The campaign for the assembly polls in India’s southern Karnataka state has become increasingly contentious after the opposition Congress party accused a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of plotting to assassinate its president Mallikarjun Kharge, his wife and his entire family.

The sensational charge was made by Congress member and party’s Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala during a press conference on Saturday.

During the press briefing, he played an audio clip purportedly of Manikanta Rathod, the BJP candidate from Chittapur constituency in Kalaburagi district, where he can be heard saying in the Kannada language that he will "wipe out Kharge, his wife and children".

&nbsp;“I am going to play for you an audio recording of an assassination plot to wipe out none less than the All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge, his wife, and his entire family as being hatched by the BJP leaders. There can be nothing more serious than that.”

He added that "the assassination plots have entered the electoral discourse of Karnataka and this was the lowest political discourse anyone can stoop to.”

He claimed that BJP leaders are “intimidated by the all-round blessings of Kannadigas being showered on the Congress party”, and sensing “complete rout”, the BJP leaders a hatching a plot to eliminate Kharge and his family.

BJP candidate Rathod, on the other hand, refuted the assassination allegations saying, “It is all a lie. They are playing some fake audio. The Congress is levelling baseless allegations fearing defeat,” reports PTI news agency.

Reacting to the allegations, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has said an investigation would be conducted to find out the authenticity of the recording.

“I do not know about the audio. That will be investigated. We will take it seriously and get it investigated."

Karnataka polls to begin on May 10

The state will go to polls on May 10. The election results will be declared on May 13. There are a total of 224 seats in Karnataka, the seventh-largest legislative assembly by strength. The majority mark is 112.

The incumbent BJP is facing a massive anti-incumbency wave due to massive corruption charges, and public distrust towards the functioning of the government.

What happened in the last election?

The 2018 Karnataka assembly polls gave a hung assembly with BJP emerging as the single largest party. The saffron party won 104 seats while the coalition of Congress and JD (S) won 87 and 30 seats respectively. BJP’s Yediyurappa was first to stake the claim to form the government, but he failed to prove the majority after a high-pitch legal battle and submitted his resignation just before the trust vote in May 2018 paving way for the Congress-JD(S) coalition to form the government under the leadership of JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy.

But this government was also short-lived as it lasted for merely 14 months after several ruling party MLAs switched to BJP.

This paved the way for BJP, under ex-chief minister BS Yediyurappa to form the government. However, later he was forced to resign by the party, making way for the incumbent CM Bommai Basavaraj to take over the reins.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The campaign for the assembly polls in India’s southern Karnataka state has become increasingly contentious after the opposition Congress party accused a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of plotting to assassinate its president Mallikarjun Kharge, his wife and his entire family.

The campaign for the assembly polls in India’s southern Karnataka state has become increasingly contentious after the opposition Congress party accused a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of plotting to assassinate its president Mallikarjun Kharge, his wife and his entire family. The sensational charge was made by Congress member and party’s Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala during a press conference on Saturday. During the press briefing, he played an audio clip purportedly of Manikanta Rathod, the BJP candidate from Chittapur constituency in Kalaburagi district, where he can be heard saying in the Kannada language that he will "wipe out Kharge, his wife and children". “I am going to play for you an audio recording of an assassination plot to wipe out none less than the All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge, his wife, and his entire family as being hatched by the BJP leaders. There can be nothing more serious than that.” He added that "the assassination plots have entered the electoral discourse of Karnataka and this was the lowest political discourse anyone can stoop to.” He claimed that BJP leaders are “intimidated by the all-round blessings of Kannadigas being showered on the Congress party”, and sensing “complete rout”, the BJP leaders a hatching a plot to eliminate Kharge and his family. BJP candidate Rathod, on the other hand, refuted the assassination allegations saying, “It is all a lie. They are playing some fake audio. The Congress is levelling baseless allegations fearing defeat,” reports PTI news agency. Reacting to the allegations, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has said an investigation would be conducted to find out the authenticity of the recording. “I do not know about the audio. That will be investigated. We will take it seriously and get it investigated." Karnataka polls to begin on May 10 The state will go to polls on May 10. The election results will be declared on May 13. There are a total of 224 seats in Karnataka, the seventh-largest legislative assembly by strength. The majority mark is 112. The incumbent BJP is facing a massive anti-incumbency wave due to massive corruption charges, and public distrust towards the functioning of the government. What happened in the last election? The 2018 Karnataka assembly polls gave a hung assembly with BJP emerging as the single largest party. The saffron party won 104 seats while the coalition of Congress and JD (S) won 87 and 30 seats respectively. BJP’s Yediyurappa was first to stake the claim to form the government, but he failed to prove the majority after a high-pitch legal battle and submitted his resignation just before the trust vote in May 2018 paving way for the Congress-JD(S) coalition to form the government under the leadership of JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy. But this government was also short-lived as it lasted for merely 14 months after several ruling party MLAs switched to BJP. This paved the way for BJP, under ex-chief minister BS Yediyurappa to form the government. However, later he was forced to resign by the party, making way for the incumbent CM Bommai Basavaraj to take over the reins. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Karnataka polls: Congress accuses BJP of plotting to kill Mallikarjun Kharge, saffron party denies charge

Mallikarjun Kharge defeated Shashi Tharoor to become the first non-Gandhi Congress president in 24 years. According to party MP Randeep Surjewala, he would start his new position on 26 October.

Mallikarjun Kharge defeated Shashi Tharoor to become the first non-Gandhi Congress president in 24 years. According to party MP Randeep Surjewala, he would start his new position on 26 October. Following the results of the vote counting, Kharge was named the winner of the Congress president election. As per Madhusudan Mistry, chairman of the central election authority for the party, Kharge garnered 7,897 votes, while Tharoor received 1,072 votes, out of a total of 9,385 cast. The remaining 416 votes were deemed invalid. Separately, Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi, has been on his 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' for almost a month now. The Congress party seeks to revive itself with the 3,570-km, 150-day-long foot march that has been hailed as its largest recent mass engagement programme. Downhill since 2014 In terms of the seats won in the Lok Sabha elections, the Indian National Congress (INC) has seen a significant dropoff since 2014. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it gained 52 seats, a little rise over the 44 seats it won in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. It just so happens that it no longer has a stronghold in several States where it once had one. Party members quitting the party have caused it to lose members, which has hurt its ranks. Along with the decline in vote share, its base of support has also shrunk. Also read | Indian rupee falls to record low against United States dollar, crosses 83-mark The visualisation below explains the vote share that the Indian National Congress received in the Lok Sabha elections from the 1951 first general elections after the nation gained its independence till 2019. The INC had a vote share greater than 30% from 1951 to 1984, with the exception of 1977. The party's performance as a national party has declined, as seen by the sharp reduction in seats gained in 2014 and 2019, when the vote share was less than 20%. Hover over the graph for data × Data source: Election Commission of India The political landscape of India between the years of 2012 and 2022 is depicted on maps below. The INC was in power in 12 of India's 28 States in 2012, while the BJP had power in just five of those States. The Congress only held office in two States in 2022—Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh—while it was allied with the party in power in Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Jharkhand. BJP, on the other hand, is in charge in 16 States. In the Northeast States in 2012, the Congress was in charge. But by 2022, the BJP had eliminated the influence of the Congress in the region. × × Data source: Election Commission of India While there are many variables contributing to the Congress party's downfall, their woes have been made worse by the party's adamant opposition to internal structural changes, the crisis in its leadership, and its failure to overthrow the current administration. The Congress has hit its lowest point, and efforts to revive the party through presidential elections in addition to outreach initiatives like the Bharat Jodo Yatra appear to be the only ways to escape the quagmire. It will be interesting to see a non-Gandhi president be the face of the party. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data Lab | Congress's first non-Gandhi president in 24 years; mapping the downfall of the party since 2014

Senior Congress leader and a candidate for the party president post, Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday conceded defeat to rival Mallikarjuan Kharge. Tharoor admitting defeat comes hours after his faction alleged that voting had been rigged in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and demanded the 'vote count' be removed from the final result.&nbsp;

Taking to Twitter, Tharoor posted a congratulatory message to Kharge and thanked colleagues for their support.&nbsp;

"It is a great honour &amp; a huge responsibility to be President of @INCIndia &amp; I wish @Kharge ji all success in that task. It was a privilege to have received the support of over a thousand colleagues, &amp; to carry the hopes &amp; aspirations of so many well-wishers of Congress across India," tweeted Tharoor.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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It is a great honour &amp; a huge responsibility to be President of <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@INCIndia</a> &amp;I wish <a href="https://twitter.com/kharge?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kharge</a> ji all success in that task. It was a privilege to have received the support of over a thousand colleagues,&amp; to carry the hopes&amp; aspirations of so many well-wishers of Congress across India. <a href="https://t.co/NistXfQGN1">pic.twitter.com/NistXfQGN1</a>
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/1582644658361860096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2022</a></blockquote>
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"On 17th October, in a true celebration of inner-party democracy, over 9500 delegates of the Indian National Congress cast their vote in the elections for the post of party president. Today, the final verdict has been in favour of Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Ji. I would like to convey my warm congratulations to him for his victory. The decision of the party delegates is final and I accept it humbly. It is a privilege to be a member of a party that allows its workers to choose their President," read the statement released by Tharoor.

The&nbsp;Thiruvananthapuram MP also thanked the Gandhi family, especially former President Rahul Gandhi as well as her sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for their support.&nbsp;

"My thanks also to former President Shri Rahul Gandhi and Smt Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for doing their own bit to support free and neutral elections. The Nehru-Gandhi family has held, and will always hold, a special place in the hearts of Congress party members - and with good reason too. It is my hope and belief that the family will remain the foundational pillar of the Congress, our moral conscience and ultimate guiding spirit."

