Congress interim president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sonia-gandhi-attacks-bjp-over-shameless-efforts-to-form-the-government-in-maharashtra-264991">Sonia Gandhi</a> is unlikely to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Shiv Sena chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uddhav-thackeray-invites-pm-modi-for-oath-taking-ceremony-264970">Uddhav Thackeray</a> in Mumbai on Thursday.

On being asked if she will participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray today, Gandhi said: "Not decided."

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday met Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sonai-gandhi-manmohan-singh-pay-tribute-to-indira-gandhi-on-birth-anniversary-263061">Manmohan Singh</a> and invited them for the swearing-in ceremony.

"We met Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh as their guidance and blessings are necessary. Now we are returning to Mumbai," Aaditya told media here.

Uddhav Thackeray, Sena chief and the leader of `Maha Vikas Aghadi` led by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-ncp-to-get-deputy-cm-portfolio-assembly-speaker-to-be-from-congress-264935">Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress</a> will take oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Thursday at Shivaji Park at 6.40 pm.

Around 400 farmers from various districts of Maharashtra have been invited for Thackeray`s swearing-in ceremony.

On Tuesday, Thackeray was unanimously elected as the leader of the tri-party alliance.

The political development came after BJP leader Devendra <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ajit-pawar-resigns-as-deputy-chief-minister-of-maharashtra-sources-264628">Fadnavis submitted his resignation</a> as Chief Minister to the Governor on Tuesday as "the BJP fell short of the required number of MLAs to win the scheduled floor test".

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi is unlikely to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Thursday. On being asked if she will participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray today, Gandhi said: "Not decided.

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi is unlikely to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Thursday. On being asked if she will participate in the swearing-in ceremony of Uddhav Thackeray today, Gandhi said: "Not decided." Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday met Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh and invited them for the swearing-in ceremony. "We met Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh as their guidance and blessings are necessary. Now we are returning to Mumbai," Aaditya told media here. Uddhav Thackeray, Sena chief and the leader of `Maha Vikas Aghadi` led by Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress will take oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Thursday at Shivaji Park at 6.40 pm. Around 400 farmers from various districts of Maharashtra have been invited for Thackeray`s swearing-in ceremony. On Tuesday, Thackeray was unanimously elected as the leader of the tri-party alliance. The political development came after BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis submitted his resignation as Chief Minister to the Governor on Tuesday as "the BJP fell short of the required number of MLAs to win the scheduled floor test".

Sonia Gandhi unlikely to attend Uddhav Thackeray's swearing-in ceremony

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi launched a scathing attack on ruling BJP and said Narendra Modi-led government made ''shameless efforts'' in Maharashtra referring to BJP's attempt to form the government in the state without having the required numbers.

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi launched a scathing attack on ruling BJP and said Narendra Modi-led government made ''shameless efforts'' in Maharashtra referring to BJP's attempt to form the government in the state without having the required numbers. Sonia Gandhi was addressing the Congress parliamentary party meet in New Delhi on Thursday. Referring to a group of 27 members of European Parliament private visit to Kashmir on October 28, Gandhi said political leaders of India were not allowed in Jammu & Kashmir but some European MPs were, it was a shameful act by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. On WhatsApp privacy breach issue, she said Narendra Modi government was taking away fundamental rights of the citizens. She also accused the government of selling profit-making Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) to ''Narendra Modi's friends''. On BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur's reported reference to Nathuram Godse as 'deshbhakt', in Lok Sabha, she said ''Our party has said everything that needs to be said on the issue''. On Pragya Singh Thakur's reported reference to Nathuram Godse as 'deshbhakt', in Lok Sabha, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said ''what she is saying, that is the heart of the RSS & BJP, what can I say? It cannot be hidden. I don't need to waste my time demanding action against that woman''.

Sonia Gandhi attacks BJP's 'shameless efforts' to form government in Maharashtra 

Shiv Sena president and leader of Sena-NCP-Congress alliance Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

This ceremony has put an end to a month-long political drama following the assembly elections in Maharashtra.

Congress-NCP-Sena alliance has been named 'Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi.

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The oath-taking ceremony was held at Shivaji Park ground, which is located in Mumbai's Dadar, a ten-minute walk from the Shiv Sena Bhavan. Shivaji Park has a long association with the Shiv Sena. The 28-acres ground was the venue of the first public rally of Bal Thackeray in 1966.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his oath-taking ceremony.

Shiv Sena party sources confirmed the news and said that Thackeray spoke to the Prime Minister over the phone and invited him.

Around 400 farmers from various districts of Maharashtra have been invited for Thackeray`s swearing-in ceremony, the ANI report added.&nbsp;

Both Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Sonia Gandhi did not attend the swearing-in ceremony. Other non-BJP regional satraps like MK Stalin and Mamta Banerjee are also absent from the swearing-in ceremony which stands in stark contrast to the way opposition leaders came to see Kumaraswamy's swearing ceremony in Bengaluru in 2017.

The three-party alliance has agreed on a common minimum programme and have agreed to insert the word secular in its preamble.

Shiv Sena president and leader of Sena-NCP-Congress alliance Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. This ceremony has put an end to a month-long political drama following the assembly elections in Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena president and leader of Sena-NCP-Congress alliance Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. This ceremony has put an end to a month-long political drama following the assembly elections in Maharashtra. Congress-NCP-Sena alliance has been named 'Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi. #WATCH Uddhav Thackeray takes oath as Chief Minister of Maharashtra. #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/pKaAjqYvWM — ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2019 × The oath-taking ceremony was held at Shivaji Park ground, which is located in Mumbai's Dadar, a ten-minute walk from the Shiv Sena Bhavan. Shivaji Park has a long association with the Shiv Sena. The 28-acres ground was the venue of the first public rally of Bal Thackeray in 1966. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his oath-taking ceremony. Shiv Sena party sources confirmed the news and said that Thackeray spoke to the Prime Minister over the phone and invited him. Around 400 farmers from various districts of Maharashtra have been invited for Thackeray`s swearing-in ceremony, the ANI report added. Both Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Sonia Gandhi did not attend the swearing-in ceremony. Other non-BJP regional satraps like MK Stalin and Mamta Banerjee are also absent from the swearing-in ceremony which stands in stark contrast to the way opposition leaders came to see Kumaraswamy's swearing ceremony in Bengaluru in 2017. The three-party alliance has agreed on a common minimum programme and have agreed to insert the word secular in its preamble.

Uddhav Thackeray sworn in as the chief minister of Maharashtra

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and DMK president have been invited for the swearing-in ceremony of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray as Maharashtra Chief Minister.

Speaking about the invitations given to various political leaders, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde said that the party has invited Sonia Gandhi for the oath-ceremony.

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said that the invitation for the event has been sent to Congress Chief Ministers, Stalin, Mamata, and Kejriwal.

Thackeray, Shiv Sena chief and the leader of 'Maha Vikas Aghadi'&nbsp;led by Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress will take oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Thursday (tomorrow) at Shivaji Park at 6.40 pm.

Around 400 farmers from various districts of Maharashtra have been invited for Thackeray's swearing-in ceremony.

"Around 400 farmers from various districts of Maharashtra have been invited for Uddhav Thackeray's swearing-in ceremony tomorrow. To give respect to the farmers, family members of those farmers who committed suicide have also been invited," Sena leader Vinayak Raut said.

On Tuesday, Thackeray was unanimously elected as the leader of the tri-party alliance.

The political development came after BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis submitted his resignation as Chief Minister to the Governor on Tuesday as "the BJP fell short of the required number of MLAs to win the scheduled floor test".

Supreme Court had asked the Fadnavis government to prove its majority in the 288-member Assembly before 5 pm on Wednesday.

In a sudden turn of events, both Fadnavis and NCP leader Ajit Pawar were administered oath as the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of the state, respectively, on Saturday morning, nixing Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP's bid to form government in the state.

 
&nbsp;

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and DMK president have been invited for the swearing-in ceremony of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray as Maharashtra Chief Minister.

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and DMK president have been invited for the swearing-in ceremony of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray as Maharashtra Chief Minister. Speaking about the invitations given to various political leaders, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde said that the party has invited Sonia Gandhi for the oath-ceremony. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said that the invitation for the event has been sent to Congress Chief Ministers, Stalin, Mamata, and Kejriwal. Thackeray, Shiv Sena chief and the leader of 'Maha Vikas Aghadi' led by Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress will take oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra on Thursday (tomorrow) at Shivaji Park at 6.40 pm. Around 400 farmers from various districts of Maharashtra have been invited for Thackeray's swearing-in ceremony. "Around 400 farmers from various districts of Maharashtra have been invited for Uddhav Thackeray's swearing-in ceremony tomorrow. To give respect to the farmers, family members of those farmers who committed suicide have also been invited," Sena leader Vinayak Raut said. On Tuesday, Thackeray was unanimously elected as the leader of the tri-party alliance. The political development came after BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis submitted his resignation as Chief Minister to the Governor on Tuesday as "the BJP fell short of the required number of MLAs to win the scheduled floor test". Supreme Court had asked the Fadnavis government to prove its majority in the 288-member Assembly before 5 pm on Wednesday. In a sudden turn of events, both Fadnavis and NCP leader Ajit Pawar were administered oath as the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of the state, respectively, on Saturday morning, nixing Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP's bid to form government in the state.

Sonia, Mamata, Kejriwal, Stalin among invitees for Uddhav Thackeray's swearing-in as CM

Even as the hearing in the Supreme Court is underway on a petition jointly filed by the NCP-Congress and Shiv Sena against the formation of BJP-led government in Maharashtra, Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi led a party's protest in Parliament premises over Maharashtra government formation issue.

Sonia Gandhi and other Congress leaders carried a banner which read ''stop murder of democracy''.&nbsp;

The Congress MPs gathered in front of the Gandhi statue and raised slogans of "Modi government shame shame" and "save our democracy". Party president Sonia Gandhi also joined the protest.

Inside the House, two Congress MPs, including TN&nbsp;Prathapan and Hibi Eden, showed a big banner, and other MPs also put up placards and raised slogans against the Modi government saying "Democracy has been killed in Maharashtra".

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the said Lok Sabha ''I wanted to ask a question in the House but it doesn't make any sense to ask a question right now as democracy has been murdered in Maharashtra.''

At a time when deliberations among Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena on the formation of a non-BJP government in the state had seemingly reached the final stage, the BJP formed the government in a surprise development on Saturday morning when Devendra Fadnavis took oath for the second consecutive term as the state Chief Minister, with NCP's Ajit Pawar as his Deputy Chief Minister.

The BJP won 105 seats in the 288-member assembly followed by Shiv Sena 56, NCP 54 and Congress 44.

&nbsp;

Even as the hearing in the Supreme Court is underway on a petition jointly filed by the NCP-Congress and Shiv Sena against the formation of BJP-led government in Maharashtra, Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi led a party's protest in Parliament premises over Maharashtra government formation issue.

Even as the hearing in the Supreme Court is underway on a petition jointly filed by the NCP-Congress and Shiv Sena against the formation of BJP-led government in Maharashtra, Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi led a party's protest in Parliament premises over Maharashtra government formation issue. Sonia Gandhi and other Congress leaders carried a banner which read ''stop murder of democracy''. The Congress MPs gathered in front of the Gandhi statue and raised slogans of "Modi government shame shame" and "save our democracy". Party president Sonia Gandhi also joined the protest. Inside the House, two Congress MPs, including TN Prathapan and Hibi Eden, showed a big banner, and other MPs also put up placards and raised slogans against the Modi government saying "Democracy has been killed in Maharashtra". Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the said Lok Sabha ''I wanted to ask a question in the House but it doesn't make any sense to ask a question right now as democracy has been murdered in Maharashtra.'' At a time when deliberations among Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena on the formation of a non-BJP government in the state had seemingly reached the final stage, the BJP formed the government in a surprise development on Saturday morning when Devendra Fadnavis took oath for the second consecutive term as the state Chief Minister, with NCP's Ajit Pawar as his Deputy Chief Minister. The BJP won 105 seats in the 288-member assembly followed by Shiv Sena 56, NCP 54 and Congress 44.

Sonia Gandhi leads party protest in Parliament premises over Maharashtra government formation 

The MLAs of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sonia-gandhi-leads-party-protest-in-parliament-premises-over-maharashtra-government-formation-264311">Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP </a>pledged on Monday that they will be honest with their parties and will not do anything which will benefit BJP at a Mumbai hotel.

