Kharge dares BJP, RSS to remove secular, socialist from Preamble
Addressing the Samajika Nyaya Samara Bheri meeting attended by village-level party workers at the LB Stadium here on Friday, Kharge challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to remove these words from the Constitution. He felt that this was hypocrisy on their part to include the same words in their party constitution and demand the removal of same words from the Indian Constitution.
'I am challenging the BJP, Modi and Shah. They can't remove and none can remove these words from our Constitution,' he affirmed, while referring to the Article 2 of the BJP's cnstitution. 'The party (BJP) shall bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and to the principles of socialism, secularism and democracy and would uphold the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India,' he read out from the BJP's constitution.
The AICC president expressed optimism that the 42 per cent reservation for BCs will be implemented in the local body polls, besides education and employment. Appreciating the state government for conducting the caste survey in Telangana, Kharge asserted that the Congress would ensure that BCs get their due in the power and resources in proportion to their population.
Kharge further asked as to why the Prime Minister who was touring the entire globe had failed to take stock of the situation in the violence-hit Manipur. On the Pahalgam terror attack, Kharge recalled how the entire Opposition and nation backed the Centre's action. Referring to the way the BJP government agreed for 'ceasefire' with Pakistan following the announcement of US President Donald Trump, the AICC president demanded answers on the issue. He felt that the nation's foreign policy was compromised under the BJP rule, and as a result, India has enemies in all corners.
'Modi's foreign policy is not good, because of which we have enemies from all corners. On one side, there is China and on the other, Pakistan. Today, Nepal is also distancing itself from us. Everybody is moving away from us,' said the Congress veteran. He blamed Modi for ruining the country's economy during the past 11 years.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Telangana minister hits back at BJP over its party state chief's letter to CM
Hyderabad: Telangana Transport and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Sunday slammed the state BJP leaders for writing letters to the state government over its alleged failures. Day after newly-appointed BJP state president Ramchander Rao wrote a letter to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, alleging non-fulfilment of promises made by the Congress party, the minister launched a counter-attack with an open reply to the BJP. Ponnam Prabhakar said that it's ironic that those who "failed" to get even one paisa for the state from the Centre, were writing letters to them. He described the BJP government at the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "mega failure". He alleged that the BJP backtracked on all the promises made to people in the last three elections. The minister said that the BJP government has a long list of "failures". "It's laughable that leaders of such a party are writing letters to the chief minister," he said. "Apart from making grand promises, inciting hatred, and spreading lies, you have done nothing. Farmers, youth, women, the poor, SC, ST, BC, minorities... you have a history of deceiving every section of society. If we write about your failures, it would be as long as the Ramayana; if we listen, it would be as vast as the Mahabharata,' the minister told the BJP leader in his response on 'X'. The Congress leader listed out the promises made by the BJP in the elections which were never fulfilled. These include a monthly pension for small and marginal farmers above 60 years of age, increasing to Rs 6,000 annual Kisan Samman Nidhi for farmers' crop investment support, filling 10 lakh vacancies in the government, Rs 15 lakh to every household and two crore jobs annually. "What have you done for Telangana in 11 years? Not a single rupee has come to Telangana. What have you, or the 8 BJP MPs and two Union Ministers from this state, done?," he asked. Prabhakar asked the BJP leaders about their stance on Prime Minister Modi's statement in Parliament, allegedly criticising the formation of Telangana state. The minister came down heavily on the BJP for not fulfilling the commitments made in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. He advised the state BJP leaders to write letters to Prime Minister Modi to fulfil the promises made to Telangana. The Congress leader said that writing a letter to the Congress government formed one and a half years ago, and asking it to do everything in a short period reflects the "blind hatred" of BJP leaders.
United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
Mahua Moitra moves SC against ECI's special electoral roll revision in Bihar
New Delhi/Kolkata , July 6 (UNI) Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of India's (ECI) June 24 order, which mandates a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar. The Krishnanagar MP has sought the quashing of the order, terming it "unconstitutional" and in "violation" of fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19(1)(a), 21, 325, and 326 of the Constitution of India, as well as provisions of the Representation of People Act, 1950 and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. 'Just filed writ petition in Supreme Court challenging ECI notification to conduct SIR in Bihar & seeking a stay on conducting the same in other states including Bengal,' Moitra posted on her X handle. The petition argues that the ECI's directive introduces "extraneous and legally unsanctioned" requirements for retaining or including names in the electoral rolls, including the production of documents proving citizenship — such as proof of citizenship of one or both parents. In the petition filed through Advocate Neha Rathi, the Trinamool Congress MP argued that these requirements are not envisaged by Article 326 of the Constitution or by any provision of the RP Act, and they create arbitrary hurdles for eligible voters. On June 24, the EC announced a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled later this year. As part of the process, voters are required to submit one of 11 approved documents, such as a birth certificate or passport, to verify their date and place of birth. Those born before July 1, 1987, need only provide their own documents. However, those born between July 1, 1987, and December 2, 2004, must also submit one parent's documents, while individuals born after December 2, 2004, must provide documents for both parents. According to the plea, the ECI order excludes commonly accepted identity proofs like Aadhaar and ration cards, disproportionately burdening voters — especially those in rural and marginalised communities. Current field reports from Bihar, the petition notes, suggest that lakhs of voters face imminent risk of disenfranchisement due to these stringent document requirements. 