Latest news with #WinterSession
India Today
22-04-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Why are you carrying loot? Priyanka Gandhi fires back at BJP's tote bag swipe
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday responded sharply to BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj's attack involving a tote bag emblazoned with "National Herald Ki Loot", defending her family against recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) charges in connection with a money laundering case linked to the National Herald newspaper. Bansuri Swaraj, who is part of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on 'One Nation One Election', arrived at the meeting carrying the tote bag similar to the one Priyanka Gandhi was spotted holding inside Parliament premises during last year's Winter Session. advertisementThe Wayanad MP had triggered a controversy after she carried a bag with 'Palestine' written on it. The next day, she was seen holding another tote bag that had "stand with Bangladeshi Hindus and Christians" written on it. Speaking to reporters about Swaraj's tote bag theatrics, Priyanka Gandhi said she had complimented Swaraj and had mockingly asked, "Are you carrying this loot?" Furthermore, Priyanka Gandhi also reiterated that the BJP was "misusing agencies for political purposes" and targeting opposition leaders selectively. "The people of this country understand what is happening. My husband was questioned for giving Rs 4 lakh to his mother seventeen years ago. What kind of investigation is this?" she asked. The Congress leader dismissed the ED's actions as timed with the elections and accused the BJP of orchestrating an "intimidation campaign" through central agencies. "Those who are questioned and then join the BJP suddenly find all charges against them disappear," Priyanka Gandhi added. advertisementWhile assuring that her family would "fully cooperate" with the ED, the Congress leader also expressed concern over her mother's health, stating that Sonia Gandhi had been subjected to prolonged questioning despite her Bansuri Swaraj has described the National Herald case as one of "corporate abuse", alleging that properties worth Rs 2,000 crore were acquired for Rs 50 lakh through Young Indian Ltd, a company in which the Gandhis reportedly own 76 per cent shares. "The old Congress mindset is being exposed," news agency PTI quoted Swaraj as ED chargesheet, dated April 9, named former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others in an alleged Rs 5,000-crore money laundering case. Both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are currently out on bail, after courts dismissed their plea to quash the ED proceedings.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tensions escalate among Navajo leaders as Nygren finally agrees to address Navajo Nation Council
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren's designated seat within the Navajo Nation Council Chamber remained empty during the State of the Navajo Nation Address for the opening of the Spring Session on April 21, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Navajo Nation Council Two days after he ignored a subpoena demanding he appear before the Navajo Nation Council as it kicked off its spring legislative session, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren will deliver his State of the Navajo Nation address on Wednesday. It will be the first time that Nygren has appeared in the council chambers since January, when he cut his short and left before completing his quarterly State of the Navajo Nation address amid questions from delegates that he thought were disrespectful. Although Nygren announced on Tuesday that he would honor the Navajo Nation Council Speaker's invitation to appear before the council and provide this quarter's report in person, he made clear that he wouldn't hesitate to leave again if he was asked questions he didn't want to answer. 'I am prepared to have a meaningful, engaging and productive discussion about the things we were all elected on, including housing, water, electricity, roads, broadband, sovereignty and more,' he said in a memo to the speaker's office. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'I request that you allow me to present my State of the Nation uninterrupted,' he added. 'I reserve the right to excuse myself if the questions and comments derail productive discussion and are not focused on our shared goals of serving the people and moving the Nation forward.' Nygren said he specifically won't entertain discussions on topics 'rooted in gossip, unsubstantiated information, and are unproductive,' which he said are not appropriate or productive. Nygren requested that the Navajo Nation Council Delegates submit any questions they would like him to address beforehand, something he said would make the process as productive and orderly as possible. Nygren's move to provide his state of the address in person comes after the Navajo Nation Council voiced their concerns about his failure to appear and present during the opening of the spring session on Monday. Although Nygren was expected to deliver his address, he was absent, leaving the council with only a written report. The Navajo Nation Council stated in a press release that Nygren has failed to appear and present the address to the council and the public four times since he was elected into office. Nygren's last appearance before the council was on Jan. 27 during the Winter Session, but it abruptly ended when Nygren excused himself and left the Navajo Nation Council chambers before completing his address. In his memo to the speaker, Nygren said that he left the winter session due to the conduct of some of the delegates present, who he felt 'did not align with the decorum, order and mutual respect expected of naat'áanii (leader).' Before the spring session, Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley filed a subpoena ordering Nygren to appear before the council on April 21 at 10 a.m. to deliver his State of the Navajo Nation address and report. In a statement posted on social media, Nygren said he was traveling to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal partners. 'This trip underscores my commitment to working collaboratively, regardless of political affiliation—be it Republican or Democratic—to advocate for our Nation's needs and priorities,' he wrote on Facebook. Nygren said that he fulfilled his 'obligations' to the Navajo Nation Council by submitting a written report, which aligns with the requirements of Title 2 of the Navajo Nation Code. 'This action demonstrates my commitment to transparency and accountability to the Navajo people,' he added. Curley said working with federal partners is important, but the president must also report to the Navajo people and engage in meaningful dialogue with the Council members. 'What we're seeing from President Nygren is a lot of one-way communication directed at the Navajo people through radio, livestreams, newsletters, social media, and now a written report,' Curley said in a press release. 'The Navajo people want to hear President Nygren present his report in person and to have an in-depth dialogue with the Council,' she added. 'Yes, it's important to work with our federal partners, but President Nygren also needs to work with our Diné leaders as he promised when he campaigned for the presidency.' During Monday's opening day of the spring session, several Navajo Nation Council delegates voiced their concerns about Nygren's administration. They cited repeated absences, unilateral decision-making, and alleged misrepresentations made to both federal partners and the Council. 'We've been patient and willing to work with him,' Navajo Nation Council Delegate Brenda Jesus said. 'But enough is enough. At what point does the Navajo Nation Council show that we mean business? He's not honoring our collaboration — he's mocking it.' Navajo Nation Council Delegate Vince James said the president's absence was not just disappointing, it was disrespectful to the Navajo people. 'President Nygren is playing games with this body and with our Nation,' James said, adding that Nygren has been scheduling meetings in Washington, D.C., to avoid his responsibility to report to the council. 'His actions are undermining our programs and our sovereignty,' James said. Navajo Nation Council Delegate Andy Nez called on the council to consider hosting a special session to address the ongoing pattern of Nygren's absences. 'The president's absence sends the wrong message,' Nez said. 'We cleared our schedules to be here. His staff knows when the Council meets. He chooses public appearances and media over direct dialogue with this body.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
