Unlike Sonia Gandhi whose tenure saw the institutionalisation of the office of political secretary, Congress President Rahul Gandhi is unlikely to appoint any Congress leader as his political secretary.&nbsp;

Sources confirmed that Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s office has been modelled after the hub and spoke system whereby small organisational units contribute directly to the central hub unlike the earlier system which functioned through a couple of designated people.

Technically, the office of Rahul Gandhi would function in a very different way from Sonia Gandhi&rsquo;s office where functions were devolved to few people. In this case, it would be more centralised and decision-making would remain in his purview.

The hub and spoke model would not allow any one functionary to be the voice of Congress President and functionaries would meet Rahul Gandhi on equal footing.

In the new set up, strict instructions have been issued to people working in his office to not&nbsp;give interviews to the media.

As of now Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s office is being managed by low profile, K Raju who has earlier worked closely with former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh YSR Reddy. He subsequently worked under Sonia Gandhi as part of the National Advisory Council and subsequently as head of the SC/ST of the Congress. For now, he remains as the point person in Rahul Gandhi&rsquo;s office and other associates like Kanishka Singh, Alankar Sawai, Kaushal Vidyarthi continue to work closely with him. He fulfills the role of Chief of Staff as he has requisite experience in bureaucracy of running systems but also the understanding that low profile grants longevity in politics.&nbsp;

Sonia Gandhi after taking over the Congress had appointed Ambika Soni and Ahmad Patel as her political secretaries. Subsequent to a power struggle, Ambika Soni was shifted to organisation and later inducted as a minister in the the government. On the other hand, Ahmad Patel continued as political secretary to the former Congress president. As of now Ahmad Patel continues as the political secretary to the Congress president as organisational reshuffle is taking place in bits and pieces. One will have to wait and see which role will be made open for Ahmad Patel.

In the new set up, strict instructions have been issued to people working in his office to not give interviews to the media

Unlike Sonia Gandhi whose tenure saw the institutionalisation of the office of political secretary, Congress President Rahul Gandhi is unlikely to appoint any Congress leader as his political secretary. Sources confirmed that Rahul Gandhi’s office has been modelled after the hub and spoke system whereby small organisational units contribute directly to the central hub unlike the earlier system which functioned through a couple of designated people. Technically, the office of Rahul Gandhi would function in a very different way from Sonia Gandhi’s office where functions were devolved to few people. In this case, it would be more centralised and decision-making would remain in his purview. The hub and spoke model would not allow any one functionary to be the voice of Congress President and functionaries would meet Rahul Gandhi on equal footing. In the new set up, strict instructions have been issued to people working in his office to not give interviews to the media. As of now Rahul Gandhi’s office is being managed by low profile, K Raju who has earlier worked closely with former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh YSR Reddy. He subsequently worked under Sonia Gandhi as part of the National Advisory Council and subsequently as head of the SC/ST of the Congress. For now, he remains as the point person in Rahul Gandhi’s office and other associates like Kanishka Singh, Alankar Sawai, Kaushal Vidyarthi continue to work closely with him. He fulfills the role of Chief of Staff as he has requisite experience in bureaucracy of running systems but also the understanding that low profile grants longevity in politics. Sonia Gandhi after taking over the Congress had appointed Ambika Soni and Ahmad Patel as her political secretaries. Subsequent to a power struggle, Ambika Soni was shifted to organisation and later inducted as a minister in the the government. On the other hand, Ahmad Patel continued as political secretary to the former Congress president. As of now Ahmad Patel continues as the political secretary to the Congress president as organisational reshuffle is taking place in bits and pieces. One will have to wait and see which role will be made open for Ahmad Patel.

Rahul Gandhi unlikely to continue with position of political secretary in Congress

Facing the charge of practising &quot;soft Hindutva&quot;, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today defended his visits to temples and religious places, asserting that he would continue it.

&quot;I like going to temples, wherever I get a religious&nbsp;place I go there. I feel good and feel happy, and I will&nbsp;continue (to go),&quot; Gandhi told reporters here.

On a four-day election campaign in poll-bound Karnataka, Gandhi was responding to BJP state President B S Yeddyurappa&#39;s &quot;Election Hindu&quot; jibe at him.

&quot;I heartily welcome #ElectionHindu @OfficeOfRG to Ballari. The #Congress President will fulfill our dream of a&nbsp;#CongressMuktKarnataka,&quot; Yeddyurappa had said in a tweet, ahead of Gandhi&#39;s visit to the state from February 10.

Gandhi&#39;s temple run in his election itinerary which began in the run-up to the Gujarat assembly polls has invited the criticism from the BJP that it was an election exercise.

Other critics have called it &quot;soft Hindutva.&quot;

During his current tour to north Karnataka, Gandhi visited Goddess Huligamma temple, a famous shrine in the region, and Gavi Siddheshwara Mutt, a mutt of the majority Lingayat community.

He also visited a Dargah in Raichur today.

In his brief interaction with reporters, Gandhi asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yeddyurappa to inform people about the reasons why ministers during BJP rule in the state had to go to jail.

He said &quot;Modiji comes here and speaks about&nbsp;corruption. Yeddyurappa is someone who had gone to jail and&nbsp;come.&quot;

&quot;When Yeddyurappa and Modiji speak about corruption, they should inform people that during BJP rule four ministers had?gone to jail, Yeddyurappa himself had gone to jail and 11&nbsp;ministers had to resign. Let them explain it,&quot; he said.

Gandhi again questioned the prime minister about the Rafale fighter jet deal, reiterating his charge that the contract was taken away from HAL and given to Modi&#39;s &quot;friend&quot;.

&quot;Why did you take away the contract from HAL? Why did you ake away jobs from youth of Karnataka? Why did you do this to give it to your friend? What was the logic behind it?&quot; he asked.

Questioning whether the requisite permissions were? taken from the cabinet committee on security, Gandhi asked? what the aircraft&#39;s price was.

&quot;Earlier Defence minister said she will share the price details to the country. After three to four months she is saying the matter is a state secret. Was it not state secret earlier,&quot; he asked.

Attacking the Modi government for demonetisation and GST terming it as &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&quot;, the Congress leader said the measures have &quot;shut&quot; all businesses in the country.

He asked Modi to speak about how BJP president Amit Shah&#39;s son Jay Shah made Rs 80 crore out of Rs 50,000 in three months.

Amit Shah has rejected the charge of corruption.

His son has filed a criminal defamation suit against the news portal which claimed his business fortunes had zoomed after BJP came to power in 2014.&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi also visited a Dargah in Raichur today

Facing the charge of practising "soft Hindutva", Congress president Rahul Gandhi today defended his visits to temples and religious places, asserting that he would continue it. "I like going to temples, wherever I get a religious place I go there. I feel good and feel happy, and I will continue (to go)," Gandhi told reporters here. On a four-day election campaign in poll-bound Karnataka, Gandhi was responding to BJP state President B S Yeddyurappa's "Election Hindu" jibe at him. "I heartily welcome #ElectionHindu @OfficeOfRG to Ballari. The #Congress President will fulfill our dream of a #CongressMuktKarnataka," Yeddyurappa had said in a tweet, ahead of Gandhi's visit to the state from February 10. Gandhi's temple run in his election itinerary which began in the run-up to the Gujarat assembly polls has invited the criticism from the BJP that it was an election exercise. Other critics have called it "soft Hindutva." During his current tour to north Karnataka, Gandhi visited Goddess Huligamma temple, a famous shrine in the region, and Gavi Siddheshwara Mutt, a mutt of the majority Lingayat community. He also visited a Dargah in Raichur today. In his brief interaction with reporters, Gandhi asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yeddyurappa to inform people about the reasons why ministers during BJP rule in the state had to go to jail. He said "Modiji comes here and speaks about corruption. Yeddyurappa is someone who had gone to jail and come." "When Yeddyurappa and Modiji speak about corruption, they should inform people that during BJP rule four ministers had?gone to jail, Yeddyurappa himself had gone to jail and 11 ministers had to resign. Let them explain it," he said. Gandhi again questioned the prime minister about the Rafale fighter jet deal, reiterating his charge that the contract was taken away from HAL and given to Modi's "friend". "Why did you take away the contract from HAL? Why did you ake away jobs from youth of Karnataka? Why did you do this to give it to your friend? What was the logic behind it?" he asked. Questioning whether the requisite permissions were? taken from the cabinet committee on security, Gandhi asked? what the aircraft's price was. "Earlier Defence minister said she will share the price details to the country. After three to four months she is saying the matter is a state secret. Was it not state secret earlier," he asked. Attacking the Modi government for demonetisation and GST terming it as 'Gabbar Singh Tax", the Congress leader said the measures have "shut" all businesses in the country. He asked Modi to speak about how BJP president Amit Shah's son Jay Shah made Rs 80 crore out of Rs 50,000 in three months. Amit Shah has rejected the charge of corruption. His son has filed a criminal defamation suit against the news portal which claimed his business fortunes had zoomed after BJP came to power in 2014.

'I like going to temples,' Rahul says on charge of practising 'soft Hindutva'

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Pakistan warned India against cross-border strikes after Indian authorities blamed Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) for an attack on an Army camp in which soldiers and their families were targeted. Saturday&#39;s attack on the Sunjuwan camp in Jammu was the worst in months, with five soldiers and the father of one of the soldiers killed and women and children among the ten wounded.

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Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday called for a dialogue with Pakistan amid the increase in ceasefire violations by the country and a rise in terrorist activity in the state. Mehbooba Mufti said on Twitter that she would be &quot;labelled anti-national by news anchors&quot; for her views.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-gives-employment-to-50000-in-24-hours-india-gives-450-rahul-gandhi-32589">China gives employment to 50,000 in 24 hours, India to 450: Rahul Gandhi</a>

Campaigning for the upcoming polls in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi today targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a gathering at Raichur. &quot;When China is creating 50,000 jobs every 24 hours, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite launching &#39;Make in India&#39;, Start up India&#39; and &#39;Digital India&#39;, has only created 450 to 500 jobs in 24 hours,&quot; Rahul Gandhi said.

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Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya has lost another legal battle linked to his now- defunct Kingfisher Airlines after the UK High Court awarded Singapore-based BOC Aviation an estimated $90 million in claims. The latest case involving the 62-year-old businessman, whose extradition case over alleged loan defaults amounting to around Rs. 9,000 crore returns to Westminster Magistrates&rsquo; Court in London on March 16, is related to the leasing of aircraft by Kingfisher Airlines dating back to 2014.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-meet-priya-prakash-varrier-internets-latest-crush-32591">Meet Priya Prakash Varrier, the Internet&#39;s latest crush</a>

The weekend saw Internet obsessing over a clip from an upcoming Malayalam film Oru Adaar Lover which features debutant actress Priya Prakash Varrier.&nbsp; Part of a song from the film, the clip has Priya winking and raising her eyebrows at her co-star in the film. And the Internet cannot get enough of her.

Pakistan 'warns' India against cross-border strike after Jammu army camp attack Pakistan warned India against cross-border strikes after Indian authorities blamed Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) for an attack on an Army camp in which soldiers and their families were targeted. Saturday's attack on the Sunjuwan camp in Jammu was the worst in months, with five soldiers and the father of one of the soldiers killed and women and children among the ten wounded. No solution other than dialogue with Pakistan: Mehbooba Mufti Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday called for a dialogue with Pakistan amid the increase in ceasefire violations by the country and a rise in terrorist activity in the state. Mehbooba Mufti said on Twitter that she would be "labelled anti-national by news anchors" for her views. China gives employment to 50,000 in 24 hours, India to 450: Rahul Gandhi Campaigning for the upcoming polls in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi today targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a gathering at Raichur. "When China is creating 50,000 jobs every 24 hours, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite launching 'Make in India', Start up India' and 'Digital India', has only created 450 to 500 jobs in 24 hours," Rahul Gandhi said. Vijay Mallya loses court battle, to pay $90 million to Singapore's BOC aviation Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya has lost another legal battle linked to his now- defunct Kingfisher Airlines after the UK High Court awarded Singapore-based BOC Aviation an estimated $90 million in claims. The latest case involving the 62-year-old businessman, whose extradition case over alleged loan defaults amounting to around Rs. 9,000 crore returns to Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on March 16, is related to the leasing of aircraft by Kingfisher Airlines dating back to 2014. Meet Priya Prakash Varrier, the Internet's latest crush The weekend saw Internet obsessing over a clip from an upcoming Malayalam film Oru Adaar Lover which features debutant actress Priya Prakash Varrier. Part of a song from the film, the clip has Priya winking and raising her eyebrows at her co-star in the film. And the Internet cannot get enough of her.

WION Evening News Brief, February 12, 2018

Congress President Rahul Gandhi hit the temple trail for the second day of his election campaign in Karnataka today.

He stopped in the heart of Kanakagiri in Koppal district and visited Kanakachala Laxmi-Narasimha temple to pay obeisance to the dieties.

The temple, built by a local chieftain, has a history of 500 years of existence.

After spending 15 minutes there, Gandhi boarded the bus and hit the campaign trail again.

As the bus passed by several villages, he waved at the waiting people.

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Black flags were shown at bus in which Congress President Rahul Gandhi was campaigning in Karnataka&#39;s Sindhanur earlier today. <a href="https://t.co/OAYjHCk3RJ">pic.twitter.com/OAYjHCk3RJ</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/962692433002815488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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After launching the party&#39;s campaign at Ballari yesterday, Gandhi had visited Goddess Huligamma temple in Koppal district, a famous temple in the region.

He also had visited Gavi Siddheshwara Mutt in Koppal, a mutt of the majority Lingayat community.

On the third day of his four-day visit tomorrow, Gandhi would visit Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah in Kalaburagi district.

The Karnataka BJP has mocked at Gandhi&#39;s temple visits, calling him an &quot;election Hindu.&quot;&nbsp;

The Congress President visited the Kanakachala Laxmi-Narasimha temple in Kanakagiri in Koppal district

Congress President Rahul Gandhi hit the temple trail for the second day of his election campaign in Karnataka today. He stopped in the heart of Kanakagiri in Koppal district and visited Kanakachala Laxmi-Narasimha temple to pay obeisance to the dieties. The temple, built by a local chieftain, has a history of 500 years of existence. After spending 15 minutes there, Gandhi boarded the bus and hit the campaign trail again. As the bus passed by several villages, he waved at the waiting people. Black flags were shown at bus in which Congress President Rahul Gandhi was campaigning in Karnataka's Sindhanur earlier today. pic.twitter.com/OAYjHCk3RJ — ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2018 × After launching the party's campaign at Ballari yesterday, Gandhi had visited Goddess Huligamma temple in Koppal district, a famous temple in the region. He also had visited Gavi Siddheshwara Mutt in Koppal, a mutt of the majority Lingayat community. On the third day of his four-day visit tomorrow, Gandhi would visit Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah in Kalaburagi district. The Karnataka BJP has mocked at Gandhi's temple visits, calling him an "election Hindu."

Rahul continues temple run in Karnataka

Rahul Gandhi is all set to kickstart Congress party&#39;s election campaign for upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka from Saturday.

