Tag: Congress

Apologise or face Rs 100 cr defamation case, KTR warns Congress, BJP leaders

[ad_1]
Hyderabad: Telangana’s Minister for Industries and Information Technology, K.T. Rama Rao, on Tuesday served legal notice to state Congress chief Revanth Reddy and BJP president Bandi Sanjay over their allegations against him in the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) paper leak case, asking them to withdraw their allegations and tender a public apology or face defamation suit to the tune of Rs 100 crore.
KTR’s lawyer sent legal notices to Reddy and Sanjay, stating that they cast aspersions on the minister and damaged his reputation through their their ‘false’, ‘baseless’ and ‘defamatory’ statements.
The notice said that unless the leaders refrain from making such defamatory statements and tender a public apology, KTR will take forward the legal proceedings and file a defamation suit in the courts of competent jurisdiction.
Reddy and Sanjay were told that by levelling the allegation, they rendered themselves liable for both prosecution for an offence of defamation punishable under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code as defined under Section 499 of the IPC, and also made them liable for exemplary damage.
“Though the loss suffered by my client on account of your above said acts are incalculable and irreparable in terms of money, my client calculates damages at a token sum of Rs 1,00,00,00,000 (Rupees Hundred Crore only),” read the notice.
Both the leaders were asked to refrain from making any further derogatory/defamatory statements/imputations in any form against the minister and tender an unconditional apology forthwith by conducting similar press meets.
“Else my client shall be constrained to prosecute you for an offence of defamation apart from claiming damages to the tune of Rs 100 crore by initiating appropriate proceedings in the courts of competent jurisdiction holding you solely responsible for all the costs and consequences thereof,” it added.
KTR had earlier said that Reddy and Sanjay proved their ignorance by dragging the Telangana government and him into the issue of paper leakage without understanding the autonomous nature of the constitutionally constituted Public Service Commission.

Stating that there is a terrible conspiracy by both the BJP and the Congress to stall the entire recruitment process, KTR also said that Sanjay and Reddy had earlier termed Telangana government’s job notifications as a conspiracy and their comments that the youth should put aside their preparation and get into politics reflect the deceitful mentality of these leaders.
[ad_2]
#Apologise #face #defamation #case #KTR #warns #Congress #BJP #leaders
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 28, 2023
Austin admits admin should’ve notified Congress ‘earlier’ about Syria strike

[ad_1]
The gap prompted Republicans to question if the administration held off on notifying Congress to shield Kurilla from tough questions and to ensure the war-powers measure sailed through the upper chamber.
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, asked Austin on Tuesday if the Pentagon’s congressional affairs team should’ve notified Congress sooner, especially because of the war powers vote. Austin agreed: “We should’ve notified you earlier.”
The secretary noted that the U.S. suffered an attack and responded in one day, letting Congress know about both events in between. “We take the War Powers Act very seriously,” Austin said, seated alongside Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley.
Later in the hearing, Austin told Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) that there was no connection between the notifications and the war powers vote.
“Secretary Austin, I don’t believe you,” Cotton responded, noting that an amendment by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) “directly touched” on the Syria strike scenario. “That’s my belief, nothing you can say is going to change my belief on that.”
“I just want to say, senator, that is absolutely not true,” Austin said.
“Maybe you didn’t personally do it, but I believe entirely that people in your office did that,” Cotton replied.
Tess Bridgeman, the co-editor in chief of Just Security, told POLITICO on Monday that the executive branch isn’t required to include casualty information in reports to Congress.

“That said, the Biden administration did include casualty information in its notification to Congress, even though it was not required to do so,” she added.
[ad_2]
#Austin #admits #admin #shouldve #notified #Congress #earlier #Syria #strike
( With inputs from : www.politico.com )

March 28, 2023
Congress activists stage protest in Delhi against Rahul’s disqualification, detained

