL) and M/s Halidon Marketing Pvt LTD since the financial year 2005-06.

The agency said that a total of Rs. 1.16 crore allegedly belonging to Karti Chidambaram has already been attached by it so far.

The agency mentioned that the former Union minister's son has been linked with various individuals and companies involved in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval given to the Aircel-Maxis deal.

&nbsp;It also alleged that Karti Chidambaram was in the process of alienating the property involved in the money laundering in order to frustrate the proceedings under PMLA.

The agency told the court that it might file a supplementary charge sheet in the case.

The court has already granted interim protection from arrest till July 10 to Karti Chidambaram in two cases filed by the CBI and the ED in 2011 and 2012, respectively in the Aircel-Maxis matter arising out of 2G spectrum cases, while his anticipatory bail plea is pending before the court.

P Chidambaram has also been granted protection from arrest till July 10 by a court here in the present money laundering case while his anticipatory bail is pending before the court.

The matter pertains to grant of FIPB clearance to M/s Global Communication Holding Services Ltd for investment in Aircel.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The ED filed the charge sheet before Additional Sessions Judge Ruby Alka Gupta for consideration and subsequent issuance of summons to the accused including Karti

Former Union minister P Chidambaram's son Karti controlled two firms which allegedly received Rs. 1.16 crore as bribe money in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday said in its charge sheet filed before a Delhi court. Though the name of P Chidambaram, who was also questioned recently by the CBI and the ED in the INX media and the Aircel-Maxis money laundering cases respectively, was mentioned in the charge sheet, the Congress veteran has not been arrayed as an accused in the probe report which would now be considered by the court on July 4. The ED filed the charge sheet before Additional Sessions Judge Ruby Alka Gupta for consideration and subsequent issuance of summons to the accused including Karti. Reacting to the filing of the charge sheet, which is called prosecution complaint in official parlance, P Chidambaram said that it would be "vigorously contested" before the special court. "The complaint filed by ED against Karti Chidambaram and others is seriously flawed. Since the matter is in Court, I shall not make a public comment. The complaint will be vigorously contested before the Special Court," the former minister tweeted. The ED probe report said the payments of Rs. 26 lakh to Advantage Strategic Consultancies Private Limited (ASCPL) and Rs. 90 lakh to Chess Management Services Pvt Limited (CMSPL) respectively were made as alleged bribe money by parent company of Aircel Ltd, namely Aircel Televentures Ltd (ATVL) and Maxis and its associate Malaysian companies respectively. Referring to contents of the charge sheet, special public prosecutors Nitesh Rana and NK Matta said that Karti Chidambaram was controlling ASCPL and CMSPL, the alleged beneficiaries of bribe amount of Rs. 1.16 crore, and Karti Chidambaram was trying to project this as untainted money. The probe agency also made clear that it may file supplementary charge sheets in the case which apparently keeps open the chances of arraying more persons as accused. Apart from Karti Chidambaram, the agency has also named ASCPL and its directors Padma Bhaskararamana and Ravi Viswanathan, and CMSPL and its director Annamalai Palaniappa in the charge sheet under section 4 (punishment for money laundering) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). "Investigation carried out under the PMLA so far as revealed that Karti P Chidambaram is linked with individuals and companies involved in financial transaction and companies holding such companies as per diagram... "Investigation has revealed that ASCPL and CMSPL are controlled and owned by Karti Chidambaram and his close associate S Bhaskararaman. The investigation has further revealed that ASCPL received money from ATVL, parent company of Aircel Ltd., in close proximity to receipt to FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board)," the charge sheet, filed through advocate AR Aditya, said. It alleged that Karti Chidambaram received Rs. 26 lakh from ATVL in ASCPL, on April 11, 2006, immediately after the approval under the head of payment of consultancy services, it said. "Similarly CMSPL received an amount of approximately USD 2,02,447 between period 2007-11 against invoices raised between 2007-09. The payments were received from Maxis and its associates in the guise of charges for a software which was designed for use by an Indian company and could not at all of any use by a Malaysian company," it said. The ED had registered the case under the sections of PMLA on February 7, 2012 on basis of an FIR registered by the CBI. It said that during the investigation it was found that ASCPL was already in a financial transaction with the other companies namely Chess Healthcare Care Solutions Pvt LTD, M/s Chess Management Services Pvt LTD (CMSPL) and M/s Halidon Marketing Pvt LTD since the financial year 2005-06. The agency said that a total of Rs. 1.16 crore allegedly belonging to Karti Chidambaram has already been attached by it so far. The agency mentioned that the former Union minister's son has been linked with various individuals and companies involved in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval given to the Aircel-Maxis deal. It also alleged that Karti Chidambaram was in the process of alienating the property involved in the money laundering in order to frustrate the proceedings under PMLA. The agency told the court that it might file a supplementary charge sheet in the case. The court has already granted interim protection from arrest till July 10 to Karti Chidambaram in two cases filed by the CBI and the ED in 2011 and 2012, respectively in the Aircel-Maxis matter arising out of 2G spectrum cases, while his anticipatory bail plea is pending before the court. P Chidambaram has also been granted protection from arrest till July 10 by a court here in the present money laundering case while his anticipatory bail is pending before the court. The matter pertains to grant of FIPB clearance to M/s Global Communication Holding Services Ltd for investment in Aircel.

