News for 'Congress Does Matter'

Maternal deaths: Karnataka health minister 'ready to resign'

Maternal deaths: Karnataka health minister 'ready to resign'

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

Another maternal death has been reported at the Ballari Medical College and Research Centre (BMCRC), bringing the total number of such fatalities in the past month to five.

TMC distances itself from Hakim's Muslim population remark amid backlash

TMC distances itself from Hakim's Muslim population remark amid backlash

Rediff.com16 Dec 2024

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has distanced itself from controversial remarks made by its senior leader and West Bengal minister Firhad Hakim regarding the Muslim percentage in the population. Hakim, in a speech, had claimed that Muslims constitute 33 per cent of the population in West Bengal and 17 per cent nationwide, adding that they could become a numerical majority if they empower themselves. The party issued a statement on Monday condemning Hakim's remarks, asserting that they do not reflect its ideology and commitment to communal harmony. The remarks have sparked a political storm, with the opposition BJP accusing Hakim of attempting to stir communal sentiments. Hakim later clarified that his remarks were misinterpreted and that he was advocating for the empowerment of minorities through education and skill development. However, the controversy has caused ripples within the TMC and complicated the party's messaging.

TMC MLAs protest against Moitra for exclusion from party events

TMC MLAs protest against Moitra for exclusion from party events

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

Seven TMC MLAs within the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency of party MP Mahua Moitra have written to Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee demanding her removal as Nadia Uttar organisational district president. The lawmakers allege that Moitra has been ignoring Assembly representatives while undertaking party programmes and indulging anti-social elements, causing significant damage to the party's image. The MP has responded by dismissing the complaint as "district-level rubbish."

Furore over Maha CM's son entering Mahakal temple's garbhagriha

Furore over Maha CM's son entering Mahakal temple's garbhagriha

Rediff.com18 Oct 2024

The opposition Congress took a strong objection, saying while common citizens have to wait in queues for hours to take 'darshan' of the deity, VIPs were allowed entry into the sanctum sanctorum despite a ban.

Trump wants to end citizenship by birth, 22 US states to sue

Trump wants to end citizenship by birth, 22 US states to sue

Rediff.com22 Jan 2025

Indians are the main beneficiaries of the H-1B visas, which bring in the best of the talent and brains from across the world. Highly skilled professionals from India walk away with the overwhelming number of H-1B visas - which is Congressional mandated 65,0000 every year and another 20,000 for those who received higher education from the US.

'This Result Is Next To Impossible'

'This Result Is Next To Impossible'

Rediff.com23 Nov 2024

'Maharashtra election result is a chamatkar of EVM.' 'There has been a sudden one percent rise in the voting percentage after the counting day.' 'This is what made the difference to the election results.' 'How did this vote percentage increase after counting day?

Ram Temple: Can Congress Surprise Modi?

Ram Temple: Can Congress Surprise Modi?

Rediff.com25 Jan 2024

Modi believes that the Congress leadership does not have the political sagacity to undertake a course correction because of its preoccupation about not losing its current gains in the voter base, observes Shekhar Iyer.

Why are you not announcing Fadnavis as CM, asks Uddhav Sena

Why are you not announcing Fadnavis as CM, asks Uddhav Sena

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

Speaking to ANI, Chaturvedi said, "If Devendra Fadnavis's name has been finalised, then announce it quickly; what is stopping you? Why are you depriving the people of Maharashtra of the promises made to them, why are you keeping them away and why are you ignoring the steering crisis of Maharashtra? They are so power hungry... it's been days since the election came and yet the results have not been announced."

'Portraying Dr Singh Was Most Challenging'

'Portraying Dr Singh Was Most Challenging'

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

'I had to make sure that our much misunderstood erstwhile prime minister did not get a raw deal.'

Cong seeks probe into complaints of EVM 'discrepancies'

Cong seeks probe into complaints of EVM 'discrepancies'

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

The Congress on Wednesday demanded a thorough probe into 'discrepancies' found in some Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the counting of votes of the Haryana assembly polls and demanded that such EVMs should be sealed and secured pending the inquiry.

All 5 Desis re-elected to US House, 'Samosa Caucus' gets 6th member

All 5 Desis re-elected to US House, 'Samosa Caucus' gets 6th member

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

Six Indian Americans have won the elections to the House of Representatives, increasing their number from five in the current Congress.

'All that matters to Nitish is his self interest'

'All that matters to Nitish is his self interest'

Rediff.com28 Jan 2024

'When he was sidelined in the INDIA bloc, it was was the turning point because it badly hurt Nitish's ambition.' 'After that, he decided to damage INDIA by changing sides.'

