In the midst of disarray caused by the BJP's attack on Rahul Gandhi's speech in London and the
opposition's demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee investigation into the Adani-Hindenberg
dispute, Parliament adjourned early today without accomplishing anything.
For the first time since the controversy over his statements about the state of Indian democracy in
London, Rahul Gandhi was spotted in the Lok Sabha. Yet, both houses convened for a brief period of
time before calling a day's adjournment.
The Congress leader had recently told NDTV, "I will speak inside the House if they let me to. When
asked to apologise by the BJP, he responded, "I didn't give any anti-India statement."
Trinamool Party protesters surrounded the Speaker's chair in Lok Sabha while covering their lips
with a black ribbon. Afterwards, opposition supporters assembled in a human chain outside of
parliament to demand an investigation into the Adani-Hindenburg dispute.
The deadlock between the administration and the opposition has put a stop to all work on the
Budget session's second half.
This morning, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju increased the pressure on the Congress by charging Rahul
Gandhi with lying about the UK and disparaging the country.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Rijiju said, "The person who speaks the most in this nation and constantly
criticises the government claims overseas that he does not have the freedom to speak in India.
"We don't care if Rahul Gandhi brings down the Congress. Yet, we as citizens cannot remain silent if
he attempts to harm or insult the country. The country may have rejected the leadership of the
Congress, but that does not give him the right to mistreat the country overseas "Added he.
"Members of the anti-India group all speak in the same vein. Whatever Rahul Gandhi says, they
repeat it "Mr. Rijiju ranting.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi frequently criticised the Congress while travelling abroad, thus the
Congress has ruled out an apology.
Mr. Kharge added, "I want to ask those who are asking an apology that Modiji went to five to six
nations and there he (Modi) humiliated our country claiming it was a shame to be born in India, now
these same people are curtailing freedom of expression.
Rahul Gandhi has received criticism from a number of Union Ministers for his remarks in London.
Source: NDTV

Kiran Kumar Reddy, a former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, has left the Congress.

Manickam Tagore, a congressman and member of parliament, responded to Reddy’s resignation on Sunday by claiming that individuals who had received everything from the party and had completed the Andhra Pradesh Congress were now defecting to the BJP.

Reddy served as Andhra Pradesh’s final unbroken chief minister.

Please take this letter as my resignation from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress, Reddy requested in a letter dated March 11 and written to Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the Congress.

Reddy had previously left the Congress in 2014 over the decision to split Andhra Pradesh and create Telangana by the then-UPA administration.

Although launching his own political party, the Jai Samaikyandhra Party, he joined the Congress again in 2018.

Source: Deccan Chronicle

After Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday criticised Rahul Gandhi for remarks he made during his recent trip to London, the Congress responded by saying that the Rajya Sabha Chairman is like an umpire who cannot be the cheerleader of the ruling dispensation. The Congress also added that it has been the most steadfast voice in opposition and will continue to be so.

Without naming him, Dhankhar criticised Rahul Gandhi on Thursday for making hurtful and ironic remarks about India when he was abroad.

At a speech at a book launch event, Dhankhar said: “How painful and ironic! Some of us, including legislators, are engaged in the mindless, unfair denigration of our well-nurtured democratic values while the world praises our historic triumphs as a working, vibrant democracy. How can such blatant manipulation of a factually false narrative be justified?”

Dhankhar added that if he stays silent about this misadventure-orchestrated by a member of parliament from outside the nation, which is ill-premised, unwholesome, and driven, he would be in violation of the Constitution.

Senior Congressman Jairam Ramesh responded to the Vice President in a statement by saying, “The RS Chairman serves as a referee, an umpire, a friend, a philosopher, and a mentor to everyone. He is not allowed to support any particular kind of government. History evaluates leaders based on how honourably they carried out their duties in the service of the populace, rather than how zealously they defended their party.”

“There are some positions when we are forced to put aside our biases, political allegiances, and any propaganda we may have consumed along the way. First among these is the position of Vice President of India, which is conferred with the additional obligation of serving as Chair of the Rajya Sabha under the Constitution “said Ramesh.

“Nothing Rahul Gandhi has said overseas hasn’t already been said many times here. And unlike some other people, his posture is constant regardless of where he sits, “said Ramesh.

Source: Business Standard