Karti Chidambaram's firms received Rs 1.16-crore bribe in Aircel-Maxis deal: ED

Former Union Minister and Delhi state unit chief Ajay Maken has expressed complete disagreement with the idea that Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) should have an electoral tie-up to keep the BJP away. He also said that a fragmented Opposition will not work against the BJP and Congress will have to regain its space as the principal party opposed to BJP as in the past fragmented Opposition government have not survived for long.

In the interview with WION's Kartikeya Sharma, Maken also reached out his colleagues in the party. Congress is holding a grand iftaar for its potential political allies in Delhi and has chosen not to invite AAP. 
&nbsp 
WION: How do you evaluate AAP's performance in Delhi?

Ajay Maken: AAP has slipped in Delhi. Their vote percentage has gone down consistently. From the municipal elections to Rajouri Garden by-polls, AAP's vote share has decreased. Rajouri Garden was a seat which AAP had won by a huge margin. AAP was third and came behind the Congress. This happened because they have not been able to fulfill promises.

WION: Do you feel that Delhi has suffered because of AAP's national ambitions?

Ajay Maken: Delhi has suffered simply because AAP does not know how to govern. Since coming to power they have been trying to create an artificial confrontation with the BJP for political reasons. One cannot rule by confrontation. Delhi is a Union Territory and one needs to build consensus with stakeholders. Being a bureaucrat, Kejriwal should have known this but again AAP does not know what governance is. We never compromised the interest of the people.

WION: What is your view on 'one-seat-one-candidate' proposed arrangement to challenge BJP?

Ajay Maken: My opinion is that a strong Congress is required at the Centre to counter BJP-RSS. One-seat-one-candidate is a good concept, but fragmented Opposition does not work. We have seen that in the past too. You need a strong party in the Opposition as there is a political life beyond elections too.

WION: Should this proposal apply on Delhi as well?

Ajay Maken: No, it should not. Even the chief minister of Punjab is opposed to this idea to stop the BJP. AAP is losing ground and when they are being rejected by people why should we supply them political oxygen? AAP is an opportunist party. It is not a secular party. Kejriwal is ideologically hollow. He was the one who tied up with Baba Ramdev and Kiran Bedi. If he gets concessions from BJP, he will side with them.

WION: Are you saying that alliances should be state specific?

Ajay Maken: Alliances have to be crafted on state to state basis after consulting the state leadership.

WION: What is the Congress roadmap of recovery under you?

Ajay Maken: Congress needs understanding within the party than help from outside. We have conducted surveys and found that people very fondly remember 15 years of Sheila Dixit's regime. We will win elections on our own. We cannot undermine the strength of the Congress workers in a state. In the past two decades Congress was able to defeat BJP thrice. In order to come back we don't need assistance. We have bench strength in leaders like Sheila Dixit, Mahabal Mishra, JP Agarwal and Sandeep Dixit. If we work together, we will defeat both AAP and BJP.

The DPCC chief lashes out at Aam Aadmi Party and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, says Congress has to capability to win Delhi assembly election on its own.

Former Union Minister and Delhi state unit chief Ajay Maken has expressed complete disagreement with the idea that Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) should have an electoral tie-up to keep the BJP away. He also said that a fragmented Opposition will not work against the BJP and Congress will have to regain its space as the principal party opposed to BJP as in the past fragmented Opposition government have not survived for long. In the interview with WION's Kartikeya Sharma, Maken also reached out his colleagues in the party. Congress is holding a grand iftaar for its potential political allies in Delhi and has chosen not to invite AAP. WION: How do you evaluate AAP's performance in Delhi? Ajay Maken: AAP has slipped in Delhi. Their vote percentage has gone down consistently. From the municipal elections to Rajouri Garden by-polls, AAP's vote share has decreased. Rajouri Garden was a seat which AAP had won by a huge margin. AAP was third and came behind the Congress. This happened because they have not been able to fulfill promises. WION: Do you feel that Delhi has suffered because of AAP's national ambitions? Ajay Maken: Delhi has suffered simply because AAP does not know how to govern. Since coming to power they have been trying to create an artificial confrontation with the BJP for political reasons. One cannot rule by confrontation. Delhi is a Union Territory and one needs to build consensus with stakeholders. Being a bureaucrat, Kejriwal should have known this but again AAP does not know what governance is. We never compromised the interest of the people. WION: What is your view on 'one-seat-one-candidate' proposed arrangement to challenge BJP? Ajay Maken: My opinion is that a strong Congress is required at the Centre to counter BJP-RSS. One-seat-one-candidate is a good concept, but fragmented Opposition does not work. We have seen that in the past too. You need a strong party in the Opposition as there is a political life beyond elections too. WION: Should this proposal apply on Delhi as well? Ajay Maken: No, it should not. Even the chief minister of Punjab is opposed to this idea to stop the BJP. AAP is losing ground and when they are being rejected by people why should we supply them political oxygen? AAP is an opportunist party. It is not a secular party. Kejriwal is ideologically hollow. He was the one who tied up with Baba Ramdev and Kiran Bedi. If he gets concessions from BJP, he will side with them. WION: Are you saying that alliances should be state specific? Ajay Maken: Alliances have to be crafted on state to state basis after consulting the state leadership. WION: What is the Congress roadmap of recovery under you? Ajay Maken: Congress needs understanding within the party than help from outside. We have conducted surveys and found that people very fondly remember 15 years of Sheila Dixit's regime. We will win elections on our own. We cannot undermine the strength of the Congress workers in a state. In the past two decades Congress was able to defeat BJP thrice. In order to come back we don't need assistance. We have bench strength in leaders like Sheila Dixit, Mahabal Mishra, JP Agarwal and Sandeep Dixit. If we work together, we will defeat both AAP and BJP.