Opposition demands debate on Constitution in both Houses

Opposition demands debate on Constitution in both Houses

Rediff.com26 Nov 2024

Opposition leaders on Tuesday demanded a debate on the Constitution in both Houses of Parliament, stressing it was needed in the light of the recent developments in the country.

'First Congress Candidate To Get Vote From A Thackeray'

'First Congress Candidate To Get Vote From A Thackeray'

Rediff.com9 May 2024

While the responses of the candidates were predictable, depending on which side they belonged to, an interesting point slipped through when Rahul Shewale cited the Dharavi Redevelopment Project as a scheme that would add to Mumbai's importance. No big infrastructural project in Mumbai, he said, could be successful without the Centre's nod.

Ajit Pawar, RSS chief among early voters in Maharashtra

Ajit Pawar, RSS chief among early voters in Maharashtra

Rediff.com20 Nov 2024

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat were among the early voters to exercise their franchise as polling was underway on Wednesday for the state assembly elections.

Kerala bypolls: Why UDF concerned over namesakes in Palakkad, Chelakkara

Kerala bypolls: Why UDF concerned over namesakes in Palakkad, Chelakkara

Rediff.com31 Oct 2024

The grand old party alleged that these namesake candidates are backed by the Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Bharatiya Janata Party to confuse voters.

Ahead of Maha polls, Sharad Pawar faction moves SC over symbols

Ahead of Maha polls, Sharad Pawar faction moves SC over symbols

Rediff.com20 Sep 2024

Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, veteran leader Sharad Pawar led faction moved the Supreme Court on Friday seeking that both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) be given new poll symbols.

Is The Congress Doomed?

Is The Congress Doomed?

Rediff.com7 Dec 2023

The Congress needs to reorganise itself at the grassroots, infuse younger blood, and have more boots on the ground. Just offering freebies is not the answer anymore. Leadership matters, asserts Ramesh Menon.

Rahul Gandhi's citizenship: HC seeks Centre's reply

Rahul Gandhi's citizenship: HC seeks Centre's reply

Rediff.com26 Nov 2024

The Allahabad high court has directed the Centre to place before it on December 19 the decision taken on a representation moved against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that claimed he concealed his British citizenship in contesting the parliamentary election from Raebareli seat this year.

Will raise Adani issue in winter session, says Rahul

Will raise Adani issue in winter session, says Rahul

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday demanded immediate arrest of industrialist Gautam Adani after the billionaire industrialist was charged in the United States for alleged bribery and fraud.

VHP men disrupt Xmas celebrations in Kerala school; 3 held

VHP men disrupt Xmas celebrations in Kerala school; 3 held

Rediff.com23 Dec 2024

Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, George Kurian, strongly condemned the alleged threatening of teachers at a government school in Kerala by Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists over Christmas celebrations. Kurian urged the state government to take stringent action against the culprits to prevent such incidents from recurring. The incident sparked outrage, with opposition leaders accusing the Sangh Parivar of attempting to create communal tension. Meanwhile, VHP leaders clarified that they were not against any religion and admitted that their district office bearers had questioned the teachers about the organisation of the Christmas celebration.

Cong's Haryana in-charge offers to quit over poll debacle

Cong's Haryana in-charge offers to quit over poll debacle

Rediff.com14 Oct 2024

Babaria said he offered his resignation to the high command soon after the result of the Haryana assembly polls came out last week but no decision has been communicated to him over the matter.

PIX: Mumbaikars bring out the vote

PIX: Mumbaikars bring out the vote

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

Till 3 pm Mumbai and suburbs saw a muted 40 per cent voting, but for those who voted it was an occasion to remember.

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

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

Rediff.com27 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.

SC to hear pleas against CEC appointment under new law

SC to hear pleas against CEC appointment under new law

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

It will be court's opinion versus the legislative power to enact law, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said as it posted the pleas challenging the appointment of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners under the 2023 law on February 4.

Mega 39-member Parl panel to examine simultaneous polls bills

Mega 39-member Parl panel to examine simultaneous polls bills

Rediff.com20 Dec 2024

A 39-member parliamentary panel has been constituted to examine the two bills proposing simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The panel, chaired by BJP leader Bhratruhari Mahtab, will include prominent members from various political parties, including the BJP, Congress, SP, TMC, and DMK. The panel is expected to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the first day of the last week of the next session. The government has decided to increase the committee's strength to include more political parties, highlighting the significance of this proposal to reform the election process in India.

Shinde's contribution should be duly recognised: Sena leader

Shinde's contribution should be duly recognised: Sena leader

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

The assembly polls were fought under Eknath Shinde's leadership and it is now up to the Bharatiya Janata Party's central leadership to decide on how to maintain his stature, the caretaker Maharashtra chief minister's aide and former state minister Deepak Kesarkar said on Monday.