Rahul Gandhi, currently on his Bharat Jodo Yatra, in a statement said that he could not comment on the role of the newly elected president.&nbsp;

"I can't comment on Congress president's role, that's for Mr Kharge to comment on. The President will decide what my role is," said the former Congress president.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>| "I can't comment on Congress President's role, that's for Mr Kharge (party's Presidential candidate) to comment on. The President will decide what my role is...", says Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, in Andhra Pradesh 
 
Counting of votes to decide the Congress President underway <a href="https://t.co/eRoRBY7QfX">pic.twitter.com/eRoRBY7QfX</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1582645458609938432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2022</a></blockquote>
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According to reports, it was a landslide win for Kharge who received over 90 per cent of the votes cast. The senior Congress leader polled 7,897 votes while Tharoor trailed miles behind at 1,072.

This was the first Congress presidential election to be held in more than 20 years. Earlier, the chair rotated between the Gandhi family members with the mother-son duo of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi occupying the position since 1998.

However, political experts are casting aspersions over the authenticity of the result as Kharge was projected as the 'Gandhi-approved' candidate and not many in the party dare go beyond the line issued by the top family.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Senior Congress leader and a candidate for the party president post, Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday conceded defeat to rival Mallikarjuan Kharge. Tharoor admitting defeat comes hours after his faction alleged that voting had been rigged in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and demanded the 'vote count' be removed from the final result.

Senior Congress leader and a candidate for the party president post, Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday conceded defeat to rival Mallikarjuan Kharge. Tharoor admitting defeat comes hours after his faction alleged that voting had been rigged in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and demanded the 'vote count' be removed from the final result. Taking to Twitter, Tharoor posted a congratulatory message to Kharge and thanked colleagues for their support. "It is a great honour & a huge responsibility to be President of @INCIndia & I wish @Kharge ji all success in that task. It was a privilege to have received the support of over a thousand colleagues, & to carry the hopes & aspirations of so many well-wishers of Congress across India," tweeted Tharoor. It is a great honour & a huge responsibility to be President of @INCIndia &I wish @Kharge ji all success in that task. It was a privilege to have received the support of over a thousand colleagues,& to carry the hopes& aspirations of so many well-wishers of Congress across India. pic.twitter.com/NistXfQGN1 — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 19, 2022 × "On 17th October, in a true celebration of inner-party democracy, over 9500 delegates of the Indian National Congress cast their vote in the elections for the post of party president. Today, the final verdict has been in favour of Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Ji. I would like to convey my warm congratulations to him for his victory. The decision of the party delegates is final and I accept it humbly. It is a privilege to be a member of a party that allows its workers to choose their President," read the statement released by Tharoor. The Thiruvananthapuram MP also thanked the Gandhi family, especially former President Rahul Gandhi as well as her sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for their support. "My thanks also to former President Shri Rahul Gandhi and Smt Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for doing their own bit to support free and neutral elections. The Nehru-Gandhi family has held, and will always hold, a special place in the hearts of Congress party members - and with good reason too. It is my hope and belief that the family will remain the foundational pillar of the Congress, our moral conscience and ultimate guiding spirit." Rahul Gandhi, currently on his Bharat Jodo Yatra, in a statement said that he could not comment on the role of the newly elected president. "I can't comment on Congress president's role, that's for Mr Kharge to comment on. The President will decide what my role is," said the former Congress president. #WATCH| "I can't comment on Congress President's role, that's for Mr Kharge (party's Presidential candidate) to comment on. The President will decide what my role is...", says Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, in Andhra Pradesh Counting of votes to decide the Congress President underway pic.twitter.com/eRoRBY7QfX — ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2022 × According to reports, it was a landslide win for Kharge who received over 90 per cent of the votes cast. The senior Congress leader polled 7,897 votes while Tharoor trailed miles behind at 1,072. This was the first Congress presidential election to be held in more than 20 years. Earlier, the chair rotated between the Gandhi family members with the mother-son duo of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi occupying the position since 1998. However, political experts are casting aspersions over the authenticity of the result as Kharge was projected as the 'Gandhi-approved' candidate and not many in the party dare go beyond the line issued by the top family. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: Tharoor concedes defeat, Kharge set to be Congress party president

India's oldest political party and one of the oldest in the world, the Indian National Congress declared the results of its Presidential elections. Former minister and party veteran Mallikarjun Kharge was declared the winner of the internal party polls held on October 17.

Mallikarjun Kharge set to head India's grand old party Congress

Mallikarjun Kharge was elected as the president of the Indian National Congress on Wednesday (October 19) as he defeated Shashi Tharoor in the party election, only the sixth in its history of 137 years.

Mallikarjun Kharge was elected as the president of the Indian National Congress on Wednesday (October 19) as he defeated Shashi Tharoor in the party election, only the sixth in its history of 137 years. A new era has begun for the current opposition party in India as Kharge became its first non-Gandhi president in 24 years. He will succeed Sonia Gandhi, who held the fort in recent years during several ups and downs. Sonia emerged as an anchor during crucial moments, especially when the party's stature was slightly overshadowed by the dominance of India's ruling party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in successive elections, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies. Mallikarjun Kharge received 7,897 votes, and his rival Shashi Tharoor managed to get only 1,072. This huge-victory margin clearly shows what the party members actually wanted as their new game plan. A total of 9,915 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates formed the electoral college to pick next party chief in a secret ballot. Over 9,500 cast their ballot at PCC offices and the AICC headquarters on Monday. Who is Mallikarjun Kharge? Kharge was born in Karnataka, a state in southwest India, on July 21 in 1942. After college, Kharge began his legal practice as a junior in Justice Shivaraj Patil's office. Starting his political career as a student union leader in college, Kharge emerged as a stalwart in Indian politics. Throughout his career, he led many fights for the rights of labourers. He fought legal cases for labour unions early in his career, many of them pro bono. He became the legal adviser to MSK Mills Employees' Union in 1969 and was also an influential labour union leader of Samyukta Majdoor Sangh. Kharge was the leader of the opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and was the president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee in 2008. The 80-year-old was the leader of the Congress party in Lok Sabha during 2014–2019 and the leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha from February 16, 2021, to October 01, 2022. He had previously served as the minister of railways and minister of labour and employment in the Union government. He won elections a record 10 consecutive times. He first contested the Karnataka State Assembly elections in 1972 and won from the Gurmitkal constituency an unprecedented nine consecutive times (1972, 1978, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2008, 2009). G-23 leaders of Congress The change is not sudden, senior leaders have been trying for it for quite some time. After facing a series of defeats in Lok Sabha and assembly elections of several states in the past few years, some veteran leaders of the party voiced concerns and highlighted several issues. The G-23 leaders, as they came to be known, wrote a letter to interim party chief Sonia Gandhi in August 2020 and demanded active leadership and organisational rejig, which intensified with time. Congress party's new non-Gandhi card for a new game After conceding the election, Tharoor said he believed "the revival of the party begins today". To some extent, it appears to be true as voices kept emerging to give leadership to someone, not from the Gandhi family, in an attempt to end dynasty politics. In a letter, Tharoor wrote: "I have always expressed the view that these elections, irrespective of the outcome, must ultimately strengthen the party. It gives me immense personal satisfaction that this has clearly been the case." "Our democratic contest has galvanised vibrancy at all levels and has prompted a healthy and constructive discussion on change, which I believe will serve the party in good stead in the future," he added. But how exactly it will pan out, only time will tell. Especially, Kharge's plan to win elections, keeping an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha battle. Kharge will have to accelerate planning as BJP has already moved ahead with aggressive preparations for the general elections and come up with a blueprint to analyse its position in 144 Lok Sabha constituencies where its performance was not up to the mark in the last general election. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Who is Mallikarjun Kharge? The first non-Gandhi Congress chief in 24 years, pitted against BJP's might

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-confident-of-winning-all-15-seats-in-karnataka-bypolls-deputy-cm-ashwath-narayan-263908">Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) </a>is misusing the Constitution and they will be taught a lesson in the upcoming <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-congress-declares-names-of-six-candidates-contesting-assembly-by-polls-262661">Karnataka bypolls</a>.

"BJP is misusing the Constitution. So let us see what happens next (about Congress alliance with JDS). People are watching everything how the power is being misused at the state and central levels," Kharge told reporters at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office here.

"It is important to teach BJP a lesson and we have to win all 15 seats. Indicating that the party was not averse to ally with JD(S), he said, "There are sources saying that JDS and Congress will come together to form the government after the bypoll results."

Kharge further said that all <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sc-upholds-disqualification-of-rebel-mlas-permits-them-to-contest-bypolls-261738">disqualified MLAs </a>will lose in Karnataka as they cheated the ideology and party and people are really angry on them. He also accused the BJP of using nefarious means to win the elections.

"BJP is distributing money to the voters which is dangerous to democracy. At present, BJP is putting pressure even on voters. If they don't succeed through these means then they raise religious things to fight elections," he said.

Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of neglecting Karnataka and of being impervious to the state's concerns.

"The local leadership of BJP promised of bringing funds from the Centre if their government came to power in Karnataka but they brought nothing even after such a huge flood. Modi neither spoke about Karnataka nor did he visit the state," he said.

"In my opinion Modi hates Karnataka, I don`t know what is the reason. Does he hate Karnataka because he hates Yediyurappa? He never helps Karnataka due to reasons unknown to us," he added.

Speaking on Maharashtra politics, Kharge said: "We formed the government with Shiv Sena even when our President was not in favour of it. But suggestions by MLAs, other parties and leftist parties suggested us to keep BJP away from the power which is why we formed the government with NCP and Shiv Sena. We just wanted to keep the fascist party away."