[ad_1]
New Delhi: Scores of Indian Youth Congress activists staged a protest at the Jantar Mantar here on Monday against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Lok Sabha and were detained when they tried to march towards Parliament.
Indian Youth Congress activists from across the country gathered here to show solidarity with Gandhi and criticised the central government for “silencing” the voices of the democratic opposition.
Carrying IYC flags and “Satyameva Jayate” placards, the protesters demanded justice for Gandhi.
A senior police officer said around 15 Congress workers, including senior leaders and IYC president Srinivas BV, were detained and taken to Mandir Marg police station from where they were released after a few hours.
Addressing the protesters, Srinivas BV said the dictatorship and mute-system of the Modi government has weakened the foundation of democracy in the country.
Youth Congress workers will continue to fight against this ‘Modishahi’ and will win. No matter how many difficulties come, it cannot deter our spirits, he said.
“Rahul Gandhi ji is not fighting for himself but for the country and countrymen. Why is the whole central government, ministers and MPs trying to save one man Adani. Thousands of crores are in their shell companies but investigation is not being done, why?
“If Adani earns Rs 12 lakh crore in just two and a half years, then it is necessary to ask – where did this money come from? Who gave this money? Rahul Gandhi ji is fighting for the people of this country, for the women, for the youth. Fighting against unemployment and inflation and will continue to fight,” he said.

“The Centre has shown that no one can speak or question the Modi government. Rahul ji raised questions about Adani…so they attempted to silence him by disqualifying him,” said Vikram, one of the protesters.
“Rahul Gandhi is fearless and will continue to question the government over their wrong deeds,” he added.
The protesters, including Srinivas BV, were detained when they tried to march towards Parliament.
“Several protesters have been detained and taken to Mandir Marg police station. They were allowed only to protest at Jantar Mantar but when they climbed over the multi-layered barricades to head towards Parliament, they were detained at the spot,” a senior police officer said.
Gandhi, 52, was disqualified from Lok Sabha on Friday, a day after a court in Gujarat’s Surat convicted him in a 2019 defamation case. The disqualification will prevent Gandhi, a four-time MP, from contesting elections for eight years unless a higher court stays the conviction.
[ad_2]
#Congress #activists #stage #protest #Delhi #Rahuls #disqualification #detained
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 28, 2023
Hyderabad: ‘Calling a thief a thief is not defamation’ says Congress

[ad_1]
Hyderabad: Congress party on Monday protested at Moosarambagh crossroads as part of the nationwide Sankalp Satyagraha in support of Rahul Gandhi and claimed that it is not defamation if a thief is rightly called a thief.
The Congress submitted a petition to the statute condemning Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as a member of parliament and calling it a ‘murder of democracy’.
Sameer Waliullah, Hyderabad District Congress Committee (DCC) president, on Monday, said, “Calling a thief a thief is not defamation. Rahul Gandhi said Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi plundered the country and Adani was still looting the country’s resources with the blessings of Prime Minister Modi, I challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders to prove these statements wrong.”
During the protest, Sameer Waliullah said that Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from the Lok Sabha was unfair and accused the BJP government of using defamation to target opposition leaders and suppress dissent.
He said that the case’s revival has to do with Rahul Gandhi’s questioning of the Adani group in Parliament. “Rahul Gandhi did not claim all ‘Modis are thieves,’ but only questioned why some thieves, like Nirav and Lalit, have the Modi surname,” he added.
“Rahul Gandhi never defamed anyone. However, BJP leaders run a factory of lies where they keep generating fake news,” he said.
Sameer Waliullah praised Rahul Gandhi as an inspiration who consistently works to unite India. He said that the recent Bharat Jodo Yatra, a campaign for national integration, is an example of Gandhi’s commitment to bring Indians together.
Anjan Kumar Yadav stated that the Congress party would continue protesting until Rahul Gandhi is reinstated and demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Adani scam. He emphasized the party’s unwavering support for Rahul Gandhi, saying, “We will follow him come what may.”

[ad_2]
#Hyderabad #Calling #thief #thief #defamation #Congress
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 27, 2023
Indian Overseas Congress holds meet in support of Rahul Gandhi in UK

