The Chhattisgarh

Tag: Mallikarjun Kharge

  • ‘Suddenly Felt Dizzy…:’ Congress Prez Kharge As He Falls Ill During J&K Rally |

    Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge experienced dizziness while addressing a public rally on Sunday in the Jasrota region of Kathua district. Party leaders confirmed that he is currently stable and receiving medical attention. Kharge was delivering a tribute to a head constable who lost his life during an ongoing operation against terrorists in the area. The operation has also left two police personnel injured, with one terrorist reported killed.

    “I would like to apologise as I suddenly felt dizzy…” said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge earlier today after he fell ill during his speech in Jammu and Kashmir’s Jasrota.

    VIDEO | “I would like to apologise as I suddenly felt dizzy…” said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) earlier today after he fell ill during his speech in Jammu and Kashmir’s Jasrota.

    (Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz)

    STORY | Kharge… pic.twitter.com/O5g1dwSaz5
    — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 29, 2024

    “He was addressing a public rally in Jasrota when he felt uneasy and dizzy. His colleagues assisted him into a chair,” stated Congress General Secretary Gulam Ahmed Mir in comments to PTI. He reassured the public that Kharge is now stable.

    The Congress leader had traveled to Jasrota to rally support for his party candidates ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Following the incident, he is still scheduled to address another rally in Ramnagar, Udhampur district.

    Jammu and Kashmir Congress Vice President Ravindra Sharma provided further details, indicating that Kharge was taken to a nearby room where doctors were summoned for a check-up. “They will advise whether he can attend the second rally or not,” he said.

  • Video: Kharge Rushes To The Well Amid Uproar Over NEET Row, Rajya Sabha Chairman Dhankar Says ‘Institution Tarnished, Tainted…’ |

    Rajya Sabha was adjourned until 2 p.m. on Friday amid an uproar from the opposition over alleged irregularities in the conduct of NEET, with Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressing concern about Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge entering the House Well. “The Opposition Leader has entered the House Well. This has never happened before,” Dhankhar said, adjourning the proceedings until 2 p.m. RS chairman Dhankhar’s remarks came at a time when opposition members were creating ruckus during the debate on the motion of thanks to the President’s speech. The opposition has demanded a debate on the issue.

    What Led To Adjournment Of Rajya Sabha Proceedings Twice?

    This was the day’s second adjournment. Previously, the House was adjourned until 12 noon. During the debate on the Motion of Thanks for the President’s Address, opposition members raised slogans as BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi spoke.

    The House Leader intervened, stating that the opposition was attempting to hold the House “hostage” and disrupt proceedings. He stated that the Congress did not raise the issue of NEET during the meeting of the Business Advisory Council, but rather in the House.

    “This demonstrates that their intention is simply to disrupt the proceedings. “This was predetermined and pre-decided,” he said, adding that the Congress has not named a speaker for the Motion of Thanks discussion.

    Nadda said that the government is committed and will respond to the NEET issue. While Nadda was speaking, several opposition members approached his seat and raised slogans.

    President Droupadi Murmu addressed a joint session of Parliament. Following the President’s address, a motion of thanks was introduced in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha today, which the MPs were debating. During this discussion, the opposition in both houses erupted in outrage over the NEET controversy.

    What Did Rajya Sabha Chairman Dhankar Said To LoP?

    The situation became even more tense when opposition members stormed the upper house well. Dhankar expressed shock, saying, “Honourable Members, today has become so tainted in the history of the Indian Parliament that the Leader of the Opposition has come to the well.” This has never occurred before. I am both pained and shocked. The Indian parliamentary tradition will deteriorate to the point where the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader will both visit the well.

     

    #WATCH | Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar says, “Today is such a tainted day in the history of the Indian Parliament that the Leader of the Opposition himself has come to the Well. This has never happened before. I am pained, shocked. The Indian… pic.twitter.com/S1KUdKvO4z
    — ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024

    Kharge Says ‘It Was Rajya Sabha Chairman’s Mistake’

    Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took potshots at Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankar, saying, “On entering the Well of Rajya Sabha, Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge stated, “It was his (Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar’s) mistake…I went inside to attract his attention. Even so, he wasn’t looking… I drew attention. He was only focused on the ruling party. When I drew his attention according to the rules, he should have looked at me, but instead he deliberately ignored me to insult me. So, what was left for me? To attract attention, I would have to either go inside or shout very loudly.”