The by-elections for 15 out of 17 seats in Karnataka are slated to be held on December 5. The results will be declared on December 9.&nbsp;

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is misusing the Constitution and they will be taught a lesson in the upcoming Karnataka bypolls.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is misusing the Constitution and they will be taught a lesson in the upcoming Karnataka bypolls. "BJP is misusing the Constitution. So let us see what happens next (about Congress alliance with JDS). People are watching everything how the power is being misused at the state and central levels," Kharge told reporters at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office here. "It is important to teach BJP a lesson and we have to win all 15 seats. Indicating that the party was not averse to ally with JD(S), he said, "There are sources saying that JDS and Congress will come together to form the government after the bypoll results." Kharge further said that all disqualified MLAs will lose in Karnataka as they cheated the ideology and party and people are really angry on them. He also accused the BJP of using nefarious means to win the elections. "BJP is distributing money to the voters which is dangerous to democracy. At present, BJP is putting pressure even on voters. If they don't succeed through these means then they raise religious things to fight elections," he said. Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of neglecting Karnataka and of being impervious to the state's concerns. "The local leadership of BJP promised of bringing funds from the Centre if their government came to power in Karnataka but they brought nothing even after such a huge flood. Modi neither spoke about Karnataka nor did he visit the state," he said. "In my opinion Modi hates Karnataka, I don`t know what is the reason. Does he hate Karnataka because he hates Yediyurappa? He never helps Karnataka due to reasons unknown to us," he added. Speaking on Maharashtra politics, Kharge said: "We formed the government with Shiv Sena even when our President was not in favour of it. But suggestions by MLAs, other parties and leftist parties suggested us to keep BJP away from the power which is why we formed the government with NCP and Shiv Sena. We just wanted to keep the fascist party away." The by-elections for 15 out of 17 seats in Karnataka are slated to be held on December 5. The results will be declared on December 9.

BJP misusing Constitution, will be taught lesson in Karnataka bypolls: Mallikarjun Kharge

Former prime minister and veteran Congress leader Manmohan Singh on Saturday paid rich tribute to former Delhi chief minister and Congress stalwart Sheila Dikshit and said ''country has lost a great administrator and an outstanding leader who contributed enormously to the all-round development of Delhi''.

In a letter written to Dikshit`s son and Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, Singh said, "I have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad and shocking news of the untimely demise of our beloved Sheila Dikshit ji. The people of Delhi had a deep affection of Sheila ji and that is why she holds the distinction of being the only woman Chief Minister in India who has led her Party to three consecutive victories in Assembly Elections. In her death, our country has lost a great administrator and an outstanding leader who contributed enormously to the all-round development of Delhi."

He continued, "I take this opportunity to convey to you and other members of your family my heartfelt condolences on this bereavement. We pray to the Almighty to give all of you the strength to bear this great loss with courage and fortitude."

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that the people of Delhi will always remember her as a distinguished Chief Minister who led them for 15 years and transformed the national capital into a world-class capital city.

"The people of Delhi will always remember her as a popular leader and distinguished Chief Minister who led them for 15 years and transformed New Delhi into a world-class capital city. She will always be remembered for her contributions towards the development and growth of New Delhi. Everyone who knew her across party lines will always remember her grace, generosity and warmth," he said.

Echoing similar sentiments, AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal described Dikshit as a "noble-minded politician".&nbsp;

"Under her 15 year-long administration, she undertook exceptional steps to develop the socio-economic infrastructure of the national capital, and that was the golden days of development in Delhi. She was a noble-minded politician and she upheld this quality throughout her life," Venugopal said in a condolence message written to Sandeep Dikshit.

Dikshit`s mortal remains are kept at the AICC headquarters on Sunday morning. The last rites will be held at 2:30 pm today.

(With inputs from ANI)

Former prime minister and veteran Congress leader Manmohan Singh on Saturday paid rich tribute to former Delhi chief minister and Congress stalwart Sheila Dikshit and said ''country has lost a great administrator and an outstanding leader who contributed enormously to the all-round development of Delhi''.

Former prime minister and veteran Congress leader Manmohan Singh on Saturday paid rich tribute to former Delhi chief minister and Congress stalwart Sheila Dikshit and said ''country has lost a great administrator and an outstanding leader who contributed enormously to the all-round development of Delhi''. In a letter written to Dikshit`s son and Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, Singh said, "I have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad and shocking news of the untimely demise of our beloved Sheila Dikshit ji. The people of Delhi had a deep affection of Sheila ji and that is why she holds the distinction of being the only woman Chief Minister in India who has led her Party to three consecutive victories in Assembly Elections. In her death, our country has lost a great administrator and an outstanding leader who contributed enormously to the all-round development of Delhi." He continued, "I take this opportunity to convey to you and other members of your family my heartfelt condolences on this bereavement. We pray to the Almighty to give all of you the strength to bear this great loss with courage and fortitude." Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that the people of Delhi will always remember her as a distinguished Chief Minister who led them for 15 years and transformed the national capital into a world-class capital city. "The people of Delhi will always remember her as a popular leader and distinguished Chief Minister who led them for 15 years and transformed New Delhi into a world-class capital city. She will always be remembered for her contributions towards the development and growth of New Delhi. Everyone who knew her across party lines will always remember her grace, generosity and warmth," he said. Echoing similar sentiments, AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal described Dikshit as a "noble-minded politician". "Under her 15 year-long administration, she undertook exceptional steps to develop the socio-economic infrastructure of the national capital, and that was the golden days of development in Delhi. She was a noble-minded politician and she upheld this quality throughout her life," Venugopal said in a condolence message written to Sandeep Dikshit. Dikshit`s mortal remains are kept at the AICC headquarters on Sunday morning. The last rites will be held at 2:30 pm today. (With inputs from ANI)

Country lost great administrator and outstanding leader: Manmohan Singh remembers Sheila Dikshit

Congress leader and former Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday announced to resign from the post of party general secretary.

"Accepting the people's verdict and taking accountability, I had submitted my resignation as General Secretary of AICC to Shri @RahulGandhi. I thank him for entrusting me with this responsibility and for giving me the opportunity to serve our party," Scindia tweeted from his official Twitter account.

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Accepting the people’s verdict and taking accountability, I had submitted my resignation as General Secretary of AICC to Shri <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RahulGandhi</a>. 
 
I thank him for entrusting me with this responsibility and for giving me the opportunity to serve our party.
— Jyotiraditya Scindia (@JM_Scindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/JM_Scindia/status/1147821537128407040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Scindia had been appointed Congress' general secretary for West Uttar Pradesh along Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who had been appointed a general secretary for East UP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Scindia's resignation comes at a time when the party leaders from several states are offering their resignation or have resigned as an expression of solidarity with Rahul Gandhi, who recently quit as the party president.

Earlier in the day, former Member of Parliament (MP) <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-congress-president-milind-deora-resigns-says-looking-forward-to-play-national-role-to-help-stabilise-party-233767">Milind Deora also announced to step down</a> from the post of Mumbai unit Congress president.

Deora has also proposed a three-member panel to lead the local unit of the party in view of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections to be held later this year.

It is being said that the Congress leader may move to Delhi for a national role in the party.

"The same has been conveyed to Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal, General Secretaries, All India Congress Committee," a statement from Deora's office said.

Deora had a meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on June 26.

His resignation comes at a time when the party leaders from several states are offering their resignation as an expression of solidarity with Rahul Gandhi, who recently quit as the party president.

Deora had been appointed the president of Congress' Mumbai unit on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections.

Deora unsuccessfully ran for the Lok Sabha polls from South Mumbai constituency.

Congress leader and former Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday announced to resign from the post of party general secretary. "Accepting the people's verdict and taking accountability, I had submitted my resignation as General Secretary of AICC to Shri @RahulGandhi.

Congress leader and former Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday announced to resign from the post of party general secretary. "Accepting the people's verdict and taking accountability, I had submitted my resignation as General Secretary of AICC to Shri @RahulGandhi. I thank him for entrusting me with this responsibility and for giving me the opportunity to serve our party," Scindia tweeted from his official Twitter account. Accepting the people’s verdict and taking accountability, I had submitted my resignation as General Secretary of AICC to Shri @RahulGandhi. I thank him for entrusting me with this responsibility and for giving me the opportunity to serve our party. — Jyotiraditya Scindia (@JM_Scindia) July 7, 2019 × Scindia had been appointed Congress' general secretary for West Uttar Pradesh along Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who had been appointed a general secretary for East UP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Scindia's resignation comes at a time when the party leaders from several states are offering their resignation or have resigned as an expression of solidarity with Rahul Gandhi, who recently quit as the party president. Earlier in the day, former Member of Parliament (MP) Milind Deora also announced to step down from the post of Mumbai unit Congress president. Deora has also proposed a three-member panel to lead the local unit of the party in view of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections to be held later this year. It is being said that the Congress leader may move to Delhi for a national role in the party. "The same has been conveyed to Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal, General Secretaries, All India Congress Committee," a statement from Deora's office said. Deora had a meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on June 26. His resignation comes at a time when the party leaders from several states are offering their resignation as an expression of solidarity with Rahul Gandhi, who recently quit as the party president. Deora had been appointed the president of Congress' Mumbai unit on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections. Deora unsuccessfully ran for the Lok Sabha polls from South Mumbai constituency.

Jyotiraditya Scindia resigns as Congress general secretary

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

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

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

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

The Congress on Friday released a list of legislators in Maharashtra for certain positions in the state Assembly. The interesting part in this list is that it has been approved by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) instead of party president Rahul Gandhi.

Gandhi has been in London since Tuesday and unavailable to the Congress leadership for any decisions.

The list approved the name of Balasaheb Thorat as the leader of the legislative party in Maharashtra who will replace Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who quit the party earlier this month. Also included in the list is the name of Sharad Ranpise, who has been appointed leader of the Upper House. Generally, appointments for Congress party positions are announced on behalf of the party president.

<img alt="AICC" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b7d601ec-f9c9-4779-9c9d-3aaa063d06ff" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/AICC.jpg" />

(The list approved by the AICC)

The names were proposed by the state in-charge Mallikarjun Kharge which was approved by the Congress general secretary in-charge of organisation, KC Venugopal.

Before the elections, Rahul Gandhi was taking most of the decisions. He even approved the appointment of Gurdaspur district president in January, 2019. But this time, Gandhi's absence in the party's official release took many by surprise.

