Sanjeev Chopra

Stories by Sanjeev Chopra

'Our Sardar': Cong asserts claim on Patel's legacy

'Our Sardar': Cong asserts claim on Patel's legacy

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2025

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP-RSS of carrying out a "well-planned conspiracy" against national heroes and said that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's ideology was contrary to the RSS' ideas. He defended the relationship between Sardar Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru, saying they were "two sides of the same coin". He also criticized the BJP-RSS for their alleged attempts to appropriate the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel.

2024 was mostly about lost chances for Congress

2024 was mostly about lost chances for Congress

Rediff.com   1 Jan 2025

The principal opposition party though appeared content securing 99 of the 543 seats in the 2024 national elections as against its all-time low of 44 in 2014 and then 52 in 2019.

How Dr Manmohan Singh became India's 'reforms' man

How Dr Manmohan Singh became India's 'reforms' man

Rediff.com   27 Dec 2024

He drew the roadmap of India's economic reform, unshackled it from the licence raj and pulled it back from the brink when even its gold reserve was pledged.

Kharge explains: Why Cong fighting on lesser seats

Kharge explains: Why Cong fighting on lesser seats

Rediff.com   22 May 2024

The Congress has consciously contested on a lesser number of seats in this Lok Sabha election as part of a strategy to keep the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) together and defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has said.

Can Congress reverse fortunes after 2 consecutive LS poll defeats?

Can Congress reverse fortunes after 2 consecutive LS poll defeats?

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2024

It is in power on its own only in three states -- Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana -- with a big question mark on whether it can even stake claim to be head of the INDIA bloc.

Rahul blows kisses to crowd shouting 'Jai Shri Ram', 'Modi, Modi'

Rahul blows kisses to crowd shouting 'Jai Shri Ram', 'Modi, Modi'

Rediff.com   21 Jan 2024

As a group of Bharatiya Janata Party workers chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' and raised 'Modi, Modi' slogans in front of Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra bus in Nagaon, the Congress leader waved, gave flying kisses and stepped down to meet them.

Cong rout may force INDIA to redraw strategy for 2024

Cong rout may force INDIA to redraw strategy for 2024

Rediff.com   4 Dec 2023

The party was trounced in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and is now left with only Himachal Pradesh in the north. It is ruling in only three states on its own and is in power in Bihar and Jharkhand as a junior partner in alliance with regional parties.

INDIA leaders decide to be ready for NDA 'surprises', early polls

INDIA leaders decide to be ready for NDA 'surprises', early polls

Rediff.com   1 Sep 2023

Top leaders of the Opposition's Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) held talks in an informal setting in Mumbai on Thursday evening to chart out a concrete roadmap and evolve a structure for cooperation among the alliance partners to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

'It's INDIA vs Modi', says Rahul as Opposition renames alliance

'It's INDIA vs Modi', says Rahul as Opposition renames alliance

Rediff.com   18 Jul 2023

Addressing a joint press conference after a meeting of 26 opposition parties in Bengaluru, Kharge said, "This was a very important meeting to save democracy and the Constitution in the interest of the people of the country."

Opposition leaders gather to give final shape to joint front

Opposition leaders gather to give final shape to joint front

Rediff.com   17 Jul 2023

Top leaders of 26 opposition parties were arriving in Bengaluru on Monday for a two-day brainstorming session with a call for unity and are expected to chalk out their joint programme aimed at defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Congress back in game with 'booster dose'

Congress back in game with 'booster dose'

Rediff.com   13 May 2023

The Congress victory in Karnataka, its first big state since 2018, puts the party back in the game for general elections as it re-establishes primacy in the opposition space that is currently vastly fragmented despite efforts to cobble up a united front against the BJP.

Kharge extends hand to parties to defeat BJP, says ready for sacrifices

Kharge extends hand to parties to defeat BJP, says ready for sacrifices

Rediff.com   25 Feb 2023

In the prevailing difficult circumstances, the Congress is the only party that can provide capable and decisive leadership to the country, Kharge asserted.

Sonia Gandhi slams BJP, says saffron party fuels fire of hatred

Sonia Gandhi slams BJP, says saffron party fuels fire of hatred

Rediff.com   25 Feb 2023

She urged the Congress workers to tackle the current regime with vigour and reach out to people to convey the party's message.

Factional feud, poll promises major challenges for new Cong govt in Himachal

Factional feud, poll promises major challenges for new Cong govt in Himachal

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2022

Allocation of portfolios would be the immediate vexatious issue for the party, with supporters of Virbhadra Singh already feeling sidelined after the elevation of the late chief minister's professed rival Sukhu.

What worked for Congress in Himachal Pradesh

What worked for Congress in Himachal Pradesh

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2022

The BJP launched an all-out and aggressive personalised campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself, but voters went by local rather than national issues.

Could Rahul's presence have made a difference to Congress in Gujarat?

Could Rahul's presence have made a difference to Congress in Gujarat?

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2022

Rahul Gandhi mostly stayed away from the elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, choosing to focus on the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Change in 'Raj' or 'Riwaaj'? Himachal results tomorrow

Change in 'Raj' or 'Riwaaj'? Himachal results tomorrow

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2022

Going by Himachal Pradesh's "riwaj", or tradition, it should be the Congress' turn to form the next government.

BJP eyes history, Cong tradition as Himachal votes on Saturday

BJP eyes history, Cong tradition as Himachal votes on Saturday

Rediff.com   11 Nov 2022

On poll eve, both the BJP and the Congress claimed they were headed towards a majority and would form the government.

BJP, Congress grapple with rebel problem in Himachal polls

BJP, Congress grapple with rebel problem in Himachal polls

Rediff.com   2 Nov 2022

No matter how smug they sound on the surface about the potential of the dissenters to disturb the proverbial applecart, the Congress and the BJP know that their electoral calculations are precariously hinged in a seemingly tight contest.

1 month of Bharat Jodo: Will Congress gain electorally?

1 month of Bharat Jodo: Will Congress gain electorally?

Rediff.com   11 Oct 2022

Party leaders list three clear positive outcomes -- an activated Congress which has hit the ground running leaving the past inertia behind, an interactive top brass which is directly engaging the people, and a mobilised organisation which was dormant for many years.