No tie-up with Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi: Congress leader Ajay Maken to WION

"The great-grandson of the man who authored 'The Discovery of India'&nbsp;could with his customary inaccuracies one day give to this country his monumental work on 'The Rediscovery of Coca-Cola,'" Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley published a blog on Wednesday targetting Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, harping on his factual "customary inaccuracies" and his "inability to understand basic procedure of bank functioning".&nbsp;

In a scathing attack on the Congress, Jaitley questioned if the party has no ideology left at its core and if its Anti-Modi stance is the only way to steer the ship forward.&nbsp;

Jaitley eulogised NDA's Mudra Yojana describing it as an imperative tool in job creation and generating self-employment opportunities to various weaker sections.

"Two days ago, while addressing a gathering of what they claimed were their OBC supporters, Rahul Gandhi spoke on the entrepreneurial skills of Shikanjiwalas, dabbawalas and mechanics. Though factually what he stated was incorrect, the larger point is that he saw virtues in these professions which can act as a launch pad for many start-ups," Jaitley wrote.

"It is the NDA Government under Prime Minister Modi which realised the importance of millions of such self-employment opportunities for which in the year 2015 Mudra Yojana was launched... The UPA never did so," he further added.&nbsp;

The piece continued to attack Rahul Gandhi stating that while political positions are heritable, "unfortunately wisdom is not. It has to be acquired through learning".

Jaitley, in his verbal attack, questioned the Congress' new-found love for the OBC community adding that "the OBCs deserted Congress Party in the early 1990s. The Congress was always anti-OBC".&nbsp;

Later in the piece, Jaitley enumerates instances where he thinks the Congress chief gave away his weaknesses. "Interacting with his interviewer in Singapore a few weeks ago, Rahul Gandhi left his audience stunned by suggesting if MRI machines in India were connected, this would lead to a Medical Revolution. How? Except breaching a patient’s privacy by sharing his details with other hospitals what would this achieve?" Jaitley questioned.&nbsp;

"In all the above statements, there is no ideological pattern. Ignorance with anti-Modism is a common thread," the piece read.

Jaitley concluded by announcing dynastic political parties as "family and personality dominated" where "ideology takes a back seat".&nbsp;

"The leader’s ill-informed instincts become the ideology. This can only happen to a party which becomes ideologyless," the piece concluded.

Jaitley, in his verbal attack, questioned the Congress' new-found love for the OBC community adding that 'the OBCs deserted Congress Party in the early 1990s. The Congress was always anti-OBC'

"The great-grandson of the man who authored 'The Discovery of India' could with his customary inaccuracies one day give to this country his monumental work on 'The Rediscovery of Coca-Cola,'" Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley published a blog on Wednesday targetting Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, harping on his factual "customary inaccuracies" and his "inability to understand basic procedure of bank functioning". In a scathing attack on the Congress, Jaitley questioned if the party has no ideology left at its core and if its Anti-Modi stance is the only way to steer the ship forward. Jaitley eulogised NDA's Mudra Yojana describing it as an imperative tool in job creation and generating self-employment opportunities to various weaker sections. "Two days ago, while addressing a gathering of what they claimed were their OBC supporters, Rahul Gandhi spoke on the entrepreneurial skills of Shikanjiwalas, dabbawalas and mechanics. Though factually what he stated was incorrect, the larger point is that he saw virtues in these professions which can act as a launch pad for many start-ups," Jaitley wrote. "It is the NDA Government under Prime Minister Modi which realised the importance of millions of such self-employment opportunities for which in the year 2015 Mudra Yojana was launched... The UPA never did so," he further added. The piece continued to attack Rahul Gandhi stating that while political positions are heritable, "unfortunately wisdom is not. It has to be acquired through learning". Jaitley, in his verbal attack, questioned the Congress' new-found love for the OBC community adding that "the OBCs deserted Congress Party in the early 1990s. The Congress was always anti-OBC". Later in the piece, Jaitley enumerates instances where he thinks the Congress chief gave away his weaknesses. "Interacting with his interviewer in Singapore a few weeks ago, Rahul Gandhi left his audience stunned by suggesting if MRI machines in India were connected, this would lead to a Medical Revolution. How? Except breaching a patient’s privacy by sharing his details with other hospitals what would this achieve?" Jaitley questioned. "In all the above statements, there is no ideological pattern. Ignorance with anti-Modism is a common thread," the piece read. Jaitley concluded by announcing dynastic political parties as "family and personality dominated" where "ideology takes a back seat". "The leader’s ill-informed instincts become the ideology. This can only happen to a party which becomes ideologyless," the piece concluded.