Gandhi will begin his four-day campaign tour from Bellary district, the same district from where Sonia Gandhi won&nbsp;in 1999 Assembly polls&nbsp;defeating current external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.

Rahul Gandhi campaigning in Karnataka is being compared to Sonia Gandhi&#39;s 1999 campaign&nbsp;noticing the similarity that Sonia Gandhi also started her campaign after she was elected as Congress president.

Media reports say Rahul Gandhi will&nbsp;be visiting Koppal&#39;s Huligamma Temple on Saturday and Gavi Siddeshwara Mutt in the evening.

The four-day campaign will&nbsp;involve road shows, public meetings, interactions with civil society groups and farmers.

Earlier former chief minister of Karnataka and Congress leader Gundu Rao had said that Rahul Gandhi is going to be a &quot;very key&quot; campaigner for the Congress in the state.

Countering criticism of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-to-continue-temple-run-in-karnataka-30075">Gandhi visiting temple</a> during the elections campaign, Congress leader Anil Shastri said that Gandhi&#39;s visit to temples is just a matter of faith and not intended to create a vote bank.&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi also visited several temples during the Gujarat Assembly elections inviting criticism of playing &#39;&#39;soft&nbsp;Hindutva&#39;&#39; card.

The four-day campaign will involve road shows, public meetings, interactions with civil society groups and farmers

Rahul Gandhi is all set to kickstart Congress party's election campaign for upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka from Saturday. Gandhi will begin his four-day campaign tour from Bellary district, the same district from where Sonia Gandhi won in 1999 Assembly polls defeating current external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. Rahul Gandhi campaigning in Karnataka is being compared to Sonia Gandhi's 1999 campaign noticing the similarity that Sonia Gandhi also started her campaign after she was elected as Congress president. Media reports say Rahul Gandhi will be visiting Koppal's Huligamma Temple on Saturday and Gavi Siddeshwara Mutt in the evening. The four-day campaign will involve road shows, public meetings, interactions with civil society groups and farmers. Earlier former chief minister of Karnataka and Congress leader Gundu Rao had said that Rahul Gandhi is going to be a "very key" campaigner for the Congress in the state. Countering criticism of Gandhi visiting temple during the elections campaign, Congress leader Anil Shastri said that Gandhi's visit to temples is just a matter of faith and not intended to create a vote bank. Rahul Gandhi also visited several temples during the Gujarat Assembly elections inviting criticism of playing ''soft Hindutva'' card.

Rahul Gandhi to kickstart election campaign in Karnataka from today

Rahul Gandhi on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for running the country by looking just in the rear view mirror, &quot;which will cause accidents&quot;.

The Congress president was referring to PM Modi&#39;s criticism of the erstwhile Congress governments.

&quot;...You (Modi) drive the vehicle by just looking in the rear-view mirror, which will cause accidents. This country cannot be run by looking in the rear-view mirror,&quot; Rahul Gandhi said at a rally in Karnataka&#39;s Hosapet ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

The Congress president advised the prime minister &quot;to learn governance&quot; from state chief minister Siddaramaiah &quot;who runs the government looking forward&quot;.

Also read - <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-gave-rafale-contract-to-his-friend-rahul-gandhi-32416">PM Modi gave Rafale contract to his friend: Rahul Gandhi</a> 
 
Rahul Gandhi earlier alleged that in his speech in Parliament this week which lasted for an hour, PM Modi did not speak about the burning issues such as the agrarian problem, unemployment, tribals and Dalits.

Rather, he chose to speak about the past.

&quot;Modiji, this country has not made you prime minister to talk only about the past. This country wants to know your future plans for the country,&quot; the Congress president said.

Gandhi also said Modi spoke about corruption but his party government in Karnataka had set a &quot;world record&quot; in corruption under the rule of BS Yeddyurappa, who was sacked from the post on the charge of corruption.

He promised the people that the Congress would double the amount of work it had done in the last five years if given another opportunity to govern the state.&nbsp;

The Assembly elections in Karnataka are due early this year. 
&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi today said PM Modi is running the country by looking just in the rear-view mirror, 'which will cause accidents'

Rahul Gandhi on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for running the country by looking just in the rear view mirror, "which will cause accidents". The Congress president was referring to PM Modi's criticism of the erstwhile Congress governments. "...You (Modi) drive the vehicle by just looking in the rear-view mirror, which will cause accidents. This country cannot be run by looking in the rear-view mirror," Rahul Gandhi said at a rally in Karnataka's Hosapet ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the state. The Congress president advised the prime minister "to learn governance" from state chief minister Siddaramaiah "who runs the government looking forward". Also read - PM Modi gave Rafale contract to his friend: Rahul Gandhi Rahul Gandhi earlier alleged that in his speech in Parliament this week which lasted for an hour, PM Modi did not speak about the burning issues such as the agrarian problem, unemployment, tribals and Dalits. Rather, he chose to speak about the past. "Modiji, this country has not made you prime minister to talk only about the past. This country wants to know your future plans for the country," the Congress president said. Gandhi also said Modi spoke about corruption but his party government in Karnataka had set a "world record" in corruption under the rule of BS Yeddyurappa, who was sacked from the post on the charge of corruption. He promised the people that the Congress would double the amount of work it had done in the last five years if given another opportunity to govern the state. The Assembly elections in Karnataka are due early this year.

Modi drives by just looking in rear-view mirror: Rahul Gandhi

Congress President Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Karnataka&#39;s Bellary district.

Rahul Gandhi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-attacks-jaitley-sitaraman-with-facts-over-rafale-deal-32340">again raised the issue of the Rafale jet deal </a>with France and accused PM Modi of changing the contract. He claimed that the contract had earlier been given to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited but was given by PM Modi to &quot;his friend.&quot;

&quot;Modi government bought Rafale from a France company. Modi ji went to Paris, changed the contract himself. The Rafale contract was earlier given to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. He seized the contract from HAL and gave it to his friend,&quot; Rahul Gandhi said.

&quot;We have asked three questions to Modi - Modiji on what basis did you give the contract to your friend after taking it away from HAL, for what reason? Why did you take away the future of its youth from Bangalore? Why did you do this to profit your friend? 
 
&quot;Second question, did the price of the aircraft increase or decrease in your new contract? 
 
&quot;Third question- when you took this decision in Paris and when India&#39;s defence minister was buying fish in Goa- did you take permission from the Cabinet Committee on Security? Yes or no.&quot;

The Rafale contract is held by the Anil Ambani-backed Reliance Group. 
 
Rahul Gandhi also accused PM Modi of failing to discuss the future of the country, employment to the youth or helping farmers and instead focussing on targetting the Congress party in Parliament.

&quot;Narendra Modi didn&#39;t speak about future, or giving employment to youth, or help to farmers in his one-hour long speech in Parliament. He spent one hour talking about Congress party and the past. The country wants to listen about future from the PM,&quot; the Congress president said.

Rahul Gandhi said the prime minister made false promises to the people.

There is nothing to be gained by trusting those who make false promises and show you false dreams. The Congress party does what it says. Narendra Modi&#39;s words are hollow. He does not do what he says,&quot; the Congress president said.

He also said that the relationship between his mother Sonia Gandhi, the party and the people of Karnataka went back in time and that the state&#39;s people had helped her when she needed them.

&quot;The relation between Sonia&nbsp;ji, us and you goes back in time, when she needed it you helped her and accepted her,&quot; the Congress President said.

&nbsp;

Congress President Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Karnataka's Bellary district

Congress President Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Karnataka's Bellary district. Rahul Gandhi again raised the issue of the Rafale jet deal with France and accused PM Modi of changing the contract. He claimed that the contract had earlier been given to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited but was given by PM Modi to "his friend." "Modi government bought Rafale from a France company. Modi ji went to Paris, changed the contract himself. The Rafale contract was earlier given to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. He seized the contract from HAL and gave it to his friend," Rahul Gandhi said. "We have asked three questions to Modi - Modiji on what basis did you give the contract to your friend after taking it away from HAL, for what reason? Why did you take away the future of its youth from Bangalore? Why did you do this to profit your friend? "Second question, did the price of the aircraft increase or decrease in your new contract? "Third question- when you took this decision in Paris and when India's defence minister was buying fish in Goa- did you take permission from the Cabinet Committee on Security? Yes or no." The Rafale contract is held by the Anil Ambani-backed Reliance Group. Rahul Gandhi also accused PM Modi of failing to discuss the future of the country, employment to the youth or helping farmers and instead focussing on targetting the Congress party in Parliament. "Narendra Modi didn't speak about future, or giving employment to youth, or help to farmers in his one-hour long speech in Parliament. He spent one hour talking about Congress party and the past. The country wants to listen about future from the PM," the Congress president said. Rahul Gandhi said the prime minister made false promises to the people. There is nothing to be gained by trusting those who make false promises and show you false dreams. The Congress party does what it says. Narendra Modi's words are hollow. He does not do what he says," the Congress president said. He also said that the relationship between his mother Sonia Gandhi, the party and the people of Karnataka went back in time and that the state's people had helped her when she needed them. "The relation between Sonia ji, us and you goes back in time, when she needed it you helped her and accepted her," the Congress President said.

PM Modi gave Rafale contract to his friend: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi is back with yet another file of facts and is pushing Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for answers on Rafale jet deal.&nbsp;

The Congress president, on Friday, called out Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Twitter and said: &quot;You said the UPA never released prices of Defence purchases? To nail your lie, here are 3 Parliamentary replies by the UPA with full transparency on pricing. Now do ask our Raksha Mantri to tell India how much each RAFALE jet cost.&quot;&nbsp;

With that, he attached screenshots of documents - one dated 9 August 2010 titled &quot;Aircraft Carrier Admiral Gorshkov&quot; and another 4 March 2013 titled &quot;Upgradation of Aircraft&quot; - by the Ministry of Defence.&nbsp;

The documents mention several &lsquo;parliamentary replies&rsquo; on the prices of several defence purchases made during the UPA government.

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Dear Mr Jaitlie, 
 
You said the UPA never released prices of Defence purchases? 
 
To nail your lie, here are 3 Parliamentary replies by the UPA with full transparency on pricing. 
 
Now do ask our Raksha Mantri to tell India how much each RAFALE jet cost.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DealMeinKuchKalaHai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DealMeinKuchKalaHai</a> <a href="https://t.co/txb2Cc1BHh">pic.twitter.com/txb2Cc1BHh</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/961930076668473344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Earlier, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, defending the government&#39;s decision against making the break-up of the nearly Rs 58,000 crore deal public, said when UPA was in power, then defence ministers Pranab Mukherjee and A K Antony had on 15 occasions told Parliament that giving out such details would be against the interest of national security.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/allegations-against-rafale-deal-shameful-disservice-to-armed-forces-nirmala-sitharaman-24474">Allegations against Rafale deal &#39;shameful&#39;, &#39;disservice&#39; to armed forces: Nirmala Sitharaman</a>

He hit back at the Congress over the Rafale deal, accusing it of &quot;seriously compromising&quot; country&#39;s security by seeking details of armaments purchased along with the aircraft.

He also advised Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to &quot;learn&quot; from former defense minister Pranab Mukherjee &quot;lessons on national security.&quot;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-tweaked-rafale-deal-to-benefit-one-businessman-rahul-gandhi-24356">Rahul has </a>been targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 2016 deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets. &quot;What is the price that the Prime Minister has spent on Rafale,&quot; Gandhi had asked on Tuesday.

Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/indian-cabinet-approves-purchase-of-36-rafale-fighter-jets-source-6629">&nbsp;Indian cabinet approves purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets: Source</a>

Gandhi, raising the pitch on the Rafale jet deal, has asked for a discussion in parliament under a rule that makes it a must for the government to answer.

The Congress president alleges that there is &quot;something fishy&quot; about the deal to buy 126 fighter jets and that is the reason Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman are <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/your-boss-silencing-you-rahul-gandhi-asks-nirmala-sitharaman-24541">silent on it.</a>

Gandhi, raising the pitch on the Rafale jet deal, has asked for a discussion in parliament under a rule that makes it a must for the government to answer

Rahul Gandhi is back with yet another file of facts and is pushing Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for answers on Rafale jet deal. The Congress president, on Friday, called out Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Twitter and said: "You said the UPA never released prices of Defence purchases? To nail your lie, here are 3 Parliamentary replies by the UPA with full transparency on pricing. Now do ask our Raksha Mantri to tell India how much each RAFALE jet cost." With that, he attached screenshots of documents - one dated 9 August 2010 titled "Aircraft Carrier Admiral Gorshkov" and another 4 March 2013 titled "Upgradation of Aircraft" - by the Ministry of Defence. The documents mention several ‘parliamentary replies’ on the prices of several defence purchases made during the UPA government. Dear Mr Jaitlie, You said the UPA never released prices of Defence purchases? To nail your lie, here are 3 Parliamentary replies by the UPA with full transparency on pricing. Now do ask our Raksha Mantri to tell India how much each RAFALE jet cost.#DealMeinKuchKalaHai pic.twitter.com/txb2Cc1BHh — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 9, 2018 × Earlier, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, defending the government's decision against making the break-up of the nearly Rs 58,000 crore deal public, said when UPA was in power, then defence ministers Pranab Mukherjee and A K Antony had on 15 occasions told Parliament that giving out such details would be against the interest of national security. Also read: Allegations against Rafale deal 'shameful', 'disservice' to armed forces: Nirmala Sitharaman He hit back at the Congress over the Rafale deal, accusing it of "seriously compromising" country's security by seeking details of armaments purchased along with the aircraft. He also advised Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to "learn" from former defense minister Pranab Mukherjee "lessons on national security." Rahul has been targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 2016 deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets. "What is the price that the Prime Minister has spent on Rafale," Gandhi had asked on Tuesday. Also read: Indian cabinet approves purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets: Source Gandhi, raising the pitch on the Rafale jet deal, has asked for a discussion in parliament under a rule that makes it a must for the government to answer. The Congress president alleges that there is "something fishy" about the deal to buy 126 fighter jets and that is the reason Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman are silent on it.

Rafale deal: Rahul fires fresh salvo at Arun Jaitley, Nirmala Sitharaman

Congress president Rahul Gandhi voiced his support for special category status for Andhra Pradesh.

The Gandhi scion took to Twitter in support of long-pending demand of the southern state which was divided into two states -- Telangana and Andhra Pradesh -- towards the fag end of UPA regime in 2014.&nbsp;

&quot;The Congress Party supports the just demands of the people of Andhra Pradesh for special category status and speedy completion of the Polavaram project&quot;, Rahul Gandhi tweeted and added that it&#39;s time for all parties to unite on this issue and support this call for justice.

Modi speaking in the Lok Sabha on the Motion of Thanks to the President&#39;s address recently lashed out at the Congress and accused the party of &quot;hastily&quot; dividing the southern state for political gains.

&quot;This is your character. You divided India. Even after 70 years of Independence, 125 crore people of India continue to suffer because of the poison you sowed. Not a single day passes when people of India are not punished for your sins,&quot; Modi said, speaking in the Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

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The Congress Party supports the just demands of the people of Andhra Pradesh for special category status and speedy completion of the Polavaram project. It&#39;s time for all parties to unite on this issue and support this call for justice.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INCStandsWithAndhra?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INCStandsWithAndhra</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/961861137166884864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Modi addressed the House while some Andhra MPs were raising slogans, demanding the financial package for Andhra Pradesh that was promised when Telangana was carved out of it in 2014.