    “So I’ll say that Chairman Sahab made a mistake. I believe he should not do this and should uphold the dignity of the Rajya Sabha…There have been large-scale scams, the NEET exam paper has been leaked, and lakhs of children are concerned. To draw attention to the people’s problem, we requested a specific discussion. We didn’t want to disturb anyone; all we wanted to do was raise the students’ concerns…But he didn’t give it a chance or even pay attention to it, which is why we had to do this,” he said.

     

  • ‘Oppn Will Be In Attacking Mode…,’ Says Jairam Ramesh After INDIA Bloc Meeting |

    New Delhi: INDIA bloc leaders chaired a meeting on Thursday at Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in Delhi. The senior party leader Jairam Ramesh said that the alliance has discussed about strategies and now the opposition is in attacking mode towards the government.

    A meeting of INDIA bloc leaders was held at the residence of Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss the opposition’s strategy for the remaining session.

    “We discussed on our strategies for the remaining four days. There will be a ‘motion of thanks’ following the President’s address. We also discussed that. Today, we talked about multiple issues including how the speaker of the Lok Sabha was elected and the President’s joint address”, Ramesh said, ANI reported.

    Congress leader further said that the opposition will be in attacking mode.

    “The opposition will be in attacking mode. The mandate of the Lok Sabha polls is a personal, political and moral defeat of the Prime Minister. The opposition will remind him of this every day”, he said.

    Several prominent leaders were also in the meeting including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, and Gaurav Gogoi, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party Hanuman Beniwal, DMK MP T Siva, and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi.

    While speaking about the key meeting, DMK MP T Siva said, “We will give notices (in Parliament) on the NEET issue tomorrow.”

    After attending the opposition meeting at Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in Delhi Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also said that we will raise the voice in parliament against all the issues burning in the country.

  • Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Kharge’s ULTIMATUM To Adhir Ranjan On Mamata: ‘Those Who Won’t Follow, Will Be Out Of The Party’ |

    With the election season getting intense everyday, the war of words is leaving many jaws dropped. Garnering a lot of heat is none other than the Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who has now given an explosive ultimatum to Adhir Ranjan.  

    Speaking on the matter, Mallikarjun Kharge said at a press conference in Mumbai, “(West Bengal CM) Mamata Banerjee has said that she will support the INDIA alliance (government) from outside. As far as Congress leader Adhir Ranjan’s remark is concerned, he is no one to decide anything. The top leaders and high command will decide that and those who won’t follow the same will be out of the party.”

    VIDEO | Here’s what Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) said responding to a media query.

    “(West Bengal CM) Mamata Banerjee has said that she will support the INDIA alliance (government) from outside. As far as Congress leader Adhir Ranjan’s remark is… pic.twitter.com/JjDTMbNMsB
    — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 18, 2024

    What did Adhir Ranjan say?

    Actually, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had targeted the statement of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in which she had said that if the INDIA alliance forms the government, then TMC will provide external support. On this statement of Mamata Banerjee, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had reacted that, “She left the alliance. She can also join hands with BJP,” 

    BJP’s Watching 

    Reacting on the inter-party heat in the Congress camp, the official handle of BJP posted, “It’s high time the West Bengal Pradesh Congress spokespersons stop their pathetic shadowboxing against TMC and start addressing TMC’s endless scams—from recruitment fraud to cattle smuggling—on Bengali TV shows. If not, they face the same fate as Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, ousted and humiliated.”

    It’s high time the West Bengal Pradesh Congress spokespersons stop their pathetic shadowboxing against TMC and start addressing TMC’s endless scams—from recruitment fraud to cattle smuggling—on Bengali TV shows. If not, they face the same fate as Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury… pic.twitter.com/8MXoZfnqgt
    — BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) May 18, 2024

  • ‘Surprising…’: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Questions ECI’s Priority In Voter Turnout Row |

    New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday asserted that it is surprising to see the Election Commission responding to a letter written by him to the leaders of the INDIA-bloc but choosing to ignore several complaints Kharge raised directly to the ECI. 

    Earlier, in a letter addressed to the CEC and several election commissioners, Kharge pointed out the electoral committee’s lack of prompt action in addressing the overtly communal and caste-driven remarks made by leaders of the governing party. 

    Reacting to the letter by the Congress president expressing concerns regarding the delay in disclosing the voter turnout for the two phases of Lok Sabha polls, the Commission said that it is an attempt to promote a prejudiced narrative under the pretext of seeking clarifications. 