Jaitley attacks Rahul Gandhi in blog post; says ignorance with 'anti-Modism' is common thread

The BJP accused Congress President Rahul Gandhi of practising the "lowest form of politics" after he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of humiliating former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and senior BJP leader LK Advani.&nbsp

News reports quoted Gandhi as having said at a rally in Mumbai that the Congress had accorded more respect to Advani than Modi.&nbsp

The reports quoted Gandhi as saying Advani had been Modi's guru but that he (Gandhi) had noticed "in events" that Modi does not even respect his guru. And that he (Gandhi) feels "very sad" for Advani.&nbsp

Gandhi later tweeted that "Ekalavya cut off his right thumb because his Guru demanded it" but "In the BJP, they cut down their own Gurus. Humiliating Vajpayeeji, Advaniji, Jaswant Singhji and their families is the Prime Minister’s way of protecting Indian culture."&nbsp

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Ekalavya cut off his right thumb because his Guru demanded it. 
 
In the BJP, they cut down their own Gurus. Humiliating Vajpayeeji, Advaniji, Jaswant Singhji and their families is the Prime Minister’s way of protecting Indian culture. <a href="https://t.co/lqUtBtj0t8">pic.twitter.com/lqUtBtj0t8</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1006553306083180544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Gandhi also said Tuesday that the Congress party had fought against Vajpayee but when he was hospitalised on Monday, it was " it was we who first visited him".&nbsp

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Congress party fought against Vajpayee's govt, but when he was sick it was we who first visited him. This is the ideology of Congress party, we respect our opponents: Congress President <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RahulGandhi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RahulGandhiInMumbai?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RahulGandhiInMumbai</a> <a href="https://t.co/5J7oVjpXlG">pic.twitter.com/5J7oVjpXlG</a>
— Congress (@INCIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/1006509591809572866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The pushback from the BJP was fast and furious.&nbsp

News reports quoted BJP spokespeson Anil Baluni as saying it was "bizarre" to see Gandhi "stoop to such a low".&nbsp

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Rahul Gandhi has been trying to advise BJP on how to respect senior leaders, he should first of all answer on his ill-treatment to their own senior leaders, like PV Narasimha Rao & Pranab Mukherjee: Anil Baluni, BJP (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/9S1o8snEBO">pic.twitter.com/9S1o8snEBO</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1006564268328669185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Baluni added that "Rahul Gandhi has been trying to advise BJP on how to respect senior leaders, he should first of all answer on his ill-treatment to their own senior leaders, like PV Narasimha Rao & Pranab Mukherjee".&nbsp

Congress President Rahul Gandhi said Advani had been Modi's guru but that he (Gandhi) had noticed 'in events' that Modi does not even respect his guru. And that he (Gandhi) feels 'very sad' for Advani

The BJP accused Congress President Rahul Gandhi of practising the "lowest form of politics" after he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of humiliating former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and senior BJP leader LK Advani. News reports quoted Gandhi as having said at a rally in Mumbai that the Congress had accorded more respect to Advani than Modi. The reports quoted Gandhi as saying Advani had been Modi's guru but that he (Gandhi) had noticed "in events" that Modi does not even respect his guru. And that he (Gandhi) feels "very sad" for Advani. Gandhi later tweeted that "Ekalavya cut off his right thumb because his Guru demanded it" but "In the BJP, they cut down their own Gurus. Humiliating Vajpayeeji, Advaniji, Jaswant Singhji and their families is the Prime Minister’s way of protecting Indian culture." Ekalavya cut off his right thumb because his Guru demanded it. In the BJP, they cut down their own Gurus. Humiliating Vajpayeeji, Advaniji, Jaswant Singhji and their families is the Prime Minister’s way of protecting Indian culture. pic.twitter.com/lqUtBtj0t8 — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 12, 2018 × Gandhi also said Tuesday that the Congress party had fought against Vajpayee but when he was hospitalised on Monday, it was " it was we who first visited him". Congress party fought against Vajpayee's govt, but when he was sick it was we who first visited him. This is the ideology of Congress party, we respect our opponents: Congress President @RahulGandhi #RahulGandhiInMumbai pic.twitter.com/5J7oVjpXlG — Congress (@INCIndia) June 12, 2018 × The pushback from the BJP was fast and furious. News reports quoted BJP spokespeson Anil Baluni as saying it was "bizarre" to see Gandhi "stoop to such a low". Rahul Gandhi has been trying to advise BJP on how to respect senior leaders, he should first of all answer on his ill-treatment to their own senior leaders, like PV Narasimha Rao & Pranab Mukherjee: Anil Baluni, BJP (file pic) pic.twitter.com/9S1o8snEBO — ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2018 × Baluni added that "Rahul Gandhi has been trying to advise BJP on how to respect senior leaders, he should first of all answer on his ill-treatment to their own senior leaders, like PV Narasimha Rao & Pranab Mukherjee".