Upset over the budget ignoring the needs of Andhra Pradesh, the Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) recently called for a meeting in Amravati to review the party&#39;s alliance with the BJP at the centre.

Ahead of that review meeting, speculation was rife that TDP may sever ties with the BJP, However, the party decided to continue its alliance with the BJP at the Centre.

Speaking to reporters after the review meeting, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu asked the Centre to spell out its &lsquo;formula&rsquo; for the state with specific timelines,&nbsp;

&ldquo;The Centre should clearly spell out what it has done for the state in the last four years and what it will do now. It should announce a plan of action with clear timelines,&rdquo; Naidu said.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu demanded financial support by working out an &quot;extrabudgetary&quot; route to provide funds required for the state&#39;s development and reconstruction activities.

&ldquo;The Centre should clearly spell out what it has done for the state in the last four years and what it will do now. It should announce a plan of action with clear timelines,&rdquo; Naidu said.

Meanwhile, another NDA partner in Andhra Pradesh, Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan also expressed disappointment with the BJP-ruled central government in a recent interview with a television channel.

&ldquo;The promises that were made, were agreed upon by both the Congress and BJP on the floor of the Parliament. But now, the definition of special status has changed within a few months and it has become a package after the state bifurcation. People want accountability of word given in the Parliament,&rdquo; the actor said in the interview. 
&nbsp;

Congress president Rahul Gandhi voiced his support for special category status for Andhra Pradesh.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi voiced his support for special category status for Andhra Pradesh. The Gandhi scion took to Twitter in support of long-pending demand of the southern state which was divided into two states -- Telangana and Andhra Pradesh -- towards the fag end of UPA regime in 2014. "The Congress Party supports the just demands of the people of Andhra Pradesh for special category status and speedy completion of the Polavaram project", Rahul Gandhi tweeted and added that it's time for all parties to unite on this issue and support this call for justice. Modi speaking in the Lok Sabha on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address recently lashed out at the Congress and accused the party of "hastily" dividing the southern state for political gains. "This is your character. You divided India. Even after 70 years of Independence, 125 crore people of India continue to suffer because of the poison you sowed. Not a single day passes when people of India are not punished for your sins," Modi said, speaking in the Lok Sabha. The Congress Party supports the just demands of the people of Andhra Pradesh for special category status and speedy completion of the Polavaram project. It's time for all parties to unite on this issue and support this call for justice.#INCStandsWithAndhra — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 9, 2018 × Modi addressed the House while some Andhra MPs were raising slogans, demanding the financial package for Andhra Pradesh that was promised when Telangana was carved out of it in 2014. Upset over the budget ignoring the needs of Andhra Pradesh, the Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) recently called for a meeting in Amravati to review the party's alliance with the BJP at the centre. Ahead of that review meeting, speculation was rife that TDP may sever ties with the BJP, However, the party decided to continue its alliance with the BJP at the Centre. Speaking to reporters after the review meeting, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu asked the Centre to spell out its ‘formula’ for the state with specific timelines, “The Centre should clearly spell out what it has done for the state in the last four years and what it will do now. It should announce a plan of action with clear timelines,” Naidu said. Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu demanded financial support by working out an "extrabudgetary" route to provide funds required for the state's development and reconstruction activities. “The Centre should clearly spell out what it has done for the state in the last four years and what it will do now. It should announce a plan of action with clear timelines,” Naidu said. Meanwhile, another NDA partner in Andhra Pradesh, Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan also expressed disappointment with the BJP-ruled central government in a recent interview with a television channel. “The promises that were made, were agreed upon by both the Congress and BJP on the floor of the Parliament. But now, the definition of special status has changed within a few months and it has become a package after the state bifurcation. People want accountability of word given in the Parliament,” the actor said in the interview.

Time for all parties to support Andhra Pradesh's demand for special category status: Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who met President Ram Nath Kovind over the Justice Loya death case today, said that Members of Parliament were uneasy over death of judge Loya and two others and wanted an independent probe into his death.

MPs from several political parties, including the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and the DMK, met the president and presented him a memorandum with the demand.

&quot;Two of judge Loya&#39;s alleged confidants have also subsequently died under suspicious circumstances. Srikant Khandalkara, a public-spirited lawyer in Nagpur, allegedly fell from a high-rise building in the District Court on November 29, 2015 and Prakash Thombre, a retired District Judge, allegedly died on May 16, 2016 falling from the upper berth in a train,&quot; the memorandum states. 
 
The Opposition leaders including Ghulam Nabi Azad and Kapil Sibal of the Congress, filed a petition before the president, asking for a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the judge&#39;s death.

&quot;Many MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha felt discomfort over it and also feel that the matter should be probed and an SIT should be formed,&quot; Rahul Gandhi said after the opposition delegation met the President.

&quot;One-hundred-and-fourteen MPs from 15 parties signed the memorandum. His (Judge BH Loya) death is suspicious, there have been two other suspicious deaths. The President gave a positive response,&quot; Rahul Gandhi added.

&quot;We just want to have a proper investigation done by an independent structure that gives us the outcome.&quot;

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/justice-loya-death-case-sc-says-we-must-look-into-all-documents-with-utmost-seriousness-30340">Supreme Court is currently hearing </a>the case.

Judge Loya had died of cardiac arrest in Nagpur on December 1, 2014, when he had gone to attend the wedding of a colleague&#39;s daughter. At that time was hearing the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, in which Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah is an accused.

The judge who replaced judge Loya, had ruled that there was no evidence against the BJP chief to be put on trial.

Foul play in the judge&#39;s death, after speaking to his family, was first alleged by a magazine.

Loya&#39;s family has since said that they no longer believe foul play was involved in his death.&nbsp;

Opposition leaders led by Rahul Gandhi filed a petition before the president, asking for a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the judge's death

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who met President Ram Nath Kovind over the Justice Loya death case today, said that Members of Parliament were uneasy over death of judge Loya and two others and wanted an independent probe into his death. MPs from several political parties, including the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and the DMK, met the president and presented him a memorandum with the demand. "Two of judge Loya's alleged confidants have also subsequently died under suspicious circumstances. Srikant Khandalkara, a public-spirited lawyer in Nagpur, allegedly fell from a high-rise building in the District Court on November 29, 2015 and Prakash Thombre, a retired District Judge, allegedly died on May 16, 2016 falling from the upper berth in a train," the memorandum states. The Opposition leaders including Ghulam Nabi Azad and Kapil Sibal of the Congress, filed a petition before the president, asking for a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the judge's death. "Many MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha felt discomfort over it and also feel that the matter should be probed and an SIT should be formed," Rahul Gandhi said after the opposition delegation met the President. "One-hundred-and-fourteen MPs from 15 parties signed the memorandum. His (Judge BH Loya) death is suspicious, there have been two other suspicious deaths. The President gave a positive response," Rahul Gandhi added. "We just want to have a proper investigation done by an independent structure that gives us the outcome." The Supreme Court is currently hearing the case. Judge Loya had died of cardiac arrest in Nagpur on December 1, 2014, when he had gone to attend the wedding of a colleague's daughter. At that time was hearing the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, in which Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah is an accused. The judge who replaced judge Loya, had ruled that there was no evidence against the BJP chief to be put on trial. Foul play in the judge's death, after speaking to his family, was first alleged by a magazine. Loya's family has since said that they no longer believe foul play was involved in his death.

Opposition leaders meet President, demand independent probe into Justice Loya's death

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday asked the defence minister Nirmala Sithraman to come clean on the for Rafale fighter aircrafts by revealing the cost of the deal.

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Q. Why did the Raksha Mantri change her stance from : 
I will reveal the price of the RAFALE planes in Nov 2017 to the price is a state secret in Feb 2018 
 
A. Corruption 
B. To protect Modiji 
C. To protect Modiji&#39;s friend 
D. All of above <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheGreatRafaleMystery?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheGreatRafaleMystery</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/961587793146335233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In a snide tweet, Gandhi wrote, &quot;Tweet- Q. Why did the Raksha Mantri change her stance from :

I will reveal the price of the RAFALE planes in Nov 2017 to the price is a state secret in Feb 2018

A. Corruption

B. To protect Modiji

C. To protect Modiji&#39;s friend

D. All of above.&quot;

Earlier in the day, the Congress President also addressed the issue while interacting with reporters and informed that he had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi three questions in connection with the Rafale deal during the parliamentary session.

&quot;I asked the Prime Minister three questions-cost of jets if they asked cabinet committee on security about it, and why was contract snatched from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and given to a businessman? But got no answers,&quot; he told reporters.

Gandhi further commented that the Prime Minister gave a long speech at the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, &quot;but wasn&#39;t interested in answering fundamental questions.&quot;

A few days ago, Gandhi broached the subject of government&#39;s secrecy over the deal with France for 36 Rafale fighter jets, and the alleged deal was a huge scam carried out by the Narendra Modi-led government.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, the Congress President also addressed the issue while interacting with reporters and informed that he had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi three questions in connection with the Rafale deal during the parliamentary session.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday asked the defence minister Nirmala Sithraman to come clean on the for Rafale fighter aircrafts by revealing the cost of the deal. Q. Why did the Raksha Mantri change her stance from : I will reveal the price of the RAFALE planes in Nov 2017 to the price is a state secret in Feb 2018 A. Corruption B. To protect Modiji C. To protect Modiji's friend D. All of above #TheGreatRafaleMystery — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 8, 2018 × In a snide tweet, Gandhi wrote, "Tweet- Q. Why did the Raksha Mantri change her stance from : I will reveal the price of the RAFALE planes in Nov 2017 to the price is a state secret in Feb 2018 A. Corruption B. To protect Modiji C. To protect Modiji's friend D. All of above." Earlier in the day, the Congress President also addressed the issue while interacting with reporters and informed that he had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi three questions in connection with the Rafale deal during the parliamentary session. "I asked the Prime Minister three questions-cost of jets if they asked cabinet committee on security about it, and why was contract snatched from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and given to a businessman? But got no answers," he told reporters. Gandhi further commented that the Prime Minister gave a long speech at the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, "but wasn't interested in answering fundamental questions." A few days ago, Gandhi broached the subject of government's secrecy over the deal with France for 36 Rafale fighter jets, and the alleged deal was a huge scam carried out by the Narendra Modi-led government.

Rafale deal: Now, Rahul Gandhi attacks defense minister Sitharaman

Prime Minister&rsquo;s Narendra Modi&rsquo;s speech is being described in terms of what it should have been or could have been. The story of his speech neither lies in his attack on the Congress nor on the historical veracity of the facts he dished out or in the tone and tenor he deployed. His speech acknowledged what RSS, for long, has been articulating what it interpreted as historical right and wrong of contemporary Indian history.&nbsp;

Modi articulated the principal ideological underpinning of the RSS in his speech with strong electoral messaging. On Wednesday, he simply stamped his authority on issues which, in general, have been kept aside during the Parliamentary sessions.

Modi made it amply clear in his speech that the principle fight of RSS-BJP is not with the Congress but with Gandhi family. For this reason, Prime Minister Modi has been consistently raising the issue of dynasty.

It is for this reason, the attack of the argument had a span of 50 years, covering all the Gandhi&rsquo;s. He, in one breath, started from Nehru, then added Kashmir and &lsquo;what if&rsquo; Sardar Patel would have become the first Prime Minister of the country.

The content becomes irrelevant here. It ignores the fact that Sardar Patel himself acknowledged the leadership of Nehru despite the age difference and Nehru being a natural successor. The speech was about possible subterfuge. The historical facts become irrelevant; the fact that Sardar Patel&rsquo;s relationship with Nehru was that of a companion and not that of an aggrieved person comes to of no use.

&nbsp;For the same reason, it does not matter that politics has been positioned as a wish- as historical wrong- which cannot be corrected but repented in public. In the same breath, the issue of Rahul Gandhi and Cabinet papers came up. It is for this reason, Bofors, Davos, emergency and corruption cases were argued in the context of the family.

The subtext of the attack is that penance should come from marginalisation of the Congress as a political entity and not simply from defeating it electorally.

The point to be noted is that he ignored the barbs thrown by the TDP in the house. Instead, he appealed to the Telugu sentiment by evoking the issue of division of Andhra Pradesh and Rajiv Gandhi&rsquo;s meeting with the Congress Chief Minister on the tarmac. This brings us to the politics of slur and attribution. The context of Rajiv Gandhi&rsquo;s meeting with then CM was different but the historical memory continues to be embedded in the issue backward caste politics. For Modi, it becomes even more important because of the election in Karnataka where BJP is still struggling. Coming back to the issue of slur, it is a throwback from the days when the word &lsquo;Sanghi&rsquo; was used as an abuse. Today, &lsquo;Congressi&rsquo; has acquired the attribution and should be a cause of great concern for the Congress Party.

&nbsp;Lastly, Modi&rsquo;s political outrage in the Parliament reflects modest but important success of Rahul&rsquo;s politics.

Post-2015, Rahul Gandhi has taken an issue and pilloried BJP with it. Whether it was the jibe of suit boot ki Sarkar, or Vemula&rsquo;s issue, or GST and now Rafale, Rahul Gandhi did not let the issue be drowned in the discourse of national vs anti-national barring self-goals engineered by his own party.

On the other hand, the prime minister has reacted on the issues either by correcting the position by sewing a new strategy or by going for a blistering attack against Congress and Rahul. After suit boot, he gave away the suit which subsequently got auctioned.

After Gujarat, he immediately shifted his focus to the rural sector and utilised the Budget to address the issues raised by the Opposition. But during the same election, he made it about us vs them and dynasty. If his speech in Parliament is an indication of the tenor of BJP&rsquo;s future electoral politics, it also reflects its current anxiety in the context of Rajasthan and Gujarat results which parties like the TDP and Shiv Sena are waiting to exploit.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

Modi made it amply clear in his speech that the principle fight of RSS-BJP is not with the Congress but with Gandhi family.

Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s speech is being described in terms of what it should have been or could have been. The story of his speech neither lies in his attack on the Congress nor on the historical veracity of the facts he dished out or in the tone and tenor he deployed. His speech acknowledged what RSS, for long, has been articulating what it interpreted as historical right and wrong of contemporary Indian history. Modi articulated the principal ideological underpinning of the RSS in his speech with strong electoral messaging. On Wednesday, he simply stamped his authority on issues which, in general, have been kept aside during the Parliamentary sessions. Modi made it amply clear in his speech that the principle fight of RSS-BJP is not with the Congress but with Gandhi family. For this reason, Prime Minister Modi has been consistently raising the issue of dynasty. It is for this reason, the attack of the argument had a span of 50 years, covering all the Gandhi’s. He, in one breath, started from Nehru, then added Kashmir and ‘what if’ Sardar Patel would have become the first Prime Minister of the country. The content becomes irrelevant here. It ignores the fact that Sardar Patel himself acknowledged the leadership of Nehru despite the age difference and Nehru being a natural successor. The speech was about possible subterfuge. The historical facts become irrelevant; the fact that Sardar Patel’s relationship with Nehru was that of a companion and not that of an aggrieved person comes to of no use. For the same reason, it does not matter that politics has been positioned as a wish- as historical wrong- which cannot be corrected but repented in public. In the same breath, the issue of Rahul Gandhi and Cabinet papers came up. It is for this reason, Bofors, Davos, emergency and corruption cases were argued in the context of the family. The subtext of the attack is that penance should come from marginalisation of the Congress as a political entity and not simply from defeating it electorally. The point to be noted is that he ignored the barbs thrown by the TDP in the house. Instead, he appealed to the Telugu sentiment by evoking the issue of division of Andhra Pradesh and Rajiv Gandhi’s meeting with the Congress Chief Minister on the tarmac. This brings us to the politics of slur and attribution. The context of Rajiv Gandhi’s meeting with then CM was different but the historical memory continues to be embedded in the issue backward caste politics. For Modi, it becomes even more important because of the election in Karnataka where BJP is still struggling. Coming back to the issue of slur, it is a throwback from the days when the word ‘Sanghi’ was used as an abuse. Today, ‘Congressi’ has acquired the attribution and should be a cause of great concern for the Congress Party. Lastly, Modi’s political outrage in the Parliament reflects modest but important success of Rahul’s politics. Post-2015, Rahul Gandhi has taken an issue and pilloried BJP with it. Whether it was the jibe of suit boot ki Sarkar, or Vemula’s issue, or GST and now Rafale, Rahul Gandhi did not let the issue be drowned in the discourse of national vs anti-national barring self-goals engineered by his own party. On the other hand, the prime minister has reacted on the issues either by correcting the position by sewing a new strategy or by going for a blistering attack against Congress and Rahul. After suit boot, he gave away the suit which subsequently got auctioned. After Gujarat, he immediately shifted his focus to the rural sector and utilised the Budget to address the issues raised by the Opposition. But during the same election, he made it about us vs them and dynasty. If his speech in Parliament is an indication of the tenor of BJP’s future electoral politics, it also reflects its current anxiety in the context of Rajasthan and Gujarat results which parties like the TDP and Shiv Sena are waiting to exploit. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Modi's speech indicates his fight to nail the Gandhis

Sonia Gandhi has said that his son Rahul, who took over ar Congress president in December, is her boss too.

&quot;We have a new Congress president and on your behalf and my own I wish him all the best. He is now my boss too. Let there be no doubt about that,&quot; she said at the party&#39;s parliamentary party meeting on Thursday.

Sounding an upbeat note, Sonia told party MPs to work with dedication, loyalty and enthusiasm with Rahul Gandhi to strengthen the party.

Seventy-one-year-old Sonia served as Congress president for nearly two decades, but has taken a backseat now.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-meets-party-delegation-at-aicc-headqurters-32079">Also Read: Rahul Gandhi meets party delegation at AICC headquarters</a>

She also said that the process to revive the party&#39;s fortunes had begun and she would work with &quot;like-minded parties&quot; to ensure the BJP&#39;s defeat in the next elections.

&quot;We performed very creditably under tough circumstances in Gujarat and recent by-election results in Rajasthan were huge. This shows winds of change are coming. I am sure Karnataka too will underline resurgence of Congress,&quot; Sonia Gandhi said lauding party workers&#39; efforts in the recently-held Gujarat assembly elections.

Attacking the Centre, Sonia said that government indulges in &#39;maximum publicity, minimum government&#39; and &#39;maximum marketing, minimum delivery&#39;.

&quot;It has been almost 4 years since this government came to power. This has been a period in which institutions like Parliament, judiciary, media and civil society have come under assault. Investigative agencies have been let loose against political opponents,&quot; she said.

She had slammed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-continues-attack-on-opposition-says-congress-mukt-bharat-was-gandhis-idea-32115">PM Modi&#39;s hard hitting speech</a> in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday asserting there was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-has-not-said-anything-new-says-sonia-gandhi-32088">&quot;nothing new&quot; in what he said</a>.

&quot;People of India want to know what the PM will do about jobs,&quot; she said while taking a dig at PM Modi.

PM Modi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-takes-on-opposition-during-parliament-speech-highlights-32083">during an address to Parliament</a> on the motion of thanks to the President on the Budget had said his government was faster than the UPA in implementing infrastructure projects.

The PM repeatedly attacked the Congress saying the party should rise above &quot;chest-thumping&quot;, adding that the Congress takes &quot;credit&quot; for NDA&#39;s projects.

Seventy-one-year-old Sonia served as Congress president for nearly two decades, but has taken a backseat now.

Sonia Gandhi has said that his son Rahul, who took over ar Congress president in December, is her boss too. "We have a new Congress president and on your behalf and my own I wish him all the best. He is now my boss too. Let there be no doubt about that," she said at the party's parliamentary party meeting on Thursday. Sounding an upbeat note, Sonia told party MPs to work with dedication, loyalty and enthusiasm with Rahul Gandhi to strengthen the party. Seventy-one-year-old Sonia served as Congress president for nearly two decades, but has taken a backseat now. Also Read: Rahul Gandhi meets party delegation at AICC headquarters She also said that the process to revive the party's fortunes had begun and she would work with "like-minded parties" to ensure the BJP's defeat in the next elections. "We performed very creditably under tough circumstances in Gujarat and recent by-election results in Rajasthan were huge. This shows winds of change are coming. I am sure Karnataka too will underline resurgence of Congress," Sonia Gandhi said lauding party workers' efforts in the recently-held Gujarat assembly elections. Attacking the Centre, Sonia said that government indulges in 'maximum publicity, minimum government' and 'maximum marketing, minimum delivery'. "It has been almost 4 years since this government came to power. This has been a period in which institutions like Parliament, judiciary, media and civil society have come under assault. Investigative agencies have been let loose against political opponents," she said. She had slammed PM Modi's hard hitting speech in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday asserting there was "nothing new" in what he said. "People of India want to know what the PM will do about jobs," she said while taking a dig at PM Modi. PM Modi during an address to Parliament on the motion of thanks to the President on the Budget had said his government was faster than the UPA in implementing infrastructure projects. The PM repeatedly attacked the Congress saying the party should rise above "chest-thumping", adding that the Congress takes "credit" for NDA's projects.

Rahul now my boss too, let there be no doubt: Sonia Gandhi

After <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-has-not-said-anything-new-says-sonia-gandhi-32088">UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi slammed</a> PM&#39;s speech in Parliament, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the&nbsp;PM didn&#39;t speak about jobs for the youth

While <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opposition-heckles-pm-modi-as-he-speaks-in-lok-sabha-32078">addressing the Parliament the PM</a> had asked, &quot;In December, did we witness an election or coronation?&quot; while taking a dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

Taking a jibe at the Gandhi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-takes-on-opposition-during-parliament-speech-highlights-32083">family, the PM said: &quot;You used</a> paid machinery for promoting family, adding,&quot;the Congress served only one family.&quot;

The Congress president had earlier&nbsp;alleged that there is corruption in the&nbsp;Rafale jet fighter deal&nbsp;and the Prime Minister was responsible as &quot;Modiji personally got the deal done&quot;.&nbsp;

Rahul repeated the message after the PM&#39;s address saying: &quot;PM Modi must answer the Rafale deal.&quot;

Taking a jibe at the Gandhi family, the PM said: "You used paid machinery for promoting family, adding,"the Congress served only one family."

After UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi slammed PM's speech in Parliament, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the PM didn't speak about jobs for the youth While addressing the Parliament the PM had asked, "In December, did we witness an election or coronation?" while taking a dig at Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Taking a jibe at the Gandhi family, the PM said: "You used paid machinery for promoting family, adding,"the Congress served only one family." The Congress president had earlier alleged that there is corruption in the Rafale jet fighter deal and the Prime Minister was responsible as "Modiji personally got the deal done". Rahul repeated the message after the PM's address saying: "PM Modi must answer the Rafale deal."

Watch: PM didn't speak about jobs for the youth, says Rahul Gandhi

UPA&nbsp;chairperson Sonia Gandhi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opposition-heckles-pm-modi-as-he-speaks-in-lok-sabha-32078">slammed PM Modi&#39;s speech in</a> Parliament asserting that the PM has not said &quot;anything&nbsp;new&quot;.

&quot;People of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-takes-on-opposition-during-parliament-speech-highlights-32083">India want to know what the PM</a> will do about jobs,&quot; she said while taking a dig at PM Modi.

PM Modi during an address to Parliament on the motion of thanks to the President on the Budget had said his&nbsp;government was faster than the UPA in implementing infrastructure projects.

The PM repeatedly attacked the Congress saying the party should rise above &quot;chest-thumping&quot;, adding that the Congress takes &quot;credit&quot; for NDA&#39;s projects.

&quot;India wants good governance,&quot; he told Parliament.

The PM repeatedly attacked the Congress saying the party should rise above 'chest-thumping'.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi slammed PM Modi's speech in Parliament asserting that the PM has not said "anything new". "People of India want to know what the PM will do about jobs," she said while taking a dig at PM Modi. PM Modi during an address to Parliament on the motion of thanks to the President on the Budget had said his government was faster than the UPA in implementing infrastructure projects. The PM repeatedly attacked the Congress saying the party should rise above "chest-thumping", adding that the Congress takes "credit" for NDA's projects. "India wants good governance," he told Parliament.

PM has not said anything new, says Sonia Gandhi

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday interacted with delegations of its leaders and workers from across the country at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi.

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Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi arrives at Congress Party headquarter. He will be interacting with delegations of party leaders and workers from across the country. <a href="https://t.co/v1ZBsfFzaN">pic.twitter.com/v1ZBsfFzaN</a>
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&nbsp;

According to party sources, Gandhi came to the party headquarters at Akbar Road here at around 9:15 am and met delegations of workers from various states, including Delhi, Rajasthan and poll-bound Karnataka.

These delegations were listed for appointments with the party chief earlier.

Easy accessibility of the Congress president was an issue of debate in the past.

The Congress chief&#39;s office at the AICC headquarters has, for several years, remained closed. It was opened once in a while when former party chief Sonia Gandhi came to attend a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting or an important event like the party&#39;s foundation day.

The office was recently cleaned up and refurbished for Rahul Gandhi to sit there.

In the past, former Congress presidents like Indira Gandhi used to meet the party workers at a &#39;Janata durbar&#39; there.&nbsp;

The Congress chief's office at the AICC headquarters has, for several years, remained closed

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday interacted with delegations of its leaders and workers from across the country at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi. Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi arrives at Congress Party headquarter. He will be interacting with delegations of party leaders and workers from across the country. pic.twitter.com/v1ZBsfFzaN — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2018 × According to party sources, Gandhi came to the party headquarters at Akbar Road here at around 9:15 am and met delegations of workers from various states, including Delhi, Rajasthan and poll-bound Karnataka. These delegations were listed for appointments with the party chief earlier. Easy accessibility of the Congress president was an issue of debate in the past. The Congress chief's office at the AICC headquarters has, for several years, remained closed. It was opened once in a while when former party chief Sonia Gandhi came to attend a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting or an important event like the party's foundation day. The office was recently cleaned up and refurbished for Rahul Gandhi to sit there. In the past, former Congress presidents like Indira Gandhi used to meet the party workers at a 'Janata durbar' there.

Rahul Gandhi meets party delegation at AICC headquarters

The Government of India on Wednesday gave detailed clarification on the Rafale deal controversy and said the opposition is misleading the country.

On Tuesday, the Congress posed eight questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the deal.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Prime Minister personally went to Paris and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-alleges-scam-in-rafale-deal-32007" target="_blank">changed the deal</a>.

The Centre said it was issuing clarification over the 2016 Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to procure 36 Rafale aircraft in fly-away condition from France because the opposition was misleading nation on a serious matter of national security.

&quot;In another effort to twist facts, the Government is asked why it did not conduct negotiations with a particular company representing a competing fighter aircraft. It seems to have been conveniently forgotten that the then Government itself had rejected that company&#39;s unsolicited offer made days after closure of the bid process, declared Rafale (DA) as the L1 bidder and had commenced negotiations with it in February 2012,&quot; the Centre said in a statement.

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<h5>In another effort to twist facts, the Government is asked why it did not conduct negotiations with a particular company representing a competing fighter aircraft. It seems to have been conveniently forgotten that the then Government itself had rejected that company&#39;s unsolicited offer made days after closure of the bid process, declared Rafale (DA) as the L1 bidder and had commenced negotiations with it in February 2012,&#39; the Centre said in a statement</h5>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=In another effort to twist facts, the Government is asked why it did not conduct negotiations with a particular company representing a competing fighter aircraft. It seems to have been conveniently forgotten that the then Government itself had rejected that company's unsolicited offer made days after closure of the bid process, declared Rafale (DA) as the L1 bidder and had commenced negotiations with it in February 2012,' the Centre said in a statement" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
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The Government of India further termed the demand to disclose details and value of the Rafale aircraft as &quot;unrealistic&quot;.

&quot;The demand that the Government disclose the details and value of the contract for the Rafale aircraft contracted in 2016 is unrealistic. [In keeping with confidentiality requirements, the UPA Government had also expressed its inability to disclose the price of various defence procurements, including in its responses to Parliament Questions],&quot; the statement said.

The Centre also said the Opposition&#39;s demand to disclose exact item-wise cost and other information will impact military preparedness and compromise national security.

&quot;The approximate acquisition cost of the Rafale aircraft has already been provided to the Parliament. Provision of exact item-wise cost and other information will reveal, inter alia, details regarding the various customizations and weapons systems specially designed to augment the effectiveness and lethality of the assets, impact our military preparedness and compromise our national security,&quot; said the Union Government.

It added that &quot;such details would also come under the ambit of the security agreement signed in 2008. Thus, in not revealing the item-wise details of the contract, the Government is merely following in letter and spirit the confidentiality provisions of a bilateral India-France Agreement of 2008 signed by the previous Government&quot;.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government also said its deal is much better than that of previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

&quot;The deal secured by the Government is better in terms of capability, price, equipment, delivery, maintenance, training, etc., than that notionally negotiated by the then Government in a process it could not conclude in ten years. Moreover, the present Government completed these negotiations in just about one year,&quot; said the NDA government.

The government also stressed that 36 Rafale aircrafts were procured to meet the urgent need of the Indian Air Force strictly in accordance with the Defence Procurement Procedure.

&quot;The procurement of 36 Rafale aircraft to meet the urgent need of the IAF is strictly in accordance with the Defence Procurement Procedure in all aspects including mandating, conducting and monitoring of negotiations and seeking all necessary approvals, including that of the Cabinet Committee on Security, before entering into the IGA. The aircraft had already been evaluated successfully by IAF during 2009-10,&quot; said the statement.

On the issue of transfer of technology, the government said, &quot;It may also be noted that contrary to the impression sought, to be created by the Opposition, in the earlier proposal to procure Rafale, which ended in a stalemate, there was no provision for transfer of technology but only to manufacture under licence. The Government was unable to agree on the terms for even that in its negotiations with the vendor, resulting in the long-drawn exercise under the earlier Government ultimately turning futile.&quot;

Reacting to the Congress allegation on why an Indian private company with zero experience in aviation was chosen as an offset partner to manufacture Rafale jets, the MoD said no offset partners has been selected so far.

