Cong revokes Mulak's suspension amid rejig before local body polls
2
Nagpur: The
Congress
formally revoked suspension of senior Vidarbha leader and former Maharashtra minister Rajendra Mulak on Monday, less than a year after disciplinary action was initiated against him for contesting the 2024 assembly elections as an independent.
Party insiders said the move reflects a broader strategy to consolidate support ahead of impending local body polls. Mulak's return also signals a subtle recalibration of internal equations within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, following pressure from local party units and MVA allies.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala were present when Mulak's reinstatement was announced in Delhi.
MPCC president Harshwardhan Sapkal officially welcomed Mulak back, stating, "We formally revoke the suspension of Mulak and welcome him back into the Congress family."
Along with Mulak, Yajnavalkya Jichkar — son of former minister Shrikant Jichkar — was expelled last year for contesting independently from Katol, a seat allocated to NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Anil Deshmukh's son Salil under the MVA seat-sharing pact.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik
IC Markets
Mendaftar
Undo
His suspension was revoked in April.
Even the NCP(Ajit) faction on Tuesday revoked suspension of former corporator Abha Pande, who had contested as a rebel from East Nagpur after being denied party ticket.
Mulak, son of late minister Bhausaheb Mulak, was among 28 rebel leaders suspended in November 2024 for defying alliance consensus and filing his nomination from Ramtek against the official MVA candidate, Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Vishal Barbate.
Despite the action, Mulak actively campaigned for Congress nominees in Saoner, Kamptee, and Umred alongside former minister Sunil Kedar.
Speaking to TOI from Delhi, Mulak said, "Even though I was a rebel, I worked for the party's victory during the assembly polls. In Umred, which was entrusted to me before expulsion, I ensured a thumping win for our candidate Sanjay Meshram. I even showed Kharge the ECI result sheet—despite being independent, I polled 85,000 votes, while the official MVA nominee managed just 5,000.
He was surprised."
He added that senior leader Rahul Gandhi, in a meeting with state leaders on Monday evening, directed the revocation of all similar suspensions to strengthen the party ahead of the elections. Also present at the reinstatement were AICC secretaries BM Sandeep and Kunal Choudhary. Mulak is expected to resume his organisational responsibilities in the coming days.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Doctor's Day 2025
,
messages
and quotes!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
32 minutes ago
- Hans India
AICC meeting with MLAs is not about leadership change: DKS
Bengaluru: KPCC President and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday clarified that the meeting between MLAs and AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala was about party organisation and not about leadership change. Speaking to reporters at the KPCC office, he said, 'The meeting is to discuss party organisation and receive MLA's pleas. There has been no discussion about change of CM or expansion of the Cabinet. The Congress party has changed the district and block level leaders across the country and this meeting is in that backdrop.' 'AICC President has declared this year as the year of organisation and has asked us to empower district party presidents. Rahul Gandhi and AICC General Secretaries held a meeting of district presidents in Delhi,' he added. 'Randeep Singh Surjewala is here to receive pleas from MLAs and also give guidance on party organisation. He is trying to bring in discipline in the party amidst public statements by some of the MLAs. Neither the Cabinet expansion or the leadership change was discussed. We are not in a hurry for that and our only focus is 2028,' he said. Asked about Iqbal Hussain's statement that DK Shivakumar would become the CM, he said, 'I will serve him a notice. No one should make public statements on this. Siddaramaiah is the CM and we all should strengthen his hand.' Asked about B R Patil expressing dissatisfaction over grants, he said, 'The state budget has allocated Rs 1 lakh crore for development. Rs 54,000 crore is ear-marked for guarantee schemes. Rs 19,000 crore is spent on providing electricity to farmers. Isn't this development?' Asked about Malur MLA Nanjegowda's statement that he was promised to be made accommodated in KMF, he said, 'Political developments are different and cooperative sector is different. I will not comment on that now.'