"I swear that under the leadership of Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray and Sonia Gandhi, I will be honest to my party. I won't get lured by anything. I will not do anything which will benefit BJP", said the MLAs of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP, at Hotel Grand Hyatt in Mumbai, where they are 
lodged to a avoid horse-trading.&nbsp;

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Senior leaders of three parties were also present at the hotel including Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aaditya Thackeray, Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, NCP legislative party leader Jayant Patil along with Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan and others submitted a letter to the Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari which mentioned the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/weve-given-letter-citing-support-of-162-mlas-to-maharashtra-governor-eknath-shinde-264362">support of 162 MLAs</a>. Senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut invited Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to "come and watch" the show of strength of the three parties. Senior Shiv Sena Sanjay Raut invited Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to "come and watch" the show of strength of the three parties at the hotel.

A majority of 145 MLAs are required to form government in Maharashtra.

The Supreme Court, on Monday, reserved its order, on the joint petition filed by Sena, Congress and NCP against the formation of BJP government in Maharashtra. &nbsp;

In a surprising development, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/devendra-fadnavis-takes-oath-as-maharashtra-chief-minister-ajit-pawar-as-deputy-cm-263978">Devendra Fadnavis </a>took oath as Maharashtra CM after getting support from senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar on wee hours on Saturday. Ajit was sworn in as deputy CM. Before the oath-swearing ceremony, NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena were on the verge of finalising 
their power-sharing deal in order to form government in Maharashtra.&nbsp;

NCP chief has denied any deal with BJP as the party stripped Ajit from the post of party's legislative leader. However, Ajit has reiterated that he will not leave NCP. NCP has repeatedly said that it will form the government with Sena and Congress.

The BJP-Shiv Sena fought the Assembly election together but the long-time allies had a fallout over the post of chief ministership after which Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena started working on forming an alliance.&nbsp;

In the Assembly elections results announced on Oct 24, BJP had won the maximum number of seats (105). Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress claimed 56, 54 and 44 seats respectively.

The MLAs of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP pledged on Monday that they will be honest with their parties and will not do anything which will benefit BJP at a Mumbai hotel.

The MLAs of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP pledged on Monday that they will be honest with their parties and will not do anything which will benefit BJP at a Mumbai hotel. "I swear that under the leadership of Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray and Sonia Gandhi, I will be honest to my party. I won't get lured by anything. I will not do anything which will benefit BJP", said the MLAs of Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP, at Hotel Grand Hyatt in Mumbai, where they are lodged to a avoid horse-trading. #WATCH Mumbai: Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress MLAs assembled at Hotel Hyatt take a pledge, "I swear that under the leadership of Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray & Sonia Gandhi, I will be honest to my party. I won't get lured by anything. I will not do anything which will benefit BJP". pic.twitter.com/CV8VhOmKl1 — ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2019 × Senior leaders of three parties were also present at the hotel including Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aaditya Thackeray, Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar. Earlier in the day, NCP legislative party leader Jayant Patil along with Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde, Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan and others submitted a letter to the Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari which mentioned the support of 162 MLAs. Senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut invited Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to "come and watch" the show of strength of the three parties. Senior Shiv Sena Sanjay Raut invited Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari to "come and watch" the show of strength of the three parties at the hotel. A majority of 145 MLAs are required to form government in Maharashtra. The Supreme Court, on Monday, reserved its order, on the joint petition filed by Sena, Congress and NCP against the formation of BJP government in Maharashtra. In a surprising development, Devendra Fadnavis took oath as Maharashtra CM after getting support from senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar on wee hours on Saturday. Ajit was sworn in as deputy CM. Before the oath-swearing ceremony, NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena were on the verge of finalising their power-sharing deal in order to form government in Maharashtra. NCP chief has denied any deal with BJP as the party stripped Ajit from the post of party's legislative leader. However, Ajit has reiterated that he will not leave NCP. NCP has repeatedly said that it will form the government with Sena and Congress. The BJP-Shiv Sena fought the Assembly election together but the long-time allies had a fallout over the post of chief ministership after which Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena started working on forming an alliance. In the Assembly elections results announced on Oct 24, BJP had won the maximum number of seats (105). Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress claimed 56, 54 and 44 seats respectively.

'We will not do anything to benefit BJP,' MLAs pledge to be honest to Sena-NCP-Congress alliance

Amidst the power struggle in Maharashtra, NCP chief Sharad Pawar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday to discuss the farmer crisis in the state.&nbsp;

"Due to the prevalence of Presidential Rule in the state, your urgent intervention is highly necessitated. I shall be grateful if you take immediate steps to initiate massive relief measures and ameliorate the miseries of the distressed farmers" Pawar wrote in a letter to the prime minister.&nbsp;

Interestingly, NCP is in talks with Shiv Sena and Congress regarding the government formation in Maharashtra. However, new political scenario might create in <a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/maharashtra-political-crisis-top-leaders-of-ncp-and-congress-to-meet-in-new-delhi-today-263293">Maharashtra</a> with Pawar-Modi meet. The government in Maharashtra can also be formed if NCP and BJP come together.&nbsp;

"I have collected data on crop damage from two districts, but damage because of excessive rains extends to rest of Maharashtra, including Marathwada and Vidarbha. I am collecting details and information regarding the same, which should be sent to you at the earliest," Pawar added.

Farmers have not yet received any loan waiver and in the wake of recent damage, the current farm loans should also be waived, Pawar wrote. &nbsp;

Earlier on Monday, PM Modi praised NCP and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for following the parliamentary norms in a address to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House). The prime minister also added that his own party should learn from them. &nbsp;

Pawar also met Congress chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sharad-pawar-arrives-in-delhi-to-meet-sonia-gandhi-on-maharashtra-government-formation-262859">Sonia Gandhi </a>on Monday at her residence in Delhi but denied any talks regarding government formation in the state. Both Congress and NCP leaders will meet on Wednesday in the national capital regarding the common minimum programme (CMP) prepared by three parties 
including the Shiv Sena to form government in the state.&nbsp;

Earlier, Shiv Sena and BJP, who came together for elections in Maharashtra, had a fallout over power sharing agreement in the state. Shiv Sena claims that both parties agreed upon a 50:50 power sharing deal in which chief ministers from both the parties will hold office for a period of 2.5 years. However, BJP denies this claim.

In the Maharashtra Assembly elections that were concluded on October 21, BJP won the maximum number of seats 105. &nbsp;Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress won 56, 54 and 44 seats respectively. A majority of 144 seats is required to form government in the state.&nbsp;

Amidst the power struggle in Maharashtra, NCP chief Sharad Pawar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday to discuss the farmer crisis in the state. "Due to the prevalence of Presidential Rule in the state, your urgent intervention is highly necessitated.

Amidst the power struggle in Maharashtra, NCP chief Sharad Pawar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday to discuss the farmer crisis in the state. "Due to the prevalence of Presidential Rule in the state, your urgent intervention is highly necessitated. I shall be grateful if you take immediate steps to initiate massive relief measures and ameliorate the miseries of the distressed farmers" Pawar wrote in a letter to the prime minister. Interestingly, NCP is in talks with Shiv Sena and Congress regarding the government formation in Maharashtra. However, new political scenario might create in Maharashtra with Pawar-Modi meet. The government in Maharashtra can also be formed if NCP and BJP come together. "I have collected data on crop damage from two districts, but damage because of excessive rains extends to rest of Maharashtra, including Marathwada and Vidarbha. I am collecting details and information regarding the same, which should be sent to you at the earliest," Pawar added. Farmers have not yet received any loan waiver and in the wake of recent damage, the current farm loans should also be waived, Pawar wrote. Earlier on Monday, PM Modi praised NCP and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for following the parliamentary norms in a address to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House). The prime minister also added that his own party should learn from them. Pawar also met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Monday at her residence in Delhi but denied any talks regarding government formation in the state. Both Congress and NCP leaders will meet on Wednesday in the national capital regarding the common minimum programme (CMP) prepared by three parties including the Shiv Sena to form government in the state. Earlier, Shiv Sena and BJP, who came together for elections in Maharashtra, had a fallout over power sharing agreement in the state. Shiv Sena claims that both parties agreed upon a 50:50 power sharing deal in which chief ministers from both the parties will hold office for a period of 2.5 years. However, BJP denies this claim. In the Maharashtra Assembly elections that were concluded on October 21, BJP won the maximum number of seats 105. Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress won 56, 54 and 44 seats respectively. A majority of 144 seats is required to form government in the state.

Sharad Pawar meets PM Narendra Modi to discuss farmer crisis in Maharashtra

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former President Pranab Mukherjee and several other Congress leaders paid tribute to late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her birth anniversary at Shakti Sthal in New Delhi.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former President Pranab Mukherjee and several other Congress leaders paid tribute to late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her birth anniversary at Shakti Sthal in New Delhi. Former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh, Former President Shri Pranab Mukherjee & Former Vice President Shri Hamid Ansari pay their respects on the 102nd birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi at Shakti Sthal. #IndiasIndira pic.twitter.com/ZeeoJN0tAK — Congress (@INCIndia) November 19, 2019 × "On her birth anniversary, we pay homage to India's first female Prime Minister, the Late Smt Indira Gandhi. Her will and determination led our country to great heights. Her contributions to India's national security, economy & foreign policy will always be cherished," Congress tweeted. Delhi: Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi, Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Former President Pranab Mukherjee pay floral tribute to Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her birth anniversary. pic.twitter.com/AUuiYH12Dj — ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2019 × Born on November 19, 1917, to India's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Kamala Nehru, Indira Gandhi served as the first and only woman prime minister from January 1966 to March 1977 and again from January 1980 until her assassination in October 1984. She was the second-longest-serving Prime Minister after Nehru and was well-known for path-breaking economic and social reforms, including the nationalisation of banks. She also abolished privy purses of the erstwhile princely states. Indira Gandhi, who was hailed as one of the tallest world leaders, was assassinated by her own Sikh bodyguards at her residence on Akbar Road on October 31, 1984. (With inputs from ANI)

Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh pay tribute to Indira Gandhi on birth anniversary 

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-cm-will-be-from-shiv-sena-says-senior-ncp-leader-262295">Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)</a> chief Sharad Pawar arrived in Delhi today to hold a meeting with Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi to discuss the prospects of government formation in Maharashtra.

"There is a meeting today," said Pawar when asked about his meeting with Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi.

Earlier in the day, NCP leader Nawab Malik had stated that the two leaders will meet 4 pm and things will speed up towards the formation of a government in Maharashtra the meeting.

After the Sharad-Sonia meeting, leaders of Congress and NCP will sit down together on Tuesday to discuss the government formation in the state, Malik had said.

The NCP held a core committee meeting at party chief Sharad Pawar's residence in Pune on Sunday. Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil and Legislative Party leader Ajit Pawar were among the prominent leaders present at the meeting.

"The core committee arrived at the conclusion that President's Rule should end in Maharashtra and an alternate government should be formed at the earliest," Malik had said.

Maharashtra came under <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-placed-under-presidents-rule-after-parties-fail-to-claim-power-261610">President's Rule</a> earlier this week after all the parties failed to form a government in the state. 
BJP, which emerged as the single largest party, could not stake claim to form a government as its ally Shiv Sena remained firm on rotating the Chief

Minister's post and equal sharing of Cabinet berths.

Shiv Sena parted its ways with BJP only to explore ways to form a government. It, however, failed to prove the support of the required number of MLAs in the time given by Governor BS Koshyari.

The Governor had then invited NCP, the third-largest party, to prove its ability to form the government failing which the President's Rule was imposed in the state on Tuesday.

The Shiv Sena is now in parleys with the Congress and NCP to form a government in the state.