[ad_1]
London: The members of the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) UK chapter gathered at the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Parliament Square here in a show of solidarity with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has been disqualified from Lok Sabha following a two-year sentence in a defamation case.
The group of supporters carrying placards reading “Daro Mat” (Don’t be scared) and “Indian Democracy in Danger” and the tricolour gathered opposite the Houses of Parliament in London on Sunday, coordinating with nationwide Opposition protests in India.
“The IOC leaders reminded [the gathering of] Rahul Gandhi’s stand to defend India’s hard-fought democracy,” IOC UK said in a statement.
“IOC President Kamal Dhaliwal praised Rahul Gandhi and called for everyone to remember that his fight to protect India’s democracy was a fight to protect the freedoms of all Indians. A fight that was led by Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi and continues today,” the statement said.
It added that while IOC UK Senior Vice-President Gurminder Randhawa and spokesperson Sudhakar Goud reiterated the message of “Daro Mat”, youth wing leader Imam warned that the BJP government is “undermining Indian institutions and democratic system”.
“IOC Leader Suju mentioned that Rahulji’s disqualification as an MP is distressful not only for Congress supporters but also for the people of India, the largest democracy in the world,” IOC UK said.
Subscribe us on

[ad_2]
#Indian #Overseas #Congress #holds #meet #support #Rahul #Gandhi
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 27, 2023
Hyderabad: Police arrest Youth Congress member under PD Act

[ad_1]
Hyderabad: The police invoked PD Act against Hyderabad Youth Courage member Mohamed Salman and sent him to Central Prison Chanchalguda on Monday.
According to the Falaknuma police, several criminal cases are registered against Mohd Salman including two in Falaknuma police stations.
Basing on orders of the Commissioner of Police Hyderabad C V Anand, the police had prepared a PD Act proposal against him and it was accepted by the committee. The orders of PD detention were served on Mohd Salman and he was shifted to Central Prison Chanchalguda.
Mohd Salman was previous detained under PD Act by the Hyderabad police. The High Court had later set aside his PD Act orders last year and he was released from the prison.
Subscribe us on
[ad_2]
#Hyderabad #Police #arrest #Youth #Congress #member #Act
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 27, 2023
Telangana: A day after joining Congress, D Srinivas resigns

[ad_1]
A day after rejoining Congress on Sunday, Veteran leader and Former TRS Rajyasabha MP D Srinivas submitted his resignation from the party.
Srinivas, who had rejoined the party on Sunday, played a key role to bring back congress into power in 2004 and 2009. His son D Arvind is the sitting BJP MP from Nizamabad.
He was to participate in the ‘Satyagraha’ protest against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Lok Sabha. “Rahul Gandhi is my leader. How can you say that he doesn’t have the eligibility (of being an MP)? Given the sacrifices made by that family & their experience, you can’t question his eligibility. I am joining the party today. I shall be a part of their ongoing protest,” he had said, speaking to ANI.
In a video, where Srinivas signs his resignation his wife pleads with Congress to leave him alone owing to his health issues.
“This is the resignation letter of D Srinivas. I appeal to Congress and media persons not to trouble us anymore.”
Subscribe us on
[ad_2]
#Telangana #day #joining #Congress #Srinivas #resigns
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 27, 2023
Uddhav Thackeray to skip Congress meet over Rahul’s ‘Savarkar’ remark

[ad_1]
In a protest against Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Savarkar remark’, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday announced the party’s decision to skip Congress’ dinner meet in Delhi.
Uddhav on Sunday had warned Gandhi stating that he considers Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar as his “idol”, and asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to refrain from “insulting” him.
He said the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance of three parties – Sena (UBT), Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) – was formed to protect democracy and it was necessary to work unitedly for it.
Addressing a rally in the Muslim-dominated textile town of Malegaon in Nashik district of north Maharashtra, Thackeray also said that deliberate attempts were on to provoke Rahul Gandhi.
“Savarkar is our idol and his insult will not be tolerated if we have to fight together to protect our democracy. Savarkar suffered unimaginable torture in the Andaman cellular jail for 14 years. We can only read the sufferings. It is a form of sacrifice,” he said.
”I want to tell Rahul Gandhi that we have come together to save our country’s democracy and its Constitution. But you are deliberately being provoked. If we allow this time to get wasted, then democracy will cease to exist. 2024 will be the last election,” he added.
Gandhi was disqualified from the Lok Sabha on Friday, a day after a court in Gujarat’s Surat convicted him in a 2019 defamation case. Addressing a press conference in Delhi over his disqualification, Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said, “My name is not Savarkar, my name is Gandhi and Gandhi does not offer an apology to anyone”.
In an instance of surprise and opposition unity against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification, Trinamool Congress leaders joined the Congress’ strategy meeting in the Parliament, dressed in black as a sign of protest.

