Latest news with #ManickamTagore
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Manickam Tagore, VCK question voices in Congress that reportedly called for tie-up with S Ramdoss
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 4 (ANI): Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Friday questioned some people in his party who had been speaking of a possible tie-up with Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S Ramadoss in Tamil Nadu, who has been expelled from his party by his son. There has been speculation about the PMK founder seeking a tie-up with the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu, of which the Congress is a part. Sharing an X post, Tagore said, 'How can you want a party that stood with Modi from 2014, the beginning and still shares his ideology to be your ally? Why hurt those who stood with you through thick and thin, and continue to stand by People's Leader @RahulGandhi in every battle?' Manickam Tagore wrote. 'This can't be a party decision -- it seems purely personal,' the X post read. Meanwhile, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VMK) leader D. Ravikumar wrote an open letter to Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal on X, expressing concern over the speculation of the inclusion of the PMK into the alliance. Reiterating VCK's support to Congress, Ravikumar said that PMK's inclusion shows that the DMK-Congress alliance is not strong enough. 'Respected @kcvenugopalmp Sir, VCK has consistently demonstrated its loyalty to the INDIA bloc at both the state and national levels. We organised a massive rally in Trichy to highlight the slogan 'Save Secularism, Save Constitution.' We have stood firmly with @RahulGandhi on all occasions,' he wrote on X. 'In this context, we are concerned about the unusual interest shown by the Tamil Nadu State Congress in attempting to woo an NDA ally into the INDIA bloc. Specifically, the move to bring PMK into the alliance in Tamil Nadu creates the impression that the DMK-led alliance is not strong enough to counter the BJP alliance. May I know if this has your approval?' the X post read. There had been no official confirmation of the Congress seeking to join hands with Ramdoss senior. However, the speculation comes at a time when the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls are scheduled in 2026. (ANI)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Manickam Tagore, VCK question voices in Congress that reportedly called for tie-up with S Ramdoss
Image credit: ANI TAMIL NADU: Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Friday questioned some people in his party who had been speaking of a possible tie-up with Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S Ramadoss in Tamil Nadu, who has been expelled from his party by his son. There has been speculation about the PMK founder seeking a tie-up with the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu, of which the Congress is a part. Sharing an X post, Tagore said, "How can you want a party that stood with Modi from 2014, the beginning and still shares his ideology to be your ally? Why hurt those who stood with you through thick and thin, and continue to stand by People's Leader @RahulGandhi in every battle?" Manickam Tagore wrote. "This can't be a party decision -- it seems purely personal," the X post read. Meanwhile, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VMK) leader D. Ravikumar wrote an open letter to Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal on X, expressing concern over the speculation of the inclusion of the PMK into the alliance. Reiterating VCK's support to Congress, Ravikumar said that PMK's inclusion shows that the DMK-Congress alliance is not strong enough. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cel mai popular echipament de sudură din zonă siginificant Află mai multe Undo "Respected @kcvenugopalmp Sir, VCK has consistently demonstrated its loyalty to the INDIA bloc at both the state and national levels. We organised a massive rally in Trichy to highlight the slogan "Save Secularism, Save Constitution." We have stood firmly with @RahulGandhi on all occasions," he wrote on X. "In this context, we are concerned about the unusual interest shown by the Tamil Nadu State Congress in attempting to woo an NDA ally into the INDIA bloc. Specifically, the move to bring PMK into the alliance in Tamil Nadu creates the impression that the DMK-led alliance is not strong enough to counter the BJP alliance. May I know if this has your approval?" the X post read. There had been no official confirmation of the Congress seeking to join hands with Ramdoss senior. However, the speculation comes at a time when the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls are scheduled in 2026.
