Tejashwi Yadav ducks as drone crashes into podium at Patna rally
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Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Indian Express
Drug cartels, extortionists, killers running parallel government: Bajwa
Congress Sunday questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's 'silence' on the daylight murder of businessman Sanjay Verma and alleged that 'drug cartels, extortionists, and killers are running a parallel government while Punjab Police stands as mute spectators.' Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said, 'Verma's brutal murder in broad daylight outside his showroom is not just a tragedy — it is a chilling warning to every businessman in Punjab. He was an entrepreneur who employed over 500 people. And he was shot dead in broad daylight. Why? Because extortion gangs now rule this state'. Bajwa was speaking to reporters after attending a memorial for Verma. 'Traders are gripped by panic. If Verma can be killed so openly, who is safe anymore?' Bajwa asked. 'Where is CM Mann? Where is the Home Minister? His silence is not just shameful — it is criminal negligence. The ruling AAP has surrendered the state to gangsters. Drug cartels, extortionists, and killers are running a parallel government while Punjab Police stands as mute spectators,' he said. Bajwa accused the state government of avoiding accountability in the Assembly, refusing even to allow discussion on the law and order crisis. 'Congress demands immediate action. We demand resignation of CM Mann for failing in his duty as home minister and a high court-monitored judicial probe into Verma's murder. We also demand a Special Assembly session dedicated to discussions on law and order situtation and business community protection,' he added. 'Punjab's entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy. They are terrified, and rightfully so. If this government doesn't act now, Punjab's economy will bleed and the blame will lie squarely at the feet of Bhagwant Mann,' Bajwa warned. Meanwhile, Ludhiana MP and state Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said that the 'gangsters have created an atmosphere of fear akin to the one prevailing during the terrorism days in Punjab.' He said, extortion calls have become a routine and helpless people are forced to pay up and they do not even dare to complain. Warring, who addressed 'Samwidhan Bachao (Save Constitution)' rallies in Payal and Gill Assembly segments of Ludhiana, also called for radical police reforms to fix responsibility and accountability over the registration of fake FIRs. Warring also showered praise on former chief minister Beant Singh, who belonged to Payal. The happy and prosperous Punjab that we all today, was restored by Beant Singh by his blood, Warring said, adding the state can never forget his sacrifice. He pointed out, how the Congress led by Beant Singh came forward to fight the elections in 1992, while the Akalis ran away. 'While some ran away to America and Canada, others hid themselves behind the bars in the jails,' he said. Referring to the menace of drugs prevailing in Punjab, he said, there was no magic wand to finish it instantly. He underlined the need for providing jobs to youth, which can act as great antidote against drugs. He said, there was a huge number of vacancies which the AAP government was not filling as it did not have money. Warring suggested exploring the option of providing legalized and regulated traditional things like opium and poppy husk, which are less harmful than the synthetic drugs. He quoted the example of Canada where cannabis was legalized in 2017. Congress general secretary and former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa lashed out at the BJP for spreading disinformation. He challenged the party to list one achievement during or after the freedom struggle of the country, for the nation. He said, the Congress does not need any certificate from BJP, Akali Dal or the AAP. Randhawa warned the government against its attempts to acquire about one lakh acres of land saying it will destroy Punjab's economy. He said, this comes to stop the income of farmers worth Rs 50,000 crore.
New Indian Express
11-07-2025
- New Indian Express
A conspiracy by Odisha govt to sabotage Rahul Gandhi's rally on July 11, says Bhakta Charan Das
BHUBANESWAR: President of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Bhakta Charan Das on Thursday alleged that the ongoing strike by the Odisha Drivers' Mahasangha was a conspiracy by the state government to sabotage the 'Save Constitution' rally of Rahul Gandhi to be held in Bhubaneswar on Friday. Speaking to mediapersons, the OPCC president alleged the government was deliberately not taking any step to resolve the issue so as to stop Congress workers from reaching the capital city to attend the rally. 'Due to the ongoing strike, drivers are unavailable to bring the Congress workers to Bhubaneswar. Even petrol pumps have run dry,' he said. Das further pointed out that common people have been facing a lot of difficulty due to the ongoing strike. 'Prices of essential commodities including vegetables have skyrocketed but the government is oblivious to this problem,' he said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal are scheduled to address a public meeting in the capital city on Friday. Besides, they will attend several organisational meetings.
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Leaders from rival parties to join Congress after Rahul Gandhi visit: Bhakta Charan Das
BHUBANESWAR: Ahead of the visit of national president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi to Odisha on July 11, state Congress chief Bhakta Charan Das on Tuesday asserted that the party is on an upswing in the state with public enthusiasm growing around it. Das said several leaders of the rival parties, particularly BJD, have also begun to realise the robust revival of Congress organisation and its growing acceptance among the people at the grassroots, and are now ready to join the party. A number of BJD leaders are already in talks and could join Congress after the visit of Kharge and Rahul, he said. Das said more than one lakh, a majority of who are women, party workers and supporters will attend the 'Save Constitution' public meeting to be addressed by Kharge and Rahul in the capital city on July 11. The success of the public meeting will demonstrate the growth of Congress in the state, he said. Meanwhile, several disgruntled BJD leaders met at the residence of a party senior leader here recently to discuss their future course of action. Former BJD Rajya Sabha member member Bhupinder Singh said they discussed options including joining another political party. Singh said the leaders want more democratic functioning in the BJD. 'This is an old demand. However, the party president Naveen Patnaik has so far ignored it. There is no internal democracy in the party. Though several committees have been formed and office-bearers announced, they have never met nor discussed party functioning,' he said.