The BJP won 105 seats in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/haryana-maharashtra-assembly-polls-bjp-becomes-a-victim-of-its-own-expectations-258258">288-member assembly</a> followed by Shiv Sena 56, NCP 54 and Congress 44.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar arrived in Delhi today to hold a meeting with Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi to discuss the prospects of government formation in Maharashtra.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar arrived in Delhi today to hold a meeting with Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi to discuss the prospects of government formation in Maharashtra. "There is a meeting today," said Pawar when asked about his meeting with Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi. Earlier in the day, NCP leader Nawab Malik had stated that the two leaders will meet 4 pm and things will speed up towards the formation of a government in Maharashtra the meeting. After the Sharad-Sonia meeting, leaders of Congress and NCP will sit down together on Tuesday to discuss the government formation in the state, Malik had said. The NCP held a core committee meeting at party chief Sharad Pawar's residence in Pune on Sunday. Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil and Legislative Party leader Ajit Pawar were among the prominent leaders present at the meeting. "The core committee arrived at the conclusion that President's Rule should end in Maharashtra and an alternate government should be formed at the earliest," Malik had said. Maharashtra came under President's Rule earlier this week after all the parties failed to form a government in the state. BJP, which emerged as the single largest party, could not stake claim to form a government as its ally Shiv Sena remained firm on rotating the Chief Minister's post and equal sharing of Cabinet berths. Shiv Sena parted its ways with BJP only to explore ways to form a government. It, however, failed to prove the support of the required number of MLAs in the time given by Governor BS Koshyari. The Governor had then invited NCP, the third-largest party, to prove its ability to form the government failing which the President's Rule was imposed in the state on Tuesday. The Shiv Sena is now in parleys with the Congress and NCP to form a government in the state. The BJP won 105 seats in the 288-member assembly followed by Shiv Sena 56, NCP 54 and Congress 44.

Sharad Pawar arrives in Delhi to meet Sonia Gandhi on Maharashtra govt formation

Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday took a jibe at Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party leader Rahul Gandhi over National Herald case and said that now there is a judicial affirmation that family and business go hand-in-hand in the Congress party.

"For Congress, family and commerce run hand-in-hand, are integrally linked and given a political colour... Prasad said that there is a judicial affirmation that family and business go hand in hand and that Rahul and Sonia Gandhi hid the truth in the matter. They (Gandhi family) became the owner of properties worth Rs 2,000 crore in mere Rs 50 lakh," Prasad said in a press conference here.

He said that Jawahar Lal Nehru had started the National Herald newspaper, which stopped publishing in 2008 but even after that, Rs 90 crore and government property worth Rs 2,000 crore was handed to the paper by the previous government.

He also said that the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal yesterday pronounced an important judgement in a matter pertaining to the paper and recited some observations of the court.

"Thus from the aforesaid pact, it is palpable that the SAC company seeking assertion as a charitable institution had not disclosed fully and truly, with clear conscience and probity. Here not only there was a misrepresentation, but also suppression of material facts," Prasad said.

"The tribunal also said that we have no hesitation in holding that the entire transaction of transferring the shares of AJL to Young India was nothing but, as held by the learned Court, a clandestine and surreptitious transfer of lucrative interests in the premises to Young India," he added.

Associated Journals Limited (AJL) is the parent company of National Herald.

"In 2010, Young India Ltd was formed. Sonia, Rahul Gandhi, Suman Dubey and Sam Pitroda were part of this company. The previous government said that they want to train youngsters in 'Dharma Nirpeksha Mulya' and exempted this company from Income Tax," he said.

"I did not think there will be another development after Vadra model of development. This is the family model of development," he said.

"The BJP condemns this palpable, dubious transaction of undue enrichment. It is simply corruption. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should stop talking about corruption. The veil has been uplifted by the Court's decision," Prasad added.

He also slammed mother-son duo and said that they should not talk about corruption anymore.

"Will they tell the nation the truth about their engagements? Will they answer the questions of the people of the country?" he said.

Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday took a jibe at Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party leader Rahul Gandhi over National Herald case and said that now there is a judicial affirmation that family and business go hand-in-hand in the Congress party.

Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday took a jibe at Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party leader Rahul Gandhi over National Herald case and said that now there is a judicial affirmation that family and business go hand-in-hand in the Congress party. "For Congress, family and commerce run hand-in-hand, are integrally linked and given a political colour... Prasad said that there is a judicial affirmation that family and business go hand in hand and that Rahul and Sonia Gandhi hid the truth in the matter. They (Gandhi family) became the owner of properties worth Rs 2,000 crore in mere Rs 50 lakh," Prasad said in a press conference here. He said that Jawahar Lal Nehru had started the National Herald newspaper, which stopped publishing in 2008 but even after that, Rs 90 crore and government property worth Rs 2,000 crore was handed to the paper by the previous government. He also said that the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal yesterday pronounced an important judgement in a matter pertaining to the paper and recited some observations of the court. "Thus from the aforesaid pact, it is palpable that the SAC company seeking assertion as a charitable institution had not disclosed fully and truly, with clear conscience and probity. Here not only there was a misrepresentation, but also suppression of material facts," Prasad said. "The tribunal also said that we have no hesitation in holding that the entire transaction of transferring the shares of AJL to Young India was nothing but, as held by the learned Court, a clandestine and surreptitious transfer of lucrative interests in the premises to Young India," he added. Associated Journals Limited (AJL) is the parent company of National Herald. "In 2010, Young India Ltd was formed. Sonia, Rahul Gandhi, Suman Dubey and Sam Pitroda were part of this company. The previous government said that they want to train youngsters in 'Dharma Nirpeksha Mulya' and exempted this company from Income Tax," he said. "I did not think there will be another development after Vadra model of development. This is the family model of development," he said. "The BJP condemns this palpable, dubious transaction of undue enrichment. It is simply corruption. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should stop talking about corruption. The veil has been uplifted by the Court's decision," Prasad added. He also slammed mother-son duo and said that they should not talk about corruption anymore. "Will they tell the nation the truth about their engagements? Will they answer the questions of the people of the country?" he said.

Ravi Shankar Prasad slams Sonia, Rahul over National Herald case

Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday spoke to NCP chief Sharad Pawar to discuss plans to form the government in the state and sent three senior party leaders to Mumbai to hold discussions with him.

The development comes a&nbsp;day after Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari invited the NCP to form the government in the state.&nbsp;

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Hon'ble Congress President Smt.Sonia Gandhi spoke to Shri.Sharad Pawar today morning and deputed Shri.Ahamed Patel, Shri.Mallikarjun Kharge and myself for holding further discussions with Shri.Pawar. 
We three are going to Mumbai now and will meet Shri.Pawar at the earliest.
— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/kcvenugopalmp/status/1194145740563464192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal took to Twitter saying: "Congress President Sonia Gandhi spoke to Sharad Pawar today morning and deputed Ahmed Patel, Mallikarjun Kharge and myself for holding further discussions with Pawar."

He further said that the three leaders were going to Mumbai to meet Pawar at the earliest. On Monday evening, Sonia even after holding two crucial meetings with senior party leaders kept the Shiv Sena guessing over the Congress supporting it in Maharashtra to form the government.

The Congress yesterday stated it will hold "further discussion" with its alliance partner Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which was all inclined to support the Shiv Sena in the state.

In the statement issued after the meeting chaired by Sonia, the party said: "The Congress Working Committee met on Monday and had a detailed discussion on the situation in Maharashtra after which consultation was held with Maharashtra Congress leaders. The Congress President (Sonia Gandhi) has spoken to Sharad Pawar. The party will have further discussion with the NCP."

On Monday, Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray also spoke to Sonia seeking her support to form the government. On Sunday, the Governor invited Shiv Sena to form government in the state after the BJP said that it was unable to form the government. The Governor then on Monday evening called on the NCP as the third-largest party in the state to attempt government formation.

Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday spoke to NCP chief Sharad Pawar to discuss plans to form the government in the state and sent three senior party leaders to Mumbai to hold discussions with him.

Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday spoke to NCP chief Sharad Pawar to discuss plans to form the government in the state and sent three senior party leaders to Mumbai to hold discussions with him. The development comes a day after Maharashtra Governor BS Koshyari invited the NCP to form the government in the state. Hon'ble Congress President Smt.Sonia Gandhi spoke to Shri.Sharad Pawar today morning and deputed Shri.Ahamed Patel, Shri.Mallikarjun Kharge and myself for holding further discussions with Shri.Pawar. We three are going to Mumbai now and will meet Shri.Pawar at the earliest. — K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) November 12, 2019 × Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal took to Twitter saying: "Congress President Sonia Gandhi spoke to Sharad Pawar today morning and deputed Ahmed Patel, Mallikarjun Kharge and myself for holding further discussions with Pawar." He further said that the three leaders were going to Mumbai to meet Pawar at the earliest. On Monday evening, Sonia even after holding two crucial meetings with senior party leaders kept the Shiv Sena guessing over the Congress supporting it in Maharashtra to form the government. The Congress yesterday stated it will hold "further discussion" with its alliance partner Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which was all inclined to support the Shiv Sena in the state. In the statement issued after the meeting chaired by Sonia, the party said: "The Congress Working Committee met on Monday and had a detailed discussion on the situation in Maharashtra after which consultation was held with Maharashtra Congress leaders. The Congress President (Sonia Gandhi) has spoken to Sharad Pawar. The party will have further discussion with the NCP." On Monday, Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray also spoke to Sonia seeking her support to form the government. On Sunday, the Governor invited Shiv Sena to form government in the state after the BJP said that it was unable to form the government. The Governor then on Monday evening called on the NCP as the third-largest party in the state to attempt government formation.

Sonia Gandhi dials Sharad Pawar, sends top leaders to Mumbai

Amid hectic parleys regarding government formation in Maharashtra, Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting is underway at party`s interim president Sonia Gandhi`s residence in New Delhi to discuss the political situation in the state.

Amid hectic parleys regarding government formation in Maharashtra, Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting is underway at party`s interim president Sonia Gandhi`s residence in New Delhi to discuss the political situation in the state. Earlier today, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that the meeting will be held at 10 am. "Today there is a meeting at 10:00 am then we will do whatever the high command will suggest. Our original stand is that we will sit in the opposition as people gave us mandate to sit in the opposition and we will do the same," Kharge was quoted as saying to news agency ANI. When questioned about Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi`s recent conversation with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, he said: "I do not know anything about Thackeray calling Sonia Gandhi''. The development comes a day after BJP`s Maharashtra unit chief Chandrakant Patil said that his party would not form the government in Maharashtra. Following the BJP`s announcement, Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that new Chief Minister of Maharashtra will be from his party at any cost. Meanwhile, Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik had said the Shiv Sena will have to sever its all relations with the BJP to get his party`s support in forming the government in the state. He said that the NCP might support Sena if the party left BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and its party leader Arvind Sawant resigns from the Central Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise. Following this, Sawant on Monday announced that he will resign from Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s cabinet. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar is currently chairing his party`s core group meeting in Mumbai. The term of state assembly ended on Saturday. The BJP had emerged as the single largest party in the assembly polls winning 105 seats while the Shiv Sena bagged 56 seats.

CWC meet underway at Sonia's residence to discuss political situation in Maharashtra

Withdrawal of SPG from Gandhis has ignited a public debate on security for the first family of the Congress. The Opposition has called the move petty whereas Centre argues that decision was made after a detailed security review. The argument is that SPG’s withdrawal is akin to a vendetta and not based on actual assessment.

Congress is comparing the withdrawal of SPG with that of Rajiv Gandhi who was subsequently assassinated by LTTE terrorists in India.&nbsp; 
 
Unlike Rajiv Gandhi, the three Gandhis will continue to receive Z+ security but Congress has already accused Home Minister Amit Shah of petty politics. The difference in two situations lies in the detail.

Former PM Rajiv Gandhi’s security was withdrawn but not replaced adequately by the government of the day. He stood truly exposed. The inadequate security led to his brutal assassination by LTTE bombers who wanted to avenge IPKF operation in Sri Lanka.

Though the fact is that the SPG Act then only provided security to the sitting Prime Ministers. The Act was amended subsequently and provision of security to former PM and their immediate family for 10 years was made. In 2003, the Act was again amended, and it was decided that a yearly assessment would be done for former PMs and their families a year after demitting office. It was also decided that the assessment would be done on a yearly basis. It is through this amendment of 2003, Gandhis continued to enjoy SPG protection.

On the other hand, Indira Gandhi’s case was completely different. Despite warning from intelligence agencies that certain men from her details be removed, Indira Gandhi refused to do it as assessment rested on the religion of the security guards. Rest is history. She was assassinated by her own bodyguard who was indoctrinated post-Operation Blue Star in Amritsar.