India Gazette
29-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Symptom of national crisis: Congress leader Manickam Tagore on Noida old-age home case
New Delhi [India], June 29 (ANI): Congress leader Manickam Tagore on Sunday slammed the Uttar Pradesh government, citing the case of 42 elderly citizens being rescued from an 'illegal' old-age home in Noida. In a detailed 'X' post, Manickam Tagore termed it as a 'symptom' of a 'national' crisis and mentioned that it is not an 'isolated' case. 'Noida: 42 elderly citizens were rescued from an illegal old-age home. They were found tied up, half-naked, confined in basement-like rooms. This is not an isolated case. This is a symptom of a national crisis,' Manickam Tagore's 'X' post read. The Congress leaders asserted that the case came to light following the raid by the state Women's Commission, which held the Union Government accountable, questioning how many other 'elderly citizens' are locked behind the 'unregulated' walls. 'This horror was uncovered only because of a State Women's Commission raid. How many more elderly citizens are suffering in silence, locked away behind unregulated walls? Where is the Union Government?', Tagore's 'X' post said. Informing that India has only 1,000 registered old-age homes, out of which very few are regulated. Manickam Tagore termed it as a 'disaster in the making' in a country with a population of 153 million elderly people. He further criticised the Union Government for not conducting a thorough audit of the old-age homes and for failing to establish any accountability in the matter. 'India has only 1,000 registered old-age homes, mostly run by NGOs. Very few are regulated. In a country of 153 million elderly people, this is a disaster in the making. And yet, the Central Government stays silent. No national audit. No accountability. No policy response', the 'X' post added. The Congress leader revealed that by 2050, India's population will have surpassed 319 million people, with a significant proportion exceeding the age of 60 years. While India is adding 10 million elderly people every year, Manickam Tagore believes it is 'today's emergency'. 'India is ageing FAST. By 2050, 319 million Indians will be 60+ -- that's 1 in every 5 Indians. We're adding 10 million senior citizens every year. This is not tomorrow's crisis. It's today's emergency. Yet we spend less than 10,000 crore on all social pensions for elderly, widows, and the disabled. That's about 800/month per person under the Indira Gandhi National Old-Age Pension Scheme. Is that enough for medicine, food, rent, dignity?', Manickam Tagore said in his 'X' post. The Congress leader stated that the Union Government 'slashed' Rs 200 crore from the National Social Assistance Programme, but no elderly welfare schemes have been launched since then. He accused the Union Government of spending crores of money in 'PR campaigns', tax cuts of billionaires and foreign events. 'Noida is not an exception -- it's a warning. In 2021, the Centre slashed 200 crore from the National Social Assistance Programme. No new elderly welfare schemes have been launched since. But crores flow into PR campaigns, foreign events, and tax cuts for billionaires. There is only ONE govt-run old-age home in Gautam Buddha Nagar district (where Noida is located). How many more horror homes like Anand Niketan Vridh Ashram are we ignoring?', Tagore wrote in his 'X' post. Raising questions on the Union Government's Ayushman Bharat scheme, Manickam Tagore highlighted that it ignores the elderly citizens in the 'unorganised' sector. 'Even flagship schemes like Ayushman Bharat ignore the elderly in the unorganised sector. Where is universal healthcare for seniors? Where is old-age mental health care?' he said. The Congress leader demanded strict monitoring of old-age homes, a separate ministry wing for the elderly, a national elder-care registry, and a universal pension scheme for senior citizens. He informed that even Nepal offers a universal pension to senior citizens, whereas in India, the amount is only Rs 800 per month, which doesn't reach everyone. 'What we need now: Universal pension scheme, National elder-care registry, Strict monitoring of old-age homes, Dedicated Ministry wing for ageing and Inclusion in Budget 2025 with specific, protected funds. Even Nepal guarantees a universal pension to all citizens over 70 years old. In India, we offer 800 per month -- and not even that reaches everyone', the 'X' post said. (ANI)
NDTV
26-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
In Shashi Tharoor vs Congress, Now A "Birds Of Prey" Retort
New Delhi: Shashi Tharoor's journey with the Congress is becoming more awkward with each passing day. A day after Mr Tharoor put up a post on birds, ostensibly sending a message to his critics within the Congress, a party MP has hit back with a 'birds of prey' retort. Hours after a snub from party chief Mallikarjun Kharge over his recent praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Tharoor yesterday posted a bird's photograph with a message. "Don't ask permission to fly. The wings are yours. And the sky belongs to no one," read the message that was seen as his response to detractors within the Congress. Today, Congress MP M Manickam Tagore, seen as close to the party leadership, posted what seemed like a message to Mr Tharoor. "Don't ask permission to fly. Birds don't need clearance to rise... But in today even a free bird must watch the skies-hawks, vultures, and 'eagles' are always hunting. Freedom isn't free, especially when the predators wear patriotism as feathers," he said. Don't ask permission to fly. Birds don't need clearance to rise… But in today even a free bird must watch the skies—hawks, vultures, and 'eagles' are always hunting. Freedom isn't free, especially when the predators wear patriotism as feathers. 