<img alt="Congress list" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="364a9c2b-6313-41cb-b1e5-21254fb80d5a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMG-20190614-WA0039.jpg" />

(The list approved by Rahul Gandhi in January)

As of now, there is no clarity on the decision-making process at the top in the Congress party. However, the party's media cell in-charge Randeep Surjewala has been insisting that Rahul Gandhi continues as president and would remain so in the position.

The Congress will also need to appoint leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party in Lok Sabha. This authority is vested in Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) president Sonia Gandhi, she can directly appoint any MP as the leader of the party in the Lower House (Lok Sabha) of Parliament.

Senior Congress leaders and few chief ministers are expected to meet today (June 14) for dinner hosted by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath. Sources said the official reason is to make a common strategy for the meeting which they will attend on Saturday at Niti Aayog. Sources also said that Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amrindar Singh may skip the dinner today, but the top menu of the dinner will remain the future of the Congress party as Rahul Gandhi continues to stick to his decision of not being the party president.

The Congress on Friday released a list of legislators in Maharashtra for certain positions in the state Assembly. The interesting part in this list is that it has been approved by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) instead of party president Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress on Friday released a list of legislators in Maharashtra for certain positions in the state Assembly. The interesting part in this list is that it has been approved by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) instead of party president Rahul Gandhi. Gandhi has been in London since Tuesday and unavailable to the Congress leadership for any decisions. The list approved the name of Balasaheb Thorat as the leader of the legislative party in Maharashtra who will replace Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who quit the party earlier this month. Also included in the list is the name of Sharad Ranpise, who has been appointed leader of the Upper House. Generally, appointments for Congress party positions are announced on behalf of the party president. (The list approved by the AICC) The names were proposed by the state in-charge Mallikarjun Kharge which was approved by the Congress general secretary in-charge of organisation, KC Venugopal. Before the elections, Rahul Gandhi was taking most of the decisions. He even approved the appointment of Gurdaspur district president in January, 2019. But this time, Gandhi's absence in the party's official release took many by surprise. (The list approved by Rahul Gandhi in January) As of now, there is no clarity on the decision-making process at the top in the Congress party. However, the party's media cell in-charge Randeep Surjewala has been insisting that Rahul Gandhi continues as president and would remain so in the position. The Congress will also need to appoint leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party in Lok Sabha. This authority is vested in Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) president Sonia Gandhi, she can directly appoint any MP as the leader of the party in the Lower House (Lok Sabha) of Parliament. Senior Congress leaders and few chief ministers are expected to meet today (June 14) for dinner hosted by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath. Sources said the official reason is to make a common strategy for the meeting which they will attend on Saturday at Niti Aayog. Sources also said that Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amrindar Singh may skip the dinner today, but the top menu of the dinner will remain the future of the Congress party as Rahul Gandhi continues to stick to his decision of not being the party president.

Congress gets down to business without its president Rahul Gandhi

PM Modi takes dig at Mallikarjun Kharge during Lok Sabha speech

Mallikarjung Kharge, the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, has sent a dissent note to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rishi-kumar-shukla-appointed-new-cbi-chief-officials-194608">the appointment of former Madhya Pradesh police chief Rishi Kumar Shukla as the new CBI chief</a>.&nbsp;

In his dissent note, Kharge said the Supreme Court has said the selection committee should choose a CBI director on the basis of seniority, integrity, and experience in the field of anti-corruption.&nbsp;

He added that the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act also says the committee shall recommend a panel of officers for appointment as director on the basis of seniority, integrity and experience.&nbsp;

Kharge then said in his dissent note that the criteria were however diluted in the selection committee meetings — and that it took into account only the candidates' investigation experience, and not their anti-corruption experience.&nbsp;

In his dissent note, Kharge says Shukla has 117 months of investigation experience but no (see below) anti-corruption experience.&nbsp;

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The dissent note of Mallikarjun Kharge on CBI says it all <a href="https://t.co/WKiZXOCR1k">pic.twitter.com/WKiZXOCR1k</a>
— Kartikeya Sharma (@kartikeya_1975) <a href="https://twitter.com/kartikeya_1975/status/1091703632901390336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The CBI chief is chosen by a committee comprising the prime minister, the leader of the opposition or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha (in this case Kharge himself) and the Chief Justice of India.&nbsp;

Kharge added in his dissent note that seniority cannot be the only criterion while making an appointment to such a crucial post and that experience in investigating anti-corruption cases should have been very seriously considered.&nbsp;

"One cannot stand by and accept the dilution of norms when appointment to such a critical post is being made," Kharge said in his note. "I record my dissent for aforementioned reasons," he added.&nbsp;

Shukla is at the moment chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Police Housing Corporation. He was before that director general of the MP Police.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Mallikarjung Kharge, the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, has sent a dissent note to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the appointment of former Madhya Pradesh police chief Rishi Kumar Shukla as the new CBI chief.

Mallikarjung Kharge, the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, has sent a dissent note to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the appointment of former Madhya Pradesh police chief Rishi Kumar Shukla as the new CBI chief. In his dissent note, Kharge said the Supreme Court has said the selection committee should choose a CBI director on the basis of seniority, integrity, and experience in the field of anti-corruption. He added that the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act also says the committee shall recommend a panel of officers for appointment as director on the basis of seniority, integrity and experience. Kharge then said in his dissent note that the criteria were however diluted in the selection committee meetings — and that it took into account only the candidates' investigation experience, and not their anti-corruption experience. In his dissent note, Kharge says Shukla has 117 months of investigation experience but no (see below) anti-corruption experience. The dissent note of Mallikarjun Kharge on CBI says it all pic.twitter.com/WKiZXOCR1k — Kartikeya Sharma (@kartikeya_1975) February 2, 2019 × The CBI chief is chosen by a committee comprising the prime minister, the leader of the opposition or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha (in this case Kharge himself) and the Chief Justice of India. Kharge added in his dissent note that seniority cannot be the only criterion while making an appointment to such a crucial post and that experience in investigating anti-corruption cases should have been very seriously considered. "One cannot stand by and accept the dilution of norms when appointment to such a critical post is being made," Kharge said in his note. "I record my dissent for aforementioned reasons," he added. Shukla is at the moment chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Police Housing Corporation. He was before that director general of the MP Police.

New CBI chief: Selection criteria were diluted, says Mallikarjun Kharge in dissent note to PM

Rishi Kumar Shukla has been appointed the new director of the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Shukla is a 1983-batch Indian Police Service officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre; he has before this been director general of the Madhya Pradesh Police.&nbsp;

He is at the moment chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Police Housing Corporation.

Shukla's appointment came a day after the second meeting of the PM Modi-led selection panel remained inconclusive.&nbsp;

The CBI chief is chosen by a three-member panel made up of the prime minister (Modi), the leader of the&nbsp;opposition or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha (Mallikarjun Kharge), and the Chief Justice of India (Ranjan Gogoi).&nbsp;

Kharge had not agreed with Shukla's appointment, citing <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-cbi-chief-selection-criteria-were-diluted-says-kharge-in-dissent-note-to-pm-194637?utm_source=izooto&amp;utm_medium=push_notifications&amp;utm_campaign=New%20CBI%20chief&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=">his lack of experience in anti-corruption investigations</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge in a dissent note to the Prime Minister expressed his objection over the appointment of IPS officer Rishi Kumar Shukla as the new CBI Director citing the officer's lack of experience in anti-corruption investigations. (File pic) <a href="https://t.co/B8XcEfbSqc">pic.twitter.com/B8XcEfbSqc</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1091691991790804994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The BJP responded saying "whatever is being said by him (Kharge) is totally unfounded and not based on facts".&nbsp;

"It's rather Mr&nbsp;Kharge who is guilty of trying to have manipulated independent assessment based criteria, in order to accommodate names of his preference," said Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, Prime Minister Office.&nbsp;

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Jitendra Singh, MoS PMO on Mallikarjun Kharge's dissent note to PM over appointment of new CBI Director: Whatever is being said by him is totally unfounded &amp; not based on facts. For the selection of CBI Director, a very objective criteria was followed. <a href="https://t.co/Y5fwZQXuLD">pic.twitter.com/Y5fwZQXuLD</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1091703399962226688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The CBI chief has a fixed tenure of two years, during which time he cannot be sacked or transferred.&nbsp;

On Saturday, the appointments committee of the Cabinet approved Shukla's appointment as the new CBI director for a period of two years.&nbsp;

Shukla takes over the country's premier investigative agency at a difficult time.

His predecessor, Alok Verma, was the first the CBI chief to not complete his tenure.

Verma was sent on leave after he and his deputy, Rakesh Asthana, filed charges of corruption against each other.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Verma had fought Asthana's appointment as his deputy, saying he was being investigated for corruption. But after Asthana was foisted on the agency, he filed counter-charges against Verma.&nbsp;

Asthana too was sent on leave a little after Verma.&nbsp;

Verma fought his removal in the Supreme Court, which reinstated him with curtailed powers. (He was not allowed to make any major policy changes.)&nbsp;

The court added that a final call on his staying or leaving would be made by a high-powered committee&nbsp;consisting of the prime minister, the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India or a stand-in for him.&nbsp;

The committee (Justice AK Sikri stood in for CJI Gogoi) later voted to let go of Verma.&nbsp;

The government then appointed Verma Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards — a less important portfolio. Verma declined, telling the government to consider him retired.&nbsp;

Rishi Kumar Shukla has been appointed the new director of the Central Bureau of Investigation. Shukla is a 1983-batch Indian Police Service officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre; he has before this been director general of the Madhya Pradesh Police.