&quot;Further, no Indian Offset Partner for the 2016 deal for 36 Rafale Aircraft has been so far selected by the vendor (DA) because as per the applicable guidelines, DA is free to select the Indian Offset Partners and provide their details at the time of seeking offset credits, or one year prior to discharge of offset obligation,&quot; it said. (ANI)

Congress President Rahul Gandhi had on Tuesday alleged a 'scam' in the deal

The Government of India on Wednesday gave detailed clarification on the Rafale deal controversy and said the opposition is misleading the country. On Tuesday, the Congress posed eight questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the deal. Congress President Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Prime Minister personally went to Paris and changed the deal. The Centre said it was issuing clarification over the 2016 Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to procure 36 Rafale aircraft in fly-away condition from France because the opposition was misleading nation on a serious matter of national security. "In another effort to twist facts, the Government is asked why it did not conduct negotiations with a particular company representing a competing fighter aircraft. It seems to have been conveniently forgotten that the then Government itself had rejected that company's unsolicited offer made days after closure of the bid process, declared Rafale (DA) as the L1 bidder and had commenced negotiations with it in February 2012," the Centre said in a statement. In another effort to twist facts, the Government is asked why it did not conduct negotiations with a particular company representing a competing fighter aircraft. It seems to have been conveniently forgotten that the then Government itself had rejected that company's unsolicited offer made days after closure of the bid process, declared Rafale (DA) as the L1 bidder and had commenced negotiations with it in February 2012,' the Centre said in a statement × The Government of India further termed the demand to disclose details and value of the Rafale aircraft as "unrealistic". "The demand that the Government disclose the details and value of the contract for the Rafale aircraft contracted in 2016 is unrealistic. [In keeping with confidentiality requirements, the UPA Government had also expressed its inability to disclose the price of various defence procurements, including in its responses to Parliament Questions]," the statement said. The Centre also said the Opposition's demand to disclose exact item-wise cost and other information will impact military preparedness and compromise national security. "The approximate acquisition cost of the Rafale aircraft has already been provided to the Parliament. Provision of exact item-wise cost and other information will reveal, inter alia, details regarding the various customizations and weapons systems specially designed to augment the effectiveness and lethality of the assets, impact our military preparedness and compromise our national security," said the Union Government. It added that "such details would also come under the ambit of the security agreement signed in 2008. Thus, in not revealing the item-wise details of the contract, the Government is merely following in letter and spirit the confidentiality provisions of a bilateral India-France Agreement of 2008 signed by the previous Government". The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government also said its deal is much better than that of previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. "The deal secured by the Government is better in terms of capability, price, equipment, delivery, maintenance, training, etc., than that notionally negotiated by the then Government in a process it could not conclude in ten years. Moreover, the present Government completed these negotiations in just about one year," said the NDA government. The government also stressed that 36 Rafale aircrafts were procured to meet the urgent need of the Indian Air Force strictly in accordance with the Defence Procurement Procedure. "The procurement of 36 Rafale aircraft to meet the urgent need of the IAF is strictly in accordance with the Defence Procurement Procedure in all aspects including mandating, conducting and monitoring of negotiations and seeking all necessary approvals, including that of the Cabinet Committee on Security, before entering into the IGA. The aircraft had already been evaluated successfully by IAF during 2009-10," said the statement. On the issue of transfer of technology, the government said, "It may also be noted that contrary to the impression sought, to be created by the Opposition, in the earlier proposal to procure Rafale, which ended in a stalemate, there was no provision for transfer of technology but only to manufacture under licence. The Government was unable to agree on the terms for even that in its negotiations with the vendor, resulting in the long-drawn exercise under the earlier Government ultimately turning futile." Reacting to the Congress allegation on why an Indian private company with zero experience in aviation was chosen as an offset partner to manufacture Rafale jets, the MoD said no offset partners has been selected so far. "Further, no Indian Offset Partner for the 2016 deal for 36 Rafale Aircraft has been so far selected by the vendor (DA) because as per the applicable guidelines, DA is free to select the Indian Offset Partners and provide their details at the time of seeking offset credits, or one year prior to discharge of offset obligation," it said. (ANI)

Opposition misleading country over Rafale deal: Government

In a second mammoth talk in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi continued his attack on the Congress.&nbsp;

Modi, who had earlier spoken in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/opposition-heckles-pm-modi-as-he-speaks-in-lok-sabha-32078" target="_blank">Lok Sabha for over two hours</a>, spoke in the Rajya Sabha this time for over an hour. The first speech too had been vitriolic in content -- and was interrupted again --&nbsp;with Modi saying it was not Nehru who had won India its independence (like the Congress likes to keep reminding us).&nbsp;

This time Modi said the idea of a Congress-mukt Bharat was Gandhiji&#39;s:&nbsp;

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Aapko Gandhi Ji wala Bharat chahaiye mujhe bhi Gandhi Ji wala Bharat chahiye. Gandhi Ji ne kaha tha ab aazaadi mil gayi ab Congress ki zaroorat nahi hai: PM Narendra Modi in Rajya Sabha <a href="https://t.co/Qw1jj8DY2P">pic.twitter.com/Qw1jj8DY2P</a>
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Look at what all you mocked- Swachh Bharat, Make in India, surgical strikes, Yoga Day. You are free to mock as you please but why are you blocking the bill for OBC Commission? Why are you blocking Triple Talaq Bill. Are you not sensitive to the aspirations of OBCs?: PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/rG169fwcdQ">pic.twitter.com/rG169fwcdQ</a>
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Modi took on the Congress for their opposition to the triple talaq bill.

You say there will be no one to look after the family of a Muslim man who uses triple talaq to leave his wife and is then jailed, said Modi. But what happens when a Hindu man gets married for a second time is jailed?&nbsp;Who will look after his family? &nbsp;

Modi said the opposition was obsessed with him but that in in criticising him, they cross the line.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-takes-on-opposition-during-parliament-speech-highlights-32083" target="_blank">PM Modi takes on opposition during Parliament speech:</a> Top 20 highlights

Mock me, Modi said, mock the BJP -- but don&#39;t hurt India.&nbsp;

&quot;BJP ki burai karte karte aap Bharat ki burai karne lag jaate hain. Modi par hamla bolte bolte aap Hindustan par hamla bolne lag jaate hain,&quot; Modi said.&nbsp;

Congress culture to take credit, refuse responsibility

It is the Congress&#39; culture to take credit, Modi said.&nbsp;

​&quot;You complain that I don&#39;t give enough credit to your party and its legacy. Well, starting projects and then putting them on the backburner is your legacy and I give you credit for it,&quot; Modi said.&nbsp;

Modi&#39;s speech in the Rajya Sabha was interrupted by Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury.&nbsp;

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Sabhapati Ji meri aapse vinti hai Renuka Ji ko kuch mat kahiye. Ramayan serial ke baad aisi hansi sunne ka saubhagya aaj jaake mila hai: PM Modi on Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury laughing during his speech in Rajya Sabha
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We were waiting for the PM to make some serious response to the points raised by the opposition, he said nothing. Only Bhashan, no action, no vision so after 15 minutes TMC staged a walkout from Rajya Sabha while the PM was speaking : Derek O&#39;Brien, Trinamool Congress MP <a href="https://t.co/OAz2BbZuuL">pic.twitter.com/OAz2BbZuuL</a>
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&nbsp;

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बहुत लम्बी थी साहेब की बात 
सदन में दिन को बता दिया रात 
 
अपनी नाकामियों पर डाले पर्दे 
अफसोस भाषण से गायब थे देश के मुद्दे 
 
प्रधानमंत्रीजी चुप्पी कब तोड़ेंगे 
राफेल डील पर आखिर कब बोलेंगे?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PradhanMantriJawabDo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PradhanMantriJawabDo</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/961194197683462144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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A visibly-angry Modi&#39;s speech in the Lok Sabha had also been interrupted by the Opposition.&nbsp;

Simulatenous elections

Modi again brought up the idea of simulatenous general and state elections. &quot;Let us have a constructive discussion,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

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You said we are Name Changers and not Game Changers but if you notice our mode of operation and working pattern you will realise we are Aim Changers. We plan our action, set the road map so that we take the nation on the path to development: PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/SFyMzRmgee">pic.twitter.com/SFyMzRmgee</a>
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I have always said that for the nation&#39;s development so far, all the previous govt&#39;s have made a contribution: PM Narendra Modi in Rajya Sabha <a href="https://t.co/p5wWy7dyCr">pic.twitter.com/p5wWy7dyCr</a>
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He added that the Congress had ignored Sardar Patel&#39; for years, and had invoked his memory only for political gain.&nbsp;&nbsp;

And he added that it was the BJP which first thought up the idea of Aadhaar. &quot;Congress keeps saying we brought Aadhaar. Let me remind them about a debate in the Rajya Sabha in 1998 and what LK Advani Ji said. It is in his speech that you will find the genesis of Aadhaar,&quot; he said.

After having spoken in the Lok Sabha, Modi was speaking in the Rajya Sabha

In a second mammoth talk in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi continued his attack on the Congress. Modi, who had earlier spoken in the Lok Sabha for over two hours, spoke in the Rajya Sabha this time for over an hour. The first speech too had been vitriolic in content -- and was interrupted again -- with Modi saying it was not Nehru who had won India its independence (like the Congress likes to keep reminding us). This time Modi said the idea of a Congress-mukt Bharat was Gandhiji's: Aapko Gandhi Ji wala Bharat chahaiye mujhe bhi Gandhi Ji wala Bharat chahiye. Gandhi Ji ne kaha tha ab aazaadi mil gayi ab Congress ki zaroorat nahi hai: PM Narendra Modi in Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/Qw1jj8DY2P — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2018 × Look at what all you mocked- Swachh Bharat, Make in India, surgical strikes, Yoga Day. You are free to mock as you please but why are you blocking the bill for OBC Commission? Why are you blocking Triple Talaq Bill. Are you not sensitive to the aspirations of OBCs?: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/rG169fwcdQ — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2018 × Modi took on the Congress for their opposition to the triple talaq bill. You say there will be no one to look after the family of a Muslim man who uses triple talaq to leave his wife and is then jailed, said Modi. But what happens when a Hindu man gets married for a second time is jailed? Who will look after his family? Modi said the opposition was obsessed with him but that in in criticising him, they cross the line. PM Modi takes on opposition during Parliament speech: Top 20 highlights Mock me, Modi said, mock the BJP -- but don't hurt India. "BJP ki burai karte karte aap Bharat ki burai karne lag jaate hain. Modi par hamla bolte bolte aap Hindustan par hamla bolne lag jaate hain," Modi said. Congress culture to take credit, refuse responsibility It is the Congress' culture to take credit, Modi said. "You complain that I don't give enough credit to your party and its legacy. Well, starting projects and then putting them on the backburner is your legacy and I give you credit for it," Modi said. Modi's speech in the Rajya Sabha was interrupted by Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury. Sabhapati Ji meri aapse vinti hai Renuka Ji ko kuch mat kahiye. Ramayan serial ke baad aisi hansi sunne ka saubhagya aaj jaake mila hai: PM Modi on Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury laughing during his speech in Rajya Sabha — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2018 × We were waiting for the PM to make some serious response to the points raised by the opposition, he said nothing. Only Bhashan, no action, no vision so after 15 minutes TMC staged a walkout from Rajya Sabha while the PM was speaking : Derek O'Brien, Trinamool Congress MP pic.twitter.com/OAz2BbZuuL — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2018 × बहुत लम्बी थी साहेब की बात सदन में दिन को बता दिया रात अपनी नाकामियों पर डाले पर्दे अफसोस भाषण से गायब थे देश के मुद्दे प्रधानमंत्रीजी चुप्पी कब तोड़ेंगे राफेल डील पर आखिर कब बोलेंगे?#PradhanMantriJawabDo — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 7, 2018 × A visibly-angry Modi's speech in the Lok Sabha had also been interrupted by the Opposition. Simulatenous elections Modi again brought up the idea of simulatenous general and state elections. "Let us have a constructive discussion," he said. You said we are Name Changers and not Game Changers but if you notice our mode of operation and working pattern you will realise we are Aim Changers. We plan our action, set the road map so that we take the nation on the path to development: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/SFyMzRmgee — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2018 × I have always said that for the nation's development so far, all the previous govt's have made a contribution: PM Narendra Modi in Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/p5wWy7dyCr — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2018 × He added that the Congress had ignored Sardar Patel' for years, and had invoked his memory only for political gain. And he added that it was the BJP which first thought up the idea of Aadhaar. "Congress keeps saying we brought Aadhaar. Let me remind them about a debate in the Rajya Sabha in 1998 and what LK Advani Ji said. It is in his speech that you will find the genesis of Aadhaar," he said.

Modi continues attack on opposition, says Congress-mukt Bharat was Gandhi's idea

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-continues-attack-on-opposition-says-congress-mukt-bharat-was-gandhis-idea-32115">Modi continues attack on opposition, says Congress-</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-continues-attack-on-opposition-says-congress-mukt-bharat-was-gandhis-idea-32115">mukt</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-continues-attack-on-opposition-says-congress-mukt-bharat-was-gandhis-idea-32115"> Bharat was Gandhi&#39;s idea</a>

In a second mammoth talk in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi continued his attack on the Congress.&nbsp;

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Chancellor Angela Merkel&#39;s conservatives and the Social Democrats sealed a deal Wednesday on a new coalition, officials close to the talks said, potentially ending four months of political standstill in Europe&#39;s top economy.

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Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. today unveiled its most extensive product line-up with 11 new models at the ongoing 14th Auto Expo 2018. &nbsp;

Modi continues attack on opposition, says Congress-mukt Bharat was Gandhi's idea In a second mammoth talk in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi continued his attack on the Congress. China warns against military intervention in Maldives China today warned against any military intervention in the Maldives, saying such a move would further complicate the situation, amid repeated calls for India's military intervention by exiled former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed to resolve the political crisis. Sachin at Auto Expo 2018: My love for cars began at age three Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar spoke about his another passion other than cricket, cars During an Auto Expo 2018 in Delhi on Wednesday. Germany's top parties 'reach deal' on Merkel coalition Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the Social Democrats sealed a deal Wednesday on a new coalition, officials close to the talks said, potentially ending four months of political standstill in Europe's top economy. Auto Expo 2018: Honda India unveils X-Blade motorcycle, 10 other new models Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. today unveiled its most extensive product line-up with 11 new models at the ongoing 14th Auto Expo 2018.