Today, the charges and counter-charges disguise the real issue. The real issue is why should security be treated as a status symbol by a politician?

Why should political parties be in the position to choose a security agency for their respective leaders? Do parties get to decide the level of security threat?

Do security agencies buckle under political pressure and make decisions based on preferences of political masters? Lastly, has MHA taken the decision strictly on merit?

A lot of Congress leaders are upset that the courtesy extended to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee was not extended to former PM Manmohan Singh. Atal Bihari lost office in 2004 but UPA throughout its tenure ensured that he enjoyed SPG cover.

Even Narendra Modi led government did not withdraw SPG cover of&nbsp;Atal Bihari Vajpayee till he passed away. But in the case of Manmohan Singh, SPG was withdrawn in 2019 and he was provided Z+ security by the paramilitary.

This brings us to the question of security for Gandhis.&nbsp;

No political party or group interest can demand a particular agency provide security to them. No family can enjoy a particular type of security for perpetuity, but it should also be ensured that the state should stop using security as a stick to beat an opponent. Personal protection must be provided on the basis of threat and not on the basis of popular perception or history of a family.&nbsp;

Security must depend on the immediate threat to a person and should not be treated as a status symbol. Throughout the modern world, the security regime of former premiers gets downgraded and size entirely depends on the threat perception. Gandhis have enjoyed the security from 1991 onwards.

Lastly, in politics, rarely decisions come without political angle. Whatever may be the cause of the decision, it keeps BJP’s core constituency happy. Any political attack on Gandhi keeps their flock together. It further strengthens the message that BJP under Modi is not business as usual. Courtesies displayed by NDA 1 will not be extended in the new regime.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Withdrawal of SPG from Gandhis has ignited a public debate on security for the first family of the Congress. The Opposition has called the move petty whereas Centre argues that decision was made after a detailed security review.

Withdrawal of SPG from Gandhis has ignited a public debate on security for the first family of the Congress. The Opposition has called the move petty whereas Centre argues that decision was made after a detailed security review. The argument is that SPG’s withdrawal is akin to a vendetta and not based on actual assessment. Congress is comparing the withdrawal of SPG with that of Rajiv Gandhi who was subsequently assassinated by LTTE terrorists in India. Unlike Rajiv Gandhi, the three Gandhis will continue to receive Z+ security but Congress has already accused Home Minister Amit Shah of petty politics. The difference in two situations lies in the detail. Former PM Rajiv Gandhi’s security was withdrawn but not replaced adequately by the government of the day. He stood truly exposed. The inadequate security led to his brutal assassination by LTTE bombers who wanted to avenge IPKF operation in Sri Lanka. Though the fact is that the SPG Act then only provided security to the sitting Prime Ministers. The Act was amended subsequently and provision of security to former PM and their immediate family for 10 years was made. In 2003, the Act was again amended, and it was decided that a yearly assessment would be done for former PMs and their families a year after demitting office. It was also decided that the assessment would be done on a yearly basis. It is through this amendment of 2003, Gandhis continued to enjoy SPG protection. On the other hand, Indira Gandhi’s case was completely different. Despite warning from intelligence agencies that certain men from her details be removed, Indira Gandhi refused to do it as assessment rested on the religion of the security guards. Rest is history. She was assassinated by her own bodyguard who was indoctrinated post-Operation Blue Star in Amritsar. Today, the charges and counter-charges disguise the real issue. The real issue is why should security be treated as a status symbol by a politician? Why should political parties be in the position to choose a security agency for their respective leaders? Do parties get to decide the level of security threat? Do security agencies buckle under political pressure and make decisions based on preferences of political masters? Lastly, has MHA taken the decision strictly on merit? A lot of Congress leaders are upset that the courtesy extended to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee was not extended to former PM Manmohan Singh. Atal Bihari lost office in 2004 but UPA throughout its tenure ensured that he enjoyed SPG cover. Even Narendra Modi led government did not withdraw SPG cover of Atal Bihari Vajpayee till he passed away. But in the case of Manmohan Singh, SPG was withdrawn in 2019 and he was provided Z+ security by the paramilitary. This brings us to the question of security for Gandhis. No political party or group interest can demand a particular agency provide security to them. No family can enjoy a particular type of security for perpetuity, but it should also be ensured that the state should stop using security as a stick to beat an opponent. Personal protection must be provided on the basis of threat and not on the basis of popular perception or history of a family. Security must depend on the immediate threat to a person and should not be treated as a status symbol. Throughout the modern world, the security regime of former premiers gets downgraded and size entirely depends on the threat perception. Gandhis have enjoyed the security from 1991 onwards. Lastly, in politics, rarely decisions come without political angle. Whatever may be the cause of the decision, it keeps BJP’s core constituency happy. Any political attack on Gandhi keeps their flock together. It further strengthens the message that BJP under Modi is not business as usual. Courtesies displayed by NDA 1 will not be extended in the new regime. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Politics of security: Withdrawal of Gandhis' SPG cover

The government has withdrawn the Special Protection Group (SPG) cover of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her children Rahul and Priyanka, and they will now be given Z-plus security by the CRPF, officials said on Friday. Gandhi family to be protected by CRPF now instead of Special Protection Group.

Gandhi family to be protected by CRPF now instead of Special Protection Group

The government has withdrawn the Special Protection Group (SPG) cover of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her children Rahul and Priyanka, and they will now be given Z-plus security by the CRPF, officials said on Friday.

SPG security withdrawn from the Gandhi family, 'Z+ protection' provided

The Indian government to withdraw highest level Special Protection Group (SPG) protection for the Gandhi family (Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) and the trio will be accorded Z+ security henceforth, reported news agency ANI quoting government sources.&nbsp;

Gandhi family members will be given Z+ security cover by Central Reserve Police Force all over India, ANI added quoting government sources.

The decision was taken after a security review recently, added the sources.

Modi government's decision comes a couple of months after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's security cover was downgraded from the SPG rank to Z+ by the Ministry of Home Affairs.&nbsp;

Manmohan Singh's security cover was downgraded in August 2019.&nbsp;

The security cover has been reviewed as a periodical and professional exercise, based on the threat perception, MHA sources said while downgrading the security of Singh.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Indian government to withdraw highest level Special Protection Group (SPG) protection for the Gandhi family (Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) and the trio will be accorded Z+ security henceforth, reported news agency ANI quoting government sources.

The Indian government to withdraw highest level Special Protection Group (SPG) protection for the Gandhi family (Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) and the trio will be accorded Z+ security henceforth, reported news agency ANI quoting government sources. Gandhi family members will be given Z+ security cover by Central Reserve Police Force all over India, ANI added quoting government sources. The decision was taken after a security review recently, added the sources. Modi government's decision comes a couple of months after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's security cover was downgraded from the SPG rank to Z+ by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Manmohan Singh's security cover was downgraded in August 2019. The security cover has been reviewed as a periodical and professional exercise, based on the threat perception, MHA sources said while downgrading the security of Singh.

Government to downgrade Gandhi family's security cover from SPG rank to Z+  

Congress is set to launch its digital membership pilot project in Raebareli district, which is the parliamentary constituency of the party's interim president Sonia Gandhi.

The party has chosen one more district where the digital membership drive will be carried out - Bulandshahr.

The organization will also launch this pilot project in Chattisgarh and Goa in the coming days.

A meeting of AICC General Secretary Incharges, state presidents, district presidents have been called on November 4 at the party's war room of the capital for the final discussion before launching the digital membership drive.

A source told ANI that traditional paper-based exercise will still be valid despite the new digital method.

Earlier, the membership of the party was given after taking down details in the receipt books without collecting any supporting documents of the individuals.

In this new method, the party will try to reduce the fake and duplicity of the data.

Congress is set to launch its digital membership pilot project in Raebareli district, which is the parliamentary constituency of the party's interim president Sonia Gandhi.

Congress is set to launch its digital membership pilot project in Raebareli district, which is the parliamentary constituency of the party's interim president Sonia Gandhi. The party has chosen one more district where the digital membership drive will be carried out - Bulandshahr. The organization will also launch this pilot project in Chattisgarh and Goa in the coming days. A meeting of AICC General Secretary Incharges, state presidents, district presidents have been called on November 4 at the party's war room of the capital for the final discussion before launching the digital membership drive. A source told ANI that traditional paper-based exercise will still be valid despite the new digital method. Earlier, the membership of the party was given after taking down details in the receipt books without collecting any supporting documents of the individuals. In this new method, the party will try to reduce the fake and duplicity of the data.

Congress to launch drive for digital enrolment of members in Raebareli

Senior Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) leaders will be meeting interim party president Sonia Gandhi at her residence in Delhi on Friday amid the ongoing tussle in power-sharing between BJP and Shiv Sena.

The meeting is scheduled to take place today morning.

Ashok Chavan, Prithviraj Chavan, Balasaheb Thorat, Vijay Vadettiwar, Manikrao Thackeray are among the leaders expected to meet the interim Congress president, reported news agency ANI.

In recently concluded Maharashtra elections, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance won an absolute majority in the Maharashtra assembly polls with the former emerging as the single largest party in the state with 105 seats. However, they are yet to stake a claim for the formation of government in the state.

The Shiv Sena has been demanding that the BJP fulfil 50-50 power-sharing agreement arrived at before the polls between the two parties but Fadnavis has been reluctant to accede to Sena's demand of rotational CM post. &nbsp;

&nbsp;Shiv Sena bagged 56 seats in the elections. NCP won 54 seats in the assembly while the Congress won 44 seats in the 288-member assembly.

Senior Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) leaders will be meeting interim party president Sonia Gandhi at her residence in Delhi on Friday amid the ongoing tussle in power-sharing between BJP and Shiv Sena.

Senior Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) leaders will be meeting interim party president Sonia Gandhi at her residence in Delhi on Friday amid the ongoing tussle in power-sharing between BJP and Shiv Sena. The meeting is scheduled to take place today morning. Ashok Chavan, Prithviraj Chavan, Balasaheb Thorat, Vijay Vadettiwar, Manikrao Thackeray are among the leaders expected to meet the interim Congress president, reported news agency ANI. In recently concluded Maharashtra elections, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance won an absolute majority in the Maharashtra assembly polls with the former emerging as the single largest party in the state with 105 seats. However, they are yet to stake a claim for the formation of government in the state. The Shiv Sena has been demanding that the BJP fulfil 50-50 power-sharing agreement arrived at before the polls between the two parties but Fadnavis has been reluctant to accede to Sena's demand of rotational CM post. Shiv Sena bagged 56 seats in the elections. NCP won 54 seats in the assembly while the Congress won 44 seats in the 288-member assembly.

Senior Congress leaders from Maharashtra to meet Sonia in Delhi today

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday met Congress president Sonia Gandhi along with other leaders of the party, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Anand Sharma, and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here.

During the meeting, party sources told ANI that the Congress leaders are expected to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

Prime Minister Hasina is on a four-day visit to India. She is the longest-serving Prime Minister of Bangladesh and returned to power for a second term in 2009 when the Congress-led UPA government was in power. Manmohan Singh had visited Bangladesh as Prime Minister in 2011.

Sheikh Hasina conducted a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday met Congress president Sonia Gandhi along with other leaders of the party, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Anand Sharma, and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday met Congress president Sonia Gandhi along with other leaders of the party, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Anand Sharma, and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here. During the meeting, party sources told ANI that the Congress leaders are expected to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. Prime Minister Hasina is on a four-day visit to India. She is the longest-serving Prime Minister of Bangladesh and returned to power for a second term in 2009 when the Congress-led UPA government was in power. Manmohan Singh had visited Bangladesh as Prime Minister in 2011. Sheikh Hasina conducted a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.

Sheikh Hasina meets Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka, Manmohan Singh

Supriya Shrinate was on Saturday appointed as spokesperson of All India Congress Committee (AICC).

In an official statement, Randeep Singh Surjewala, in charge of AICC Communications said, "Congress President Sonia Gandhi has approved the appointment of Supriya Shrinate as spokesperson of All India Congress Committee."

Shrinate, a former journalist, had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Maharajganj parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

Supriya Shrinate was on Saturday appointed as spokesperson of All India Congress Committee (AICC). In an official statement, Randeep Singh Surjewala, in charge of AICC Communications said, "Congress President Sonia Gandhi has approved the appointment of Supriya Shrinate as spokesperson of All India Congress Committee.