Rishi Kumar Shukla has been appointed the new director of the Central Bureau of Investigation. Shukla is a 1983-batch Indian Police Service officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre; he has before this been director general of the Madhya Pradesh Police. He is at the moment chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Police Housing Corporation. Shukla's appointment came a day after the second meeting of the PM Modi-led selection panel remained inconclusive. The CBI chief is chosen by a three-member panel made up of the prime minister (Modi), the leader of the opposition or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha (Mallikarjun Kharge), and the Chief Justice of India (Ranjan Gogoi). Kharge had not agreed with Shukla's appointment, citing his lack of experience in anti-corruption investigations. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge in a dissent note to the Prime Minister expressed his objection over the appointment of IPS officer Rishi Kumar Shukla as the new CBI Director citing the officer's lack of experience in anti-corruption investigations. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/B8XcEfbSqc — ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2019 × The BJP responded saying "whatever is being said by him (Kharge) is totally unfounded and not based on facts". "It's rather Mr Kharge who is guilty of trying to have manipulated independent assessment based criteria, in order to accommodate names of his preference," said Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, Prime Minister Office. Jitendra Singh, MoS PMO on Mallikarjun Kharge's dissent note to PM over appointment of new CBI Director: Whatever is being said by him is totally unfounded & not based on facts. For the selection of CBI Director, a very objective criteria was followed. pic.twitter.com/Y5fwZQXuLD — ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2019 × The CBI chief has a fixed tenure of two years, during which time he cannot be sacked or transferred. On Saturday, the appointments committee of the Cabinet approved Shukla's appointment as the new CBI director for a period of two years. Shukla takes over the country's premier investigative agency at a difficult time. His predecessor, Alok Verma, was the first the CBI chief to not complete his tenure. Verma was sent on leave after he and his deputy, Rakesh Asthana, filed charges of corruption against each other. Verma had fought Asthana's appointment as his deputy, saying he was being investigated for corruption. But after Asthana was foisted on the agency, he filed counter-charges against Verma. Asthana too was sent on leave a little after Verma. Verma fought his removal in the Supreme Court, which reinstated him with curtailed powers. (He was not allowed to make any major policy changes.) The court added that a final call on his staying or leaving would be made by a high-powered committee consisting of the prime minister, the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India or a stand-in for him. The committee (Justice AK Sikri stood in for CJI Gogoi) later voted to let go of Verma. The government then appointed Verma Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards — a less important portfolio. Verma declined, telling the government to consider him retired.

Former Madhya Pradesh police chief Rishi Kumar Shukla appointed new director of CBI

Calling the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/union-budget-2019-no-income-tax-for-annual-income-upto-rs-5-lakh-says-piyush-goyal-194324">interim Budget </a>presented by Centre on Friday as "yet another jumla", the Congress hit out at the BJP led government claiming that the Budget was an insult to the farmers.

The Congress post on its Twitter handle said, "After having failed to deliver on any of the promises to farmers, Modi govt insults them once again with yet another jumla !".

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After having failed to deliver on any of the promises to farmers, Modi govt insults them once again with yet another jumla!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Budget2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Budget2019</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AakhriJumlaBudget?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AakhriJumlaBudget</a> <a href="https://t.co/f6ocdzKByS">pic.twitter.com/f6ocdzKByS</a>
— Congress (@INCIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/1091267874138644480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Party President Rahul Gandhi also targetted the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/budget-will-take-india-on-path-to-development-pm-modi-194378">Modi government</a> over the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/big-takeaways-from-union-budget-2019-194331">Budget</a>.

" Dear NoMo, 5 years of your incompetence and arrogance has destroyed the lives of our farmers. Giving them Rs. 17 a day is an insult to everything they stand and work for, " Gandhi's tweet read.

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Dear NoMo, 
 
5 years of your incompetence and arrogance has destroyed the lives of our farmers. 
 
Giving them Rs. 17 a day is an insult to everything they stand and work for. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AakhriJumlaBudget?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AakhriJumlaBudget</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1091267096938467328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Former Union minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram termed the Budget as "an account for votes" adding that the 2019&nbsp;Budget was accompanied by an election campaign speech.

"The Interim Finance Minister tested our patience by the longest interim Budget speech in the recent memory. It was not an interim Budget, it was a full-fledged Budget accompanied by an election campaign speech.... My one line comment on the Budget is that it is not a vote on account but an account for votes."

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P Chidambaram, Congress on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Budget2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Budget2019</a>: The Interim Finance Minister tested our patience by the longest interim budget speech in the recent memory. It was not an interim budget, it was a full fledged budget accompanied by an election campaign speech. <a href="https://t.co/AlY8uxmQpD">https://t.co/AlY8uxmQpD</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1091263193190522881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Congress leader Shashi Tharoor questioned the credibility of the&nbsp;income support assured to the farmers under the Budget. He however praised the government's move of providing tax exemption to the middle class.

Tharoor said, " The whole exercise has turned out to be a damp squib. We have seen one good thing that is tax exemption for the middle class. Rs 6000 in income support for farmers boils down to Rs 500 per month. Is that supposed to enable them to live with the honour and dignity?"

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S Tharoor, Congress: The whole exercise has turned out to be a damp squib. We've seen one good thing that is tax exemption for the middle class. Rs 6000 in income support for farmers boils down to Rs 500 per month. Is that supposed to enable them to live with the honour&amp;dignity? <a href="https://t.co/kZDRhkKSWi">pic.twitter.com/kZDRhkKSWi</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1091250025655463938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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TMC chief Mamata Banerjee said, "This government has no moral authority or responsibility to place the budget for five years when they'll not be in power; the government will go for expiry. After expiry, if you give medicine, is there any value? What will be the value? This is absolutely valueless".

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WB CM Mamata Banerjee: This govt has no moral authority or responsibility to place the budget for 5 years when they'll not be in power; the govt will go for expiry. After expiry, if you give medicine, is there any value? What will be the value? This is absolutely valueless. <a href="https://t.co/rK4CBge5Sw">pic.twitter.com/rK4CBge5Sw</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1091283305909997570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the promises made by the BJP in this Budget are mere poll sops and "jumlas", which will not be fulfilled as the BJP has a mandate to rule only till May this year.

Further calling it as BJP's election manifesto, he charged the party of bribing to voters.

"This is all being done for elections. I directly charge them of paying bribe to voters.There is politics in everything they do and there is nothing for the poor in this budget...This budget is only an election manifesto that the BJP read in Parliament and it is only for getting votes," Kharge said.

"They are distributing money in elections to please farmers, but the reality is that in the first three months they would give only Rs 2,000 in first instalment," he said.

On the announcement of Income Tax exemption up to Rs 5 lakh to tax-payers, he alleged the BJP parliamentarians are creating a 'tamasha' in Parliament.

"You have a mandate up to May and instead they have presented a full year's Budget and are trying to befool the people of the country, keeping elections in mind.

"Who will fulfil these promises made. If they do not come to power, who will fulfil these promises. The next government will come and only it can deliver".

Karnataka chief minister Kumaraswamy said, "I want to ask if this Budget was prepared by officials of Finance department or RSS? In this Budget, Narendra Modi has given cotton candy for farmers. When I announced loan waiver scheme, PM mocked it as lollipop. Friends of BJP have prepared this budget".

(With inputs from agencies)

Calling the interim Budget presented by Centre on Friday as "yet another jumla", the Congress hit out at the BJP led government claiming that the Budget was an insult to the farmers.

Calling the interim Budget presented by Centre on Friday as "yet another jumla", the Congress hit out at the BJP led government claiming that the Budget was an insult to the farmers. The Congress post on its Twitter handle said, "After having failed to deliver on any of the promises to farmers, Modi govt insults them once again with yet another jumla !". After having failed to deliver on any of the promises to farmers, Modi govt insults them once again with yet another jumla!#Budget2019 #AakhriJumlaBudget pic.twitter.com/f6ocdzKByS — Congress (@INCIndia) February 1, 2019 × Party President Rahul Gandhi also targetted the Modi government over the Budget. " Dear NoMo, 5 years of your incompetence and arrogance has destroyed the lives of our farmers. Giving them Rs. 17 a day is an insult to everything they stand and work for, " Gandhi's tweet read. Dear NoMo, 5 years of your incompetence and arrogance has destroyed the lives of our farmers. Giving them Rs. 17 a day is an insult to everything they stand and work for. #AakhriJumlaBudget — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 1, 2019 × Former Union minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram termed the Budget as "an account for votes" adding that the 2019 Budget was accompanied by an election campaign speech. "The Interim Finance Minister tested our patience by the longest interim Budget speech in the recent memory. It was not an interim Budget, it was a full-fledged Budget accompanied by an election campaign speech.... My one line comment on the Budget is that it is not a vote on account but an account for votes." P Chidambaram, Congress on #Budget2019: The Interim Finance Minister tested our patience by the longest interim budget speech in the recent memory. It was not an interim budget, it was a full fledged budget accompanied by an election campaign speech. https://t.co/AlY8uxmQpD — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2019 × Congress leader Shashi Tharoor questioned the credibility of the income support assured to the farmers under the Budget. He however praised the government's move of providing tax exemption to the middle class. Tharoor said, " The whole exercise has turned out to be a damp squib. We have seen one good thing that is tax exemption for the middle class. Rs 6000 in income support for farmers boils down to Rs 500 per month. Is that supposed to enable them to live with the honour and dignity?" S Tharoor, Congress: The whole exercise has turned out to be a damp squib. We've seen one good thing that is tax exemption for the middle class. Rs 6000 in income support for farmers boils down to Rs 500 per month. Is that supposed to enable them to live with the honour&dignity? pic.twitter.com/kZDRhkKSWi — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2019 × TMC chief Mamata Banerjee said, "This government has no moral authority or responsibility to place the budget for five years when they'll not be in power; the government will go for expiry. After expiry, if you give medicine, is there any value? What will be the value? This is absolutely valueless". WB CM Mamata Banerjee: This govt has no moral authority or responsibility to place the budget for 5 years when they'll not be in power; the govt will go for expiry. After expiry, if you give medicine, is there any value? What will be the value? This is absolutely valueless. pic.twitter.com/rK4CBge5Sw — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2019 × Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the promises made by the BJP in this Budget are mere poll sops and "jumlas", which will not be fulfilled as the BJP has a mandate to rule only till May this year. Further calling it as BJP's election manifesto, he charged the party of bribing to voters. "This is all being done for elections. I directly charge them of paying bribe to voters.There is politics in everything they do and there is nothing for the poor in this budget...This budget is only an election manifesto that the BJP read in Parliament and it is only for getting votes," Kharge said. "They are distributing money in elections to please farmers, but the reality is that in the first three months they would give only Rs 2,000 in first instalment," he said. On the announcement of Income Tax exemption up to Rs 5 lakh to tax-payers, he alleged the BJP parliamentarians are creating a 'tamasha' in Parliament. "You have a mandate up to May and instead they have presented a full year's Budget and are trying to befool the people of the country, keeping elections in mind. "Who will fulfil these promises made. If they do not come to power, who will fulfil these promises. The next government will come and only it can deliver". Karnataka chief minister Kumaraswamy said, "I want to ask if this Budget was prepared by officials of Finance department or RSS? In this Budget, Narendra Modi has given cotton candy for farmers. When I announced loan waiver scheme, PM mocked it as lollipop. Friends of BJP have prepared this budget". (With inputs from agencies)