'Lowest form of politics,' says BJP after Rahul alleges Modi humiliated Vajpayee, Advani

Congress candidate Soumya Reddy defeated BJP's BN Prahlad in Jayanagar assembly constituency in Bengaluru on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Sowmya Reddy registered a huge victory by winning the Karnataka Vidhana Soudha seat by about 4,000 votes.&nbsp;

The counting of votes had begun at 8 am this morning and the final result was out by afternoon after 16 rounds of counting.

Voting for the Jayanagar Seat of Karnataka Assembly was held on Friday, June 11 and a voter turnout of 55 per cent was recorded. Sowmya Reddy is the daughter of former Karnataka home minister Ramalinga Reddy. She is known for being an animal rights activist and environmentalist.

Sowmya Reddy was embroiled in a controversy during the campaign for the Jayanagar Election after images of her eating non-vegetarian food at a Ramzan gathering were circulated over social media. Reddy, who is a vegan, later clarified that the image was photoshopped and also sent the original image to the fake news busting website Alt News.

Sowmya Reddy also made news in 2015 with her eco-friendly wedding with Abhishek Raje. She made sure that all the waste from her wedding was renewable and ensured no plastic was used anywhere during the entire wedding.

Voting for the Jayanagar Seat of Karnataka Assembly was held on Friday, June 11 and a voter turnout of 55 per cent was recorded.

Congress candidate Soumya Reddy defeated BJP's BN Prahlad in Jayanagar assembly constituency in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Sowmya Reddy registered a huge victory by winning the Karnataka Vidhana Soudha seat by about 4,000 votes. The counting of votes had begun at 8 am this morning and the final result was out by afternoon after 16 rounds of counting. Voting for the Jayanagar Seat of Karnataka Assembly was held on Friday, June 11 and a voter turnout of 55 per cent was recorded. Sowmya Reddy is the daughter of former Karnataka home minister Ramalinga Reddy. She is known for being an animal rights activist and environmentalist. Sowmya Reddy was embroiled in a controversy during the campaign for the Jayanagar Election after images of her eating non-vegetarian food at a Ramzan gathering were circulated over social media. Reddy, who is a vegan, later clarified that the image was photoshopped and also sent the original image to the fake news busting website Alt News. Sowmya Reddy also made news in 2015 with her eco-friendly wedding with Abhishek Raje. She made sure that all the waste from her wedding was renewable and ensured no plastic was used anywhere during the entire wedding.

Karnataka bypoll: Congress's Sowmya Reddy beats BJP's BN Prahlad

AAP leaders and workers camped outside the chief minister's residence here today in support of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues who have been staging a sit-in at the Lieutenant Governor's office and asserted that they would continue the fight for the rights of the people without any compromise.

Tents have been put up outside Kejriwal Civil Lines residence.&nbsp;

This is a fight for the rights of the people of Delhi, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh told reporters outside the chief minister's residence.

"At the instance of Narendra Modi, the Lt Governor has crippled Delhi government. We will not keep quiet now and fight till the last," Singh asserted.

Flanked by senior party leaders Saurabh Bhardwaj and Atishi Marlena, the party MP said that they were prepared for a long drawn battle over issues of full statehood, IAS officers' strike and the schemes of government including doorstep delivery of ration, allegedly curtailed by the LG.

"Modi is behind the crippling of Delhi government's functioning using the Lt Governor as a pawn."

Singh said that he was in touch with opposition leaders such as D Raja of the CPI and Sitaram Yechury of the CPI(M) over the developments in Delhi.

Singh also attacked former Delhi Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Sheila Dikshit over the full statehood issue.

"She ruled for ten years when Congress was at the Centre. Why did the full statehood was promised in their manifesto if they did not want it," he said

Bhardwaj said that the IAS officers of Delhi were on strike although they denied in a press statement yesterday.

Citing rules, he said that even "slowing down" work and not attending meetings called by ministers was a form of strike.

"Over a dozen show-cause notices and memos have been sent to the officers, but the situation is the same. They are shying away from openly admitting their strike because they will lose their jobs since rules do not permit it," he said.