WION Evening News Brief, February 7, 2018

After all its efforts at trying to shout down Prime Minister Narendra Modi while he delivered his speech in Parliament a few hours ago, the Congress had nothing to show but a sore throat. The more its members ranted, the more Modi revelled in tearing its arguments to pieces. And if the Prime Minister, in the immediate analysis, appeared to be the winner, it is because the Congress just did not understand one basic fact: That Modi was not really addressing the Opposition but speaking to constituents across the country, who matter electorally.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Prime Minister&rsquo;s strategy was interesting. He was aggressive in the Lok Sabha where his party had the upper hand, taking swipes across a wide arc &mdash; from Congress&rsquo;s dynasty to that party&rsquo;s failures in governance to the various schemes that his Government had initiated for public welfare. But later in the Rajya Sabha, Modi reached out to his rivals, seeking constructive feedback on issues relating to national projects &mdash; for instance, on the new healthcare insurance scheme. By asking them to form their own task forces which could offer suggestions to the Government as well as identify loopholes, the Prime Minister lobbed the ball into the Opposition&rsquo;s court. The idea was to send the message across to the larger audience outside Parliament that this Government was willing to listen and accommodate positive suggestions.

&nbsp;

But it would have been unrealistic to expect Prime Minister Modi to altogether resist taking swipes at the Congress. In firmly proceeding with the &lsquo;New India&rsquo; narrative which he, and his party and Government, have adopted in recent months, Modi latched on to the Congress&rsquo;s remark that the party wanted not a new India but the old India which it had left behind. Having got an opportunity on a platter, the Prime Minister dug up a slew of distasteful developments &mdash; from the Bofors scam to the Augusta Westland scandal to the massacre of Sikhs in 1980 to the Emergency &mdash; and stingingly added that all that was part of the old India which the Congress has been advocating. But the sting was in the tail: The Prime Minister said he was fully in agreement with the Congress that we must have an India that Mahatma Gandhi wanted, and reminded his rivals that the Mahatma had wanted the Congress disbanded after the country had achieved independence.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Interestingly, unlike in the Lok Sabha, the Congress heard Modi&rsquo;s speech with more attention in the other House, except during the later stage. There were few half-hearted attempts from the Opposition to disrupt the proceedings but nothing came from them. The Prime Minister listed various projects which were initiated but not followed through by the previous Congress regimes, and claimed that such languishing projects had been given a fresh lease of life by his Government. Given his penchant for catchy one-liners, he said that his Government&rsquo;s focus is on the outcome and not just on (funds) outlay.

&nbsp;

It must be understood that the Prime Minister&rsquo;s response, which was on the Motion of Thanks to the President&rsquo;s address to Parliament, was both a formality and an occasion for Modi to push forth his Government&rsquo;s achievements and expose what he believed was the Opposition&rsquo;s failures. Similarly, the opposition parties used the opportunity to put the Government in the dock. A senior Congress leader said Modi&rsquo;s speech in the Lok Sabha was unbecoming of the occasion; that the response to the Motion of Thanks must have sobriety. There can be a debate on this contention, but it was also inappropriate for the Congress to heckle the Prime Minister throughout his address.

&nbsp;

And yet, there is no doubting that both the Prime Minister and his rivals are jostling for electoral advantage. Three northeastern States vote later this year. But the more important election will be in Karnataka three months from now, and later in the year in three States the BJP presently rules &mdash; Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. If Modi has yet again spoken in favour of the anti-instant triple divorce Bill, the Congress has sought to dismiss the Government&rsquo;s claims of achievement as empty talk. If the Prime Minister reminds the people of holistic and time-bound development projects that his Government has initiated, the Congress has emphasised that its regimes had begun most such projects.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It does appear from the repeated manner in which Modi raised the Bofors controversy in the Rajya Sabha, that the BJP and its allies could possibly revive the matter in electoral campaigns, and even more so when media reports have it that the Central Bureau of Investigation has decided to reopen the case after the court&rsquo;s clearance.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The question now remains: To what extent will the Prime Minister&rsquo;s address in Parliament help the BJP on the ground? The party won by a reduced margin in Gujarat, lost three recent by-polls in Rajasthan, and is facing serious rural discontent. The Union Budget with its emphasis on rural development sought to tackle the last mentioned problem. The Congress&rsquo;s challenge is to effectively discredit the Prime Minister&rsquo;s speech and build upon the momentum it has gained in recent months. Meanwhile, the battle lines are drawn and it would now be futile to expect the ruling dispensation and the Congress-led Opposition to see eye to eye on issues that are of national import.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

PM Modi was not really addressing the Opposition but speaking to constituents across the country, who matter electorally.

After all its efforts at trying to shout down Prime Minister Narendra Modi while he delivered his speech in Parliament a few hours ago, the Congress had nothing to show but a sore throat. The more its members ranted, the more Modi revelled in tearing its arguments to pieces. And if the Prime Minister, in the immediate analysis, appeared to be the winner, it is because the Congress just did not understand one basic fact: That Modi was not really addressing the Opposition but speaking to constituents across the country, who matter electorally. The Prime Minister’s strategy was interesting. He was aggressive in the Lok Sabha where his party had the upper hand, taking swipes across a wide arc — from Congress’s dynasty to that party’s failures in governance to the various schemes that his Government had initiated for public welfare. But later in the Rajya Sabha, Modi reached out to his rivals, seeking constructive feedback on issues relating to national projects — for instance, on the new healthcare insurance scheme. By asking them to form their own task forces which could offer suggestions to the Government as well as identify loopholes, the Prime Minister lobbed the ball into the Opposition’s court. The idea was to send the message across to the larger audience outside Parliament that this Government was willing to listen and accommodate positive suggestions. But it would have been unrealistic to expect Prime Minister Modi to altogether resist taking swipes at the Congress. In firmly proceeding with the ‘New India’ narrative which he, and his party and Government, have adopted in recent months, Modi latched on to the Congress’s remark that the party wanted not a new India but the old India which it had left behind. Having got an opportunity on a platter, the Prime Minister dug up a slew of distasteful developments — from the Bofors scam to the Augusta Westland scandal to the massacre of Sikhs in 1980 to the Emergency — and stingingly added that all that was part of the old India which the Congress has been advocating. But the sting was in the tail: The Prime Minister said he was fully in agreement with the Congress that we must have an India that Mahatma Gandhi wanted, and reminded his rivals that the Mahatma had wanted the Congress disbanded after the country had achieved independence. Interestingly, unlike in the Lok Sabha, the Congress heard Modi’s speech with more attention in the other House, except during the later stage. There were few half-hearted attempts from the Opposition to disrupt the proceedings but nothing came from them. The Prime Minister listed various projects which were initiated but not followed through by the previous Congress regimes, and claimed that such languishing projects had been given a fresh lease of life by his Government. Given his penchant for catchy one-liners, he said that his Government’s focus is on the outcome and not just on (funds) outlay. It must be understood that the Prime Minister’s response, which was on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address to Parliament, was both a formality and an occasion for Modi to push forth his Government’s achievements and expose what he believed was the Opposition’s failures. Similarly, the opposition parties used the opportunity to put the Government in the dock. A senior Congress leader said Modi’s speech in the Lok Sabha was unbecoming of the occasion; that the response to the Motion of Thanks must have sobriety. There can be a debate on this contention, but it was also inappropriate for the Congress to heckle the Prime Minister throughout his address. And yet, there is no doubting that both the Prime Minister and his rivals are jostling for electoral advantage. Three northeastern States vote later this year. But the more important election will be in Karnataka three months from now, and later in the year in three States the BJP presently rules — Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. If Modi has yet again spoken in favour of the anti-instant triple divorce Bill, the Congress has sought to dismiss the Government’s claims of achievement as empty talk. If the Prime Minister reminds the people of holistic and time-bound development projects that his Government has initiated, the Congress has emphasised that its regimes had begun most such projects. It does appear from the repeated manner in which Modi raised the Bofors controversy in the Rajya Sabha, that the BJP and its allies could possibly revive the matter in electoral campaigns, and even more so when media reports have it that the Central Bureau of Investigation has decided to reopen the case after the court’s clearance. The question now remains: To what extent will the Prime Minister’s address in Parliament help the BJP on the ground? The party won by a reduced margin in Gujarat, lost three recent by-polls in Rajasthan, and is facing serious rural discontent. The Union Budget with its emphasis on rural development sought to tackle the last mentioned problem. The Congress’s challenge is to effectively discredit the Prime Minister’s speech and build upon the momentum it has gained in recent months. Meanwhile, the battle lines are drawn and it would now be futile to expect the ruling dispensation and the Congress-led Opposition to see eye to eye on issues that are of national import. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Not the opposition, PM Modi was addressing Indian electorates

As Prime Minister Modi stood up to speak on the motion of thanks to the President&#39;s address on the Budget, the nation, drawing from past precedents, was expecting the prime minister to discuss and reflect on the nation&#39;s economic goals, the path to be taken and the challenges involved in the process. But the prime minister was in no mood for a constructive speech. Rather, he chose to launch a frontal attack on the Congress party.&nbsp;

Modi&#39;s speech was akin to brutal bantering of an election campaign, where the sole goal usually is to tear apart the contesting candidate. But this was on the floor of the parliament and the occasion was rather a customary motion of thanks following one of the most important budgets of the recent years.&nbsp;

Why did the prime minister lose his cool? More importantly, why the entire speech targeted the Congress party by bringing in instances, such as Partition and the Kashmir, for which the blame game is going on for just too long. Hindsight is always 20-20. It is purely an exercise in rhetoric to say that Kashmir would have been all ours if Vallabh Bhai Patel had been the prime minister.&nbsp;

Advocates of strong nationalism, such as Prime Minister Modi, often like to keep faith on &quot;blood and iron&quot; policy of statesman, such as Bismarck. But the prime minister would do well to keep in mind that Bismarck succeeded in putting together a united Germany because of growing force of nationalism on the ground that favoured such a unification measure; the Prussian military could not have put together a bunch of recalcitrant states if they were unwilling. As a practitioner of politics, Modi would do well to ask himself, hand on heart, whether such willingness to join the Indian Union was visible among Kashmiris at the dawn of Indian independence.

Rather than playing the blame game with Congress over Kashmir, Prime Minister Modi would have done well to reflect on how it plans to resolve the Kashmir question. That would have constituted a constructive speech worthy of a statesman.&nbsp;

To blame Congress for the Partition is not new either. Partition historian Ayesha Jalal has shown through meticulous research, the Congress&#39;s responsibility in the Partition of India. Not agreeing to the Partition would have meant either a civil war or a weak central government. But this kind of academic debates was not what the nation was expecting. And, honestly speaking, Modi was not even logically analysing these issues or contextualising them within the current politics, he was slamming down the Congress for all our national ills.&nbsp;

He wanted to blame Congress for all the ills of the nation-state. But the nation can turn back and ask him why is this blame game necessary because what we want, rather, is a constructive approach to finding solutions to fundamental problems of poverty, security, and corruption.&nbsp;

Maybe the fact that he did not have the answers or a roadmap for these issues that led Modi to take an offensive stance. After all, who does not know, offense is the best defense.

Modi has a lot to worry about. The Budget of 2018 has not pleased anybody. Even launching of the so-called world&#39;s largest healthcare system is raising concerns. Experts are pointing out that this not what an universal healthcare should look like because the government of India, in this case, will be spending public money to pay off&nbsp;insurance agencies, both private and public.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There are doubts pertaining the provisions announced for the agricultural sector. Unemployment continues to be the Damocles&#39; sword hanging over the current government.&nbsp;

On GST, launched with much fanfare, the Modi government has made several compromises. The demonetisation measures have received almost a wholesale flak from experts to the common man.&nbsp;

The sheen of the win in the Uttar Pradesh election has lost much of its lustre, particularly, after the Gujarat election. And new elections are coming up in the North-Eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland where BJP is treading very carefully. There are very crucial elections coming up in Karnataka, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Modi, in one sweeping stroke, wanted to completely discredit the Congress. From the Partition to corruption, according to PM Modi, everything marks the failure of the Congress to stand as a plausible political alternative to the BJP.

The vicious reaction of Modi is leading me to wonder if, after all, the &#39;lion chest&#39; prime minister is unsettled by the challenges he foresees in the upcoming elections. Modi&#39;s dismissive attitude towards Rahul, calling him a dynast and, therefore, not a democrat, is actually a tale-telling sign of angst in the BJP camp. Contrary to their expectations, things are not moving as smoothly.

Modi&#39;s speech today at the Lower House of the Indian Parliament did not bear the mark of a confident leader. Rather, it appeared a masked attempt to find legitimacy through discrediting of the opposition party. The Indian electorates may find out the chink developing in the armour, Mr Modi.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Modi, in one sweeping stroke, wanted to completely discredit the Congress. From the Partition to corruption, according to PM Modi, everything marks the failure of the Congress to stand as a plausible political alternative to the BJP.

As Prime Minister Modi stood up to speak on the motion of thanks to the President's address on the Budget, the nation, drawing from past precedents, was expecting the prime minister to discuss and reflect on the nation's economic goals, the path to be taken and the challenges involved in the process. But the prime minister was in no mood for a constructive speech. Rather, he chose to launch a frontal attack on the Congress party. Modi's speech was akin to brutal bantering of an election campaign, where the sole goal usually is to tear apart the contesting candidate. But this was on the floor of the parliament and the occasion was rather a customary motion of thanks following one of the most important budgets of the recent years. Why did the prime minister lose his cool? More importantly, why the entire speech targeted the Congress party by bringing in instances, such as Partition and the Kashmir, for which the blame game is going on for just too long. Hindsight is always 20-20. It is purely an exercise in rhetoric to say that Kashmir would have been all ours if Vallabh Bhai Patel had been the prime minister. Advocates of strong nationalism, such as Prime Minister Modi, often like to keep faith on "blood and iron" policy of statesman, such as Bismarck. But the prime minister would do well to keep in mind that Bismarck succeeded in putting together a united Germany because of growing force of nationalism on the ground that favoured such a unification measure; the Prussian military could not have put together a bunch of recalcitrant states if they were unwilling. As a practitioner of politics, Modi would do well to ask himself, hand on heart, whether such willingness to join the Indian Union was visible among Kashmiris at the dawn of Indian independence. Rather than playing the blame game with Congress over Kashmir, Prime Minister Modi would have done well to reflect on how it plans to resolve the Kashmir question. That would have constituted a constructive speech worthy of a statesman. To blame Congress for the Partition is not new either. Partition historian Ayesha Jalal has shown through meticulous research, the Congress's responsibility in the Partition of India. Not agreeing to the Partition would have meant either a civil war or a weak central government. But this kind of academic debates was not what the nation was expecting. And, honestly speaking, Modi was not even logically analysing these issues or contextualising them within the current politics, he was slamming down the Congress for all our national ills. He wanted to blame Congress for all the ills of the nation-state. But the nation can turn back and ask him why is this blame game necessary because what we want, rather, is a constructive approach to finding solutions to fundamental problems of poverty, security, and corruption. Maybe the fact that he did not have the answers or a roadmap for these issues that led Modi to take an offensive stance. After all, who does not know, offense is the best defense. Modi has a lot to worry about. The Budget of 2018 has not pleased anybody. Even launching of the so-called world's largest healthcare system is raising concerns. Experts are pointing out that this not what an universal healthcare should look like because the government of India, in this case, will be spending public money to pay off insurance agencies, both private and public. There are doubts pertaining the provisions announced for the agricultural sector. Unemployment continues to be the Damocles' sword hanging over the current government. On GST, launched with much fanfare, the Modi government has made several compromises. The demonetisation measures have received almost a wholesale flak from experts to the common man. The sheen of the win in the Uttar Pradesh election has lost much of its lustre, particularly, after the Gujarat election. And new elections are coming up in the North-Eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland where BJP is treading very carefully. There are very crucial elections coming up in Karnataka, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Modi, in one sweeping stroke, wanted to completely discredit the Congress. From the Partition to corruption, according to PM Modi, everything marks the failure of the Congress to stand as a plausible political alternative to the BJP. The vicious reaction of Modi is leading me to wonder if, after all, the 'lion chest' prime minister is unsettled by the challenges he foresees in the upcoming elections. Modi's dismissive attitude towards Rahul, calling him a dynast and, therefore, not a democrat, is actually a tale-telling sign of angst in the BJP camp. Contrary to their expectations, things are not moving as smoothly. Modi's speech today at the Lower House of the Indian Parliament did not bear the mark of a confident leader. Rather, it appeared a masked attempt to find legitimacy through discrediting of the opposition party. The Indian electorates may find out the chink developing in the armour, Mr Modi. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Why this Kolaveri di, Mr Modi?

