logo
Operation Sindoor outreach: Congress leader accuses BJP of resorting to ‘cheap political tricks'

Operation Sindoor outreach: Congress leader accuses BJP of resorting to ‘cheap political tricks'

The Hindu18-05-2025

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee Vice-president Kolanukonda Shivaji on Sunday accused the NDA government at the Centre of resorting to 'cheap political games' in the selection of MPs for international delegations formed to explain India's position on Operation Sindoor.
At a press conference, Mr. Shivaji pointed out that while party leader Rahul Gandhi had sent four names, Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Nasir Hussain and Raja Brar, the government accepted the name of only Anand Sharma. A few other Congress leaders, including Shashi Tharoor, who were not on the party's official list.
Citing the case of the United Front government in 1996 when Jyoti Basu declined the Prime Minister's post after his party, under the leadership of Prakash Karat, did not allow him to accept the offer, Mr. Shivaji said the Centre selecting Mr. Tharoor, who had been maintaining a distance from the Congress lately, had 'mischievous' intention. He alleged that it was an attempt by the BJP to weaken the Congress.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Don't worry about split, focus on revival of NCP-SP: Sharad Pawar tells party workers
Don't worry about split, focus on revival of NCP-SP: Sharad Pawar tells party workers

Hans India

time22 minutes ago

  • Hans India

Don't worry about split, focus on revival of NCP-SP: Sharad Pawar tells party workers

Pune: NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of merger or an alliance with Ajit Pawar faction saying that even though the party split in July 2023 it will be revived by fielding in new faces and youth. In his speech on the occasion of the party's foundation day and to celebrate 26 years, Pawar senior told the party workers to be prepared for hard work to rebuild the party and not to worry about split. He has thereby asked the party workers to simply neglect news about merger or an alliance with the NCP led by Ajit Pawar especially ahead of the upcoming local and civic body elections. 'There was a split in our party, we didn't think there would be a split, but split took place in July 2023. There was a difference in some basic ideas and a split occurred. Those who are in the party they are committed to the party ideology. When the elections are held tomorrow, we will see a different picture. I was in power in 1980. At that time, elections were held and 50 to 52 MLAs were elected. In the next six months, only 6 MLAs remained with me. All the other 50 to 52 MLAs had left. When the elections were held after that, the number of legislators increased. After NCP was formed in 1999, the party once won 72. We were able to work in the state government. So don't worry about the split. If we remain united and maintain our commitment to the people, nothing will matter,' he said amid slogans raised by the party workers. Pawar showered praise over the state unit chief Jayant Patil for his work. He was responding to Jayant Patil's request to relieve him from his post for giving an opportunity to new faces. 'We will discuss with everyone and take a decision on this. While taking this decision, party workers from a new generation and new faces should be seen in every taluka and district. Thousands of capable workers are in our party. It is our responsibility to give them a chance, give them prestige and create a leadership that will run the state,' he remarked. Pawar has asked the party workers to focus on the ensuing local and civic body elections and gear up preparations. 'Your focus should be on that for the next three months. Give a chance to capable people. We will meet again after the elections to be held in the next three months,' he said. He declared that the party will give 50 per cent seats to women in the upcoming local and civic body elections. He also recalled and narrated that when he was the defence minister, he decided to recruit women in the armed forces. 'After girls got a chance, they worked to build trust among the people. This was seen even in the army. "During Operation Sindoor, two women from armed forces proved this. If sisters get a chance, they can also show their talent. The Nationalist Congress Party has taken a strategic decision to give 50 per cent seats to women in the elections. The local body elections are in two-three months. Let 50 per cent women be elected in these bodies,' he shared. Pawar senior also gave a roadmap to the party workers for its revival asking them to increase their outreach with voters and every section of society. He stressed that even as the party is in opposition, it must be active in taking up issues faced by various sections. Meanwhile, NCP-SP leader from Patan constituency Satyajit Patankar, who is the son of veteran party leader Vikramsinh Patankar, joined the BJP.

Peace restored in Northeast due to PM Modi-led govt's efforts: Tripura CM
Peace restored in Northeast due to PM Modi-led govt's efforts: Tripura CM