New Indian Express
34 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
India, China in US crosshairs as Trump backs bill pushing 500% tariffs on Russia's trade partners
Strategic gamble or bargaining chip? If enacted, the proposed tariffs would mark a significant escalation in the US economic campaign against Russia, with wide-ranging global implications. The bill targets not only Russian goods, but also imports from countries that maintain substantial trade relations with Moscow, particularly in the energy sector. India and China, the two largest buyers of discounted Russian crude, are directly in the firing line. Their purchases have provided a critical economic lifeline to Russia, helping fund military operations in Ukraine even as Western sanctions have tightened. The economic consequences could be far-reaching. A 500% tariff on goods from China, which accounts for a major share of US consumer imports, could trigger price spikes, further strain fragile global supply chains, and risk inflationary surges and job losses in the US. Similarly, India, a key US partner in pharmaceuticals, IT and textiles, could face reduced trade access just as it seeks to diversify and grow its export sectors. Yet, the US itself remains dependent on enriched uranium imports from Russia to fuel its nuclear reactors — a reliance that could put its energy interests at odds with the very sanctions it aims to enforce. The bill, first introduced in March, initially encountered resistance from the Trump-aligned administration. According to The Wall Street Journal, the White House had sought to soften the draft by changing enforcement from mandatory ('shall') to discretionary ('may'), thereby preserving executive flexibility. Graham appears to have accommodated those concerns. In recent weeks, he offered a carve-out for countries actively supporting Ukraine, likely to address European apprehensions and secure broader international support. 'We are going to give President Trump a tool in the toolbox,' Graham said, referring to the bill's latest version. 'For the first time yesterday, the president told me … 'It's time to move your bill.'' Trump's direct intervention, reportedly during a golf game with Graham, could accelerate legislative momentum. However, how the bill evolves through Congress remains to be seen, and more critically, whether Trump would ultimately enforce it or use it as a strategic bargaining chip with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The legislation could also serve as leverage in potential negotiations with Russia. Trump could, for instance, use the threat of punitive tariffs against India, China or even European partners to extract concessions from Putin on Ukraine. To a degree, this duality — rhetorical toughness paired with tactical flexibility — has long characterised Trump's approach to foreign policy. India, which maintains that its Russian oil purchases are legal and aligned with national energy security interests, could find itself in an increasingly precarious position if the bill passes. It may be forced to intensify diplomatic engagement with Washington. Although still making its way through legislative channels, the Sanctioning Russia Act signals an escalation in US sanctions policy. With broad bipartisan support and Trump's personal endorsement, its passage appears increasingly likely. Whether it is used as an enforcement tool or a diplomatic lever, however, remains uncertain — as does the possibility of Trump changing course midway.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
"Try Basic Web Search": Jyotiraditya Scindia Jabs Mallikarjun Kharge Over Digital India
New Delhi: Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia unleashed a string of data, ranging from BSNL's consecutive profit after 18 years to connecting over 2 lakh gram panchayats with broadband, on social media platform X to counter claims of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on the Digital India programme. Mr Scindia suggested Mr Kharge to go check on the web for telecom scams in India which will show activities related to the UPA regime while the present regime is recognised with leadership in technology. "Mr. @Kharge , let me offer a simple suggestion: try a basic web search for "telecom scams in India". What you'll find is a list featuring Congress/UPA-led crony capitalism at its best!" he said. The minister said that at present when the world looks at India as a global leader in telecom, 5G, and satellite connectivity, it is the PM Modi government that made it possible, not by doing favours, but by doing reforms and "undoing the mess of the Grand Old Party. "The Congress' contribution to Digital India has been very clear which is to Scam India and leaving behind a legacy steeped in kleptocracy and institutionalised corruption," Mr Scindia said. Mr Kharge had alleged that false claims have been made by the ruling government citing several instances, including coverage of villages aimed at under the Bharatnet project, abysmal performance of BSNL despite a financial package of over Rs 3 lakh crore, rise in cyber crimes, weakening of RTI by Data Protection Law in works. Countering Mr Kharge's allegations, Mr Scindia said that BharatNet is still ongoing and 2.12 lakh Gram Panchayats have already been connected compared to just 58 gram panchayats that were connected under the 10 years of the UPA regime. He said that when the UPA left office, BSNL was on critical life support - marred by the 2G scam, starved of investment, and systematically sabotaged. "Today, thanks to targeted reforms and indigenous innovation under PM Modi's leadership, we revived Bharat's national telecom sovereignty. BSNL posted consecutive quarterly net profits, Rs 262 crore in the third quarter and Rs 280 crore in the fourth quarter of FY 2024-2025; first time after 2007 after 18 years!" the minister said. He said with operating profit growing to Rs 5,395 crore in FY2024-25, BSNL has deployed over 90,100 4G towers that are powered by Atmanirbhar Made-in-India technology. "The Modi Government invested over Rs 3.2 lakh crore, not as a bailout, but to revive a critical national asset that your party nearly killed. Moreover, India has had the fastest rollout of 5G in the world, where we have connected 99 per cent districts and 82% of our population in 22 months! So, if someone says it's falling behind, perhaps their math, like their memory, is flawed," Mr Scindia said. The minister said through initiatives like Sanchar Saathi and ASTR, the Department of Telecom has taken strong action against cyber fraud - disconnecting over 3.5 crore numbers, blocking 4.22 crore fake SIMs, blocking 3.5 lakh mobile handsets and securing 34 lakh lost devices. Congress President alleged that as of June 26 2025, under the BharatNet project, a total of 6.55 lakh villages were supposed to be targeted for broadband connectivity but 4.53 lakh villages, about 65 per cent, are yet to be covered. "The project's deadline has been revised at least 8 times in 11 years," Mr Kharge said. He said that when the private players are opting for 5G, BSNL has not yet completed its target of deploying 1 lakh 4G towers. "Even after receiving three revival packages worth over Rs 3 lakh crore - Rs 69,000 crore in 2019, Rs 1.64 lakh crore in 2022, and Rs 89,047 crore in 2023, it still lags behind private players," Mr Kharge said. He said that BSNL's debt rose by 291.7 per cent from Rs 5,948 crore in March 2014 to Rs 23,297 crore in March 2024 and MTNL's debt increased by 136.2 per cent, from Rs 14,210 crore to Rs 33,568 crore over the same period. Congress President had alleged that "RTI Act brought by the Congress party is being weakened by bringing a flawed Data Protection Law".