    Kharge responded to the EC’s remark and said that the letter was clearly addressed to the alliance leaders and not the commission. 

    “It is surprising that the Election Commission of India wanted to respond to this letter while ignoring several other complaints given directly to it. I have certain misgivings about the language of the letter, but I will not press on that issue as I understand the pressures they are working under,” reported PTI, citing Kharge’s letter sent to the EC on Saturday. 

    He said that while the EC letter says that it respects citizens’ right to inquire, on the other hand, it “threatens citizens in the form of an advice to exercise caution.” 

    Kharge said, “I am happy that the Commission understands that it has the mandate to conduct smooth, free, and fair elections under the constitution. However, the lack of urgency shown by the Commission in acting against blatantly communal and casteist statements being made by the leaders of the ruling party that vitiate the electoral process seems puzzling,” reported PTI. 

    In a five-page reply containing several annexures, the election commission dismissed accusations of mismanagement and tardiness in disclosing voter turnout statistics for the initial two phases of the Lok Sabha elections. It labelled Kharge’s allegations as unwarranted,” ” “without facts,” and “reflective of a biased and deliberate attempt to spread confusion”.  

    In the letter, the Congress leader mentioned that, besides delaying voter turnout, the ECI did not mention several crucial data points, such as votes cast in each parliamentary constituency and their corresponding assembly constituencies. 

    Opposition leaders on Friday met with senior officials of the Election Commission to address concerns over voter turnout statistics and complaints about the violations of the model code by leaders of the ruling party. 

  • ECI Rebukes Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge For Allegations On Voter Turnout Data |

    New Delhi: The Election Commission of India issued a strongly worded rebuke to Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the Congress party, on Friday. The ECI criticized Kharge’s remarks about the release of voter turnout data, calling them inaccurate and biased.  Commission said that the statements were deliberately intended to sow confusion, misguide, and create obstacles to the smooth conduct of impartial elections.

    ECI stated that it finds a ‘pattern’ in a series of past and present irresponsible statements from INC and calls it ‘disconcerting”. The commission said, with all facts in place, the Congress President is attempting to push a biased narrative.

    It said that the ECI was determined “to act against developments which have a direct impact on the delivery of its core mandate.” The commission takes cognizance of Kharge’s letter addressed to leaders of INDI alliance on voter turnout data, and finds it highly undesirable. The commission categorically rejected Kharge’s contentions, calling them insinuations and innuendos.

    The ECI asserted that no lapse or deviation in the collection and dissemination of voter turnout data; pilots all past and present procedures and practices; and provided point-by-point counters to reject Kharge’s contentions.

    The commission also refuted any delay in giving turnout data and pointed out that updated Turnout data has been always higher than the poll day. The commission provided a factual matrix from the 2019 general election onwards.

    ECI especially condemned with contempt Kharge’s statement, “Could this be an attempt to doctor the final results”, and said, it can create an anarchic situation, besides doubts and disharmony

    On May 7, Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to the leaders of the INDIA bloc over the alleged discrepancies in the voting data released by the Election Commission (EC).
    In his letter, Kharge urged the INDIA bloc leaders to raise their voices against voting data discrepancies, for “our only objective is to protect the culture of a vibrant democracy and the Constitution”. The Congress president alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party are ‘visibly flustered’ and ‘frustrated’ by the voting trends and their receding electoral fortunes in the first two phases.

    “In this context, I would urge all of you that we must collectively, unitedly and unequivocally raise our voice against such discrepancies, for our only objective is to protect the culture of a vibrant democracy and the Constitution. Let us ensure the independence of the Election Commission of India and make it accountable. Let us ensure the independence of the Election Commission of India and make it accountable.,” the letter read.

     

  • `He Has Nothing To Say….`: Kharge Slams Modi For Criticizing Congress

    Mallikarjun Kharge said that PM Modi should talk about his own concrete work instead of always criticizing Congress.

  • ‘You Will Always Remain A Hero’: Congress As Manmohan Singh Retires From Rajya Sabha |

    New Delhi: In a poignant farewell gesture, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge penned a heartfelt letter to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, marking his retirement from the Rajya Sabha. In the two-page missive, Kharge reflected on Singh’s remarkable three-decade-long tenure, acknowledging the ”end of an era” in Indian politics. Kharge reminisced about Singh’s global recognition, citing President Obama’s open acknowledgement of the former Prime Minister’s influential voice on the world stage. He expressed personal gratitude for Singh’s counsel and wisdom during his own leadership roles within the Congress Party, praising Singh’s unwavering commitment despite personal challenges.