Congress President Rahul Gandhi alleged a &quot;scam&quot; Tuesday in the Rafael deal, after Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman refused to disclose details of the deal on Monday.&nbsp;

&quot;For the first time, the defence minister is saying that we will not share details of money spent on buying the aircraft...I spoke during the Gujarat polls that there is a scam (in the Rafale deal). Modi ji has personally got the deal done,&quot; PTI quoted Gandhi as telling reporters outside Parliament.&nbsp;

&quot;Modi ji had personally gone to Paris. Personally the deal was changed. The entire India knows it. And the defence minister is saying she will not inform India, the Indian martyrs and their relatives about the money spent on buying those aircraft. What does this mean? This only means there is some scam,&quot; Gandhi added.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The Defence Minister says that we will not reveal the amount paid for buying <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rafael?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rafael</a> aircrafts. What does this mean? This only means there is a scam. Modi ji personally went to Paris, he changed the deal. The whole country knows it: Congress President Rahul Gandhi <a href="https://t.co/C81lszYE9g">pic.twitter.com/C81lszYE9g</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960838110404849665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Sitharaman had told Parliament on Monday that the government cannot disclose details of the fighter jet deal because of a secrecy pact between the governments of India and France.&nbsp;

Her response was to a written question in Rajya Sabha by Samajwadi Party member Naresh Agrawal, who had asked whether the government did not want to disclose in public domain the agreement between India and France for purchasing the aircraft.&nbsp;

Leaders of the Congress and Samajwadi party had sought disclosure of the amount being paid in the present deal.

The Congress has alleged that the price paid for the jets by the NDA government is higher than that finalised by the UPA in the previous deal.

Sitharaman was also asked whether there was any involvement of a private sector company in the deal, to which she clarified that neither any public sector nor private sector company was included in the agreement.

Sitharaman further added that the deal has been finalised at an amount lower than the earlier deal.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

'The defence minister is saying she will not inform India... What does this mean? This only means there is some scam,' said Rahul

Congress President Rahul Gandhi alleged a "scam" Tuesday in the Rafael deal, after Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman refused to disclose details of the deal on Monday. "For the first time, the defence minister is saying that we will not share details of money spent on buying the aircraft...I spoke during the Gujarat polls that there is a scam (in the Rafale deal). Modi ji has personally got the deal done," PTI quoted Gandhi as telling reporters outside Parliament. "Modi ji had personally gone to Paris. Personally the deal was changed. The entire India knows it. And the defence minister is saying she will not inform India, the Indian martyrs and their relatives about the money spent on buying those aircraft. What does this mean? This only means there is some scam," Gandhi added. The Defence Minister says that we will not reveal the amount paid for buying #Rafael aircrafts. What does this mean? This only means there is a scam. Modi ji personally went to Paris, he changed the deal. The whole country knows it: Congress President Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/C81lszYE9g — ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2018 × Sitharaman had told Parliament on Monday that the government cannot disclose details of the fighter jet deal because of a secrecy pact between the governments of India and France. Her response was to a written question in Rajya Sabha by Samajwadi Party member Naresh Agrawal, who had asked whether the government did not want to disclose in public domain the agreement between India and France for purchasing the aircraft. Leaders of the Congress and Samajwadi party had sought disclosure of the amount being paid in the present deal. The Congress has alleged that the price paid for the jets by the NDA government is higher than that finalised by the UPA in the previous deal. Sitharaman was also asked whether there was any involvement of a private sector company in the deal, to which she clarified that neither any public sector nor private sector company was included in the agreement. Sitharaman further added that the deal has been finalised at an amount lower than the earlier deal.

Rahul alleges 'scam' in Rafale deal

Congress president Rahul Gandhi today took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Naga Accord, a draft framework agreement signed between the centre and an armed rebel group, the Nationalist Social Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah).

Rahul Gandhi tweeted that while PM Modi had said in 2015 that history had been created by signing the accord, in February 2018, the accord was nowhere to be found. He added that the prime minister&#39;s words didn&#39;t mean anything.&nbsp;

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August 2015, Mr Modi claims to create history by signing the NAGA accord. 
 
Feb 2018, Naga Accord is still nowhere to be found. 
 
Modi ji is the first ever Indian PM whose words don&#39;t mean anything. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CantFindTheAccord?
src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CantFindTheAccord</a>
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Rahul Gandhi&#39;s statement comes a day after the BJP announced that it would contest the polls in alliance with the newly formed National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) led by former chief minister Neiphiu Rio. 
&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi tweeted that while PM Modi had said in 2015 that history had been created by signing the accord, in February 2018, the accord was nowhere to be found

Congress president Rahul Gandhi today took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Naga Accord, a draft framework agreement signed between the centre and an armed rebel group, the Nationalist Social Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah). Rahul Gandhi tweeted that while PM Modi had said in 2015 that history had been created by signing the accord, in February 2018, the accord was nowhere to be found. He added that the prime minister's words didn't mean anything. August 2015, Mr Modi claims to create history by signing the NAGA accord. Feb 2018, Naga Accord is still nowhere to be found. Modi ji is the first ever Indian PM whose words don't mean anything. #CantFindTheAccord — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 4, 2018 × Rahul Gandhi's statement comes a day after the BJP announced that it would contest the polls in alliance with the newly formed National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) led by former chief minister Neiphiu Rio.

Rahul Gandhi takes a dig at PM Modi over Naga Accord

Rahul Gandhi&#39;s temple visits of late were not merely for &quot;demonstration effect&quot; but underline the fact that what was being done quietly in the past is now done openly, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has said.

&quot;Many many Hindus, certainly my generation, grew up as believing and practising Hindus but never showed it outside as they didn&#39;t feel like doing so,&quot; the Lok Sabha member told PTI in an interview during the recently-concluded Jaipur Literature Festival here.

&quot;In those days, religion was seen as an intensely personal matter you practice what you like you don&#39;t have to show the outside world. And in any case, your religion had nothing to do with political affiliation; that was the assumption,&quot; the 61-year-old leader said.

However, Tharoor said now Hinduism and religion have been made the front and centre in the politics of the BJP and those supporting that are openly saying that they are the only good Hindus and everybody else is bad.

&quot;Why should we cede this narrative to them? To my mind, we may as well show publicly what we have been doing privately. This is not in my view merely for demonstration effect or appearances. It is merely that what used to be done quietly in the past is being done openly now,&quot; he said when asked about Gandhi&#39;s visits to temples during the Gujarat polls campaign. 
 
Tharoor also said he feels that Gandhi was symbolising a change in the Congress.

Noting that the Congress had performed well in Gujarat due to the effectiveness of Gandhi&#39;s campaign, he said that the Congress now has an &quot;energetic leader&quot; who does not hesitate to use wit and humour in a relaxed style, which in the past, was not associated with the party leadership.

&quot;So, when Gandhi issues a tweet after Donald Trump makes a pro-Pakistan statement, some ask what is this but many say &#39;what a refreshing style, let&#39;s listen to this guy&#39;. So in many ways I would say, our politics is changing and Rahul Gandhi is leading and symbolising that change,&quot; he said.

Tharoor also said that the Congress stands a good chance in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

&quot;In fact, we are getting more and more rumours that the government may advance the elections because it thinks it would lose the elections if these are held in March-April 2019 due to the momentum the Congress is clearly beginning to get,&quot; he claimed.

He also termed the controversy of the film &#39;Padmaavat&#39; as very unfortunate.

&quot;The classical principle of freedom of expression is fundamental to any democracy. If you don&#39;t like what I have written in my book, don&#39;t read my book. If you don&#39;t like a film, don&#39;t watch it,&quot; Tharoor said. 
&quot;At the worst, you can even encourage others to boycott it. But you have no right to threaten violence, least of all to conduct violence,&quot; the MP from Thiruvananthapuram said.

However, Tharoor said now Hinduism and religion have been made the front and centre in the politics of the BJP and those supporting that are openly saying that they are the only good Hindus and everybody else is bad

Rahul Gandhi's temple visits of late were not merely for "demonstration effect" but underline the fact that what was being done quietly in the past is now done openly, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has said. "Many many Hindus, certainly my generation, grew up as believing and practising Hindus but never showed it outside as they didn't feel like doing so," the Lok Sabha member told PTI in an interview during the recently-concluded Jaipur Literature Festival here. "In those days, religion was seen as an intensely personal matter you practice what you like you don't have to show the outside world. And in any case, your religion had nothing to do with political affiliation; that was the assumption," the 61-year-old leader said. However, Tharoor said now Hinduism and religion have been made the front and centre in the politics of the BJP and those supporting that are openly saying that they are the only good Hindus and everybody else is bad. "Why should we cede this narrative to them? To my mind, we may as well show publicly what we have been doing privately. This is not in my view merely for demonstration effect or appearances. It is merely that what used to be done quietly in the past is being done openly now," he said when asked about Gandhi's visits to temples during the Gujarat polls campaign. Tharoor also said he feels that Gandhi was symbolising a change in the Congress. Noting that the Congress had performed well in Gujarat due to the effectiveness of Gandhi's campaign, he said that the Congress now has an "energetic leader" who does not hesitate to use wit and humour in a relaxed style, which in the past, was not associated with the party leadership. "So, when Gandhi issues a tweet after Donald Trump makes a pro-Pakistan statement, some ask what is this but many say 'what a refreshing style, let's listen to this guy'. So in many ways I would say, our politics is changing and Rahul Gandhi is leading and symbolising that change," he said. Tharoor also said that the Congress stands a good chance in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. "In fact, we are getting more and more rumours that the government may advance the elections because it thinks it would lose the elections if these are held in March-April 2019 due to the momentum the Congress is clearly beginning to get," he claimed. He also termed the controversy of the film 'Padmaavat' as very unfortunate. "The classical principle of freedom of expression is fundamental to any democracy. If you don't like what I have written in my book, don't read my book. If you don't like a film, don't watch it," Tharoor said. "At the worst, you can even encourage others to boycott it. But you have no right to threaten violence, least of all to conduct violence," the MP from Thiruvananthapuram said.

Rahul's temple visits not for 'demonstration effect': Tharoor

&nbsp;

Even as the budget debates on television screens continued, Congress president Rahul Gandhi took Twitter to express his take on the budget and described it as nothing but &#39;fancy schemes&#39;, with no &#39;matching budgets&#39;.&nbsp;

Rahul said that four years have gone but the BJP is still promising the farmers a fair price.&nbsp;

Gandhi attacked the government on a variety of issues for which the government has come under increasing criticism of late&nbsp;such as unemployment, Minimum selling price (MSP) for corps.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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4 years gone; still promising FARMERS a fair price. 
4 years gone; FANCY SCHEMES, with NO matching budgets. 
4 years gone; no JOBS for our YOUTH. 
Thankfully, only 1 more year to go.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Budget2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Budget2018</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/959030301791014913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Deriding the budget announcement as only fancy schemes with no matching budgets, he added &#39;&#39;thankfully only 1 year to go&#39;&#39;. &nbsp;

Gandhi also attacked the Modi led government for failing to deliver on its promise of job creation and said that four years have gone, no jobs for our youth.&nbsp;

Rahul said that four years have gone but the BJP is still promising the farmers a fair price.

Even as the budget debates on television screens continued, Congress president Rahul Gandhi took Twitter to express his take on the budget and described it as nothing but 'fancy schemes', with no 'matching budgets'. Rahul said that four years have gone but the BJP is still promising the farmers a fair price. Gandhi attacked the government on a variety of issues for which the government has come under increasing criticism of late such as unemployment, Minimum selling price (MSP) for corps. 4 years gone; still promising FARMERS a fair price. 4 years gone; FANCY SCHEMES, with NO matching budgets. 4 years gone; no JOBS for our YOUTH. Thankfully, only 1 more year to go.#Budget2018 — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 1, 2018 × Deriding the budget announcement as only fancy schemes with no matching budgets, he added ''thankfully only 1 year to go''. Gandhi also attacked the Modi led government for failing to deliver on its promise of job creation and said that four years have gone, no jobs for our youth.

Budget 2018: Fancy schemes, with no 'matching budgets', says Rahul Gandhi

Former president of Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi chaired a meeting with opposition leaders at Parliament library building on Thursday.

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Sonia Gandhi, Former PM Manmohan Singh and other leaders arrive at Parliament Library Building for the meeting of the opposition parties <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/cCV58YjaMM">pic.twitter.com/cCV58YjaMM</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/959027698805936128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The meeting was called to plan a joint strategy for the ongoing budget session of parliament and work towards opposition unity to take on the BJP.

The main focus of the meeting was to bring support from 17 parties which have come together during the presidential and vice presidential polls against the currently ruling BJP party.

According to the media reports issues like triple talaq bill, the Supreme Court judges row and the Kasganj violence were discussed during the meeting.

The opposition leader meeting began around five in the evening and lasted for more than two hours.

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Meeting for the opposition parties held at Parliament Library Building concludes. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/959054867745705985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Gandhi chairing the meeting with opposition leader could be taken as a signal that Sonia Gandhi will be playing an active role in upcoming General Elections of 2019.