Hans India

time22 minutes ago

  • Hans India

Peace restored in Northeast due to PM Modi-led govt's efforts: Tripura CM

Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Tuesday that the northeastern region of the country was earlier known as a terrorist prone area but with the initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, peace has been established in the region and thousands of militants joined into the mainstream of life. Commenting on the 11-year performance of the NDA government led by Prime Minister Modi, the Chief Minister added that with the inclusion of Sikkim with the North Eastern Council (NEC), PM Modi described the region as 'Ashtalakshmi' (symbolising eight forms of wealth and abundance) and initiated ambitious developments of all sectors of the region. "After Narendra Modi became the country's Prime Minister, he declared that if the northeastern region was not developing, India would not be developed. Development of 'Ashtalakshmi' is one of his (PM Modi's) priority sectors," CM Saha told the media. He also said that around 11 to 12 peace accords have been signed by the Centre with various insurgent groups and other organisations in the northeast which has brought peace and tranquility in the region. He added that PM Modi is always busy with development, innovation and inauguration of projects and schemes. The Prime Minister's plan and vision is only for the development of poor people and growth of the country, the Chief Minister said, and added that he (PM Modi) stipulated a 'roadmap' for the development of the country and accordingly executing plans and projects. "Prime Minister Modi-led government has succeeded in lifting 25 crore people out of poverty in the last 11 years. What PM Modi promised, he entirely fulfilled them. PM Modi's performance and contributions will be written in history in golden letters." The Chief Minister, accompanied by State BJP President and Rajya Sabha member Rajib Bhattacharjee, said that the Narendra Modi government has ensured border security and improved the country's economy significantly and widely used technologies in all sectors to achieve the expected performance. Chief Minister Saha said that the Narendra Modi government's mantra is "performance, accountability, and good governance" and added that the government is responsive, reform-centric, transforming all sectors and public participation is a significant aspect. Before 2014, people of India witnessed terrorists attacking the Parliament and Mumbai while corruption and nepotism were common phenomena before Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister in 2014, he added. "With his vast experience he (PM Modi) launched the Ayushman Bharat scheme and following this scheme, we introduced the Chief Minister Jan Arogya Yojana in Tripura for all the people to obtain medical treatment in an affordable manner," said CM Saha, who also holds the Health and Family Welfare portfolio. He said that during the past 11 years, the Narendra Modi government has laid a strong foundation for a truly developed and self-reliant India. Listing many bold decisions of the Narendra Modi government, including the abolition of triple talaq, the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act and the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the Chief Minister added that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has already declared that India is now the world's fourth largest economy while the World Bank identified India's bright prospects in future in economy and growth. The World Bank also categorised India's economy as the fastest growing economy in the world, he said. Chief Minister Saha, former BJP's Tripura unit President, said that PM Modi introduced politics of performance in the country. Noting that a transformational change has now been witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister said that after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack under a tit-for-tat lesson within 25 minutes of 'Operation Sindoor', nine terror bases and camps in Pakistan had been destroyed by the Indian armed forces. For women empowerment, a 33 per cent reservation Bill was passed in the Parliament and schemes and plans undertaken for the socio-economic development of the tribals, Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes, he added. CM Saha, who also holds the Home department portfolio, said that the Narendra Modi government has nearly eradicated Maoist activities in the country and their remaining activities would be finished in a few months. The Chief Minister said that India has got rid of corruption and scams with the PM Modi-led government coming to power in 2014. "Now, the fund meant for the needy people is being delivered directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through direct benefit transfer, he added.

‘Terror chose Dharma, India chose Karma': Rajnath Singh on Pahalgam terror attack, Op Sindoor
‘Terror chose Dharma, India chose Karma': Rajnath Singh on Pahalgam terror attack, Op Sindoor

Hindustan Times

time25 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

‘Terror chose Dharma, India chose Karma': Rajnath Singh on Pahalgam terror attack, Op Sindoor

In a powerful message, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that while the terrorists in Pahalgam targeted civilians on April 22 based on their religion, India hit back at the terrorists on the basis of their 'karm' (deeds). "Terrorists killed people in Pahalgam asking their religion; we didn't ask their 'dharm' but hit back seeing their karma," Rajnath Singh said at an event in Dehradun. Talking about India's defence strategy, Singh said under PM Modi's "bold and visionary" leadership, India's defence sector has transformed remarkably from a largely import-driven model to becoming a "trusted global exporter". "The world saw this change during the recent Operation Sindoor," Singh said. On April 22, terrorists found to have links with Pakistan opened fire at tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which resulted in the death of 26 people, mostly tourists. According to the victims, terrorists asked tourists about their religion and targeted only Hindu men. They reportedly asked women to go and narrate the ordeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In response, on May 7, India launched precision strikes under Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In retaliation, Pakistan attempted attacks on Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. India responded firmly to these actions. The hostilities on the ground ceased following talks between the directors general of military operations from both sides on May 10, resulting in an agreement to halt military actions. Earlier, Rajnath Singh said Pakistan should hand over UN-designated terrorists Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India if it is serious about talks between the two countries. In an interaction with naval warriors onboard aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off Goa, Singh said if Pakistan resorts to anything "evil or unethical" against India, it will face the firepower and ire of the Indian Navy this time. Singh said "Operation Sindoor is not over yet and this is just a pause, a warning. If Pakistan makes the same mistake again, India's response will be even harsher, and this time, it will not get a chance to recover."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store