It was not an interim Budget but a full fledged Budget: Chidambaram

The next meeting of the selection committee, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to pick the new CBI director will take place on Friday, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also member of the panel, said Wednesday.&nbsp;

The last meeting of the panel took place on January 24 but it remained "inconclusive".&nbsp;

"The next meeting of the panel on selection of the CBI chief will take place on February 1 at around 6 PM," Kharge told reporters.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads the three-member panel with Kharge and Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi as its members.&nbsp;

In the last meeting, Kharge had sought details of dossiers of all the eligible officers for the post.&nbsp;

The next meeting of the selection committee, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to pick the new CBI director will take place on Friday, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also member of the panel, said Wednesday.

The next meeting of the selection committee, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to pick the new CBI director will take place on Friday, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also member of the panel, said Wednesday. The last meeting of the panel took place on January 24 but it remained "inconclusive". "The next meeting of the panel on selection of the CBI chief will take place on February 1 at around 6 PM," Kharge told reporters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads the three-member panel with Kharge and Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi as its members. In the last meeting, Kharge had sought details of dossiers of all the eligible officers for the post.

Next meeting of PM-led panel to pick new CBI chief on Friday: Mallikarjun Kharge

The selection panel led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet on January 24 to decide on the new Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director, reported news agency ANI.

The selection panel comprises leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Chief Justice of India (CJI) besides Modi.

This comes a day after Kharge wrote to Modi asking him to bring in the public domain key documents related to sacked CBI chief Alok Verma, including the Central Vigilance Commission report and the details of the Selection Committee meeting on January 10 that led to the controversial ouster.

Former CBI director Alok Verma was divested of duties shortly after midnight on October 23 following a feud with his deputy Rakesh Asthana. Verma had contested his removal in the Supreme Court, saying due procedure was not followed in taking the action, which should have been done by the selection committee. The court reinstated him and asked the selection panel to take a call.

PM Modi-led three-member panel removed Alok Verma as director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, barely 48 hours after he was reinstated by the Supreme Court, on charges of corruption and doubtful integrity as per the findings of the Central Vigilance Commission.&nbsp;

Nageswara Rao was appointed as interim CBI chief.&nbsp;

The selection panel led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet on January 24 to decide on the new Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director, reported news agency ANI.

The selection panel led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet on January 24 to decide on the new Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director, reported news agency ANI. The selection panel comprises leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Chief Justice of India (CJI) besides Modi. This comes a day after Kharge wrote to Modi asking him to bring in the public domain key documents related to sacked CBI chief Alok Verma, including the Central Vigilance Commission report and the details of the Selection Committee meeting on January 10 that led to the controversial ouster. Former CBI director Alok Verma was divested of duties shortly after midnight on October 23 following a feud with his deputy Rakesh Asthana. Verma had contested his removal in the Supreme Court, saying due procedure was not followed in taking the action, which should have been done by the selection committee. The court reinstated him and asked the selection panel to take a call. PM Modi-led three-member panel removed Alok Verma as director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, barely 48 hours after he was reinstated by the Supreme Court, on charges of corruption and doubtful integrity as per the findings of the Central Vigilance Commission. Nageswara Rao was appointed as interim CBI chief.

Modi-led selection panel to meet on January 24 to decide on new CBI director

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday slammed the Central government stating that it has "already found a way to save people like Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi."

Kharge accused the government of not doing anything with the information they had on the offenders a year back, adding that the accused have now managed to flee the country.&nbsp;

"Govt had already found a way to save people like Nirav Modi&amp;Mehul Choksi. When they had information 1 year ago, they didn’t send any agency for probe&amp;allowed them to escape. With govt &amp; Modi ji’s blessings, they took money from banks&amp;ran away," he stated.&nbsp;

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Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress: Govt had already found a way to save people like Nirav Modi&amp;Mehul Choksi. When they had information 1 year ago, they didn’t send any agency for probe&amp;allowed them to escape. With govt &amp; Modi ji’s blessings, they took money from banks&amp;ran away. <a href="https://t.co/lqUHj11Mo5">pic.twitter.com/lqUHj11Mo5</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1069497511390339072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Last month, the Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka criticised the Prime Minister noting that the PM wants to do to India <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-wants-to-do-to-india-what-hitler-did-to-germany-congress-mallikarjun-kharge-175465">what dictator Adolf Hitler did to Germany</a>.&nbsp;

"The BJP is trying to bring dictatorship in the country. PM Modi wants to do to India what Adolf Hitler did to Germany. The Constitution is in danger and we need to fight the BJP's attempts to destroy it," he claimed.

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday slammed the Central government stating that it has "already found a way to save people like Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday slammed the Central government stating that it has "already found a way to save people like Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi." Kharge accused the government of not doing anything with the information they had on the offenders a year back, adding that the accused have now managed to flee the country. "Govt had already found a way to save people like Nirav Modi&Mehul Choksi. When they had information 1 year ago, they didn’t send any agency for probe&allowed them to escape. With govt & Modi ji’s blessings, they took money from banks&ran away," he stated. Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress: Govt had already found a way to save people like Nirav Modi&Mehul Choksi. When they had information 1 year ago, they didn’t send any agency for probe&allowed them to escape. With govt & Modi ji’s blessings, they took money from banks&ran away. pic.twitter.com/lqUHj11Mo5 — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2018 × Last month, the Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka criticised the Prime Minister noting that the PM wants to do to India what dictator Adolf Hitler did to Germany. "The BJP is trying to bring dictatorship in the country. PM Modi wants to do to India what Adolf Hitler did to Germany. The Constitution is in danger and we need to fight the BJP's attempts to destroy it," he claimed.

Government has found way to save people like Nirav Modi, Choksi: Mallikarjun Kharge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to do to India what dictator Adolf Hitler did to Germany, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge Sunday said.

The Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka was speaking at a "Samvidhaan Bachao Parishad" organised in Bandra here by the Mumbai Congress.

He said the country was deteriorating under BJP rule but added that the Congress would never let the RSS, BJP and PM Modi succeed in destroying the Constitution the way other institutions were being destroyed.

"The Constitution does not belong to the people of a particular caste, religion or community but belongs to every Indian equally. Which right to freedom has been respected in parliamentary democracy by the BJP government?" he questioned.

"The BJP hasn't been able to walk 4 steps in the right direction in the past 4 years. They don't have any right to point a finger at the Congress and ask us what has been done in the past 70 years," Kharge, Congress general secretary in charge of Maharashtra said.

Kharge claimed that since the BJP came to power, it had destroyed freedom of speech and expression was constantly curbing the press.

"The BJP is trying to bring dictatorship in the country. PM Modi wants to do to India what Adolf Hitler did to Germany. The Constitution is in danger and we need to fight the BJP's attempts to destroy it," he claimed.

Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam, speaking at the function, said there had been repeated attacks on the principles which formed the foundation of the country.

"Constitution of India is the soul of the country which is being killed today. Since the past 4 years, the BJP has launched a new rule according to its own will which is not in sync with the law and order of the country," he said.

Nirupam said the Congress will ensure that the message of the Samvidhaan Bachao Parishad reaches masses effectively.

Congress MP Hussain Dalwai said the country will be safe only if its Constitution is protected, and urged people to fight and protect it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to do to India what dictator Adolf Hitler did to Germany, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge Sunday said. The Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka was speaking at a "Samvidhaan Bachao Parishad" organised in Bandra here by the Mumbai Congress.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to do to India what dictator Adolf Hitler did to Germany, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge Sunday said. The Lok Sabha MP from Karnataka was speaking at a "Samvidhaan Bachao Parishad" organised in Bandra here by the Mumbai Congress. He said the country was deteriorating under BJP rule but added that the Congress would never let the RSS, BJP and PM Modi succeed in destroying the Constitution the way other institutions were being destroyed. "The Constitution does not belong to the people of a particular caste, religion or community but belongs to every Indian equally. Which right to freedom has been respected in parliamentary democracy by the BJP government?" he questioned. "The BJP hasn't been able to walk 4 steps in the right direction in the past 4 years. They don't have any right to point a finger at the Congress and ask us what has been done in the past 70 years," Kharge, Congress general secretary in charge of Maharashtra said. Kharge claimed that since the BJP came to power, it had destroyed freedom of speech and expression was constantly curbing the press. "The BJP is trying to bring dictatorship in the country. PM Modi wants to do to India what Adolf Hitler did to Germany. The Constitution is in danger and we need to fight the BJP's attempts to destroy it," he claimed. Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam, speaking at the function, said there had been repeated attacks on the principles which formed the foundation of the country. "Constitution of India is the soul of the country which is being killed today. Since the past 4 years, the BJP has launched a new rule according to its own will which is not in sync with the law and order of the country," he said. Nirupam said the Congress will ensure that the message of the Samvidhaan Bachao Parishad reaches masses effectively. Congress MP Hussain Dalwai said the country will be safe only if its Constitution is protected, and urged people to fight and protect it.