Supriya Shrinate was on Saturday appointed as spokesperson of All India Congress Committee (AICC). In an official statement, Randeep Singh Surjewala, in charge of AICC Communications said, "Congress President Sonia Gandhi has approved the appointment of Supriya Shrinate as spokesperson of All India Congress Committee." Shrinate, a former journalist, had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Maharajganj parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

Supriya Shrinate appointed as spokesperson of All India Congress Committee

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday extended greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his sixty-ninth birthday.

"Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi has extended her greetings to Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on his Birthday. She wished him a healthy, happy and long life," read a statement from the party.&nbsp;

On his birthday, the Prime Minister will be spending the day in his home state Gujarat.&nbsp;

He had received a warm welcome upon his arrival in Ahmedabad on Monday night.&nbsp;

Several ministers and senior BJP leaders took to social media to wish PM Modi.

The BJP is celebrating Modi`s birthday as 'Seva Saptah' starting September 14. The party has announced that several social initiatives will be undertaken by the party leaders across the nation during this week-long period.&nbsp;

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday extended greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his sixty-ninth birthday. "Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi has extended her greetings to Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on his Birthday.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday extended greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his sixty-ninth birthday. "Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi has extended her greetings to Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on his Birthday. She wished him a healthy, happy and long life," read a statement from the party. On his birthday, the Prime Minister will be spending the day in his home state Gujarat. He had received a warm welcome upon his arrival in Ahmedabad on Monday night. Several ministers and senior BJP leaders took to social media to wish PM Modi. The BJP is celebrating Modi`s birthday as 'Seva Saptah' starting September 14. The party has announced that several social initiatives will be undertaken by the party leaders across the nation during this week-long period.

Sonia Gandhi wishes healthy, happy and long life to PM Modi on his birthday

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi has asked Chief Ministers of party-ruled states about measures being adopted by them to provide relief to the common man at a time when the country is reeling under the effect of an economic slowdown.

On Friday, Sonia met the Chief Ministers along with General Secretaries and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Presidents of the Congress-ruled states.

Responding to Sonia`s query, Chief Ministers said they are providing all possible help to the people but their relief measures are being affected due to the decline in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection.

Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar told ANI that Manmohan Singh, during the meeting, said collections will not go up until the GST is not allocated properly by the central government.

He also said that the party also discussed the implementation of NYAY scheme.

"Other welfare schemes were also discussed to give relief to the common man. Implementation of NYAY scheme was also discussed that was a part of Congress manifesto. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that they are planning to initiate a pilot project after an initial survey," he said.

In the meeting, which was attended by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other senior leaders including KC Venugopal, Ahmed Patel and AK Antony, Sonia has directed that the Congress governments should offer all possible help to the people.

According to sources, Baghel apprised Sonia that his government has increased the amount of Minimum Support Price (MSP) to the farmers of the state.

"The government has purchased 80 lakh tonnes of grains and has paid Rs 2,500 per quintal which was Rs 1,700 earlier and it has strengthened the purchasing capacity of farmers," said the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh told Sonia that his government is providing electricity to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at a cheaper rate of Rs 5 per unit.

According to a source, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath spoke about "Mukhyamantri Patta Yojna" which has been started to allocate land to poor people for house.

He also said that the state government is providing more loan amount besides the land in comparison to the central government`s scheme of offering loan up to Rs 1.5 lakh for the house.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi has asked Chief Ministers of party-ruled states about measures being adopted by them to provide relief to the common man at a time when the country is reeling under the effect of an economic slowdown.

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi has asked Chief Ministers of party-ruled states about measures being adopted by them to provide relief to the common man at a time when the country is reeling under the effect of an economic slowdown. On Friday, Sonia met the Chief Ministers along with General Secretaries and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Presidents of the Congress-ruled states. Responding to Sonia`s query, Chief Ministers said they are providing all possible help to the people but their relief measures are being affected due to the decline in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection. Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar told ANI that Manmohan Singh, during the meeting, said collections will not go up until the GST is not allocated properly by the central government. He also said that the party also discussed the implementation of NYAY scheme. "Other welfare schemes were also discussed to give relief to the common man. Implementation of NYAY scheme was also discussed that was a part of Congress manifesto. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that they are planning to initiate a pilot project after an initial survey," he said. In the meeting, which was attended by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other senior leaders including KC Venugopal, Ahmed Patel and AK Antony, Sonia has directed that the Congress governments should offer all possible help to the people. According to sources, Baghel apprised Sonia that his government has increased the amount of Minimum Support Price (MSP) to the farmers of the state. "The government has purchased 80 lakh tonnes of grains and has paid Rs 2,500 per quintal which was Rs 1,700 earlier and it has strengthened the purchasing capacity of farmers," said the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh told Sonia that his government is providing electricity to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at a cheaper rate of Rs 5 per unit. According to a source, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath spoke about "Mukhyamantri Patta Yojna" which has been started to allocate land to poor people for house. He also said that the state government is providing more loan amount besides the land in comparison to the central government`s scheme of offering loan up to Rs 1.5 lakh for the house.

Sonia Gandhi asks Congress CMs about relief measures to curb effects of economic slowdown

Congress has decided to build a network of Preraks which on the face looks close to the system of Pracharaks, but in practice is far from it. We will go into those details little later. Preraks are expected to create an ideological cohesiveness within Congress. The system is targeted to enlarge ideological bandwidth of the organisation workers and giving them clear direction in term of the standing of the party on major issues.

The Preraks are supposed to undergo a week’s training before they would be appointed to their divisions. Each division would comprise 4-6 districts. It is a welcome step because Congress has finally understood the need for cohesion around ideology. It is also welcome because the purpose of the Prerak is primarily not electoral but ideological. It was a big missing link in the Congress, but to say that it can replicate an RSS experience is far-fetched. Preraks are being confused with both 'Panna Prakmukhs and Pracharaks'.

The job of the Panna Pramukh is to connect with each person on a voting list of a particular booth. It has nothing to do with the core RSS ideology. It is an organisational innovation done within RSS-BJP Parivar to make small vote banks effective by ensuring that everyone comes out and vote for the party. It was first tested in Madhya Pradesh and not in Nagpur.

On the other hand, shakha is central to what we know of RSS, not Pracharak System itself. Pracharaks may play the most important roles in the organisation but shakha is the place where the spirit of the organisation lies. It is here that foundation of a Pracharak is laid. Shakhas aren’t ideological classes. Shakhas represent brotherhood. Shakhas have a ritual. A shakha can be organised anywhere. It requires an open place.

It invites people for sporting activity. The sporting activity is dual in nature. It lays the foundation for an individual within the organisation and also works as a character-building exercise. Sangh has a Guru which is Dhwaj and Shakha has a Mukhya Shishshak. The assembly of men also has a song and a prayer. It is from this system, people associated with RSS complete three years. The Pracharaks aren’t born out of a 10-day course.&nbsp;

They reflect a life-long commitment of men towards an ideology where family commitments are done away by forging a new brotherhood. Today there are barely 2500 odd full-time Pracharaks in RSS. The organisation draws its basic strength from Karyvahak. These are the people who after functioning as Pracharaks have gone back as Grihasthas.&nbsp;

They are bound to RSS by ideological commitment, daily interaction and strong outlook towards Indian society is cultural in approach.&nbsp;

RSS network is built on constant functioning organisational space which is focused on issues ranging from culture to family to environment. Pracharaks do not work for political end only. The idea is to engage with civil society to reach the desired end where RSS itself becomes part of it.&nbsp;

The attempt of the Congress is to address the immediate problem of ideological and organisational crisis whereas the idea of Shakha and Pracharak and the work associated with it very broad-based.

Preraks will come handy in terms of dissemination of basic ideas of Congress but it is not enough to create a challenge to RSS. Congress is trying to salvage a lost ground whereas RSS has been on an incorporation drive. It has been trying to reach out to those who do not share their world view.

RSS is a commitment towards refashioning of Hindu society. RSS has multiple organisations which work with civil society at the non-political level.&nbsp;

The best example of such a programme is Roti-Beti approach. It is a programme whereby RSS has worked to promote communal dining. In the case of inter-caste marriage, its public stand is to support it. I do not know what the Congress would do in this context but if it seriously wants to democratise the organisation and get fresh blood then it should have refrained from appointing Sharmistha Mukherjee and Anshul Meira Kumar on the same day as spokesperson of the Congress Party. Sharmistha is the daughter of President Pranab Mukherjee and Anshul is the son of former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. More so, Congress needs to organise training camps all across India which should not be associated with any electoral calendar. 
 
Lastly, Congress needs to rebuild the relationship with society on non-political issues if it wants to counter a behemoth like RSS. Congress will need to move beyond the electoral calendar. The present strength of BJP stems of ideological clarity and strong civil society connect which is harnessed by both Pracharaks and Karyavahas. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Congress has decided to build a network of Preraks which on the face looks close to the system of Pracharaks, but in practice is far from it. We will go into those details little later.

Congress has decided to build a network of Preraks which on the face looks close to the system of Pracharaks, but in practice is far from it. We will go into those details little later. Preraks are expected to create an ideological cohesiveness within Congress. The system is targeted to enlarge ideological bandwidth of the organisation workers and giving them clear direction in term of the standing of the party on major issues. The Preraks are supposed to undergo a week’s training before they would be appointed to their divisions. Each division would comprise 4-6 districts. It is a welcome step because Congress has finally understood the need for cohesion around ideology. It is also welcome because the purpose of the Prerak is primarily not electoral but ideological. It was a big missing link in the Congress, but to say that it can replicate an RSS experience is far-fetched. Preraks are being confused with both 'Panna Prakmukhs and Pracharaks'. The job of the Panna Pramukh is to connect with each person on a voting list of a particular booth. It has nothing to do with the core RSS ideology. It is an organisational innovation done within RSS-BJP Parivar to make small vote banks effective by ensuring that everyone comes out and vote for the party. It was first tested in Madhya Pradesh and not in Nagpur. On the other hand, shakha is central to what we know of RSS, not Pracharak System itself. Pracharaks may play the most important roles in the organisation but shakha is the place where the spirit of the organisation lies. It is here that foundation of a Pracharak is laid. Shakhas aren’t ideological classes. Shakhas represent brotherhood. Shakhas have a ritual. A shakha can be organised anywhere. It requires an open place. It invites people for sporting activity. The sporting activity is dual in nature. It lays the foundation for an individual within the organisation and also works as a character-building exercise. Sangh has a Guru which is Dhwaj and Shakha has a Mukhya Shishshak. The assembly of men also has a song and a prayer. It is from this system, people associated with RSS complete three years. The Pracharaks aren’t born out of a 10-day course. They reflect a life-long commitment of men towards an ideology where family commitments are done away by forging a new brotherhood. Today there are barely 2500 odd full-time Pracharaks in RSS. The organisation draws its basic strength from Karyvahak. These are the people who after functioning as Pracharaks have gone back as Grihasthas. They are bound to RSS by ideological commitment, daily interaction and strong outlook towards Indian society is cultural in approach. RSS network is built on constant functioning organisational space which is focused on issues ranging from culture to family to environment. Pracharaks do not work for political end only. The idea is to engage with civil society to reach the desired end where RSS itself becomes part of it. The attempt of the Congress is to address the immediate problem of ideological and organisational crisis whereas the idea of Shakha and Pracharak and the work associated with it very broad-based. Preraks will come handy in terms of dissemination of basic ideas of Congress but it is not enough to create a challenge to RSS. Congress is trying to salvage a lost ground whereas RSS has been on an incorporation drive. It has been trying to reach out to those who do not share their world view. RSS is a commitment towards refashioning of Hindu society. RSS has multiple organisations which work with civil society at the non-political level. The best example of such a programme is Roti-Beti approach. It is a programme whereby RSS has worked to promote communal dining. In the case of inter-caste marriage, its public stand is to support it. I do not know what the Congress would do in this context but if it seriously wants to democratise the organisation and get fresh blood then it should have refrained from appointing Sharmistha Mukherjee and Anshul Meira Kumar on the same day as spokesperson of the Congress Party. Sharmistha is the daughter of President Pranab Mukherjee and Anshul is the son of former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. More so, Congress needs to organise training camps all across India which should not be associated with any electoral calendar. Lastly, Congress needs to rebuild the relationship with society on non-political issues if it wants to counter a behemoth like RSS. Congress will need to move beyond the electoral calendar. The present strength of BJP stems of ideological clarity and strong civil society connect which is harnessed by both Pracharaks and Karyavahas. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Prerak is nowhere close to the idea of Pracharak

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday demanded an explanation from interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi on party leader Digvijaya Singh's allegation that the BJP and Bajrang Dal were taking money from Pakistan's intelligence agency - Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Calling Congress an 'agent' of Pakistan, BJP leader Sambit Patra said that statements made by Congress leaders found resonance in Pakistan.