Marlena said that government works including those related with education and pollution were hampered due to the strike.

Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, Labour Minister Gopal Rai and Health Minister Satyendar Jain spent the night at Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's office to press for their demands including a direction to IAS officers to end their "strike" and action against officers who have struck work for "four months".&nbsp;

Tents have been put up outside Kejriwal Civil Lines residence

AAP leaders and workers camped outside the chief minister's residence here today in support of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues who have been staging a sit-in at the Lieutenant Governor's office and asserted that they would continue the fight for the rights of the people without any compromise. Tents have been put up outside Kejriwal Civil Lines residence. This is a fight for the rights of the people of Delhi, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh told reporters outside the chief minister's residence. "At the instance of Narendra Modi, the Lt Governor has crippled Delhi government. We will not keep quiet now and fight till the last," Singh asserted. Flanked by senior party leaders Saurabh Bhardwaj and Atishi Marlena, the party MP said that they were prepared for a long drawn battle over issues of full statehood, IAS officers' strike and the schemes of government including doorstep delivery of ration, allegedly curtailed by the LG. "Modi is behind the crippling of Delhi government's functioning using the Lt Governor as a pawn." Singh said that he was in touch with opposition leaders such as D Raja of the CPI and Sitaram Yechury of the CPI(M) over the developments in Delhi. Singh also attacked former Delhi Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Sheila Dikshit over the full statehood issue. "She ruled for ten years when Congress was at the Centre. Why did the full statehood was promised in their manifesto if they did not want it," he said Bhardwaj said that the IAS officers of Delhi were on strike although they denied in a press statement yesterday. Citing rules, he said that even "slowing down" work and not attending meetings called by ministers was a form of strike. "Over a dozen show-cause notices and memos have been sent to the officers, but the situation is the same. They are shying away from openly admitting their strike because they will lose their jobs since rules do not permit it," he said. Marlena said that government works including those related with education and pollution were hampered due to the strike. Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia, Labour Minister Gopal Rai and Health Minister Satyendar Jain spent the night at Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's office to press for their demands including a direction to IAS officers to end their "strike" and action against officers who have struck work for "four months".

AAP leaders, workers camp outside Kejriwal's residence

Praful Patel, former Union Cabinet Minister and senior NCP leader spoke on the issue of alliance with the Congress in Maharashtra and Grand Alliance in general. He said that Congress has made a good beginning with them in the state and an alliance can be recreated at the state level again. In the upcoming assembly election, BJP will be defeated, he said and welcomed the idea of a Grand Alliance.

&nbsp

Q: Can a combined opposition take on BJP in Lok Sabha elections?

A: It has become very visible in the results of all by-elections that where ever regional parties have sunk differences, BJP has been defeated. There is a visible disenchantment with BJP. BJP made huge promises during Lok Sabha elections but none of them have been kept. On top of it, political adjustments are taking place to ensure that 2014 is not repeated again at the national level.

 
Q: Has Congress become a big regional party and what role do you expect it to play?

A: Congress understands the new political reality. They have to respect the changed political circumstances. They too have made adjustments. For example, they gave away the position of Chief Minister to JD-U which would not have been possible in past. Even in Uttar Pradesh, Congress vote has become negligible. So it is better to adjust then perish. Having said that I would also say that Congress still remains the largest pan Indian party in the Opposition. Congress will have to play a role here and accordingly build consensus in the non-BJP bloc.

&nbsp

Q: What is Sharad Pawar’s idea of 2019 elections?

A: His understanding is that 2019 Lok Sabha elections will be about political alliances based on least division of votes. For this end, pan India alliances will have to be forged.

&nbsp

Q: Is one candidate, one constituency a good idea?

A: It depends on region to region but as far as possible, one candidate, one constituency is a good idea. All of this will depend on local and regional arrangements. But an arrangement like this in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra can affect BJP adversely.

&nbsp

Q: How significant is NCP’s victory in Gondia?

A: It is a significant victory for us. This seat belonged to us. Even in 2014, we fought elections together in Lok Sabha. Disenchantment against BJP is deep. They put all their money and muscle in Gondia but we ran a soft low-key campaign which worked for us.

&nbsp&nbsp

Q: Has the relationship between Congress and NCP improved?

A: Good beginning has been made which reflected in the byelection. There is more engagement now between both the parties.

&nbsp

Q: Will Congress and NCP fight elections together in Maharashtra?

A: As I said, a good beginning has been made. We had an alliance in past and it can be recreated.

Congress understands the new political reality. They have to respect the changed political circumstances. They too have made adjustments. For example, they gave away the position of Chief Minister to JD-U which would not have been possible in past.