PM Modi wants to do to India what Hitler did to Germany: Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday told the Supreme Court that divesting CBI director Alok Verma of his statutory powers and functions is "completely illegal and arbitrary".

In an interlocutory application filed in the pending petition, Kharge, who is also a member of the three-member selection committee which appoints the CBI director, said, "As a concerned stakeholder he brings to the attention of the court the brazen and illegal actions" of the political executive in interfering with the independent functioning of the CBI director.

The selection committee comprises the prime minister, the Chief Justice of India, and the leader of the opposition party / the single largest opposition party.

"The entire action of the central vigilance commission (CVC) vide its order October 23 and the DOPT vide order October 23 seeking to divest CBI director Alok Verma of his statutory powers and functions is completely illegal, arbitrary, punitive and without jurisdiction...," Kharge said.

Kharge, who is the leader of single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha, said the provisions of Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (DSPE Act) clearly say that the tenure and terms of CBI director is protected and even the transfer cannot be effected without the consent of the committee.

He said the orders of the CVC and the DOPT divesting Verma of his powers, functions and duties is a "direct and concerted attempt" to impede the independent functioning of the CBI director.

Kharge, who claimed to have written a letter on October 25 to place on record that no meeting of the selection committee was convened to deliberate the issue, said, "It was also pointed out that the de facto transfer/divesting of the authority of the CBI director is illegal and mala fide."

In his petition settled by senior advocate Kapil Sibal and filed through advocate Devadatt Kamat, Kharge said CVC's order of October 23 is "completely without jurisdiction" as neither the DSPE Act nor the CVC Act, 2003 confers and empowers to divest the CBI director of his powers and duties.

Similarly, the central government cannot exercise any power under the DSPE Act which is in the derogation of the powers of the selection committee, Kharge said.

"It is submitted that the political executive vide order dated October 23 has completely negated the role of the statutory committee constituted under Section 4A of the DSPE Act which is entrusted with protecting the integrity of terms and tenure of the CBI director," Kharge said.

The veteran Congress leader said that he was neither consulted despite being a member of the selection committee nor was he part of any meeting or privy to any decision to divest Verma of his powers as the CBI director.

He sought quashing of CVC's and DOPT's October 23 orders.

Observing that the crisis in the CBI sparked by the internal feud should not linger on in the national interest, the Supreme Court had on October 26 set a two-week deadline for the CVC to complete its ongoing inquiry against CBI chief Verma and said a retired apex court judge will monitor the probe.

Both Verma and the CBI's number two Rakesh Asthana, a Special Director, were divested of their duties and sent on leave by the Centre on the intervening night of October 23 and October 24 in the wake of their bitter feud that triggered an unprecedented crisis in the 55-year history of the country's premier probe agency.

The court also made it clear that M Nageswara Rao, who is a Joint Director of the CBI, would only perform the routine tasks that are essential to keep the

CBI functional. Rao was given interim charge of looking after the duties of the CBI director after the top-level shake-up.

It said that all decisions taken by Rao be placed before it in a sealed cover on November 12, the next date of hearing.&nbsp;

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday told the Supreme Court that divesting CBI director Alok Verma of his statutory powers and functions is "completely illegal and arbitrary".

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday told the Supreme Court that divesting CBI director Alok Verma of his statutory powers and functions is "completely illegal and arbitrary". In an interlocutory application filed in the pending petition, Kharge, who is also a member of the three-member selection committee which appoints the CBI director, said, "As a concerned stakeholder he brings to the attention of the court the brazen and illegal actions" of the political executive in interfering with the independent functioning of the CBI director. The selection committee comprises the prime minister, the Chief Justice of India, and the leader of the opposition party / the single largest opposition party. "The entire action of the central vigilance commission (CVC) vide its order October 23 and the DOPT vide order October 23 seeking to divest CBI director Alok Verma of his statutory powers and functions is completely illegal, arbitrary, punitive and without jurisdiction...," Kharge said. Kharge, who is the leader of single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha, said the provisions of Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (DSPE Act) clearly say that the tenure and terms of CBI director is protected and even the transfer cannot be effected without the consent of the committee. He said the orders of the CVC and the DOPT divesting Verma of his powers, functions and duties is a "direct and concerted attempt" to impede the independent functioning of the CBI director. Kharge, who claimed to have written a letter on October 25 to place on record that no meeting of the selection committee was convened to deliberate the issue, said, "It was also pointed out that the de facto transfer/divesting of the authority of the CBI director is illegal and mala fide." In his petition settled by senior advocate Kapil Sibal and filed through advocate Devadatt Kamat, Kharge said CVC's order of October 23 is "completely without jurisdiction" as neither the DSPE Act nor the CVC Act, 2003 confers and empowers to divest the CBI director of his powers and duties. Similarly, the central government cannot exercise any power under the DSPE Act which is in the derogation of the powers of the selection committee, Kharge said. "It is submitted that the political executive vide order dated October 23 has completely negated the role of the statutory committee constituted under Section 4A of the DSPE Act which is entrusted with protecting the integrity of terms and tenure of the CBI director," Kharge said. The veteran Congress leader said that he was neither consulted despite being a member of the selection committee nor was he part of any meeting or privy to any decision to divest Verma of his powers as the CBI director. He sought quashing of CVC's and DOPT's October 23 orders. Observing that the crisis in the CBI sparked by the internal feud should not linger on in the national interest, the Supreme Court had on October 26 set a two-week deadline for the CVC to complete its ongoing inquiry against CBI chief Verma and said a retired apex court judge will monitor the probe. Both Verma and the CBI's number two Rakesh Asthana, a Special Director, were divested of their duties and sent on leave by the Centre on the intervening night of October 23 and October 24 in the wake of their bitter feud that triggered an unprecedented crisis in the 55-year history of the country's premier probe agency. The court also made it clear that M Nageswara Rao, who is a Joint Director of the CBI, would only perform the routine tasks that are essential to keep the CBI functional. Rao was given interim charge of looking after the duties of the CBI director after the top-level shake-up. It said that all decisions taken by Rao be placed before it in a sealed cover on November 12, the next date of hearing.

Divesting CBI director of powers 'illegal', 'arbitrary', Mallikarjun Kharge tells Supreme Court

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday moved Supreme Court over Centre's decision to send CBI director Alok Verma on leave, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

Kharge contended that the Centre's action of sending CBI director on leave illegal, the report added.

He said that&nbsp;It's a clear-cut PMO's direct involvement in autonomous body and added&nbsp;he had filed a petition before SC requesting them to quash the order of Centre as it's illegal.&nbsp;

The Centre should've called a meeting of all 3-PM, CJI and me, he said and added without a meeting, without committee's consent, they overnight asked him to go on leave indefinitely, he said.&nbsp;

The Congress leader also said that CVC does not have the power to act against CBI director, who is appointed by a committee of PM, CJI and leader of the Opposition party.&nbsp;

CBI director Alok Verma, who has been involved in a bitter feud with the agency's No. 2 officer Rakesh Asthana, was sent on leave on October 23 
and M Nageshwar Rao, a joint director within the CBI, was given the charge as the interim CBI director.

Verma has also challenged the Centre's decision in the Supreme Court.&nbsp;

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday moved Supreme Court over Centre's decision to send CBI director Alok Verma on leave, news agency PTI reported. Kharge contended that the Centre's action of sending CBI director on leave illegal, the report added.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday moved Supreme Court over Centre's decision to send CBI director Alok Verma on leave, news agency PTI reported. Kharge contended that the Centre's action of sending CBI director on leave illegal, the report added. He said that It's a clear-cut PMO's direct involvement in autonomous body and added he had filed a petition before SC requesting them to quash the order of Centre as it's illegal. The Centre should've called a meeting of all 3-PM, CJI and me, he said and added without a meeting, without committee's consent, they overnight asked him to go on leave indefinitely, he said. The Congress leader also said that CVC does not have the power to act against CBI director, who is appointed by a committee of PM, CJI and leader of the Opposition party. CBI director Alok Verma, who has been involved in a bitter feud with the agency's No. 2 officer Rakesh Asthana, was sent on leave on October 23 and M Nageshwar Rao, a joint director within the CBI, was given the charge as the interim CBI director. Verma has also challenged the Centre's decision in the Supreme Court.

Mallikarjun Kharge moves SC over Centre's decision to send CBI director on leave

Congress MP (Member of Parliament) Mallikarjun Kharge said today that "keeping everything in mind" in the Karnataka elections, there should be a "give and take equation" with the JD(S) while forming the cabinet.

The Congress leader made the statement when asked about the formation of the cabinet in Karnataka.

He also said the Congress high command would decide on cabinet formation.

High command will take decision. We, being a national party, supported JD(S) - a regional party, to uphold Constitutional principles and democracy. Keeping everything in mind, there ought to be a 'give & take' equation," Mallikarjun Kharge said.

The Congress MP had earlier predicted that his party would win the floor test.

"The BJP does not have the numbers we will win the floor test. The BJP is just trying to prove their majority and they will fail to do so," he had said ahead of the floor test.

In the May 12 polls, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members, while Congress secured 78, the JD(S) 37 and others three.