"Who coined 'Saffron terror'. When Sushil Kumar Shinde was Home Minister in the presence of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, he alleged that RSS gives training to terrorists. Sonia Gandhi allegedly cried for days over the killings in Batla House. It has been written by a Congress leader. Rahul Gandhi spoke about Muslim brotherhood which he equated with RSS," Patra said.

He alleged that Congress has always worked on 'anti-Hindu" philosophy'.

"I want to know how Singh got details about who is getting money from ISI? Congress has always worked to divide the country into communal lines. On the issue of abrogation of Article 370 Bhubaneswar Kalita, a former Congress chief whip in Rajya Sabha wrote in his letter that if Congress wants to commit suicide no one can help it," Patra said.

"The nine jewels of Congress include Rahul Gandhi, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Salman Khurshid, Digvijaya Singh, Sam Pitroda and Ghulam Nabi Azad. They are working against the nation. Their statements were quoted in Pakistan," stated Patra.

On India getting consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, currently lodged in a Pakistan jail, Patra said that the credit should go to the Narendra Modi government for making it possible.

"Since I am not authorised to speak on it, I would say Modi hai to Mumkin hai," added Patra.

Speaking on violence against BJP cadre in West Bengal, Patra said it is "murder" of democracy in the state by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday demanded an explanation from interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi on party leader Digvijaya Singh's allegation that the BJP and Bajrang Dal were taking money from Pakistan's intelligence agency - Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday demanded an explanation from interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi on party leader Digvijaya Singh's allegation that the BJP and Bajrang Dal were taking money from Pakistan's intelligence agency - Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Calling Congress an 'agent' of Pakistan, BJP leader Sambit Patra said that statements made by Congress leaders found resonance in Pakistan. "Who coined 'Saffron terror'. When Sushil Kumar Shinde was Home Minister in the presence of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, he alleged that RSS gives training to terrorists. Sonia Gandhi allegedly cried for days over the killings in Batla House. It has been written by a Congress leader. Rahul Gandhi spoke about Muslim brotherhood which he equated with RSS," Patra said. He alleged that Congress has always worked on 'anti-Hindu" philosophy'. "I want to know how Singh got details about who is getting money from ISI? Congress has always worked to divide the country into communal lines. On the issue of abrogation of Article 370 Bhubaneswar Kalita, a former Congress chief whip in Rajya Sabha wrote in his letter that if Congress wants to commit suicide no one can help it," Patra said. "The nine jewels of Congress include Rahul Gandhi, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Salman Khurshid, Digvijaya Singh, Sam Pitroda and Ghulam Nabi Azad. They are working against the nation. Their statements were quoted in Pakistan," stated Patra. On India getting consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, currently lodged in a Pakistan jail, Patra said that the credit should go to the Narendra Modi government for making it possible. "Since I am not authorised to speak on it, I would say Modi hai to Mumkin hai," added Patra. Speaking on violence against BJP cadre in West Bengal, Patra said it is "murder" of democracy in the state by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

BJP seeks Sonia Gandhi's explanation over Digvijaya Singh's charge

What is happening to India’s oldest political formation, the Indian National Congress? Not only is it apparently headless but also in complete disarray. While Sonia Gandhi has reluctantly reassumed its reigns as its interim acting president, its leadership crisis is far from over. In the meanwhile, its top leaders such as P Chidambaram and, now, Karnataka’s DK Shivakumar, are in serious legal trouble. The former, despite his formidable financial and political clout, not to speak of legendry legal acumen, has spent days in detention. More recently, Shivakumar is facing the heat from the Enforcement Directorate, with the Karnataka High Court refusing to grant him protection from arrest.&nbsp;

Earlier in the week, Rahul Gandhi scored another self-goal. After his failed visit to Srinagar on August 24, when he was not allowed to leave the airport and forced to return politically empty-handed, Gandhi tweeted against the government for unleashing draconian measures and brute force on the people of our newest Union Territory. “Things in Jammu and Kashmir are going very wrong,” Gandhi said, “There are reports of violence. There are reports of people dying in Jammu and Kashmir.”&nbsp;

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari, was quick to take advantage of Gandhi’s alarmist remarks, quite in consonance with its own strategy to internationalise the Kashmir issue. In her letter to officials of the United Nations, Mazari quoted Gandhi’s comment that people were dying in J&amp;K. Attacked by senior BJP ministers, Gandhi had to hastily beat a retreat by calling out Pakistan as a terror-sponsoring state on social media: “I disagree with this government on many issues,” he tweeted, “But, let me make this absolutely clear: Kashmir is India’s internal issue and there is no room for Pakistan or any other foreign country to interfere in it… There is violence in Jammu &amp; Kashmir. There is violence because it is instigated and supported by Pakistan which is known to be the prime supporter of terrorism across the world.”&nbsp;

Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress communications chief, had to jump in to defend his former party president. Accusing Pakistan of mischievously trying to use Gandhi to peddle a “pack of lies”, he said, “Let no one in the world be in doubt that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were, are and shall always remain integral parts of India. No amount of diabolical deception by Pakistan shall change this truth.” But the damage was done. Information and Broadcasting Minister and BJP political veteran, Prakash Javadekar accused Gandhi of helping Pakistan against India on the international stage. He rightly pointed out that Gandhi had been forced to make “a complete U-turn…due to circumstances and public pressure”. Earlier, during the 2019 election campaign, Gandhi had also failed to tarnish Modi’s incorruptible image with his “chowkidar chor hai” campaign.

It seems from all this that Jairam Ramesh certainly has a point. Demonising Narendra Modi isn’t helping the Congress. Rather, it shows the deep division, bordering on disarray, that afflicts India’s oldest political party. This was evident in the manner in which its high-profile and loquacious leader, three-times Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor, was targeted by his own state leadership. Pulled up by the Kerala Congress president, Mullapally Ramachandran, he was issued a show-cause notice.&nbsp;

The “original sinner”, as a report dubbed him, was not Tharoor, but Ramesh. The latter’s comments at a book launch in the national capital were also supported by party spokesman and lawyer, Abhishek Manu Singhvi. But only Tharoor was targeted. It was the following remark that probably earned Tharoor his party’s ire: “As you know, I have argued for six years now that Narendra Modi should be praised whenever he says or does the right thing, which would add credibility to our criticism and whenever he errs. I welcome others in Opposition coming around to a view for which I was excoriated at the time.” Tharoor was forced to clarify that he was no admirer of Modi and the Kerala Congress had to be “satisfied” with his explanation. The party only earned itself some needless embarrassment and discomfiture in the process.

After the Modi Sarkar’s surgical strike against Article 370, several Congress leaders came out in support of the government. These included Jyotraditya Scindia, Deepender Hooda, RPN Singh and Jitin Prasada, in addition to the son of the former Maharaja of Kashmir and first regent of the state, Dr Karan Singh. Bhuvaneshwar Kalita, the Congress chief whip, went to the extent of resigning. With considerable difficulty, if not force, the CWC eventually passed a resolution opposing the government’s abrogation of Article 370’s key provisions. The Congress is now a divided house. Not only does it lack credible leadership, but a plan of action. As if this were not bad enough, it has also shown itself utterly unsuccessful in denting, leave alone destroying, Narendra Modi’s popularity and appeal.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-discomfiture-and-disarray-in-congress-2786246">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

What is happening to India’s oldest political formation, the Indian National Congress? Not only is it apparently headless but also in complete disarray. While Sonia Gandhi has reluctantly reassumed its reigns as its interim acting president, its leadership crisis is far from over.

What is happening to India’s oldest political formation, the Indian National Congress? Not only is it apparently headless but also in complete disarray. While Sonia Gandhi has reluctantly reassumed its reigns as its interim acting president, its leadership crisis is far from over. In the meanwhile, its top leaders such as P Chidambaram and, now, Karnataka’s DK Shivakumar, are in serious legal trouble. The former, despite his formidable financial and political clout, not to speak of legendry legal acumen, has spent days in detention. More recently, Shivakumar is facing the heat from the Enforcement Directorate, with the Karnataka High Court refusing to grant him protection from arrest. Earlier in the week, Rahul Gandhi scored another self-goal. After his failed visit to Srinagar on August 24, when he was not allowed to leave the airport and forced to return politically empty-handed, Gandhi tweeted against the government for unleashing draconian measures and brute force on the people of our newest Union Territory. “Things in Jammu and Kashmir are going very wrong,” Gandhi said, “There are reports of violence. There are reports of people dying in Jammu and Kashmir.” Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari, was quick to take advantage of Gandhi’s alarmist remarks, quite in consonance with its own strategy to internationalise the Kashmir issue. In her letter to officials of the United Nations, Mazari quoted Gandhi’s comment that people were dying in J&K. Attacked by senior BJP ministers, Gandhi had to hastily beat a retreat by calling out Pakistan as a terror-sponsoring state on social media: “I disagree with this government on many issues,” he tweeted, “But, let me make this absolutely clear: Kashmir is India’s internal issue and there is no room for Pakistan or any other foreign country to interfere in it… There is violence in Jammu & Kashmir. There is violence because it is instigated and supported by Pakistan which is known to be the prime supporter of terrorism across the world.” Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress communications chief, had to jump in to defend his former party president. Accusing Pakistan of mischievously trying to use Gandhi to peddle a “pack of lies”, he said, “Let no one in the world be in doubt that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were, are and shall always remain integral parts of India. No amount of diabolical deception by Pakistan shall change this truth.” But the damage was done. Information and Broadcasting Minister and BJP political veteran, Prakash Javadekar accused Gandhi of helping Pakistan against India on the international stage. He rightly pointed out that Gandhi had been forced to make “a complete U-turn…due to circumstances and public pressure”. Earlier, during the 2019 election campaign, Gandhi had also failed to tarnish Modi’s incorruptible image with his “chowkidar chor hai” campaign. It seems from all this that Jairam Ramesh certainly has a point. Demonising Narendra Modi isn’t helping the Congress. Rather, it shows the deep division, bordering on disarray, that afflicts India’s oldest political party. This was evident in the manner in which its high-profile and loquacious leader, three-times Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor, was targeted by his own state leadership. Pulled up by the Kerala Congress president, Mullapally Ramachandran, he was issued a show-cause notice. The “original sinner”, as a report dubbed him, was not Tharoor, but Ramesh. The latter’s comments at a book launch in the national capital were also supported by party spokesman and lawyer, Abhishek Manu Singhvi. But only Tharoor was targeted. It was the following remark that probably earned Tharoor his party’s ire: “As you know, I have argued for six years now that Narendra Modi should be praised whenever he says or does the right thing, which would add credibility to our criticism and whenever he errs. I welcome others in Opposition coming around to a view for which I was excoriated at the time.” Tharoor was forced to clarify that he was no admirer of Modi and the Kerala Congress had to be “satisfied” with his explanation. The party only earned itself some needless embarrassment and discomfiture in the process. After the Modi Sarkar’s surgical strike against Article 370, several Congress leaders came out in support of the government. These included Jyotraditya Scindia, Deepender Hooda, RPN Singh and Jitin Prasada, in addition to the son of the former Maharaja of Kashmir and first regent of the state, Dr Karan Singh. Bhuvaneshwar Kalita, the Congress chief whip, went to the extent of resigning. With considerable difficulty, if not force, the CWC eventually passed a resolution opposing the government’s abrogation of Article 370’s key provisions. The Congress is now a divided house. Not only does it lack credible leadership, but a plan of action. As if this were not bad enough, it has also shown itself utterly unsuccessful in denting, leave alone destroying, Narendra Modi’s popularity and appeal. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Discomfiture and disarray in Congress

Congress President Sonia Gandhi is said to be mulling the possibilities of overhauling different state units and naming new party chiefs for them.