Farmer leader Dallewal 'critical' as fast enters 27th day

Farmer leader Dallewal 'critical' as fast enters 27th day

Rediff.com22 Dec 2024

Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's health has become critical after 27 days of a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border protest site. Doctors attending to him have warned that he is at risk of cardiac arrest and multi-organ failure. Dallewal, 70, began his hunger strike on November 26 to pressure the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP on crops. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have issued a statement saying that Dallewal's immunity has become very weak due to the continuous hunger strike, putting him at risk of infection. Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi met Dallewal at the protest site on Saturday evening and conveyed the concerns expressed by senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding his health and well-being. The statement also said that candle marches will be taken out across the country on December 24 in support of Dallewal's hunger strike. On December 26, when Dallewal's fast will complete one month, symbolic hunger strikes will be held at tehsil and district levels.

Dharavi redevelopment: HC upholds award of tender to Adani Group

Dharavi redevelopment: HC upholds award of tender to Adani Group

Rediff.com20 Dec 2024

The Bombay high court on Friday upheld the tender awarded to an Adani Group firm by the Maharashtra government for the Dharavi slum redevelopment project in Mumbai, ruling there was no 'arbitrariness, unreasonableness or perversity' in the decision.

'Nitish, Naidu Cheated Muslims On Waqf'

'Nitish, Naidu Cheated Muslims On Waqf'

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

'When voting clause by clause on Waqf came up in the JPC, the TDP and JD-U supported the BJP on each and every clause.'

Govt orders probe into Tirupati stampede, heads roll

Govt orders probe into Tirupati stampede, heads roll

Rediff.com10 Jan 2025

A day after six persons died in the Tirupati stampede, the Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday announced a judicial inquiry into the incident that seems to have been the result of a policeman's innocuous act of opening the gate with the intention of aiding a sick woman.

Mahayuti govt conspired to shift C-295 facility to Gujarat: Cong

Mahayuti govt conspired to shift C-295 facility to Gujarat: Cong

Rediff.com28 Oct 2024

The Congress on Monday claimed that the Tata-Airbus C-295 aircraft facility inaugurated in Vadodara was earlier supposed to be set up in Nagpur and alleged that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's instructions, the Centre and the Mahayuti dispensation have conspired to ensure the 'wholesale surrender' of Maharashtra's interests.

4 Months After Poor LS Score, How BJP Swept Vidarbha

4 Months After Poor LS Score, How BJP Swept Vidarbha

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

'Slogans like 'Ek hai toh safe hai' and 'Batenge toh katenge' resonated with voters.'

'Shinde Saheb Is A Fighter'

'Shinde Saheb Is A Fighter'

Rediff.com19 Dec 2024

'We pressurised him (to accept the deputy chief ministership).' 'Being out of power would have made him weaker.'

Saif Ali Khan stabbed six times, is 'out of danger', say docs

Saif Ali Khan stabbed six times, is 'out of danger', say docs

Rediff.com16 Jan 2025

Khan, 54, was "out of danger" following an emergency surgery, said the doctors at the Lilavati Hospital where he was rushed following the incident that took place around 2.30 am at his apartment in `Satguru Sharan' building.

Assam CM's 'communal rhetoric': Cong urges EC to act

Assam CM's 'communal rhetoric': Cong urges EC to act

Rediff.com4 Nov 2024

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday hit out at the Election Commission for the 'tone and tenor' of its recent letter to his party while also urging the poll body to act against 'communal and incendiary rhetoric' allegedly used by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during poll campaigns.

Woman threatens to kill Adityanath like Baba Siddique in 10 days, held

Woman threatens to kill Adityanath like Baba Siddique in 10 days, held

Rediff.com3 Nov 2024

The woman, identified as Fatima Khan, who has done B.Sc in Information Technology, resided in Ulhasnagar area of neighbouring Thane district of Maharashtra with her family members.

SC allows Ajit Pawar to use 'clock' symbol in Maha polls, but...

SC allows Ajit Pawar to use 'clock' symbol in Maha polls, but...

Rediff.com24 Oct 2024

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to use the 'clock' symbol in its publicity material in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections with a disclaimer that the matter was sub judice before it.

Sanjay Roy found guilty of raping, murdering RG Kar doctor

Sanjay Roy found guilty of raping, murdering RG Kar doctor

Rediff.com18 Jan 2025

A Kolkata court on Saturday convicted prime accused Sanjay Roy of raping and murdering an on-duty doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, 162 days after the crime that sparked nationwide outrage and led to prolonged protests.

Constitution bench to hear electoral bonds matter from Oct 31

Constitution bench to hear electoral bonds matter from Oct 31

Rediff.com28 Oct 2023

A five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court is scheduled to commence hearing from October 31 a batch of pleas challenging the validity of the electoral bond scheme for political funding of parties.