    In his two-page letter to the former PM, the Congress chief said, “After having served for more than three decades, an era has come to an end.” “I remember President Obama mentioning about you that Whenever the Indian Prime Minister speaks, the whole world listens to him,” Kharge said in the post.

    “Personally, it has been a privilege for me to have been a part of your cabinet. Over the last 10 years, while I have been the leader of the Congress Party in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, you have always been a source of wisdom and someone whose advice I valued. Over the last few years, you have made it a point to be available for the Congress party despite personal inconveniences. For this, the party and I will always remain grateful,” Kharge wrote.

     

    My letter to Former Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh ji as he retires from Rajya Sabha, today.

    As you retire today from the Rajya Sabha after having served for more than three decades, an era comes to an end. Very few people can say they have served our nation with more… pic.twitter.com/jSgfwp4cPQ


    — Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) April 2, 2024

     

    Manmohan Singh’s Legacy

    Singh’s departure leaves a void characterized by his quiet yet profound dignity, which Kharge believes the current political landscape sorely lacks. He lauded Singh’s statesmanship, contrasting it with the divisive rhetoric prevalent today.

    The letter highlighted Singh’s principled critique of policies such as demonetization, emphasizing his ability to dissent with grace and substance. Kharge expressed confidence that history would vindicate Singh’s stance, likening the truth to celestial bodies that cannot be obscured indefinitely.

    A Hero To Middle-Class

    Describing Singh as a hero to various segments of society, Kharge lauded his role in uplifting the middle class, inspiring the youth, and guiding industrialists and entrepreneurs. He credited Singh’s economic policies with lifting millions out of poverty, contrasting this with perceived reluctance by the current regime to acknowledge his contributions.

    Impact Of His Policies On Public

    Kharge praised Singh’s tenure as Finance Minister and Prime Minister, citing achievements such as poverty alleviation and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). He credited Singh with enacting policies that empowered rural communities and ensured dignified livelihoods during crises. “Thanks to your policies, India was able to lift 27 crore people, the highest number of poor people out of poverty in the world while you were the Prime Minister. The MGNREGA scheme…continues to provide relief to the rural workers during times of crisis. The nation and particularly the rural poor will always remember you for ensuring that they can earn a living and live with self-respect through this scheme,” he said.

    Despite retiring from active politics, Kharge expressed hope that Singh would remain a beacon of wisdom and moral guidance for the nation. He wished Singh peace, health, and happiness in his future endeavours, underlining his enduring importance as a voice of reason in Indian discourse. “Over the last few years, you have made it a point to be available for the Congress party despite personal inconveniences. For this, the party and I will always remain grateful,” he said. Kharge further wrote even as you retire from active politics, I hope that you will continue to be the voice of wisdom and moral compass to the nation by speaking to the citizens of our country as often as possible. I wish you peace, health and happiness. 

  • ‘This Time They Will Be Wiped Out Of Parliament’: Mallikarjun Kharge On BJP’s ‘400 Seats’ Claim |

    NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday claimed that the Narendra Modi-powered BJP won’t be able to cross 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and it will be wiped out of Parliament. Speaking to reporters in Amethi, Kharge said, “I said – they (BJP) keep saying that they will cross 400 (LS seats), but this time they will be out of Parliament.” Denying any rift with the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party, Kharge said, ‘”Everything will be alright. He has agreed and our people have agreed too. There is no problem.”  Kharge on Saturday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and described it as a ‘curse’ for the country’s farmers. 

     

    #WATCH | In UP’s Amethi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, “I said – they (BJP) are saying that they will cross 400 (LS seats), but this time they will be out of Parliament.” https://t.co/mr3cU5wfmC
    — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2024

     

    The Congress president accused the Modi government of treating farmers like enemies. Kharge asserted that only the Congress party can provide farmers with the legal right to a Minimum Support Price (MSP).

    “The Modi government is a curse for the country’s food-providing farmers. Due to the continuous false ‘Modi’s Guarantee’, first 750 farmers lost their lives, and now, yesterday, one farmer lost his life and 3 have lost their eyesight due to rubber bullets. The Modi government has treated farmers like enemies, Only Congress will give them the legal right of MSP!” he said in a post on ‘X’.

    Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his poll promises, Kharge said the former is the chief of all liars as he failed to even fulfil what he had promised during his 2014 poll campaign.