After Gandhi's meeting with the party leaders from Maharashtra on Friday, sources said that she may be set to overhaul the state units.

President's of Jharkhand, Karnataka and Goa are going to be announced soon by the party, they said.

There is a lot of infighting in Haryana and some solutions have been worked out as a truce between warring factions, the sources said.

The Congress top brass has also expressed serious concerns over desertions of MLAs in Karnataka and Goa.Gearing up for the coming Assembly polls in Jharkhand and Haryana, the party is prepping to strengthen its state units.

Having taken over as interim Congress chief, Gandhi has started holding meetings to review party's preparations in states expected to go to the polls later this year and held a meeting on Jharkhand on Wednesday.

Congress sources said Gandhi is expected to meet party in-charges of Haryana and Maharashtra in the next few days.

Gandhi was recently chosen as interim chief of Congress after a meeting of the party's Working Committee over two months after Rahul Gandhi offered to resign as party chief following the party's debacle in the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

Congress President Sonia Gandhi is said to be mulling the possibilities of overhauling different state units and naming new party chiefs for them. After Gandhi's meeting with the party leaders from Maharashtra on Friday, sources said that she may be set to overhaul the state units.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi is said to be mulling the possibilities of overhauling different state units and naming new party chiefs for them. After Gandhi's meeting with the party leaders from Maharashtra on Friday, sources said that she may be set to overhaul the state units. President's of Jharkhand, Karnataka and Goa are going to be announced soon by the party, they said. There is a lot of infighting in Haryana and some solutions have been worked out as a truce between warring factions, the sources said. The Congress top brass has also expressed serious concerns over desertions of MLAs in Karnataka and Goa.Gearing up for the coming Assembly polls in Jharkhand and Haryana, the party is prepping to strengthen its state units. Having taken over as interim Congress chief, Gandhi has started holding meetings to review party's preparations in states expected to go to the polls later this year and held a meeting on Jharkhand on Wednesday. Congress sources said Gandhi is expected to meet party in-charges of Haryana and Maharashtra in the next few days. Gandhi was recently chosen as interim chief of Congress after a meeting of the party's Working Committee over two months after Rahul Gandhi offered to resign as party chief following the party's debacle in the Lok Sabha elections.

Sonia mulling overhaul of state units, to name some chiefs

2019 is not 1998. Sonia Gandhi's appointment as interim Congress president may unite the party for some time but it fails to address the root question of its decline and shrinking in various states. Yes, Sonia Gandhi will continue as the president for longer than what people think but she too stares at a hard road ahead. Though she has been made interim president, there will be no hurry in calling the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting. There is unlikely to be any challenger either. The reason is simple: Those who ensured that Sonia came back will also ensure that arrangement continues till she can function as the president. This arrangement makes (as I mentioned in my <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-return-of-ahmed-patel-233039">previous write up</a>) Ahmed Patel a very important person in the scheme of things. 
&nbsp; 
There is no doubt that Mr Patel did not have cosy relationship with Rahul Gandhi but he does enjoy a rapport with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Sonia's coming back and Rahul Gandhi functioning as a common MP will lead to re-consolidation of the team which worked with Sonia Gandhi from 1998 onwards. Another impact of the decision would be partial marginalisation of the office managers of Rahul Gandhi who enjoyed disproportionate power within the Congress party. 
&nbsp; 
Another major change would be toning down of difference between the old and young Congress as the young will to be more flexible with Sonia's team. Though many believe they would still have ears of Priyanka Gandhi, if closely observed, the older leadership feels at home with Priyanka and would not mind accommodating the new faces brought in by Rahul Gandhi on her insistence. This move also marks entry of Priyanka Gandhi in the larger scheme of things. Now, Congress leaders are openly talking about Priyanka as a natural successor to Sonia than Rahul Gandhi. There are senior leaders in the Congress who believe that a particular section always preferred Priyanka over Rahul but had to keep quiet because of Sonia's insistence as Rahul taking over the party. But with Rahul staying firm on his decision, the equation has changed within the Congress, till sibling rivalry comes to fore. 
&nbsp; 
The flip side is that Sonia Gandhi cannot be as active as she used to be in late 1990s. Sonia only focussed from 2010 onwards in projecting Rahul Gandhi as the real inheritor of the Congress. She will have to divert all her attention on bread and butter issues. She was brought in as the Congress president because the leaders at that point of time felt that Sitaram Kesari is not the totem pole around which Congress can fight BJP. This time Sonia's comeback is based more on internal power distribution in the party which lost its equilibrium after Rahul's entry into the mainstream organisation.

Priyanka Gandhi too has been politically exposed in the Lok Sabha elections. She will have to prove herself again in the next assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh if she wants to be taken seriously at the national level.

On the other hand, Congress is also all set to do badly again for next two years. There is no hope in hell for the Congress when it comes to assembly elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have workers but decisive leadership at the state does not exist.

More so, selection of Sonia Gandhi as the president shows Congress as a political outfit has become intellectually hollow and weak. It does not have a strong ideological foundation anymore. Karan Singh, who did a press conference 48 hours before abrogation of Article 370, praised it once it was passed. The Chief Whip of the Congress party in Rajya Sabha resigned after issuing a three-line whip.

Senior leaders spoke in different voice on this issue. The travesty is that CWC was called after BJP was able to successfully pass the bill in Rajya Sabha. 
&nbsp; 
It showed that ideas do not bind Congress party together. It has forgotten what it used to be. Its institutional memory is limited to a family. On Saturday evening, it once again failed to show courage and demonstrate intellectual depth. It could not select a non-Gandhi. The old clique ensured that Sonia comes back so that it could function easily once again as Rahul Gandhi wanted to create a new at their expense. Rahul's venture would have worked in any other party but because he himself is a product of entitlement, his measures were never seen as convincing. 
&nbsp; 
Congress today is behaving like an old conglomerate which has not understood that business of politics has changed in India. Congress cannot wait for BJP to make mistake. Congress feels that BJP has made a big mistake in Kashmir whereas rest of India feels that Modi has done the right thing. The message in rest of India is that nation is not a soft state which can be harassed by politicians who have sustained the idea of persecution and difference for decades in the Valley.

Congress also should not suffer from selective amnesia. It arrested and jailed the popularly elected chief minister Sheikh Abdullah throughout 50s and 60s. He returned to a normal life as a broken man. It can take a leaf out of BJP's book. When Indira reigned as a supreme leader, Jan Sangh was reborn as BJP in 1980. At its centre, there was a collegium of leaders and powerful satraps. It made BJP survive Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, VP Singh and Narsimha Rao. Congress need a collegium of leaders at the centre rather than the cult of Gandhis and Congress needs to understand this because as the biggest Opposition party, it is answerable to us, common citizens rather than one family.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

2019 is not 1998. Sonia Gandhi's appointment as interim Congress president may unite the party for some time but it fails to address the root question of its decline and shrinking in various states.

2019 is not 1998. Sonia Gandhi's appointment as interim Congress president may unite the party for some time but it fails to address the root question of its decline and shrinking in various states. Yes, Sonia Gandhi will continue as the president for longer than what people think but she too stares at a hard road ahead. Though she has been made interim president, there will be no hurry in calling the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting. There is unlikely to be any challenger either. The reason is simple: Those who ensured that Sonia came back will also ensure that arrangement continues till she can function as the president. This arrangement makes (as I mentioned in my previous write up) Ahmed Patel a very important person in the scheme of things. There is no doubt that Mr Patel did not have cosy relationship with Rahul Gandhi but he does enjoy a rapport with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Sonia's coming back and Rahul Gandhi functioning as a common MP will lead to re-consolidation of the team which worked with Sonia Gandhi from 1998 onwards. Another impact of the decision would be partial marginalisation of the office managers of Rahul Gandhi who enjoyed disproportionate power within the Congress party. Another major change would be toning down of difference between the old and young Congress as the young will to be more flexible with Sonia's team. Though many believe they would still have ears of Priyanka Gandhi, if closely observed, the older leadership feels at home with Priyanka and would not mind accommodating the new faces brought in by Rahul Gandhi on her insistence. This move also marks entry of Priyanka Gandhi in the larger scheme of things. Now, Congress leaders are openly talking about Priyanka as a natural successor to Sonia than Rahul Gandhi. There are senior leaders in the Congress who believe that a particular section always preferred Priyanka over Rahul but had to keep quiet because of Sonia's insistence as Rahul taking over the party. But with Rahul staying firm on his decision, the equation has changed within the Congress, till sibling rivalry comes to fore. The flip side is that Sonia Gandhi cannot be as active as she used to be in late 1990s. Sonia only focussed from 2010 onwards in projecting Rahul Gandhi as the real inheritor of the Congress. She will have to divert all her attention on bread and butter issues. She was brought in as the Congress president because the leaders at that point of time felt that Sitaram Kesari is not the totem pole around which Congress can fight BJP. This time Sonia's comeback is based more on internal power distribution in the party which lost its equilibrium after Rahul's entry into the mainstream organisation. Priyanka Gandhi too has been politically exposed in the Lok Sabha elections. She will have to prove herself again in the next assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh if she wants to be taken seriously at the national level. On the other hand, Congress is also all set to do badly again for next two years. There is no hope in hell for the Congress when it comes to assembly elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have workers but decisive leadership at the state does not exist. More so, selection of Sonia Gandhi as the president shows Congress as a political outfit has become intellectually hollow and weak. It does not have a strong ideological foundation anymore. Karan Singh, who did a press conference 48 hours before abrogation of Article 370, praised it once it was passed. The Chief Whip of the Congress party in Rajya Sabha resigned after issuing a three-line whip. Senior leaders spoke in different voice on this issue. The travesty is that CWC was called after BJP was able to successfully pass the bill in Rajya Sabha. It showed that ideas do not bind Congress party together. It has forgotten what it used to be. Its institutional memory is limited to a family. On Saturday evening, it once again failed to show courage and demonstrate intellectual depth. It could not select a non-Gandhi. The old clique ensured that Sonia comes back so that it could function easily once again as Rahul Gandhi wanted to create a new at their expense. Rahul's venture would have worked in any other party but because he himself is a product of entitlement, his measures were never seen as convincing. Congress today is behaving like an old conglomerate which has not understood that business of politics has changed in India. Congress cannot wait for BJP to make mistake. Congress feels that BJP has made a big mistake in Kashmir whereas rest of India feels that Modi has done the right thing. The message in rest of India is that nation is not a soft state which can be harassed by politicians who have sustained the idea of persecution and difference for decades in the Valley. Congress also should not suffer from selective amnesia. It arrested and jailed the popularly elected chief minister Sheikh Abdullah throughout 50s and 60s. He returned to a normal life as a broken man. It can take a leaf out of BJP's book. When Indira reigned as a supreme leader, Jan Sangh was reborn as BJP in 1980. At its centre, there was a collegium of leaders and powerful satraps. It made BJP survive Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, VP Singh and Narsimha Rao. Congress need a collegium of leaders at the centre rather than the cult of Gandhis and Congress needs to understand this because as the biggest Opposition party, it is answerable to us, common citizens rather than one family. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Congress needs to do more, 2019 is not 1998

Sonia Gandhi, who has been the longest-serving Congress president, was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sonai-gandhi-to-be-congress-interim-president-242079">chosen as interim chief of the party on Saturday by Congress Working Committee</a> and has taken over leadership of the party from her son Rahul Gandhi who had succeeded her in 2017.&nbsp;

She had taken over the leadership in challenging circumstances in 1998 and now as interim chief, she faces a perhaps even tougher task with Congress having lost two successive Lok Sabha elections is facing resignations of party leaders across states as well as battling some apparent ideological confusion.&nbsp;

Sonia Gandhi, 72, was the chief when the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/nitish-kumar-caught-between-a-strong-modi-and-weak-lalu-226726">Congress received its worst drubbing in a Lok Sabha election</a> and won 44 seats. The party won 52 seats in the 2019 elections when Rahul Gandhi was the party chief.

Rahul Gandhi was also a key face of the party in the 2014 elections.&nbsp;

In the past five years, BJP has considerably expanded its base and won states it had never won in the past and emerged as the principal pole of national politics replacing the Congress.