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar also hosted an informal meet over a tea with opposition leaders at his residence where it was decided to hold another meeting post-budget with Sonia Gandhi.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The meeting was called to plan a joint strategy for the ongoing budget session of parliament and work towards opposition unity to take on the BJP

Former president of Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi chaired a meeting with opposition leaders at Parliament library building on Thursday. Sonia Gandhi, Former PM Manmohan Singh and other leaders arrive at Parliament Library Building for the meeting of the opposition parties #Delhi pic.twitter.com/cCV58YjaMM — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 × The meeting was called to plan a joint strategy for the ongoing budget session of parliament and work towards opposition unity to take on the BJP. The main focus of the meeting was to bring support from 17 parties which have come together during the presidential and vice presidential polls against the currently ruling BJP party. According to the media reports issues like triple talaq bill, the Supreme Court judges row and the Kasganj violence were discussed during the meeting. The opposition leader meeting began around five in the evening and lasted for more than two hours. Meeting for the opposition parties held at Parliament Library Building concludes. #Delhi — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018 × Gandhi chairing the meeting with opposition leader could be taken as a signal that Sonia Gandhi will be playing an active role in upcoming General Elections of 2019. Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar also hosted an informal meet over a tea with opposition leaders at his residence where it was decided to hold another meeting post-budget with Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi chairs opposition meeting on joint strategy in Parliament

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bypoll-result-congress-sweeps-rajasthan-bypolls-setback-for-rajes-bjp-31496">Bypoll results: Congress sweeps Rajasthan, setback for Raje&#39;s BJP</a>

The Congress on Thursday won an assembly seat in Rajasthan and had a major victory in two parliamentary bypolls.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/budget-2018-fancy-schemes-with-no-matching-budgets-says-rahul-gandhi-31499">Budget 2018: Fancy schemes, with no &#39;matching budgets&#39;, says Rahul Gandhi</a>

Even as the budget debates on television screens continued, Congress president Rahul Gandhi took Twitter to express his take on the budget and described it as nothing but &#39;fancy schemes&#39;, with no &#39;matching budgets&#39;.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/top-takeaways-from-union-budget-2018-31457">Top takeaways from Union Budget 2018</a>

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday presented Budget 2018, the Narendra Modi government&rsquo;s last full budget before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-adopts-roster-system-for-allocation-of-matters-cji-keeps-31488">Supreme Court adopts roster system for allocation of matters, CJI keeps</a>

The Supreme Court today adopted a roster system for the allocation of matters to judges with Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra deciding to keep to himself the public interest litigation (PIL) cases.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/three-jailed-catalan-leaders-appeal-to-un-panel-lawyers-31497">Three jailed Catalan leaders appeal to UN panel: lawyers</a>

Three Catalan leaders imprisoned in Spain over their role in their region&#39;s independence crisis will take their case to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, their lawyers in London said on Thursday.

Bypoll results: Congress sweeps Rajasthan, setback for Raje's BJP The Congress on Thursday won an assembly seat in Rajasthan and had a major victory in two parliamentary bypolls. Budget 2018: Fancy schemes, with no 'matching budgets', says Rahul Gandhi Even as the budget debates on television screens continued, Congress president Rahul Gandhi took Twitter to express his take on the budget and described it as nothing but 'fancy schemes', with no 'matching budgets'. Top takeaways from Union Budget 2018 Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday presented Budget 2018, the Narendra Modi government’s last full budget before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Supreme Court adopts roster system for allocation of matters, CJI keeps The Supreme Court today adopted a roster system for the allocation of matters to judges with Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra deciding to keep to himself the public interest litigation (PIL) cases. Three jailed Catalan leaders appeal to UN panel: lawyers Three Catalan leaders imprisoned in Spain over their role in their region's independence crisis will take their case to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, their lawyers in London said on Thursday.

WION Evening News Brief, February 1, 2018

Hitting out at the Congress president Rahul Gandhi, the state BJP office tweeted a picture of a jacket similar to what Rahul Gandhi wore during a concert he attended at the poll-bound&nbsp;state Meghalaya on Tuesday. The picture also included the price tag of $ 995( a little over Rs 63,000).

The BJP office tweeted &quot;So @OfficeOfRG, soot(pun intended!)-boot ki sarkar with &#39;black&#39;&nbsp;money fleeced from Meghalayan State exchequer by rampant corruption? Instead of singing away our woes, you could have given a report card of your inefficient govt in Meghalaya! Your indifference mocks us!&quot;

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So <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficeOfRG</a> , soot(pun intended!)-boot ki sarkar with &lsquo;black&rsquo; money fleeced from Meghalayan State exchequer by rampant corruption? Instead of singing away our woes, you could have given a report card of your inefficient govt in Meghalaya! Your indifference mocks us! <a href="https://t.co/sRvj5eoyRb">pic.twitter.com/sRvj5eoyRb</a>
&mdash; BJP Meghalaya (@BJP4Meghalaya) <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4Meghalaya/status/958400868277092352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Responding to the attacks of the state BJP office, Gandhi today said

He said &quot;&nbsp;You will not see him (PM) hug a poor person, talk to a poor person or even engage with a poor person. You will see him with others. &quot;There is a particular distance he maintains with the poor people which he does not with Mr Obama or others,&quot; The fact of the matter is that he (Modi) is still a suit-boot person. He has not done anything....,&quot;

He also took on the government for their promise to generate 2 crore jobs a year but failed to achieve the target.&nbsp;

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Hitting out at the Congress President Rahul Gandhi during his visit to the poll-bound state Meghalaya, the state BJP office tweeted a picture of a jacket similar to what Rahul Gandhi had worn in a concert there. The picture also included the price tag of $ 995( a little over Rs 63,000)

Hitting out at the Congress president Rahul Gandhi, the state BJP office tweeted a picture of a jacket similar to what Rahul Gandhi wore during a concert he attended at the poll-bound state Meghalaya on Tuesday. The picture also included the price tag of $ 995( a little over Rs 63,000). The BJP office tweeted "So @OfficeOfRG, soot(pun intended!)-boot ki sarkar with 'black' money fleeced from Meghalayan State exchequer by rampant corruption? Instead of singing away our woes, you could have given a report card of your inefficient govt in Meghalaya! Your indifference mocks us!" So @OfficeOfRG , soot(pun intended!)-boot ki sarkar with ‘black’ money fleeced from Meghalayan State exchequer by rampant corruption? Instead of singing away our woes, you could have given a report card of your inefficient govt in Meghalaya! Your indifference mocks us! pic.twitter.com/sRvj5eoyRb — BJP Meghalaya (@BJP4Meghalaya) January 30, 2018 × Responding to the attacks of the state BJP office, Gandhi today said He said " You will not see him (PM) hug a poor person, talk to a poor person or even engage with a poor person. You will see him with others. "There is a particular distance he maintains with the poor people which he does not with Mr Obama or others," The fact of the matter is that he (Modi) is still a suit-boot person. He has not done anything....," He also took on the government for their promise to generate 2 crore jobs a year but failed to achieve the target.

Rahul Gandhi's 'Rs 63k' jacket renews 'soot -boot debate' between Congress- BJP

After the release of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/budget-2018-finance-minister-arun-jaitley-tables-economic-survey-in-parliament-31058" target="_blank">Economic Survey by the government of India</a>, Congress President Rahul Gandhi took a dig at the Modi government.

He tweeted &quot; Acche Din are here except for minor hiccups-&nbsp;decrease in industrial growth, agriculture growth, GDP growth and Job growth&quot;

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The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EconomicSurvey2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EconomicSurvey2018</a> says, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AccheDin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AccheDin</a> are here, except for these minor hiccups: 
 
Industrial Growth is ⬇ 
Agricultural Growth is ⬇ 
GDP Growth is ⬇ 
JOB Growth is ⬇ 
 
&quot;Don&#39;t worry Be Happy!&quot;<a href="https://t.co/nXsHWvGuo3">https://t.co/nXsHWvGuo3</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/957990666541215744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The tweet also shared a video &quot;Don&#39;t worry be happy&quot;.&nbsp;

The Economic Survey was tabled by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday during the first day of the Budget session 2019.&nbsp;

The budget estimated the real GDP growth to clock 6.75 percent this fiscal year.

The&nbsp;economic survey predicts 7-7.5 percent growth in 2018-19.&nbsp;

During the session, Jaitley also noted Employment, education &amp; agriculture to be the focus areas of this term.

The Economic Survey is the Finance Ministry&#39;s yearly document that reviews the economic development of the country in the past year.

He tweeted 'Acche Din are here except for minor hiccups- decrease in industrial growth, agriculture growth, GDP growth and Job growth'

After the release of the Economic Survey by the government of India, Congress President Rahul Gandhi took a dig at the Modi government. He tweeted " Acche Din are here except for minor hiccups- decrease in industrial growth, agriculture growth, GDP growth and Job growth" The #EconomicSurvey2018 says, #AccheDin are here, except for these minor hiccups: Industrial Growth is ⬇ Agricultural Growth is ⬇ GDP Growth is ⬇ JOB Growth is ⬇ "Don't worry Be Happy!"https://t.co/nXsHWvGuo3 — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) January 29, 2018 × The tweet also shared a video "Don't worry be happy". The Economic Survey was tabled by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday during the first day of the Budget session 2019. The budget estimated the real GDP growth to clock 6.75 percent this fiscal year. The economic survey predicts 7-7.5 percent growth in 2018-19. During the session, Jaitley also noted Employment, education & agriculture to be the focus areas of this term. The Economic Survey is the Finance Ministry's yearly document that reviews the economic development of the country in the past year.

Acche din are here except for minor hiccups: Rahul Gandhi's jibe on Economic Survey

Taking motivation from Gujarat Elections results, Congress president Rahul Gandhi will be on tour for three days in Karnataka, ahead of assembly elections in the state.

During the visit, the newly elected party president of All India Congress Committee Rahul Gandhi will be continuing his temple run in the state after Gujarat.

The Gandhi scion will tour the state between February 10 and 12.&nbsp;

He will be visiting Sringeri Sharada Math on February 11 and Sri Krishna Math of Udupi February 12.&nbsp;Gandhi will also be conducting road shows and interact with farmers and coffee growers in Chikmagalur district in the evening.

Meanwhile, former chief minister of Karnataka and Congress leader&nbsp;Gundu Rao said that Rahul Gandhi is going to be a &quot;very key&quot; campaigner for the Congress in the state, news agency PTI reported.

Congress leader Anil Shastri said that Gandhi&#39;s visit to temples is just a matter of faith and not intended to create a vote bank.&nbsp;

Sensing religious wave in the country Congres has also adopted campaign with a touch of religion, as Rahul Gandhi has seen visiting Temples during the Gujarat elections as well.

Another Congress leader Digvijay Singh is also on &quot;Narmada Parikrama,&quot; visiting all temples along the banks of the river.

The tour starts from February 10 to February 12 of this year

Taking motivation from Gujarat Elections results, Congress president Rahul Gandhi will be on tour for three days in Karnataka, ahead of assembly elections in the state. During the visit, the newly elected party president of All India Congress Committee Rahul Gandhi will be continuing his temple run in the state after Gujarat. The Gandhi scion will tour the state between February 10 and 12. He will be visiting Sringeri Sharada Math on February 11 and Sri Krishna Math of Udupi February 12. Gandhi will also be conducting road shows and interact with farmers and coffee growers in Chikmagalur district in the evening. Meanwhile, former chief minister of Karnataka and Congress leader Gundu Rao said that Rahul Gandhi is going to be a "very key" campaigner for the Congress in the state, news agency PTI reported. Congress leader Anil Shastri said that Gandhi's visit to temples is just a matter of faith and not intended to create a vote bank. Sensing religious wave in the country Congres has also adopted campaign with a touch of religion, as Rahul Gandhi has seen visiting Temples during the Gujarat elections as well. Another Congress leader Digvijay Singh is also on "Narmada Parikrama," visiting all temples along the banks of the river.

Rahul Gandhi to continue 'temple run' in Karnataka ahead of polls

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday took to Twitter to offer ideas in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s request for suggestions to his first Mann Ki Baat in 2018.

Addressing the PM as Dear Narendra Modi&nbsp;he said since you have requested ideas for your Mann Ki Baat monologue, how you plan to get youth jobs. Get the Chinese out of Dhoka-lam (Dhoklam) and stop the rapes in Haryana, he tweeted.

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Dear <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>, since you&#39;ve requested some ideas for your <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MannKiBaat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MannKiBaat</a> monologue, tell us about how you plan to: 
 
1. Get our youth JOBS 
2. Get the Chinese out of DHOKA-LAM 
3. Stop the RAPES in Haryana. <a href="https://t.co/pwexqxKrTQ">pic.twitter.com/pwexqxKrTQ</a>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/954314126121091073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Rahul Gandhi also referred Doklam as Dhoka-lam, roughly&nbsp;translated betrayal.

&#39;&#39;Dear @narendramodi, since you&#39;ve requested some ideas for your #MannKiBaat monologue, tell us about how you plan to:&nbsp;

1. Get our youth JOBS 
2. Get the Chinese out of DHOKA-LAM 
3. Stop the RAPES in Haryana.&#39;&#39; Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

In a tweet posted on Thursday, PM Modi requested people to offer their suggestions for Mann Ki Baat.

&#39;&#39;It is always a delight to read your insightful ideas and inputs for #MannKiBaat. What are your suggestions for 2018&rsquo;s first &#39;Mann Ki Baat&#39; on 28th January? Let me know on the NM Mobile App. http://nm4.in/dnldapp,&#39;&#39; Modi wrote on his official Twitter account yesterday. &nbsp;

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It is always a delight to read your insightful ideas and inputs for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MannKiBaat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MannKiBaat</a>. What are your suggestions for 2018&rsquo;s first &#39;Mann Ki Baat&#39; on 28th January? Let me know on the NM Mobile App. <a href="https://t.co/TYuxNNJfIf">https://t.co/TYuxNNJfIf</a> <a href="https://t.co/XSN2MDd905">pic.twitter.com/XSN2MDd905</a>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/953977749957312513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Mann Ki Baat is a monthly radio programme hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which he addresses the people of the nation on All India Radio, DD National and DD News.&nbsp;

In a tweet posted yesterday, PM Modi requested people to offer their suggestions for Mann Ki Baat.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday took to Twitter to offer ideas in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's request for suggestions to his first Mann Ki Baat in 2018. Addressing the PM as Dear Narendra Modi he said since you have requested ideas for your Mann Ki Baat monologue, how you plan to get youth jobs. Get the Chinese out of Dhoka-lam (Dhoklam) and stop the rapes in Haryana, he tweeted. Dear @narendramodi, since you've requested some ideas for your #MannKiBaat monologue, tell us about how you plan to: 1. Get our youth JOBS 2. Get the Chinese out of DHOKA-LAM 3. Stop the RAPES in Haryana. pic.twitter.com/pwexqxKrTQ — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) January 19, 2018 × Rahul Gandhi also referred Doklam as Dhoka-lam, roughly translated betrayal. ''Dear @narendramodi, since you've requested some ideas for your #MannKiBaat monologue, tell us about how you plan to: 1. Get our youth JOBS 2. Get the Chinese out of DHOKA-LAM 3. Stop the RAPES in Haryana.'' Rahul Gandhi tweeted. In a tweet posted on Thursday, PM Modi requested people to offer their suggestions for Mann Ki Baat. ''It is always a delight to read your insightful ideas and inputs for #MannKiBaat. What are your suggestions for 2018’s first 'Mann Ki Baat' on 28th January? Let me know on the NM Mobile App. http://nm4.in/dnldapp,'' Modi wrote on his official Twitter account yesterday. It is always a delight to read your insightful ideas and inputs for #MannKiBaat. What are your suggestions for 2018’s first 'Mann Ki Baat' on 28th January? Let me know on the NM Mobile App. https://t.co/TYuxNNJfIf pic.twitter.com/XSN2MDd905 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 18, 2018 × Mann Ki Baat is a monthly radio programme hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which he addresses the people of the nation on All India Radio, DD National and DD News.

Modi asks suggestions for 'Mann Ki Baat'; Rahul Gandhi responds on Twitter

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