    “I want to ask him what happened to the promises he made during 2014–he never fulfilled those. Modiji jhuton ka sardar hai (PM Modi is the chief of liars),” Kharge said addressing party workers at an event hosted by Maharashtra Congress in Pune.

    The Congress national president said people keep praising PM Modi despite the latter not doing much work in the last 10 years.
    Kharge cautioned that if such a scenario continues, the Constitution will “vanish”.

    “PM Modi keeps lying…you all know what he did in the last ten years. Still, people praise him…if this continues, then there will soon come a day when the Constitution will vanish. We are waging a fight to protect the Constitution and have to keep fighting,” he said.

    Describing Prime Minister Modi as “individualistic,” Kharge alleged that the former does not even take his party’s name while announcing his “guarantees.”

    “PM Modi keeps on saying that this is Modi ki Guarantee…he never uses his party name. He is very individualistic and full of himself,” the Congress president said.

    Claiming further that the BJP had no role in the country’s freedom struggle, Kharge added, “We are fighting for the country and its founding ideals all over again. The BJP had no role or contribution to our freedom struggle. We fought for the country.”

    Taking a dig at the Congress, PM Modi earlier this month said that even Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge has predicted the return of the NDA government with over 400 seats. 

    PM Modi made this remark during his response to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address in Lok Sabha.

    During a session in the Rajya Sabha on February 2, Kharge inadvertently coined what would become a rallying cry for the BJP, stating “Abki Baar, 400 Paar,” which translates to “This time, over 400 seats.”

    “Our third tenure is not far away, a maximum of 100-125 days are left. The entire nation is saying ‘abki baar, 400 paar’. Even Kharge ji said that,” PM Modi said while replying to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address in Lok Sabha.

    He expressed confidence that the BJP would not only secure a third term but also achieve an impressive victory by winning over 370 seats individually and crossing the 400 mark with the support of the NDA bloc. Modi’s remarks were met with laughter, including his own, as he acknowledged Kharge’s statement, suggesting that even the opposition leader seemed to predict the ruling party’s electoral success.

    Modi further criticised the Congress party, implying that they had become comfortable in their role as the opposition and were preparing to occupy the spectators’ gallery in Parliament. He also took a veiled swipe at Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party’s alleged nepotism, criticizing the repeated promotion of the same leadership without success.

    PM Modi indirectly referenced Rahul Gandhi by stating that the Congress is on the brink of shutting down its shop, emphasizing that they keep trying to relaunch the same product repeatedly.

  • On BJP’s White Paper, Congress Mulling ‘Black Paper’ Move Against Modi Government |

    The Congress party is planning to bring a ‘Black Paper’ against the BJP government after the ruling party said it will present a ‘White Paper’ on earlier UPA government’s economic mismanagement. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is likely to present the report. As the government plans to present the white paper, the ongoing budget session of the Lok Sabha has been extended until Saturday, February 10. There will be no Question Hour session on the extended date. As per a Lok Sabha Secretariat notification issued on Wednesday, extension of the current session of Lok Sabha, as announced by the Chair today (7.2.2024) and agreed to by the House, the current session of Lok Sabha has been extended up to Saturday, February 10, 2024, in order to provide sufficient time for completion of essential items of Government Business.

    The BJP has planned to present the White Paper which will show the mismanagement of the economy by the earlier UPA government and the steps taken by the Modi government to improve the situation. It may be notable that under PM Narendra Modi, the Indian economy has become the fifth largest in the world from 11th in 2014.

    The last session before Lok Sabha polls expected to be held in April-May this year was started with the address by President Droupadi Murmu to the joint sitting of two Houses on January 31. It was earlier to be concluded on February 9.

    Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, stated that his party is prepared to address any papers the government brings to the House. “Narendra Modi has Congressphobia. We are ready to fight. The government can bring a ‘White Paper’, Red paper, black paper, we have no problem. However, Mehul Choksi’s papers should also be presented to the House,” Chowdhury told ANI.

    Welcoming the idea of bringing a ‘White Paper’ to the House, BJP Lok Sabha MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy said that the document is a much-awaited call and should be brought so that the public becomes aware of the corruption that occurred during the UPA tenure before 2014. “The government has passed the finance bill and the interim budget. If I recall correctly, the PM mentioned in his speech that they would present a White Paper on the mess that prevailed prior to 2014. I think it is likely to be listed tomorrow. It is a much-awaited call,” said Rudy.