The BJP, which had insisted it should stake claim to form the government by virtue of being the single largest party, was invited by the Karnataka governor to form the government. The governor gave the party two weeks time for the trust vote, a decision which was revoked by the Supreme Court which ordered a floor test on May 19. The BS Yeddyurappa-led government was briefly sworn in before Yeddyurappa's resignation minutes ahead of the floor test. The Congress, which had struck a post-poll alliance with the JD(S) and two independents, will now form the government in the state with a total of 117 seats.&nbsp;

The Congress MP said that 'keeping everything in mind' in the Karnataka elections, there should be a 'give and take equation' with the JD(S) while forming the cabinet

Congress MP (Member of Parliament) Mallikarjun Kharge said today that "keeping everything in mind" in the Karnataka elections, there should be a "give and take equation" with the JD(S) while forming the cabinet. The Congress leader made the statement when asked about the formation of the cabinet in Karnataka. He also said the Congress high command would decide on cabinet formation. High command will take decision. We, being a national party, supported JD(S) - a regional party, to uphold Constitutional principles and democracy. Keeping everything in mind, there ought to be a 'give & take' equation," Mallikarjun Kharge said. The Congress MP had earlier predicted that his party would win the floor test. "The BJP does not have the numbers we will win the floor test. The BJP is just trying to prove their majority and they will fail to do so," he had said ahead of the floor test. In the May 12 polls, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members, while Congress secured 78, the JD(S) 37 and others three. The BJP, which had insisted it should stake claim to form the government by virtue of being the single largest party, was invited by the Karnataka governor to form the government. The governor gave the party two weeks time for the trust vote, a decision which was revoked by the Supreme Court which ordered a floor test on May 19. The BS Yeddyurappa-led government was briefly sworn in before Yeddyurappa's resignation minutes ahead of the floor test. The Congress, which had struck a post-poll alliance with the JD(S) and two independents, will now form the government in the state with a total of 117 seats.

Ought to be 'give and take equation' with JD(S) in Karnataka: Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said that the Congress will come back to power in Karnataka and added that BJP&nbspwill not win more than 60-70 seats maximum, forget getting 150.

Kharge further said that BJP is just dreaming of forming the Government.

"We are confident. BJP will not win more than 60-70 seats maximum, forget getting 150. They (BJP) are just dreaming of forming the Government," news agency ANI reported quoting Kharge.

Earlier in the day, BJP Karnataka chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa claimed that the party will get more than 150 seats and they will form the government in the state.

Yeddyurappa urged the people of Karnataka to vote for BJP and assured them of good governance in the state.

The BJP Chief Ministerial candidate cast&nbsphis vote in Shikarpur, Shimoga.

The polling, which began at 7 am in 58,546 polling stations, each equipped with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), will conclude at 6 pm.

The election in two constituencies, Jayanagar and R.R. Nagar, has been postponed.

In Jayanagar, the polling has been deferred due to the death of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, B N Vijay Kumar, while in R.R. Nagar, it has been postponed due to fake voter-ID row.

A total of 2,654 candidates are in the fray and 4.96-crore electorate, including 2.44 crore women, will cast their votes. Over 15 lakh people are first-time voters in the 18-19 age group.

Tight security is in place to ensure smooth and peaceful polling across the 222 seats out of 224 assembly constituencies, spread across 30 districts.&nbsp

Kharge further said that BJP is just dreaming of forming the Government.

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said that the Congress will come back to power in Karnataka and added that BJP&nbspwill not win more than 60-70 seats maximum, forget getting 150. Kharge further said that BJP is just dreaming of forming the Government. "We are confident. BJP will not win more than 60-70 seats maximum, forget getting 150. They (BJP) are just dreaming of forming the Government," news agency ANI reported quoting Kharge. Earlier in the day, BJP Karnataka chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa claimed that the party will get more than 150 seats and they will form the government in the state. Yeddyurappa urged the people of Karnataka to vote for BJP and assured them of good governance in the state. The BJP Chief Ministerial candidate cast&nbsphis vote in Shikarpur, Shimoga. The polling, which began at 7 am in 58,546 polling stations, each equipped with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), will conclude at 6 pm. The election in two constituencies, Jayanagar and R.R. Nagar, has been postponed. In Jayanagar, the polling has been deferred due to the death of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, B N Vijay Kumar, while in R.R. Nagar, it has been postponed due to fake voter-ID row. A total of 2,654 candidates are in the fray and 4.96-crore electorate, including 2.44 crore women, will cast their votes. Over 15 lakh people are first-time voters in the 18-19 age group. Tight security is in place to ensure smooth and peaceful polling across the 222 seats out of 224 assembly constituencies, spread across 30 districts.

Karnataka polls: BJP will not win more than 60-70 seats, says Mallikarjun Kharge

Senior Congress Party leader Mallikarjun Kharge said on Tuesday that the party high command would decide on its chief ministerial candidate for Karnataka.&nbsp

Kharge added that he was "hopeful" the party high command would choose Siddaramaiah as its candidate.&nbsp

Siddaramaiah is the current chief minister of Karnataka.&nbsp

The state goes to the polls on May 12, and all eyes are on it. The elections are being thought of as a harbinger of what might happen in the 2019 general elections.&nbsp

"Ahead of the elections in Karnataka, all preparations are being done under the supervision of Siddaramaiah itself. He is the current chief minister, and therefore, there is no question of another candidate being chosen. He is serving his duties well, and I am hopeful that he will be elected at the chief ministerial candidate by the high command, including party president Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi," ANI quoted Kharge as saying.&nbsp

The speculation that Siddaramaiah might not be the automatic choice for chief minister was set off by Kharge himself.&nbsp

PTI had reported Kharge as saying the Congress high command would choose a new chief minister in consultation with the newly elected MLAs, if the party is voted back to power for a second term.

Kharge later appeared to backtrack, saying such rumours were being deliberately constructed to create a rift in the party.&nbsp

"I have heard from media outlets that some people highlighting certain reservations I have about Siddaramaiah being the chief ministerial candidate. However, such reports are not to be believed. There is a group of people trying to create a rift in the party, but this is not in good taste," ANI quoted him as saying.&nbsp

(With inputs from agencies)

Siddaramaiah is the current chief minister of Karnataka. The state goes to the polls on May 12, and all eyes are on it.

Senior Congress Party leader Mallikarjun Kharge said on Tuesday that the party high command would decide on its chief ministerial candidate for Karnataka. Kharge added that he was "hopeful" the party high command would choose Siddaramaiah as its candidate. Siddaramaiah is the current chief minister of Karnataka. The state goes to the polls on May 12, and all eyes are on it. The elections are being thought of as a harbinger of what might happen in the 2019 general elections. "Ahead of the elections in Karnataka, all preparations are being done under the supervision of Siddaramaiah itself. He is the current chief minister, and therefore, there is no question of another candidate being chosen. He is serving his duties well, and I am hopeful that he will be elected at the chief ministerial candidate by the high command, including party president Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi," ANI quoted Kharge as saying. The speculation that Siddaramaiah might not be the automatic choice for chief minister was set off by Kharge himself. PTI had reported Kharge as saying the Congress high command would choose a new chief minister in consultation with the newly elected MLAs, if the party is voted back to power for a second term. Kharge later appeared to backtrack, saying such rumours were being deliberately constructed to create a rift in the party. "I have heard from media outlets that some people highlighting certain reservations I have about Siddaramaiah being the chief ministerial candidate. However, such reports are not to be believed. There is a group of people trying to create a rift in the party, but this is not in good taste," ANI quoted him as saying. (With inputs from agencies)

Siddaramaiah for Karnataka CM? Cong's Kharge says high command will decide

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday declined an&nbsp;invitation to participate in the meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the selection committee of the Lokpal.&nbsp;

Kharge in his letter to the Prime Minister stated that there was no point attending the meeting as &#39;&#39;special invitee&#39;&#39; as it does not have the power to vote, record dissent and participate, he said in the letter.&nbsp;

The government could have chosen to address him as Leader of Opposition of the single largest party, he said and added that to this effect, an amendment was made, and select committee too had put its seal on the change but the ruling dispensation neither introduced the bill nor showed any inclination to pass it.

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INC COMMUNIQUE 
 
Letter by LS LoP <a href="https://twitter.com/MallikarjunINC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MallikarjunINC</a> to the Prime Minister declining invitation to the &#39;Selection Committee&#39; of the Lokpal as a &#39;Special Invitee&#39;. <a href="https://t.co/zQgf0WL8HC">pic.twitter.com/zQgf0WL8HC</a>
&mdash; INC Sandesh (@INCSandesh) <a href="https://twitter.com/INCSandesh/status/969076611516547072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp; 
Centre had been under pressure to speed up the work on the appointment of Lokpal post Supreme Court&rsquo;s observations. The Lokpal bill was passed in December 2013 and brought into effect on 2014 January but incumbent government has not been able to appoint Lokpal for past 4 years. The matter has been complicated because of the strained relationship between Congress and BJP and also former&rsquo;s much-reduced size in Lok Sabha which led to the denial of the status of leader of Opposition, he said in the letter.

Kharge says that the government could have chosen to address him as the leader of opposition of the single largest party.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday declined an invitation to participate in the meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the selection committee of the Lokpal. Kharge in his letter to the Prime Minister stated that there was no point attending the meeting as ''special invitee'' as it does not have the power to vote, record dissent and participate, he said in the letter. The government could have chosen to address him as Leader of Opposition of the single largest party, he said and added that to this effect, an amendment was made, and select committee too had put its seal on the change but the ruling dispensation neither introduced the bill nor showed any inclination to pass it. INC COMMUNIQUE Letter by LS LoP @MallikarjunINC to the Prime Minister declining invitation to the 'Selection Committee' of the Lokpal as a 'Special Invitee'. pic.twitter.com/zQgf0WL8HC — INC Sandesh (@INCSandesh) March 1, 2018 × Centre had been under pressure to speed up the work on the appointment of Lokpal post Supreme Court’s observations. The Lokpal bill was passed in December 2013 and brought into effect on 2014 January but incumbent government has not been able to appoint Lokpal for past 4 years. The matter has been complicated because of the strained relationship between Congress and BJP and also former’s much-reduced size in Lok Sabha which led to the denial of the status of leader of Opposition, he said in the letter.

Mallikarjun Kharge declines PM's invite to attend Lokpal meet as 'special invitee'

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