Apart from the long term challenges in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where the party has gone weak, the immediate task before Sonia Gandhi will be to put up strong challenges in election-bound states of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Haryana.&nbsp;

The Central government has taken a momentous decision to repeal Article 370 and bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories and Sonia Gandhi will have to guide the party through the change and decide its political strategy.

Some party leaders have already differed with the party's official view on the issue.&nbsp;

The Centre is also keen on early assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Sonia Gandhi is into her fifth term as Lok Sabha MP. She will be interim chief pending the election of a regular President by the AICC.

She commands respect, trust, and loyalty of party leaders workers across the generational divide and that is expected to help in taking any tough decisions.

Sonia Gandhi was a reluctant entrant into politics and became party chief in 1998 a year after she became a primary member of the party and continued in the post till 2017.

She resigned apparently over health concerns as also to herald a generational change in the party. She made mistakes at the beginning of her political innings but learned from them quickly.&nbsp;

She improved her grasp over Hindi, the language of politics in vast parts of the country and delivered hard-hitting speeches that made her opponents sit up and take notice.

The issue of her foreign origins was raised by Sharad Pawar, Tariq Anwar and PA Sangma which led to their expulsion and she kept the party united.

While Anwar is now back in Congress, Pawar is an ally of Congress. Her even-handed approach endeared her to party leaders and workers.

Gandhi stitched coalitions ahead of the 2004 Lok Sabha elections and ousted the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government which was confident of its victory.

The Congress-led UPA of which she is the chairperson won another term in office in 2009. She did not accept the post of prime minister in 2004 and worked for a rights-based agenda in UPA governments. Sonia Gandhi married Rajiv Gandhi, son of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1968.

Born on December 9, 1946, in a village Lusiana in Italy, she attended a foreign language school.

She spent most of her married life largely as a private citizen looking after her family. When Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister in 1984, she accompanied him on some of his tours. She also looked after his parliamentary constituency.&nbsp;

After Rajiv Gandhi`s assassination in 1991, there were demands for her to assume political roles. She resigned from Lok Sabha seat in 2006 as also the chairperson of the National Advisory Committee after a controversy over the office of profit issue and was re-elected.

Her interests include reading, Indian art, handloom and handicrafts, and classical music.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Sonia Gandhi, who has been the longest-serving Congress president, was chosen as interim chief of the party on Saturday by Congress Working Committee and has taken over leadership of the party from her son Rahul Gandhi who had succeeded her in 2017.

Sonia Gandhi, who has been the longest-serving Congress president, was chosen as interim chief of the party on Saturday by Congress Working Committee and has taken over leadership of the party from her son Rahul Gandhi who had succeeded her in 2017. She had taken over the leadership in challenging circumstances in 1998 and now as interim chief, she faces a perhaps even tougher task with Congress having lost two successive Lok Sabha elections is facing resignations of party leaders across states as well as battling some apparent ideological confusion. Sonia Gandhi, 72, was the chief when the Congress received its worst drubbing in a Lok Sabha election and won 44 seats. The party won 52 seats in the 2019 elections when Rahul Gandhi was the party chief. Rahul Gandhi was also a key face of the party in the 2014 elections. In the past five years, BJP has considerably expanded its base and won states it had never won in the past and emerged as the principal pole of national politics replacing the Congress. Apart from the long term challenges in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where the party has gone weak, the immediate task before Sonia Gandhi will be to put up strong challenges in election-bound states of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Haryana. The Central government has taken a momentous decision to repeal Article 370 and bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories and Sonia Gandhi will have to guide the party through the change and decide its political strategy. Some party leaders have already differed with the party's official view on the issue. The Centre is also keen on early assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Sonia Gandhi is into her fifth term as Lok Sabha MP. She will be interim chief pending the election of a regular President by the AICC. She commands respect, trust, and loyalty of party leaders workers across the generational divide and that is expected to help in taking any tough decisions. Sonia Gandhi was a reluctant entrant into politics and became party chief in 1998 a year after she became a primary member of the party and continued in the post till 2017. She resigned apparently over health concerns as also to herald a generational change in the party. She made mistakes at the beginning of her political innings but learned from them quickly. She improved her grasp over Hindi, the language of politics in vast parts of the country and delivered hard-hitting speeches that made her opponents sit up and take notice. The issue of her foreign origins was raised by Sharad Pawar, Tariq Anwar and PA Sangma which led to their expulsion and she kept the party united. While Anwar is now back in Congress, Pawar is an ally of Congress. Her even-handed approach endeared her to party leaders and workers. Gandhi stitched coalitions ahead of the 2004 Lok Sabha elections and ousted the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government which was confident of its victory. The Congress-led UPA of which she is the chairperson won another term in office in 2009. She did not accept the post of prime minister in 2004 and worked for a rights-based agenda in UPA governments. Sonia Gandhi married Rajiv Gandhi, son of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1968. Born on December 9, 1946, in a village Lusiana in Italy, she attended a foreign language school. She spent most of her married life largely as a private citizen looking after her family. When Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister in 1984, she accompanied him on some of his tours. She also looked after his parliamentary constituency. After Rajiv Gandhi`s assassination in 1991, there were demands for her to assume political roles. She resigned from Lok Sabha seat in 2006 as also the chairperson of the National Advisory Committee after a controversy over the office of profit issue and was re-elected. Her interests include reading, Indian art, handloom and handicrafts, and classical music.

Sonia Gandhi takes over as interim chief in challenging times for Congress

The BJP on Saturday took a swipe at Congress for sticking to Nehru Gandhi's family by appointing UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi as the party's interim president.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sonai-gandhi-to-be-congress-interim-president-242079">Soon after the Congress announced Sonia Gandhi as its President </a>after a marathon meeting of the Congress Working Committee, BJP leader Amit Malviya put out a video message that described the Congress as 'slave' of the family.&nbsp;

Malviya, who is in-charge of BJP's national information and technology department tweeted a seven-second video with the message "To Congress with love..."

The jibe comes in the wake of Rahul Gandhi's insistence on not continuing as the party President and advocating that the new chief must be chosen outside the family.

Rahul resigned from the top party post after the humiliating defeat in general elections.

The Congress won just 52 seats against the 303 of the BJP.

This was the second successive Lok Sabha polls when the party got less than the seats required to get the position of Leader of Opposition.

In 2014, the Congress had won 44 seats.

Besides, Rahul also lost his own seat in the family bastion of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh.

He, however, is still an MP because this time he contested from a second seat &nbsp;Wayanad in Kerala, which he won.

The BJP on Saturday took a swipe at Congress for sticking to Nehru Gandhi's family by appointing UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi as the party's interim president. Soon after the Congress announced Sonia Gandhi as its President after a marathon meeting of the Congress Working Committee, BJP leader Amit Malviya put out a video message that described the Congress as 'slave' of the family.

The BJP on Saturday took a swipe at Congress for sticking to Nehru Gandhi's family by appointing UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi as the party's interim president. Soon after the Congress announced Sonia Gandhi as its President after a marathon meeting of the Congress Working Committee, BJP leader Amit Malviya put out a video message that described the Congress as 'slave' of the family. Malviya, who is in-charge of BJP's national information and technology department tweeted a seven-second video with the message "To Congress with love..." The jibe comes in the wake of Rahul Gandhi's insistence on not continuing as the party President and advocating that the new chief must be chosen outside the family. Rahul resigned from the top party post after the humiliating defeat in general elections. The Congress won just 52 seats against the 303 of the BJP. This was the second successive Lok Sabha polls when the party got less than the seats required to get the position of Leader of Opposition. In 2014, the Congress had won 44 seats. Besides, Rahul also lost his own seat in the family bastion of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. He, however, is still an MP because this time he contested from a second seat Wayanad in Kerala, which he won.

BJP posts 7 second video message to target dynasty in Congress

Congress leader Harish Rawat said on Saturday that Sonia Gandhi is the new interim president of the Congress party.

He made the announcement after a meeting of Congress Working Committee (CWC) at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

Earlier, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad had said that Sonia Gandhi is the "new Congress President".

Congress party general secretary K C Venugopal said that the party&nbsp;unanimously elected Sonia Gandhi.

Venugopal said that Congress Working Committee (CWC) has unanimously resolved to request Sonia Gandhi to take over as the Interim president, pending the election of a regular president by the AICC.

Venugopal also said that CWC unanimously resolved that Rahul Gandhi should continue as Congress president and requested him to accept this decision, however, he declined to withdraw his resignation.

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Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress: Sonia Gandhi is the new Congress president. <a href="https://t.co/tMkQNijDeM">pic.twitter.com/tMkQNijDeM</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1160240862665871360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress leaders AK Antony, Mallikarjun Kharge,&nbsp;Jyotiraditya Scindia,&nbsp;Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, P Chidambaram and several others were present.

Congress leader Harish Rawat said on Saturday that Sonia Gandhi is the new interim president of the Congress party. He made the announcement after a meeting of Congress Working Committee (CWC) at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

Congress leader Harish Rawat said on Saturday that Sonia Gandhi is the new interim president of the Congress party. He made the announcement after a meeting of Congress Working Committee (CWC) at the party headquarters in New Delhi. Earlier, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad had said that Sonia Gandhi is the "new Congress President". Congress party general secretary K C Venugopal said that the party unanimously elected Sonia Gandhi. Venugopal said that Congress Working Committee (CWC) has unanimously resolved to request Sonia Gandhi to take over as the Interim president, pending the election of a regular president by the AICC. Venugopal also said that CWC unanimously resolved that Rahul Gandhi should continue as Congress president and requested him to accept this decision, however, he declined to withdraw his resignation. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress: Sonia Gandhi is the new Congress president. pic.twitter.com/tMkQNijDeM — ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2019 × Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress leaders AK Antony, Mallikarjun Kharge, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, P Chidambaram and several others were present.

Sonia Gandhi to be interim Congress president

Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting is underway&nbsp;at the party headquarters to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cwc-to-meet-again-at-830pm-today-to-choose-new-party-chief-as-rahul-refuses-to-budge-242011">choose next party president</a>&nbsp;after Rahul Gandhi refused to reconsider his resignation following poll debacle.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress leaders AK Antony, Mallikarjun Kharge and Jyotiraditya Scindia arrived at All India Congress Committee (AICC) office for Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting a little while ago.

Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and her daughter and party's general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also reached the party headquarters for the meeting.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Delhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Delhi</a>: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrive at All India Congress Committee (AICC) office for Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting. <a href="https://t.co/iTKsqHtTaP">pic.twitter.com/iTKsqHtTaP</a>
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Earlier, Sonia Gandhi told reporters she and Rahul Gandhi were not a part of the five regionwise groups formed in the CWC to elect the new party chief.

"Rahul and I cannot participate in the election of the new party chief. Putting our names is not good," she said.

According to sources, the front runners for the position are party's general secretary Mukul Wasnik and Karnataka stalwart Mallikarjun Kharge.

Wasnik is the senior-most general secretary acceptable to most of the factions. Kharge, on the other hand, is a veteran leader from South India who lost Lok Sabha elections in 2019.&nbsp;

Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting is underway at the party headquarters to choose next party president after Rahul Gandhi refused to reconsider his resignation following poll debacle.

Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting is underway at the party headquarters to choose next party president after Rahul Gandhi refused to reconsider his resignation following poll debacle. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress leaders AK Antony, Mallikarjun Kharge and Jyotiraditya Scindia arrived at All India Congress Committee (AICC) office for Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting a little while ago. Rahul Gandhi, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and her daughter and party's general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also reached the party headquarters for the meeting. #Delhi: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrive at All India Congress Committee (AICC) office for Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting. pic.twitter.com/iTKsqHtTaP — ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2019 × Earlier, Sonia Gandhi told reporters she and Rahul Gandhi were not a part of the five regionwise groups formed in the CWC to elect the new party chief. "Rahul and I cannot participate in the election of the new party chief. Putting our names is not good," she said. According to sources, the front runners for the position are party's general secretary Mukul Wasnik and Karnataka stalwart Mallikarjun Kharge. Wasnik is the senior-most general secretary acceptable to most of the factions. Kharge, on the other hand, is a veteran leader from South India who lost Lok Sabha elections in 2019.

Congress Working Committee meeting underway to choose next party president

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