🦅🕊️ #DemocracyInDanger … — Manickam Tagore .B🇮🇳மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) June 26, 2025 The post featured six predatory birds: Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Osprey, American Kestrel, Turkey Vulture and Great Horned Owl. The 'predator' reference is unmissable amid a buzz on whether Mr Tharoor would exit the Congress amid the widening rift and switch to the BJP, leaders of which have been praising him for a while. The former diplomat, who has a gift of the gab and a vocabulary that makes headlines, has trashed such speculation. Days back, amid the chatter over his praise for the Prime Minister in a newspaper article, Mr Tharoor had said he had only described the success of India's global outreach in the wake of the Pahalgam attack and India's counterstrike Operation Sindoor. The praise, he said, is "not a sign of my leaping to join the prime minister's party (the BJP) as some people unfortunately have been implying". Mr Tharoor has been articulating the Indian position in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. The Congress, which assured full support to the Centre after the Pahalgam attack, later changed tack and asked the government to come clean on what led to the ceasefire and questioned what role the US played in it. Mr Tharoor's remarks, some of them endorsing the government's response, did not sit well with the Congress leadership. What widened the rift was the government choosing Mr Tharoor to lead one of the Indian delegations travelling abroad to convey New Delhi's stern message on terror. The Congress had not pushed Mr Tharoor's name for the delegation despite his experience as a diplomat. During his trip as head of the delegation, Congress leaders kept firing barbs at Mr Tharoor, prompting a response in which he said he had no time for this. Yesterday, in what was seen as the strongest snub at Mr Tharoor from the Congress leadership, Mr Kharge said it's "country first for us, but for some people, it's Modi first". "I can't read English well. His language is very good. That's why we have made him a Congress Working Committee member," the Congress president said. He added that in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, which left 26 innocents dead, the whole Opposition said it stands with the Army. "We said the country comes first, party later. Some people feel 'Modi first, country later'. What can we do?"
India Gazette
25-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Congress' Manickam Tagore demands rollback of Railway Board order to rehire retired staff, employ new recruits
New Delhi [India], June 25 (ANI): Congress leader Manickam Tagore on Wednesday criticised the Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for allowing the Railway Board to rehire retired non-gazetted staff on a 'volunteer' basis stating that while crores of people apply for jobs every year while only a fraction of vacancies are available. 'Why is the Railway Board rehiring retired staff as 'volunteers' when 3.3 lakh posts remain vacant in Indian Railways? Is this your idea of Yuva Shakti?' the Congress leader said in a post on X, addressing the Union Minister. According to data posted by Tagore, from 2023 there are more than 3,32,000 vacant staff positions with only 11.75 lakh positions being filled compared to the sanctioned strength of 15.07 lakh people. 'Lakhs of youth are preparing for jobs. Instead of recruiting them, you're appointing retirees on contract? Over 1.25 crore candidates applied for just 35,000 Group D jobs in 2022. This is the desperation and hope of India's unemployed youth. Your ministry's June 20 circular kills that hope,' he said. Tagore highlighted that while this move doesn't solve the staffing crunch faced by the Railways, it instead sends a message to young job seekers that retired staff is more needed, very little fresh recruitment happens due to no exams, and that people will not get compensated fairly as they work as 'volunteers.' 'When will Railway recruit for the 3.3 lakh vacancies? Why has the recruitment process been delayed for years? Why betray youth who've spent years preparing? Roll back this order. Announce fresh Railway recruitment. Restore faith in public sector employment,' his post read. The Railway Board issued an order on June 20 empowering Divisional Railway officers to re-hire non gazetted railway staff who had retired between the Pay Level-1 to Pay Level 9 against the vacant post while still having the same pay the person had during his employment tenure. the Railway Board's order read, 'It has now been decided that vacant non-gazetted posts in Pay Level-1 to Level 9 may be filled by re-engagement of retired employees by calling volunteers who retired from posts in the same cadre / category up to three Level higher than the post against which re-engagement is being considered subject to the condition that the volunteers retired from the same Pay Level and found suitable will be given preference over those retired from higher Pay Level.' (ANI)