Praful Patel, former Union Cabinet Minister and senior NCP leader spoke on the issue of alliance with the Congress in Maharashtra and Grand Alliance in general. He said that Congress has made a good beginning with them in the state and an alliance can be recreated at the state level again. In the upcoming assembly election, BJP will be defeated, he said and welcomed the idea of a Grand Alliance. Q: Can a combined opposition take on BJP in Lok Sabha elections? A: It has become very visible in the results of all by-elections that where ever regional parties have sunk differences, BJP has been defeated. There is a visible disenchantment with BJP. BJP made huge promises during Lok Sabha elections but none of them have been kept. On top of it, political adjustments are taking place to ensure that 2014 is not repeated again at the national level. Q: Has Congress become a big regional party and what role do you expect it to play? A: Congress understands the new political reality. They have to respect the changed political circumstances. They too have made adjustments. For example, they gave away the position of Chief Minister to JD-U which would not have been possible in past. Even in Uttar Pradesh, Congress vote has become negligible. So it is better to adjust then perish. Having said that I would also say that Congress still remains the largest pan Indian party in the Opposition. Congress will have to play a role here and accordingly build consensus in the non-BJP bloc. Q: What is Sharad Pawar’s idea of 2019 elections? A: His understanding is that 2019 Lok Sabha elections will be about political alliances based on least division of votes. For this end, pan India alliances will have to be forged. Q: Is one candidate, one constituency a good idea? A: It depends on region to region but as far as possible, one candidate, one constituency is a good idea. All of this will depend on local and regional arrangements. But an arrangement like this in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra can affect BJP adversely. Q: How significant is NCP’s victory in Gondia? A: It is a significant victory for us. This seat belonged to us. Even in 2014, we fought elections together in Lok Sabha. Disenchantment against BJP is deep. They put all their money and muscle in Gondia but we ran a soft low-key campaign which worked for us. Q: Has the relationship between Congress and NCP improved? A: Good beginning has been made which reflected in the byelection. There is more engagement now between both the parties. Q: Will Congress and NCP fight elections together in Maharashtra? A: As I said, a good beginning has been made. We had an alliance in past and it can be recreated.

Political adjustments are taking place to ensure 2014 is not repeated: ​​​​​​​Praful Patel

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that India has become a slave of 2-3 leaders of the ruling party and the RSS.&nbsp;

Speaking at the Congress party's OBC sammelan in Delhi's Talkatora stadium, the party chief said that no one in the BJP is allowed to speak and they are only asked to tow the line of these leaders.&nbsp;

"Everyone including MPs is afraid to speak. Most of them are not allowed to speak. And those of us who do speak, the BJP does not listen to. Only RSS is given a hearing," Rahul said. "Today, our nation has become a slave of 2-3 BJP leaders and RSS."

In an attempt to woo OBCs, Rahul said the Congress party has stood by the community for 70 years and will continue to work for their rights.&nbsp;

"You are India's strength. We will advance together with the Congress party," the Congress leader said.&nbsp;

"We will not give you just a little space. We will give you what is rightfully yours. We want to bring you to Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Assembly," Gandhi said.&nbsp;

'Industrialists get loan waiver, farmers ignored'&nbsp;

Gandhi claimed Modi's government has ignored the interests of farmers but has helped a small group of industrialists by waiving loans amounting to nearly Rs 2.5 lakh crore.

Addressing workers of the party's OBC department here, he said people who work hard behind the scene are "never benefitted" and the fruits of their toil are enjoyed by others.

"People with skills are not rewarded in India ... Farmers work hard but you don't see them in the office of Modi ji," the Congress scion was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

Rahul claimed that the non-performing assets of banks have gone up to Rs 1,000 crore.&nbsp;

"Rs 2.5 lakh crore were given to 15 industrialists. But the farmer got nothing...The loan waiver was for 15 people but not for the farmer who continues to commit suicide... His children keep crying," Gandhi said.&nbsp;

He also challenged the stand of the government that India lacks skills saying it was not true and the authorities have failed to recognise the fact.&nbsp;

Modi helped a small group of industrialists by waiving loans amounting to nearly Rs 2.5 lakh crore, Rahul said

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that India has become a slave of 2-3 leaders of the ruling party and the RSS. Speaking at the Congress party's OBC sammelan in Delhi's Talkatora stadium, the party chief said that no one in the BJP is allowed to speak and they are only asked to tow the line of these leaders. "Everyone including MPs is afraid to speak. Most of them are not allowed to speak. And those of us who do speak, the BJP does not listen to. Only RSS is given a hearing," Rahul said. "Today, our nation has become a slave of 2-3 BJP leaders and RSS." In an attempt to woo OBCs, Rahul said the Congress party has stood by the community for 70 years and will continue to work for their rights. "You are India's strength. We will advance together with the Congress party," the Congress leader said. "We will not give you just a little space. We will give you what is rightfully yours. We want to bring you to Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Assembly," Gandhi said. 'Industrialists get loan waiver, farmers ignored' Gandhi claimed Modi's government has ignored the interests of farmers but has helped a small group of industrialists by waiving loans amounting to nearly Rs 2.5 lakh crore. Addressing workers of the party's OBC department here, he said people who work hard behind the scene are "never benefitted" and the fruits of their toil are enjoyed by others. "People with skills are not rewarded in India ... Farmers work hard but you don't see them in the office of Modi ji," the Congress scion was quoted as saying. Rahul claimed that the non-performing assets of banks have gone up to Rs 1,000 crore. "Rs 2.5 lakh crore were given to 15 industrialists. But the farmer got nothing...The loan waiver was for 15 people but not for the farmer who continues to commit suicide... His children keep crying," Gandhi said. He also challenged the stand of the government that India lacks skills saying it was not true and the authorities have failed to recognise the fact.