Trinamool leaders Prasun Banerjee and Jawahar Sircar came out in protest against Gandhi’s disqualification. “The question of walking together is due symbolism, which we undertook today – a special mark of solidarity against coordinated and undemocratic attacks on everyone,” Sircar had said.
(The story has been edited with inputs from PTI)
[ad_2]
#Uddhav #Thackeray #skip #Congress #meet #Rahuls #Savarkar #remark
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 27, 2023
Congress MP mulls resignation over Rahul’s LS disqualification

[ad_1]
New Delhi: Congress’ Lok Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu, Manickam Tagore, on Sunday hinted towards resigning as a member of the Lower House of Parliament, saying he is in pain after “his leader Rahul Gandhi was disqualified”.
“The Honourable Speaker disqualified my leader Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha. I had seen him off on Friday minutes before his disqualification. Rahul Gandhi, who gave me the opportunity to enter Lok Sabha in 2009, won’t be there. Why do I have to be there? I am pained for the injustice to him,” Tagore, who represents Tamil Nadu’s Virudhnagar constituency, wrote on Twitter.
Tagore is said to be a close aide of Rahul Gandhi. He is the party-in charge of Goa.
Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from the Lok Sabha after a court in Gujarat convicted him in a defamation case.
The Surat district court in Gujarat on Thursday convicted Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case against him over his alleged ‘Modi surname’ remark in 2019.
The former Congress president was convicted under Indian Penal Code sections 499 and 500. The maximum possible punishment under this section is two years.
Bharatiya Janata Party legislator and former Gujarat Minister Purnesh Modi had filed the case against Rahul Gandhi for his alleged “how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname…” remark.

Subscribe us on
[ad_2]
#Congress #mulls #resignation #Rahuls #disqualification
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 27, 2023
Kerala: UDF, Congress organise marches across Wayanad constituency

[ad_1]
Wayanad: Members of the United Democratic Front (UDF) on Sunday took out a torch march in Thiruvambady in Kerala’s Wayanad constituency against the Central government in the wake of the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha who was representing the seat in Parliament.
Several protest marches are being organised by Congress and UDF across the constituency against Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification.
In Kozhikode, Muslim Youth League also conducted a light march.
The procession inaugurated by IUML state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal was carried out with the slogan ‘democracy in danger, support Rahul’.
MYL is the youth wing of the major political party in Kerala, IUML.
The Congress on Sunday began a day-long nationwide “Sankalp Satyagraha” in support of Rahul Gandhi following his disqualification from the Lok Sabha.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, senior leaders KC Venugopal, P Chidambaram and Salman Khurshid were among the party’s top brass taking part in the satyagraha at Rajghat.
Congress organised various protests in several states including Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

In Karnataka also, Youth Congress Workers hold a ‘Mashal March’ in Bengaluru against the Central government in the wake of the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha.
However, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Delhi Raj Ghat trained her guns on the ruling BJP and vowed to keep fighting for the people at the party’s Sankalap Satyagraha to protest against the move to disqualify her brother and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
“Who thinks that they can silence us by scaring and humiliating us? Listen, we will not stop, I will see to it that the hard-earned money of the public is not being looted and given to few people,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a hard-hitting attack on the ruling party at the Centre.
“It was my family (Nehru-Gandhi) who nurtured the democracy of this country with their blood,” she said.
Rahul Gandhi, on Friday, was disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha, a day after a Surat court sentenced him to two years imprisonment in a defamation case filed against him over his ‘Modi surname’ remark.
The decision came pertaining to his remark made in April 2019, where he had said “how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname” at a Lok Sabha election rally at Kolar in Karnataka. The court approved Gandhi’s bail on a surety and stayed the sentence for 30 days to allow him to approach the higher courts.
“My brother went to PM Modi and hugged him in the Parliament and said he has no hatred for you. We might have different ideologies but we do not have the ideology of hatred,” the Congress General Secretary said at Raj Ghat.
“You (BJP) talk about ‘Pariwarvaad’, I want to ask who was Lord Ram. Was he ‘Pariwarvaadi’, or were the Pandavas ‘Pariwarvaadi’ just because they fought for the culture of their family? Should we be ashamed because our family members fought for the people of the country?” she said.
[ad_2]
#Kerala #UDF #Congress #organise #marches #Wayanad #constituency
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 27, 2023