Latest news with #KeralaCongress
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala nuns' arrest reignites political and ecclesiastical fault lines in State ahead of polls
With Kerala heading into back-to-back elections in a few months, the State's political stage appears to be resetting itself around the charged issue of two nuns currently languishing in a Chhattisgarh jail, offering the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) a potent rallying point and a strategic opening to turn the spotlight on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sensing the political resonance of the issue, both the UDF and the LDF have already despatched delegations to the prison, a move that aims at reinforcing their connect with the Christian community. Their intervention has been matched by sharp attacks on the BJP's Kerala unit, which has been struggling to shake off perceptions of its parent outfit's alleged hostility towards minorities. Francis George MP, leader of the Kerala Congress and part of the UDF delegation in Chhattisgarh, has maintained that the BJP's hidden face in Kerala stands exposed through this episode. 'They have tried to woo the Christian community here. But this incident has revealed that their political agenda does not include any real concern for our community. Outside Kerala, their affiliates like the Bajrang Dal and the Vishva Hindu Parishad thrive on hatred against Christians,' he pointed out. 'TKerala nuns' arrest' Jose K. Mani, MP and chairperson of the rival Kerala Congress faction, too has reached Chhattisgarh and is expected to meet the nuns on Wednesday. The party led by him, the Kerala Congress (Mani), too has framed the arrest as a targeted assault on grassroots-level empowerment work led by the Catholic Church in tribal and marginalised communities. The protests led by both the coalitions are gathering momentum, especially in central Travancore, where Christian community wield considerable political clout. Meanwhile, the episode appears to have stirred unrest within the Catholic Church itself with a section of the clergy voicing concerns over the silence of certain Bishops, some of whom had earlier publicly lauded the BJP's national leadership and cultivated ties with party leaders at the local level. 'Whenever incidents of violence against Christians were reported from North India and Karnataka, it was Archbishop Peter Machado of Bengaluru who took the initiative to approach the Supreme Court seeking justice,' noted a senior Catholic priest. 'Neither the Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church nor the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) were willing to support him or join the case.' 'Even when Father Stan Swamy was branded a Maoist, imprisoned, and died in custody, the Church leadership in Kerala stuck to the line that Christians were safe under BJP rule — and continued Christmas and Easter courtesy visits to its leaders, ' he added.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
CMP 40th founding day anniversary convention on Saturday
The Communist Marxist Party (CMP) will observe its 40th founding day convention at the Tagore Theatre on Saturday. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan will inaugurate the convention. Chairman of the party's control commission, V.K. Raveendran, will hoist the flag. M. P. Saju, chairperson of the welcoming committee, will welcome the delegates. The CMP general secretary C.P. John will preside over the function. Kerala Congress (Joseph) leader Mons Joseph, MLA, and District Congress Committee president Palode Ravi are among the speakers. CMP secretary Suresh Babu will propose the vote of thanks. Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) leader Shibu Baby John, Forward Bloc general secretary G. Devarajan and Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) leader M. Shajahan will lead the discussions at the seminar on the 'Relevance of the Communist Movement in the contemporary world'.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Evening news wrap: Tharoor hits back at Kerala Congress criticism; PM Modi set for UK, Maldives visit; and more
. In a sharp rebuttal to criticism from Kerala Congress leaders, Shashi Tharoor questioned the basis of remarks. Meanwhile, the ministry of external affairs briefed on Prime Minister Modi's upcoming UK and Maldives visit from July 23. Responding to concerns over EU sanctions, India reiterated its firm stance on prioritizing energy security in relation to Russian oil imports. In a legal setback, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal rejected Congress 's appeal in a Rs 199 crore tax case. In a disturbing incident from Dharamshala, a Delhi woman was raped in her hotel room. Here are more developments of the day: Shashi Tharoor hits back at Kerala Congress snub, responds to 'no longer one of us' remark In response to outspoken criticism from Kerala Congress leaders, Shashi Tharoor retaliated, casting doubt on the veracity of the assertions."People saying this also have to have a basis of saying this... who are they? What is their party position... I would like to know. Don't ask me to explain other people's behaviour... you talk to them about their behaviour." When questioned about the remarks made by other Congress leaders, Tharoor told reporters, "I can only talk about my own behavior. " Read more 'Both sides committed to elevate partnership,' says MEA on PM Modi's UK visit A pre-departure briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's forthcoming trips to the UK and the Maldives, which start on July 23, was held by the ministry of external affairs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "The Prime Minister will embark on an official visit to the United Kingdom tomorrow, July 23, for discussions with Prime Minister Keir Starmer," stated foreign secretary Vikram Misri, outlining the itinerary for the trip. In addition, he will meet with prominent business figures from India and the UK and pay a visit to King Charles III. Read more India takes tough stand on EU sanctions over Russian oil, says 'energy security top priority' Foreign secretary Vikram Misri responded to queries regarding mounting western pressure on India over purchasing Russian oil ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to the UK. Misri said, "We have been very clear that insofar as energy security is concerned, it is the highest priority of the government of India to provide energy security for the people of India, and we will do what we need to do with regard to that. " Read more No relief for Congress in Rs 199 crore tax case: Tribunal says no exemption The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) upheld a tax demand of Rs 199.15 crore after dismissing a Congress appeal. According to Bar and Bench, a two-member bench decided in a comprehensive ruling on Monday that Congress had not fulfilled essential requirements needed to qualify for the exemption."The assessee's return filed on 02.02.2019 is not within the 'due' date to make it eligible for the impugned exemption," the court stated. For the 2018–19 assessment year, the party had sought exemption under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act. Read more Delhi tourist raped in McLeodganj hotel room; suspect arrested A Delhi tourist was sexually assaulted on Sunday in her hotel room close to McLeodganj in Dharamshala, Himachal's Kangra district, by a friend of her boss who allegedly runs a hotel in Jawalamukhi, a temple town. Shubham, a Kangra native, has been taken into custody as the suspect. The woman claims he sexually assaulted her after breaking into her room when she was by herself. The survivor, who works and resides in Delhi, went to the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh with three friends, including her boss. According to a police officer, Shubham, a friend of the survivor's advocate and hotel owner in Jawalamukhi, invited the group to make a visit first. Read more
India Today
22-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Shashi Tharoor dares Kerala Congress over 'pro-Modi' snub, asks 'who are they?'
A significant rift has emerged between Shashi Tharoor and the Kerala Congress, with the state unit boycotting the Thiruvananthapuram MP over his alleged 'pro-Modi' position. The Kerala Congress has stated it will not cooperate with Tharoor, accusing him of attacking the party, Indira Gandhi, and opposing Rahul Gandhi's statements. In response, Tharoor has challenged his critics, asking, "Who are they? What is their party position?" He maintains there is no basis for the allegations. This internal conflict intensifies as the state unit calls for the Congress High Command to intervene. The friction is also reportedly linked to Tharoor's expressed interest in being the Chief Ministerial candidate for the next Assembly elections, a move that has caused friction with some state leaders.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Reduce number of voters per polling booth, political parties urge State Election Commission
In the run-up to the 2025 local body elections in Kerala, political parties have urged the State Election Commission to reduce the number of voters per polling booth. The demand was made at a meeting the Commission organised on Saturday with representatives of political parties for reviewing the arrangements. Local bodies in Kerala are scheduled to witness elections towards the end of this year. For local body polls, polling stations have a maximum of 1,300 voters in the panchayats and 1,600 per polling station in the municipalities and corporations. Political parties wanted the Commission, which is tasked with preparing voters lists and holding elections to local bodies, to reduce the numbers to avoid long queues. They also drew the Commission's attention to the fact that the Election Commission of India – responsible for the Assembly and Parliament elections – has capped the number at 1,200. The Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has urged the Commission to keep the numbers at 1,100 in the panchayats and 1,300 in the municipalities and corporations. As on June 30, 2025, Kerala has 2,66,78,256 voters in the Commission's electoral rolls. Electronic voting machines were first used for local body polls in 2015. At the time, polling stations in the panchayats had 1,100 voters and those in the urban areas, 1,500. For the 2020 elections, the Commission had extended the polling hours by one hour (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and reset the voter numbers to 1,300 and 1,600 respectively. However, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic this was revised to 1,200 and 1,500 respectively. At Saturday's meeting, political parties also urged the Commission to give new voters more time to register their names in the electoral rolls. The Commission has given time from July 23 to August 7 to add new names to the list. Political parties have asked the Commission to extend the deadline. Representatives of Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India, Indian Union Muslim League, Kerala Congress (M), Kerala Congress (B), Welfare Party of India, Social Democratic Party of India, Kerala Congress, Janata Dal (S), All India Forward Bloc, Janadipatya Kerala Congress, Revolutionary Socialist Party, and Bahujan Samaj Party attended the meeting.