'This is the first time the Election Commission has initiated such an exercise, where voters already listed on the rolls and having voted in past elections are now being asked to revalidate their eligibility. She warns that the move may result in widespread disenfranchisement, undermining democratic principles and the conduct of free and fair elections,' Moitra argued in her petition. The petition also raises concerns about procedural inadequacies. It highlights that the order mandates the exclusion of names from the draft rolls if fresh enumeration forms are not submitted by July 25, 2025 — a deadline the petitioner calls arbitrary and unreasonable, especially for voters needing time to procure documents. The MP has additionally sought a direction to prevent the ECI from extending similar revision drives to other states. She claims the ECI has already issued instructions for the rollout of a similar exercise in West Bengal starting August 2025. Drawing parallels with the controversial National Register of Citizens (NRC), the plea underscores that the revision exercise appears to follow a similar structure and could disproportionately affect the economically and socially vulnerable populations. Interestingly enough, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday strongly criticised the new guidelines under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, alleging they are intended to target West Bengal ahead of its 2026 Assembly elections, and indirectly accused the Election Commission of acting as an agent of the BJP. Criticising the Election Commission for taking the decision unilaterally, the chief minister had said, 'This is alarming for democracy. 'India became independent in 1947. Why are people born between 1987 and 2004 being targeted? I don't understand.' The West Bengal chief minister had claimed that the Election Commission could not take such steps without consulting political parties, underscoring that India is a democratic nation with a federal structure, and that no political party or elected government should be treated as subservient. 'Is this being done so that the younger generation cannot vote? How will the poor obtain their parents' documents? Is this NRC in disguise? Are they trying to implement NRC through this? Let them clearly state their intention. Is this what's happening in our country?' Mamata had questioned. UNI XC SSP
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Uddhav Thackeray Reunites With Raj, Says Will Win Mumbai Civic Polls Together
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said he and MNS head Raj Thackeray have come together to stay united as the cousins shared a political stage for the first time after two decades on the issue of Marathi identity and "imposition" of the Hindi language. Addressing a "victory" rally in Worli here to celebrate the rollback of the Hindi language GRs (resolutions) by the BJP-led government, Uddhav hinted at contesting the upcoming civic elections together. "We have come together to stay together. We will together capture power in the Mumbai civic body and Maharashtra," he said, evoking loud cheers from the crowd in the packed NSCI Dome. The elections to the high-profile civic body in Mumbai, which Sena considers its citadel and homeground, and other municipal corporations are due in the coming months. Speaking ahead of Uddhav, the only person seated on the stage, Raj quipped that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has managed to do what Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and others couldn't by bringing the two cousins together. After he quit Shiv Sena in 2005 over apparent differences with his cousin, Raj Thackeray formed the MNS and has been projecting it as the true champion of the cause of the sons-of-the-soil. The parties, led by the cousins, had since contested elections against each other notwithstanding the intermittent calls for reunion raised by certain quarters. As the BJP expanded its footprint on the political landscape of Maharashtra and joined hands with Eknath Shinde, who split Shiv Sena in 2022, and NCP, the chorus for the reunion of the Thackeray brothers grew shriller over the last four months. The state government's flip-flop on the three-language policy and the introduction of Hindi as a third language provided a much-needed common cause. On Saturday, the political rancour seems dissipated, at least on the face of it, into the bonhomie at the event. The coming together of the estranged cousins-turned-comrades has not only enthused cadres of both parties, but it could also give a lifeline to both parties, which are struggling to regain their footing after drubbings in the assembly polls last year. The Sena (UBT) had won 20 seats in the polls while the Sena led by Eknath Shinde bagged 57. The MNS drew a blank. Conscious of Bal Thackeray's charisma and its emotional connect with the common Marathi people, the symbolism at the rally was evident, with only Uddhav and Raj occupying the stage. Opening the speech, the MNS president said the three-language formula imposed by the state government was a precursor to its plan to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra. He said the government had to withdraw the controversial GRs merely at the thought of the proposed protest march- which was cancelled and the victory rally was held. Raj said that, after the language row, the government's next move in politics will be to divide people on caste. "The BJP's ploy is to divide and rule", he added. Rejecting the opposition's "convent education" jibe at his son, Raj said many politicians and film stars in South India studied in English schools but are proud of Tamil and Telugu languages. The Opposition has often targeted Raj and Uddhav over the convent schooling of their sons- Amit and Aaditya, respectively. "Balasaheb Thackeray had studied in an English school, worked in an English newspaper, but he never compromised on the status of Marathi," Raj Thackeray said. He said even BJP patriarch LK Advani studied in a convent school, so should his Hindutva be questioned. Uddhav said they won't let the government impose Hindi on the people. No one should cast an evil eye on Marathi and Maharashtra, he added. "Our strength should be in our unity. Whenever there is a crisis we come together and after that, we again start fighting amongst ourselves," Uddhav lamented. He said the BJP's " batenge toh katenge" (divided we fall) slogan coined during the assembly polls was meant to divide Hindus and Muslims. However, in reality, the BJP used it to divide Maharashtrians, he claimed and dubbed the BJP "traders in politics". "Marathi manoos (people) fought amongst themselves and slaves of Delhi started ruling us," he said in a dig at Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He also slammed Shinde for raising 'Jai Gujarat' slogan at an event attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and called it an act of desperation. Although NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule and other leaders attended the event, only Raj and Uddhav occupied the stage and addressed the gathering. The generation next leaders, Aaditya and Amit Thackeray posed together for the first time, putting their hands on each other's shoulders. Later, Amit and Aaditya stood next to their uncles when the National Anthem was played. Outside the venue, the mood was electrifying. Thousands of MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) workers marched enthusiastically to the venue of the joint rally, holding flags and raising slogans. Amid a heavy rush, hundreds of workers forced their way inside the NSCI Dome campus in Worli to listen to the Thackeray brothers. Both parties had pulled out all the stops to put up a strong show of strength. LED screens were installed in various areas of Mumbai and MMR. In Worli, the constituency of Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray, several hoardings featuring Raj and Uddhav dotted the skyline. Leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS have put up banners at several places, appealing to the two brothers to remain united forever for the cause of the Marathi manoos.