India has become slave to some BJP leaders and RSS, says Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that his government has ignored the interests of farmers but has helped a small group of industrialists by waiving loans amounting to nearly Rs 2.5 lakh crore.

Addressing workers of the party's OBC department here, he said people who work hard behind the scene are "never benefitted" and the fruits of their toil are enjoyed by others.

"People with skills are not rewarded in India ... Farmers work hard but you don't see them in the office of Modi ji," the Congress scion was quoted as saying.&nbsp

Rahul claimed that the non-performing assets of banks have gone up to Rs 1,000 crore.&nbsp

"Rs 2.5 lakh crore were given to 15 industrialists. But the farmer got nothing...The loan waiver was for 15 people but not for the farmer who continues to commit suicide... His children keep crying," Gandhi said.&nbsp

He also challenged the stand of the government that India lacks skills saying it was not true and the authorities have failed to recognise the fact.&nbsp

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that his government has ignored the interests of farmers but has helped a small group of industrialists by waiving loans amounting to nearly Rs 2.5 lakh crore. Addressing workers of the party's OBC department here, he said people who work hard behind the scene are "never benefitted" and the fruits of their toil are enjoyed by others. "People with skills are not rewarded in India ... Farmers work hard but you don't see them in the office of Modi ji," the Congress scion was quoted as saying. Rahul claimed that the non-performing assets of banks have gone up to Rs 1,000 crore. "Rs 2.5 lakh crore were given to 15 industrialists. But the farmer got nothing...The loan waiver was for 15 people but not for the farmer who continues to commit suicide... His children keep crying," Gandhi said. He also challenged the stand of the government that India lacks skills saying it was not true and the authorities have failed to recognise the fact.

Modi helps a small group of industrialists, ignores interests of farmers: Rahul Gandhi

Dismissing the <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/several-congress-jds-mlas-willing-to-join-bjp-yeddyurappa-143317">claims made by BS Yeddyurappa </a>on Saturday about Congress, JD(S) MLAs willing to join BJP, Congress leader DK Shivakumar has clarified that all the MLAs were in touch with him and " nothing would go wrong".

He said that though some leaders were unhappy but they have resolved the issue.

He said, "Yeddyurappa has to accept the defeat, people haven't given him the mandate. Some leaders were unhappy but we have sorted the issues. I'm in touch with all MLAs nothing will go wrong".

BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa had claimed on Saturday that several disgruntled leaders from the ruling Congress and JD(S) were eager to join his party.

His comments followed as dissident activities of the MLAs intensified in the Congress over not getting ministerial berths.

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Yeddyurappa has to accept the defeat, people haven't given him the mandate. Some leaders were unhappy but we have sorted the issues. I'm in touch with all MLAs nothing will go wrong: DK Shivakumar, Karnataka Min on Yeddyurappa’s claim of some Congs-JDS leaders wanting to join BJP <a href="https://t.co/OOfSCobjI9">pic.twitter.com/OOfSCobjI9</a>
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He said, 'Yeddyurappa has to accept the defeat, people haven't given him the mandate. Some leaders were unhappy but we have sorted the issues. I'm in touch with all MLAs nothing will go wrong'

Dismissing the claims made by BS Yeddyurappa on Saturday about Congress, JD(S) MLAs willing to join BJP, Congress leader DK Shivakumar has clarified that all the MLAs were in touch with him and " nothing would go wrong". He said that though some leaders were unhappy but they have resolved the issue. He said, "Yeddyurappa has to accept the defeat, people haven't given him the mandate. Some leaders were unhappy but we have sorted the issues. I'm in touch with all MLAs nothing will go wrong". BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa had claimed on Saturday that several disgruntled leaders from the ruling Congress and JD(S) were eager to join his party. His comments followed as dissident activities of the MLAs intensified in the Congress over not getting ministerial berths. Yeddyurappa has to accept the defeat, people haven't given him the mandate. Some leaders were unhappy but we have sorted the issues. I'm in touch with all MLAs nothing will go wrong: DK Shivakumar, Karnataka Min on Yeddyurappa’s claim of some Congs-JDS leaders wanting to join BJP pic.twitter.com/OOfSCobjI9 — ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2018 ×

Congress leader dismisses Yeddyurappa's claims of 'disgruntled Congress-JD(S) MLAs willing to join BJP'

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